Optimal Production Plan of Food Crop Production in Peri-Urban Areas of Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study analyzed optimal food crop production plan and resource allocation among peri-urban farmers in Adamawa State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected from 198 peri-urban farmers using structured questionnaire. Linear programming model were used as analytical tools. The result revealed that the optimal production plan gave a programme value of N49, 423.718 as the gross margin of production and recommended the production of only two out of the ten enterprises included in the model. These enterprises are the sole cowpea (0.247 ha) and maize/sorghum (0.951 ha) enterprises. The resources’ allocation pattern revealed only two of the constraints was fully utilized in arriving at the optimal solution. These land size (ha) and agrochemicals (litres), their corresponding shadow prices are N17,511.95, N5,810.02 respectively. The optimal farm plan recommends that peri-urban farmers should allocate their resources in such a way that the two crops enterprises are produced according to these hectares allocation to maximize total Gross Margin of N49, 423.718 per hectares. It also recommended the problem of inefficient allocation, farmers should be given proper orientation and basic training in major farm management techniques; this will help them to be more efficient in allocation of productive inputs.

Keywords: Optimal production Plan, Peri- urban, food, crops, Agriculture and Adamawa State.