Agricultural Reviews
  • Year: 2026
  • Volume: 47
  • Issue: 2

Efficiency Measure (Technical and Profit) in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Production among Small Holder Farmers in South-South Nigeria

  • Author:
  • O.I. Ettah1*, E.E. Uwah1, E.O. Edet1, B.A. Fakuta1, G.I. Ettah2
  • Total Page Count: 7
  • Page Number: 311 to 317

1Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of CalabarNigeria.

2Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Management Sciences, University of CalabarNigeria.

*Corresponding Author: O.I. Ettah, Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of CalabarNigeria. Email: oiettah@unical.edu.ng.

Abstract

Efficiency measure (technical and profit) in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) production among small holder farmers in South-South Nigeria was conducted. Technical and profit efficiencies are indicators of overall efficient production. Cucumber can contribute to economic empowerment if efficiently produced due to the high relative unit price of the crop.

Multi-stage random sampling techniques (three-stage) was adopted in the selection of respondents for the study. The data collected for the study were analyzed using stochastic frontier production function model for objectives one and two and stochastic frontier profit function model to realize objective three.

Result of analysis showed that technical efficiency of sampled cucumber farmers was less than 1, implying that the farmers were producing below the maximum frontier output. The least technically efficient cucumber farmers had a technical efficiency of 0.32 and the most technically efficient ones had 0.94. Cucumber seedlings, labour and fertilizers were positive and significant at 5%, to affect technical efficiency of cucumber farmers and agrochemical at 1%. For technical inefficiency of cucumber farmers, age of farmers and farm size were negative and significant at 5% level, while household size, educational qualification, non-farm income and farming experience were positive and significant at 5% level and type of cropping was positive and significant at 10% level. Determinants of profit efficiency of cucumber farmers showed that age (0.37) was positive and significant at 1% level. A direct and significant relationship was found between education (0.67) and profit inefficiency of the farmers. Experience (-0.21) was negative and significant, household size (0.58) was positive and significant at 10% level. The following were recommended: farmers should invest in cucumber production for its efficiency, profitability and economic value.

Keywords

Cucumber, Profit efficiency, Resource use, Stochastic frontier, Technical efficiency