Productivity and Resource Use Efficiency in Tomato and Watermelon Farms: Evidence from Ghana

This study examines productivity and resource use efficiency in tomato and watermelon farms in the Dangme East District of Ghana. Cross-sectional data of 200 farmers (100 tomato farmers and 100 watermelon farmers) were obtained from a field survey using structured questionnaires. The empirical results of this study show that, the value of output of watermelon is higher than that of tomato. The difference could be attributed to differences in output prices as well as labour and material input costs incurred in the production of each of these crops. Since prices of inputs are more or less stable over the season, output price difference could be said to be the main cause of this difference. For instance, it costs GH¢704.59 to produce a hectare of tomato whereas the average cost of producing a hectare of watermelo