Análise da eficiência da produção de milho nas pequenas explorações agrícolas do sul de Moçambique

Abstract

This study analyzes the efficiency of maize production in small farms in southern Mozambique. As specific objectives, the study presents: to estimate the technical efficiency (ET), allocative (EA) and economic (EE) indices of maize production in small farms in southern Mozambique; analyze the variables that influence the technical allocative and economic efficiency of maize productivity in small farms in Mozambique. The study focuses on 316 small farms in southern Mozambique (Maputo, Gaza and Inhambane provinces) that produce maize. In terms of methodology, a production frontier was estimated based on the maximum likelihood technique and the technical, allocative and economic efficiency indices were estimated based on the cost model proposed by Kopp and Diewert and with the help of the FRONTIER software version 4.2. The effects of: access to information and extension; use of animal traction, sex of the head of the household and the educational level of the head of the household in efficiency were analyzed based on the multiple linear regression equation. The results showed that the average technical, allocative and economic efficiency indices are respectively 42%, 21% and 10%. Producers with access to extension services, those at the secondary level and those who do not use animal traction have higher rates of economic efficiency. The use of traction has significant negative effects on technical efficiency benefiting producers who do not use animal traction. The sex of the head of the household or the fact that the producer is illiterate or at primary level does not bring significant differences in ET, EA and EE. allocative effects. The results also show the great importance of information and extension services and the level of education for improving the levels of technical, allocative and economic efficiency, without, however, neglecting the investment.