Efficiency of Melon Production in Oredo and Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract
Melon production occupies a very important position in vegetable crop production in terms of number of farmers that engaged in its cultivation and its economic value This study examined the efficiency of melon production in Oredo and Egor Local Government Areas of Edo State, Nigeria. It sought to ascertain the socio-economic characteristic of the melon farmers, determined cost and returns and estimation of technical efficiency of melon producers. Data were collected using questionnaire and interview schedule from 120 farmers in the study areas. Data were analyzed using stochastic frontier model of regression, budgetary techniques and descriptive statistics. The results of the study showed the socio economic profile of melon producers in the study area. The cost and return analysis for melon farmers indicated that an average net return of N16, 254.98 was realized per hectare in one planting season. None of the farmers was technically efficient but the most efficient farmer had efficiency estimate of 0.9. Farmers who got efficiency estimates that were below average can increase their output up 40% by adopting the farm practice of the most efficient. Fertilizer, pesticide, labour use, weeding rate and harvesting rate had increasing effect on output while years of experience had a reducing effect on inefficiency.