Resource use efficiency in cassava production in Ebonyi South Agricultural Zone of Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was aimed at ascertaining the efficiency of resource use in cassava production in Ebonyi South agricultural zone of Ebonyi State. A multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select sixty (60) cassava farmers for the study. A structured questionnaire as well as field observations were used to elicit the relevant information from the respondents. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, relevant econometric and statistical tools, Cobb-Douglas production function and gross margin analysis. The results show that cassava production is profitable in the study area under the method of resource combination. Results also show that the resource inputs such as land, labour, capital and so on are positively related to output. On resource productivity, the Cobb-Douglas production function tested show that the combined effect of the six resource inputs brings about equal unit increase in output. Most importantly, it was recommended that the farmers need to reduce the level of labour used to get towards the point of profitable labour allocative efficiency.

International Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Vol. 7(1) 2006: 92-98