Economic Evaluation of Greenhouse Vegetable Production in Abuja FCT

Greenhouse vegetable production is an emerging agricultural enterprise in Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory, driven by high urban consumer demand for fresh, safe, and year-round vegetables among Abuja's growing middle class. Despite significant investment interest, economic evaluations of greenhouse enterprises at the small to medium scale remain limited. This study conducts an economic evaluation of greenhouse vegetable production in the Abuja Federal Capital Territory, focusing on tomatoes, cucumber, and sweet pepper as the primary crops. A sample of 40 greenhouse operators was selected purposively from three area councils, as greenhouse production remains a relatively specialised activity. Structured questionnaire data on capital investment, operating costs, yield, and revenue were collected and analysed using enterprise budgeting, payback period analysis, and net present value calculations. Results show that per-square-metre capital costs for basic plastic greenhouse structures average N3,500, while annual operating costs are dominated by irrigation water, labour, and nutrient solution inputs. Cucumber production recorded the highest return, with a benefit-cost ratio of 2.11. Average payback period across enterprises ranged from 14 to 22 months. Challenges include high initial capital requirements, technical skill gaps, and difficulty maintaining consistent supply chains for urban hotels and supermarkets. The study recommends accessible greenhouse construction financing and technical training programmes for interested young entrepreneurs in the FCT, positioning greenhouse farming as a viable agribusiness model for urban Nigeria. Keywords: greenhouse production, economic evaluation, Abuja FCT, horticulture, urban agribusiness