Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to assess the technical efficiency of tomato farmers in the Ashanti region of Ghana using the stochastic frontier methodology. The study looked at the productivity levels of tomato farmers, examined the determinants of technical inefficiency of tomato farmers and analysed the constraints generally facing tomato production in the region. A total of 150 tomato farmers in three districts namely Offinso South, Offinso North and Asante Akim North in the Ashanti region were randomly selected for the study using a cross sectional data. The results of the study showed that improved seeds use, fertilizers, pesticides, labour and other costs have a positive relationship with output, hence an increase in any of them will increase output. An increasing returns to scale of 1.35 was also realized from the data analyzed from the region. A mean technical efficiency of 86% was achieved with the least being 35% and a maximum of 97% indicating room for improvement in their technical efficiency. Also, in the determination of technical inefficiency, household size, extension visits, years of experience in tomato farming and credit use were found to positively influence technical efficiency. Inaccessibility of credit facilities was found to be the major constraint faced by tomato farmers and the least was land acquisition and land tenure problems. The study concluded that on average, tomato famers are 14% below the frontier of production and can attain the maximum output when best farm practices are employed. Hence, these study led to the recommendation that farmers should be encouraged to adopt best agronomic practices especially with pesticide and fertilizer applications through extension advisory services as a way of improving their technical efficiency. Finally, Government should also show keen interest in enhancing agricultural credit schemes to make it more accessible to rural farmers in Ashanti Region of Ghana.
