Analysis of Resource Use Efficiency and livelihood Status of Small Scale Maize Farmers in Biu and Hawul, Borno State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study analyses resource use efficiency and livelihood status in small scale maize production in Borno State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to examine the resource use efficiency and livelihood status of small scale maize farmers. One hundred and twenty small scale maize farmers were randomly selected for the study and data were collected using structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using multiple regression and livelihood model. The result revealed that seed, fertilizer and herbicide were positive and statistically significant at 1%, while labour was positive and statistically significant at 5%. The R2 was 84.8% and F value was 48.39 and significant at 1%. The result further revealed that fertilizer, herbicide and labour were over utilize while seed was underutilized. The result of livelihood status revealed that all the variables including constant tested positive and statistically significant at 1%. The result revealed that human resource poverty is the highest contributor to livelihood status of the farmers in the study area. The study concludes that fertilizer, herbicide and labour were over utilize while seed was underutilized. Human resources poverty is the highest contributor to the livelihood status of small scale maize farmers in the study area.