TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY IN SESAME PRODUCTION IN NASARAWA DOMA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA: AN APPLICATION OF STOCHASTIC FRONTIER MODEL

Abstract

The study assessed technical efficiency in sesame production in Nasarawa Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria using stochastic frontier model. Primary data were used. A systematic random sample of eighty farmers in the area was selected. Descriptive statistics and stochastic production frontier model were used for the analysis of data. The model was estimated by the maximum likelihood method. Results showed that elasticity of production for seeds (0.51); labour (0.71); capital (0.356); farm size (0.55) had significant effect on sesame output. ?The inefficiency model revealed that education and access to credit were significant at 5% probability levels and positively affects farmer's efficiency level. This suggests that a considerable sesame yield potentials remains to be exploited through better use of available resources. This can be achieved through better access to improved seeds, credit, education, fertilizer and extension agent.