Technical Efficiency in Potato Cultivation in Eastern Himalayas: A Case Study of Arunachal Pradesh, India

International Journal of Agriculture & Environmental Science

© 2020 by SSRG - IJAES Journal

Volume 7 Issue 3

Year of Publication : 2020

Authors : Maila Lama, Rimjim Bordoloi

10.14445/23942568/IJAES-V7I3P107

How to Cite?

Maila Lama, Rimjim Bordoloi, "Technical Efficiency in Potato Cultivation in Eastern Himalayas: A Case Study of Arunachal Pradesh, India," SSRG International Journal of Agriculture & Environmental Science, vol. 7,  no. 3, pp. 55-63, 2020. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23942568/IJAES-V7I3P107

Abstract:

This paper analyses the level of technical efficiency in potato (Solanum Tuberosum) cultivation and factors determining it in Arunachal Pradesh, a hilly State of India, situated in the eastern Himalayan ranges. The study was mainly based on household level cross-sectional data collected from 138
randomly selected potato growers. Technical efficiency ratios were obtained by applying the stochastic frontier Cobb-Douglas production function. The logit transformation model was applied to examine the determinants of technical efficiency. The analysis was done in STATA. The mean yield of
potato among the surveyed farmers was 7344 kg per hectare which was marginally higher than the average yield of the State (7200 kg in 2015-16). The significant factors which were determining the potato yield was plant nutrient, mainly fertilizer. The average level of technical efficiency among the sample farmers was 88% which indicated that output can be raised by 12% through better use of existing level of inputs and technology. A high proportion of the farmers (92.76%) were having technical efficiency of 80% and above. Marginal farms were more efficient than the small farms. Land size was found to be negatively influencing the technical efficiency and it was statistically significant. The variables family labour, education and experience were found to be positively influencing the level of technical efficiency. The findings of the study imply that the State should focus on encouraging the use of modern inputs like improved seeds, plant nutrients and build up irrigation facilities to raise yield rate. It should also emphasis on providing training and disseminating knowledge to farmers for enhancing the level of technical efficiency.

Keywords:

Potato, yield rate, technical efficiency, stochastic frontier production function

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