Profitability Analysis of Small Holder Maize Farm Systems in the Western Highlands of Cameroon: Evidence from Tubah Sub-division

Peter Ngek Shillie; Mary-juliet Bime Egwu; Roland Balgah Azibo; Miranda Wiysherinyuy Lambiv

Peter Ngek Shillie Assistant Lecturer, Department of Agribusiness Technology, College of Technology, The University of Bamenda Cameroon,
Mary-juliet Bime Egwu HoD, Department of Agribusiness Technology, College of Technology, The University of Bamenda Cameroon
Roland Balgah Azibo Lecturer, Department of Agribusiness Technology, College of Technology, The University of Bamenda Cameroon
Miranda Wiysherinyuy Lambiv Department of Agribusiness Technology, College of Technology, The University of Bamenda Cameroon

Keywords: Profitability, Maize Farming Systems, Cost-Return Analysis.

Abstract

This study to analysis profitability of maize production under the different farming systems practiced within
Tubah subdivision. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 80 farmers from the 4 villages
(Bambili, Bambui, Big Babanki, and Small Babanki) in the study area; 20 from each village. The study used
primary data collected through the use of questionnaires and interviews. Results showed that there are
basically two farming systems: mono-cropping and multi-cropping. Using the cost–return analytically
technique, results of the NFI and profits per bucket under mono-cropping and multi-cropping farming
systems in FCFA were (2,103,266), (6,707,250) and (3,322), (5,174.4) respectively. The result showed that
maize production in the study area under both farming systems is not profitable. The findings were attributed
to some constraints notably inadequate credit, access to improved seeds challenge, insufficient fertilizer
application, and high cost of labour. The study recommends that for profitable maize production within the
study area, the government, and NGOs should assist farmers to overcome the main challenges as well as
organise farmers into cooperatives to ease marketing with a high bargaining power.