Okoror, O.T., Izekor, O.B. and Ijirigho, P.A.

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Despite the importance of fish in the diet of Nigerians, supply is below demand. Amongst other problems, technical inefficiency among farmers is seen as one of the cause of short supply. This study, therefore, examined the technical efficiency of catfish farmers in Benin Metropolis, Edo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to describe the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents, determine the individual farm efficiency level of catfish farmers, and identify the factors that influence their technical efficiency or inefficiency and their returns to scale. Primary data were obtained with the use of copies of questionnaire from 100 respondents using two-stage sampling technique. Data were analysed with the use of frequencies and percentages and the Stochastic Frontier Production Function model. Results showed that the estimated farm level efficiency ranged from 57.10% to 97.50% with a mean of 88%. Pond size, quantity of fingerlings and feeds had positive and significant effect on output at 5%, 1% and 1% level of significance respectively, while farming experience had negative and significant effect on technical inefficiency at 5% level of significance. The result also showed the return to scale of 1.35 indicating increasing return to scale and that catfish production in the study area was in stage one of production. This implies underutilization of inputs. The result concluded that the farmers were underutilizing their inputs and some level of technical inefficiency exists among them, hence, more room for output expansion. It therefore means that there is a need for farmers to be educated on how to maximize output from their available inputs and technology so as to increase supply of catfish production in the study area. Key words: Technical efficiency, catfish farmers, stochastic frontier, production function model