This study analyzed the allocative (cost) efficiency of rainfed maize production in Yola North and Yola South Local Government Areas of Adamawa State, Nigeria. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used to select 128 respondents. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and stochastic frontier cost function model. Results revealed that the respondents had a mean age of 39 years and have large household sizes. The sampled farmers are experienced and cultivated an average of about two hectares of land. The respondents had also acquired one form of formal education or the other with primary school as the least. The results of the maximum likelihood estimate parameters of the stochastic frontier cost function revealed that cost of land and cost of seeds, cost of hired labour and cost of agrochemicals were significant at different level of probabilities. The allocative efficiency indices revealed that allocative efficiency of the sampled farmers ranged from 0.44 to 0.98 with a mean of 0.68, implying that an average farmer in the study area has the scope for increasing cost efficiency by 32% given the existing technology. The study recommends provision of adequate farm inputs and essential services at low cost to rainfed maize farmers.

With the Development of New Technologies in Silkworm Rearing though Sericulture Has now Emerged as a Main Profession and a Major Cash Crop for the Rural People of the India in Tropical Areas but in Temperate Belt Like Kashmir the Constraints Faced by the Sericulture Farmers/silkworm Rearers Are More and these Are Responsible for Yield Gaps which Have to Be Considered Seriously and Accordingly the Extension Services Need to Be Modulated and Implemented. Exploitable Yield Gaps in Border Areas Are Often Caused by Various Factors Including Physical, Biological, Socio-Economic and Institutional Constraints which Can Be Effectively Improved through Participatory and Holistic Approaches. Kashmir Is a Univoltine Area where for Generations only one Crop in Spring Season Is Taken between May and June. Spring (May – June, 2009) Data of Kandi Kupwara J&K India (Border Area) Revealed Varying Cocoon Yields from 7 to 13 Kgs Dry Cocoons per 100 DFLS with Cocoon Price Varying from Rs. 172-430 per Kg. these Facts and Figures Prove that these Silkworm Rearers by Realizing the Potential of Sericulture (a New Culture in a Border Area) Increased their Income Substantially from Rs. 720 to Rs.5590/100DFLS. it Was Also Found that Sericulture Productivity Can Be Further Increased by Planting Improved Varieties of Mulberry as it Has Been Observed that where, Very Good Quality Mulberry Leaf and Inputs Are Available, the Sericulture Productivity Is Reasonably Good. the Present Communication, Therefore, Discusses the Extension Strategies and New Technologies to Improve the Essential Knowledge and Skills to the Sericulture Farmers to Improve the Yield and Profitability of Sericulture.