Abstract:
This study analyzed the estimated the technical, allocative and economic efficiency of cucumber production, estimated profitability of cucumber production and determined the factors affecting the efficiency of the farmers and examine the constraints they faced. The study adopted the multistage sampling procedure in arriving at the sample size. Data were collected from 80 respondents through a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Gross Margin, Cobb Douglas Stochastic Frontier Production Function and inefficiency effect model were used to analyze the data. The findings showed that 87.5% of the farmers was male and the mean age was 41.0 and standard deviation of 9.87. Most of the respondents constituting about 81.25% were married and majority (40.0%) had first degree. The profitability analysis indicated that labour constituted the highest variable cost item. In the scale enterprise spent 26.31% was spent on labour, while corresponding value for the medium and large scale was spent 22.33% and 15.32% respectively. The technical efficiency result showed that 41.3% of the respondents was most efficient. The mean technical efficiency of the farmers was 74.5% while the minimum and maximum efficiencies were 37.5% and 93.0% respectively. About 7.5% of the respondents were below 50% economic efficiency and the mean economic efficiency was 0.77. The allocative efficiency analysis revealed that farmers were at least 50% efficient and the mean allocative efficiency was 0.83. The inefficiency result showed that fertilizer and agrochemicals had significant influence on cucumber production at (p<0.1). Marital status, education level and number of visits were identified socio-economic variables that had significant influence on cucumber production. Diseases and pests rated the major constraint while inadequate extension contact and rainfall was rated as the least constraints.
