Analysis of Technical Efficiency and Its Determinants among Small Scale Rice Farmers in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined technical efficiency and its determinants among small scale rice farmers in Patigi Local Government Areas of Kwara State. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select one hundred and twenty rice farmers for the study. Primary data were obtained with the aid of well structured questionnaire and interview schedule. Descriptive statistics and stochastic production frontier model were employed in the analysis of the data. 60% of the rice farmers had one form of education or the other while the age of rice farmers ranges from between 18 to 67 years with mean age of 38 years. The result of technical efficiency shows that the mean was approximately 0.65. The minimum technical efficiency was 0.10 while the maximum was 0.93. The determinants of technical efficiency in the study area were household size, farming experience, level of education, labour, farm size and non farm income in paddy rice production. It was recommended that the government at all levels should provide labour saving technology, social services and support and ensure farmers are educated to ensure proper understanding of indices of technical efficiency with attendance boost in rice yield.