PRODUCTIVITY MEASUREMENTS IN SOLE COWPEA FARMING: A CASE STUDY OF NORTHERN AGRICULTURAL ZONE OF ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study determined productivity measurements of sole cowpea production in Northern Agricultural Zone of Adamawa State, Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to determine the productivity of sole cowpea farming and identify the problems of cowpea production in the area. Primary data were collected from 180 sole cowpea producers selected by a multi-stage random sampling technique, using structured questionnaire. The Data was subjected to productivity analysis and stochastic frontier production models. The maximum likelihood estimates of the parameters of the stochastic frontier 2 production function revealed the sigma squared (ó ) as 0.345 and is statistically significant at 1%. Farm size, family labour, hired labour and agro-chemicals were significantly related with cowpea output at 1% and 5% levels. Farming experience, extension contact, family size and credit availability enhance the efficiency of the respondents. Productivity analysis revealed that sole cowpea farming is under decreasing return to scale (0.71) with an average productivity of 778.80kg/ha and profitability index of N1.51. In conclusion, sole cowpea production is profitable with a fair level of productivity and the farmers are relatively efficient. The major problems of the farmers were striga infestation, high cost of inputs, high cost of labour and inadequate supply of improved seeds. Timely supply of inputs like agrochemicals, improved seeds and credit were recommended.