Efficiency of rice seedbeds in the Koussin-lélé perimeter in Benin

Seed is one of the key inputs for good rice production. Its multiplication requires more care and technical skill than simple paddy production. The aim of this study was to assess the efficiency of rice seedbeds in the Koussin-lélé irrigated perimeter in the commune of Covè, Benin. All 141 farmers of the perimeter were surveyed on their production of the first cycle of the 2014-2015 agricultural season. The operating account and production frontier methods were applied. It emerged that 1 FCFA invested in IR 841 rice seed production generates 1.66 FCFA as profit after six months of activity. The average technical, allocative and economic efficiency indices were 0.93, 0.92 and 0.85 respectively. Achieving technical performance would enable seed growers, with the same combination of resources, to achieve 5198 kg/ha on average, compared with 4955 kg/ha at present. Suggestions were put forward to enable seed growers to improve their level of efficiency.