Abstract:
Onion (Allium cepa L.) is one of the major cash crops grown mostly in northern Nigeria,
nevertheless with perpetual scarcity at off season due to its perishability as producers lacked
adequate storability thus, sells at low price to avoid spoilage at hand. The study seeks to
evaluate profitability of onion production and its constraints in Kebbi State, Nigeria. Seven Local
Government Areas were purposively selected from the state. Four stage sampling procedures
were used in selecting 210 onion producers using structured questionnaire. The data collected
was analyzed using SPSS software and gross income analysis. The result of the study revealed
that mean output of onion in bagsha-1 was 71.58 bags with an average price of ?15597.05 but
incurred loss of 18.71%ha-1. The estimated gross margin, net farm income, gross ratio, operating
ratio and return on capital investment provides an estimated values of ?700, 388.33ha-1, ?667,
956.99ha-1, 0.40, 0.37 and ?1.68 respectively. Production and marketing constraints identified
were; high cost of inputs, pest and disease attack, poor storage facilities and poor pricing. In
conclusion, onion production is a profitable enterprise. The study recommends for
government/nongovernmental sustainable financial, technical and educational interventions for
the enhancement of onion production in the study area |
