Maximum Likelihood Estimates and Determinants of Technical Efficiency of Leafy Vegetable Producers in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

Leafy vegetables are important delicacies in the diet of most people in Nigeria and have played important role in helping to solve food security problems mainly in the rural areas. This study was carried out to determine the influence of some socio-economic and environmental factors on technical efficiency of leafy vegetable producers in Akwa Ibom State, Southern Nigeria. The results show that leafy vegetable production in the study area is female dominated. The Maximum Likelihood Estimates (MLEs) of the Cobb-Douglas stochastic production frontier function indicated that age of vegetable producers have a negative and significant influence on their technical efficiency, while, educational level, farming experience, farm size, household size and soil quality have positive and significant influence on their technical efficiency. The study recommends the formulation and implementation of policies that would encourage establishment of Adult and Continuing Education in the State, and adoption of sustainable systems of farming that will enhance good soil quality and environmental sustainability, with adequate supply of inputs to promote efficient production of vegetables in the area.

Assessment of Profit Efficiency for Spinach Production under Small-Scale Irrigated Agriculture in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

“…This means that spending many years in school provided spinach farmers with managerial competence and the ability to implement innovative techniques and marketing practices [34]. Educated farmers can make informed decisions to increase production, unlike uneducated farmers [15]. The average farm size utilized by spinach farmers was 3 ha, with an average farm experience of 10 years in farming.…”

“…However, there are no studies that have been carried out to measure either the profit or technical efficiency of spinach production in the Eastern Cape. Most studies conducted previously in South Africa and other countries, in general, focused exclusively on the technical efficiency of cereals [15,16] or economic efficiency of other food crops [17,18]. Profit efficiency is inclusive of all technical efficiency, allocative efficiency, and economic efficiency.…”

Proximate, mineral and vitamin C composition of vegetable Gbolo [<i>Crassocephalum rubens</i> (Juss. ex Jacq.) S. Moore and <i>C. crepidioides</i> (Benth.) S. Moore] in Benin

“…According to Nair Archana et al (2013), vegetables are indispensable constituents of the human diet supplying the body with minerals, vitamins and certain hormone precursors, in addition to proteins and calories (Aja et al, 2010;Olaposi and Adunni, 2010). Throughout the tropical world and particularly in West Africa, a large number of traditional leafy vegetables (TLVs) have long been known and reported to play important roles in food security for people living in both rural and urban areas (Ukpong and Idiong, 2013). TLVs are rich in vitamins (especially A, B and C), minerals, fibres, carbohydrates and proteins and some even possess medicinal properties (Adeoti et al, 2012).…”

“…In Africa, the diversity of the African TLVs is enormous (Senga Kitumbe et al, 2013;Ukpong and Idiong, 2013). Researchers in sub-Saharan Africa have listed and given an account of about 1,000 species (Senga Kitumbe et al, 2013).…”

Technical Efficiency Analysis Of Home Industry Kamang Crackers In Kenagarian Kamang Hilir Kamang Magek District, Agam Regency West Sumatra Province

“…The results of this study are the same as those obtained by Andini (2017) where the average number of family members of kamang crackers business actors in Kamang Hilir Kenagarian is 1 to 3 people (75%) of the total respondents. According to Ukpong and Idiong (2013), the number of family members will significantly affect technical efficiency.…”