ASSESSMENT OF MUSHROOM PRODUCTION ON INCOME OF HOUSEHOLDS IN UMUAHIA AGRICULTURAL ZONE, ABIA STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

This study examined the engagement in mushroom production on households’ income in the Umuahia Agricultural Zone of Abia State, Nigeria. A total of 60 mushroom farmers were purposively and proportionately sampled, and primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses were employed to analyze socio-economic characteristics, engagement in mushroom production, income, and production constraints. Results showed that most farmers were educated (80% with tertiary education), predominantly female (55%), and within the economically active age range (mean age = 35.6 years). Farmers demonstrated moderate engagement across mushroom production activities (grand mean = 3.30), and a large proportion of households (23.3%) produced above 400kg of mushrooms annually, indicating that a significant number of farmers operated at relatively high production levels, reflecting the enterprise’s commercial potential. While the majority of the households (40%) earned between ₦1,000 and ₦100,000 annually, indicating that mushroom farming served as a supplementary income source for many households. Key constraints included limited access to quality spawn (mean = 3.42), inadequate skills (3.00), and restricted access to credit (3.35). Multiple regression analysis indicated that household size, income, and extension contact significantly influenced engagement, with the model explaining 51.2% of the variability. Simple linear regression further revealed a significant positive relationship between engagement in mushroom production and income. The study, therefore, concluded that mushroom cultivation offered a viable pathway to improved household income and recommended targeted interventions such as technical training, input support, and improved market access to enhance productivity and profitability.

Keywords: Household, Engagement, Mushroom, Production, Effect, Income.