Review on Technical Efficiency of maize Production in Ethiopia

Abstract

The economy of Ethiopia is based on agriculture. Maize (Zea mays) is one of the most important food crops produced by smallholder farmers in Ethiopia and accounted for 28% of total grain production during the 2011/12 Meher season. However, low production and productivity characterizes Ethiopian maize production. The low levels of maize productivity may be the result of technical inefficiencies. Therefore the objective of this review is to review level of technical efficiency and assess the source of technical efficiency in Ethiopia. The review suggested the presence of considerable levels of technical inefficiency in maize productivity. From the empirical estimation,  important variables affecting the technical efficiency were found Agro-ecology, oxen holding, farm size and use of high yielding maize varieties, sex, age, membership to cooperatives, training, distance to extension agents and main market, credit, family size, livestock and off-farm income. The most important factor to promote production efficiency is probably access to credit.

DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/84-03