Estimation of technical efficiency of food crop producers in Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the technical efficiency of food crop producers in Imo State with specific interest in assessing their level of technical efficiency and the factors influencing them. A panel data set comprising 210 observations drawn over 2001 – 2007 period was used while the translog stochastic frontier production function was employed in the analysis. The results showed that farm size, fertilizer, labour and capital inputs determined output, while farming experience, number of crops in the mix and time variable influenced technical efficiency. In terms of magnitude of the production elasticities, output had the highest responsiveness to farm size, followed by labour and fertilizer. Technical efficiency was found to positively relate to farming experience and increased over time while increasing crop mix reduced efficiency. The development of optimum farm combinations by research was suggested by the study as remedial measure among others.