ABSTRACT

The study focused on the analysis of resource use efficiency in rice production in Bende Local Government Area of Abia state, Nigeria. Specifically the socioeconomic characteristics of the farmer were described, profitability in rice production was examine, the production function of rice farmers was estimated, resource use efficiency in rice production was determined, and constraints on the production of rice were determined., A multi-stage random sampling technique was adopted in selecting 50 respondents in the L.G.A. A set of well-structured pretested questionnaire was administered on the farmers to obtain required information. Descriptive statistics such as means, frequencies and percentages were used in presenting the data on the socioeconomic variables. Data collected were analyzed using multiple linear regression technique and allocative efficiency index. The results indicate that majority of the farmers in the study area al-c females (54%), majority of whom fall within the age of 40-49 (31.4%). Majority of the farmers also had formal education (76%). Results showed that rice was profitable as indicated by a net return of N27,150. Regression results indicate exponential functional form gave the best line of fit. R2value was 66.7% and statistically significant at 1% level, Farm size, planting materials, and agrochemical were the significant variables that determine the output of the farmers in the area. The index of resource use efficiency revealed that respondents were not only inefficient in the allocation of productive resources, hut grossly over-utilized Labour, Planting material, fertilizer and capital. Formal education and the provision of credits in the form of improved planting material and fertilizer, especially through government and non-government agency were recommended base on the findings.