Copy Right ©KY Publications Journal of Advanced Studies in Agricultural, Biological and Environmental Sciences (JABE) www.jabe.in A Peer Reviewed & Refereed, International Open Access Journal Vol.2.Issue.3.2015 (July-Sept.) ISSN:2394-2606 25 Research Article SADIQ, M. S, ISAH, M.A., TEST OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN CONVENTIONAL SMALL-SCALE MAIZE PRODUCTION IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA AND ITS IMPLICATION ON SUSTAINABLE AGRO-ECOLOGY: APPLICATION OF STOCHASTIC FRONTIER APPROACH SADIQ, M. S 1 *, ISAH, M.A 2 . 1 Research Scholar, Department of Agricultural Economics, SKRAU, Bikaner-334006, India. 2 Research Scholar, Department of Agricultural Economics, UAS, Dharwad, India. *Author for correspondence email: sadiqsanusi30@gmail.com ABSTRACT The research conducts an in-depth investigation on agro-ecology management through efficient energy optimization in maize production in Niger State, Nigeria. The study employed multi-stage sampling technique to elicit information from 120 respondents through administration of pre-tested questionnaire and interview schedule. Data were collected during the 2014 cropping season. Stochastic energy frontier function which incorporates the neoclassical test of efficiencies was used to estimate energy efficiency. Results show that total inputs energy used in maize production was 2227.81 MJha -1 , with 85.2% of input energy contributed by agrochemical input or coming from biological energy with energy ratio of 4.5 in the production systems. Fuƌtheƌŵoƌe, ƌesults shoǁs that aǀeƌage faƌŵeƌs’ opeƌate at ƌatioŶal stage (RTS=0.72) of energy inputs utilization which was further collaborated by the mean energy efficiency score of 0.78. The mean efficiency score of 0.78 implies that average farmers are beneath the energy frontier and therefore require energy saving of 22 percent to be on frontier. However, the estimated gamma coefficient (0.54) and the generalized likelihood test result indicate presence of energy inefficiency effects in maize production. Therefore, reduction in agrochemical consumption and improvement in agro management practices are important for energy saving and decreasing the environmental risk problems in the area. Also policies that prevent global warming, soil and water pollution should be enacted thereby creating environmental friendly ecosystem. Keywords: Agro-ecology management; energy-efficiency; stochastic frontier; Maize; Niger state; Nigeria Cite this article: SADIQ, M. S, ISAH, M.A., Test of Energy Efficiency in Conventional Small-Scale Maize Production in Niger State, Nigeria and Its Implication on Sustainable Agro-ecology: Application of Stochastic Frontier Approach". Journal of Advanced Studies in Agricultural, Biological and Environmental Sciences, 2(3): 2015, 25-37 ©KY Publications SADIQ, M. S