Profitability Analysis of Small HolderMaize Farm Systems in the Western Highlands of Cameroon: Evidence from Tubah Sub-division

Abstract

This study to analysis profitability of maize production under the different farming systems practiced within Tubah subdivision. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 80 farmers from the 4 villages (Bambili, Bambui, Big Babanki, and Small Babanki) in the study area; 20 from each village. The study used primary data collected through the use of questionnaires and interviews. Results showed that there are basically two farming systems: mono-cropping and multi-cropping. Using the cost–return analytically technique, results of the NFI and profits per bucket under mono-cropping and multi-cropping farming systems in FCFAwere (2,103,266), (6,707,250) and (3,322), (5,174.4) respectively. The result showed that maize production in the study area under both farming systems is not profitable. The findings were attributed to some constraints notably inadequate credit, access to improved seeds challenge, insufficient fertilizer application, and high cost of labour. The study recommends that for profitable maize production within the study area, the government, and NGOs should assist farmers to overcome the main challenges as well as organise farmers into cooperatives to ease marketing with a high bargaining power.