Efficiency of male and female as irrigated onion growers

ABSTRACT

Improving efficiency of small-scale farmers using existing resources may increase agricultural production. The study was conducted in Kilte-awlaelo district, Ethiopia, to estimate overall efficiency of onion (Allium cepa L.) farmers, to compare level of efficiency, and identify determinants of economic efficiency in onion production for male and female farmers. One hundred sixty onion producers, using irrigation, were selected and structured questionnaires were used to elicit information. A stochastic frontier production function employing the maximum likelihood estimation was used as the analytical tool. For male-headed farms, mean technical, allocative, and economic efficiency indices were 83%, 69%, and 58%, respectively; for female-headed farms they were 67%, 48%, and 34%, respectively. Male farmers were more efficient than female farmers. Regression models indicated that lack of education, inadequate extension service, and small areas of irrigated land were factors causing economic inefficiency in irrigated onion production. Both groups of farmers have room to increase levels of production at a given level of resources without incurring additional costs.

KEYWORDS:

• Allium cepa
• cost function
• economic efficiency
• stochastic frontier

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to farmers in the study area for kindly sacrificing their time and energy to provide the necessary data for the study.

Additional information

Funding

The authors express thanks to the Institute of Gender and Development Studies, Mekelle University, for its financial support in conducting the field survey.