Analysis of some factors affecting smallholder rubber production.

Abstract

The application of multiple regression analysis to sample cross-section farm resource data resulted in the explanation of a statistically significant percentage of rubber production variance. The inclusion of a proxy variable representing management ability improved the fit of the Cobb-Douglas function. Significant and substantial resource productivity differences were found between management groups. Extension-induced technical change to increase farm output is likely to widen this gap and accelerate the degree of relative performance. Any improvement programme must, therefore, take cognizance of this fact particularly in the selection of farmers for smallholder settlement schemes, allocation of credit and the design of extension strategies.