Determinants of technical efficiency in cattle fattening enterprise in Borno State, Nigeria: Stochastic frontier analysis approach

Abstract

The study estimates the technical efficiency of cattle fattening farms in Borno State, Nigeria, using stochastic frontier analysis approach. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 98 respondents. Primary data were used for the study which was collected using the interview method with the aid of structured questionnaire. Stochastic frontier production function was used to analyse the data collected. The results revealed mean technical efficiency score of 0.735, implying there is scope for improving technical efficiency by about 26 % in the study area. The main sources of efficiencies were level of education, management record, herd size, access to credit and extension services. The study therefore recommends that formal credit facilities should be channelled to the cattle fatteners, there is the need to train the cattle fatteners on keeping simple farm records and the fatteners should be encouraged to form strong cooperative societies.