Allocative Efficiency of Fruited Pumpkin (Telferia Occidentalis) Production in Ayamelum L.G.A of Anambra State, Nigeria
Abstract
Allocative efficiency of fruited pumpkin (telf eria occidentalis) production in Ayamalum L.G.A of Anambra Sate was studied using 120 farmers selected using multi stage sampling technique. Data for the work were generated through structured questionnaire and interview schedules. Percentage response, Ordinary least square regression, allocative indices and net farm income analysis were used to address the objectives. Result of the study showed that fruited pumpkin was a profitable venture in the study area. Furthermore, fruited pumpkin farmers did not achieve optimum allocative efficiency in the use of any of the farm resources. In general, the elasticity of production showed that they were operating at increasing rate of return to scale. The constraints to fruited pumpkin production included; high labour cost, high cost of fertilizer, poor access to credit and poor extension visit. To achieve optimum allocative efficiency and hence maximum profit, farmers should be encouraged to increase their use of those underutilized resources, while decreased in the u se of over utilized resources Policies that would enable farmers to employ more of the resources should be put in place in order to improve their performances. More so, there is need to improve farmers’ access to credit through microfinance banks and other commercial banks, use of labour saving device such as hand -driven plough and improve their frequencies to extension contact.
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Introduction
Vegetable is the most affordable and accessible source of micronutrient especially in Nigeria and other developing countries of Africa where the daily diet is dominated by starchy food. Vegetable production is a sustainable economic enterprise and feature prominently in mixed cropping systems and home gardens as secondary crops by urban and rural small holder farmers ( Adaigbo and Nwadioha, 2010). Vegetable production in Nigeria constitutes about 4.64% of the total staple food production between 1970 and 2003 (Akorda, 2013). Vegetable production apart from being used for food security, it offers employment opportunities to the populace in the producing area, especially women who formed substantial producers (FAO, 2005; Mbanasor and Obiora,2005).
Nevertheless, among the vegetables, one of the most widely cultivated is telferia. Telferia (fruited pumpkin or ugu, telferia occidentalis) is a prominent all season vegetable in home gardens and remains the most dominant traditional port herb in southeastern Nigeria (Molzi, 2003). Telferia plant is much desired by consumers and producers because of its’ succulent large leaves and the fact that it produces the pods. Telferia has beneficial effects on lipid profile, high anticipidaeonic effects on blood cholesterol, protection from associated cardiac problems, hypertension and diabetics (Omoruyi, et al 1997, FAO, 2014).
Furthermore, other uses of fruited pumpkin include; the fruit case and pulp of telferia is an important feed stuff for livestock, the pectin content of the pulp has been used in the production of marmalade, the leaf extract is regarded as blood tonic in combination with honey or milk for the anemic, the nutritive value of the leaves contain crude fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals (Nwaru and Nweke, 2010). More so, the seed can be cooked, boiled or grind to paste as soup thickener (FAO,2008).
In spite of the relevancies of this crop, low production and productivity characterized its cultivation. The low yield is as result of inefficient production technique manifested in technical and allocative inefficiencies over reliance on household resources, labour intensive agricultural technology and rapidly declining soil productivity (Tanko, 2004). Efficiency is primarily determined by the prices of inputs including time, labour, capital and technical advances (Denton, et al 2009). The farmer’s productivity can be enhanced by adopting improved technology and improved efficiency in resource use, particularly allocative efficiency of the small holder farmers who produce 70% of the food consumed in the country. Allocative efficiency as put by Nwaru, (2010) is the manipulation of available scarce resources and technical know-how to achieve the highest possible economic benefits within given resource where its’ marginal value product is equated to its unit price. Onyenweaku, et al (2010) posited that efforts at improving efficiency as a means of increasing agricultural output are more cost effective then introducing new technology if farmers are not making efficient use of existing technology. This paper examined the profitability of fruited pumpkin production, estimated and analyzed the production function for efficiency, elasticity of production, return to scale and problems associated with fruited pumpkin production in the study area.
Conclusion
The major conclusions from this study are: Fruited pumpkin farmers were not allocative efficient in the use of their farm resources. Secondly, telferia is a profitable venture in the study area. Thirdly, the major problems to the vegetable production were high cost of labour, high cost of fertilizer, poor access to credit and poor extension contact.
The following recommendations were made: The frequency and quality of extension visit should be improved through provision of adequate facilities, incentives and proper supervision of e tension agents in order to improve on farmers’ technology adoption Furthermore, farmers’ access to credit through commercial banks and micro finance banks at lower interest rate should be enhanced. Also, diseases and pests control in vegetable production using appropriate pesticides should not be taken for granted to enhance its production. In addition, to achieve optimum allocative efficiency and hence maximum profit, farmers should be encouraged to increase their use of those under-utilized resources. This can be achieved through having access to these productions inputs and encourage the reallocation and redistribution of farm inputs.