TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY OF IMPROVED AND TRADITIONAL RICE PROCESSING TECHNOLOGIES AMONG RICE PROCESSORS IN THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, NIGERIA.

Abstract

This study evaluated the technical efficiency of improved and traditional rice processing technologies among rice processors in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 441, but 399 (202 traditional rice processors and 197 improved rice processors) questionnaires remained after the data were cleaned and the incomplete questionnaires dropped, accounting for 90.5% of the administered questionnaires. The stochastic frontier production model was used for data analysis. The stochastic frontier analysis indicated that the technical efficiency levels of traditional rice processors vary (varied) between 28% and 91%, with a mean of 51%, while the highest technical efficiency index for rice processors using improved rice processing technology ranged between 0.71 and 1.80, with a percentage of 46%, and the mean technical efficiency recorded in the study area was 0.78 (78%). The government and development partners should prioritize access to credit facilities when designing rice processing projects.