Technical Efficiency of Table Egg Producers in Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study measured the level of technical efficiency and its determinants in table egg production in Imo State, Nigeria by using a stochastic frontier production function to determine individual technical efficiencies of the farmers. Multi stage sampling technique was used to select 105 table egg producers. The estimated technical efficiency ranged from 16.23% to 94.17% with a mean technical efficiency of 62%. The wide variation in the level of technical efficiency indicates that ample opportunities exist for table egg producers to increase their productivity and income through improvements in technical efficiency. Determinants of technical efficiency of table egg producers were found to be credit access, level of education, farming experience, flock size, extension contact and Research Article Ohajianya et al.; AJAEES, Article no. AJAEES.2013.002 119 membership of farmers’ associations/cooperatives, since these variables were found to be positively and significantly related to technical efficiency.