Technology Differentials and Production Efficiency in Cassava-Based Production in Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was undertaken to analyse technology differential and production efficiency of traditional and modern farms cassava farmers in Nigeria, using as a case study farmers in Ogun State, which is one of the highest producers of cassava in the south-west geo-political zone. It considered the different net incomes of various farm categories and the relative levels and possible causes of the technical inefficiency as well as the nature of returns to scale between traditional and modern, small and large scale, and between mono and mixed crops cassava farmers. Ogun State is divided into four agricultural zones namely: Ilaro zone, Abeokuta zone, Ikenne zone and Ijebu zone. Two cells were randomly selected from each block. Data were collected during the field survey from 400 cassava farmers, selected through a multi-stage selection process using systematic random sampling technique. The translog stochastic frontier production function was fitted on the data. This was done using the stochastic frontiers version 4.1. Results of the study showed that cassava-based food crop production in Ogun State is characteristically carried out on smallholders production basis with a few of the farmers cultivating more than three hectares. Budgetary Analysis result revealed that traditional and modern farms made net farm profits of about (N220,760.35 and N222,030.85). The estimated small and large farms’ net farm profits was about N213,174.87 and N247,737.57 respectively. Also, mono and mixed crop farm generated net farm income of about N293,132.48 and N294,556.96 per annum, respectively. The finding implied that the current level of output from cassava farms can be increased by about 38% for all farms (aggregate), if all farm inputs are effectively utilized. It is thus recommended that a well monitored credit policy be put in place to enable the farmers acquire the necessary production inputs to boost their output. It is also recommended that government should intensify efforts to encourage the small-holders to improve upon their production practices.

Keywords: Technology, Efficiency, Differential, Budgetary, Stochastic