Rural institutions and the technical efficiency of teff production in Ethiopia

We examine the effect of rural institutions on plot-level technical efficiency of teff production. We account for differences in production technology, access to the market, plot characteristics, and weather shocks across plots and investigate the robustness of the effects of rural institutions on t...

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Main Authors: Hailu, Getu, Weersink, Alfons, Minten, Bart
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: Elsevier 2025
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/170104
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author Hailu, Getu
Weersink, Alfons
Minten, Bart
author_browse Hailu, Getu
Minten, Bart
Weersink, Alfons
author_facet Hailu, Getu
Weersink, Alfons
Minten, Bart
author_sort Hailu, Getu
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description We examine the effect of rural institutions on plot-level technical efficiency of teff production. We account for differences in production technology, access to the market, plot characteristics, and weather shocks across plots and investigate the robustness of the effects of rural institutions on technical efficiency across various specifications. Using a large and detailed cross-section of teff plots, we find that teff output could be increased by approximately 25 percent with the available inputs and technology through improved technical efficiency. The magnitude of technical inefficiency is robust to alternative functional forms and variable specifications. Community discussion groups and distance to the nearest agricultural co-operative have a positive relationship with technical efficiency, highlighting their potential to enhance agricultural productivity. However, we find limited evidence on the relationship between co-operative membership, visits with extension and technical efficiency of teff producers. Our results show that when studying the impact of new programs and policies in agriculture, it is important to look beyond just whether farmers are members of co-operatives. We might consider other factors, such as how much access they have to co-operative services. It is crucial for policymakers to consider implementing targeted interventions to share information on best management practices and agricultural technologies in order to address the efficiency gap in teff production. JEL classification: D02, D24, C54, P13, N57
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publishDate 2025
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spelling CGSpace1701042025-12-19T19:10:17Z Rural institutions and the technical efficiency of teff production in Ethiopia Hailu, Getu Weersink, Alfons Minten, Bart extension productivity rural areas technology teff We examine the effect of rural institutions on plot-level technical efficiency of teff production. We account for differences in production technology, access to the market, plot characteristics, and weather shocks across plots and investigate the robustness of the effects of rural institutions on technical efficiency across various specifications. Using a large and detailed cross-section of teff plots, we find that teff output could be increased by approximately 25 percent with the available inputs and technology through improved technical efficiency. The magnitude of technical inefficiency is robust to alternative functional forms and variable specifications. Community discussion groups and distance to the nearest agricultural co-operative have a positive relationship with technical efficiency, highlighting their potential to enhance agricultural productivity. However, we find limited evidence on the relationship between co-operative membership, visits with extension and technical efficiency of teff producers. Our results show that when studying the impact of new programs and policies in agriculture, it is important to look beyond just whether farmers are members of co-operatives. We might consider other factors, such as how much access they have to co-operative services. It is crucial for policymakers to consider implementing targeted interventions to share information on best management practices and agricultural technologies in order to address the efficiency gap in teff production. JEL classification: D02, D24, C54, P13, N57 2025-06 2025-01-27T16:26:08Z 2025-01-27T16:26:08Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/170104 en Open Access Elsevier Hailu, Getu; Weersink, Alfons; and Minten, Bart. 2025. Rural institutions and the technical efficiency of teff production in Ethiopia. Journal of Co-operative Organization and Management 13(1): 100259. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcom.2024.100259
spellingShingle extension
productivity
rural areas
technology
teff
Hailu, Getu
Weersink, Alfons
Minten, Bart
Rural institutions and the technical efficiency of teff production in Ethiopia
title Rural institutions and the technical efficiency of teff production in Ethiopia
title_full Rural institutions and the technical efficiency of teff production in Ethiopia
title_fullStr Rural institutions and the technical efficiency of teff production in Ethiopia
title_full_unstemmed Rural institutions and the technical efficiency of teff production in Ethiopia
title_short Rural institutions and the technical efficiency of teff production in Ethiopia
title_sort rural institutions and the technical efficiency of teff production in ethiopia
topic extension
productivity
rural areas
technology
teff
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/170104
work_keys_str_mv AT hailugetu ruralinstitutionsandthetechnicalefficiencyofteffproductioninethiopia
AT weersinkalfons ruralinstitutionsandthetechnicalefficiencyofteffproductioninethiopia
AT mintenbart ruralinstitutionsandthetechnicalefficiencyofteffproductioninethiopia