Economic evaluation of cocoyam (Xanthosoma sp.) and maize (Zea mays) in a mixed cropping system

English

Cocoyam (Xanthosoma sp.) and maize (Zea mays) are major food crops often grown in association. On-farm testing at Sunyani, Sankore and Begoro in the forest ecology of Ghana evaluated the agronomic performance and economic productivity of both crops grown as mixed crops and sole crop. The cropping system had a significant effect on the yields of the component crops. Maize yields were reduced by 10 per cent for double-row maize between single rows of cocoyam, and by 26 per cent for double-row cocoyam between single rows of maize in the intercrop systems. Cocoyam yields were reduced by 70 to 75 per cent. The cost-benefit analysis had gross farm gate benefits of 7.6 million cedis per hectare ($894 ha-1) for sole maize production, and 20.9 million cedis per hectare ($2459 ha-1) for sole cocoyam production. All farm enterprises tested on farmers’ fields were viable and profitable, giving cost-benefit ratios of more than one. The results further showed that marginal rate of returns (MRR) for changing from sole maize to sole cocoyam, double rows of cocoyam between single rows of maize, and double rows of maize between single rows of cocoyam are 1279 , 348 and 146 per cent, respectively. These are all greater than the acceptable minimum rate of returns (AMRR), which range from 40 to 130 per cent at the various locations. Residuals and cost-benefit ratios also follow similar trend. From the analysis, the best farm enterprise would have been sole cocoyam, but for some socio-economic reasons and efficient land use, double rows of cocoyam between single rows of maize is the recommended intercrop system within the limits of the experiment.

Sagoe, R.; Haleegoah, J.; Marfo, K. A.