Technical Efficiency of Yam Production in Ukum Local Government Area, Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was undertaken to assess the technical efficiency of yam production efficiency in Ukum Local Government Area, Benue State. Primary data were collected from one hundred and one (101) yam farmers. Descriptive statistics, profitability (gross margin) analysis, stochastic frontier and student t-test were used as analytical tools. The result identified the most popular cultivar (68%) as white yam (Diosocrea rotundata) and majority (81.2%) grow local variety. The cost and returns analysis shows that yam production was profitable in the study area with the mean gross income of N318, 960.4 and a mean gross margin of about N3550.4/hectare with the capital turnover ratio of 6.86. The result of resource use shows that yam farmers in the study area were over-utilizing their resources. This implies that a proportionate increased in variable inputs would result in less than a proportionate increased in output level of yam (decreasing marginal returns to scale). The attainment of the average technical efficiency of 57% indicated that the technical efficiency of the farmers could be increased by 43% through efficient use of available resources. The result suggests that farmers could increase output through more intensive and efficient use of available resources (land, labour, seed yam, fertilizers and other inputs) given the current state of technology. The study also identified common problems of yam production in the study area as pests, inadequate storage facilities, inadequate improved varieties of yam, land tenure and high cost of inputs; of which pest constitute the greatest problem (93.1%) of yam production in the study area. Procurements of farm inputs (improved seed yam, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizer) by the Government, involvement of NGOs in provision and dissemination of adequate improved practices, storage facilities and technical research were therefore recommended.