PRODUCTIVITY AND RESOURCE USE EFFICIENCY OF SELECTED ACTORS ALONG THE CASSAVA VALUE CHAIN IN ORHIONMWON LOCAL GOVVERNMENT AREA, EDO STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

  Nigeria is seen as the largest producer of cassava in the world, accounting for 21% 0f the global production of cassava, yet does not participate in the global processing cassava market because cassava production is majorly in the hands of low income and small holder farmers who cultivate small farm areas and produce cassava primarily for the traditional food market. Thus the study examined the productivity and resource use efficiency of selected Actors along the cassava value chain in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State. To achieve this, the study examined the socio-economic characteristics of the actors along the cassava value chain, determined the technical efficiency of the different actors in the cassava production process, determined the resource use efficiency of selected actors along the cassava value chain, compared, the profitability of cassava farming and processing in the cassava production value chain and examined the constraints faced by the actors of cassava production. Primary Data were used for the study and 80 actors were selected using a two stage sampling technique. A well-structured questionnaire was the main tool for data collection. Descriptive statistics, stochastic frontier analysis and Liket Scale were used to analyze the data collected. Results revealed that labor and agrochemicals, two of the five variables were significant to the farmers technical efficiency but the Farmers were only technically efficient in their labor use. In terms of resource use efficiency, It was revealed that the inputs the farmers used such as labor, land, chemicals and stem cuttings were all over utilized. It was also revealed that both cassava farming and cassava production were profitable enterprises but cassava processing was a more profitable business venture than cassava farming. The study further revealed that poor road network, high cost of transportation and inaccessibility to credit were one of the major constraints to the actors along the cassava value chain in the study area.  Government should put effort in increasing Extension activities in the study area so as to increase the dissemination of improved technologies and techniques to the actor in the cassava value chain in the study area.