Factors Affecting Pineapple Production in Central Agricultural Zone of Cross River State, Nigeria

The study analyzed the factors affecting pineapple production in Central Agricultural Zone of Cross River State, Nigeria during the 2020 cropping season. The Study described the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers, determined the major productive factors that affect pineapple production, examined the gross margin per hectare and identified some major constraints in pineapple production in the area. A multistage sampling technique was used for the selection of one hundred (100) pineapple farming households. The main tool for data collection was a set of structured questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis and multiple regression analysis. The result of the socio-economic variables revealed that 69% of the respondents were females while 31% were males. Majorities (44%) were within the age bracket of 31-40 years, 53% were married with an average household size of eight persons and about 86% had formal education. The findings of the study indicated that pineapple production in the study area was profitable. The regression analysis revealed the major factors that significantly affected pineapple production in the area include farm size, labour, cost of fertilizer and cost of pineapple suckers. The major constraints of pineapple production identified by the respondents were lack of storage facilities, lack of access to credit facilities, amongst others. The study, therefore, recommends that good policies should be formulated by the government to assist farmers gain access to formal loans and grants so that they can purchase required inputs. Government should work with the private sector to improve on infrastructural facilities such as road transports and storage facilities so as to boost market linkages and reduce post- harvest losses. The findings of this study will help the pineapple farmers to know their challenges in pineapple production and advance ways of solving them so that production per hectare could be raised, thereby adding value to their farm income and raising their standard of living.