**3. Mean technical efficiency of vegetable production**

Mean technical efficiency of tomato production in Benue state was 0.59 [11], Kwara 0.78 [45], and Adamawa (0.68) [46]. The mean technical efficiency of pepper production in Enugu state was 0.70 [52] indicating that there is still capacity to improve on the present efficiency level. The technical efficiency of pepper of 0.90

*Factors Affecting Efficiency of Vegetable Production in Nigeria: A Review DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92702*


**Table 2.**

*Summary of mean technical efficiency of vegetables.*

was obtained in Kaduna state [54]. Mean technical efficiency of onion according in the northern state of Nigeria was 0.947 [30]. Mean technical efficiency of 0.92 was obtained for onion in north central Nigeria [58] (**Table 2**).

### **4. Constraints to vegetable production**

The major constraints to tomato production are pest and diseases [9, 10, 19]. Major constraints in pepper production were price fluctuation, activities of middlemen, and high cost of inputs such as fertilizer, labor, and seeds [54]. Other problems were pests and diseases infestation in the field. The producers may experience price fluctuation most especially in the peak period of production especially when there are no processing facilities. Activities of middlemen may disrupt income that may be realized by the farmers in the production process.

Constraints in onion production include high cost of production input, lack of storage facilities, limited access to improved seeds, pests, and diseases, and lack of effective extension services [56].

### **5. Conclusion and recommendations**

The review revealed that educational status, household size, and extension contact are important factors influencing producers' efficiency in tomato production. Production inputs such as seed and chemicals such as fertilizers are critical to increased yield of tomato. Although increase in the quantity of labor may raise productivity, it must however be utilized efficiently. The study recommends sensitization and increased awareness on optimum level of resource use for increased tomato production in order to improve contribution of the commodity to economic empowerment.

*Agricultural Economics*
