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Integrating Soil Sciences into Agricultural Production Frontiers

Author

Listed:
  • Ekbom, Anders

    (Department of Economics, School of Business, Economics and Law, Göteborg University)

  • Alem, Yonas

    (Department of Economics, School of Business, Economics and Law, Göteborg University)

  • Sterner, Thomas

    (Department of Economics, School of Business, Economics and Law, Göteborg University)

Abstract
This paper integrates soil science variables into an economic analysis of agricultural output among small-scale farmers in Kenya’s highlands. The integration is valuable because farmers’ choice of inputs depends on both the status of the soil and socio-economic conditions. The study uses a stochastic production frontier in which the individual farm’s distance to the frontier depends systematically on individual factors. We show the importance of including key soil properties and find that phosphorus has a negative output elasticity, suggesting that farms may be using the wrong fertilizer mix. Hence, the central policy implication is that while fertilizers are generally beneficial, their application needs to be based on better soil information. This highlights the importance of strengthening agricultural extension, increased access to markets, and more diversified supply of production inputs.

Suggested Citation

  • Ekbom, Anders & Alem, Yonas & Sterner, Thomas, 2012. "Integrating Soil Sciences into Agricultural Production Frontiers," Working Papers in Economics 550, University of Gothenburg, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:gunwpe:0550
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/2077/31781
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Esther Duflo & Michael Kremer & Jonathan Robinson, 2008. "How High Are Rates of Return to Fertilizer? Evidence from Field Experiments in Kenya," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 98(2), pages 482-488, May.
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    5. Florent Kinkingninhoun-Mêdagbé & Aliou Diagne & Franklin Simtowe & Afiavi Agboh-Noameshie & Patrice Adégbola, 2010. "Gender discrimination and its impact on income, productivity, and technical efficiency: evidence from Benin," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 27(1), pages 57-69, March.
    6. Sherlund, Shane M. & Barrett, Christopher B. & Adesina, Akinwumi A., 2002. "Smallholder technical efficiency controlling for environmental production conditions," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 69(1), pages 85-101, October.
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    9. Gruhn, Peter & Goletti, Francesco & Yudelman, Montague, 2000. "Integrated nutrient management, soil fertility, and sustainable agriculture: current issues and future challenges," 2020 vision discussion papers 32, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
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    Cited by:

    1. Caviglia-Harris, Jill & Biggs, Trent & Ferreira, Elvino & Harris, Daniel W. & Mullan, Katrina & Sills, Erin O., 2021. "The color of water: The contributions of green and blue water to agricultural productivity in the Western Brazilian Amazon," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 146(C).
    2. Kyalo Willy, Daniel & Muyanga, Milu & Jayne, Thomas, 2019. "Can economic and environmental benefits associated with agricultural intensification be sustained at high population densities? A farm level empirical analysis," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 100-110.
    3. Chapoto, Antony & Sabasi, Darlington & Asante-Addo, Collins, "undated". "Fertilizer Intensification and Soil Fertility Impact on Maize Yield Response in Northern Ghana," 2015 AAEA & WAEA Joint Annual Meeting, July 26-28, San Francisco, California 205694, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    4. Sheahan, Megan & Black, Roy & Jayne, T.S., 2013. "Are Kenyan farmers under-utilizing fertilizer? Implications for input intensification strategies and research," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 39-52.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Soil analysis; stochastic production frontier; agricultural productivity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q02 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - Commodity Market
    • Q12 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Micro Analysis of Farm Firms, Farm Households, and Farm Input Markets

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