Analysis of Resource Use Efficiency in Small-Scale Maize Production in Tafawa-Balewa Local Government of Bauchi State Nigeria

Abstract

This paper analyzed the resource-use efficiency of small-scale Maize production in Tafawa-Balewa local government area of Bauchi State. Data were collected from a sample of 120 Maize farmers selected through multi-stage sampling procedure using questionnaire and analyzed using simple descriptive statistics, double-log function and marginal value productivity analysis. The result showed that 90.17% had formal education; 51.67% were males; 90.17% were between the ages of 21-50. Majority 72.50% were married. In terms of farming experience, majority (86.67%) of the respondent had farming experience between 5-20 years. 75.00% had no contact with extension. The double-log function gave the best fit with Adjusted R 2 of 81.16%. Production inputs such as seed, fertilizer, labour affected output significantly. Maize production in the study area has an increasing return to scale from the sum of elasticity of production (1.747). Seed and fertilizer were underutilized in Maize production, whereas labour was over used. The major problem confronting the farmers include high cost of inputs (77.50%); Untimely disbursement of credit/inputs (62.50; inadequate extension services (59.17); unstable price (41.67%); draught (33.33%), inadequate credit facilities (31.67%) etc. Profit could be enhanced by increasing the quantity used of seed and fertilizer inputs, its timely supply. Labour should be reduced to optimum level for increase output and total revenue respectively. It is also recommended that extension education and financial support to farmers be improved to allow them increase output and total revenue. There is need for adjustment in resource use in order to improve farm profit at this level of technology used by Maize farmers in the study area.