COMPARATIVE TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY OF WATERLEAF (Talinum triangulare) PRODUCTION BY RURAL AND URBAN FARMERS IN UYO AGRICULTURAL ZONE, AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

This study compared the technical efficiency of waterleaf (Talinum triangulare) production among urban and rural farmers in Uyo Agricultural Zone of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Using a stochastic frontier production function and Cobb-Douglas specification on primary data from 80 waterleaf farmers (40 urban, 40 rural), the technical efficiency levels, production determinants, and key socioeconomic influences were assessed across both group of farmers. The results showed that waterleaf farmers in rural Uyo exhibits higher technical efficiency (x̅ = 0.867) compared to their urban counterparts (x̅ = 0.733), with 85% of rural farmers operating in the high-efficiency range (0.71–1.00) versus 70% of urban farmers. Production elasticities showed that farm size had the most substantial impact on output across both groups, although the elasticity was higher in rural areas (0.843) than in urban areas (0.549). Family and hired labour contributed positively to output, particularly in urban settings. Conversely, planting material had a negative effect in urban areas but was strongly positive in rural areas. Social organisation, extension services, and credit access were identified as key drivers of efficiency among urban farmers, while farming experience played a significant role in improving efficiency in rural areas. Factor productivity analysis showed decreasing returns to scale in urban settings (0.572) but increasing returns in rural areas (1.737). Based on these findings, it is recommended that policymakers promote improved access to quality planting materials and cultivable land for urban farmers, while simultaneously enhancing rural farmers' access to market infrastructure, technical training, and improved resource management to ensure balanced productivity growth across both farming environments.