Rationalising mixed cropping under indigenous conditions: The example of Northern Nigeria

Abstract

In spite of the prevalence of mixed cropping throughout the developing world little effort has been expended on its investigation particularly under indigenous conditions. This paper attempts to partially rectify this with empirical data collected at the farmer's level in part of northern Nigeria. Mixed cropping is shown in this area of limited rainfall to be under indigenous technological conditions a rational strategy both in terms of profit maximisation and risk minimisation. Indeed when improved technology at present available on sole crops is considered in a programming framework mixed cropping under indigenous conditions is still dominant. This is an important reason why extension agents have great difficulty convincing farmers to change to a sole crop strategy which in fact may not be justified. It also supports the desirability of research into mixed cropping under improved technological conditions.