Technical Efficiency of Turmeric (Curcuma Longa L.) Production in Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

Purpose: The study analyzed the technical efficiency of turmeric production in Benue State, Nigeria. Taro Yamane's formula was used to select 28 respondents. Methodology: The research made use of experimental design and a multistage, purposive and proportionate sampling was used for the study. Data for the study were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire from 28 turmeric farmers in Konshisha, Vandeikya, and Gwer-East Local Government Areas of Benue State. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and stochastic frontier production function. Findings: Analysis of the result showed that majority (53.6%) of the turmeric farmers had technical efficiency level between 31% and 60%. Also, analysis of the stochastic frontier production function revealed that age, sex, farm experience, and household size of turmeric farmers in the state significantly influenced their technical efficiency. Recommendations: It was recommended that policies aimed at increasing the resource use efficiency of turmeric farmers in the State and hence their farm output can be increased by providing the turmeric farming communities with improved planting ,harvesting, peeling and drying machines for higher efficiency.