Economic Efficiency of Orange-Fleshed Sweetpotato Vine Production in North Central, Nigeria: A Translog Stochastic Frontier Cost Function Approach

Abstract

The study employed a translog stochastic frontier cost function to measure the level of economic efficiency and its determinants in orange-fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP) vine production system in North – Central Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 139 OFSP vine entrepreneurs in Benue, Nasarawa and Kwara States from whom data were collected on input-output, their prices, farmer and farm characteristics with the aid of a structured questionnaire designed for a single visit. The results of the analysis showed that the mean economic efficiency of OFSP vine entrepreneur was 56 percent. The study found that age and household size to be negatively assign and significant at 10 % and 1 % respectively while education, gender, farm experience, extension visit and access to credit were significant and have positive influence on economic efficiency at 1.0% level of probability. No significant relationship was found between production system and economic efficiency. The study recommends policy decision that encourage new entrepreneurs to take up OFSP vine production and existence ones to remain in business through increased access to education, extension services and credit.

Keywords: Economic efficiency, orange-fleshed, sweetpotato, vine, North central