Measuring the Technical Efficiency of Canola Farmers and Determining the Effective Factors in Tabriz County, Iran

The purpose of this study was to measure the technical efficiency of canola farmers and determine the underpinning factors. Required data were collected using stratified random sampling method and questionnaire survey. In this context, 157 canola farmers from Tabriz County, Iran, were asked to fill out the questionnaire in 2012-2013 growing season. The technical efficiency was evaluated using stochastic frontier approach. The results of inputs production elasticity indicated that all inputs were consumed in economic area. In addition, the highest (0.504) and lowest (0.095) elasticity rate was related to water consumption and education level, respectively. The estimated technical efficiency demonstrated that the highest and lowest technical efficiencies were 25 and 95% with an average of 80%. It should be noted that the highest efficiency was observed in the farms with the area covering 3-4 hectares. Furthermore, the estimated inefficiency model indicated that education level, training course number, and cultivated area negatively affected the inefficiency. By contrast, age of farmer had a positive effect on inefficiency. As the results show, educating and training farmers for the optimum use of inputs as well as improving their knowledge as to promote agricultural products should be taken into account.