An Analysis Of Determinants Of Productivity Among Small Holder Cassava Farmers In Bende L.G.A. Of Abia State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The study analysed the determinants of productivity among small holder cassava fanners in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State. The study data was collected through a multi-stage random sampling technique from 99 farmers in 2014. The coefficients for education and extension Were negative and significantly related to total factor productivity (TFP) at 10%level of probability. The coefficients for age, fertilizer and access to credit were, positive and significant at 1/ level of probability. The results calls for policies aimed at provision of inputs especially fertilizer and credit targeted mostly on women farmers. Policies on increased education and extension contacts and birth control should be advocated for. The study was analyzed using the Total Factor Productivity (TFP) analysis was used to estimate the productivity of cassava farmers in the study area while the OLS regression method was used to analyse the effects of various factors (variables) on productivity. Total Factor Productivity (TFP) estimation: Following (Key and Mcbride, 2003). TFP can be measured as the inverse of unit variable cost.