Effects of input intensification and cost efficiency on the productivity of irrigated tomato farmers in Kaduna State, Nigeria

An ergonomics is a diverse range of production-limiting variables ranging from biophysical to agronomic restrictions, socioeconomic and institutional barriers which constrained tomato production. Adoption of contemporary agricultural methods is required for optimal productivity under such limits. This study aims to analyze the effect of input intensification and cost efficiency on the productivity of irrigated tomato farmers in Nigeria. The study used a cross sectional data of 268 irrigated tomato farmers for 2021 cropping season. Net farm income (NFI) and regression models were used to analyze the data. The result established that with the NFI of ₦401,331 ($994.43USD) and net return (1.91), tomato production is profitable. The result of OLS regression showed that normalized input intensification (-0.226) was significant at 1% probability level. The Tobit regression model results, showed that the intensity of input use was significantly influenced by the socioeconomic and institutional variables while the estimated SFC function showed that cost of inputs and transportation were statistically significant. Therefore, input intensification package adopted by farmers requires modification through training by extension agents to enhance tomato productivity in Nigeria.