AN EVALUATION OF A VALUE CHAIN APPROACH OF TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY OF RURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP: A CASE STUDY OF JERKY BEEF (KILISHI) PRODUCTION IN KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study is an attempt at an evaluation of the technical efficiency of rural enterprises in Katsina state, with focus on Jerky beef (Kilish) which is a diary delicacy produce in Northern Nigeria and exported around West African countries. In the course of the study, efforts have been put determine the efficiency level of rural entrepreneurship performance in the study area. To achieve the study objectives, samples were selected using sampling technique, whereby a total number of 540 respondents were utilized. A structured questionnaire was used as an instrument for the collection of the primary data. Survey of selected rural entrepreneurship activity of Jerky business owner was carried out using questionnaire and interview ddescriptive statistics and Data Envelopment Analysis techniques have been employed to analyse the data collected. The study findings show that despite the challenges faced by rural entrepreneurship in the study area, performance assessment revealed that rural entrepreneurship operated at 68.9%optimal level while they operated at 5.8% and 25.3% above optimal and below optimal level respectively. The study therefore recommended for intervention in the activities of the rural entrepreneurship, especially in the areas of capital/financing and seminars, business skill drill and provision of infrastructures such as water, electricity, roads and hospitals.