Smallholder Maize Research Articles

Performance of women-managed plots compared to men-managed plots among smallholder maize farmers in western and central Ethiopia

ABSTRACT A more targeted approach towards improving women’s access to agricultural innovations is key to increase the overall agricultural productivity. This paper uses gender-disaggregated household and plot-level survey data from Ethiopia to explore the impacts of multiple agronomic practices disaggregated by the sex of the plot manager. Using a multinomial endogenous switching regression methodology, after controlling for endogeneity arising from observed and unobserved heterogeneity, we found that multiple agronomic practices have a positive and significant effect on maize yields and maize income. Crucially, subject to demographics, plot quality and agronomic practices (among others), we found that women-managed plots (WMP) had treatment effects (yields) that were statistically the same as those of men-managed plots (MMP) (and nominally higher in a number of cases).

Economic Analysis of Use of Non-Conventional Fertilizers in Maize and Bean Production in Vihiga County, Kenya

The majority of smallholder maize farmers in the study area depend on farming whose returns are very low. This, together with low soil fertility and the inability of farmers to purchase chemical fertilizers, has resulted in the undertaking of research on non-conventional fertilizers, mainly organic fertilizers, by researchers in research institutions, universities, and NGOs. Researchers have registered high yield responses to the use of non-conventional fertilizers in demonstration farms and extension agents have been tasked with promoting the use of the fertilizers. Studies have shown that emphasis was put on informing farmers of the ability of the fertilizers to improve yields. Despite the high yields in research settings, smallholder farmers have continued to witness low crop yields. This begs the question, why was this the case? The purpose of this study was to analyze the promoted non-conventional fertilizers with the aim of determining whether there were significant profitability differences between their use and the use of inorganic fertilizers among smallholder farmers. The objective of this study was to carry out a comparative profitability analysis of the commonly used fertilizers, namely: inorganic fertilizers, farmyard, compost, agroforestry, and <i>Thithonia difersifolia</i> promoted in the study area. Stratified random sampling was used to select 150 respondents from Vihiga County, Kenya. Farmers were stratified into five strata based on the type of fertilizer that the farmers used, and at least 30 farmers were selected from each strata. Primary data was collected using questionnaires and the data collected was analyzed using net present value and gross margins. The results of the evaluation of the technologies on food production indicated that there were significant profitability differences at a 5% level between the use of non-conventional fertilizers and that of inorganic fertilizers. The study recommended that farmers be educated on the economics of the use of non-conventional fertilizers in order to enable them to select the most economically efficient technology. An economic analysis should also be done to determine the profitability of the use of non-conventional fertilizers on high-value crops such as vegetables and fruits. Maize/bean intercrop formed the basis of profitability analyses in this study because most farmers used them on the maize/ bean intercrop. Net present value profitability analysis should also be done on the use of organic materials on perennial crops such as fruits.

Determinants and profitability of inorganic fertilizer use in smallholder maize production in Ethiopia

Inorganic fertilizer is one of the key technologies that could enhance crop productivity. However, farmers are still using lower than the recommended rates and yet there are a lot of farmers who ar...

Modeling Multiple Adoption Decisions on Agricultural Technologies in Tanzania

This paper examines the determinants of adoption of improved agricultural technologies among smallholder maize farmers in Tanzania. Specifically, it reports the findings of a study that employed a sample size of 1,839 smallholder maize farming households that participated in three consecutive waves of 2008 - 2009, 2010 - 2011, and 2012 - 2013 of the National Panel Survey (NPS). Multinomial probit model was used to examine the factors that influence maize producers to adopt inorganic fertilisers, improved seeds, and herbicides. Results show that extension services, information technology, gender, education level, soil quality, age and household size influenced smallholder maize farmer’s choice of what agricultural technologies to adopt. Based on the findings, the paper recommends policymakers and other development partners to take these factors on board when promoting and supporting the adoption of agricultural technologies for improved productivity and food security.&#x0D; JEL Codes: Q12; Q16; and Q18

Maize-Pigeonpea Intercropping Outperforms Monocultures Under Drought

There is an urgent need to develop resilient agroecosystems capable of helping smallholder farmers adapt to climate change, particularly drought. In East Africa, diversification of maize-based cropping systems by intercropping with grain and tree legumes may foster productivity and resilience to adverse weather conditions. We tested whether intercropping enhances drought resistance and crop and whole-system yields by imposing drought in monocultures and additive intercrops along a crop diversity gradient—sole maize (Zea mays), sole pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan), maize-pigeonpea, maize-gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium, a woody perennial), and maize-pigeonpea-gliricidia—with and without fertilizer application. We developed and tested a novel low-cost, above-canopy rainout shelter design for drought experiments made with locally-sourced materials that successfully reduced soil moisture without creating sizeable artifacts for the crop microenvironment. Drought reduced maize grain yield under fertilized conditions in some cropping systems but did not impact pigeonpea grain yield. Whole-system grain yield and theoretical caloric and protein yields in two intercropping systems, maize-pigeonpea and maize-gliricidia, were similar to the standard sole maize system. Maize-pigeonepea performed most strongly compared to other systems in terms of protein yield. Maize-pigeonpea was the only intercrop that consistently required less land than its corresponding monocultures to produce the same yield (Land Equivalent Ratio &amp;gt;1), particularly under drought. Despite intercropping systems having greater planting density than sole maize and theoretically greater competition for water, they were not more prone to yield loss with drought. Our results show that maize-pigeonpea intercropping provides opportunities to produce the same food on less land under drought and non-drought conditions, without compromising drought resistance of low-input smallholder maize systems.

Optimizing sowing density-based management decisions with different nitrogen rates on smallholder maize farms in Northern Nigeria

AbstractIn this study, the CERES-Maize model was calibrated and evaluated using data from 60 farmers’ fields across Sudan (SS) and Northern Guinea (NGS) Savannas of Nigeria in 2016 and 2017 rainy seasons. The trials consisted of 10 maize varieties sown at three different sowing densities (2.6, 5.3, and 6.6 plants m−2) across farmers’ field with contrasting agronomic and nutrient management histories. Model predictions in both years and locations were close to observed data for both calibration and evaluation exercises as evidenced by low normalized root mean square error (RMSE) (≤15%), high modified d-index (&gt; 0.6), and high model efficiency (&gt;0.45) values for the phenology, growth, and yield data across all varieties and agro-ecologies. In both years and locations and for both calibration and evaluation exercises, very good agreements were found between observed and model-simulated grain yields, number of days to physiological maturity, above-ground biomass, and harvest index. Two separate scenario analyses were conducted using the long-term (26 years) weather records for Bunkure (representing the SS) and Zaria (representing the NGS). The early and extra-early varieties were used in the SS while the intermediate and late varieties were used in the NGS. The result of the scenario analyses showed that early and extra-early varieties grown in the SS responds to increased sowing density up to 8.8 plants m−2 when the recommended rate of N fertilizers (90 kg N ha−1) was applied. In the NGS, yield responses were observed up to a density of 6.6 plants m−2 with the application of 120 kg N ha−1 for the intermediate and late varieties. The highest mean monetary returns to land (US$1336.1 ha−1) were simulated for scenarios with 8.8 plants m−2 and 90 kg N ha−1, while the highest return to labor (US$957.7 ha−1) was simulated for scenarios with 6.6 plants m−2 and 90 Kg N ha−1 in the SS. In the NGS, monetary return per hectare was highest with a planting density of 6.6 plants m−2 with the application of 120 kg N, while the return to labor was highest for sowing density of 5.3 plants m−2 at the same N fertilizer application rates. The results of the long-term simulations predicted increases in yield and economic returns to land and labor by increasing sowing densities in the maize belts of Nigeria without applying N fertilizers above the recommended rates.

Benefits of maize resistance breeding and chemical control against northern leaf blight in smallholder farms in South Africa

Maize underpins food security in South Africa. An annual production of more than 10 million tons is a combination of the output of large-scale commercial farms plus an estimated 250 000 ha cultivated by smallholder farmers. Maize leaves are a rich source of nutrients for fungal pathogens. Farmers must limit leaf blighting by fungi to prevent sugars captured by photosynthesis being ‘stolen’ instead of filling the grain. This study aimed to fill the knowledge gap on the prevalence and impact of fungal foliar diseases in local smallholder maize fields. A survey with 1124 plant observations from diverse maize hybrids was conducted over three seasons from 2015 to 2017 in five farming communities in KwaZulu-Natal Province (Hlanganani, Ntabamhlophe, KwaNxamalala) and Eastern Cape Province (Bizana, Tabankulu). Northern leaf blight (NLB), common rust, Phaeosphaeria leaf spot, and grey leaf spot had overall disease incidences of 75%, 77%, 68% and 56%, respectively, indicating high disease pressure in smallholder farming environments. NLB had the highest disease severity (LSD test, p&lt;0.05). A yield trial focused on NLB in KwaZulu-Natal showed that this disease reduced yields in the three most susceptible maize hybrids by 36%, 71% and 72%, respectively. Eighteen other hybrids in this trial did not show significant yield reductions due to NLB, which illustrates the progress made by local maize breeders in disease resistance breeding. This work highlights the risk to smallholder farmers of planting disease-susceptible varieties, and makes recommendations on how to exploit the advances of hybrid maize disease resistance breeding to develop farmer-preferred varieties for smallholder production.&#x0D; Significance:&#x0D; &#x0D; Northern leaf blight, grey leaf spot, Phaeosphaeria leaf spot and common rust diseases were widespread in KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape smallholder maize fields where fungicides were not applied.&#x0D; NLB was the most severe maize leaf disease overall.&#x0D; NLB caused maize leaf blighting, which reduced grain yields by 36–72% in susceptible maize hybrids.&#x0D; Maize resistance breeding has produced locally adapted hybrids that do not have significant yield losses under NLB disease pressure.&#x0D;

Sustainable agricultural intensification practices and cost efficiency in smallholder maize farms: Evidence from Ethiopia

AbstractSustainable agricultural intensification (SAI) practices have been promoted in developing countries to improve farm productivity and environmental services. However, it is still unclear whether use of a combination of SAI practices has a significant influence on the cost efficiency of smallholder farms. This study investigates whether the cost efficiency of smallholder maize producers in Ethiopia depends on use of input‐augmenting and agronomic SAI practices. Stochastic cost frontier models that account for heterogeneity across farms are used for estimation. We find that the use of individual SAI practices increases cost while the combined use of the practices reduces it. The marginal effect on cost reduction is substantial when SAI practices are set at their sample maximum levels. Overall, the results demonstrate the benefit of using a combination of SAI practices in minimizing production cost while addressing the adverse effects of soil degradation and climate variability. To enhance food security, smallholder farm incomes and the sustainability of production in developing countries, policy programs should focus on promoting packages of input‐augmenting and agronomic SAI practices.

Fertilizer profitability for smallholder maize farmers in Tanzania: A spatially-explicit ex ante analysis.

We present an easily calibrated spatial modeling framework for estimating location-specific fertilizer responses, using smallholder maize farming in Tanzania as a case study. By incorporating spatially varying input and output prices, we predict the expected profitability for a location-specific smallholder farmer. A stochastic rainfall component of the model allows us to quantify the uncertainty around expected economic returns. The resulting mapped estimates of expected profitability and uncertainty are good predictors of actual smallholder fertilizer usage in nationally representative household survey data. The integration of agronomic and economic information in our framework makes it a powerful tool for spatially explicit targeting of agricultural technologies and complementary investments, as well as estimating returns to investments at multiple scales.

Evaluation of early-generation tropical maize testcrosses for grain-yield potential and weevil (Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky) resistance

Smallholder maize farmers in Africa experience pre- and post-harvest production stresses either individually or in combination at different stages of the crop cycle. The maize weevil is among the major post-harvest storage pests. A strategy to address this problem is to develop and promote high yielding maize germplasm with resistance to multiple stresses. A study was conducted to: 1) assess yield and agronomic performance of testcross hybrids developed from early generation lines; and 2) assess the response of the testcross hybrids to infestation with Sitophilus zeamais. Fifty-eight drought-tolerant testcross hybrids were evaluated for agronomic performance and weevil resistance at four environments in Uganda in 2016. Hybrid G39 (L2/T2) had the best grain yield performance; it significantly out-performed the best check by 11.4% in all environments. Hybrid grain from field trials was subjected to Sitophilus zeamais infestation in a choice and no choice test under laboratory conditions. Hybrids G56 (L49/T2) and G58 (L51/T2) had the least weevil damage and were rated as resistant to Sitophilus zeamais. The numbers of damaged kernels, number of exit holes and ear aspect were positively correlated with the grain weight loss. The results suggest possibilities for simultaneous selection for high grain yield and storage insect pest resistance among drought-tolerant genotypes. Use of high-yielding and resistant maize hybrids to storage insect pest should be promoted for increased maize production and managing post-harvest losses due to the maize weevil in smallholder farming communities in Africa.

Impact of push–pull cropping system on pest management and occurrence of ear rots and mycotoxin contamination of maize in western Kenya

AbstractPush–pull involves intercropping of cereals with Desmodium as a “push” crop and planting Napier grass/Brachiaria as the “pull” crop at the border. The technology has been reported to effectively control stemborers, striga weed, and fall armyworm (FAW), and to improve soil nutrition, resulting in increased grain yield. This study evaluated the impact of stemborer and FAW management using this technology on incidence of maize ear rots and preharvest contamination of grains with aflatoxin and fumonisin in western Kenya. The study was conducted during three cropping seasons on maize grown under the push–pull system and as a monocrop. Incidence of stemborer and FAW damage was determined as percentage of damaged plants, while incidence of ear rots was determined as percentage of ears with symptoms. At harvest, fungi were isolated from kernels and aflatoxin and fumonisin were quantified using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Stemborer and FAW damage was significantly (p = .001) reduced by over 50% under the push–pull system. There was also a significant (p &lt; .001) reduction in the incidence of Fusarium verticillioides (60%) and Aspergillus flavus (86%), which was reflected in a reduced incidence of ear rots (50%) with the push–pull system (p = .001). Fumonisin in maize from push‐pull farms was significantly (p = .048) reduced (39%) but the technology had no significant (p &gt; .05) effect on aflatoxin. The study showed that push–pull is an effective strategy for managing maize ear rots and fumonisins, and therefore could play a role in improving food safety among smallholder maize farmers in the region.

Resource-use efficiency in maize production: the case of smallholder farmers in Ghana

This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency with which smallholder maize farmers use their input resources such as land, labor, capital, fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and improved seed in maize production. The study used the multi-stage sampling technique to collect cross-sectional data from 600 smallholder maize producers from the northern, Brong-Ahafo, eastern, and central regions of Ghana. This study employed the marginal value product (MVP) to marginal factor cost (MFC) ratio (MVP/MFC) of the input resources. The results revealed an increased return to scale, meaning smallholder maize farmers in the pooled sample and the studied regions should enlarge their production scale by about 3.2%, 2.2%, 7.6%, 6.8%, and 2.8%, respectively, to maximize productivity. The results also revealed that resource inputs like fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides, improved seed, and land were underutilized. Therefore, these resources need to be increased if smallholder maize farmers in the pooled sample want to be efficient in their production. Labor and capital were over-utilized and needed to be reduced to increase efficiency in the farmers' maize production.

The impact of output price support on smallholder farmers' income: evidence from maize farmers in Ghana

Instability in smallholder farmers' income in developing countries due to unstable farm prices has been a challenge for farmers and agricultural policymakers over the years. Sustained price stabilization mechanisms are mostly lacking. In some countries, output price support has been initiated to stabilize incomes and as an incentive to enhance farmer investment and boost production. This paper investigates the impacts of output price support on smallholder farmers' income in Ghana, using a household and farm-level data from 252 beneficiaries and 268 non-beneficiaries of buffer stock operations in Ghana. We applied the Coarsened Exact Matching and Propensity Score Matching methods to balance the data among the two groups. We estimate the smallholder farmer income effect from participating in buffer stock operations by combining the matching methods in a regression framework. The results affirm that buffer stock operations increase the incomes of participating smallholder farming households by at least 12%, providing evidence that output price support via buffer stocks is a critical tool for improving incomes and alleviating poverty among farmers in Ghana. The results further indicate that age, gender, access to market, and use of extension services, as well as transport and packaging costs, drive the participation of smallholder farmers in the buffer stock operations in Ghana. The findings are relevant to local policymakers and development partners who develop tailored interventions to stabilize and increase income for smallholder maize farmers in Ghana.

Sustainable intensification among smallholder maize farmers in Ethiopia: Adoption and impacts under rainfall and unobserved heterogeneity

In addition to experimental data, using information collected from farmers is vital to assess the performance of candidate farming technologies. The latter provides the basis for farmers’ assessments and adoption decisions. Using detailed georeferenced plot and household level data from Ethiopia, this paper estimates the impact of a set of sustainability-enhancing agronomic practices on maize yields and implied net maize income with the aid of multinomial endogenous regime-switching regression that corrects for unobserved heterogeneity. The treatments’ effects on yield ranged from 29.5% for the fertilizer-dominant strategy to 88% in the case of fertilizer, maize-legume diversification, and soil and water conservation combinations. Second, while the impacts of the agronomic packages are significant in almost all states of the world, there were considerable heterogeneity effects conditioned on observed rainfall deviations from the historical average with levels effects of up to 92% and heterogeneity effects of 33–64%. The heterogeneous and rainfall-conditioned impacts point to the role of local biophysical modifiers of the impacts of agricultural practices. Investments in context-appropriate adaptation in agricultural research and extension is suggested.

Determining and managing maize yield gaps in Rwanda

Smallholder maize growers are experiencing significant yield gaps due to sub-optimal agricultural practices. Adequate agricultural inputs, particularly nutrient amendments and best management practices, are essential to reverse this trend. There is a need to understand the cause of variations in maize yield, provide reliable early estimates of yields, and make necessary recommendations for fertilizer applications. Maize yield prediction and estimates of yield gaps using objective and spatial analytical tools could provide accurate and objective information that underpin decision support. A study was conducted in Rwanda at Nyakiliba sector and Gashora sector located in Birunga and Central Bugesera agro-ecological zones, with the objectives of (1) determining factors influencing maize yield, (2) predicting maize yield (using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) approach), and (3) assessing the maize yield gaps and the impact on food security. Maize grain yield was significantly higher at Nyakiliba (1.74 t ha−1) than at Gashora (0.6 t ha−1). NDVI values correlated positively with maize grain yield at both sites (R2 = 0.50 to 0.65) and soil fertility indicators (R2 = 0.55 to 0.70). Maize yield was highest at 40 kg P ha−1 and response to N fertilizer was adequately simulated at Nyakiliba (R2 = 0.85, maximum yield 3.3 t ha−1). Yield gap was 4.6 t ha−1 in Nyakiliba and 5.1 t ha−1 in Gashora. Soil variables were more important determinants of social class than family size. Knowledge that low nutrient inputs are a major cause of yield gaps in Rwanda should prioritize increasing the rate of fertilizer use in these agricultural systems.

Does smallholder maize intensification reduce deforestation? Evidence from Zambia

Increasing food production to meet growing demand while reducing tropical deforestation is a critical sustainability challenge. This is especially true in sub-Saharan Africa, which faces serious food insecurity issues and where smallholder farming is the main driver of forest conversion. Competing theories imply opposite predictions as to whether deforestation increases or decreases with smallholder agricultural intensification, which can improve food security by increasing crop yields per area cultivated. This research provides new empirical evidence on the association between deforestation and smallholders’ use of modern inputs, in particular inorganic fertilizer on maize and improved maize seeds, using Zambia as a case study. We analyze this association nationwide in a spatially disaggregated manner at the lowest administrative level using machine learning-based small area estimation, which makes use of detailed nationally representative surveys on smallholder farm households for 2011 and 2014, and census data to statistically predict modern inputs use country-wide for 2011, when average maize yields were 1.28 tons/ha. Then, we evaluate the association between improved maize seed and fertilizer inputs and subsequent deforestation, while controlling for key geospatial covariates. The results support the land-sparing hypothesis, finding that smallholder farmers’ use of improved maize seed is negatively associated with deforestation on non-acidic (pH ≥ 5.5) soils, an effect that is enhanced by complementary inorganic fertilizer use. Fertilizer use on its own, however, is weakly associated with increased deforestation. Sustainable intensification via use of improved seeds on adequately fertile soils and improving soil health appears compatible with reducing both deforestation and food insecurity.

Soil greenhouse gas fluxes from maize cropping system under different soil fertility management technologies in Kenya

Few studies have quantified soil greenhouse gas (GHG) −CH4, CO2 N2O – annual fluxes directly from smallholder maize cropping systems under different soil fertility management technologies in Sub Saharan Africa. We quantified soil GHG annual fluxes from smallholder maize cropping systems under four different soil fertility management technologies in the Central Highlands of Kenya. We regularly sampled GHG from 2nd March 2018 to 1st March 2019 (1 year) in three maize farms using a static chamber technique. The fertility management technologies were: inorganic fertilizer, animal manure, animal manure combined with inorganic fertilizer, and a Control (No external input). The experimental design was a randomized complete block design replicated thrice. Cumulative annual soil fluxes ranged from -2.40 kg CH4-C ha−1 yr−1 from the control treatment to −1.62 kg CH4-C ha−1 yr−1 from the manure combined with inorganic fertilizer treatment, 4810 kg CO2-C ha−1 yr−1 from the control treatment to 6576 kg CO2-C ha−1 yr−1 from the inorganic fertilizer treatment, and 0.21 kg N2O-N ha−1 yr−1 from the control treatment to 0.38 kg N2O-N ha−1 yr−1 from the inorganic fertilizer treatment for CH4, CO2, and N2O fluxes, respectively. Fertilizer treatment produced the highest CO2 emissions (p < 0.001), N2O emissions (P < 0.001), and yield-scaled N2O emissions (YSE), (0.028 g N2O-N kg−1 grain yield). A combination of manure and inorganic fertilizer produced the highest CH4 fluxes (p = 0.035) across treatments. We concluded that a judicious combination of organic resources (animal manure) and inorganic resources (fertilizer) has the potential to enhance food security while mitigating soil greenhouse gas emissions in SSA.

Farmers’ perspectives of rodent damage and rodent management in smallholder maize cropping systems of Southern Ethiopia

A survey was conducted in Chano area, Southern Ethiopia, to investigate farmers' viewpoints with regard to rodent pest problems. Farmers (n = 384) were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaire between October 2018 and January 2019. Pests were implied (51%) as the major constraints of cereal crop production followed by shifting to cash crops (20.6%), waterlogged farmlands (15.6%), infertile soils (8.6%) and insufficient rains (4.2%). Farmers experienced rodent outbreaks (83%) and identified maize (98%) as a crop most susceptible to rodent damage. Farmer suffered 23.5% average annual maize loss due to rodents. Being male (OR = 2.82, P < 0.05) and years spent in farming (OR = 1.13, P < 0.001) increased the likelihood of farmers' experience with rodent outbreaks. Seedling stage of maize was identified as the stage most susceptible to rodent damage (64.8%), followed by harvesting (19.3%) and maturity (15.9%) stages. When adjusted for other factors, a year increase in farming as an occupation decreased farmers' estimate of annual maize yield loss due to rodent damage by a coefficient of 0.04 (P < 0.05). An individual's experience (86.5%) was the major factor in deciding the type of rodent pest management. Application of rodenticides was the most frequently used (76%) rodent management method. We recommend awareness creation and extension support to the farmer community to reduce the reliance on toxic rodenticides and shift to community-based integrated rodent management approaches that would reduce the unacceptable damage levels.

Determinants of Smallholder Maize Farmers’ Choice of Selling Point: A Case of Kwanza District, Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya

Commercialization of the smallholder maize sector in Kenya necessitates improving the ability of farmers to efficiently participate in both the formal and informal maize markets. Smallholder maize farmers of Kwanza district, Trans Nzoia County, however, have limited access to formal maize markets. This limits their competitiveness in the market hence a reduction in their returns. This study was aimed at assessing the factors that influence smallholder maize farmers’ participation in formal maize markets in the region. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 196 smallholder maize farmers from the region. Primary data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires and the Probit model used to assess the factors influencing smallholder choice of selling point. Age of household head, household size and source of market information negatively influenced the probability of the farmers selling through formal maize markets. Education level, access to credit, sorting produce, tarpaulin ownership and output price however positively influenced the probability of selling through the formal maize markets. The study recommends policies that ensure the availability and access of appropriate market information. Farmers could also be assisted in the acquisition of tarpaulin used for drying maize and other necessary infrastructure to avoid losses due to the poor post-harvest handling of their output. This will greatly help in commercialising the smallholder maize sector in the region. Keywords : Formal maize markets, Informal maize markets, Market participation, Transaction costs DOI: 10.7176/JESD/11-10-17 Publication date: May 31 st 2020

Rethinking Food Production: Nexus of Mobile Phones and Production Cost Minimization.

Information and communication technologies are a ready tool for all strata of society and are indeed redefining the way almost everything is done. Mobile phone technology, in particular, plays a vital role in expediting improvement in the efficiency of the household resource through access to information on various available technologies. Can mobile phones improve the cost efficiency of agricultural production? Comprehension of such effect is critical, especially in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals. We addressed this topic using cross-sectional data from smallholder maize producers in Zambia. The Stochastic Frontier Analysis was applied to estimate cost efficiency. The results indicate that mobile phone use improves the cost efficiency of maize production significantly and as such, adopters have made a rational decision to adopt mobile phone use for information access. Precisely, we found a 10.2% efficiency gap in favor of users. Nevertheless, if non-users were to adopt mobile phones for agricultural information access, maize production per hectare would increase by 21.38%. Eventually, food production would be increased in an environmentally friendly manner and the price of maize would be set at a competitive price within the region because agricultural inputs would be allocated cost efficiently. Therefore, in an attempt to minimize production cost in food production, this study strongly endorses the use of mobile phones for agricultural information access.