Measuring Technical Inefficiencies in Small-scale Small Stock Production in Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompatsi District, North-West Province, South Africa

Lekunze, Joseph Nembo; Luvhengo, Usapfa

doi:10.3923/tae.2016.13.20

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 6 publications

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“…They replaced input prices used in traditional economic efficiency measurements by their energy content and used the energy efficiency model to explore the optimal input mix that can produce current outputs at minimum energy consumption. Lekunze and Luvhengo (2016) further used the stochastic frontier model to measure technical efficiency in small stock production. Findings from these studies revealed that such decomposition of factors can help policymakers find the accurate energy policy when dealing with agriculture.…”

Section: Drivers Of Energy Efficiency and Measurement Approaches In Amentioning

confidence: 99%

Linking energy efficiency legislation and the agricultural sector in South Africa

Lekunze

2017

TDSA

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Energy drives agricultural activities. Apart from direct solar energy used by plants in photosynthesis, gasoline, diesel, electricity and biofuel are used to power equipment used in the processing of produce, storage and transportation of such produce to the market. Efficient use of energy is thus imperative for sustainable production. However, there is no universally accepted definition of energy efficiency. The term 'energy efficiency' generally entails doing more work with less energy while maintaining or increasing the ratio of energy output to energy input. The World Energy Council (2013) defined energy efficiency as a sustainable reduction in energy used for a given service or level of activity. The agriculture sector in South Africa comprises the following: crop and animal husbandry, fisheries and forestry. However, this sector consumes a lower amount of energy compared with the mining and manufacturing sectors. According to Winkler (2005), coal, electricity, liquid petroleum and natural gas are used for domestic, commercial and industrial purposes. Among these forms of energy, electricity is the most used. The manner in which energy resources are harnessed, generated and utilised by different users in the country raises a lot of concerns. The main challenge is that most sectors of the South African economy are inefficient in terms of using energy. This situation leads to increased global, regional and local environmental problems. The relationship between increasing energy demands and the diversification of energy sources in South Africa is a delicate one. If a balance is not reached, South Africa may experience energy insecurity. According to a report by the DoE (2012b), the bulk of energy generated is consumed by the following sectors: industrial and mining (~41%), transport (~27%), households (~20%), commerce (~8%) and agriculture (~3%). Research methodThis article is a review of literature on energy efficiency legislation in South Africa, commonly known as ISO 50001. An analysis of the extent to which legislation has brought about efficiency in the utilisation of energy in the agricultural sector is done in this study. Information was sourced There are different ways of measuring energy efficiency. Although there is no generally agreed definition of the concept, it should, however, always be approached according to particular circumstances and contexts. As such, technological, operational, performance and equipment efficiencies should be taken into consideration. Generally, energy utilisation in most sectors of the South African economy is inefficient. This requires more energy needs to be generated in order to cater for losses. An increase in generation causes environmental problems at global, regional and local levels. A review of literature on energy efficiency was undertaken and a gap identified between legislation and efficiency in the agricultural sector. This article seeks to suggest ways of implementing an energy legislation in this sector in South Africa. Such implementation will address con...

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Section: Drivers Of Energy Efficiency and Measurement Approaches In Amentioning

confidence: 99%

Linking energy efficiency legislation and the agricultural sector in South Africa

Lekunze

2017

TDSA

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Are livestock farmers in Kenya efficient? Evidence from a farm-level analysis

Manyeki

Kotosz

2022

SN Bus Econ

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Analysis of technical efficiency of small-scale commercial farmers in Vhembe district

Muzekenyi

Zuwarimwe²,

Kilonzo³

2021

S Afr. Jnl. Agric. Ext.

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Small-scale commercial farmers are regarded as the strategic avenue to achieve meaningful development in rural areas of South Africa. The government acknowledged that the inclusion of small-scale commercial farming in its development strategies. The paper aims to measure the efficiency of small-scale commercial farming enterprises in Vhembe District in Limpopo Province. Quantitative data were collected from 217 small-scale commercial farmers using structured questionnaires. The data were standardized using a farming enterprise budget system and analysed using the maximum likelihood and stochastic frontier analysis. The results revealed that aggregate output was positive and significantly influenced by age, education level, farm experience, farm labour, and government grants. However, the projected stochastic production frontier model combined with the efficiency parameters showed that labour and credit computed a negative effect on technical efficiency. The results indicated that the average level of technical efficiency ranged between 20% and 96% with a mean of 54%. This indicates that there is potential to increase production among small-scale commercial farmers in the study area by 46 % through efficient use of existing resources. As such, the local government should provide necessary supports such as formal agriculture training, access to credit and information to increase productivity.

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Measuring Technical Inefficiencies in Small-scale Small Stock Production in Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompatsi District, North-West Province, South Africa

Cited by 3 publications

References 6 publications

Linking energy efficiency legislation and the agricultural sector in South Africa

Linking energy efficiency legislation and the agricultural sector in South Africa

Are livestock farmers in Kenya efficient? Evidence from a farm-level analysis

Analysis of technical efficiency of small-scale commercial farmers in Vhembe district

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