Reap when you sow? The productivity impacts of early sowing in Malawi,Agricultural Systems

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Reap when you sow? The productivity impacts of early sowing in Malawi
Agricultural Systems ( IF 6.1 ) Pub Date : 2022-04-25 , DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2022.103412
Eric S. Owusu ₁ , Boris E. Bravo-Ureta ₂

Affiliation

CONTEXT

The timely sowing of groundnut is a crucial management practice for attaining higher productivity in rainfed farming systems as is the case in Malawi. However, much of the evidence comes from agronomic field trials that present different production conditions than those faced by farmers.

OBJECTIVE

We exploit variation in groundnut sowing dates on actual farmer plots in central Malawi to evaluate technology and technical efficiency (TE) gaps, and frontier yield differentials associated with early sowing.

METHODS

We address bias from observables through statistical matching and from unobservables through the selectivity-corrected stochastic production frontier (SC-SPF) model. A semi-parametric stochastic metafrontier (SMF) technique is then applied to address technology differences and TE comparisons.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The SC-SPF and SMF frameworks are both supported by the data, and early sowing leads to larger gains in output through an outward shift in the production frontier, suggesting better access to the best practice technology. Farmers that sow early also exhibit higher managerial performance. Productivity gains are enjoyed by various groups such as male and younger farmers, and those with exposure to supply driven agricultural extension.

SIGNIFICANCE

The findings provide clear support to early sowing as an attractive option for smallholder productivity enhancement and higher food security. Results lend strong empirical evidence of the benefits of early sowing in Malawian groundnut farming.

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