Analysis of Technical Efficiency of Smallholder Cocoa Farmers in Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

 The technical efficiency involved in cocoa production in Cross River State was estimated using the stochastic frontier production function analysis. The effects of some selected socio-economic characteristics of the farmers on the efficiency indices were also estimated. The study relied upon primary data generated from interviewing cocoa farmers using a set of structured questionnaire. A multi-staged random sampling technique was adopted in selecting two hundred (200) cocoa farmers from Ikom Agricultural Zone in the state. The data on the socioeconomic characteristics of the farmers were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while the stochastic production function, using the Maximum Likelihood Estimating (MLE) techniques was used in estimating the farmer’s technical efficiency and their determinants. Result of the analysis showed that farmers were experiencing decreasing but positive returns to scale in the use of the farm resources. The efficiency level ranged between 0.20 and 0.93 with a mean of 0.69. The result of the generalized Likelihood Ratio (LR) tests confirmed that the cocoa farmers in the area were technically inefficient. The major contributing factors to efficiency were age of farmers, farm size, level of education, sex of farmer and age of the farms. The study observed that there is enough room to improve efficiency with the farmers’ current resource base and available technology and concluded that policies that would directly affect these identified variables should be pursued.[b][/b]

Authors and Affiliations

Agom Damian Ila, Susan Ben Ohen, Kingsley Okoi Itam, Nyambi N. Inyang

Keywords

Related Articles

[b] Consumers’ Preference for Cowpea in Nigeria[/b]

 The study investigates consumers’ preference for cowpea reflected in the Nigerian markets through price discounts and premiums that consumers pay for different cowpea characteristics. The price data used for thi...

Using Probabilistic-Risky Programming Models in Identifying Optimized Pattern of Cultivation under Risk Conditions (Case Study: Shoshtar Region)

Using Telser and Kataoka models of probabilistic-risky mathematical programming, the present research is to determine the optimized pattern of cultivating the agricultural products of Shoshtar region under risky conditio...

[b]Comparative Analysis of Economic Efficiency between Low and High External Input Technology  Agriculture in a Harsh Macroeconomic Environment of Imo State, Nigeria[/b]

The study compared economic efficiency among smallholder farmers who practiced low external input technology [LEIT] and high external input technology [HEIT] agriculture in a harsh macroeconomic environment typified by i...

 Effectiveness of Entrepreneurship Training Courses in Ilam Province, Iran

 Given entrepreneurs’ special role in the economic growth and development, many developed and developing countries are attempting to motivate more number of people who have entrepreneurial characteristics towards en...

[b]Perception of Shea Nut Tree as an Economic Tree among Farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria[/b]

The importance of shea tree to the people of south-western Nigeria cannot be over emphasized considering both the economic and environmental uses of the tree. However, efforts have not been made to propagate its producti...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP135351
  • DOI -
  • Views 149
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

Agom Damian Ila, Susan Ben Ohen, Kingsley Okoi Itam, Nyambi N. Inyang (2012).  Analysis of Technical Efficiency of Smallholder Cocoa Farmers in Cross River State, Nigeria. International Journal of Agricultural Management and Development, 2(3), 177-185. https://www.europub.co.uk/articles/-A-135351