ASSESSMENT OF THE PRODUCTION AND PRODUCTIVITY OF GINGER (ZINGIBER OFFICINALE ROSCOE) BY SMALL-SCALE FARMERS IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This paper examined the production and productivity of ginger (zingiber officinale roscoe) by small scale farmers in Abia State, Nigeria. The objectives of the study include: to describe selected socioeconomic profiles of the respondents; evaluate the productivity levels of ginger farms in the region and determine factors influencing ginger production. A multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select respondents. Primary data were collected from 120 rural household’ heads using a well-structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean and multiple regression analysis. The results indicated moderately high production practices, particularly in land preparation, planting, fertilizer, pest control, yield and income. However, productivity showed high income variability. Factors such as age, education, income, household size, faming experience and number of training sessions significantly influenced ginger production with an R² (coefficient of multiple determinations) valued at 0.765. This implies that 76.5% of the total observed variations in the dependent variable (Y) were accounted for while 23.5% were due to unexplainable error. F–statistics was significant at the 1.0% level, indicating the models fitness. Based on the findings, enhancing and improving access to education and trainings will improve the economic viability and sustainability of ginger farming in Abia State. This will ultimately benefit local farming communities and the broader agricultural sector, thereby enhancing productivity.