Technical and resource-use-efficiency among smallholder rice farmers in Northern Ghana

Technical Efficiency of Sorghum Production in Garu District of the Upper East Region, Ghana

“…On average, there were 10 people per household as indicated. The large household size guarantees labour availability and the extension of farm size (Konja et al, 2019). Results in Table 3 further indicate that on the average farmers had been in sorghum farming for 21 years.…”

“…A large number (56%) of the sorghum farmers did not belong to any farmer Association (FA), while 44% were members of various farmer associations. According to Konja et al (2019) farmer association membership provides farmers with the opportunity of accessing the information on effective production methods, enjoying discounts when purchasing inputs, as well as enjoying labour support from members. Also, though 49% of the farmers had extension service, 51% did not have access to the extension.…”

“…Also, though 49% of the farmers had extension service, 51% did not have access to the extension. Access to extension service helps farmers to get orientation on good agricultural practices (Konja et al, 2019). Farmers with access to extension services are expected to be more technically efficient than their counterparts since they would have more orientation on good agronomic practices than their counterparts.…”

“…Though the contribution of agriculture to GDP should decrease with development, the growth rate should be persistent over time according to Arthur Lewis theory of development (Lambongang, Ansah, & Donkoh, 2019). Although the agricultural sector's share to the GDP of Ghana is smaller compared to the other sectors, the ripple effect of the inefficiency of the sector on the livelihoods of farmers, food security and other benefits cannot be underrated (Konja, Mabe, & Alhassan, 2019).…”

“…Though there have been numerous empirical studies undertaken to measure the efficiency of agricultural production in Ghana, for example (Bempomaa, 2014;Danso-Abbeam., Dahamani, & Bawa, 2015;Donkoh, 2013;Konja et al, 2019;Sienso et al, 2014;Tambo, 2010) there are no similar studies conducted to measure technical efficiency in sorghum production in the area of study. Thus this study has tried to ascertain information for policy implementation by identifying factors that are associated with technical efficiency in sorghum production in the Garu district of the Upper East region of Ghana.…”