Technical Efficiency of Rice Production at the Tono Irrigation Scheme in Northern Ghana
Samuel A. Donkoh *
Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana.
Sylvester Ayambila
Department of Agribusiness Management and Finance, University for Development Studies, Ghana.
Shamsudeen Abdulai
Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
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.
Keywords: Rice, stochastic frontier model, technical efficiency, Tono irrigation scheme, translog production function.