Towards rice self sufficiency in Nigeria: an analysis of technical efficiency of irrigated rice farms in Kebbi State

Abstract

The study investigates technical efficiency of irrigated rice farmers in Kebbi State. Data from a total of 240 rice farmers were collected using multi-stage and simple random sampling procedures with the aid of a structured questionnaire. The study employed descriptive statistics and a trans-log stochastic frontier production model in describing and analyzing the data. The results revealed that output is positively influenced by seed (0.456), herbicide (0.145) and labour (0.094). It was also revealed that education, farming experience, extension visit, credit access, seed variety and harvesting technology significantly reduces the technical inefficiency of producers. The mean technical efficiency of rice farms was 86.1% indicating that losses of rice output exist by 13.9% is due to inefficiency attributed to the farmers in the study area. It is concluded that farmers in the study area possesses inefficiency levels in their resource use, therefore, recommended that farmers should be encouraged to join cooperative society and extension services agents should intensify their efforts in training and mobilizing farmers for improved production practices of rice.