Economic and Yield Performance of Cucumber Production under Organic and Inorganic Manure Systems among Smallholder Farmers in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) production is gaining prominence among smallholder farmers in Kaduna State, Nigeria, due to favorable agro-ecological conditions, increasing urban demand, and its short production cycle. However, rising costs of inorganic fertilizers and declining soil fertility pose serious challenges to profitability. This study examined economic and yield performance of cucumber production under organic and inorganic manure systems among smallholder farmers in Kaduna state, Nigeria. Five local government areas were purposively selected for this study using a sample size of one hundred respondents. Data on input costs, yields, and output prices were analyzed using descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis, net farm income, cost-benefit ratio (CBR), and analysis of variance. The findings reveal significant differences in production costs and profitability between manure types. The result indicates that cucumber production under inorganic manure generated higher output per hectare (21,000 kg) than production under organic manure (18,500 kg). A CBR of 11.77 for organic manure implies that every ₦1 invested generated about ₦11.77 in returns; while a CBR of 13.91 for inorganic manure indicates that every ₦1 invested yielded approximately ₦13.91 in returns. This confirms that both manure systems have CBR > 1, indicating profitability, but inorganic manure production was more economically efficient and generated higher returns on investment. The study recommends integrated nutrient management practices to enhance profitability and ensure sustainable cucumber production in Kaduna State, Nigeria.