ABSTRACT
This study examined the comparative economic analysis of waterleaf and fluted pumpkin in Benin metropolis Edo State. Specifically, the study described the socioeconomic characteristics of fluted pumpkin and waterleaf farmers in the study area, identified and compared the production operations of waterleaf and fluted pumpkin, determined and compared the profitability of waterleaf and fluted pumpkin production, examined and compared the factors affecting the production of waterleaf and fluted pumpkin and identified the constraints faced by farmers in the production of fluted pumpkin and waterleaf in the study area. Multistage sampling procedure involving the combination of purposive, and simple random sampling technique was used to sample a total of 90 respondents (39 for waterleaf and 51 for fluted pumpkin respondent). The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, budgetary model, and multiple regression model and t- test. The results of the analysis showed the mean age of 52years for waterleaf and 53years for fluted pumpkin while 74.36% were female for waterleaf farmers and 84.31% were also female for fluted pumpkin farmers. The results also revealed that 56.41% had primary education for Waterleaf farmers and 58.82% for Fluted Pumpkin farmer and the highest form of education is primary education. Majority (82.05% for waterleaf and 90.20% for fluted pumpkin farmers) were married. The mean farming experience was 6 years while the average household size has a mean of 5 members per household. The study also revealed that fluted pumpkin enterprise was more xi profitable than waterleaf enterprise with a net profit of ₦131,812.00 and ₦241,535.00 in the study area. The results of the multiple regression analysis for the factors that affect the production of waterleaf and fluted pumpkin production revealed a coefficient of determination (R2 ) of 0.464 for waterleaf and of 0.659 for fluted pumpkin. The significant production constraints for waterleaf farmers were; ; Inadequate planting material, lack of improved variety, Inefficiency of crude implement, Pest and disease infestation, Poor storage, High cost of Transportation, Poor extension services, Inadequate credit facilities, High interest rate, Poor transport facilities While for fluted pumpkin farmers were; Inadequate planting material, Pest and disease infestation, Poor storage, High cost of Transportation, Poor extension services Low pricing of vegetables, Inadequate credit facilities, High interest rate, Poor transport facilities. From this study it was concluded that fluted pumpkin enterprise is more profitable when compared to waterleaf enterprise.
