Estimation of economic and production efficiency of potato production in central Punjab, Pakistan

摘要

Potato is the fourth most produced crop in the world after wheat, rice and maize. This study aimed to estimate the economics of potato production in Okara District, Punjab Pakistan. Primary data from 100 potato farmers were collected using a stratified random sampling technique. Data were analyzed using economic and statistical techniques such as profitability, BCR, comparison of means and frequency distribution. It was found that for the previous two crops, farmers received meager profits in 2018 and had to bear losses in 2019. The BCR in case of profit was too low i.e., 1.00: 1.03. The domestic terms of trade over the years had deteriorated indicating issues in input and output markets. The efficiency analysis showed that the technical and economic efficiency of larger farmers were high. Technically large farmers were 12.35 efficient as compared to small farmers. There was little difference among all farmers according to economic efficiency, larger farmers were 3.11 efficient with respect to small farmers. Tobit results showed that age had negative impact on technical efficiency while experience showed positive impact. The most important issue faced by the farmers was fluctuation of output price followed by the costly inputs and lack of credit and storage facilities. It is recommended that the imbalances in the input and output markets must be corrected. Furthermore, periodic assessment of profitability of potato production should be carried out in order to identify the standings of the farmers in the market.