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Technical innovation and farm productivity growth in dryland Africa: The effects of structural adjustment on smallholders in Kenya

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  • Nyariki, D.M.
  • Thirtle, Colin G.

Abstract

This paper uses non-parametric approach to measure technical innovation and productivity growth at the smallholder farm-level in dry-land sub-Saharan Africa during the initial years of the structural adjustment programmes for agriculture. Data from Kenya for two production years, 1991/2 and 1995/6 are used to construct a Malmquist productivity index. The results show that the rise in input prices led to reduced use of modern inputs, so that efficiency increased at 12% per year. However, lower use of modern varieties and less fertiliser also gave technological regression at 2.5% per annum, so that the overall outcome was productivity growth of 3% per annum. However, productivity improvement cannot be sustainable without technological progress.

Suggested Citation

  • Nyariki, D.M. & Thirtle, Colin G., 2000. "Technical innovation and farm productivity growth in dryland Africa: The effects of structural adjustment on smallholders in Kenya," Agrekon, Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA), vol. 39(4), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:agreko:54220
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.54220
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Frisvold, George & Ingram, Kevin, 1995. "Sources of agricultural productivity growth and stagnation in sub-Saharan Africa," Agricultural Economics, Blackwell, vol. 13(1), pages 51-61, October.
    2. Thirtle, Colin, et al, 1993. "Agricultural Productivity in Zimbabwe, 1970-90," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 103(417), pages 474-480, March.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Kibaara, Betty & Ariga, Joshua & Olwande, John & Jayne, Thom S., 2008. "Trends in Kenyan Agricultural Productivity: 1997-2007," Working Papers 202611, Egerton University, Tegemeo Institute of Agricultural Policy and Development.
    3. Ndung’u Kabare & Anne Wairimu Mwangi & Kenneth Wanjau, 2019. "Influence of Consumer Complaints Handling On Consumer Satisfaction in Dairy Milk Processors in Kenya," International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), Center for the Strategic Studies in Business and Finance, vol. 8(1), pages 36-49, January.

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