Farm household allocative efficiency and cost-Benefit Analysis of sweet potato among farming families in Igabi agro-ecological environment

Abstract

The study was conducted to ascertain the allocative efficiency of sweet potato output in Igabi agro-ecological Zone of Kaduna State, Nigeria. A total of 120 respondents were chosen for in-depth analysis using multi-stage random sampling and purposeful sampling strategies. Information for the primary data was gathered through an oral interview and a standardized questionnaire. The study's objectives were captured using the Logistic    regression method, costs and return analysis, percentage replies, and allocative efficiency. The socioeconomic characteristics of the farmers revealed that the majority of respondents were older, female, and had a somewhat large household. They also belonged to an organization. The study revealed that, N1,022,000, N1,118,000, and 1:1.47 were the Net Farm Income (NFI), gross margin, and benefit cost ratio, respectively. Furthermore, by matching their factor prices to the value marginal product (VMP), none of the farmers were able to reach allocative efficiency. The findings indicated that the farmers were unable to achieve optimal resource allocation (r=1) because labor, fertilizer, and capital input were overutilized (r>1), while other resources, such as farm area (0.761) and planting material, were underutilized (r<1). Household size, credit, and farming expertise were the factors that determined the allocative efficiency of sweet potato output. It is necessary to improve farmers' access to credit and fertilizer educational programmes and extension services to boost their allocative efficiency.