Research Article

Allocative and Cost Efficiency of Rice Farmers using Local and Improved Seed Technologies: Evidence from North Central Nigeria

Volume: 9 June 2, 2026
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Allocative and Cost Efficiency of Rice Farmers using Local and Improved Seed Technologies: Evidence from North Central Nigeria

Abstract

The study evaluated the allocative and cost efficiency of rice farmers using local and improved seed technologies: evidence from North Central, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique to choose a total sample size of two hundred and thirty-four (234) rice farmers which comprises 88 and 146 smallholder farmers who cultivated local and improved rice seeds, respectively. Primary data were used with the aid of well-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The socio-economic profile reveals a farming population in their early 40s, predominantly male, with significant farming experience (averaging 14–17 years) and high levels of membership in cooperative societies. While both groups have relatively small landholdings (approximately 2.0 hectares), those utilizing improved rice seeds generally have higher annual incomes from other farming activities and higher levels of formal education compared to those using local seeds. The mean cost efficiency for local seed users (1.319) and improved seed users (1.582) suggests that improved seed users actually face higher relative costs to produce a given unit of output, likely due to the higher prices of inputs like agrochemicals and seeds. The stochastic frontier cost function indicates that the improved seed users operate at a lower mean allocative efficiency (0.65) compared to local seed users (0.67). The stochastic frontier cost function indicates that rent on land, agrochemicals, labour, and seeds significantly drove production costs, while inefficiency was significantly reduced by higher education levels but increased by larger household sizes. The regression results for allocative efficiency highlighted that farming experience, sex, and farm size significantly influenced local seed users, whereas household size was a critical factor for improved seed users. The study recommended targeted subsidies on improved rice seed and other farm inputs such as fertilizer and should be made available to smallholder farmers with specialized extension services increase productivity and efficiency.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

NIL

Project Number

NIL

Ethical Statement

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Thanks

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References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Precision Agriculture Technologies, Zootechny (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 2, 2026

Submission Date

March 10, 2026

Acceptance Date

April 9, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 9

APA
Sunday, A. G., Alabı, O. O., & Ayoola, J. B. (2026). Allocative and Cost Efficiency of Rice Farmers using Local and Improved Seed Technologies: Evidence from North Central Nigeria. Erciyes Tarım Ve Hayvan Bilimleri Dergisi, 9, 56-73. https://doi.org/10.55257/ethabd.1906766
AMA
1.Sunday AG, Alabı OO, Ayoola JB. Allocative and Cost Efficiency of Rice Farmers using Local and Improved Seed Technologies: Evidence from North Central Nigeria. Erciyes Tarım ve Hayvan Bilimleri Dergisi. 2026;9:56-73. doi:10.55257/ethabd.1906766
Chicago
Sunday, Ajayi Godfrey, Olugbenga Omotayo Alabı, and Josephine Bosede Ayoola. 2026. “Allocative and Cost Efficiency of Rice Farmers Using Local and Improved Seed Technologies: Evidence from North Central Nigeria”. Erciyes Tarım Ve Hayvan Bilimleri Dergisi 9 (June): 56-73. https://doi.org/10.55257/ethabd.1906766.
EndNote
Sunday AG, Alabı OO, Ayoola JB (June 1, 2026) Allocative and Cost Efficiency of Rice Farmers using Local and Improved Seed Technologies: Evidence from North Central Nigeria. Erciyes Tarım ve Hayvan Bilimleri Dergisi 9 56–73.
IEEE
[1]A. G. Sunday, O. O. Alabı, and J. B. Ayoola, “Allocative and Cost Efficiency of Rice Farmers using Local and Improved Seed Technologies: Evidence from North Central Nigeria”, Erciyes Tarım ve Hayvan Bilimleri Dergisi, vol. 9, pp. 56–73, June 2026, doi: 10.55257/ethabd.1906766.
ISNAD
Sunday, Ajayi Godfrey - Alabı, Olugbenga Omotayo - Ayoola, Josephine Bosede. “Allocative and Cost Efficiency of Rice Farmers Using Local and Improved Seed Technologies: Evidence from North Central Nigeria”. Erciyes Tarım ve Hayvan Bilimleri Dergisi 9 (June 1, 2026): 56-73. https://doi.org/10.55257/ethabd.1906766.
JAMA
1.Sunday AG, Alabı OO, Ayoola JB. Allocative and Cost Efficiency of Rice Farmers using Local and Improved Seed Technologies: Evidence from North Central Nigeria. Erciyes Tarım ve Hayvan Bilimleri Dergisi. 2026;9:56–73.
MLA
Sunday, Ajayi Godfrey, et al. “Allocative and Cost Efficiency of Rice Farmers Using Local and Improved Seed Technologies: Evidence from North Central Nigeria”. Erciyes Tarım Ve Hayvan Bilimleri Dergisi, vol. 9, June 2026, pp. 56-73, doi:10.55257/ethabd.1906766.
Vancouver
1.Ajayi Godfrey Sunday, Olugbenga Omotayo Alabı, Josephine Bosede Ayoola. Allocative and Cost Efficiency of Rice Farmers using Local and Improved Seed Technologies: Evidence from North Central Nigeria. Erciyes Tarım ve Hayvan Bilimleri Dergisi. 2026 Jun. 1;9:56-73. doi:10.55257/ethabd.1906766