Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Farmers’ efficiency under irrigated and rainfed production systems in the derived savannah zone of Nigeria

Author(s):

A. I. Adeoti

Recieved Date: 2006-06-24, Accepted Date: 2006-09-17

Abstract:

The gap between food demand and supply has increased concerns over food production in Nigeria. Improving the resource-use efficiencies of farmers is considered a viable solution to this challenge. In addition, irrigated agriculture is being promoted to increase output and provide productive employment for farmers during the dry season. This study determined and compared the technical efficiencies of farms under irrigated and rainfed crop production systems in the derived savannah zone of Nigeria; with a view to identify factors influencing inefficiency in these systems. The farm level data obtained were analyzed by employing the stochastic production frontier model. The results showed that for farms under irrigated and rainfed systems, increase in farm size, family labour and fertilizer application will increase output levels. In addition increase in hired labour and irrigation water will increase output under irrigated system. The mean technical efficiency of farms under irrigated and rainfed systems was 0.84 and 0.67 respectively. This implies that there is potential for improvement in efficiency under both systems; although more for rainfed system. Age, literacy status and years of farming affect the level of efficiency under both systems. Under irrigated system, ownership of water pump and residency status are also contributory factors. It is suggested that size of farms should be increased along with improved access to adult education and institutional credit. Irrigated farming should be encouraged because it can provide employment and improved incomes particularly during off-season.

Keywords:

Technical efficiency, irrigation, rainfed, production system, Nigeria

---

Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2006
Volume: 4
Issue: 3&4
Category: Agriculture
Pages: 90-94

---

Full text for Subscribers

---

Information:

Note to users

The requested document is freely available only to subscribers/registered users with an online subscription to the Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment. If you have set up a personal subscription to this title please enter your user name and password. All abstracts are available for free.

Article purchasing

If you like to purchase this specific document such as article, review or this journal issue, contact us. Specify the title of the article or review, issue, number, volume and date of the publication. Software and compilation, Science & Technology, all rights reserved. Your use of this website details or service is governed by terms of use. Authors are invited to check from time to time news or information.

---

Purchase this Article:   20 Purchase PDF Order Reprints for 15

---

Share this article :