Technical Efficiency of Bambara Groundnut Production in Northern Ghana

Type Journal Article - UDS International Journal of Development
Title Technical Efficiency of Bambara Groundnut Production in Northern Ghana
Author(s)
Volume 2
Issue 2
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2015
Page numbers 37-49
URL http://www.udsijd.org/index.php/udsijd/article/view/72
Abstract
Achieving food security under climate change is one of the greatest concerns of governments in developing
countries. Due to favourable agronomic characteristics such as drought tolerance and an ability to produce a
crop on less fertile soils, a number of underutilised crops, such as bambara groundnut offer potentials to
address food insecurity problems in areas impacted by climate change. While efficiency studies have gained
popularity in relation to many food crops, very little research has been carried out on the technical efficiency of
bambara groundnut production. This study estimated a Translog stochastic frontier to determine the factors
that influenced farmers’ technical efficiency in the 2013 cropping season in Northern Ghana. It involved 120
farmers selected through a multi-stage sampling technique. Technical efficiency scores ranged from 27% to
97% with a mean of 83%. The significant positive determinants of output and efficiency were farm size,
household labour, organic fertilisers as well as education and off-farm activities. The study found that bambara
groundnut production can be stepped up by supporting farmers to scale up their farms, form farmer groups,
diversify their livelihoods and improve the use of organic fertilizers. Improving opportunities for formal
education may also have a positive impact.

Related studies

»