Do Egocentric information networks influence technical efficiency of farmers? Empirical evidence from Ghana

Abstract We investigate the impact of farmers’ egocentric information network on technical efficiency and its distribution in network, using observational data 600 farmers from northern Ghana. exploit community detection algorithms to endogenously identify homogeneous communities with known structures account for spatial heterogeneity, a stochastic frontier model that controls social selection bias. The empirical results reveal at global level, strongly correlate their networks. Our findings also show who are technically less efficient tend depend more networks improve efficiency. further find estimating dependence without accounting heterogeneity can lead underestimation high (efficiency score >0.6) performing farmers, while overestimating medium scores between 0.36–0.5) low 0.1–0.35) farmers. suggest identifying central improving knowledge farmer-to-farmer extension organization, contribute productivity many