Determinants of Cassava Production among Smallholder Farmers in Edo State, Nigeria

This study analyzed the determinants of cassava production among smallholder farmers in Edo State, Nigeria. Specifically, it estimated the profitability of cassava production, identified the factors affecting cassava output, and assessed the level of technical efficiency among the farmers. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 160 respondents, and data were collected using well-structured questionnaires. Analytical tools employed include descriptive statistics, the Cobb-Douglas production function, and the stochastic frontier production function. Results showed that 56% of the cassava farmers were male, with an average age of 45 years and an average farm size of 3 hectares. The total variable cost per hectare was ₦174,346.00, while total revenue was ₦990,826.67, yielding a gross margin of ₦816,480.67, a gross margin ratio of 0.82, and a rate of return on investment of 3.68. Cobb-Douglas analysis revealed that cassava cuttings, fertilizer, sex, age, household size, education, farm size and income significantly influenced cassava output (P<0.01). The stochastic frontier estimates also showed that planting material, fertilizer, herbicides, labour, and farm size significantly influenced production efficiency. However, inefficiency was significantly associated with age, sex, marital status, household size, extension contact, and access to credit. The average technical efficiency was 0.762, indicating a 24% efficiency shortfall. Major constraints faced by farmers included limited land access, weak land policies, insufficient finance, pest and disease infestations, and high labor costs. The study recommends the provision of subsidized inputs, access to credit, and greater inclusion of female farmers in cassava production in the study region.