Factors Influencing Technical Efficiency in Cashew Nut Production

  • Koech R.K Pwani University
  • Nyangweso P.M Moi University
  • Mwakubo S.M Pwani University
DOI: https://doi.org/10.53555/bm.v2i9.1484
Keywords: technical efficiency,, extension access, gender

Abstract

The agricultural sector is an important pillar of the coastal economy. Cashew nuts production is
widely practiced in Kilifi County. Cashew farming faces several challenges among them pests
and diseases. Given a set of inputs, an economic agent will either be efficient or inefficient.
There are several factors, both internal and external that may determine the level of operation by
a farmer. To determine the factors influencing the technical efficiency level of a farmer a twostage
stochastic frontier analysis was done. The first stage generated efficiency scores for each
famer which were then regressed against famers characteristics in the second stage. The results
of the second stage regression are presented in this paper. The size of the household, gender and
availability of extension services were found to positively influence the technical efficiency of a

farmer. Gender sensitive policies should therefore be formulated and implemented as a way of
assisting farmers attain higher level of efficiency. Intensification of extension service will also
see an improvement in farmers’ level of efficiency.

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Author Biographies

Koech R.K, Pwani University

1Department of Business Management and Economics, Pwani University

Nyangweso P.M, Moi University

Department of Agricultural Economics and Resource Management, Moi University

Mwakubo S.M, Pwani University

Department of Crops Science, Pwani University

Published
2016-09-30
How to Cite
R.K, K., P.M, N., & S.M, M. (2016). Factors Influencing Technical Efficiency in Cashew Nut Production. IJRDO - Journal of Business Management, 2(9), 301-1. https://doi.org/10.53555/bm.v2i9.1484
Issue
Vol. 2 No. 9 (2016): IJRDO - Journal of Business Management
Section
Articles

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