ABSTRACT

This study estimated the costs and returns, the input-output technical relationship, as well as constraints associated with watermelon production in some selected Local Government Areas of Kano State of Nigeria. Field survey was conducted in four local government areas (Bunkure, Kura, Wudil and Bichi) where structured questionnaires were administered to 200 respondents to generate the data used. The data were analyzed by the use of descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis and stochastic frontier production function. The results showed that, the average net farm income per hectare for watermelon was N25,422.98k and the average rate of return was 1.46 showing that, watermelon production is profitable in the study area. The inputs of farm size, seed, fertilizers and agrochemicals were positive and significant at 1% level of probability, while labour was negative and not significant. The socio-economic variables of age, education, years of farming experience and credit were significant at 5% level of probability. The major constraints to watermelon production were lack of improved seeds, activity of middlemen, lack of credit facilities and high cost of inputs.