ANAYSING SMALL-SCALE TOMATO (LYCOPERSICON ESCULENTUM MILL.) PRODUCTION COSTS AND PROFITABILITY IN THOMAS PROJECT AREA MAKODA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KANO STATE

The study analysed small scale tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) Production costs and profitability in Thomas Project area Makoda Local Government area of Kano state, Nigeria. The study employed multistage sampling technique. Four wards were selected , In the first stage, using purposive sampling technique, based on tomatoes production consideration in the area. And 30 percent(%) of the 202 registered farmers were sampled and structured questionnaire was used for data collection and supplemented by Focus Group Discussion. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics, and Net Farm Income, Operation Ratio models. The result revealed that producers were mostly males (100%), between the ages of 18 and above 50 years and mean age (34years), majority (90.0%) of them were married with educational background, majority of them (86.0%) attended post primary education. Gross Income realized was N752,400, Gross Return of N 837,000 and Benefit Cost Ratio 8.70 was generated. Major problems encountered by the producers included (55.0% 1st), climate change (51.0% 2nd), pest and diseases (49.0% 3rd) and high cost of transportation (48.0 4th), perishability (43.05th) Pricing uncertainties (34.0 6th ). The study recommended construction and facilitation of link roads, storage facilities to help reduce produce wastages by government and private entities, producers hould be encouraged to undergo formal Education as the knowledge will contribute toward enlighing farmers on the most efficient production technologies and practices.