Resource Use Efficiency in Sweet Potato Production in Kwara State of Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examines resource use efficiency in sweet potato production in Offa and Oyun local government areas of Kwara State of Nigeria. Primary data were collected from one hundred sweet potato farmers who were selected from the two local government areas during the 2003/2004 farming season. The data was analyzed using regression analysis and inferential statistics. The regression result shows that the coefficients of labour and purchased inputs were positively and significantly related to the output of sweet potato at 5% level. The coefficient of land was positive but significant at 10% level. The coefficient of multiple determinations (R2) of the lead equation indicates that the included variables accounted for over 99% of the variation in the output of sweet potato. Resource use efficiency analysis using a t-statistic indicates that land and purchased inputs were under-utilized. The use of labour input was efficient in sweet potato production as shown by the t-statistic computed for the t-test. To achieve increased production of sweet potato, it is recommended that there should be an increase in the farm size devoted to sweet potato and increased awareness campaign among sweet potato farmers, in the area of good agronomic practices and usage of improved varieties of stem cuttings.

Keywords: Sweet potato, Resource Efficiency, Marginal Value Product, Unit Factor cost

JARD Vol. 4 (2) 2005: pp. 187-199