Starchy staples production shortfalls in Ghana: Technical inefficiency effects outweigh technological differences across ecologies.

ABSTRACT: Starchy staples are a major source of livelihood support for farmers, traders, and processors who participate in these crops' value chains, while also providing staple food to many people, especially the less affluent in society. Despite this position, the productivity figures of starchy staples are low. We use a unique data set and meta-frontier efficiency analysis to assess whether the production shortfalls of major starchy staple crops in Ghana could be attributed to technical inefficiency, technology gaps or both. Results show strong evidence of about 50% production shortfall for cassava, yam, cocoyam, and plantain. For cassava production, the Guinea Savannah zone has the most superior technology, with a technology gap ratio of 0.92, while yam production is more technically efficient i

SUBMITTER: Ansah IGK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10124864 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature