Factors affecting the technical efficiency among smallholder farmers in the slash and burn agriculture zone of Cameroon

This paper estimates technical efficiency among small holder farmers in the slash and burn agriculture zone of Cameroon and identifies sources of inefficiency using detailed survey data obtained from 450 farmers over 15 villages throughout 2001/2002 growing season. We find that the mean levels of technical efficiency are 77%, 73% and 75%, respectively, for groundnut monocrop, maize monocrop and maize-groundnut farming systems suggesting existence of substantial gains in output and/or decreases in cost with available technology and resources. The efficiency differences are explained significantly by credit, soil fertility, social capital, distance of the plot from the access road and extension services. Policy recommendations are drawn from these findings. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.