Socio-economic factors affecting technical efficiency of potato production in Kenya.

Abstract

Potato, Solanum tuberosum L., is one of the most important staple crops in Kenya. It has high potential for production. However, production does not meet the growing demand. There is need to analyze socio-economic factors affecting the technical efficiency of potato production in Kenya survey was conducted among 105 households using semi-structured questionnaires. Stochastic frontiers regression approach was used to analyze data. The mean technical efficiency index was estimated at 78.9% of efficiency of production and thus inefficiency of 21.1% . This meant that farmers had 21.1% scope of increasing the potato production by using current technology. The inefficiency parameter estimate indicated three socio-economic and institutional factors namely, education level, access to extension services, and access to credit, as having significant effect on technical efficiency.