TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY OF COWPEA MARKETING IN MUBI NORTH

This study was carried to analyze the technical efficiency of cowpea marketing in Mubi North. Both primary and secondary data were used. 120 questionnaires were administered only 74 were respondent to. The results were analyzed using data envelopment analysis (DEA) which involves constant return to scale (CCR) model and variable return to scale (BCC) model. The result shows that majority of the respondents are male. And that majority about 41% of them fall within the age of 31-40 years. The Marital status of the respondents showed that majority about 73% of the marketers are married. And the result on Household size of the respondents revealed that majority about 83% of the marketers' household size falls within 2-11 members. Level of education of the marketers showed that about 69% of them received low level formal education and majority with 2 to 17-years' experience on cowpea marketing. majority of them about 69% are formally educated in one form or the other while 31% are informally educated. Income level of the respondents showed that more than half 54% of the marketers earned an income of 15,000 and below while 46% earned above 15,000. Results on the marketing experience of the respondents showed that majority of them have 2-6 years of experience. The results show that about 70% of the marketers belong to a cooperative while 30% do not. The study also delved into the challenges experienced by cowpea marketers. Based on the envelopment analysis result of cowpea marketing efficiency it revealed that socio-economic characteristics of the respondents has positive influence on the cowpea marketing efficiency. It provided suggestions for the Government and NGOS to implement that will curb these challenges.