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ArticleOpen Access http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/sa.2026.03.004

Analysis of Determinants of Maize Cultivation Profitability Among Farmers in Fizi (South Kivu, DRC)

Jeanine Ndihokubwayo1,*, Abdalah Riziki Dunia2, Victor Barantota3, Fariji Bonane2, Nkorukwishaka Rebecca2Nkeshimana Barnissade4, Ndikumana Janvier4

1Department of Administrative and Economic Sciences, Hope Africa University, Bujumbura 238, Burundi. 

2Master in Community Development, Hope Africa University, Bujumbura 238, Burundi.

3Department of Educational Sciences, Hope Africa University, Bujumbura 238, Burundi.

4Master in Public International Law, Hope Africa University, Bujumbura 238, Burundi.

*Corresponding author: Jeanine Ndihokubwayo

Published: March 31, 2026

Abstract

This investigation assesses the socioeconomic and technical determinants of maize cultivation profitability among 373 farmers in Fizi (South Kivu, DRC). A cross-sectional survey was conducted across five groupings in the Mutambala sector, followed by a statistical analysis comprising descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression. Principal constraints on profitability were identified as restricted access to agricultural credit (59%), low availability of improved seeds (45%), pressure from devastating diseases (39%), and climatic disruptions (60%). The econometric model reveals positive and significant effects of training, agricultural extension, and financial resources on revenues, whereas education level exerts no significant impact. With an R2R^2R2 of 0.29, unobserved structural factors influence farm performance. These findings underscore the imperative to enhance credit access, agricultural extension, and adoption of improved varieties to elevate profitability and local food security.

Keyword

Agriculture; poverty; food security; profitability

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© 2026 by the author(s).
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives (CC BY-NC-ND) license, which permits non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not modified or adapted.
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How to cite this paper

Analysis of Determinants of Maize Cultivation Profitability Among Farmers in Fizi (South Kivu, DRC)

How to cite this paper: Jeanine Ndihokubwayo, Abdalah Riziki Dunia, Victor Barantota, Fariji Bonane, Nkorukwishaka Rebecca, Nkeshimana Barnissade, Ndikumana Janvier. (2026) Analysis of Determinants of Maize Cultivation Profitability Among Farmers in Fizi (South Kivu, DRC)Scientific Access2(1), 29-34.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/sa.2026.03.004