Resource Use Efficiency in Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Production under Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers Applications in Keana Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.

The study examined resource use efficiency in Sesame production under organic and inorganic fertilizers applications in Keana Local Government Area, Nasarawa State. Multi-stage random sampling was used in selecting 96 sesame farmers; made up of 48 organic and 48 inorganic fertilizers users. Data were collected through structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variation), production function and gross margin analysis. Results show that inputs were used not based on recommended rates by both categories of farmers. On the average, farmers that applied inorganic fertilizer earned higher income (N16563) than those who applied organic fertilizer (N13158). Resources were used at sub- optimal levels under the two technologies. High cost of inorganic fertilizer, poor extension service and poor road network were major constraints confronting sesame farmers. Therefore extension agents should incorporate sesame farmers into their extension service so that they will be guided on the recommended quantity of inputs to be used and be encouraged to substitute high cost inorganic fertilizer for low cost organic fertilizer, applied at recommended quantity to ensure higher yield.