Economic efficiency of mango-based agroforestry systems for improved livelihoods in Buzaya county, Kamuli District.
Buyinza M., Bukenya M., Nabalegwa M., Byakagaba P.
Author Affiliation: Faculty of Forestry and Nature Conservation, Makerere University, P.O.Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
Second RUFORUM Biennial Regional Conference on "Building capacity for food security in Africa", Entebbe, Uganda, 20-24 September 2010 : 1673-1677
Abstract : This study analyzed the economic efficiency of mango (Mangifera indica) growers in Buzaya country, Kamuli District, Uganda. It estimated the existing scales of mango growers, their relative resource-use efficiency, the relative profitability of their operations and their determinants using the profit function. Results showed that the identified scales of growers were inefficient in their use of resources, but the potentials existed for increases in their levels of mango output. The hypothesis that the various scales of growers are equally efficient in their resource allocation was rejected at 5% probability level. The hypotheses that there was no significant difference in their level of profitability as well as the factors influencing their operations were also rejected at 5% probability level. It was recommended that micro-financial institutions should give credit preference to the mango growers because of their relatively higher profit margin, which reflected their potentials for repayment. Necessary adjustments however need to be made to enhance levels of resource use for increased mangoes output and profitability.