Abstract
This study analyzed the factors influencing the technical efficiency of maize production among large-scale farms in Tanzania, using data from the 2019/2020 National Sample Census of Agriculture. Analytical methods included correlation analysis, multiple linear regression, and the stochastic frontier production function. Correlation results showed strong positive relationships between maize output and the costs of fertilizers (r=0.92), improved seeds (r=0.93), and modern machinery (r=0.89), while weaker correlations were observed with yield, agrochemical costs, and labor inputs. Regression analysis indicated that increased investment in improved seeds (1% increase leading to 63.1% rise in output), fertilizers (43.6%), and modern machinery (30.6%) significantly boosts maize production. Conversely, agrochemical costs and labor inputs negatively affected output, suggesting inefficiencies and possible misuse. Stochastic frontier results revealed that 48.69% of farmers operate with low technical efficiency (scores between 0.1 and 0.3), largely due to inadequate farm management, poor input access, and limited technical support. Around 43.46% fell into a moderate efficiency range (0.4–0.6), while only 7.85% were highly efficient (0.7–0.9). The study concluded that most large-scale maize farmers are not reaching optimal efficiency levels. It recommended enhancing access to fertilizers, improved seeds, and modern machinery through supportive policies and capacity building.
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