Resource use efficiency of sugarcane farming in Karim-Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study analysed resource use efficiency and production constraints in sugarcane farming in Karim-Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, determine the resource use efficiency, and identify major constraints to sugarcane production in the study area. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 100 respondents for the study. Data generated were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results from socio-economic characteristics revealed that 88% of the farmers were male with most of them having average farming experience of between one to nine years.  Furthermore, 42% of the sugarcane producers were within the age bracket of 30-39 years, 78% cultivated less than less than two hectares of land, and 34% had non-formal education. Results of the regression analysis revealed that the coefficient of multiple determination (R²) was 0.878, indicating that 87.8% of the variation in the yield of sugarcane was explained by the explanatory variables included in the model. Out of the variables, land, herbicide, and sugarcane sett were found to be significant at 1% probability level. The efficiency ratios showed that sugarcane sett was over-utilised, while farm size, fertilizer, and herbicide were under-utilised by the farmers in the study area. Insufficient capital and credit facilities, low product prices, and labour shortages were identified as the major constraints to sugarcane production in the study area. The study concluded that resources were not efficiently utilised by farmers and recommended strengthening agricultural extension services, providing loans and credits at subsidised rates, and training farmers on optimal input use.