Economics of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor(L) Moench) Production in Bauchi Local Government Area of Bauchi State, Nigeria

Pre-breeding of sorghum [sorghum bicolor (L.) moench] for drought tolerance in the semi-arid zones of Nigeria

“…Therefore, it is imperative to implement land protection and consolidation policies that decrease the current fragmentation trend. Previous studies by Baiyegunhi and Fraser (2009) in Kaduna state, Sani et al, (2013) in Bauchi state and Oyediran et al, (2017) in Katsina state showed a similar preponderance of small-scale producers of sorghum in the respective states. Adama et al, (2016) reported that small-scale farmers are the backbone of Nigerian agriculture, implying that Nigeria's agricultural policy thrust should be centred around the smallholder farmers.…”

“…Due to several production and productivity constraints, sorghum's economic potential has not yet been fully realized in Nigeria andSSA countries. Lack of high-yielding sorghum varieties, drought stress, declining soil fertility, Striga infestation, limited access to production inputs, lack of credit systems, and low-income farmers are among the factors accounting for the low sorghum production and value-added product development (Sani et al, 2013). Sorghum research programs in Nigeria have pioneered developing and releasing introduced varieties suited to some specific agroecological zones for industrial purposes .…”

“…The crop's economic potential has not been fully realized in Nigeria and sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries due to a number of production and productivity constraints. Lack of high-yielding sorghum varieties, declining soil fertility, drought stress, Striga infestation, limited access to production inputs and credit facility and finance are among the factors accounting for the low sorghum production and product development (Sani et al, 2013). Sorghum research programs in Nigeria have pioneered the development and release of varieties suited to some specific agroecological zones for industrial purposes .…”

“…According to Morris (2002), farm-level decision to adopt a modern variety is influenced by a complex and highly variable set of factors such as the household's demographic characteristics, expected profitability, consumption preferences, availability, and cost of the seed of the improved variety, among others. Langyintuo and Mekuria (2008) (Baiyegunhi and Fraser, 2009;Okoro and Ujah, 2009;Gourichon, 2013;Sani et al, 2013;. However, the production and productivity of the crop is yet to be expounded in Nigeria for economic gains.…”