PRODUCTION RISK AND TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY IN INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL INPUTS USE AMONG CASSAVA FARMERS IN BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA

This study assessed production risk and technical efficiency among cassava farmers in Bayelsa State, Nigeria, with a focus on the use of internal (organic) and external (synthetic) inputs. Using a multistage sampling technique, 334 farmers were surveyed, including 173 internal input users and 161 external input users. Socio-economic analysis revealed that internal input users were older (mean age: 49.2 years) and had more farming experience (25.3 years). In comparison, external input users had higher educational attainment (10 years vs. 8 years) and operated larger farms (3.95 ha vs. 1.32 ha). Household sizes were similar across groups (8 persons), and annual income per hectare showed Internal (N579,900) and external (N570,570). The technical efficiency analysis, based on stochastic frontier modelling, indicated that both groups operated inefficiently, with internal input users showing 46.5% inefficiency and decreasing returns to scale, while external input users showed 78.9% inefficiency but increasing returns to scale. These findings highlight significant inefficiencies and suggest the need for targeted interventions to improve resource use and reduce production risks in cassava farming.