Tropicultura (Jan 2009)

Resource Use Efficiency among Urban Vegetable Farmers in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

  • Enete, AA.,
  • Okon, UE.

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 27, no. 4
pp. 211 – 217

Abstract

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The study estimated the efficiency of resource use among urban vegetable (Talinium triangulare) farmers in Akwa Ibom State using a sample of 60 respondents that were randomly selected; 20 from three urban centers in the state. Interview schedules and structured questionnaires were administered to elicit information from the respondents. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multiple regression and gross margin. The results showed that, most (85%) farmers were within the economically active age bracket (21- 50 years). All farmers were female with a mean farming experience of 8.5 years. The average farm size was 0.065 ha, and waterleaf was planted as a sole crop to obtain high output. The multiple regression analysis showed that the farmer's farm size, educational level, household size, farming experience and quantity of manure and labour applied, positively and significantly influenced output of waterleaf in the study area. The efficiency ratio of land (2.8), manure (42.11) and labour (0.91), showed that waterleaf farmers were inefficient in the use of these resources. Land and manure were underutilized, while labour was over utilized. Gross margin analysis showed that farmers made profit (gross margin= N287, 252.52 per hectare). Lack of access to credit facilities was the farmers' major constraints.

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