Effects of input intensification and cost efficiency on the productivity of irrigated tomato farmers in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

: A ergonomics a diverse range of production-limiting variables ranging from biophysical to agronomic restrictions, as well as socioeconomic and institutional barriers constrained tomato production. It is pertinent to note that Adoption of contemporary agricultural methods is required for optimal productivity under such limits. This study aims to analyze the effect of input intensification and cost efficiency on the productivity of irrigated tomato farmers in Kaduna state, Nigeria. The study used a cross sectional data of 268 irrigated tomato farmers for 2021 cropping season. Descriptive statistics, net farm income, Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression, Tobit regression model and stochastic frontier cost function were used to analyze the data. The result established that with the net farm income of ₦401,331 ($994.43USD) and return on investment (1.91), tomato production is profitable. The result of OLS regression showed that normalized input intensification (-0.226) is statistically significant at 1% level of probability and is negatively inelastic. This revealed that the input intensification been adopted as a complete package in the study area had negative influence on productivity of tomato. The result of the Tobit model regression showed that the intensity of input use was significantly influenced by the coefficients of age of household head (-0.079), number of extension contact (0.661), farm size (11.257), and distance to input market (0.262). The result of the estimated stochastic frontier cost function showed that costs of labour (0.03), fertilizer (0.35), seed (0.08), agrochemicals (0.06), annual depreciation (0.36) and transportation (0.07) were statistically significant. The inefficiency variables that influenced the cost of the tomato farmers include farm size (0.47), educational status (0.22), access to credit (0.59) and distance to input market (-0.02). The study established that input intensification package adopted by tomato farmers requires modification to enhance tomato productivity in Kaduna state, Nigeria. There is urgent need for training of farmers by extension agent particularly on input intensification, adoption of modern innovations and technologies that could enhance increase output and income.