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The study presented a comparative analysis of upland and wetland yam production in southwest Nigeria. It made use of data obtained through the administration of copies of well structured questionnaire to 320 respondents selected by multistage, purposive and random sampling methods. Both parametric and non-parametric statistical tools were used to analyze the data. Majority (80.6% upland and 75.4% wetland) of the respondents were educated male youths of 49 years and below. Production output was statistically and significantly influenced by household size, farm size and cost of inputs for upland farms while it was statistically and significantly determined by gender, marital status, educational level, farm size, amount of credit obtained and cost of inputs for wetland farms. Gross margin, net farm income and net return on investment were ₦156,059,460; ₦150,504,020 and 1.01 (upland farms); ₦152,685,341; ₦147,384,681 and 0.92 (wetland farms) respectively implying a profitable enterprise. Production was most seriously constrained by lack of capital, scarcity/high cost of seed yams, and pests and diseases infestation. Production could improve if the constraints identified by the study are addressed through the formulation and implementation of sound policies such as the injection of more funds into yam production enterprise and articulated extension delivery system to educate farmers on yam minisett techniques.

Key words: Comparative analysis, Upland, Wetland, Yam production, Southwest, Nigeria.

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Citation: Toba OJ (2014). A comparative analysis of upland and wetland yam production in Southwest, Nigeria. J. Agric. Crop Res. 2(7): 126-133.