COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY OF MALE AND FEMALE BAMBARA NUT FARMERS IN NORTHEAST NIGERIA: A STOCHASTIC FRONTIER ANALYSIS APPROACH

Abstract

The study comparatively assessed the technical efficiency of male and female Bambara nut farmers in Northeast Nigeria using the Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) approach.  A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select a total of 360 male and 360 female smallholder Bambara nut farmers from the study area. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using Cobb-Douglas stochastic frontier cost function model and independent sample z-test. Findings revealed that male and female Bambara nut farmers have a mean Technical Efficiency level of 0.759 and 0.849 respectively. Female Bambara nut farmers are significantly more technically efficient (z = -12.560, p < 0.01) than their male counterparts. The major drivers of technical efficiency for both genders were farm size, labour, seed quantity, and agrochemical use, all of which were significant at p < 0.01.  Factors influencing technical inefficiency also varied by gender. For male farmers, farming experience, labour use, seed quantity, and agrochemical application were significant at p < 0.01, while age, household size, cooperative membership, distance to farm, banditry/herdsmen attacks and training in Bambara nut farming were significant at p < 0.05. For female farmers, education, farming experience, cooperative membership, land ownership, and off-farm income were significant at p < 0.01, whereas age and herdsmen attacks were significant at p < 0.05. The study concluded that female Bambara nut farmers are more technically efficient than their male counterparts. Gender-sensitive agricultural extension services and training schemes need to be reinforced, in particular with attention to the inclusion of male farmers.