@article{Assa:157511,
      recid = {157511},
      author = {Assa, Maganga Mulagha and Edriss, Abdi-Khalil and  Matchaya, Greenwell C.},
      title = {Cost efficiency, Morishima, Allen-Uzawa and Cross-Price  elasticities among Irish potato farmers in Dedza district,  Malawi},
      address = {2012},
      number = {634-2016-41522},
      pages = {15},
      year = {2012},
      abstract = {Malawi has experienced a forward shift in its demand for  Irish potato (Solanum tuberosum)
consumption. Given limited  resources at farmers’ disposal, meeting the growing demand  will
require farmers to follow the efficient path of the  farm production resources. This paper, therefore,
is an  attempt to measure the cost efficiency of smallholder Irish  potato farmers in Dedza district
of Malawi using a translog  cost function, inefficiency effect model and input  elasticities derived
from a system of cost share equations  estimated by Iterated Seeming Unrelated Regression
method.  A multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select  200 Irish potato farmers
in Dedza in 2011 from whom  input-output data and their prices were obtained. Results  indicate
that the mean cost efficiency of Irish potato  production in Dedza District is 0.67 with scores
ranging  between 0.15 and 0.94. The cost efficiency differences are  significantly explained by
non-farm employment, education,  credit access, farm experience, degree of  specialization,
household size and frequency of weeding.  The highest input substitution existed between labour
and  fertilizer, followed by seed-fertilizer. One policy issue  is raised; credit should be extended
to Irish potato  farmers to enable them purchase farm inputs.},
      url = {http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/157511},
      doi = {https://doi.org/10.22004/ag.econ.157511},
}