Cassava is the
chief source of dietary food energy for the majority of the people living in
the lowland tropics, and much of the sub-humid tropics of West and Central
Africa (Tsegia et al, 2002). Therefore, its production and utilization
must be given prime attention in food policy. Even though farmers have not yet
attained the desired technical efficiency in cassava production as a result of
weak access to external inputs such as fertilizers and herbicides (Ezedinma et
al, 2006), the widescale adoption of high yielding varieties and the
resulting increase in yield have shifted the problem of the cassava sector from
supply (production) to demand issues, such as finding new uses and markets for cassava.
Nigeria produces more than 45 million
metric tons (MT) of cassava, thus emerging as the world's largest producer (USAID,
2010). In spite of this volume, the full yield potential has not been realized
since smallholder production rarely exceeds 11 MT per hectare as against 25-40
MT per hectare recommended by experts. This yield per hectare is indicative of
the yields experienced in the south-south region of Nigeria including Ndokwa
West L.G.A of Delta state. This region is one of the most productive in the
country with respect to cassava. The national average is somewhat lower at 10.0
tonnes/ha. In contrast, Thailand, nationally, experienced yields of 17.1
tonnes/ha in 2002. Regional yields in countries such as India, Laos, Thailand
and Barbados have been estimated as high as 25 to 40 tonnes/ha. Obviously,
Nigeria’s highest productivity yields fall short of these rates and this
situation is due to a number of factors including small scale farming (on plots
that are usually less than 1hectare), manual operation, little or no use of
fertilizers and limited knowledge in the use of high yield roots to name a few
(Olomola, 2007). Farming at this level makes it difficult to achieve efficiency
and economies of scale.
At the farm level, production costs
for cassava are high relative to those in other countries. Production is not
oriented towards commercial use; instead, farmers produce and process cassava
as a subsistence crop. The current and potential demand for cassava and its
secondary products as industrial raw material in Nigeria is neither known nor
documented (Knipscheer, et al, 2007).
The Nigerian cassava system, is characterized
by small-scale farmers/holdings cultivating less than 2 hectares of cassava
(average of 0.5 ha), primarily cultivated for the traditional food market, is
subsistence in nature and not oriented to the industrial market. Any surplus cassava
is either processed on the farm, or sold to local processors. The average
production figures per hectare in Nigeria were 10.5 MT/Ha in the early 1970s,
11.5 MT/Ha in the 1980s, 10.5 MT/Ha by the end of 1980s, and 11.5 MT/Ha in the 1990s
and up to 17.3 MT/Ha in Ondo in 2004 ( PIND, 2011).
It is also important to note that cassava
production is mostly done by rural smallholder farmers using low-level
production techniques (Omonona, 2009;
Oyegbami et al.,
2010; Nweke et al., 2002). Though government at various levels has been trying
in various ways to encourage rural farmers to adopt the modern cassava production
technologies in order to increase the rural farmer’s productivity (Fresco,
1993; Otoo, 1994; Ali, 2005), there are constraints to adoption in rural
farming communities (Nweke et al., 2002; Teklewold et al., 2006). In some
instances, farmers reject some of modern technology due to their cultural
background and inhibitions due to perhaps illiteracy and religious beliefs. Nevertheless,
credit constraint has been singled out as a major factor militating against
adoption of modern cassava production techniques (Nweke et al., 2002). The
technologies are herbicides application, use of hybrid cassava stake, use of
insecticides, use of herbicides, use of inorganic fertilizer, use of tractor, appropriate
spacing, planting date and tillage practices. The adoption of modern cassava
production technologies is an important route out of poverty and enhancing
productivity for many in the developing world including Nigeria because of the
major role cassava play in food security. Many studies have noted poor
technology adoption in cassava production (Barham and Boucher, 1994; Ogboso,
2005).
Nigeria
is witnessing an upward trend in the price of foodstuff, which should not be
attributed to inflationary tendencies alone. The price increase is mainly due
to fall in production coupled with rise in demand as a result of increase in
population and purchasing power. Cassava production was reported to be
declining in less than 10% of the representative villages for reasons connected
with losses from livestock (mainly cattle), pests and diseases declining soil
fertility (Adeniji et al, 1997). In view of the above, there is the need to
study the technical efficiency of cassava production in Ndokwa West Local
Government Area of Delta state.
Despite
the importance of cassava, the dearth of empirical data on the technical
efficiency and profitability of cassava production especially in the study area
necessitated this study. It is in view of the foregoing that the following
research questions arise:
Ø
What
are the socio-economic characteristics of the cassava farmers?
Ø
What
are the production systems adopted by the farmers?
Ø
What
is the technical efficiency of cassava production in the area?
Ø
What
is the profitability of cassava production in the area?
Ø
What
are the constraints to cassava production in the area?
The
broad objective of the study is to determine the profitability and technical
efficiency of cassava production in Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta
state, Nigeria.
Specifically, the objectives are to:
i.
Describe
the socio-economic characteristics of the
farmers in the area;
ii.
Identify
the production system employed by the
farmers;
iii.
Determine
the technical efficiency of production
in the area;
iv.
Analyze
the costs and returns of production in
the area; and
v.
Identify
the constraints to cassava production in the area.
Hypothesis
The following
null hypothesis will be tested
Ho1: there is no
significant different between inputs and the outputs of cassava production in
the area.
Justification for the Study
Nigeria has the potential, particularly in terms of land
and human resources needed to produce enough food for the country (Adesimi,
1992). To be self sufficient in food production, the problems of promoting the
production of the most promising stable food crops in the country has to be
tackled. One of the staple food crops which have the potential for pulling the
country out of the present food crisis is cassava. Cassava is known for its ability to
produce appreciable carbohydrate yield on soil too poor to sustain the growth
of other crops resistance to drought.
Increased production of staple food
crops, such as cassava, cannot be achieved by the use of traditional production
practices alone. It requires more efficient production technologies to cope
with the demand for cassava products both for consumption and non-consumption (Adeolu,
1990). According to Nweke et al. (2002), eighty percent of Nigerians in
the rural areas eat a cassava meal at least once a day; hence it plays a major role
in the country’s food security. The high consumption of cassava in the country
led to an increase in the demand for this crop, both for food and industrial
uses, which exceeded the supply (Odigboh, 1985).
It is in this regard that the study is
expected to provide empirical data on the level of technical efficiency of cassava production in the area. This will be essence for planners
and policy makers in planning and formulation policy that will promote the
yield per hectare of cassava in the area.
Secondly, the study is expected to be
of immense benefit to the farmers, since it will provide them with techniques
that will enhance their technical efficiency, hence enhancing returns from
their farm activities.
It is also expected that the study
will be of great relevance to students and researchers who intend to carry out
similar related research topic. This will serve as source material.