The study investigated resource-use efficiency of pepper production in Ado Local Government area Ekiti State, Nigeria. The study specifically estimates the costs and returns, determines the resource-use efficiency, and identify the main constraints to pepper production
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The study investigated resource-use efficiency of pepper production in Ado Local Government area Ekiti State, Nigeria. The study specifically estimates the costs and returns, determines the resource-use efficiency, and identify the main constraints to pepper production in the area. Primary data were used with the aid of a well-designed questionnaire. A two-stage sampling technique was used to randomly select 120 respondents. Descriptive statistics, budgetary technique and multiple regression model were used to analyze the data. The results showed that farmers earned an average net income of ₦100,159 per hectare while the return on investment was estimated to be 1.3. This implies that for every ₦1 invested, the farmer makes N1.30k, confirming the profitable of pepper enterprise in the area. The results of multiple regression revealed that labour, quantity of glove, seed and farm size were the significant factors affecting pepper production in the area. The estimates of resource-use efficiency showed that all the variables in the model were underutilized except variables such as cutlass and quantity of glove which are overutilized. The results further revealed that pest and disease, lack of credit, and inadequate storage facilities were the main constraints to the optimal productivity and profitability in the area. The study recommends the provision of credit facilities, effective pest and disease management strategies, and efficient use of inputs to enhance the productivity and profitability of pepper farming in the area. Therefore, the study is vital by identifying the underlying factors that would improve the sustainability and profitability of pepper production.
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