Technical Efficiency Of Rice Farmers In Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was designed to measure the level of technical efficiency and its determinants in rice production in Ebonyi State, Nigeria using a stochastic frontier production function. Multi- stage random sampling technique was used to select 160 rice farmers using the cost –route approach. The estimated farm level technical efficiency ranged from 17.19% to 93. 13% with a mean of 65.06%. The wide variations in the level of technical efficiency indicates that ample opportunities exist for farmers to increase their productivity and income through improvements in technical efficiency. Credit, education, farming experience, farm size, membership of farmer\'s associations/cooperative society, use of improved rice varieties, extension contact, system of production, and timeliness of farm operations were found to be positively and significantly related to technical efficiency. The study found no relationship between technical efficiency and age, tenancy status and off-farm employment in the study area.

Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences Vol. 3 (2) 2005 pp. 175-184