Economic Analysis of Plantain Production in Derived Savannah Zone of Osun State, Nigeria

The study was conducted to examine the economics of plantain production in Iwo and Osogbo zones in the derived savannah zone of Osun State, in Nigeria. The objectives were to identify the characteristics of plantain farms, forecast the trend in farm size and analyze the costs and returns to production of plantains in order to determine its performance and how it can be improved. A multistage sampling technique involving purposive and random sampling was used in the study. Primary data collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire in 2009 on production inputs and output were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Markov chain process and budgetary technique. Descriptive analysis showed that all farms in the study area grew more than one variety of plantain, a majority (72%) of the farms adopted the recommended spacing of 3m 2 , all the farms were small scale and more than half of them followed the recommended desuckering policy of 4-5 plantain suckers per stool. Markov chain analysis showed an upward trend in the sizes of plantain farms in the area of study until the year 2027 when equilibrium would be attained with mean farm size of about 1960.5 plantain stands. Budgetary analysis results revealed that plantain production was profitable in the zone. The results further showed that the net return accruing to an average plantain farmer was N65, 781.67 per ha per annum. In order to improve production of plantain, farmers require to access finance in order to acquire farm inputs, hire labour, and acquire suitable farmland.