A comparative analysis of the technical efficiency of common bean production in Uganda: a non-parametric approach

Abstract

The study compared the technical efficiency of common bean production in Uganda. The study aimed at achieving the following objectives: to estimate and compare the technical efficiency of common bean production in Uganda at both Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institutes (ZARDI) and district levels, to identify the most efficient and inefficient decision making units (DMUs) in common bean production and establish benchmarks for performance improvement, to analyze the relative contribution of key inputs to efficiency using slack and shadow price analysis. Secondary data was used from the 2020 National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) survey covering 706 bean farmers across 27 districts. The study employed the output-oriented Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model, which provides answers to two fundamental questions: which DMUs perform better than others, and what is required to make inefficient DMUs efficient. Sensitivity analysis was conducted through benchmarks, shadow prices, and slack analysis to address the second objective. Benchmark analysis established efficient references for the inefficient DMUs to emulate. Shadow price analysis revealed the marginal contribution of critical inputs to overall efficiency, while slack analysis highlighted areas of underutilized capacity. For instance, Mukono ZARDI exhibited considerable surplus in hired labour, pesticides, and inorganic fertilizers, suggesting inefficiencies in resource allocation. Inefficient districts similarly showed excess capacity in acreage, labour, herbicides, pesticides, organic manure, and inorganic fertilizers. Findings revealed that, among the ZARDIs, Mukono ZARDI was the only inefficient unit, operating at 59%. At district level, Bugiri, Bukomansimbi, Bulambuli, Kabale, Kiboga, Kikuube, Kole, Kyankwanzi, Lira, Lwengo, Mityana, Mubende, Nakaseke, Omoro, Rukiga, Sironko, Tororo and Yumbe were identified as inefficient, indicating operations below 100% capacity. The study concludes that inefficiencies in common bean production are largely due to underutilization of inputs. It recommends redistributing and optimizing inputs, enhancing farmers’ knowledge through training and extension services, facilitating adoption of improved technologies, and promoting efficient resource use. These measures will improve productivity and strengthen common bean production in Uganda. Subject keywords; Bean production, Uganda