Technical efficiency of honey production and its determinants in Iwo, Osun State Nigeria. (227)

Abstract

The study analysed technical efficiency of honey production and the determinants among honey producers in Iwo Local Government area of Osun State. A cross-sectional survey of 90 respondents was used, collected through a random sampling technique. The results of the mean technical efficiency 0.776 indicate that 78% of the respondents are efficient and 22% inefficient. While amount of labour, apiary size and number of hives significantly affect the efficiency level, extension agents visits, membership of association, household size and marital status of the farmers have significant effect on their technical inefficiency. The majority of the respondents are female, and married. Married producers are also found to be technically inefficient. The study recommends that singles be encourage to take up bee keeping as the area has potential environment for honey production.