Analysis of resource use efficiency of small scale plantain (Musa sp. aabcv.agbagba) mono cropping system in Cross River state, Nigeria

Abstract

The production function of plantain mono cropping system in Cross River State was estimated. Data were obtained from 120 plantain farmers that were randomly selected from Cross River Agricultural Zones, using a multi-stage stratified random sampling technique. The multiple regression analysis model was the main tool of data analysis. Different functional forms were tried. The results indicated that Cobb-Douglass production function had the best fit in explaining the relationship between output of plantain and inputs used.The coefficient of multiple determinantion (R2 = 0.61) indicates that sixty one percent of the variability in output of plantain, is explained by the independent variables. The F-value of 17.16 indicates the overall significance of the model at 1 percent level. The result of the analysis revealed that land, fertilizer and capital were in-efficiently used. The marginal value products of farm size, plantain suckers, labour, fertilizer and capital were N1080, N20.6, N972.8, N14.84 and N23.415 respectively, indicating allocative in-efficiency. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that plantain farmers should expand their farms, improve on production efficiency and adopt new technologies. Regular awareness campaign about new technologies in plantain farming should be embarked on by extension agents to make plantain farmers appreciate the importance of adopting new technologies.

Key words: Analysis, Cobb-Douglass, Production Efficiency, Plantain, Mono-cropping