Technical Progress and Efficiency Change in Maize Production in North Central Nigeria

Abstract

This study analyzed the technical progress and efficiency change in maize production in North- Central Nigeria. Secondary data from 5 States (Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Niger and Plateau) in the zone were used for this study. Maize secondary production data from 1992 to 2016 were collected from Food and Agriculture Statistical (FAOSTAT) data banks, Federal and State Ministries of Agriculture and National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Malmquist Total Factor Productivity Index (MTFPI), based on Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), was used to analyze the efficiency change and technical progress of the crop. The results of the analysis reveal that in maize production in the area, about 0.4% technical efficiency change contributed to the production efficiency of maize over the period studied. The mean technical change indicated 5.7% improvement in production technologies, which led to maize productivity growth of about 1.8%. In comparing the technical efficiency change with the technological change among the States studied, it was found that all the States recorded greater technological change than technical efficiency change in their maize production. Based on these findings, therefore, the study recommends farmers' training on farm techniques to increase production. They should be encouraged to accept improved crop varieties from research institutes. They should allocate the production resources properly and adopt improved technology to achieve better maize production efficiency in the study area. Policies that will enable maize farmers to get support in forms of input subsidy and credits to acquire modern farm technologies will motivate them to increase maize production efficiency.