EFFECT OF LAND CONSERVATION PRACTICES ON TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY OF PINEAPPLE FARMERS IN OGO - OLUWA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

This study evaluated the effect of land conservation practices on the technical efficiency of pineapple farmers, given that issues like land degradation and suboptimal farming techniques often hinder productivity in the agricultural sector. The research was conducted in the Ogo-Oluwa Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria, where pineapple farming is a key economic activity. The primary goal was to investigate how land conservation practices influence technical efficiency and to provide solutions to critical research questions regarding the socio-economic and farm-level characteristics of farmers, the specific conservation practices they use, their level of technical efficiency, and the challenges they face in adopting these practices. A cross-sectional research design was employed for the study. The population consisted of pineapple farmers in the study area, from which a sample of 80 respondents was determined using Yamane’s formula. Primary data were gathered through the use of structured questionnaires and complemented by direct field observations. The data analysis involved using descriptive statistics, such as frequency distribution and percentages, to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents. Inferential analysis was conducted using a stochastic frontier production function to estimate the level of technical efficiency and identify the determinants of inefficiency. The findings of the study revealed that most of the respondents were smallholder farmers with an average of 15.9 years of farming experience and cultivating less than 5 hectares of land. The adoption of land conservation practices was found to be relatively low, with only 8.75% of the farmers consistently using conservation techniques. Mulching, intercropping, and the use of organic and inorganic fertilizers were the most common practices adopted. The stochastic frontier analysis indicated that variables such as farm size, fertilizer use, and labor positively influenced output, while factors such as years of schooling, land acquisition method, and participation in extension services significantly affected technical inefficiency. The average technical efficiency level was moderate, suggesting a potential for farmers to improve productivity through better resource utilization. In conclusion, land conservation practices are crucial for enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of pineapple farming in the study area. The low adoption rate of these practices limits the potential for farmers to maximize output. The study recommends that government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and agricultural extension services intensify awareness and training programs on land conservation practices. It is also recommended that access to credit facilities be expanded to enable farmers to invest in conservation-friendly inputs and that local cooperatives be strengthened to facilitate technical support and peer-to-peer learning. Finally, policy measures should be directed toward integrating land conservation into broader agricultural development strategies to ensure higher technical efficiency and long-term environmental health.