| dc.description.abstract | This study evaluates the technical efficiency (TE) of modern and traditional
irrigation methods and their subsequent impact on farm productivity, profitability, and
sustainability. The research uses a sample of 540 smallholder farmers from water stress
region of northern Tanzania. The study reveals significant differences between adopters of
modern irrigation techniques (MITs) and non-adopters using furrow irrigation: tomato
yield was 732.94 kg vs. 387.35 kg, onion yield was 2952.57 kg vs. 395.53 kg, and pepper
yield was 552.34 kg vs. 505.02 kg; input usage also varied, with adopters using 1.58 vs. 1.38
acres (tomatoes), 1.30 vs. 1.50 acres (onions), and 1.56 vs. 1.18 acres (peppers), as well as
differences in seed, fertilizer, and agrochemical quantities. Using Stochastic Frontier
Analysis (SFA), this study estimated the technical efficiency scores for farmers, the findings
reveal that land cultivated (β1=0.537, p=0.000) and fertilizer use (β3=0.353, p=0.000) were
significant drivers of productivity, indicating that increasing these inputs substantially
boosts agricultural output. In contrast, herbicide use negatively impacts productivity
(β6=−0.268, p=0.005), suggesting a need for more efficient or reduced usage of herbicides.
The inefficiency effects model highlights that farming experience (δ2=10.53, p=0.012)
positively influences technical efficiency, underscoring the value of practical expertise in
optimizing resource use. The technical efficiency of the farmers varies widely, with a mean
of 88.43%, a minimum of 45.28%, and a maximum of nearly 100%, suggesting room for
improvement in less efficient operations. The analysis of technical efficiency across
irrigation methods shows a significant advantage for modern irrigation techniques over
furrow irrigation. For onions, sprinkler irrigation achieved a mean technical efficiency of
0.928 (p=0.000) compared to 0.589 under furrow irrigation. Similarly, for tomatoes, drip
irrigation resulted in a mean efficiency of 0.850, substantially higher than 0.430 for furrow
irrigation (p=0.000). For peppers, drip irrigation also outperformed furrow irrigation with
mean efficiencies of 0.813 and 0.338, respectively (p=0.000). The study also revealed that
while traditional irrigation methods had lower efficiency scores, proper management of
resources such as fertilizers and pest control was crucial in mitigating inefficiency. The
results highlight the importance of efficient farm management practices, including the use
of appropriate technologies and optimized resource allocation, in achieving higher technical
efficiency. The study recommends targeted subsidies, capacity-building programs,
improved infrastructure, and public-private partnerships to promote the adoption of
modern irrigation technologies among smallholder farmers. | en_US |
