ABSTRACT
The study examined the economic analysis of effects of pests and disease on small scale maize producers in Akinyele Local Government Area, Oyo state. The objectives of this research work are to determine the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, the cost and return of maize production and also the factors that influence profitability due to pests and disease on maize production in the study area and necessary recommendation were made. A total of 100 farmers were randomly selected and questionnaires were administered to them.
The primary data collected were analyzed with descriptive statistics. The profitability was determined using gross margin analysis. It was found that about 66% of the respondents were between the productive age group of 36-60 years and about 4% had no formal education; the major source of income was from personal savings. The gross margin was N89, 230.00 per hectare, profit of ₦83, 020.00, benefit cost ratio of 1.95 which shows that maize production is a profitable business to engage in this study area. The result of the regression analysis revealed that coefficients of source of income, farm years of experience, maize yield threaten, discouragement were positively and statistically significant.
Since farmers’ constraints centered on lack of capital as well as pest and disease infestation, it was recommended that government should grant farmers loan with minimum collateral for them to be able to buy more capital inputs and increase farm size.
