Farm Size, Modern Technology Adoption, and Efficiency of Small Holdings in Developing Countries: Evidence from Kenya

Dickson M. Nyariki ()
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Dickson M. Nyariki: University of Nairobi and South Eastern University College, Kenya

Journal of Developing Areas, 2011, vol. 45, issue 1, 35-52

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: Farm-level technical efficiency; Food security; Smallholder farming; Sub-Saharan Africa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C23 D13 D24 O13 Q12 Q16 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:jda:journl:vol.45:year:2011:issue1:pp:35-52

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