Estimating the return to scale and elasticity of production among smallscale tomato producers in Kano and Kaduna states, Nigeria

This research study focused on estimating the return to scale (RTS) and elasticity of production (EP) among small-scale tomato producers in Kano and Kaduna States of Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling plan was utilized to select 200 small-scale tomato producers. Primary data of cross-sectional sources were utilized based on a well-planned questionnaire. The data were evaluated using descriptive statistics, RTS, EP, and stochastic frontier production model. The results show that the mean age of tomato producers was 44 years (SD = 6.12). The tomato producers were small-scale growers with a mean farm size of 1.41 hectares. The coefficient of agrochemicals, fertilizer usage, seeds, farm size, and labour were positive and considerably different from zero in affecting the output of tomato growers. The coefficients of elasticity of production were estimated as follows, agrochemicals (0.1674), fertilizer usage (0.2316), farm size (0.1635), seeds (0.1206), and labour (0.1526) respectively. The input elasticities were inelastic for tomato farming; this means a 1% rise in each factor, while keeping all other stimulus constant will result to less than 1% rise in tomato output. The RTS was evaluated at 0.8357, this connotes deceasing RTS, the tomato producers are operating in stage 1 of the production surfaces which is the output of tomato can still be raised by using more of the factors. An increase in all the inputs by 1% raises tomato output by 0.8357 percent. The improved varieties of tomato seeds should be given to producers to increase output.