Yield and Technical Efficiency of Maize Production in Busia County, Kenya

Abstract

This study sought to analyze the levels of the yield and the technical efficiency of maize production among small-scale farmers in Busia County, where the production of the food crop is well below its full potential to the extent that the County experiences food insecurity. The apparent inefficiency in maize production in the face of existing food insecurity is a serious cause for concern that led to this study being carried out. The stochastic frontier production function approach was used to determine the level of technical efficiency. The study which was carried out in Busia County, adopted a cross sectional survey research design, investigating a sample to determine the effect of a number of variables on the yield of maize, and on the technical efficiency of maize production. The study targeted the population of small-scale maize farmers in the County with farm sizes of fewer than three acres under maize cultivation. From these, a sample of 322 farms was drawn using a multi stage sampling procedure. Data was collected on farm inputs, farmer specific characteristics and maize yields using a semi structured questionnaire and computed using the Frontier 4.1 computer programme. Hypotheses that there was no statistical relationship between selected farm inputs and maize yields and, that there was no statistical relationship between selected farmer specific characteristics and technical efficiency, were tested. Results showed a 53 percent overall mean technical efficiency. Use of tractors for land preparation and use of certified seed were seen to positively influence the level of maize output. More years of education and higher off-farm incomes were found to be associated with higher levels of technical efficiency. The study recommends that in order to improve yields and the technical efficiency in maize production in the county, efforts be made to make farm machines and certified seed affordable and accessible to the small-scale farmers; that school attendance be encouraged, and that alternative sources of income to farming be sought.