DOI: 10.36347/sjavs.2014.v01i02.001

Pages: 42-49

This study was carried out to assess the determinants of melon production in Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used in selecting 216 respondents from six (6) wards out of ten (10) wards in the Local Government Area. Primary data were collected using interview guide and analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. Result showed that most (80.10%) of melon farmers were males and 87.04% were married with a mean age of 41 years. About 47.20% of the respondents did not have formal education while 36.10% attended primary school. The mean year of farming was 16 years. Most (82.41%) of the respondents relied on hired labour for their farms’ operations. The average melon output was 280.70kg/ha. The estimated cost of land preparation, labour and agro-inputs were ₦20,000.00/ha, ₦26,000.00/ha and ₦3,791.67ha respectively. Major constraints to melon production were climate change ( mean = 108.00), limited extension service support (mean = 107.66), non-availability of shelling and oil extraction devices (mean = 107.33) and pest and diseases (mean = 107.20). Results of multiple regression revealed that resource inputs and socio-economic characteristics of the respondents have significant influence on melon output at p < 0.05. It can be concluded that production factors had influence on the melon output and incomes of the farmers. It is hereby recommended that production inputs should be subsidized to encourage farmers to increase melon production in the study area.