Resource Use Efficiency of Male and Female Irish Potato Farmers in Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study compares resource use efficiency between male and female Irish potato farmers in Plateau State. Multi-stage sampling technique was used in this study. A sample of 500 farmers was randomly selected using proportionality factor from the 27 villages selected from nine local government areas. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, regression analysis and efficiency measures model (MVP/MFC, elasticities of production and MVP adjustment). The results revealed that the mean ages were 47 years and 42 years for male and female farmers, respectively, with average household size of 7 and 5 persons. The regression results indicated that 89.40% and 91.51% of the variation in total farm output among the sampled farmers were explained by the production inputs specified in the model. The sums of elasticity of production of1.029 and 1.162 respectively implied that the overall use of inputs in potato production were below optimum. The resource use efficiency ratios indicated that all inputs were over-utilized except fertilizer. While other inputs such as labour, seed, chemical and farm size required reduction for economic optimum. The resource use efficiency for both male and female showed that all the inputs specified in the model were over utilized except fertilizer which was underutilized.