Analysis of the cost and return to management of small scale cassava production in the humid zone of Nigeria

Cassava is a major staple food in Nigeria. Available literature showed that not much work had been done on the return to management (RTM) of this crop particularly in recent times. Crop production variables of capital, hired labour, family labour and fertilizer-use were studied. Costs and returns of cassava production in the study area were computed. The study showed that the average cost of producing an hectare of cassava irf N 10, 343.99. The total return was valued at N 45, 165.57 with an average RTM of N 34, 821.58. The study also revealed that labour and fertilizer are crucial variables to productivity of the farm-firm in terms of output per hectare. It was concluded that cassava production is a profitable venture and comparable to any Government Service which the unemployed and young school leavers should be encouraged to go into