Technical efficiency differentials between rice production methods: the case of Conventional and System of Rice Intensification in West Kano Irrigation Scheme, Kenya

Abstract

The study was conducted at West Kano rice scheme in Western Kenya, involving field survey of a sample of 123 households and field experiments to compare Conventional with System of Rice Intensification (SRI) production methods. Statistical Programme for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 17.0 was used to describe relationships between rice production and different socio-economic variables while STATA version 12 was used to compare the technical efficiencies between two rice production systems. Results of the study showed that most (89%) of the households in the study area depended on rice production for consumption and income. The SRI system saved about 64% of water compared with the conventional paddy system. Conventional method used 95% chemicals (inorganic fertilizers) compared to SRI method (5%). The SRI farmers are relatively more technical efficiency (83%) than farmers using the Conventional method (75%). Farmers improved efficiency using SRI system arise from the wide crop spacing of 25 cm × 25 cm and use of younger seedlings (8 to 12 days). In conclusion, adoption of SRI is critical to the achievement of efficiency in rice production in West Kano. Benefits of SRI system is enhanced through its reduced use of inorganic fertilizers thus saving the environment and the cost of input incurred by household in producing rice.