RESOURCE USE EFFICIENCY IN RICE PRODUCTION IN OGBOMOSO AGRICULTURAL ZONE OFOYO STATE

Abstract

This study concerns with the issue of resource use efficiency in rice production in Ogbomoso, Agricultural zone, Oyo State of Nigeria. The objectives are to examine factors affecting rice production for the farmers. Primary data were collected with the use of structured questionnaire based on socio-economic characteristics of farmers. Both descriptive statistics and econometric method using the stochastic frontier production function were used for data analysis. The result of the research showed that more male respondents who are married and fairly educated and middle age were involved in rice production in the area. The average household size of the farmers was 12with average farm size less than one hectare. The minimum technical efficiency of the respondents was 0.70 while the maximum was 0.97; the mean technical efficiency was 0.09. This shows that technical efficiency is significant for large number of farmers who use manure; other independent variables such as operating expenses, seed planted, family labour and farm size was also significant. Contrawise, the effects of hired labour, age, farming experience, education, and extension visits had no significant effect on technical efficiency of rice farmers.