Plantain Farmers Research Articles

Amelioration of the Nutritional Qualities of Plantain (Musa Paradisiaca L.) Using an Organic Fertilizer

The increase in world population has caused banana and plantain farmers to use excessive amounts of fertilizers to improve agricultural production. However, this excessive use of fertilizers has negative effects on the nutritional quality and shelf life of the fruit. This study aims to improve the nutritional quality of plantain using an organic fertilizer. Eleven treatments were applied to plantain plants in an experimental design consisting of randomized blocks with 3 replications. Three plantain fingers from the second hand of each bunch were peeled, dried, processed into flour and analyzed for biochemical parameters following fertilizer application. The results showed that treatment T4-1 (15 t/ha of Tithonia diversifolia) significantly improved the protein contents in plantain pulp (5.50%). Similarly, treatment T3-1 (10 t/ha of Tithonia diversifolia) improved the concentrations of potassium (8675 mg/kg), magnesium (900 mg/kg), iron (264.97 mg/kg) and sodium (587.99 mg/kg). Principal component analysis revealed that T3-1 (10 t/ha of Tithonia diversifolia) promotes a better transfer of mineral elements into plantain pulp. This study showed that Tithonia diversifolia-based fertilization significantly improves the nutritional quality of plantain.

Pre-Harvest Losses and Strategies Adopted by Plantain Farmers in Mitigating Them in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

The study examined the pre-harvest losses and strategies adopted by plantain farmers in mitigating them in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to identify causes of pre-harvest losses and evaluate strategies adopted by plantain farmers in mitigating pre-harvest losses. Five (5) Local Government Areas (Yenagoa, Ogbia, Kolokuma-Opokuma, Sagbama, and Southern Ijaw) were purposefully selected using a multi-stage sample technique. These LGAs were selected based on the predominance of commercial plantain producers in each of the five (6) villages within each LGA. Additionally, there are eight (8) plantain farmers in each village, for a total of 240 plantain farmers. A structured questionnaire was employed to extract the necessary data from the selected farmers. The result indicates that theft, pest, flood, diseases and logging were the major causes identified affecting pre-harvest losses of plantain in the study area. Furthermore, planting of permanent crops as blockade, use of flood free zones for cultivation, use of improved varieties of sucker, practice of integrated pest management technique, better extension services and cultivating dwarfish breeds were strategies employed by plantain farmers to reduce pre-harvest losses. The recommendations made in light of the findings were for farmers to receive appropriate orientation and/or fundamental training in important farm management techniques, with a focus on plantain production pre-harvest losses. They will become more profitable as a result and become more effective.

Effect of Pre-Harvest Losses on Profitability of Plantain Production in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

The study examined the effect of pre-harvest losses on profitability of plantain farmers in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to: describe the socio economic characteristics of plantain farmers, examine pre-harvest losses of plantain on profitability and determine factors that influence pre-harvest losses of plantain. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select five (5) local government areas (Yenagoa, Ogbia, Kolokuma-Opokuma, Sagbama and Southern Ijaw) purposively based on their predominance in commercial plantain farmers and six (6) communities each from the 5 LGAs respectively, and, furthermore, eight (8) plantain farmers in each community, making a total number of two hundred and forty (240) plantain farmers. Structured questionnaire was used to elicit the required information from the selected respondents. The result indicates that 55.1% of the respondents fall between the age range of 31-50 years, with the mean age of 44 years. Males (51.9%) dominated plantain production in the study area. The majority of the plantain farmers were married (60.0%), 95.5% had formal education, 60.0% had 1-15 years of farm experience, 77.9% were part-time farmers, 98.3% had family size of 1-10 persons in their households with a mean of 5 persons, and 56.7% had farm size of 2-4 hectares. The result further shows that 56.7% used hired labour while 86.7% had no month contact with extension agent. Sucker, fertilizer, household size, and educational level had a significant relationship with plantain production at various probability levels, indicating profitability. Based on the findings, it was therefore recommended that there is a need for the farmers to put up parameter fencing to prevent theft cases which is extremely high and adversely affects net farm income. However, government and non-governmental organizations can support in terms of granting farmers' soft loans in order to reduce the burden.

Typology of Plantain Cultivation in a Context of Climate Change in the Agroecological Zone of Haut-Sassandra, Central-West, Côte d'Ivoire

The Haut-Sassandra region (Côte d'Ivoire), experiencing climate change with its many consequences, continues to produce bananas even if the level has fallen in recent years. This work was carried out to understand the adaptation strategies of plantain farmers facing the consequences of climate change. The methodological approach consisted of listing banana plantations of more than one hectare in Haut-Sassandra and carrying out a survey on plantain cultivation practices observed in this agroecological zone. The survey carried out made it possible to list 34 banana plantations with areas of between 1.5 and 5 hectares. For the establishment of banana plantations, slash-and-burn crops are the most favored (100%). The most used crop type is the crop association (85%) (cocoa (65%), coffee (15%) and food crops (5%)). Only 15% of banana plantations were monoculture. The fight against the wind is achieved by hedges made up of plots of rubber and teak surrounding the banana plantations. Symptoms of biotic and abiotic diseases were observed in all the banana plantations investigated. To maintain sustainability and better banana production, Haut-Sassandra planters combine several agroecological practices.

Co-designing innovative plantain cropping systems to support the diversity of agroecological pathways in Guadeloupe

In the French West Indies, and particularly in Guadeloupe, agricultural policies mainly support the banana and sugarcane export sectors. However, driven by consumer demand, policy-makers are increasingly interested in developing local and agroecological food systems. Plantain (Musa spp., AAB), cultivated by a wide range of farmers, plays a key role in the diversification of local production and food systems, contributing to food security. However, important gaps in knowledge about plantain cropping systems are hindering the understanding of their contribution to the agroecological transition of farms. Farmers are also requesting more guidance from technical advisers and research. The aim of the work, presented in this article, was to co-design agroecological plantain cropping systems with farmers in order to fill this knowledge gap and to support local food systems. The co-design process was based on the characterization of the diversity of plantain farming systems, the evaluation of changes in practices implemented between 2017 and 2019, and the co-design of a system experiment. We identified six types of plantain farming systems defined by the role of plantain in the production strategy of the farm and a gradient of agroecology in plantain management practices. Our results also show progress toward agroecology between 2017 and 2019. Four innovative plantain cropping systems were designed based on a combination of existing knowledge held by farmers from the six types of farming systems. These results confirm that plantain cropping systems are contributing to the agroecological transition of farms in Guadeloupe and highlight that there are multiple possible agroecological transition pathways for plantain farmers. These results also provide a concrete example of integration of academic and non-academic knowledge for the co-design of agroecological systems.

Construction of Scale to Measure Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Farm Operations of Tapioca Growers in Kerala & Andhra Pradesh

The impact of COVID-19 and resultant lockdown were quite harsh on agriculture sector of India. Tapioca and plantain farmers suff ered the most in Kerala and Andhra Pradesh during COVID-19 pandemic. In this context the present study was conducted to develop a scale to measure impact of COVID-19 pandemic on pre farmgate-post farmgate operations of tapioca growers in Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. Four dimensions were identifi ed based on literature review & expert opinion for easy classifi cation and measuring the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. A total 200 statements under four dimensions of impact of COVID-19 pandemic was collected, out of these 80 consistent statements were selected through relevancy test. Out of 80 statements, these 43 statements were retained on the fi nal scale through t-test item analysis. Reliability and validity of the scale indicates its consistency and precision of the results. This scale was found to be reliable and valid.

Evaluating suitable low-cost agar substitutes, clarity, stability, and toxicity for resource-poor countries' tissue culture media

Over 20% of plant species assessed are threatened with extinction. Most of these plants have food security implications, especially in developing countries. Traditional seeds and cutting propagation techniques cannot counter the loss rate, and tissue culture provides a fast alternative to conventional propagation techniques. However, tissue culture has been considered too expensive for developing countries negatively impacted by food insecurity. A gelling agent is the costliest media component in plant tissue culture. This study aims to assess different gelling agents to find suitable ones with low cost and acceptable gelling properties for developing countries, especially in rural areas. Plantain explants were propagated on 16 starch-based substrates to evaluate their suitability as tissue culture gelling agents. This study compared the cost of various substrates and their gelling properties, such as clarity, toxicity, and texture, with agar as a reference gelling agent. Some substrates, such as xanthan, had good gelling properties, but their cost was too high (5.98 Euro L−1) to be considered low-cost. Other substrates, such as cassava starch, did not have suitable gelling properties; however, the cost was low (0.99 Euro L−1). Two of the substrates, mung bean and Isabgol, had suitable gelling properties and cost less than one euro. Therefore, smallholder banana and plantain farmers in resource-poor countries can undertake tissue culture operations with mung bean and Isabgol as gelling agents with minimum cost.

Economics of Plantain Production among Farmers in Northeast Nigeria

This study analysed the economics of plantain production in Northeast Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were to; describe plantain farmers’ socio-economic characteristics in Northeast Nigeria; identify factors affecting plantain production in the study area, and also ascertain farmers’ resource use efficiency in plantain production. The study adopted a multi-stage sampling technique to collect primary data from 250 plantain farmers selected from 13 communities. In the analysis of the data, descriptive statistics and a stochastic frontier model were used. The finding of the study indicated that most (86.8%) of the respondents were male, having an average age of the respondents was 39.15 years, who are mostly educated (92.8%) and cultivate an average of 2.39 ha of land. The stochastic frontier production function maximum likelihood estimates of the parameters indicated that the production of plantain is determined by farm size, the number of suckers planted, the amount of hired labour used, and family labour. Similarly, the plantain production cost is being influenced by the cost of plantain suckers, labour, and the depreciated cost of land. Furthermore, the study revealed that the farmers were technically and allocatively efficient, although, the maximum technical efficiency was not achieved by farmers. Therefore, it was recommended that agricultural extension agents should be encouraged to reach plantain farmers with the required production technologies to promote production efficiency.

Effect of adoption of sustainable agricultural practices among plantain farmers in Yenagoa agricultural zone of Bayelsa State, Nigeria

The study analyzed adoption of sustainable agricultural practices among plantain farmers in Yenagoa agricultural zone of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Purposive and multi-stage random sampling techniques were used to select 100 plantain farmers from ten communities in the study area. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as (ANOVA) and multiple regression analysis. The findings showed that plantain farmers had a mean age of 39 years, 54.0% of plantain farmers were females while 46.0% were females. The result shows that planting time (82.0%), spacing (79.0%), pruning (65.0%) and new varieties (53.0%) were the various sustainable agricultural practices provided by extension in the study area. The study further shows that sucker multiplication ( = 2.76), post-harvest ( =2.60) and types of suckers ( = 2.28) were the sustainable agricultural practices adopted by plantain farmers. Plantain farmers were aware of the following sustainable agricultural practices provided by extension: spacing (100%), pruning (99%), planting time (97%), mulching (77.0%) and staking (61.0%). The study also shows that extension was effective in result demonstration ( =3.32), agricultural extension visit ( = 3.05), number of trainings ( =2.99), method demonstration ( =2.81), research extension linkage ( =2.77) and number of meetings scheduled that held ( =2.61). The ANOVA result showed that there was significant difference in the effectiveness of extension in sustainable agricultural practices dissemination among plantain farmers in the study area at 5% level of significance. The multiple regression analysis revealed that age (3.626***) and household size (4.165***) influenced the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices at 1% level of significance while marital status (2.578**), income (2.519**) and farm size (2.641**) influenced the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices at 5% level of significance. The study concluded that there was high level of adoption of sustainable agricultural practices by plantain farmers in the study area. Hence, it recommends that extension should vigorously promote the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices for increased plantain production.

ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION ON PRODUCTIVITY OF PLANTAIN FARMERS IN NIGERIA

Sub-Saharan Africa has been plaque with food insecurity due to lack of adoption of modern technology to improve their productivity. Technology is the systematic application of scientific or other organized body of knowledge to practical purposes. This includes new ideas, inventions, innovations, techniques, methods and materials. Since increasing agricultural productivity is critical to meeting the continues rise in demand for food, agricultural technologies will play immense role in increasing the production of food. As a result, it is useful to examine the adoption of technologies among farmers. A multistage sampling technique was used for the selection of five hundred and fifty - six plantain farmers. The data were collected through the administration of a well-structured questionnaire on a cross-section surveyed of plantain farmers. The result of the study shown that educating the plantain farmers in Nigeria will enable them adopt new technologies which will enhance their productivity.

Utilizing Spent Plantain Pseudostems to Grow Vegetables for Additional Income to Farm Households in Nigeria

The study examined value addition using plantain trunks to grow vegetables as an additional source of income to farm households. Using of a questionnaire to elicit responses from 120 plantain farmers in Edo State, we used descriptive and inferential statistics to examine the socioeconomic characteristics, return to leafy vegetable production, perceived environmental impacts and the challenges to adopting the innovation. Results from the study show that 62% of respondents were females. Lettuce and Spinach were the prevalent leafy vegetables grown. The return to leafy vegetable production was NGN, 258,378.42K/Ha/season fewer production costs. This return was 39% of the average returns to plantain production/Ha/Year. Decaying pseudostems adding to the manure to the soil through humus formation and reduced pollution from agrochemicals and fertilizers were some of the perceived environmental impacts of the innovation. Low market prices of vegetables, shortness of the shelf life of vegetables, costs of seeds were the major challenges encountered by farmers who adopted the innovation. The study concludes that the innovation was viable with the possibility of expansion. The study recommends further drive of the innovation to other plantain producing regions of Nigeria, and plantain farmers are also encouraged to explore other uses of their farm “waste”, environmental specialist and other promoters of eco-friendly production and investors should partner with these plantain producers to add value to products and ‘wastes’. The right and supporting policies to sustain the adoption of the innovation should also be put in place by the authorities concerned.

Development of appropriate in vivo technique for rapid field multiplication of plantain (Musa aab) using coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) water and indole-3-acetic acid

Plantain production in Ghana is challenged with inadequate healthy and uniform sized planting materials for cultivation. In vitro and rapid field multiplication techniques of plantains have been developed to overcome the problem of obtaining many vigorous and uniform suckers free from pest and diseases. However, in vitro techniques require expensive equipment and expertise that are unavailable to most plantain farmers in Ghana. Therefore, an appropriate and inexpensive technique has to be developed in vivoto increase the multiplication rate of plantain planting materials. This study investigated the effects of coconut water (CW) alone or in combination with varying concentrations of auxin (indole-3-acetic acid, IAA) on axillary bud initiation, growth and development of plantain (cv. Asamienu). Coconut water from fully matured dried fruits (13 months old) was supplemented with three different indole-3-acetic acid concentrations, 10-4 M, 10-3 M, and 10-2 M to produce five different coconut water : IAA ratios (v:v), viz: 8:0, 6:2, 4:4, 2:6, 0:8. Distilled water was used as control. These treatment solutions were then injected into the base of developing suckers of plantain. Three weeks after injection treatments, the highest number of well differentiated buds was obtained from 2 ml coconut water and 6 ml of 10-2 M IAA (2:6 ratio). Eight ml of coconut water alone (8:0 ratio) also produced the highest number of fully differentiated plantlets. One month after the application of the bud manipulation technique, the highest number of additional welldifferentiated axillary buds and fully developed plantlets were produced with 2 ml coconut water plus 6 ml 10-2 M IAA and 4 ml coconut water plus 4 ml 10-2 M IAA,respectively. The study generally showed that treatments with coconut water from fully matured dried fruits alone produced the largest and the most vigorously growing plantlets. On the other hand, coconut water from fully matured dried fruit combined with IAA induced significant proliferation of axillary bud and shoot formation of plantain significantly over the control treatment. These findings demonstrated the potential of using coconut water from fully matured dried fruits alone or in combination with IAA at ratios of (2:6) and (4:4) to improve the multiplication rate of plantain planting materials. Key words: coconut water, indole-3-acetic acid, plantain, axillary buds, multiplication rate, in vivo

Economics of Plantain Production in Calabar Agricultural Zone, Cross River State, Nigeria

This project work dealt with the Economics of Plantain Production in Calabar Agricultural zone, Cross River State. The specific objectives of the research were to examine the socio economic characteristics of plantain farmers, identify the different farming practices in the area, analyze cost and returns relationship of plantain farming, and problems militating against plantain production in the zone. A multistage random sampling technique and purposive sampling technique were used to administer structured questionnaire to 90 respondents. Data collected were analyzed using frequency, percentage and mean, while budgetary analysis was used to determine the profitability of plantain farming. The results showed that majority (94.4%) of the respondents were male with the age bracket of 51-60 years with mean of 56 years. The finding also shows that 44.44% of the respondents have 6-10 years of farming experience with a mean of 9 years. The result further shows that many of the respondents do not have good qualification, rather majority have primary education representing 61.11%. Most of the farmers’ savings were personal savings as only source of capital. Most of the farmers have <360 plantain produce annually. The results of the budgetary analysis showed that the calculated gross margin is N191,400 and benefit cost ratio of 1.7, so plantain production is profitable. The result also shows that net profit is estimated at N123,415 and a gross ratio of 0.7. The major problems confronting the farmers in the zone is land tenure, lack of inputs and poor storage facilities. To improve p-lantain production in the study area, it is recommended that government should establish various research centres, provision of farm inputs, provision of low or no interest rates loans for the procurement of required inputs.

Small-scale postharvest practices among plantain farmers and traders: A potential for reducing losses in rivers state, Nigeria

High postharvest losses (PHLs) caused by poor postharvest management of perishable staple foods is a serious food security problem in Nigeria. Adoption of suitable postharvest management techniques is necessary to maintain produce quality and minimize avoidable losses by relevant stakeholders. The challenge is that most popular postharvest technologies are unsuitable for small scale farmers and traders who are a majority in the Nigerian food supply chains. This paper proposes the adoption of small-scale friendly postharvest techniques in the form of small-scale postharvest practices (SSPPs). To justify this proposal, the impact of SSPPs adoption on self-reported losses were investigated in Rivers State Nigeria. The factors influencing plantain farmers and traders intention to use SSPPs were also studied. Multistage and snowball sampling techniques were used to obtain data from farmers and traders, respectively. Data were obtained via face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaire. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, chi-square test of independence and multiple linear regression analyses. The results indicate that farmers adoption of SSPPs was negatively correlated with quantitative losses (r = - 0.142) and qualitative losses (r = - 0.412). Gender, education level, occupation, amount of produce harvested, and information access were significantly associated with farmers adoption of SSPPs. From the regression analysis, attitudes (β = 0.523, p < 0.05), awareness knowledge (β = 0.100, p < 0.05) and perceptions (β = 0.293, p < 0.05) of farmers significantly predicted their intention to use SSPPs. The regression model was significant (R2 = 0.552, F(3, 308 =126.264, p < 0.05)), with attitudes, awareness and perceptions explaining 55.2% of the variation in the dependent variable, intention. Based on the results, we recommend that plantain farmers and traders should integrate small scale postharvest practices in their operations because it will help them maintain produce shelf life and minimize avoidable losses. Policy makers, food security proponents and relevant institutions should take the necessary action by formulating tailored intervention programs that would facilitate adoption of SSPPs at farm and market levels. These recommendations will positively impact food security efforts in the country.

Estimating farm-level financing gap: a technical efficiency approach

PurposeMuch attention has been paid to farm credit access with less focus on determining the actual credit amount needed to bring about a specified increase in productivity relative to the finance being sought. The paper aims to discuss this issue.Design/methodology/approachUsing 2016 cross-sectional data of plantain farmers, the authors employ the Cobb–Douglas stochastic frontier production function to determine the technical efficiency (TE) of each farmer. Current plantain quantity produced by farmers and the TE are then used to estimate plantain quantity at a target efficiency. The finance needed to produce at the target efficiency is estimated using the Harrod–Domar (HD) growth equation and the authors then subtract the farmers’ savings from the estimated amount to determine the financing gap of the farmers.FindingsResults of this study show that the actual amount required to improve the productivity of farmers to target levels of TE can be estimated and that credit amount granted to farmers can be tied to a specific production efficiency. Credit schemes with interest rates below 9 per cent are more beneficial to farmers while access to credit is determined by interest rate, education, credit process duration, land ownership and asset value in the study area.Research limitations/implicationsThe implication of this research is that it opens up the possibility of further exploring the application of the HD theory at the micro level.Practical implicationsThe findings in this study have important implications on the provision of agricultural credit to small farmers. The first is that the TE of farmers plays a very critical role in determining the actual amount of credit needed to bridge the farm-level financing gap and impact positively on productivity. Second, while it is important to bridge the farm-level financing gap, this can only be beneficial to the farmers at single-digit interest rates below 7 per cent. Finally, granting of credit to farmers can be tied to specific production increase target to reduce indiscipline and mismanagement in credit use.Social implicationsThe findings of this study will go along in helping to prevent mismanagement and indiscipline in the use of scarce financial resources in agricultural production.Originality/valueThis study is the first of its kind, using TE and bringing the HD equation down to the farm level to estimate the exact amount required by farmers to bring about specific increase in production, determining the credit amount beyond which mismanagement may set in.

Analysis of the profit margin along the plantain value chain in Osun State, Nigeria

Plantain is a crop of economic value and can serve as a source of foreign exchange if given proper attention. There is, thus, the need to explore this potential, especially as regards the profit accrued by the various actors in the plantain value chain. This study sought to estimate the profit margin of players along the plantain value chain, examine the factors affecting the margins of actors and identify the constraints faced by them. Random sampling technique was used to select 125 producers, processors and marketers in Osun state. The primary data used were collected using well-structured interview schedule. Gross margin, net marketing margins; ordinary least square regression; and Likert-type scale were used for data analysis. The study revealed that the gross margin accrued to plantain producers was ₦639,148.31/ha per annum, while the net marketing margin/bunch for the plantain processors and marketers were ₦1836.61 and ₦204.96 respectively. Household size, quantities of labour, suckers, and pesticide used were factors affecting the gross margin of producers. Total input cost significantly affected the marketing margin of the processors, while it was transportation cost for the marketers. The major constraint faced by the plantain farmers was high cost of labour whilethe processors and marketers had the challenges of high cost of plantain and lack of a uniform unit of measurements respectively. The study concludes that the plantain value chain is profitable for all the actors, and recommends that the government should provide incentives that would encourage more people to go into plantain production, processing, and marketing.Keywords: Plantain, Value chain, Actors, Profit margin, Constraints

Production of Clay Containers for Curbing Plantain Post-Harvest Losses in Ghana

In Ghana, most farmers are peasants and at times foodstuffs produced get rotten either through transportation or market places. This normally affects the meager income that farmers earn through hard work. Available statistics indicate that each year, food crops worth several hundreds of dollars go waste in the country due to poor harvest losses and it represents 70% of total food production in Ghana. Again, in the country, there is abundant of clay as a natural resource. Geological study has revealed that it is found in almost every part of the country. As a means of finding solution to the rate at which local foodstuffs especially plantain rot, the study sought to design and compose clay container purposefully for storing plantain to prolong its lifespan. The study focused on 5 clay body compositions (C1 to C5) and fired at 950°C. Composition C1 consisted of 50% of Abonko clay and 50% of Daboase clay. Composition C2 was made up of 40% Abonko clay, 50% Daboase clay and 10% of smooth sawdust. Composition C3 composed of 45% of Abonko clay, 45% of Daboase clay and 10% of smooth sawdust. Composition C4 was made up of 90% Daboase clay and 10% rough sawdust. The last composition C5 comprised mainly 100% Abonko clay. Fresh plantains obtained from Takoradi market circle were stored in the containers and weekly recordings of states of plantain for five consecutive weeks were carried out. It was revealed that C4 was successful in storing fresh plantains to ripe stage after the five weeks. It is recommended among others that, the technique should be made available to stakeholders such as Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), plantain farmers and market plantain sellers through seminars, public education and symposia in order to minimize post-harvest losses.

Profitability of Investment in Plantain Value Chain in Osun State, Nigeria

Profit is the driving force for any enterprises to thrive well, because it encourages more investment into an enterprise. One of the major barriers to investing in plantain value chain is inadequate information on return to investment. Thus, this paper investigated profitability of investors along plantain value chain in Osun state. A multistage sampling procedure was used to elicit information from 100 respondents for the study. Data were analysed using descriptive analysis, budgetary analysis, and multiple regression analysis. Descriptive statistics reveal that average age was 52.2 (±11.19) years for plantain farmers, 41.8 (±10.78) years for processors and marketers 33.42 (±11.99). While, average farming experience was 26.9 (±10.88) years for plantain farmers, 12.47 (±10.78) years for processors and marketers 5.84 (±19.12). About 6.7% farmers, 15.6% processors and 13.2% marketers had access to credit facilities. The budgetary analysis showed that benefit-cost ratios were $1.38, $1.30 and $1.19 for the farmers, processors and marketers, respectively. Multiple regression estimates revealed that insecticide used (p<0.1) and numbers of plantain harvested (p<0.01) significantly influenced the profitability of the plantain farmers, while age (p<0.1), level of formal education (p<0.05), amount invested into the business (p<0.01) and household size (p<0.05) significantly influenced the profitability of the plantain marketers. Only household size (p<0.01) significantly influenced the profitability of the plantain processor. In accordance with the findings of the study, we therefore recommend that subsidized cost of inputs and better access to credit among the investors along the value chain would increase the level of return to the investment.

Assessing The Adoption Of Macro Propagation Technology (MPT) Among Plantain And Banana Farmers In Ondo State, Nigeria

Assessing The Adoption Of Macro Propagation Technology (MPT) Among Plantain And Banana Farmers In Ondo State, Nigeria

Economic Implications of Marketing Structure of Banana and Plantain Fruits for the Development of Rural Communities in Enugu State, Nigeria

There is increase in the level of purchase and consumption of banana and plantain due to their nutritional requirements. This led to increase in the number of market dealers on banana and plantain. Therefore, the study assessed the marketing channel and structure of banana and plantain in Enugu State, Nigeria. Adopting a descriptive survey design, copies of the instrument were administered to 160 banana and plantain sellers. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Gini co-efficient. The results showed that majority of the respondents were married females who attained primary education. Majority of the wholesalers obtained their products directly from farmers while 71.80% of the retailers obtained from the wholesalers. The results of the Gini co-efficient for banana and plantain sellers showed low levels of inequitable distribution of income among them. However, inequalities existed more at retail level than at the wholesale level. Recommendations included that international donor should provide links between prospective banana and plantain farmers, policy makers and researchers to identify and analyze new ways of encouraging the market for mutual co-operation and structure for an effective banana and plantain marketing system.