Determinants of technical and allocative efficiencies in catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Production in South-East, Nigeria

Abstract

The study analysed technical and allocative efficiencies and their determinants in Southeast zone of Nigeria with the objectives of examining and identifying the socioeconomic characteristics of the catfish farmers in the area, the technical and allocative efficiency levels of the farmers, the determinants of technical and allocative efficiencies in catfish production, and the effect of pond systems on technical and allocative efficiencies. Multi stage and simple random sampling procedures were adopted in the selection of 384 respondents for the study. The results showed that majority of the farmers were males, educated up to secondary school level, with the mean fish production experience of 9.6 years, and high use of family labour. It was also found that average stocking rate was 2,500 per production phase with average duration of production of 6months. The result on the efficiency distribution showed that the mean technical and allocative efficiency levels of the farmers were 0.73 and 0.87 respectively. The results further pointed out that the socio-economic characteristics included in the study significantly contributed to technical and allocative efficiencies of catfish farmers in the area with experience standing out as the most important. Lastly, it was found that farmers who farmed in earthen ponds allocated their resources more efficiently.