ABSTRACT:
This study compares productivity of yam under mixed and sole cropping systems and determines the opportunity cost involved in the mixed cropping system preferred by small-holder farmers of southeastern Nigeria.The results show that output of yam per hectare, output/seed input ratio, as well as yield per yam crop stand, were all higher under yam sole cropping than under mixed cropping. Scarce resources of land, labour and capital were more productive under sole cropping. The opportunity cost of producing yam under a mixed corrping system was equivalent to 480·79 per hectare.Considering the labour and financial problems faced by the farmers, and given that the same level of social status is attainable by adopting either of the two cropping systems, it becomes rational to adopt sole cropping with less labour and cash requirements but higher output and returns.
Agricultural Systems 02/1986; 22(3-22):231-241. DOI:10.1016/0308-521X(86)90127-7