International Journal of Food and Agricultural Economics (Jan 2014)
RESOURCE USE EFFICIENCY IN GUM ARABIC PRODUCTION AMONG FARMERS IN YOBE STATE, NIGERIA
Abstract
This study aimed at assessing the efficiency of resource utilization among gum Arabic farmers in Yobe State of Nigeria; towards determining the parameters that could promote the commercialization of the crop in Nigeria. One hundred and twenty gum Arabic farmers were selected by multi-staged random sampling from six local government areas, and structured questionnaires were administered to obtain data for the study. The data collected included farm size, cost of farm tools, cost of labour, yield of gum Arabic, total revenue from gum Arabic; and socio-economic variables such as age, marital status, family size and educational level. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, budgeting technique and production function analysis. Results indicated that gross income, gross margin and net farm income per hectare of N 30,000.00 (US Dollar 187.50), N 20,980.00 (US Dollar 131.13) and N 19,430.00 (US Dollar 121.44) were realized. Return to labour and naira investment were 3.08 and 1.84 respectively. Results also indicated that farm size, cost of farm tools, hired labour, family labour and transport cost were used within the rational zone but not at optimal levels.
