Abstract:
This study examined the impact of the intervention of USAID/MARKETS on the productivity of the farmers and assess the extent to which the intervention has improved upon their maize productivity and livelihood. Multi-stage sampling technique was employed in the selection of the sample respondents. A total of 334 farmers were included in the study (237 participant farmers and 97 non participants representing 5% of the list of farmers selected at random. The data collected includes production and socio-economic data of the farmers. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis and inferential statistics such as Stochastic Frontier Production and Malmquist Productivity index. The economic efficiency scores exceeding 60% were attained by 51% of the participant farmers and 2% of the non-participant farmers. The results of the analysis generally imply that; the participant farmers were more economically efficient than the non- participant farmers. Considering the Malmquist Productivity index, the result of the analysis shows a progress in the total factor productivity growth of both categories of farmers with the MARKETS farmers having a higher growth rate of 71.8% as compared to 47.7% by the non-participant farmers. |
