Abstract

The study focused on the costs and returns of small-scale vegetable production in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria. A total of 150 respondents were interviewed using questionnaire. The production system and socio economic characteristics of the farmers were evaluated. Vegetable production was found to be profitable with a Benefit – Cost Ratio (BCR) of 1.64 and the return per capital invested was found to be 0.50k.  The regression analysis showed that variables such as, cost of labour, cost of fertilizer, cost of planting materials, cost of irrigation, level of  education,  size of household, farming experience and farm size were significant at five percent level of significance. Formation of cooperative society by farmers’ provision of appropriate planting materials and technologies were the methods recommended for amelioration of vegetable farmers’ problem.

Key words: Dry season, vegetable production.