Farm Size, Modern Technology Adoption, and Efficiency of Small Holdings in Developing Countries: Evidence from Kenya
Low efficiency is a problem in most developing agriculture, and is one of the reasons for food insecurity. This paper provides information on smallholder production efficiency in one of the developing Sub-Saharan Countries: Kenya. It applies Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to farm-level seasonal panel data. The estimated indexes indicate high levels of inefficiency between farm sizes, seasons, and adopters and non-adopters of 'modern' farming technologies. A comparison of various farming practices shows that use of modern inputs and livestock-based capital could significantly improve farmers' performance. Tobit estimations show that the major factors influencing performance are the level of education, gender, market access and off-farm capital. Thus, policies aimed at improving education, rural infrastructure as well as assuring farmers of income through improved livelihood opportunities, and therefore reduced perceived uncertainty, could improve farm-level efficiency. The findings also provide support for prioritizing issues of farm production associated with women in policymaking.
Year of publication: |
2011
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Authors: | Nyariki, Dickson M. |
Published in: |
Journal of Developing Areas. - College of Business. - Vol. 45.2011, 1, p. 35-52
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Publisher: |
College of Business |
Subject: | Farm-level technical efficiency | Food security | Smallholder farming | Sub-Saharan Africa |
Saved in:
Online Resource
Type of publication: | Article |
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Classification: | C23 - Models with Panel Data ; D13 - Household Production and Intrahouse Allocation ; D24 - Production; Capital and Total Factor Productivity; Capacity ; O13 - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Energy; Environment; Other Primary Products ; Q12 - Micro Analysis of Farm Firms, Farm Households, and Farm Input Markets ; Q16 - R&D; Agricultural Technology; Agricultural Extension Services |
Source: |
Persistent link: https://www.econbiz.de/10011097031