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The efficiency of smallholder agriculture in Malawi

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  • Tchale, Hardwick

Abstract

This paper analyses Malawi’s smallholder agricultural efficiency, using a nationally representative sample survey of rural households undertaken by the National Statistical Office in 2004/2005. It aims to inform agricultural policy about the level and key determinants of inefficiency in the smallholder farming system that need to be addressed to raise productivity. The study found that the factors that improve efficiency are higher output prices relative to input costs, favorable commodity and input markets, farmers’ organizations, extension, productive assets, and the quantity and productivity of household labor. The wide range of inefficient practices suggests there is considerable scope for improving efficiency in the smallholder sub-sector. The paper concludes with policy implications that highlight ways to achieve this goal.

Suggested Citation

  • Tchale, Hardwick, 2009. "The efficiency of smallholder agriculture in Malawi," African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, African Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 3(2), pages 1-21, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:afjare:56909
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.56909
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    Cited by:

    1. Katengeza, Samson P. & Holden, Stein T. & Fisher, Monica, 2019. "Use of Integrated Soil Fertility Management Technologies in Malawi: Impact of Dry Spells Exposure," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 134-152.
    2. Cecil Togarepi & Benisiu Thomas & Namutenya Hilka Mika, 2024. "Why Goat Farming in Northern Communal Areas of Namibia Is not Commercialised: The Case of Ogongo Constituency," Journal of Sustainable Development, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 11(6), pages 236-236, July.
    3. Mgomezulu, Wisdom Richard & Machira, Kennedy & Edriss, Abdi-Khalil & Pangapanga-Phiri, Innocent & Chitete, Moses M.N., 2022. "Responding to inefficiencies on smallholder maize farms: Can sustained adoption of sustainable agricultural practices make a difference?," African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, African Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 17(4), December.
    4. Kapoor, Rajni & Das, Nimai, 2021. "A Pragmatic Study for Enhancing Agricultural Efficiency Through Labor Freedom," Asian Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development, Asian Economic and Social Society (AESS), vol. 11(04), January.
    5. repec:ilo:ilowps:461444 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Ghosh, Chandralekha & Mazumdar, Debdatta, 2018. "Factors Affecting Cost Efficiencies of Rice Production of Indian States: A Stochastic Frontier Approach," Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics, Indian Society of Agricultural Economics, vol. 73(02), April.
    7. Nhamo, Luxon & Matchaya, Greenwell & Nhemachena, Charles & van Koppen, Barbara, 2016. "The impact of investment in smallholder irrigation schemes on irrigation expansion and crop productivity in Malawi," African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, African Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 11(2), pages 1-13.
    8. Asfaw, Solomon & Savastano, Sara, 2015. "Topic: Building Resilience to Climate Change Through Social Protection and Climate-Smart Agriculture: Synergies and Trade-offs," 2015 Conference, August 9-14, 2015, Milan, Italy 210963, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    9. Magreta, Ruth & Edriss, Abdi-Khalil & Mapemba, Lawrence D. & Zingore, S., 2013. "Economic Efficiency of Rice Production in Smallholder Irrigation Schemes: A Case of Nkhate Irrigation Scheme in Southern Malawi," 2013 Fourth International Conference, September 22-25, 2013, Hammamet, Tunisia 161636, African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE).
    10. Asekenye, Cresenia & Bravo-Ureta, Boris E. & Deom, Mike & Kidula, Nelson & Okello, David Kalule & Okoko, Nasambu & Puppala, Naveen, 2016. "Productivity gaps among groundnut farmers in Kenya and Uganda: A stochastic production frontier analysis," African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, African Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 11(2), pages 1-16.
    11. Kelly Sharp & Hisham Zerriffi & Philippe Billon, 2020. "Land scarcity, resettlement and food security: Assessing the effect of voluntary resettlement on diet quality in Malawi," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 12(1), pages 191-205, February.
    12. Julien, Jacques C. & Bravo-Ureta, Boris E. & Rada, Nicholas E., 2019. "Assessing farm performance by size in Malawi, Tanzania, and Uganda," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 153-164.
    13. Bonabana-Wabbi, Jackline & Mugonola, B. & Ajibo, S. & Kirinya, J. & Kato, Edward & Kalibwani, R. & Kasenge, Valentine & Nyamwaro, S. & Tumwesigye, S. & Chiuri, W. & Mugabo, J. & Fungo, B. & Tenywa, M., 2013. "Agricultural profitability and technical efficiency: the case of pineapple and potato in SW Uganda," African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, African Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 8(3), pages 1-15, September.
    14. repec:mth:jbls88:v:14:y:2023:i:1:p:19-31 is not listed on IDEAS
    15. Koirala, Krishna H. & Mishra, Ashok K. & Sitienei, Isaac, 2015. "Farm Productivity and Technical Efficiency of Rural Malawian Households: Does Gender Make a Difference?," 2015 Annual Meeting, January 31-February 3, 2015, Atlanta, Georgia 196903, Southern Agricultural Economics Association.
    16. Anbes Tenaye, 2020. "Technical Efficiency of Smallholder Agriculture in Developing Countries: The Case of Ethiopia," Economies, MDPI, vol. 8(2), pages 1-27, April.
    17. Osei-Mensah, Isaac & Asante, Bright Owusu & Owusu, Victor & Donkor, Emmanuel & Boansi, David, 2021. "Productivity Differences in Small Scale Palm Oil Processors Using Different Processing Technologies in Ghana," 2021 Conference, August 17-31, 2021, Virtual 315850, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    18. Donkor, Emmanuel & Owusu, Victor, 2014. "Effects of land tenure systems on resource-use productivity and efficiency in Ghana’s rice industry," African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, African Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 9(4), pages 1-14, December.
    19. Magreta, Ruth, 2011. "Economic Efficiency of Rice Productionin Smallholder Irrigation Schemes: A Case of Nkhate Irrigation Scheme in Southern Malawi," Research Theses 198524, Collaborative Masters Program in Agricultural and Applied Economics.
    20. Asfaw, Solomon & McCarthy, Nancy & Paolantonio, Adriana & Cavatassi, Romina & Amare, Mulubrhan & Lipper, Leslie, 2015. "Diversification, Climate Risk and Vulnerability to Poverty: Evidence from Rural Malawi," 2015 Conference, August 9-14, 2015, Milan, Italy 230216, International Association of Agricultural Economists.

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    Keywords

    Farm Management;

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