ESTIMATING THE EFFICIENCY OF MAIZE FARMERS IN GHANA

Abstract

A lot of investment has been made in the agricultural sector of Ghana to increase agricultural production through the introduction of new technologies. However, it has been observed that despite efforts being made by the government through the introduction of new varieties of maize the productivity of maize farmers is generally low. Aim: This study sought to assess the efficiency of farmers. Place: In Nkoranza, BrongAhafo Region, Ghana at 1º 10’W and 1º 55’W and latitudes 7º 20N and 7º 55N. Methodology: The study employed the stochastic frontier model by fitting a Translog production function for the 2008 cropping season. The socio-economic and management practices that influence technical efficiency were determined. Input elasticities as well as allocative efficiency of the farmers were also determined. Results: A mean technical efficiency of 91 percent was obtained for maize farmers. There was a distinct variability in mean technical efficiency among farmers cultivating the improved variety and those cultivating the local variety. Variety of maize cultivated by the farmer, sex of the farmer, experience of maize farmer, distance of the farm from the farmers’ residence and number of times a farmer gets extension visits were found to have significant effect on technical efficiency. Allocatively, maize farmers were found to be over utilizing labour but underutilizing fertilizer and seeds in the study area. The study recommended that more extension staff should be trained so that their services could be extended to more farmers.