Economic Analysis of Waterleaf Production and Marketing Efficiency in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Academic Paper from the year 2023 in the subject Politics - Region: Africa, , language: English, abstract: Vegetable production in Nigeria plays an important role in food sufficiency, employment generation and poverty reduction. This research investigated the production and marketing efficiency of waterleaf (Talinum triangulare) at the farm level in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Data were obtained from 100 randomly-selected waterleaf producers and analyzed using descriptive statistics, gross margin and regression analysis. The results revealed that majority of them were female (79%), aged 41-46 years (40%), married (42%), moderately educated, SSCE (31%), family size of 3-4 persons (27%), farming experience of 1-3 years (29%), owning about 1 - 2ha- of farmland (46%). Also, 35% sourced capital form personal savings, 26% invest N2, 000 N5, 000 in waterleaf production, 73% depends on previous farm produce` for planting materials, 51% did not belong to any cooperative group, 39% met with Agricultural Extension officers once. The average revenue was N450, 000.00/ha-1, while total cost was N145, 050/ha-1with labour (53.76%) being the highest. The total variable cost was 64.1%; while the fixed cost was 35.9 %. The enterprise had an average net income of N304, 950.00/ha with an average rate of return of 3.1. Marketing efficiency was higher in Channels-I (10.0) and II (4.50). Channel-III (3.42) was found to be less efficient. The regression result of R2 ¿ 0.85 implies that 85% of the variability in output was explained by the combined effect of the independent variables. Coefficient of education level and capital were positive and significant at 5% level, household size was positive and significant at 1% level. Major constraints were: scarcity of water during dry seasons, high cost of manure, lack of access to credit, bad road network, poor marketing prices, and poor extension contacts. There is the need to encourage them to produce on medium scales so as to further increase their productivity and efficiency levels, which may probably result in food sufficiency and in the crop¿s exportation.