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The economic potential of leguminous tree crops in zero-tillage cropping in Nigeria: a linear programming model

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Abstract

An economic evaluation of zero-tillage farming system against the background of small-scale farmers in south west Nigeria was undertaken using the linear programming method to maximize yearly net return on Alfisols. Alternative crop rotation systems considered were maize-maize, maize-Stylo, maize-maize/Stylo, maize-pigeon pea, maize-maize/pigeon pea, and maize/Leucaena-maize/Leucaena.

The maximum net profit farm plan, for an individual farmer with N300.00 cash investment, comprised 1.35 ha (95%) maize/Leucaena-maize/Leucaena and 0.07 ha (5%) maize-Stylo rotation systems. Net profit associated with the plan was N978.58 while shadow prices of rejected systems ranged between N66.68 and N168.24, indicating stability of the model. Under severe cash constraints and where hired labour was available at relatively low cost the maize/Leucaena alley cropping system was the most promising package. The results suggested a promising future for the combined production of agricultural and forestry crops under an integrated land management system by small-scale farmers in the humid tropics.

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Verinumbe, I., Knipscheer, H.C. & Enabor, E.E. The economic potential of leguminous tree crops in zero-tillage cropping in Nigeria: a linear programming model. Agroforest Syst 2, 129–138 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00131270

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