UGWUMBA C.O.A.
Abstract
The study highlighted the technical effi ciency of catfi sh production by large and small scale farms in Anambra State, Nigeria
using the translog stochastic frontier production function approach. A multistage random sampling technique was used
to select 256 catfi sh farmers for the study. However, 204 returned useful questionnaires used to collate data for analysis.
Results indicated mean technical effi ciency scores of 0.89 and 0.94 for the large and small scale farms respectively. This
implies that the small scale farms are technically more effi cient than the large scale farms, hence the large scale farms possess
higher capacity (11%) for expansion than the small scale farms (6%). Household size and feeding method negatively
and signifi cantly infl uenced the ineffi ciency of catfi sh farming by large and small scale farms respectively at 5% level of
probability. More so, returns to scale was 1.05 at par signifying constant returns to scale for both farm groups. Technical
effi ciency could be increased by the minimization of use of family labour; encouraging the use of quality seeds, feeds and
intensive feeding; and the adoption of improved technologies and better management practices for any of the farm groups.
Key words:
catfi sh farming, technical effi ciency analysis, translog production function, Anambra State, Nigeria