Abstract
This study examined the resource use efficiency and profitability of potato production in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. Sweetpotato is one of the crops pivotal to overcoming food insecurity in sub-Saharan African countries including Nigeria. However, despite the numerous benefits of sweetpotato, the production of sweet potato in Nigeria is still below the nation's potential. This research examined the socio-economic characteristics of the potato farmers and factors influencing efficiency and returns to scale/ profitability of potato production in Rivers State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was adopted by selecting a sample of 200 small-scale potato farmers, primary data was gathered through a structural questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and stochastic frontier analysis were used in realizing our objectives. The results indicated that the average age of farmers in the study area was 42yrs, with house-hold size of 11 persons, mean years of experience was 11 years, size of farm land 1.0 ha. The result showed a mean technical efficiency of 76%. The allocative elasticity index (AEI) was greater or less than one. This indicated inefficient allocation. However, the result also revealed that variables like, level of education, years of experience, gender and size of family could enhance farmer efficiency. The returns to scale/profitability analysis indicated a 91.27% return on investment, however, some constraints were established such as high cost of planting materials, lack of capital, transportation, lack of access to loan, high cost of land and destruction of crops by livestock (herders cattle). It was therefore recommended that more access to capital through government intervention and more awareness will increase investment in sweetpotato production and agricultural development in general.