Analysis of the determinants of technical efficiency of snail farmers in Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the technical efficiency of snail farmers in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria. A two-stage sampling method was used in selecting the respondents for the study. Primary data collected with the aid of questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive statistics and stochastic frontier production function. The results revealed that majority (63.3%) of the snail farmers were male with a mean age of about 42 years, literates (88.3%) married (65%) with a mean household size of 6 people. The significant factors influencing output of the snail farmers in the study area were stock size (p<0.01), family labour (p<0.05) and feed (p<0.05). The significant determinants of technical efficiency of the snail farmers were age of the farmer (p<0.05), educational status (p<0.01), snail farming experience (p<0.05), extension contact (P<0.01), total income (p<0.01) and nature of farming (p<0.01). The result also showed that majority (55%) of the snail farmers had an efficiency level of between 61 – 80%, with a mean efficiency level of 0.615. This indicated that an average snail farmer could increase efficiency level by 38% subject to good input usage in the study area. The study recommended that extension services should be fortified to organise educational workshops, training and timely dissemination of information on snail farming technologies so as to enhance the efficiency and productivity of the snail farmers in the study area.

Keywords: Determinants, stochastic frontier, technical efficiency, snail farmers