ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY OF RESOURCE USE AMONG URBAN WATERLEAF FARMERS IN AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT
The study estimated the efficiency of resource use among urban waterleaf farmers in AkwaIbom State using a sample of 60 respondents that were randomly selected (20) from threeurban centers in the state. Interview schedules and structured questionnaires wereadministered to elicit information from the respondents. Data were analyzed usingdescriptive statistics, multiple regression and gross margin. The results showed that, most(85%) farmers were within the economically active age bracket (21-50yrs). All the farmerswere female with a mean house hold size of eight. Majority (90%) of the farmers were literatewith a mean farming experience of 8.5 years.

The average farm size was 0.065ha, andwaterleaf was planted as a sole crop to obtain high output. The multiple regression analysisshowed that educational level, household size, farming experience, quantity of manure,labour and farm size positively and significantly influenced the output of waterleaf in thestudy area. The efficiency ratios of farm size (28.68), manure (42.11) and labour (0.91),showed that waterleaf farmers were inefficient in the use of these resources. Land resourceand manure were underutilized, while labour was over- utilized. Gross margin analysisshowed that farmers made profit (Gross margin = N 287,252.52 per hectare). Lack of accessto credit facilities was the farmer’s major constraints. It is therefore recommended that creditfacilities should be provided to the urban farmers, and extension agent should take advantage of the literate farmers to disseminate research information

The average farm size was 0.065ha, andwaterleaf was planted as a sole crop to obtain high output. The multiple regression analysisshowed that educational level, household size, farming experience, quantity of manure,labour and farm size positively and significantly influenced the output of waterleaf in thestudy area. The efficiency ratios of farm size (28.68), manure (42.11) and labour (0.91),showed that waterleaf farmers were inefficient in the use of these resources. Land resourceand manure were underutilized, while labour was over- utilized. Gross margin analysisshowed that farmers made profit (Gross margin = N 287,252.52 per hectare). Lack of accessto credit facilities was the farmer’s major constraints. It is therefore recommended that creditfacilities should be provided to the urban farmers, and extension agent should take advantage
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