Does the inverse farm size productivity hypothesis hold for perennial monocrop systems in developing countries? Evidence from Kenya

The inverse farm size and productivity relationship (IR) is a recurring theme in the literature. However, most previous studies were undertaken within a setting of mixed cropping systems. In this article, we investigate the effect of farm size on productivity within the context of a perennial monocropping system, acute competition for farmland, frequent subdivision of farms and declining yields. We apply household survey data of smallholder tea farms in western Kenya and consider both technical efficiency (TE) and the yield per hectare as indicators of productivity. The findings show that the effect of farm size on productivity is nonlinear, with TE initially declining and then rising with farm size. The findings also demonstrate that the farm size and productivity relationship is important for perennial monocrops and that the use of robust measures of productivity is important for the IR. The findings have important implications for agricultural policy in developing countries.

Is change worth it? The effects of adopting modern agricultural inputs on household welfare in Rwanda

This study investigates the driving factors that influence farmers’ decisions to adopt modern agricultural inputs (MAI) and how this affects farm household welfare in rural Rwanda. To account for heterogeneity in the MAI adoption decision and unobservable farm and household attributes, we estimate an endogenous switching regression (ESR) model. The findings reveal that size of land endowment, access to farm credit and awareness of farm advisory services are the main driving forces behind MAI adoption. The analysis further shows that MAI adoption increases household farm income, farm yield and equivalised consumption per capita. This implies that adopting MAI is the most consistent and potentially best pathway to reduce poverty among rural farmers. The study hence suggests that policymakers should align the effective dissemination of MAI information and farm advisory services, strengthen farm credit systems and improve market access – most crucially at affordable prices – among small-farmers throughout Rwanda.

Influence of weather shocks and coping strategies on food consumption: Evidence from rural Niger

Weather is an important determinant of household well-being in rural Sub-Saharan Africa. This paper explores the relationship between novel measures of cropping-season weather conditions and household food consumption in rural Niger, and how household coping mechanisms mediate that relationship. We employ a panel logit model to show that the normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) and extreme heat degree day (EHDD) measures are associated with subjective self-reporting of drought in a panel dataset of 2 264 households. We then show, with a household fixed-effects panel model, that low NDVI and high EHDD measures are associated with significant decreases in household per capita food consumption. Household coping strategies, such as the disbursement of savings, temporary migration of a family member, and the adoption of heat-resistant agricultural technologies, are found to partially mitigate, but not fully alleviate, the negative effects of weather shocks on consumption. More comprehensive coping mechanisms are needed to improve household resilience to weather shocks.

Are integrated livestock disease-management practices complements or substitutes? The case of AAT control in rural Ethiopia

Livestock, particularly cattle, are an integral part of livelihoods in rural sub-Saharan Africa. However, diseases such as African animal trypanosomosis (AAT) have limited the potential of this important sector in the rural household economy. Using a representative sample of small-scale cattle farmers, this study investigates the adoption of modern AAT-management technologies in rural Ethiopia. Specifically, this study investigatesthe adoption of so-called ‘best-bet technologies’ (BBTs), recommended by veterinary experts as complementary measures to manage AAT. The results show that the multiple adoption of BBTs was low. In addition, BBTs were adopted as substitutes, and not as complements as suggested by veterinary experts. The results suggest budgetary constraints are proxied by wealth, and information asymmetry explains the substitution effects. The training and reeducation of veterinary personnel, as well as programmes and interventions that would improve access to livestock-management inputs, should be pursued vigorously by policy makers to increase the adoption of modern AAT-management technologies to improve cattle productivity.

Complement or substitute: Private investment, public expenditure and agricultural productivity in Nigeria

This study examines the complementarity and substitutability effect of private investment and public expenditure on agricultural productivity in Nigeria for the period 1978 to 2018. The study employs the vector error correction modelling (VECM) technique, and the estimate shows that government expenditure on the agricultural sector had the most significant effect on agricultural productivity, followed by commercial bank credit for the agricultural sector. Also, the study found that public expenditure (proxied by government expenditure on the agricultural sector) and private investment (proxied by commercial bank credit for the agricultural sector) are complementary investments in promoting agricultural productivity, while public expenditure on the agricultural sector and foreign direct investment are substitute investments. The study recommends that budgetary allocation to the agricultural sector should be increased, and that commercial banks should be strengthened through the monetary authority by advancing more loans to agricultural businessmen and businesswomen at a reduced lending rate.

Unconditional factor demands and supply response for livestock products: A farm-level analysis of the Southern Rangelands of Kenya

This paper evaluates output supply and input factor demands for livestock products in the Southern rangelands of Kenya. A flexible translog profit function that permits the application of the primal approach to the output supply and factor demand analysis was estimated using household-level data. The results indicate that the own-price elasticities of supply for cattle, sheep and goats were all positive. The own-price elasticities for the supply of sheep and goat products were elastic, while the own-price elasticities for the supply of cattle products wasinelastic. Cross-price and scale elasticities were found to be within the inelastic range in all cases, with goat production complementing both cattle and sheep production. All factor input demand elasticities for cattle, sheep and goats had the expected negative sign and were inelastic. These results offer a valuable opportunity for the development of pro-pastoral price policies that reduce factor market imperfections and thus enhance livestock productivity in the rangelands of Kenya.

Assessing the Contribution of Climate-smart Agriculture Practices on the Resilience of Maize Farmers in Bungoma County, Kenya

Climate variability threatens farmers’ livelihoods. Efforts to address climate stress recognise climate-smart agriculture (CSA) as a promising approach to minimising the damage caused by increasing weather variability. However, the effect of CSA practices on the resilience of maize farmers in the face of climate variability is not well understood. This study assesses the effects of CSA practices on the resilience of maize farmers. Using primary data from 250 randomly sampled maize farmers in Kenya, a resilience index was generated and then analysed using a structural equation model. The results show that CSA practices increase the resilience of farmers, suggesting enhanced resilience to climate variability. CSA practices improve farmers’ food security and welfare, and their adoption should be promoted.

Heterogeneity in consumer preferences for organic and genetically modified food products in Ghana

Consumers are increasingly becoming very concerned about food safety, with many giving preference to organic food products over conventional food products, which make use of agrochemicals with potential implications for health. Furthermore, to make the food choice decisions even more complex, genetically modified (GM) foods have been introduced in an attempt to meet global food demand. Consumers therefore must make decisions regarding organic and GM foods. This paper investigates consumer heterogeneity for organic and GM tomatoes in Ghana using advanced discrete choice modelling techniques. The data for empirical application come from a choice experimental study conducted among 200 consumers in Ghana. Our econometric modelling revealed that the sampled consumers preferred organic tomatoes that are produced locally and certified by the Food and Drugs Authority. However, we find a likelihood that women and older consumers may have preferences for GM tomatoes with environmental and health benefits. Policy implications are drawn from the findings of the study.

Gender-differentiated stochastic meta-frontier analysis of production technology heterogeneity among smallholder cassava farmers in Ghana

This paper assesses the differences in technical efficiency of, and the cassava production systems employed by, male-managed (MMF) and female-managed (FMF) cassava farms in the Fanteakwa District of Ghana. The study employs the translog stochastic meta-frontier model to analyse data obtained from 300 randomly selected smallholder cassava farmers and finds an average metafrontier technical efficiency (MTE) of 0.06 and 0.03 among MMF and FMF respectively. The technology gap ratios (TGR) are 0.25 and 0.04 for the MMF and FMF respectively. The results suggest that both MMFs and FMFs are technically inefficient. However, the production technology operated on MMFs is relatively superior to that operated on FMFs, as shown by the relatively higher TGR for MMFs. The results also reveal that proximity to markets, extension access, off-farm economic activities and formal education are the major contributors to the technical efficiency of the farmers.

Foodborne diseases and food safety in sub-Saharan Africa: Current situation of three representative countries and policy recommendations for the region

This article examines the current state of food safety preparedness and response in three representative countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA): Kenya, Senegal and South Africa. We focus on foodborne diseases associated with the microbial contamination of animal-sourced foods. The results of our analysis indicate that governments in all three countries have official programmes to limit foodborne diseases and mitigate the effects of outbreaks. However, the population in these three countries continues to experience a high burden of foodborne diseases, and knowledge of the specific causes and mitigation of these diseases in SSA is lacking. Furthermore, there is a need for more and better food safety education programming, as we found no study that has collected a representative sample to estimate the level of public awareness of foodborne pathogens in any of the three countries studied. Evidence also suggests that institutional capacity around food safety in both the public and private sectors is insufficient due to limited financial investment and technical capacity. We end by providing suggestions for improving food safety preparedness and response in the region.