ABSTRACT

Primary data on food crop farming activities were collected from 80 food crop farmers in Ikwuano L.G.A using simple random sampling. The data analysed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. Results of the analysis indicated that the identified production resources capital (which represent depreciation on fixed cost items, interest on borrowed capital etc.) labour, other costs (cost of tubers, seeds, and cuttings)) were over - utilized (MVP<MFC) implying that more than the profit maximizing level of these resources were employed. This means that if more of the resources are employed, there will be a decrease in the returns which the farmer may realize from his food crop production activities. Land was found to be under-utilized, implying that less than the profit maximizing level of this resource was employed. This means that if the amount of cultivated land is increased there will be an increase in returns which the farmer may realize from his food crop production activities. The current level of use of land should be increased by 114.4%. Descriptive statistics on the other hand was used to identify some socio- economic variables like level of education, household size, age, farming experience and other economic activities affecting food crop production.62.5% of the respondents identified activities of rodents as their major constraints. Other problems encountered by the producers in decreasing magnitude of importance include: disease incidences (37.5%), theft/ pilfering (33.75%) and poor accessible roads (32.5%). The returns to scale with respect to all the resources is 0.967 which implies that decreasing returns to scale prevail in the study location this shows that if the variables included in the model are simultaneously increased by 1%, (one unit each) the output will increase by 0.967%, that is, decreasing returns to scale prevail in the area of study. The Land Use Act of 1978 should be fully implemented to provide adequate farm size for food crop farmers in the study location.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page

Certification

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Abstract

Table of contents

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction

PAGES

1.1 Background information 1

1.2 Problem statement 5

1.3 Objectives of the study 7

1.4 Justification of the study/significance 8

1.5 Limitations of the study 8

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 literature review 9

2.1 Concept of resource productivity and efficiency 9

2.1 .1 Resource productivity 9

2.1.2 Efficiency measures 10

2. .3 Factors affecting efficiency resource use 10

2.2 Production function concept 12

2.4 Previous studies on efficiency of resource use 13

2.5 Economic principles for input, costs and output levels 15

2.6 Resource combinations 17

2.7 Resource use and management 20

2.71 Labour management and control 20

2.72 Capital acquisition and use 21

2.73 Land acquisition and use 23

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 Methodology 24

3.1 Area under study 24

3.2 Data requirements 25

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 Results and discussion

4.1.0 Socio-economic features of farmers in lkwuano L.G.A, 28

4.1.1 Age distribution of the farmers 28

4.1.2 Farm size 29

4.1.3 Land acquisition 29

4.1.4 Farming experience 30

4.1.5 Educational level of farmers 31

4.1.6 Problems of crop production 31

4.1.7 Labour use 32

4.1.8 Other economic activities of the responders 33

4.2.0 Regression results 33

4.3.0 Efficiency of resource use in crop production 43

4.4.0 Returns to scale 44

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 Summary, Conclusion and recommendation 46

5.1 Summary and conclusion 46

5.2 Recommendation policy implication