Productivity gaps for 321 groundnut farmers from Uganda and Kenya were analysed using data from
the 2009 growing seasons. Farmers who planted improved varieties enjoyed output advantages of
143% in Uganda and 58.6% in Kenya over those who planted only local varieties. Farmers had a
mean technical efficiency of 54.6% in Uganda and 54.4% in Kenya. No significant differences were
found in the mean technical efficiencies of research and non-research farmers, and between maleand
female-managed plots. Productivity therefore could be enhanced if high-efficiency households
invest more in improved varieties and if low-efficiency households make better use of their existing
technology. Continued development of improved varieties will further shift the production frontier
outward. The apparent spill-over effect of the technical support received by research and nonresearch
farmers suggests that farmer education has a multiplier effect. An improvement in extension
service delivery could help to enhance the managerial skills of both farmer categories.
