Parametric and Cost-Benefit Determination of Maize Production Technology among Micro-Farmers in Igabi Agro-Ecological Zone of Kaduna State, Nigeria

The research was conducted to ascertain maize production technology among farmers in Igabi agro- ecological Zone of Kaduna State, Nigeria using parametric approach. The specific objective of the study was to determine the socio-economic traits of farmer (age, gender, marital status, educational attainment, household size among others) technical efficiency and challenges to maize production were investigated using Stochastic Frontier Production Function. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select, sixty (60) farmers that were used for the study. Descriptive statistical and stochastic frontier production function were applied to analyze the data. The study observed that, average age of the farmers was thirty-eight (38) years, large household size, farming experience averaged eight (8) years and monthly income was ₦120,518.92. The coefficients of the following variables were found to be positive: seed cost (0.008), labor cost (0.433), fertilizer cost (0.348), and chemical cost (0.017). This suggested that the variables were positive determinants of maize output. The coefficient of farm size (-0.222) was found to be a negative but statistically significant determinant of efficiency. Age (0.341), education (0.621), household size (0.036), farming experience (0.102), and extension contact (0.271) were all positively related to technical efficiency, supporting the conclusion that the variables were significant determinants of output. Among the constraints identified were insecurity (97%), inadequate finance (88%), high labor costs (78%), and the use of crude implements (78%). Some of the suggestions included encouraging farmers to spend more money on better and higher-quality maize seeds and instituting and organizing formal education outside of the classroom.