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Department of Agricultural Economics and Farm Management, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ilorin, PMB 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria

This study analysed the technical efficiency of the Youth-in-Agriculture Programme in Ondo State. Random sampling technique was used in selecting 110 respondents distributed across 23 farm locations for the programme in the state. Stochastic frontier model was employed in the study. The study shows that efficiency differentials exist among the youths in the programme. Furthermore, land, labour, herbicide and number of cassava cutting are the major factors that affect output of the youths’ production in the programme. The technical efficiency of the youth ranges from 33% to 96% with a mean of 85%. The study also shows that household size, years of participation in youth-in-agriculture programme, usage of extension information and level of education are the significant factors (p< 0.10) that account for the observed variation in efficiency among the participants. To achieve increased efficiency of production by the participants, this study recommends the need for farm expansion, increased access to herbicides and improved cassava cuttings as well as effective training for the participants.