Economics of Resource Utilisation Efficiency and Constraints Related to Maize Production in North West Nigeria

This study investigated the economics of resource utilisation efficiency and constraints related to maize production in North West Nigeria. Primary data were collected through well-designed questionnaires administered to 120 proportionally selected maize producers. The researchers analysed the data using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings indicate that the average age, farming experience, and educational level of the producers are approximately 46 years, 9 years, and 11 years, respectively. Additionally, about 15% of the producers are female and 25% are not members of any cooperatives. The analysis found that land, agrochemicals, labour, fertiliser, and seed are significant factors influencing maize output, as they were statistically different from zero. The first-order derivatives, or partial elasticities of production, serve as measures of resource productivity, with land showing the highest elasticities at approximately 0.29, and agrochemicals the lowest at 0.10. The sum of the partial elasticities, referred to as scale efficiency, is approximately 0.90, indicating decreasing returns to scale. The resource utilisation efficiency analysis of maize producers indicates that land, agrochemicals, labour, fertilisers, and seeds are under-utilised, as the ratio of marginal value product (MVP) to marginal factor cost (MFC) for each resource is greater than one. The major challenges faced by maize producers are lack of access to land (1st), high fertiliser costs (2nd), and insufficient farm technologies (3rd). To address these challenges, it is recommended that land policies should be formulated to facilitate easier access to land for both male and female farmers, thereby enhancing efficiency and productivity. Additionally, improved seeds, fertilisers, and agrochemicals should be made available to producers at affordable prices.