Analysis of Income and Constraints to Chilli Pepper Production in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study determines the contribution of chilli pepper to household farm income and constraints associated with its production. The study was carried out in three local government areas in Kaduna state, Nigeria between August and November 2014 cropping season. Purposive and random sampling techniques were used for data collection and descriptive statistics was used. The results showed that 53% of chilli pepper farmers had formal education; the majority of the farmers (72%) do not participate in any chilli pepper related cooperative association. The 98.5% of chilli pepper farmers financed their production from personal savings and that 58.5% are visited by extension agents. The findings of the study showed that chilli pepper has the highest contribution to household farm income and production is yet to be maximized since several constraints still limit its production. The most severe problems included price fluctuation and high cost of farm inputs while pest and diseases and inadequate capital followed respectively. Chilli pepper production was declining and this is attributed to the speculative activities of middlemen that cause price fluctuations and high cost of farm inputs. It is therefore, recommended that chilli pepper farmers should join cooperative societies to enable them procure farm inputs at the subsidized rate.