Resource-Use Efficiency of Melon (Citrullus lanatus) Farming in Kaduna State, Nigeria.
Abstract
This research evaluated resource-use efficiency of melon farming in Kaduna State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling design was employed to select 220 melon farmers based on a well-structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, farm budgetary technique, stochastic production efficiency frontier model, resource-use efficiency index, and principal component model. The findings reveal that the farmers have an average age of 42 years. The farmers are with an average household size of 9 persons and have spent an average of 11 years in school. The gross margin and net farm income of melon farming was estimated at 1, 057, 306.04 and 998, 158.4 Naira per hectare, respectively, this shows that melon farming is profitable. The results further show that inputs such as land, seed, labour, fertilizer and agrochemicals have a significant relationship with melon output. Resource-use efficiency analysis shows that land, seed, fertilizer and chemicals were under-utilized. The mean technical efficiency of melon producers was 0.73, this means that if the sampled melon producers are to operate at full efficiency level they would need to increase their melon output by 17% using the existing inputs and level of technology. In addition, farmers were confronted with constraints such as lack of access to storage facilities, inadequate extension services, limited access to credit and finance, high costs farm inputs, climate change, pests and diseases and lack of improved seeds. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions and policies to improve input efficiency, strengthen extension service delivery, and enhance credit access.
Keywords
Socio-Economic, Farm Budgetary Technique, Stochastic Production Efficiency Frontier Model, Principal Component Model
Supporting Institution
NIL
Project Number
NIL
Ethical Statement
NIL
Thanks
NIL
References
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