Profitability and Resource Use Efficiency in Fluted Pumpkin

ABSTRACT

Fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalisHook F.) is an important vegetable crop in southern Nigeria. Economic factors affecting its production were examined using a modified cost-route approach to collect data from small-scale monocrop producers between November 2002 and April 2003. Regression was used to analyze the data. Fluted pumpkin production was profitable under existing production systems with an average net income of N 33,499.75.ha⁻¹ (about US $260.ha⁻¹), on a mean farm size of 0.301 ha. Cost of fertilizer was the most important variable, followed by farm size, in explaining the value of pumpkin output, both of which were underutilized. To increase yield access to fertilizers should be improved and land prices need to be more affordable.

Key Words:

• Telfairia occidentalis
• efficiency
• Nigeria
• profitability
• resource use