Technical efficiency and management factors in plantain production in humid forest zone of Nigeria: A simulation analysis

Abstract

The paper investigated the effect of changing some management factors on technical efficiency in plantain production with a view to understanding the functional relationship between technical efficiency and agricultural productivity. Data were r collected from a cross-sectional survey of two local government areas and six villages in Ibadan area of Oyo State in the humid forest zone of Nigeria. Stochastic frontier and multiple regression models were fitted and a simulation analysis was carried out on the management levels of plantain farmers. The results revealed that educational level alone did not significantly influence technical efficiency but its combination with extension assistance significantly influenced technical efficiency in the study area. Periodic extension assistance received significantly influenced technical efficiency.