Technical efficiency analysis of Pakistan agriculture with special reference to chemical fertilizer use

摘要

The study uses farm level input-output data for 1997-1998 and analyses the technical efficiency of Pakistani farmers with special reference to fertilizer use. The Cobb Douglas frontier production function incorporating technical inefficiency components model was estimated using information regarding 2315 sample farm households from the selected districts of Punjab, Sindh and Northwest Frontier Province of Pakistan. Education of the farm operator and irrigation source has a more pronounced effect ontechnical efficiency. The tenant operated farms are more efficient than those operated by owners or owner-cum-tenants. Total fertilizer nutrients applied as well as the balanced mix of nutrients affect technical efficiency positively. The contact of farmers with extension agents and/or agricultural scientists has a positive effect on efficiency. Application of farmyard manure also affected technical efficiency positively. The results imply that the investment in human capital in rural areas should be encouraged.