Technical Efficiency of Diversification Versus Specialization of Vegetable-Based Farms in the West Region of Cameroon

Teh Nguh Julie

doi:10.11648/j.ajaf.20170504.15

Abstract

This study evaluated the efficiency of diversification versus specialization of vegetable-based farms in the West region of Cameroon. The study employed the use of a questionnaire to obtain information from 70 specialized and 54 diversified farmers randomly selected from three purposively selected localities in the West region. The one-step stochastic frontier approach with a Cobb-Douglas model specification was used in analysis. Data was analyzed using the computer program, STATA version 12.0. Findings revealed that majority (71.8%) of vegetable farmers are males, with an average age of 30 years and 73.4% had attained at least a primary education. Results of the stochastic frontier analysis revealed the mean technical efficiency of vegetable farmers to be 0.863. Mean technical efficiency scores for specialized and diversified farmers were found to be 0.867 and 0.858 respectively. However, the results of a standard t-test concluded that technical efficiency is invariant of cropping system. The main sources of inefficiency were identified to be farm size, education, credit and membership to a mutual aid group, while age, sex and access to extension information and services were found to enhance technical efficiency. The study therefore recommends extension services to be reinforced on farmers who receive loan and on those who belong to mutual aid groups, in a bid to increase technical efficiency.

Highlights

IntroductionHorticultural crops principally vegetables hold a significant position
In agriculture, horticultural crops principally vegetables hold a significant position
Results show that a majority (73.4%) of the surveyed vegetable farmers had obtained at least a primary education, while 22.6% and 2.4% had attained secondary and post-secondary education respectively

Summary

Introduction

Horticultural crops principally vegetables hold a significant position. Country statistics suggest that Cameroon’s exotic vegetable production increased from 873892 tons in 2009 to 1,267,017 tons in 2013 [4]. This significant increase in vegetable production goes to satisfy demand/consumption, and to solve the problem of unemployment and underemployment [5]. On their part, attribute the non-availability of vegetables all year-round to inefficient management of resources/inputs available to the farmers. This is supported by [9] who opine that the key reason for the scarcity is the fact that local farmers are not technically efficient enough to meet the demand of the market

Methods

Results

Conclusion