Technical efficiency in rain-fed maize production in Adamawa state Nigeria: Stochastic approach
Abstract
The study analysed the technical efficiency of rain-fed maize cultivation in Adamawa state, Nigeria using stochastic approach. The study was based on primary data collected from 140 respondents using simple random sampling for the period of 2014-15 Kharifmaize. The result reveals that resources were under-utilized in rain-fed maize cultivation in Adamawa state, Nigeria. Moreover, the mean technical efficiency of 0.69 indicates that an average farmer in the study area have the scope for increasing technical efficiency by 31 per cent in short-run under the existing technology. The study therefore, recommends that government should pay more attention on the land consolidation programme. It will help farmers to adopt improved agronomic practices and enhance the production and productivity of rain-fed maize production in Adamawa state.
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Introduction
Maize ( Zea mays ) or corn is a cereal grain believed to have originated in central Mexico 7000 years ago from wild grass. It is third most important grain after rice and wheat and one of the cheapest foods and food ingredient available in the world. Maize is distinguished by its female inflorescence, called corncob where the seeds (kernels) are grouped along one axis. It is an important cereal in many developed and developing countries of the world and widely used for animal feed and industrial raw materials in developed countries whereas it is a staple food in many developing countries as it provides half of the daily intake of calories and about eighteen per cent protein depending on the variety. Maize tolerates wide range of geographical environments. This makes it to be the most widely grown crop in the world and its greater weight is produced each year than any other grain.
Nigeria is the largest producer of maize in Africa and ranked 13th in the world with a total production of 7.3 million MT in 2015; (a 2.67 per cent decrease from previous year, based on sizeable carryover supplies and declines in market prices).Nigeria’s maize production had a humble beginning; it stayed around one million ha through the early 1980s. Accelerated growth started in the mid-1980s, when hybrids were introduced, exceeding the 5 million ha mark in the mid - 1990s, following the introduction of early varieties; it declined or remained slow during the late 2000s, mainly due to drought and erratic rainfall, but picked up thereafter. Currently it occupies the largest area of cultivated land in the country.
Despite the importance of maize in the nutrition of people, it is not always available at a required quantity in Adamawa state. This may not be unconnected to the fact that many farmers depend mainly on traditional method of farming and therefore, does not make use of the available resources effectively. With abundant fertile agricultural land and favorable weather condition for rain-fed maize production, yet Nigeria import maize product. It is expected that the findings from this study entitle ― Technical efficiency of rain-fed maize cultivation in Adamawa state, Nigeria using stochastic approach‖, will provide useful information and technical advice to rain-fed maize farmers in Adamawa state Nigeria.
