IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/ags/qjiage/210310.html

Technical Efficiency in Producing Cashew Nuts in Benin’s Savanna Zone, West Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Degla, Pamphile

Abstract

In Benin, cashew nut represents the second major cash crop after the cotton. It is, therefore, an important source of income in rural areas. Accordingly, we investigated in this paper, the technical efficiency of producers in the management of their cashew orchards. Data were collected on 180 randomly selected producers, in the Central and Northern parts of Benin. We adopted a Cobb-Douglas functional form to estimate a production function using a stochastic production frontier approach. Results show that the cashew nut production in Central and Northern Benin was not optimal. The average technical efficiency score of cashew nut producers was to 0.63 (minimum 0.10, maximum 0.88) with a modal class of [0.70–0.80]. According to these results, the cashew nuts production system in the current settings is very extensive and could be improved through intensive use of labor and capital.

Suggested Citation

  • Degla, Pamphile, 2015. "Technical Efficiency in Producing Cashew Nuts in Benin’s Savanna Zone, West Africa," Quarterly Journal of International Agriculture, Humboldt-Universitaat zu Berlin, vol. 54(2), pages 1-16, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:qjiage:210310
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.210310
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/210310/files/1_Degla.pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.22004/ag.econ.210310?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Finn Førsund & Lennart Hjalmarsson, 2004. "Are all Scales Optimal in DEA? Theory and Empirical Evidence," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 21(1), pages 25-48, January.
    2. Luis R. Murillo-Zamorano & Juan Vega-Cervera, "undated". "The Use of Parametric and Non Parametric Frontier Methods to Measure the Productive Efficiency in the Industrial Sector. A Comparative Study," Discussion Papers 00/17, Department of Economics, University of York.
    3. V Sena, 2003. "The Frontier Approach to the Measurement of Productivity and Technical Efficiency," Economic Issues Journal Articles, Economic Issues, vol. 8(2), pages 71-97, September.
    4. Debertin, David L., 2012. "Agricultural Production Economics, Second Edition," Monographs: Applied Economics, AgEcon Search, number 158319.
    5. Robert Thrall, 2000. "Measures in DEA with an Application to the Malmquist Index," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 13(2), pages 125-137, March.
    6. Dieter Gstach, 1996. "A new approach to stochastic frontier estimation: DEA+," Department of Economics Working Papers wuwp039, Vienna University of Economics and Business, Department of Economics.
    7. Khem R. Sharma & PingSun Leung & Halina M. Zaleski, 1999. "Technical, allocative and economic efficiencies in swine production in Hawaii: a comparison of parametric and nonparametric approaches," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 20(1), pages 23-35, January.
    8. Singh, Satbir & Coelli, Tim J. & Fleming, Euan M., 2000. "Efficiency and Productivity Analysis of Cooperative Dairy Plants in Haryana and Punjab States of India," Working Papers 12909, University of New England, School of Economics.
    9. Gerald Granderson & Carl Linvill, 1999. "Parametric and Nonparametric Approaches to Benchmarking the Regulated Firm," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 12(3), pages 211-231, November.
    10. W. Cooper & C. Lovell, 2000. "New Approaches to Measures of Efficiency in DEA: An Introduction," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 13(2), pages 91-92, March.
    11. Gstach, Dieter, 1996. "A new approach to stochastic frontier estimation: DEA+," Department of Economics Working Paper Series 39, WU Vienna University of Economics and Business.
    12. repec:ags:agsaem:158319 is not listed on IDEAS
    13. Martine Audibert, 1997. "Technical Inefficiency Effects Among Paddy Farmers in the Villages of the ‘Office du Niger’, Mali, West Africa," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 8(4), pages 379-394, November.
    14. Sharma, Khem R. & Leung, PingSun & Zaleski, Halina M., 1999. "Technical, allocative and economic efficiencies in swine production in Hawaii: a comparison of parametric and nonparametric approaches," Agricultural Economics, Blackwell, vol. 20(1), pages 23-35, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Boris Bravo-Ureta & Daniel Solís & Víctor Moreira López & José Maripani & Abdourahmane Thiam & Teodoro Rivas, 2007. "Technical efficiency in farming: a meta-regression analysis," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 27(1), pages 57-72, February.
    2. Engelbert Stockhammer & Paul Ramskogler, 2009. "Post-Keynesian economics How to move forward," European Journal of Economics and Economic Policies: Intervention, Edward Elgar Publishing, vol. 6(2), pages 227-246.
    3. Nguyen, Khac Minh & Giang, Thanh Long, 2009. "Efficiency Estimates for the Agricultural Production in Vietnam: A Comparison of Parametric and Non-parametric Approaches," Agricultural Economics Review, Greek Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 10(2), pages 1-17.
    4. Sokol, Ondřej & Frýd, Lukáš, 2023. "DEA efficiency in agriculture: Measurement unit issues," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).
    5. Scheierling, Susanne M. & Treguer, David O. & Booker, James F. & Decker, Elisabeth, 2014. "How to assess agricultural water productivity ? looking for water in the agricultural productivity and efficiency literature," Policy Research Working Paper Series 6982, The World Bank.
    6. Trond Bjorndal & Chandra Bahadur Adhikari, 2011. "Analyses of Technical Efficiency Using SDF and DEA Models: Evidence from Nepalese Agriculture," Post-Print hal-00708538, HAL.
    7. Engelbert Stockhammer & Lucas Grafl, 2010. "Financial Uncertainty and Business Investment," Review of Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(4), pages 551-568.
    8. Emile Blaise Siewe Pougoue & Ibrahim Manu & Innocent Adédédji Labiyi & Thiburce Bokossa, 2019. "Efficacité technique des exploitations avicoles productrices d’œufs au sud du Bénin," Post-Print halshs-01516234, HAL.
    9. Kinkingninhoun-Medagbe, Florent M. & Diagne, Aliou & Agboh-Noameshie, Afiavi R. & Adegbola, Patrice Ygue, 2008. "Gendered Impact of Irrigated Rice Schemes’ Governance on Farmers’ Income, Productivity and Technical Efficiency in Benin," 2007 Second International Conference, August 20-22, 2007, Accra, Ghana 52156, African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE).
    10. Engelbert Stockhammer & Paul Ramskogler, 2008. "Uncertainty and Exploitation in History," Journal of Economic Issues, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 42(1), pages 175-194, March.
    11. Silvia Rocha-Akis, 2006. "Labour tax policies and strategic offshoring under unionised oligopoly," Department of Economics Working Papers wuwp099, Vienna University of Economics and Business, Department of Economics.
    12. Harald Badinger & Ingrid Kubin, 2007. "Vom kurzfristigen zum mittelfristigen Gleichgewicht in einer offenen Volkswirtschaft unter fixen und flexiblen Wechselkursen," Department of Economics Working Papers wuwp101, Vienna University of Economics and Business, Department of Economics.
    13. František STŘELEČEK & Radek ZDENĚK & Jana LOSOSOVÁ, 2011. "Influence of production change on return to scale," Agricultural Economics, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 57(4), pages 159-168.
    14. J. Van Meensel & A. Kanora & L. Lauwers & J. Jourquin & L. Goossens & G. Van Huylenbroeck, 2010. "From research to farm: ex ante evaluation of strategic deworming in pig finishing," Veterinární medicína, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 55(10), pages 483-493.
    15. Ahmed, Yasin Esmael & Senbeta, Asfaw Negesse & Bukul, Bariso Bati & Dasalegn, Shimalis Gizachew, 2023. "Economic Efficiency of Onion Production in East Shewa Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia," Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics & Sociology, Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics & Sociology, vol. 41(1), pages 1-13.
    16. Nehring, Richard F. & Christensen, Lee A. & O'Donoghue, Erik J. & Sandretto, Carmen L., 2003. "Manure and Commercial Fertilizer Nutrients Relative to Cropland and Pasture Requirements: Is the Pollution Risk Growing on Corn/Livestock Farms?," 2003 Annual meeting, July 27-30, Montreal, Canada 21980, American Agricultural Economics Association (New Name 2008: Agricultural and Applied Economics Association).
    17. Nehring, Richard & Erickson, Kenneth & Michael, Harris & Hallahan, Charlie & Katchova, Ani, "undated". "Heartland, Southern Seaboard, and Prairie Gateway: A Farm-Level Analysis," 2016 Annual Meeting, July 31-August 2, Boston, Massachusetts 235666, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    18. Manevska-Tasevska, Gordana & Hansson, Helena, 2010. "Influence of rural development policy targets on farm efficiency: An efficiency study of labour intensive grape growing family farms," IAMO Forum 2010: Institutions in Transition – Challenges for New Modes of Governance 52696, Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Central and Eastern Europe (IAMO).
    19. Rudra Bahadur SHRESTHA & Wen-Chi HUANG & Shriniwas GAUTAM & Thomas Gordon JOHNSON, 2016. "Efficiency of small scale vegetable farms: policy implications for the rural poverty reduction in Nepal," Agricultural Economics, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 62(4), pages 181-195.
    20. Pasquale Commendatore & Ingrid Kubin & Carmelo Petraglia, 2009. "Footloose Capital and Productive Public Services," Chapters, in: Neri Salvadori & Pasquale Commendatore & Massimo Tamberi (ed.), Geography, Structural Change and Economic Development, chapter 1, Edward Elgar Publishing.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:ags:qjiage:210310. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: AgEcon Search (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://edirc.repec.org/data/iahubde.html .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.