1Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Abuja, Nigeria 2Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. 3Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.

Abstract

This research work examined the economics of yam production among smallholder farmers in Gwagwalada and Kwali Area Council of Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. The specific objectives include to: estimate the profitability of yam production and examine technical efficiency in yam production. Multistage sampling was used for this study. Data was analyzed with descriptive Statistics, Stochastic Frontier Production Function, Gross Margin Analysis and Principal Components Analysis. The results showed that, (86.2%) of the respondents were males with average age of 40 years and 17 years farming experience. Also 43.27% of the sampled yam farmers had no formal education with average household size of 6 persons, and also (64.1%) were not members of any farmers association. Also 47.44% of the sampled farmers sourced their capital through personal savings. Whereas, 90.06% of the farmers had access to extension services with average farm size of 2ha. The result of costs and returns reveals that the cost of labour was N 98, 865.74/ha which carried the highest proportion of the total variable cost (TVC). The TVC incurred by the yam farmers was N 202, 544.82/ha and the total revenue obtained was N 410, 879.80/ha with the gross margin of N 208, 334.98 which indicates that yam production was a profitable enterprise in the study area. The factors that influence the total output were farm size (P<0.05), Agro chemical (P<0.01). The factors influencing technical efficiency were educational level of farmers (P<0.05), access to credit facilities (P<0.05), extension contact (P<0.05), farming experience (P<0.05), household size (P<0.05) and cooperative membership of (P<0.05). The mean technical efficiency was 51.1%. Yam farmers encountered the following constraints; high cost of transportation, inputs, seed material, inadequate finances and lack of storage facilities. The following recommendations were made: since yam production is a profitable enterprise it should be encouraged to increase their scale of production to earn more profit that could improve their welfare and livelihood. Farm input such as agro-chemical, improved seed varieties should be provided to yam farmers at subsidized rate and timely by government or non-governmental agencies. Keywords: Technical Efficiency, Yam Farmers, Yam Production, Farm Management Key words: Source Documents, Credibility, Financial Reports, Accounting Circle Journal Reference Format: Idisi, P.O., Musa, S., Maduekwe, I.M., Ogunrinde, H., Atteh, A.P., Emmanuel, A.I. & Simpa, O.J. (2023): Technical Efficiency in Yam Production Among Small Scale Farmers in Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. Humanities, Management, Arts, Education & the Social Sciences Journal. Vol. 12. No. 1, Pp 29-48. www.isteams.net/humanitiesjournal. dx.doi.org/10.22624/AIMS/HUMANITIES/V12N4P3