The Effect of Training on Cattle Farmers’ Productivity and Efficiency: A Case of Kunene region, Namibia
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Date
2020-02
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Namibia University of Science and Technology
Abstract
Despite the importance of cattle and the enormous economic contribution to the country,
communal cattle farmers seldom earn increased return on investment because of their
adherence to their traditional system of farming. Such as outdated animal husbandry practices,
high stocking rate, high breeding ratio or no bull in the herd and the sale of old stock (10 years
and above) instead of younger cattle (heifers and tollies) that have potential to fetch premium
price from the market. The use of traditional animal husbandry practice is due to the lack of
appropriate farming knowledge and skills. Sometimes, there are financial limitations to source
required production inputs that can enhance productivity and efficiency. Therefore, this impact
not only on farmer’s sustainability but on meat supply in the country. However, this
compromises the country’s food security agenda. To this end, Developmental projects funded
by Germany Government (GIZ) and Agribank of Namibia amongst others have implemented
capacity building for farmers to complement the Directorate of Agricultural Production
Engineering and Extension Services (DAPEES). The project aim was to enhance farmer’s skills and
knowledge to enable them to upscale their farm productivity and efficiency as well as
strengthen their capacity to withstand climate change challenges (E.g. drought). Thus, this study
investigates whether training intervention improved farm productivity and efficiency and
identify ways in which the cattle farmers can improve. The study shows that a significant
number of cattle farmers that received training adopted the best cattle husbandry practices
such as appropriate tagging, castration, proper deworming and vaccination amongst others.
Thus, the result shows that the calving percentage and offtake rate (number of heads sold per
annum) for trained farmers exceed that of their peers (untrained farmers). This paper used a
treatment effect model to determine the causal relationship between training and farm
productivity. Estimators such as Regression Adjustment (RA), Inverse‐Probability Weighted
(IPW) regression, the Augmented Inverse Propensity Weighted (AIPW) estimator and Inverse
Probability Weighted Regression Adjustment (IPWRA) estimator were used to estimate the
treatment effects of training on offtake rate). Estimation was based on survey data obtained by
interviewing 212 cattle farmers from various districts of Kunene Region, Namibia. One
treatment level used for this study was training (Treatment is coded as one if a farmer is trained,
zero otherwise). The result shows that farmers who were trained had Potential Outcome Mean
(POM) sales of 176 cattle per annum compared to the untrained farmers who had a POM of 92
cattle. In addition, a Stochastic Frontier Analysis model (SFA) was fit to determine the factors
that contribute to inefficiencies in cattle production. The study shows that as farmers get older,
they get more experience and efficient in cattle production. However, farm type (full time or
part‐time) and family size also reduce inefficiencies in cattle production. This was attributed to
the fact that; full‐time farmers spend more time on the farm and could closely supervise and
monitor their farming enterprises. In addition, large household size tends to complete farm
activities on time using less man/days. The constant return to scale was as well determined
using capital and labour as factors of production. However, for labour, it was accepted, and
reject that of capital (capital invested in production cost) as the coefficient for capital is less than
one. This could be attributed to the multi‐purpose of farming observed in Kunene region other than for commercial reasons. Thus, family members are utilised as farmworkers, and farmers do not attach value/cost to this factor of production. Thus, farm capital could be used for other personal reasons, other than just production. Overall, the study found that as farmers age, they get more experienced, and become more
productive and efficient in their cattle production ceteris paribus.
Description
Keywords
Training, cattle farmers, productivity, efficiency, treatment effect, production frontier.
Citation
Abraham, E.M.(2020). The Effect of Training on Cattle Farmers’ Productivity and Efficiency: A Case of Kunene region, Namibia. [Unpublished Master's thesis]. Namibia University of Science and Technology.