Analysis of economic viability of small-scale okra production in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria

This study was conducted to analyze the economic viability of small-scale okra production in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State. A simple random sampling technique was used to collect data from 120 respondents through the use of questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, gross margin and regression analysis. The result showed that majority (80.7%) of the respondents were female with a mean age 41 years. The average household size was 4 persons while the mean farm size was 1.41 hectares. About (44.6%) of the respondents had a farming experience between 6 – 10 years. The total revenue generated from small-scale okra production was ₦1,419,344.50. The total production cost was ₦954,142.53 and the gross margin, was ₦519,817.72 with a net return of ₦465,201.98. The benefit-cost ratio indicated 1.49. The multiple regression result showed that education, farm experience, source of credit and farm size has a positive and significant influence on viability of small-scale okra production at 1% level of probability. Based on the findings of this study, it is therefore recommended that government should establish price stabilization mechanisms or cooperatives that can negotiate bulk purchasing agreements to secure more stable prices for inputs for sustainability.