Abstract
This study examined the profitability, determinants, and constraints of cassava production among smallholder farmers in Kogi State, Nigeria. Utilizing a cross-sectional design, data were collected from 300 randomly selected cassava farmers across five major producing Local Government Areas. Analytical tools included farm budgetary techniques, profitability ratios, multiple regression analysis, and Likert scale ranking. Results revealed that cassava production is profitable, with an average total revenue of ₦753,853 per season, total costs of ₦487,447, gross margin of ₦366,707, and net farm income (NFI) of ₦266,406. The benefit-cost ratio (BCR) stood at 1.5465, and return on investment (ROI) at 0.5465, indicating ₦1 invested yields ₦1.55 in returns and 55 kobo profit. A one-sample t-test (t = 26.8, p < 0.0000) rejected the null hypothesis of non-profitability, confirming significant positive returns. Multiple regression analysis (R² = 0.5137, p < 0.000) showed that gender (male farmers higher NFI, p = 0.012), credit access (p = 0.008), farm size (p = 0.041), labour used (p = 0.006), and cassava cuttings quantity (p = 0.001) positively and significantly influenced NFI, partially rejecting hypotheses on insignificant socio-economic and production factors. Age, education, experience, and agrochemicals were insignificant. Socioeconomic characteristics indicated a mean farmer age of 38 years, 66.33% male, mean household size of 6, average farming experience of 11 years, high cooperative membership (82.67%), and credit access (78.67%), with small farm sizes (mean 1 ha). Major constraints (mean ≥ 3.0 = severe) included high mechanization costs (4.31), lack of processing/storage facilities (4.23), high interest rates (3.99), limited credit access (3.95), inadequate government support (3.83), land access limitations (3.77), high transportation costs (3.72), insecurity (3.62), poor extension services (3.54), and high input costs (3.53). The findings affirm cassava’s economic viability in Kogi State while highlighting opportunities for policy interventions to address constraints, enhance input access, and promote value addition for improved farmer livelihoods and sustainable production in similar contexts.