Technical Efficiency of Honey Production by Members of Apicultural Society of Nigeria, Anambra State Chapter
Abstract
The study examined the technical efficiency of honey production among members of the Apicultural Society of Nigeria, Anambra State chapter. Using a random sample from 80-chapter members. A one stage stochastic frontier analysis, and principal factor analysis technique were the methods used to operationalize the study objectives. The mean technical efficiency (TE) was 0.8874, implying that a typical member of the association is about 88.7% technically efficient in honey production. The sigma squared (0.0299) revealed that TE accounted for 97.1% of the variation in output. The study further established that production factors such as the number of beehives (1.78)*, depreciation on equipment (5.18)***, and total logistics expenditure (9.71)*** significantly contributed to the TE of output. The determinants of TE were found to be level of education (2.07)**, farming experience (1.70)*, and household size (2.05)**. Furthermore, the problems affecting the TE of honey production were rotated into three (institutional, management, and economic) factors. These three factors jointly explained 97.08% of the total variance in the problems affecting honey production in the study area. Among the three factors, the institutional factor accounted for the majority 82.71%) of the explained variance. The problems grouped under institutional factors included high labour costs reducing profits, inadequate markets, poor information on quality standards, inadequate access to finance hindering progress, and poor pricing of products. The study clearly revealed that production under association yields better output due to the training available to members. To further improve TE frontier, these challenges need to be strategically addressed.
How to Cite This Article
Obiekwe Ngozi Josephine, Obianefo Chukwujekwu Aloysius, Anyikwa Chikezie Friday, Nzeocha Chibuzor Chinwendu, Ekwelie Obiageli Stella (2025). Technical Efficiency of Honey Production by Members of Apicultural Society of Nigeria, Anambra State Chapter . International Journal of Agriculture Sustainable Farming (IJASF), 1(6), 15-24. DOI: https://doi.org/10.54660/IJASF.2025.1.6.15-24