The study used the log-linear model derived from the Cobb-Douglas functional form for
explaining determinants of productivity among male and female cocoyam farmers in
Nsukka Agricultural Zone of Enugu State. The study involved a multi-stage random
sampling technique of 120 farmers, consisting of 60 males and 60 females. For the male
farmers, the coefficients for capital, cocoyam setts, labour and education were directly
related to productivity and significant at 5% level. The coefficients for age and farm size
were negative and significant at 5%level. The coefficients for fertilizer, manure, and
extension contact were positive but not significant. The coefficients for household size
and farming experience were negative but not significant. For the female farmers, all the
coefficients were highly significant at 1% level except manure. The coefficients for
capital, cocoyam setts, fertilizer, labour, household size, education, farming experience
and number of extension contacts were directly related to productivity. The coefficients
for farm size and age were negatively related to productivity. The results calls for policies
aimed at increasing capital inputs and planting materials for cocoyam production.
Encouraging the youths to cultivate cocoyam and accessibility to productive resources
targeted at the small scale cocoyam enterprise. Given the inverse productivity-farm size
relationship in agriculture, what is needed for increased productivity in cocoyam production
is land redistribution supported by technical and financial assistance for farmers. There is
need, also, for policies aimed at encouraging the experienced cocoyam farmers to remain
in production, increase their extension contacts and increased use of fertilizer.