Analysis of net farm income and constraints faced by okra farmers, North West, Nigeria

This study analyzed the net farm income and constraints faced by okra farmers, in North West, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was utilized. In the fourth-stage, a proportional and random sampling technique was employed to select 200 okra producers. Primary data were used for this study. The data were evaluated using descriptive statistics, farm budgeting techniques, and Kendall’s concordance of statistics . The mean age of respondents was 47 years. The total variable cost (TVC) in okra farming was calculated at 331878.61 Naira per hectare, accounting for 82.97% of the total cost. Similarly, the total fixed cost (TFC) was calculated at 68141.04 Naira per hectare, accounting for 17.03% of the total cost. The gross margin (GM) and net farm income(NFI) were estimated at 688141.39 and 620000.35 Naira per hectare, respectively. This means that okra farming is profitable. The RORI (rate of return on investment) or (return per Naira invested) in okra farming was estimated at 1.55. This implies that for every one Naira invested into okra farming, approximately 1.55 Naira is made as revenue. The high cost of fertilizer had the highest average rank score of 10.88 among the constraints faced by okra producers, while the high transportation cost had the lowest average rank score of 6.79. Credit should be provided to okra farmers at the single interest rate, devoid of cumbersome administrative procedures.