Productivity analysis of small scale cotton farms in Bariadi District, Tanzania
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Date
2017
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Publisher
Mzumbe Unversity
Abstract
Tanzania cotton production in the globe has declined and reduces its competitiveness as a result of low productivity experienced over the past 10 years; it was found that among the reasons for low cotton productivity are issues related to inefficiency on inputs distribution, usage and adherence to good agricultural practices. Based on the existing situation, this study intends to analyse productivity of small scale cotton farms in Bariadi district.
The study involved a sample of 128 farmers and had the following specific objectives, (i).To determine the level of technical efficiency of small scale cotton farmers in Bariadi (ii) To examine the effects of household level factors on technical efficiency of the small scale cotton farmers in Bariadi district. (iii) To examine the effects of farm level factors on technical efficiency of the small scale cotton farmers in Bariadi district. These objectives were analysed through the use of Cobb Douglas Stochastic Production Function and FRONTIER 4.1 program as econometric tools and the estimation used Maximum likelihood estimation techniques. Regression results indicated technical efficiencies value of small scale farmers in the study area to range from 0.05 to 0.95 with mean efficiency of 0.69.Furthermore technical efficiency was found to be influenced positively by household‟s total income, farming experience, Household size of the farmer and access to extension services. Cultivation cost and marital status (divorced) contributed negatively on technical efficiency of farmers whereas farmers‟ education and sex of farmer had results that were statistically insignificant in determining the level of technical efficiencies of farmers in the study area.
The study recommends various actions by the government and all other key stakeholders of cotton in order to improve technical efficiency and cotton productivity in the study area. Such actions should aim at improving access to extension services, improve mechanization in cotton production, increase women involvement, and improve education level of farming communities.
Description
A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for award of the Degree of Master of Science in Economics (MSc ECO) of Mzumbe University
Keywords
Small scale cotton farmers, Cotton production and productivity, Productivity-cotton, Farmers in Bariadi District
Citation
APA