Competitiveness of Kenyan and Ugandan Maize Production: Challenges for the Future. Tegemeo Working Paper No. 10

摘要

The purpose of this study is to assess the costs of maize production in Kenya and Uganda. We start from the fact that there is no single cost of production for maize. Cost of production varies according to region, the type of technology package employed, farmers management practices, and the weather. In light of this, the study disaggregates cost of production into seven region/technology categories, five in Kenya and two in eastern Uganda, in order to compare the relative competitiveness of maize among these regions and technology packages. Variations in cost of production within each region/technology category reflect differences in farmer management practices and micro-variability in soils and rainfall. Therefore, within each region/technology category, we present costs of maize production estimates for three terciles: low-, medium- and high-cost producers. The results hold important implications for who will benefit and lose from the removal of regulatory and informal trade barriers between Uganda and Kenya.