DETERMINANTS OF ALLOCATIVE EFFICIENCY IN BAMBARA GROUNDNUT PRODUCTION IN NORTHEAST NIGERIA: A GENDER-BASED ANALYSIS

In gendered agricultural systems, disparities in resource access, decision-making authority, and socio-economic constraints may lead to significant differences in allocative efficiency between male and female farmers. This study investigates gender differences in allocative efficiency among Bambara groundnut farmers in Northeast Nigeria.The objectives include estimating the economic efficiency of Bambara groundnut farmers, comparing the economic efficiency of Bambara groundnut farmers, and analyzing the determinants of economic efficiency of Bambara groundnut in Northeast, Nigeria.The study adopted a survey design. A multistage sampling technique was used to select a total of 360 male and 360 female smallholder Bambara groundnut farmers from three selected states including Adamawa, Bauchi, and Taraba States.Primary data was collected from the respondents usinga well-structured questionnaire.Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and econometric techniques,including the, Cobb-Douglas stochastic frontier cost function model, independent z-test,and censored Tobit regression model. Findings reveal that female farmers demonstrated superior allocative efficiency compared to their male counterparts across all states and the wider Northeast Region. Determinants of allocative inefficiency varied by gender. For male farmers, key factors included age, education, farming experience, extension visits, cooperative membership, credit obtained, land ownership, and training in Bambara farming. For female farmers, significant determinants were age, household size, farming experience, extension visits, cooperative membership, distance to farm,security challenges, and off-farm income. These findings suggest the need for gender-responsive policiesaimed at improving allocative efficiency, particularly through enhanced access to credit, extension services,cooperative networks, and security interventions.