Determinants of technical efficiency in arable crops production and policy implications in Imo state, Nigeria

This study utilized the stochastic frontier production function to determine technical efficiency in arable crops production in Imo state, Nigeria. A multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select 120 arable crops farmers from which input/output data were collected. Relevant data was collected with the aid of a structured and pre-tested questionnaire. The estimated farm level technical efficiency ranged between 0.15 and 0.98 with a mean of 0.67. Critical determinants of technical efficiency of arable crop farmers were: household size, farming experience, membership of cooperative societies and frequency of extension agents contact. Higher yield and technical efficiency could be attained by efficient allocation of the employed resources, which is vital to the sustainability of agriculture in Nigeria. Key Words: technical efficiency, stochastic frontier, arable crops, policy implication.