Measuring Technical Efficiency of Water Leaf (Talinum triangulare)

Abstract: Output-oriented technical efficiency indices were estimated by stochastic production frontier functions to survey data collected from 60 waterleaf farmers in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State with the aid of structured questionnaire. Using the maximum likelihood estimation technique, asymptotic parameter estimates were evaluated to describe efficiency determinants. Specifically, farm size, planting materials, labour, fertilizer and farmyard manure were estimated to be major determinants in waterleaf production. In this regard, a unit increase in any of the factors would result to less than proportionate increase in the output of waterleaf harvested. With regards to inefficiency model specified, the finding revealed the relative importance of farmers ’ ages, household size and contact with extension agents in explaining the observed distribution of the farm level inefficiency indices. Findings also revealed a mean efficiency index of 0.65 implying that output from maize production could be increased by 35 percent using available technology. Key words: Technical efficiency Talinum triangulare Stochastic frontier Nigeria INTRODUCTION have originated from tropical Central Africa or South Vegetable is one of the staple food component that it ethnic groups has earned it several local names, such as production has continue to increase in most countries of “gare ” in Yoruba, mmon-mmong ikong in Efik/Ibibio the world. For instance, in Nigeria, vegetable production among others, which is consistent with it high wate