ANALYSIS OF TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY IN TOMATOES PRODUCTION IN ZARIA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KADUNA STATE

Abstract

The study analyzed technical efficiency and its determinants in tomatoes production in Zaria, Kaduna state. The study was based on primary data collected from 120 tomato farmers by the use of multistage sampling techniques. The data was analyzed by descriptive statistics and the use of stochastic production frontier. The results indicate that most (70%) of the farmers were men between the ages of 31 and 50. It also showed that increase in farm size, fertilizer and seeds will lead to a considerable increase in tomato production. Furthermore, the mean technical efficiency was 0.6 and this was influenced by age, farm experience, contact with extension agents and access to credit. The study concludes that farmers can further increase their output and therefore recommends that credits should be made available to farmers and also extension agents should be encouraged to visit the farmers more often as this translates into increased efficiency.