Relative importance analysis of the factors influencing maize productivity at Olushandja and Etunda irrigation Schemes of Namibia: a secondary analysis of data from farm household survey

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to apply relative importance analysis to determine the main factors that affect maize productivity for smallholder maize farmers in the Olushandja Dam and Etunda Irrigation Schemes, north-central Namibia. According to the analysis the key determinants were labour, consultation with extension service providers, land under maize production, the type of seeds used (local or hybrid), access to credit facilities, the experience in horticultural farming. The results singled out labour as the most important factor in maize production, accounting for 16.4% of the farm level variations in technical efficiencies. Technical efficiency gains as the size of land increases. This probably means that those farmers with small plots applied too much of inputs with respect to the size of their land. Farmers who consult extension services and those trained in good horticultural practices were more technically efficient and credit facilities should be availed to farmers so that they can access farm inputs in time to boost productivity.