Abstract
BackgroundRwanda and most parts of sub-Saharan Africa face severe challenges of increasing maize productivity, which has direct consequences on food security. Due to these challenges, policy-makers have paid particular attention to finding the cost-effective strategies of boosting maize production. In an effort to increase productivity, the literature suggests that the adoption of yield-enhancing technologies and production efficiency should be given priority. The objective of this study is to examine and compare the technical efficiency and technological gaps of maize farms that grow different seed varieties in Rwanda.MethodsThe data used in this study were obtained from a survey of 360 household farmers conducted in the Eastern Province of Rwanda during the 2018–2019 cropping season. The study applies the stochastic meta-frontier production function approach to estimate the technical efficiency and technological gaps of maize farms operating under heterogeneous production technologies.ResultsResults indicate that there are differences in technical efficiency measures among the three groups of farmers (i.e., adopters of hybrids, open-pollinated varieties, and local maize varieties). In particular, we find that on average, farms growing hybrid maize varieties appear to have higher values of technical efficiency, technology gap ratio, and meta-frontier technical efficiency than farms growing OPVs and local maize varieties. Thus, the analysis shows that there are significant technological and managerial performance gaps among farmers.ConclusionsFrom a policy perspective, the results of this study suggest the development of policy measures that may reduce the managerial and technological gaps existing among farmers to improve productivity and food security. Based on the results of this study, one of the crucial avenues to close this gap would be to improve access to improved agricultural technologies such as certified hybrid seeds. Additionally, policies aiming to enhance technical efficiency and productivity should focus on expanding the delivery of extension services and strengthening the technical assistance provided to farmers’ cooperatives.
Highlights
Rwanda and most parts of sub-Saharan Africa face severe challenges of increasing maize productivity, which has direct consequences on food security
In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), government policy strategies are aimed at improving the agricultural productivity which could lead to improved household food security and increased farm income [2]
The objective of this study is to examine and compare the technical efficiency (TE) of maize farms that grow different seed varieties using the stochastic meta-frontier (SMF) model developed by Huang et al [21]
Summary
Rwanda and most parts of sub-Saharan Africa face severe challenges of increasing maize productivity, which has direct consequences on food security Due to these challenges, policy-makers have paid particular attention to finding the cost-effective strategies of boosting maize production. Given that ensuring food security in developing countries is the main goal [8], the literature identified the improvements in agricultural productivity (i.e., stimulated by government investment in rural infrastructure, agricultural research and extension, irrigation, and appropriate price incentives) as the major elements contributing directly to the economic growth, poverty alleviation, and stability [9]. The concept of food security is defined as a situation whereby, “all individuals at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs for an active and healthy life" [10]. Policy interventions may concentrate on improving the technical efficiency and productivity to ensure food availability and access dimensions of food security
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