ABSTRACT

The study focused on Resource use Efficiency in Arabic crop Production in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, A multi-stage random sampling technique was adopted in selecting 70 respondents in the L.G.A. A set of well-structured many proportion questionnaire was administered on the farmers to obtain the 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, allocative efficiency index, and production elasticity analysis. The results indicate that majority (55.7%) of the farmers in the study area are males, many (31.4%) of whom fall within the age of 40-49. Majority (92.9%) of the farmers also had formal education. Results showed that arable crop was profitable as indicated by a net return of N46,600. Regression results indicate the double loglinear functional form gave the best line of fit. R2value was 65.82% and statistically significant at 1% level; Labour, farm size, planting material and fertilizer were significant determinant value of output. The index of resource use efficiency revealed that respondents were not only inefficient in the allocation of productive resources, but grossly over-utilized Labour, Planting material, and fertilizer. Further analysis showed decreasing returns to scale in the study area. 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.