Assessment of technical efficiency and profitability among rain-fed tomato farmers in Yewa Division, Ogun State

Abstract

Production efficiency of tomato has declined drastically in Nigeria despite its significant contribution to farm income and nutrition of  households. The aim of this study is to examine the technical efficiency and profitability of rain-fed tomato farming in Yewa Division,  Ogun State. Primary data were collected through multistage sampling procedure from 105 farmers using structured questionnaire. The  data were analysed by descriptive statistics, budgetary technique and stochastic production frontier (SPF). Descriptive statistics revealed  that an average tomato farmer was 36 years-old, 96.2% had minimum of primary education, and average farming experience was 12  years, 84.8% cultivated less than 1.0 ha while major source of funding was through cooperative societies (56.2%). Estimate of budgetary  technique revealed that tomato farming was profitable at average gross margin of N15,233.30. The result of SPF shows that production  efficiency was significantly affected by education (1%), household size (1%), farm size (1%), seed (1%), agro-chemical (1%) and extension  services (5%). The mean efficiency was 0.632. The major farming problems were inadequate credit facilities (76.2%), pests and diseases (65.7%) and lack of extension service (48.6%). The study recommends that extension service should be improved to complement  education and experience of the farmers. Efficient input delivery is necessary to encourage expansion of cultivated land. Modern inputs  and equipment must be adequately distributed to enhance adoption of modern farm practices including application of chemicals in order  to resolve the problems of pests and diseases on the farms. Farmers should explore cooperative efforts to resolve their major  financial problems.