Abstract

This study evaluated factors affecting productivity and profitability of leafy vegetable production in Anambra State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected from 150 respondents selected through multistage sampling procedure. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression model. Results show that sex, farm size, quantity of fertilizer and farming experience positively and significantly increased productivity of leafy vegetable farmers while quantity of fertilizer, distance from the water body and land acquisition negatively and significantly increased profitability of leafy vegetable production. High cost of inputs (fertilizers, agrochemicals), high cost of labour, poor visit by extension agents, inadequate finance, poor access to credit/capital, poor or bad road, low market price, price instability, transportation problem, low sales, attack of pest and disease, lack of market, storage problem, damages (high perishability of products), lack of pumping machine, and inadequate land for production and erosion hazard/climate change were constraints faced by leafy vegetable farmers in the study area. It was recommended that government should provide subsidy for farmers to enable them to acquire some necessary farm inputs such as; fertilizer and irrigation facilities. Farmers should be encouraged by agricultural development programmes to form groups/cooperatives to enhance access to farm inputs. Vegetable farmers should site their farms considering fertility of the soil and water availability as the most important factor.

Key Words: Leafy vegetables, Profitability, Productivity, Socio-ecological factors, Anambra State