Analysis of Technical Efficiency of Watermelon Production in Konduga Local Government Area, Borno State, Nigeria

The study investigated the technical efficiency of watermelon production in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State, Nigeria. Primary and secondary information for the study were obtained by the use of structured questionnaire. A two-stage random sampling procedure was employed. The first stage was the purposive selection of four villages while the second stage involved simple random sampling of 10 watermelon farmers from each of the selected villages resulting to a total of 40 respondents. Descriptive statistics, gross margin and inferential statistics were used for the analysis. Gross Margin Analysis was used to estimate profitability. A stochastic frontier model estimated technical efficiency of watermelon farmers in the area. The gross margin revealed that watermelon production is profitable. The result also showed that the key determinants influencing watermelon production were farm size, NPK fertilizers and labour. The sigma value indicated that watermelon farmers in the area are technically efficient. Quantity of watermelon seeds, farm size, agro-chemicals, NPK fertilizers, labour used and hired labour are the determinants of watermelon production and the farmers are technically efficient. Although pests and diseases, water scarcity, lack of improved seed, and poor market price are some of the constraints to watermelon production, the major constraints are finance, high transportation costs and high cost of labour. The study recommends government policy that will make credit accessible to watermelon farmers subsidize transport services and attract more labour to the sub- sector.