@article{Mkhabela:31696,
      recid = {31696},
      author = {Mkhabela, Thulasizwe S.},
      title = {Technical efficiency in a vegetable based mixed-cropping  sector in Tugela Ferry, Msinga District, KwaZulu-Natal},
      journal = {Agrekon},
      address = {2005-06},
      number = {346-2016-15948},
      pages = {18},
      year = {2005},
      abstract = {Vegetable production constitutes an important sub-sector  of the agricultural economy of KwaZulu-Natal. Most  vegetables are cultivated in mixed-cropping types of  farming systems. The technical efficiency of vegetable  based cropping systems was estimated in order to identify  the potential increase in production without incurring  additional costs. The factors affecting technical  efficiency and constraints and potential of the cropping  system were also investigated. A field survey was conducted  covering 120 vegetable farmers in the irrigated Tugela  Ferry scheme and dryland farming sector in Msinga district  during October to December 2003. According to a stochastic  frontier production function using a Cobb-Douglas model,  hired labour, organic fertilizer, inorganic fertilizer,  area harvested and soil fertility maintenance cost showed  significant positive effects on vegetable production. The  mean technical efficiency of the vegetable based cropping  systems was 84.32%. According to the inefficiency model the  efficiency increased significantly as a result of farm  visits by extension officers, participation in farmer  training, less sloping lands, more experience, and higher  diversity of the vegetable system. Technical efficiency  decreased, however, with higher education level of the  farmer and with higher off-farm income. Farm income is low  due to low productivity, market constraints, lack of  technology, and institutionally related constraints.  Environmental conditions in the Msinga district are such  that a high value crops can be grown with an adequate  supply of irrigation water. There is a good possibility for  stepping up production of these crops in marginal lands  through appropriate crop diversification.},
      url = {http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/31696},
      doi = {https://doi.org/10.22004/ag.econ.31696},
}