Technical Efficiency of Cowpea Production in Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was carried out to analyze the technical efficiency among cowpea farmers in Osun State, Nigeria. Stochastic production frontier function was used to analyze the data obtained from 200 cowpea farmers in the study area. The efficiency analysis indicated that mean technical efficiency level was 66%. It was also found that age, household size and farming experience reduces technical inefficiency, while farmers gender and educational level increases technical inefficiency. The finding suggests that there is provision for improvement in cowpea farmers' efficiency to further increase output with available inputs and technology.

Key words: Cowpea; technical efficiency; inefficiency