ASSESSING RESOURCE USE EFFICIENCY AND INVESTMENT IN SMALL-SCALE OKRA PRODUCTION IN OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) yield is characterized by low productivity but may be increased through the adoption of new technology or efficient allocation existing resources. In addition, improving level resource important for productivity. This study investigated use efficiency in small-scale okra production. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 100 respondents. The primary data generated survey farmers were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ordinary least squares regression model, and marginal value analysis. average age respondents 45 years, with 7 members household, 2.8ha being farmed. estimate indicated age, labor, farm size, herbicide insecticide that influenced Returns scale 2.09; following values: size 0.343, application 0.857, 0.75, labor 4.80. high cost inputs (1.93), numbers extension contact (1.82), incidence pests disease (1.49), non-access credit (1.39), difficulty obtaining (1.23), drought (1.15), marketing problems (1.09) are constraints negatively affecting Although positive statistically significant effect pesticides, indicate these can effectively improve production, production inefficient because too many pesticides farmland less than needed. product not enough offset corresponding cost. Therefore, should operate on smaller farms they currently do, apply at recommended rates, spend more labor. So, training organized workers agricultural research stations scientific knowledge productive