Empirical Analysis of Labour Use Efficiency in Smallholder Yam Production in Benue State, North Central Nigeria

Labour is the dominant production input in smallholder yam farming, with the crop's intensive cultural requirements making labour use efficiency a central determinant of enterprise profitability. In Benue State, Nigeria's leading yam producing state, high labour costs and increasing rural labour scarcity are creating pressure for efficiency improvements in yam production systems. This study empirically analysed labour use efficiency in smallholder yam production in Benue State using data from 210 yam farming households. A stochastic frontier production function was estimated with labour as the focal input, and labour use efficiency scores were derived for each household. The truncated normal model for inefficiency effects incorporated farm and farmer characteristics. Mean labour use efficiency was estimated at 0.71, indicating a 29 percent inefficiency gap. Gender of household head, access to hired labour markets, farm size, and experience were significant predictors of efficiency levels. Tractor hire for land preparation and mechanised staking support were associated with higher efficiency scores. The study contributes empirical evidence on the nature of labour market-related inefficiency in Nigeria's most important yam producing zone, with recommendations for labour-saving mechanisation policies and rural labour market strengthening. Investment in affordable tractor hire services is a priority recommendation. Keywords: labour efficiency, yam production, Benue State, stochastic frontier, smallholder farmers.