Technical Efficiency of Rice Production at the Tono Irrigation Scheme in Northern Ghana

Samuel Donkoh

doi:10.9734/ajea/2013/1448

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the determinants of technical efficiency of rice farmers at Tono Irrigation Project. Study Design: Cross sectional. Place and Duration: The Kassena-Nankana District of Upper East Region of Ghana in the 2007/2008 cropping season. Methodology: One-step estimation of the Stochastic Frontier Model. Results: The technical efficiency estimates ranged from 0.41 to 1.00 with a mean value of 0.81. The factors that determined farmers’ technical efficiency included education and the adoption of modern inputs such as seeds and chemical fertilizers. Conclusion: The sustainability of the farmers’ high efficiency will be dependent on the continuous support they receive in the areas of input supply and education, among others.

Highlights

While we approach the deadline for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the number of food insecure people in Africa is increasing [1]
The four main variables that emerged as the determinants of technical efficiency in rice production in the study area were land, seed, fertilizer, education and gender
The study aimed at finding out the technical efficiency levels of rice farmers at the Tono Irrigation Project in the Upper east region of Ghana

Summary

Introduction

While we approach the deadline for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the number of food insecure people in Africa is increasing [1]. According to FAO [1] the continent accounts for 50 percent of the 12 million children under five, who suffer chronic hunger. This is because food production falls short of demand, implying that per capita food production is on the decline. One of the reasons that explain the precarious situation with respect to food supply in Africa is the fact that the region missed out of the Green revolution. The Green revolution combined improved seeds, inorganic fertilizers, plant protection products and irrigation, resulting in significant increases in food supply, especially in Asia [2]. Notable among the crops that the revolution targeted, was rice, which is an important staple for almost every nation

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