Sesame Production in Benue State: A cost benefit analysis

Abstract

The study analyzed the cost and benefit of sesame production in Benue North-East Zone. A total sample size of one hundred and twenty (120) sesame farmers were selected across three (3) local government areas (Kwande, Katsina-Ala and Vandeikya: these are most prominent in sesame production in North-East Zone of Benue State) using multistage sampling techniques. The results of this study revealed that majority of the respondents were still within the active age. Sesame production in Benue State was still primarily male dominated enterprise as women only constituted 35.8 percent of the respondents and majority of the sesame farmers were married (50%) and the result further revealed that majority of the respondents used hired labour (60%). The mean gross margin was N132,910, the maximum was N1290,000 and the minimum gross margin was -N31700 and the mean total revenue was N254,000 per hectare while the mean total variable cost was N121,470 per hectare and labour cost N72,989 per hectare was pin-pointed as the highest cost in the production sesame in Benue state. The study thus concludes that sesame production is profitable and recommends review of the production practices and training for farmers on good agricultural practices to reduce increase gains and reduce labour cost. Key word: Sesame; cost-benefit analysis, Production DOI: 10.7176/JESD/13-10-09 Publication date: May 31 st 2022