Assessing the Impacts of Variable Input Costs on Maize Production in Cameroon

Abstract

Agricultural inputs are necessities in a production process just as food is a necessity for human survival. Production comes with the use of inputs. The cultivation of maize in Cameroon is predominantly dominated by smallholder farmers who use traditional methods and face drudgery. The current production level of maize in the country is declining and to meet consumption requirements, huge quantities of the commodity are imported. This study questions the impacts of variable input costs on maize production. Inputs are building blocks of production costs; it is therefore important for maize farmers to be alerted on the effective use of farm inputs in order to obtain higher returns. Data were collected with the use of a structured questionnaire. They were analysed using descriptive statistics and OLS Regression techniques. Results show that on average per hectare, each maize farmer spends USD10.12 on seeds, USD28.90 on fertilizer, USD8.90 on labour, and USD13.28 on herbicides. The regression results show that estimated coefficients of unit costs of fertilizer, herbicides and labour were negative but insignificant while land and hybrid seeds were positive. Input subsidy is recommended as a policy instrument to lower prices paid by farmers.