Impact of liberalization on the efficiency of an agribusiness homestead fish production system in Southeastern Nigeria

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of liberalization on the efficiencies of agribusiness homestead fish production system using production function estimates for two periods 1980 - 1986 (Non-liberalization era) and 1997 - 2003 (Liberalization era). It was identified that liberalization has an impact on both technical and allocative efficiencies of the farmers. The farmers were technically more efficient during liberalization period than during liberalization. The result indicated that for absolute allocative efficiencies to be actualized during liberalization, the agribusiness homestead fish farmers need to reduce their use of farmland and labour by 1354% and 84% respectively. While at the same time increase their use of modern inputs, local inputs, and other operating expenses by 137% and 132% respectively.