Abstract:
The study examined factor productivity and technical efficiency of swamp rice farmers in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. A purposive random technique was employed in selecting 180 rice farmers. A stochastic frontier production function was used to estimate technical efficiency. The study further assessed the factors that affect technical efficiency of the rice farmers. All the coefficients were found to have positively influenced swamp rice productivity. However, the swamp rice farmers were technically inefficient in the use of their productive resources. The mean level of efficiency of rice farmers was found to be 0.731, whereas the analysis of factor productivity of swamp rice farms revealed a mean estimate of 2.42. The study further found that farming experience, educational level and household size were important determinants of technical efficiency. Furthermore, it was found that swamp rice production was dominated. Swamp rice production was also found to be profitable as revealed by the gross margin and net farm income per hectare of N184,674.00 184,674.00 184,674.00 and N161,469.50 161,469.50 161,469.50 respectively. The major constraints to swamp rice production in the study area included lack of access to farm credit, poor road networks, land tenure problems, poor marketing system, inadequate supply of inputs, pest and disease infestations. The study therefore recommended policies that will encourage the Local Council Authorities to tackle the issue of rural infrastructures especially the feeder roads and market structures. There is need for farmers groups and related associations to liaise with relevant government agencies and financial institutions on ways and means of finding lasting solution to the issues of farm credit and input supply. |
