Abstract:
This paper estimated the technical efficiency of rice production under
irrigation system in Gihanga, Burundi and attempted to unravel the
determinants of technical inefficiency. A Cobb-Douglas stochastic frontier
production function was used. The study showed that the average of
technical efficiency was 73%. This meant that technical inefficiency of 27%
constituted a challenge to overcome by the rice producers in Gihanga.
According to Cobb-Douglas model, inorganic fertilizer and pesticide
applications showed significant positive and negative effects on production
function respectively. The inefficiency model revealed that technical
efficiency increased significantly as result of experience but decreased with
age of rice producers. There was room to expand rice production through
appropriate farmers’ training and timely pesticide delivery. Besides, the
extension service should be aware of the experienced farmers as a resource
with potentials to train the less experienced ones and focus their attentions on
the aged farmers.