Economic Efficiency of Cassava-Based Cropping in Southern Nigeria

The study examined the level of economic efficiency of cassava ¿ based cropping in Oyo State. It identified the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers, the factors affecting cassava production, quantified the technical, allocative and economic efficiency of cassava production and analyzed the effects of various socio- economic variables on the efficiency indices of cassava farmers. Both structured questionnaire and interview schedule were used in collecting information from 253 cassava ¿ based farmers from the four agricultural zones under Oyo State Agricultural Development Projects - Ibadan/ Ibarapa, Oyo, Ogbomoso and Saki.The study was analyzed using descriptive statistics, stochastic frontier production and cost function and multiple regression analysis.It was discovered through the the analysis of technical, allocative and economic efficiency that cassava-based farmers were not presently operating on the frontier. the study recommended, therefore, that productivity improvements can be achieved by implementing policies such as improved farmers¿ access to extension services and provision of technical assistance to farmers.