Differentials in technical efficiency of cassava (Manihot spp.) varieties farmers in South West Nigeria

Abstract

Due to low technology adoption, the increase in cassava cultivation by smallholders in Nigeria, has not resulted in the desired change in yield and productivity. This necessitated the present study to investigate the technical efficiency differentials between traditional and improved cassava variety farmers in South West of Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey of 360 cassava-based farmers were selected through a multi-stage random sampling technique. Descriptive statistics and stochastic production frontier were used to analyse the data. Results showed there were significant differences in the socio-economic characteristics of the two groups of farmers. Inputs used in cassava production differ significantly between the two groups of farmers. Analysis of technical efficiency differentials showed that cassava stem cuttings and hired labour had a positive and significant (P ≤ 0.01) effect on the technical efficiency of both traditional and improved variety farmers. The inefficiency model revealed that sex, household size, education, and extension contacts were the significant variables that determined the technical efficiency for both groups of farmers. The mean technical efficiencies of the traditional and improved variety farmers were 66.4 and 75.2%, respectively, suggesting that the two groups of farmers can increase their production by 33.6 and 24.8%, respectively through better use of available resources without necessarily changing the existing technologies. The study recommends government intervention in the provision of labour-saving technologies to improve farm operations, a sustainable land-use system, availability of improved cassava varieties and promotion of extension education and adult literacy programmes.