Level of Technical Efficiency in Maize Production in Uasin Gishu and Transzoia Counties in Kenya
Abstract
Maize is a vital staple crop in Kenya, essential to both food security and rural livelihoods, especially in key producing regions like Uasin Gishu and Transzoia Counties. Despite their potential, maize yields in these counties remain significantly below optimum levels-averaging 400,000 and 600,000 metric tons respectively, against potentials of 900,000 and 1,000,000 metric tons. This discrepancy signals inefficiencies in resource use among smallholder farmers. To investigate this issue, the study focused on assessing the level of technical efficiency in maize production and identifying the factors contributing to inefficiency. Rooted in the Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) framework and guided by the Cobb-Douglas production function, the study adopted a descriptive survey design. A sample of 274 farmers was selected from a target population of 16,300 using Cochran’s 1963 formula and stratified random sampling. Primary data were collected through structured, self-administered questionnaires. The results revealed that technical efficiency among farmers ranged from 0.75 to 0.91, with significant inefficiency driven by factors such as education level, farm size, and access to extension services. These findings indicate that productivity could be improved by up to 25% through more efficient resource utilization. The study recommends targeted policy interventions, including farmer training, expanded extension services, and improved access to modern inputs to enhance maize productivity and food security in the region.