Analysing the effects of access to tractor service on the technical efficiency of small-scale maize farmers in Mpumalanga province: a case study of the Masibuyele Emasimini programme

The main objective of this study is to analyse the effects of access to tractor service on the technical efficiency of small-scale maize farmers following the implementation of the Masibuyele Emasimini programme. Data collection was carried out in three districts of Mpumalanga Province and these include Ehlanzeni, Nkangala and Gert Sibande. Farmers producing maize were purposively selected for the study since maize is the most staple food produced in the province. The data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire administered to 101 farmers who were selected using a simple random technique. The data were further analysed using the descriptive statistics, logistic regression and Cobb- Douglas production function model. The study concluded that the farmers do have access to tractor service (73% of farmers in Ehlanzeni and 60% in both Nkangala and Gert Sibande). Farmers’ associations and irrigation are one of the most significant factors influencing the access to the tractor. The Cobb-Douglas model revealed a decreasing returns to scale for small-scale farmers producing maize in the province and operating at stage three of the production function. All average technical efficiency levels across variables were on the lower stage and not far from 0, and thus making farmers technically inefficient in the production of maize.