TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY OF CATFISH FARMING IN DELTA NORTH AGRICULTURAL ZONE OF DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study was carried out to examine the technical efficiency of catfish farming in Delta North Agricultural Zone, Delta State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study described the socioeconomic characteristics of catfish farmers and estimated the technical efficiency and its determinants. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 240 catfish farmers. Primary data were used for the study. Data were collected using structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and Cobb-Douglas stochastic frontier production function were used to achieve the objectives. The result of the study revealed that 75.84% of the fish farmers were males while females constituted 24.16%. Result of the efficiency level revealed that catfish farmers in the study area were 61% technically efficient.
Education, age, contact with extension workers, access to credit and farm distance were found to determine technical efficiency. The study recommends among others that the Ministry of Agriculture should intensify efforts to encourage more fish farmers’ contacts with extension workers in the agricultural zone.