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Assessing technical efficiency of traditional and hybrid maize farmers in Malawi

Thesis (MAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2023.

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Main Author: Shakankale, Kabanga Tabo
Other Authors: Mungatana, Eric Dada
Format: Thesis
Language:en_ZA
Published: Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University 2023
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access_status_str Open Access
author Shakankale, Kabanga Tabo
author2 Mungatana, Eric Dada
author_browse Mungatana, Eric Dada
Shakankale, Kabanga Tabo
author_facet Mungatana, Eric Dada
Shakankale, Kabanga Tabo
author_sort Shakankale, Kabanga Tabo
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv Stellenbosch University
description Thesis (MAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2023.
format Thesis
id oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/127302
institution Stellenbosch University (South Africa)
language en_ZA
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:46:29.473Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository
publishDate 2023
publishDateRange 2023
publishDateSort 2023
publisher Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
publisherStr Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
record_format dspace
source_str SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository
spelling oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/127302 Assessing technical efficiency of traditional and hybrid maize farmers in Malawi Shakankale, Kabanga Tabo Mungatana, Eric Dada Stellenbosch University. Faculty of AgriSciences. Dept. of Agricultural Economics. (Corn or) maize -- Production economics agricultural -- Malawi Maize -- Production control -- Malawi Corn -- Yields -- Malawi Agricultural innovations -- Malawi UCTD Thesis (MAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2023. ENGLISH SUMMARY: The productivity of smallholder maize farmers in Malawi has remained relatively stagnant in recent years, despite the implementation of policies aimed at increasing production through the use of hybrid seed. This study aims to identify the factors that contribute to the productivity and efficiency of smallholder maize farmers in Malawi, with a focus on the role of hybrid seed adoption. Data from the Fifth Integrated Household Survey (IHS5) conducted in 2019-2020 was used, including information on output and input data for maize production as well as socio-economic variables. The study found that there was a significant difference in technical efficiency between hybrid and local maize seed farmers. Land, seed, and fertiliser were found to be output inelastic, suggesting that expanding the use of these inputs alone will have limited impact on increasing output. However, there was potential for increasing productivity by shifting production resources from local to hybrid maize. The inefficiency model revealed that several factors can contribute to increasing maize production efficiency in Malawi. These include addressing the gender gap in productivity by offering training and extension services specifically for female maize farmers and enhancing their access to credit and markets. Policy should also focus on supporting and encouraging younger or inexperienced farmers, as well as addressing any factors that may be contributing to a decline in technical efficiency among older farmers, such as age-related health issues, access to training and information, and limited access to markets. Overall, the study concludes that policy in Malawi should support the transition of maize farmers from local to hybrid production, such as providing access to improved seed and fertiliser, and promoting the benefits of hybrid maize production. Investments in education, infrastructure, and support services that improve market, extension, and credit access are also needed. In addition, more accurate measurement of labour input is needed to fully understand its contribution to output production. By addressing these issues, it is possible to increase the productivity and efficiency of smallholder maize farmers in Malawi, leading to increased food security and economic growth. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar. Masters 2023-03-06T11:13:06Z 2023-05-18T07:14:57Z 2023-03-06T11:13:06Z 2023-05-18T07:14:57Z 2023-03 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/127302 en_ZA Stellenbosch University x, 43 pages : illustrations application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
spellingShingle (Corn or) maize -- Production economics agricultural -- Malawi
Maize -- Production control -- Malawi
Corn -- Yields -- Malawi
Agricultural innovations -- Malawi
UCTD
Shakankale, Kabanga Tabo
Assessing technical efficiency of traditional and hybrid maize farmers in Malawi
title Assessing technical efficiency of traditional and hybrid maize farmers in Malawi
title_full Assessing technical efficiency of traditional and hybrid maize farmers in Malawi
title_fullStr Assessing technical efficiency of traditional and hybrid maize farmers in Malawi
title_full_unstemmed Assessing technical efficiency of traditional and hybrid maize farmers in Malawi
title_short Assessing technical efficiency of traditional and hybrid maize farmers in Malawi
title_sort assessing technical efficiency of traditional and hybrid maize farmers in malawi
topic (Corn or) maize -- Production economics agricultural -- Malawi
Maize -- Production control -- Malawi
Corn -- Yields -- Malawi
Agricultural innovations -- Malawi
UCTD
url http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/127302
work_keys_str_mv AT shakankalekabangatabo assessingtechnicalefficiencyoftraditionalandhybridmaizefarmersinmalawi