A Review of Nigerian Agricultural Efficiency Literature, 1999–2011: What Does One Learn from Frontier Studies?

Abstract

The objective of the study is to provide a critical overview of Nigerian agricultural efficiency literature covering 1999–2011. A total of 156 frontier studies which yields 210 observations were used for the review. The preliminary findings from both the Funnel Plot and Funnel Asymmetry Test revealed that publication bias is not a severe problem in the selected literature. Our findings via univariate scatter plot and Spearman correlation provided evidence that reported efficiency scores positively correlated with the year of survey in the primary study. However, this observation might be an indication that positive efficiency change in the total factor productivity (TFP) growth characterized the development of Nigerian agricultural sector over the years. The average efficiency estimate from all the reviewed studies is about 0.71, thus suggesting, there is considerable room for improvement in the sector. To further distil important policy findings from the primary literature, we observed that 48 percent of the observations identified education as a significant determinant of efficiency in the Nigerian agriculture over the years. Likewise, experience was shown to be an important variable by 33 percent, while 23 percent identified age as a key determinant. Also, 19 percent showed that extension and family size are important. The directions of future research are also outlined.

A Meta-Analysis of Technical Efficiency in Aquaculture

“…The coefficient of CDF is positive and statistically significant, suggesting that the less adjustable functional form (Cobb-Douglass) tends to yield higher MTE estimates than the more flexible Translog). This finding is in conformity with the result of Ogundari et al (2012), but contradicts two out of three models studied by Bravo-Ureta et al (2007) and all of the studies of Ahmad and BravoUreta (1996), Resti (2000), and Thiam (2003). Sample size had no statistically significant effect on MTE, but VARS (number of independent variables) had a positive and statistically significant effect, implying that studies with many independent variables tend to yield higher MTE estimates.…”

“…Nevertheless, empirical studies in agriculture have shown that technical efficiency scores were seriously affected by the choice of estimation technique (Thiam et al 2001;Bravo-Ureta et al 2007;Ogundari et al 2012). To our knowledge, there has been no meta-analysis of technical efficiency in aquaculture to guide planners and investors.…”

Efficiency of Rice Farming in Ghana: Policy Implications for Rice Sector Development

“…() who found that extension services increase TE in rice production. Ogundari et al (), based on Nigerian literature, argued that increased extension‐technology management has the potential to drive efficiency and can be a stimulus for agricultural growth.…”

The impact of mechanized processing of cassava on farmers’ production efficiency in Uganda

“…The stochastic production frontier model by Parikh and Shah (1994), which in turn derives from the composed error model of Aigner, Lovell, and Schmidt (1977), Meeusen and van den Broeck (1977) and Forsund, Knox Lovell, and Peter (1980), was used to examine the impact of cassava-processing technologies on farmers' efficiency in cassava production, following similar efficiency studies by Fakayode et al (2008), Ogundari, Amos, and Okoruwa (2012) and Girei et al 2014). This was done by comparing the efficiency measures of farmers that are located in mechanized-processing villages with farmers in nonmechanized villages.…”