Russ, Katheryn Niles2014-03-142014-03-141996etd-10022008-063206http://hdl.handle.net/10919/44978In this study, an econometric model for testing whether female-headed households face unique constraints to maize production in Malawi is presented. A simulation is performed on the first-order equations of smallholder maize production functions and predicted marginal products are tested against observed input-output price ratios to detect input constraints and allocative inefficiency. Technical efficiency is also compared among headship gender categories. Results indicate that de jure female-headed households are less technically efficient than de facto female- and male-headed households. However, no evidence is found indicating that gender-specific input constraints exist. This study finds surplus labor present throughout Malawi’s smallholder sector and discusses policy alternatives in the context of poverty alleviation.vii, 120 leavesBTDapplication/pdfenIn CopyrightMalawiagricultureconstraintsWomenmaizeLD5655.V855 1996.N554Thesishttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-10022008-063206/