Impact of cluster farming on technical efficiency and food security among smallholder wheat producers in Southeastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract Ethiopia's agricultural potential remains unrealized due to the predominant focus on subsistence farming. This research aimed to investigate the effects of cluster farming on the technical efficiency and food security of smallholder wheat farmers in Southeastern Ethiopia, utilizing primary data. A cross-sectional data approach was adopted, along with a multistage sampling technique, to select a total of 381 participants. The analysis incorporated endogenous switching regression and stochastic frontier models. The study showed that people who took part in the cluster farms had significantly higher scores for technical efficiency, food consumption, and household dietary diversity than people who did not take part, with mean differences of 0.14, 5.28, and 0.54, respectively. The research indicated that had the participants opted against practicing cluster farming, their technical efficiency, food consumption scores, and household dietary diversity score would have decreased by 0.247, 29.25, and 2.80, respectively. Likewise, the study shows that had non-participant households practiced cluster farming, their technical efficiency, food consumption scores, and household dietary diversity scores would have increased by 0.256, 11.17, and 1.22, respectively. These results are in line with earlier research emphasizing how group efforts may increase agricultural production and food security by facilitating improved market access, information exchange, and resource usage. These imply an increase in efficiency and food security, reducing the pressure on the expansion of farming activities into new areas that are ecologically sensitive, thus contributing to conservation efforts. Therefore, policymakers and development organizations should consider cluster farming as a crucial farming strategy in enhancing farmers' technical efficiency and food security, thereby supporting conservation efforts. Additionally, they encourage institutional and governmental involvement in providing improved seeds, extension services, and market infrastructure to enhance short-term agricultural strategies. These strategies should be integrated with agroecological practices, sustainable land-use planning, and climate-resilient technologies to ensure long-term productivity, and ecosystem health.