




































In ternationa l
Scholars
Journa ls

 

African Journal of Agricultural Marketing ISSN 2375-1061 Vol. 6 (3), pp. 001-006, March, 2018. Available online at 
www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals 

 

Author(s)                                           Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. 
 
 

 

Full Length Research Paper 

 

Socio-economic analysis of melon production in 
Ifelodun Local Government Area, Kwara State, Nigeria 

 
Mohammed, B. T. 

 
Human Resources Development Department, National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM), 

Km.20 Ilorin-Lokoja Highway, P. M. B. 1525, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. E-mail: 
bolarindemohammed@yahoo.com. 

 
Accepted 22 October, 2017 

 
This study examined the socio-economic characteristics of melon production in Ifelodun Local Government Area, 
Kwara State. Primary data were basically used for the study. They were obtained through interview schedule with 
a well structured questionnaire. A 2-stage random sampling technique was used in selecting the sampling for the 
study. A total of 120 farming households engaged in melon production were used. Data were analyzed using 
descriptive statistics and budgetary analysis. The result of the socio-economic characteristics shows that melon 
production is in the hand of aged, married and experienced farmers. Farming is the major occupation of the 
respondent while majority have the ability to read and write. The result of the costs and returns analysis revealed 
that Gross Margin was N1, 263.81. While some of the problems were identified as poor yield, water scarcity and 
non-availability of credit. It is concluded that melon production is viable in the study area, thus credit facilities 
should be provided so that farmers can get more returns.  
 
Key words: Melon (Citrullus colcynthis), melon production, socio-economic analysis, Ifelodun. 

 
INTRODUCTION 

 
Agriculture in Nigeria is dominated by small–scale farmers 
who produce about 80% of the total food requirement 
(Fayinka, 2004). These farmers are characterized by strong 
dependence on agricultural labour market; little or no forms 
of savings or storage facilities and cultural practices adopted 
are highly labour intensive (Festus, 2005; Fakayode, 2008). 
The socio– economic and production characteristics of the 
farmers, inconsistent government policies, the poor 
infrastructural base, all interact and affect the sector, 
resulting in low production, high price of food items, inflation, 
underdevelopment and poverty. If Nigeria is ready to go 
back to agriculture, the problem of poverty, hunger and 
malnutrition could be alleviated. Adequate production of 
most Nigerian staple crops such as cereals, yam, cassava, 
cash crops and some vegetables like melon which is 
consumed in many parts of the country, will contribute 
positively to the agricultural sector. Melon (Citrillus lanatus), 
also called honeydew melon, among other vegetables crops 
plays an important dietary role in any parts of Africa. It 
belongs to Cucurbitaceae family. It is grown virtually 
everywhere in tropical, subtropical and temperate region 
where rain and irrigation is adequate (Messiaen, 1992; 
Tindall, 1983). Melon is an important component of most 

 
 
 

 
Nigerian diets. A valuable vegetable oil is extracted from the 
seeds, while the ground seed is used to prepare various 
delicacies including cake and soup. Unlike the red juicy flesh 
of the watermelon variety, the white flesh of melon fruits has 
a bitter taste and therefore it is not eaten fresh or uncooked 
(Lagoke et al., 1983). Melon may be inter-cropped with 
cassava yam and maize or grown sole (Rice et al., 1986). 
Melon is consumed in many parts of Nigeria, yet despite its 
nutritional and commercial valve, its production remains low, 
even with its good market price, melon is still produced by 
farmer on a small scale. Melon is a crop that is tolerant to a 
wide range of environmental conditions; it is planted twice in 
a year in the study area.  

Melon is usually an annual crop grown here in Nigeria. It 
can be planted as early season crop at the beginning of the 
rain and thus has the advantage of being sold in the market 
throughout the year. The estimated total production of melon 
in Nigeria in 2003 was 175.34 metric tons (PCU/FMARD, 
2004)  

In Nigeria, melon is inter-planted with other crops like 
maize, cassava, pepper, yam etc for maximum utilization 
of the land and also to increase the returns generated 
from such a production system. Melons being a crop that 

file:///C:\Users\user\Documents\REPUBLICATION\AGRICULTURAL%20SCIENCES\AppData\Local\Temp\www.internationalscholarsjournals.org


 
 
 

 

grow rapidly within a short time provide farmers with 
quick returns since they are ready for harvest 3 to 4 
months after planting: unlike other crops that are 
harvested after several months or years (Langer and Hill, 
1981).  

Melon is used almost exclusively for its seeds, which 
have an important role in West Africa cookery. Melon 
seeds are high in fat and protein. Oil can be extracted 
from the seeds and the residue can be used for human 
consumption or as an animal fodder. Seeds can be 
obtained by melon which requires less input such as 
pesticide than most crops. Melon is supposed to be one 
of the vegetable crops to be produced on a very large 
scale and even export to some African countries like 
Sudan and Ethiopia where the consumption is high, and 
the extracted yellow oil is in high demand (Schippers, 
2000).The production of melon calls for a close 
examination of its socio-economic characteristics. It is for 
this reason that this research work has to find solution to 
the following questions: 
 
Who are the major producers of melon? 

What are the costs and returns to melon production? 

What are the constraints involved in melon production? 
 
 
Objectives of the study 

 
The broad objective of this study is to examine the socio-
economic characteristics of farmers associated with 
melon production in Ifelodun Local Government Area, 
Kwara State.  

The specific objectives are to: 
 
1. Highlight the socio –economic characteristics of the 
farmers growing melon; 
2. Determine the costs and returns to melon production;  
3. Highlight the constraints faced by farmers in melon 
production. 
 
 
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 
 
This study was carried out in Ifelodun local government area of 
Kwara State, Nigeria. Ifelodun is the largest local government area 

in Kwara State with an estimated population of about 206,042 km
2
 

and an estimated total land area of about 3,435 km
2
 (NPC,2006; 

KWSMI, 2002). The area is located between latitude7°45’N and 
9°30’E and longitude 2°30’E and 6°35’E.  

It is characterized by dry and wet season. The annual rainfall 
ranges between 1000 and 1500 mm. Average temperatures 
between 30°C and humidity range from 35 to 60%. The major 
source of livelihood and occupation of the people in the area is 
farming. Farming is traditional in nature with emphasis on the 
cultivation of crops such as sorghum, cassava, yam, maize and 
melon (KWSMI, 2002; Mohammed, 2008). Melon is one of the 
crops majorly grown among farmers in the area.  

A two stage random sampling techniques was used in selecting 
the sample for the study. The first stage involved a random 
selection of 12 towns and villages from the local government area 
using the Kwara State village listing as sample frame. The second 
stage involved a random selection of 10 farmers from the selected 

 
  

 
 

 
towns and villages, a total of 120 farming households growing 
melon from the local government was used for the study.  

The source of data used for this study was basically primary. This 
involved the use of an interview schedule with a structured 
questionnaire administered to the farmers. A total of 120 farmers 
were selected from the farmers growing melon in the study area 
with the help of the agricultural extension agent working in the 
selected villages and towns. Data were collected based on the 
socio-economic variables such as age, sex, educational status, 
income, costs and returns and constraint faced by the farmers. The 
response of these farmers forms the primary data used.  

Descriptive statistics and budgetary analysis were used to 
analyze data collected. This involved the use of frequency, ratio and 
percentages while budgetary analysis was used to analyze the 
costs and returns to melon production. This is given as: 
 
GM = GR – TVC 

 
Where: GM = gross margin, GR = gross return, TVC = total variable 
cost. 
 
 
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 

 
The social factors of interest in this study were age 
distribution of the farmer, marital status, family size, level 
of education, occupation, farm size and family members 
that help on the farm. It has been represented in 
frequency tables and shown in Table1.  

Age is an important determinant of social-economic 
status of a population. People wear in energy as they 
advance in age. Also age has effect on level of 
awareness and on agricultural production. Older people 
are not willing to adopt innovations in agriculture because 
they believe their forefathers practiced farming 
successfully. But, the older the farmer, the better is his 
understanding of the social, climatic and economic 
factors that affect farming and the more experienced is 
the farmers. Younger farmers are likely to adopt new 
innovation faster than the older ones. The study revealed 
that majority of the respondents (81.67%) are married. 
This shows that the respondents are responsible 
according to the societal standard and therefore are likely 
to have some experience of life.  

The study further revealed that more than half of the 
melon farmers (69.17%) in the surveyed area can read 
and write. Education is regarded as an investment in 
human capital which is able to raise the skill and quality 
of the man, narrow his information gaps and increase his 
allocative efficiency thereby leading to more productive 
performance (Patel and Anthonio, 1981). Therefore, 
penetration of new ideas and adoption of new innovation 
and technology into the society in the study area will be 
easy. This will in turn increase yield, income and 
agricultural production in general.  

It was also revealed from the study that majority of the 
respondents (59.17% ) are full-time farmers, while others 
engaged in other occupations apart from farming ranging 
from civil servant, schooling and artisan such as 
(mechanics, carpenters, tailors bricklayers e.tc). The 
implication of this is that, instead for the farmers to use 



 
 
 

 
Table 1. Socio-economic characteristics of the respondents.  

 
 Characteristics Frequency Percentage 

 Age (years)   

 21-30 8 6.67 

 31-40 33 27.50 

 41-50 57 47.50 

 > 50 22 18.33 

 Total 120 100 

 Marital status   
 Married 98 81.67 

 Single 13 10.83 

 Divorced 3 2.50 

 Windowed 6 5.00 

 Total 120 100 

 Education   
 No Education 37 30.83 

 Primary 41 34.17 

 Secondary 29 24.17 

 Tertiary 13 10.83 

 Total 120 100 

 Occupation   
 Farming 71 59.17 

 Civil servant 13 10.83 

 Self Employed/Artisan 31 25.83 

 Schooling 2 1.67 

 Applicants 3 2.50 

 Total 120 100 

 Farming experience   
 1-5 18 15.00 

 6-10 39 32.50 

 11-15 48 40.00 

 16-20 12 10.00 

 21-25 3 2.50 

 Total 120 100 

 Family size   
 1-5 32 26.67 

 6-10 63 52.50 

 11-15 18 15.00 

 >  15 7 5.83 

 Total 120 100 

 Family member   
 1-6 89 74.17 

 6-10 27 22.50 

 11-15 4 3.33 

 Total 120 100 
 

Source: Field survey. 



  
 
 

 
Table 2. Average costs and returns per hectare for sole melon.  

 
 Items of costs/returns Total 

 Melon yield (kg 57.70 

 Gross return ( N )   3,750.50 

 Less  

 Variable cost ( N )    

 Labour 2,296.78 

 Seed 120.24 

 Fertilizer 69.67 

 Total variable cost ( N ) 2,486.69 

 Gross margin 1,263.81   
Source: Field survey. 

 

 

back the money or income realized from farming into 
investment in agriculture, they invest the extra income 
from farming in other business because they believe that 
farming is not an occupation that gives quick returns. On 
the other hand, they consider that the time lag between 
the planting and the harvesting period can be used to run 
other types of business, which will serve as sources of 
income to sustain them during this period. That is, to 
cater for security and diversification of production 
resources so as to guide against the risk and 
uncertainties of agriculture.  

The result further shows that majority of the farmers 
had between 6 and 15 years of melon production 
experience with an average of 11 years of experience. It 
is believe that majority of the farmers are experienced 
melon producers. This result also revealed that farmers in 
the area are more experience in melon production. Also, 
since experience is gained with age and farming being 
the major occupation of most of the respondents, 
therefore, the number of the year of experience in farming 
can be linked with the age of the farmer. The older the 
farmer, the more experience he is and the better is his 
understanding of farming.  

The average family size among the 120 respondents 
was found to be 8. This implies that the farmer will have 
to be responsible for the feeding, sheltering education, 
health care and other living expenses of their 
dependants. These expenses account for low saving at 
the end of every harvest season. Also, the size of the 
family sometimes determine the size of land cultivated 
and the available work forces in the family, which may 
also determine the yield and net farm income of the 
farmer. From the study, only an average of 5 family 
members usually help on the farm this lead to the fact 
that more of children in the areas now go to school only 
available for work on weekends and holidays.  

Unlike what it used to be, wives now engaged in off-
farm occupations such as trading and food processing 
and no longer regularly help their husband on the farm. 
This implies that large household size no longer 
translates into more family labour, which played a less 

 
 

 

important role in melon production than hired labour. 
About 88.33% of the respondents were small holders 
having between 0.01 and 3.0 ha with an average farm 
size of 1.79 ha per household. Farmers in this category 
have their farms in various locations. The implication of 
this finding is that farmers in this category may incur high 
cost of production in terms of hired labour cost, 
transportation cost and also untimely scheduling of labour 
rise resulting from non-consolidation of farms, use of 
primitive tools. This may likely slowdown the pace of farm 
management, which will in turn, have a negative effect on 
output. The total farm size of the respondents is 215.10 
ha.  

Farm budgeting technique was used to analyze the 
costs and returns (Table 2). The prevailing market price 
was used to calculate the cost of variable inputs used, 
total returns and net farm income so as to calculate the 
costs and returns.  

The labour used consists of family, hired and group 
labour. The wage rate varies slightly depending on the 
operation to be performed on the farm. The average 
wage rate of N46.87 per man-hour was used to calculate 
the total labour cost.   

Seeds used were mainly obtained from the market. An 
average market price of N65 per kg of melon seed was 
used in estimating the total cost of seeds.   

The difference between the gross return and the total 
cost of production gave the gross margin which was 
calculated to be N1, 263.81 per ha. This implies that 
melon production is profitable in the study area. 
 

 

Problems associated with melon production 

 

All the farmers sampled had the primary objective of profit 
maximization. This is as a result of the fact that melon is 
mainly not consumed but serves also as soil protector. 
Table 3 explains the limiting factors of melon production 
in the area.  

The processing of melon after harvesting starts with 
breaking of fruits after they have been gathered together 



   

   Table 3. Problems of melon production.   
      

   Factors Frequency Percentage 

   Scooping 40 21.86 

   Water 49 26.78 

   Labour 27 14.75 

   Yield 31 16.94 

   Credit 23 12.57 

   Farm inputs 13 7.10 

   Total 183 * 100 
 

Source: Field survey.*Multiple responses. 
 
 

 

during harvesting. After breaking the fruits, they are left 
for a period of one to two weeks depending on the 
weather condition and severity of the breakage for the 
fruits to soften for easy scooping. High temperature favor 
early softens. Scooping of melon from the fruits is labour 
intensive and very heavy to carry from one place to 
another. It is difficult to transport the melon to source of 
water particularly when large quantities are involved. This 
problem of scooping scares and discourages prospective 
melon growers.  

Water is required for washing melon seed after 
harvesting and is highly labour intensive. According to 
some of the respondents, if one is not very close to a 
source of water, it will be very difficult for one to wash it 
because it will require transporting it to where water is 
available this has been one of the problems affecting 
melon production.  

Other problems found to be confronting farmers include 
labour. Family labours are mostly used. But when hired 
labours are used, the amount charged per man- day is 
too high. This is because labour demand coincides with 
limited labour supply during melon production season. 
Poor yield is another problem military against melon 
production. Problem of poor yield may be as a result of 
inadequate fertilizer, none use of hybrid seed, late 
planting period and poor agronomic practices.  

The result shows that credit is one of the constraints to 
melon production. Since the respondents are small-scale 
farmers, they have low capital base and therefore cannot 
afford the high cost of inputs. According to the 
respondents, formal institution do not normally give credit 
to melon farmers may be because melon is considered 
not to be popularly grown and given adequate 
recognition.  

The problem of inaccessibility of the farmers to the 
modern inputs such as fertilizer, improved seeds and 
machineries, hence they made use of the traditional tools 
which limit their output and farm size. 
 

 

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 

 

Melon production occupies a very important position in 

 
 
 

 
vegetable crop production in Ifelodun Local Government 
of Kwara State, in terms of number of farmers that 
engaged in its cultivation and its economic value. The 
ease of cultivation and favourable bimodal rainfall pattern 
allow for its growth twice in a year. This is a unique 
characteristic among other crops grown in the local 
government area. The results from the costs and return 
analysis revealed that melon production is profitable that 
is farmers were making profit even through, the level of 
profit made was low.  

Melon production potential in terms of yield and quality 
of the production has not been fully exploited. 
Consequently, there is still deficit supply of melon in the 
country. This could be adduced to the in accessibility of 
the farmers to the appropriate modern technology 
(fertilizer, improved seeds), needed machineries, lack of 
credit facilities, high cost of labour and lack of other 
necessary social infrastructure facilities.  

It is therefore imperative for individual, cooperative 
bodies, government and non-governmental organization 
to assist the farmers in these areas of weakness, in order 
to boost melon production in Nigeria.  

Based on the result from the findings, the following 
policy recommendations are suggested: 

 

1. All existing credit facilities and schemes put in place to 
assist farmers should be strengthened so that farmers 
can have access to soft loan, and such loans should be 
interest free with no stringent condition so that farmers 
can expand their scale of production;  
2. The Agricultural Development Projects (ADP) through 
the extension departments and other relevant 
Government Agencies should made hybrid varieties of 
melon available to farmers. These, the farmers are willing 
to use if available for high yielding and returns;  
3. Farmers should organize themselves in to a formidable 
cooperative group for collective sourcing of farm inputs 
and credit at a cheaper rate;  
4. Farmers should be encouraged to keep farm records 
of their activities through the help of the extension 
services of ADPS, which should try to extend its services 
to the majority; 
5. Government  through  all  its  agencies  should  make 



 
 
 

 

timely provision of machine (tractor) available to farmers 
for hire at reduced price;  
6. Private, public establishment and non-governmental 
organization should intensify efforts into melon production 
awareness, utilization, processing and extraction of oil 
from the seeds, and incorporation of the cake into animal 
feeds;  
7. Government should expand the provision of its social 
amenities such as good feeder road, water through 
boreholes so as to reduce water problems during 
washing and ease problem of transportation. 
 

 
REFERENCES 
 
Fayinka FA (2004). Food Security in Nigeria: Challenges under 

Democratic Dispensation. Paper presented at the 9
th

 ARMTI Annual 
Lecture held on March 24.  

Festus A (2005). Unveiling Kwara’s White Farmers. Sunday Punch 17
th

 
July, p. 35.  

Fakayode BS, Babatunde RO, Ajao R (2008). Productivity analysis of 
cassava-based production systems in the Guinea Savannah: case 
study of Kwara State, Nigeria. American-Eurasian J. Sci. Res., 3 (1): 
33-39, IDOSI Publication. 

Kwara State Ministry of Information (2002). Kwara State Diary 2002, pp. 
1-10. 

 
 
 
 

 
Lagoke STD, Chadra-Singh DT, Ologunde OO (1983). Reemergence of 

chemical weed control in Egunsi melon in the Southern Guinea 
Savanna of Nigeria. J. Crop-Prot., 2(2): 235-242.  

Langer RHM, Hill GD (1989). Agric plants Press Syndicate of the 
University press, p. 212.  

Messiaen CM (1992). The Tropical Vegetable Garden. Macmillan press 
Limited, p. 265.  

Mohammed BT (2008). Economics Analysis of Melon (Citritillus 

Lanatus) Production in Kwara State. Proceeding of 42
nd

 Annual 

Conference Agric Society of Nigeria (ASN) held on 19
th

 – 23
rd

 
October at Abakaliki, pp. 57-58.  

NPC (2006). National Population Commission Census 2006.  
Patel AU, Anthonio QBO (1981). An analysis of selected factors that 

influence the Adoption of improved practice among Tobacco farmers 
in Western State of Nigeria. Agric. Sci. J., 8(2): 121-131.  

PCU/FMARD (2004). Project Coordinating Unit and Federal Ministry of 
Agric Crop production Data in Nigeria.  

Rice RP, Rice LW, Tindall HF (1986). Fruit and Vegetable production in 
Africa. Macmillan Publishers Limited, London and Basigstoke, p. 265.  

Schippers RR (2000). African Indigenous Vegetables. An overview of 
the cultivated species. National Resour, Institute, University of 
Greenwich, p. 161. 

Tindall H (1983). Vegetable in the Tropics 1
st

 edition Education Limited 
Hampshire, p. 158. 


