ABSTRACT

In this study, the technical, allocative and economic efficiencies of swamp and upland

rice farmers in Cross River State were evaluated. A multi stage stratified sampling technique

was adopted in selecting ninety-six (56 swamp and 40 upland) rice farmers. A cost route

method was used to obtain information on the socioeconomic characteristics of the farmers,

output, inputs and their prices. Descriptive statistics that involved the use of means, standard

deviation frequencies and percentages were used in summarizing and presenting the data on

these variables. A Cobb-Douglas Stochastic Production and Cost frontier functions were

estimated using the Maximum Likelihood estimation technique to obtain the technical,

allocative and economic efficiencies of farmers in both rice production systems. A means

difference model that made use of the Z-statistics was used in comparing these efficiencies

between the two production systems in the State. The Maximum Likelihood technique was

also used in determining the effects of some farm/farmer's characteristics on these efficiencies

in the two systems. The mean technical, allocative and economic efficiencies of the swamp

and upland rice farmers were 77, 23, 17 per cent and 87, 25 and 22 per cent respectively. The

results also showed that the farmers were not fully technically, allocatively and economically

efficient. There was no significant difference between the mean technical, allocative and

economic efficiencies of the swamp and upland rice farmers in the State. It was also found

that, educational level, farming experience; membership of association and credit significantly

and positively influenced the rice farmers' technical, allocative and economic efficiency levels.

On the other hand, age and household size negatively influenced these efficiencies. Therefore,

policies that would attract young and educated persons into rice production make credit

accessible to them should be formulated and implemented in the State.