EFFICIENCY OF OUTGROWER SEED PRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST AND NORTHCENTRAL NIGERIA

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess financial viability of outgrower seed production in Northwest and North-central, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 394 respondents for the study. Structured questionnaire complemented with interview schedule was employed to collect primary data. Data collected were analysed using farm stochastic frontier model. The results showed that seed out-growers in North-central (1.1208) and North-west (1.5029) are operating with increasing returns to scale while farm size, fertilizer and agrochemicals positively influence the technical efficiency of farmers. However, quantity of seed used by farmers had inverse relationship with technical efficiency. More so, amount received as credit, numbers of extension contacts and membership of cooperative decreases technical inefficiency. These services can help farmers make informed decisions, enhancing productivity and consequently, profitability.