Cassava production

This study investigated the effect of wetland conditions on cassava production in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. The objectives were to examine the socio-economic characteristics of cassava farmers, compare the costs and returns between wetland and arable land farmers, assess technical efficiency, evaluate yield differences, and identify coping strategies used to manage environmental challenges. Primary data were collected from 96 cassava farmers selected through a multistage sampling procedure across four wetland and four arable land communities. A structured questionnaire was administered, and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis, stochastic frontier production function, and t-tests to compare profitability, yield, and efficiency across both farming environments. The results showed that cassava production was profitable in both environments but significantly more profitable in arable land areas. Arable land farmers earned higher average
profit (₦490,438.60) than wetland farmers (₦150,583.63), and also recorded higher mean yields (2,279 kg compared to 1,413.4 kg). Technical efficiency was similar for both groups, with mean scores of 0.629 (wetland) and 0.632 (arable land). The study further revealed that wetland farmers face challenges such as flooding, high weed pressure, and higher production costs, prompting coping strategies like off-farm income, livestock rearing, and cooperative membership.

Cassava production remains a major livelihood activity and an important contributor to food security in Nigeria. However, farmers in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area (LGA) of Edo State face several production challenges that affect their efficiency and profitability. This study assessed the farm-level efficiency of cassava production in the area, focusing on the socio economic characteristics of farmers, cost and returns, technical efficiency, and major production constraints. A two-stage sampling procedure was used to select 120 cassava farmers from six purposively chosen communities. Data were obtained through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics (means and percentages), gross margin analysis to determine profitability, a stochastic frontier production function to estimate technical efficiency, and a Likert scale to identify production constraints. The results showed that cassava farming is dominated by middle-aged, active farmers, with 74.17% being male and a mean age of 41 years.Most respondents were married (58.33%) and had moderate to high education levels, with
37.50% possessing OND/NCE qualifications. The farmers had an average of 13 years of farming experience, and 52.10% had household sizes of 1–5 persons. The cost and returns analysis revealed that cassava production is profitable, with a total revenue of ₦1,884,166.67 and a total variable cost of ₦1,022,710.51, resulting in a gross margin of ₦861,456.16. The stochastic
frontier model indicated that farmers operated at a mean technical efficiency of 0.68, suggesting that they achieved only 68% of their potential output and could increase productivity by 32% without increasing input levels. The distribution of technical efficiency scores showed that 40% of farmers fell within the 0.51–0.70 range, 37.5% between 0.71–0.90, while only 3.33% attainednear-optimal efficiency (0.91–1.0). Farmers also faced several constraints, with unpredictable input prices (mean = 3.02), pest and disease outbreaks (mean = 2.95), and lack of mechanized equipment (mean = 2.79) emerging as the most severe challenges. The study concludes that cassava farming in Uhunmwonde LGA is profitable yet constrained by inefficiencies and
production challenges. It recommends increasing extension contact, strengthening access to subsidized inputs, and establishing community-level mechanization hubs to improve efficiency and enhance cassava productivity in the area