Technical efficiency of irrigated rice seed farmers in Koussin-Lélé, Benin Republic

Abstract

Seed is one of the key inputs for rice production. The quantity of rice seeds produced is largely below the demand expressed by rice producers in Benin. In recent years, several projects have been implemented to promote this activity. A one stage stochastic frontier production which incorporates a model for the technical inefficiency effects was applied on a whole population of 141 farmers identified in the irrigated site of Koussin-Lélé, Benin. The result showed that the technical efficiency ranged from 69% and 99% with the mean of 92%. The most efficient producers had the best yields, 5,096 kg/ha comparable to the experimental potential yields estimated at 4,800 to 5,000 kg/ha in a controlled peasant environment. Farmers who exercise the multiplication of rice seeds as their main activity educated producers and those who are often in contact with agricultural advisers are the most technically efficient. Therefore, the current institutional environment is favorable to rice seed farmers in the study area. The undertaken actions implemented in recent years must be continued and strengthened. The content of the extension should also be focused on appropriate techniques of fertilization and/or restoration of soil fertility to prevent the misuse of mineral fertilizers. Special attention should be given to the producers in the village, Lélé, to help them improve their technical efficiency. Key words: Rice seed, technical efficiency, irrigated perimeter, Koussin-Lélé, Benin.