ABSTRACT

The overall objective of this study is to assess the Resource- Use Efficiency of Arable crop farmers in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State. This was carried out by computing the locative efficiency indices ofthe farmers. The production function and socio-economic characteristics of the arable crop farmers were also estimated & examined respectively. Primary data on arable crop activities were collected from a random sample of 114 arable crop farmers using well structured questionnaire. The use of frequency distribution and regression techniques were used to analyze the data. Results of the analysis indicated that, the identified key resources (Land, labour, other inputs used, capital and fertilizer) were inefficiently utilized by the farmers in the study area. This shows that, none of the resources was optimally Utilized. Increasing the level of farm size and decreasing the levels of Labour, other inputs used, capital and fertilizer would increase efficiency of resource use and profit of the arable crop farmers. The policy implication is that efforts should be directed at marking capital and compatible technology available to farmers, to increase farm size and productivity. Also the extension services in the area need to be improved as to educate the farmers on how to optimally allocate the use of their resources as to have meaningful harvest.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONTENT PAGE

Title Page .

Dedication ii

Acknowledgement ....................................... iii

Certification iv

Abstract v

Table of content vi

List of tables viii

List Of Figures ix

CHAPTERS

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background Statement 1

1.2 Problem Statement............................ 3

1 .3 Objectives of Study................................ 5

1.4 Hypothesis................................................ 6

1 .5 Justification for the Study 6

1.6 Plan of Study............................................. 7

1.7 Limitation of the Study .............................................7

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Theory of Production...............................................9

2.2 Production Function................................................10

2.3 Resource Productivity and efficiency...........................18

2.4 Empirical Literature..................................................22

3.0 METHODOLOGY

3.1 Area of Study..........................................................28

3.2 Method of Data Collection/analysis............................29

3.3 Model Specification. 30

4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

4.1 Socio-Economic Characteristics of Arable crop Farmer ............34

4.2 Problems of Farmers in Umuahia South Area....................41

4.3 Production function analysis ............................................ 44

5.0 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Summary.......................................................................53

5.2 Policy recommendation..................................................53

5.3 Conclusion..................................................................54

References

Appendix