Economics and Efficiency of Rain-Fed Cabbage Production (Brassica oleracea Var. Capitata) in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

Aims: To analyze Economics of Rain-fed Cabbage Production in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Study Design: Primary data were collected from 130 cabbage farmers with the aid of structured questionnaire. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in three local government areas (Kudan, Sabon-Gari and Zaria) in Kaduna state during 2015 cropping season. Methodology: Multistage purposive and random sampling techniques were employed for data collection. Results: The results of the maximum likelihood estimates (MLEs) of the stochastic frontier production function model revealed that farm size was significant to cabbage output. The technical efficiency scores revealed that the most efficient farmer operated at 98% efficiency, the least efficient farmer was found to operate at 1% efficiency level, while the mean was indicating that rain-fed cabbage farmers still have room to increase the efficiency in their farming activities from the optimum (100%) is yet to be attained by a typical farmer in the study area. However, the mean economic efficiency of the rain-fed cabbage farmers was 0.80, implying that output fell by 20% from the maximum possible attainable level due to economic inefficiency of the farmers. The inefficiency model revealed that age squared, family size, extension contact and educational level, increased TE, while credit access and farming experience were the determinant of allocative efficiency of the farmers. Conclusion: This study carried out an assessment of economic efficiency of rain-fed cabbage farmers in selected local government areas of Kaduna state, Nigeria. The result of the study showed that there is positive and significant relationship between farm size and cabbage output in the study area. The study also identified the determinants of the technical inefficiency of the farmers. The farm specific technical efficiency distribution reveals that none of the farmers achieved the maximum efficiency level. Thus, within the context of efficient agricultural production, output can still be increased by 13 percent using available inputs and technology by reallocating the resources more optimally.