Comparative Analysis of Labour Costs and Returns in Small-Scale Maize-Cowpea Farming: A Case Study Mubi North Local Government, Adamawa State, Nigeria |Chapter 5 | Current Research Progress in Agricultural Sciences Vol. 2

 

This study examines the comparative analysis of labor costs and returns in small-scale maize-cowpea farming, focusing on Mubi North Local Government, Adamawa State, Nigeria. The research investigates the costs incurred by farmers using family labor versus hired labor for various farm operations, as well as the returns generated from these operations. Data were collected from farmers, and the results show that the mean cost of labor per man-day for family labor ranged from N1716.43 to N328.44, with the highest cost being for the first weeding and the lowest for planting maize. In comparison, farmers utilizing hired labor had higher costs, ranging from N2750.11 to N350.85 per man-day, with the highest cost for the second weeding and the lowest for the second fertilizer application. Overall, hired labor was more expensive, leading to a total expenditure of N23,120.24 on labor, with hired labor constituting N14,513.99 and family labor N8,606.25. The cost and returns analysis revealed that farmers spent a mean total of N46,246.82 and N48,561.16 per hectare for family and hired labor respectively, and realized revenues of N69,084.39 and N73,201.22 for family and hired labor respectively. The study also found that hired labor resulted in higher returns over variable costs of production, total revenue, and gross margin per man-day, indicating that farmers who used hired labor tended to make greater profits. However, the return on capital investment for both family and hired labor was relatively low, suggesting the need for more efficient use of production inputs to enhance profitability in small-scale maize-cowpea farming.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Gwandi O.

Department of Agricultural Technology, Federal Polytechnic Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria and Department of Agricultural Economics, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India.

V. Kamalvanshi

Department of Agricultural Economics, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/crpas/v2/1204

Analysis of Socioeconomic Characteristics Influencing the Use of Family and Hired Labour in Small-Scale Maize/Cowpea Farms in Mubi North Local Government, Adamawa State, Nigeria | Chapter 3 | Current Research Progress in Agricultural Sciences Vol. 2

 

This study provides a comparative analysis of the socioeconomic factors influencing the use of family and hired labor on small-scale maize-cowpea farms in Mubi North Local Government, Adamawa State, Nigeria with a focus on enhancing sustainable agriculture. The data used for the study were collected from 160 respondents in Mubi North Government Area with the aid of a structured questionnaire using stratified random sampling techniques. Utilizing four functional forms of regression models—linear, semi-logarithm, double logarithm, and log inverse—the research identifies key determinants impacting labor use. For family labor, significant positive influences include household size (p<0.05), total farm output (p<0.05), and farmers' experience (p<0.01), collectively explaining 73.93% of the variation. In contrast, hired labor is significantly influenced by the distance of the farm from the residence (p<0.001) and total farm output (p<0.01), while the household size and farm size exhibit significant negative influences (p<0.001), accounting for 93.48% of the variation. The correlation analysis reveals that larger households and greater farm sizes positively correlate with increased productivity through both labor types, though mechanisms differ. The findings suggest that family labor is maximized in larger households with experienced farmers and higher farm outputs, whereas hired labor is necessitated by farm distance and increased outputs, with larger households and farm sizes reducing reliance on it. The study concludes that both family and hired labor are crucially shaped by socioeconomic variables, and the policy implications are significant. Policies should support large households in farming, improve farmer training, develop rural infrastructure to reduce the need for hired labor, regulate labor markets, and provide subsidies and technological support to enhance farm productivity. These measures can collectively boost the efficiency and sustainability of small-scale maize-cowpea farming in Mubi North, fostering economic well-being in the region's farming communities.

 

Author(s) Details

Gwandi O.
Department of Agricultural Technology, Federal Polytechnic Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria and Department of Agricultural Economics, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India.

V. Kamalvanshi

Department of Agricultural Economics, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India.

Jummai Mamman

Department of Agricultural Technology, Federal Polytechnic Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/crpas/v2/1201