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Introduction: The unique characteristics of pineapples as a perennial plant, which guarantee their quick proliferation and adoption in both the tropics and subtropics, readily justify their economic significance. Although pineapple is a popular tropical fruit among Bangladeshi citizens, they continue to produce fewer pineapples than other international producers with limited export offerings. Hence, the study aimed to estimate the technological efficiency, prospects, and policies of pineapple growers in the northeastern district of Bangladesh. Methods: One hundred respondent growers were surveyed directly to gather cross-sectional data using a multistage sampling technique. The technical efficiency scores of individual farms were calculated using the stochastic frontier model with the technical inefficiency model for identifying factors responsible for inefficiency. Results: The technical efficiency scores range from about two-thirds to the absolute efficiency level, with a mean technical efficiency above the ninety percent level. The technical inefficiency effect model interpreted that farmers' age and education had a significant positive impact, whereas credit, training, and family size had a significant negative impact on inefficiency. Discussion: Findings indicated that sampled farmers may use inputs more efficiently and raise their yield by nearly one-twentieth. Therefore, the study suggests that the government should concentrate on strategies to attract young growers, as they are more capable of managing resources effectively and willing to accept technological breakthroughs. The study's conclusions have significant policy ramifications specifically in the areas of finance, education and skills, and rural development that the Government should consider to increase farmer's productivity and overcome various challenges while upholding national interests and ensuring the farming sector's continued prosperity. To commercialize pineapple production and establish Bangladesh as a prominent production zone, more research and development are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The labor movement from rural areas and the remittance flow from migrants is a common household livelihood strategy in rural Bangladesh. While migration can offer economic benefits through remittances, it can be a source of hardship for migrants and their families due to societal culture. This study examines the differences in farm productivity and technical efficiency between female and male labor migrants by focusing on female and male laborers who have lived away from their homes for 6 months or more within the country and its reflection on farm production. Using data on 2271 rice plots from Bangladesh Integrated Households Survey in 2018, we estimate plot‐level stochastic meta‐frontier approach for households with female‐labor migrants and male‐labor migrants separately emphasizing technological difference and heteroskedastic technical efficiency. The empirical result shows that the female‐labor migrants' farms have 10.3% lower production frontier (maximum frontier yield) and 6.1% higher technical efficiency than male migrants' farms, indicating that they have 4.2% lower productivity. Lower production frontier reflects lower management ability and less attention to farm practice. Moreover, the study reveals that female‐labor migrants' farms are closer to the meta‐frontier, suggesting smaller technology gaps. However, some farmers failed to achieve the highest possible output in relation to the meta‐frontier, indicating that farmers can boost their production by adopting and disseminating new rice production technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dissemination of conservation agriculture (CA) technologies has become the objective of a growing number of projects aimed at reducing food insecurity in vulnerable areas of the world. While many studies have found that CA increases farm productivity, little is known about the components of the productivity gains related to CA adoption. CA is a knowledge‐intensive technology, and it is expected to affect both technical efficiency (TE) and input productivity positively. Using cross‐sectional farm‐level data of 220 maize farmers in Bangladesh, we measure the impact of CA on farmers' TE. We first apply propensity score matching (PSM) to create comparable counterfactual groups of CA and non‐CA farmers. Then, we use a stochastic frontier with correction for self‐selection bias to analyse TE. Finally, we fit a stochastic meta‐frontier (SMF) model to the data and use it to compare TE across the two farmer groups. The analysis showed that CA farmers exhibit greater TE levels than non‐CA farmers. This can be attributed to enhancements in farm management, leading to 8% and 9% increases in their productivity and TE, respectively. Thus, there is a case for policymakers to strengthen programs delivering CA technologies that improve food security in Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using national representative cross‐sectional data from 8846 rice growing plots in Bangladesh, we analyze the impact of social safety net programs (SSNPs) on rice farmers' productivity and efficiency. This study applied the propensity score matching (PSM) approach to correct the possible self‐selection biases arising from observed and unobserved factors affecting a household's SSNP participation decisions. The stochastic frontier production function is estimated separately for participants and non‐participants to compare yield and technical efficiency. Our results show that the output elasticities of all inputs except land and fertilizer are significantly higher for non‐participants than participants. The SSNP participants are estimated to have 1.95% higher technical efficiency than the non‐participants, while their frontier yield is 11.75% higher. The average treatment effect on treated (ATET) also confirms the yield and efficiency‐enhancing role of SSNPs, particularly in climate‐stressed areas. The study argues for widening the SSNP coverage to increase the marginal farmers' efficiency in climate‐vulnerable areas. Other policy interventions include policies to increase farmers' access to land through the proper functioning land market, education, providing literacy training, and different production inputs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study intends to investigate the determinants of planting scale choice and its effect on rice farms' productivity and technical efficiency (TE) by using a national representative sample of 12,590 rice plots in Bangladesh. The stochastic production frontier approach has been employed separately for each planting scale to compare farm performances. It also addresses self-selection in the choice of planting scales by using multinomial endogenous switching regression that corrects potential selection biases for planting scale choice and TE. The empirical results show that the land elasticity was the highest (0.81) for the straight-line planting scale and the lowest (0.70) for the random scale. A critical finding from the self-selectivity variable was that the straight-line planting scale was an appropriate alternative for increasing rice farms' production and TE in Bangladesh. The straight-line planting scale had 2.8% and 2.0% higher efficiency than the semi-straight-line and random scales. In contrast, the random and semi-straight-line scales had negative associations with rice production. Household head education, land ownership, and improved rice varieties had positive effects, while land fragmentation, farm size, wage labour, and market distance negatively affected the adoption of a straight-line planting scale for rice production. A strong research-extension linkage is essential to motivating farmers to choose the appropriate planting scales and successfully diffuse information at the rural farm level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The healthcare industry is well aware of the issue of limited resources. By properly managing available resources, waste may be minimized. Bangladesh is a developing nation with limited resources, hence it is essential to estimate technical efficiency in this circumstance. Health care efficiency in the developed world has long been examined using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). However, few studies have used DEA to evaluate the effectiveness of healthcare delivery in emerging economies, especially in Bangladesh. A total of 24 community clinics in Kushtia were chosen at random for this study, and their technical efficiency was determined using the DEA method. The goal was to assess health centers' levels of efficiency and provide recommendations for improving less effective centers' performance. Input-based Data Envelopment Analysis was utilized to evaluate technical efficiency. The first category comprised of twelve prominent public hospitals. In this study, the number of outpatient visits was both an input and an outcome variable, whereas physicians, nurses, drugs, and other medical supplies were input variables. The Malmquist index was also utilized to assess efficiency gains and losses over time in community clinics. The eleven surviving community health clinics ended just inside the border. Based on their average efficiency rating, the facilities could accomplish the same goals while consuming 42% less inputs. On average, each CC created garbage worth TK. 0.14 crore. Across the board, production grew during the study periods. Overall, the findings suggest that public health centres are extremely inefficient in their delivery of health care and that substantial savings may be achieved by implementing steps to reduce waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Waterlogging due to rain-fed floods is considered a natural calamity worldwide that causes lands in the north region of Bangladesh to remain underwater and uncultivable for most crops during the rainy season. This unused wasteland has immense potential for additional earnings for the marginal farmer by converting it to cultivable land through proper utilization by cultivating water chestnuts. Increasing the productivity and efficiency of water chestnut farming in these wastelands would facilitate higher food production for the growing populations. Therefore, this study estimates the farmers' profitability of water chestnut production along with technical efficiency (TE) and land use efficiency (LUE). Primary data from 150 farmers of Natore, Naogaon, and Jamalpur districts were used and stochastic frontier analysis was employed. Results reveal that no farmers had any training in water chestnut farming. Human labor and land use costs incur more than 80% of the total cost and laborers shortage was found due to skin problems working in the water. However, water chestnut farming was profitable in all districts and the average benefit–cost ratio was 1.37. TE results indicate that there was an opportunity to increase the water chestnut production by 20.2% using the same amount of inputs. LUE by the water chestnut farmers was found to be very low; hence, they were using their land inefficiently and this inefficiency was positively affected by farm size and number of family members and negatively affected by age, year of schooling, and income. The study suggests research focusing on improved management of water chestnut without affecting laborers and training to facilitate higher productivity and LUE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study's primary goal is to measure the technical efficacy of Amon paddy farms and identify the key variables that significantly influence the degree of technical inefficiency of the sample farms. Using a multistage random sampling technique, 200 Amon rice-producing farms in the Jhenaidah district were sampled for this study. The technical efficacy of Amon rice farms is estimated using the Cobb-Douglas production function method. The Cobb-Douglas production function approach's empirical findings indicate that the technical efficiency of Amon rice production is, on average, 0.95. This suggests that the studied region has a high level of technical efficiency. The factors influencing the degree of inefficiency of the Amon rice farms are also determined using an inefficiency impact model. The production of paddy was favorably connected with farm size, as indicated by the regression coefficient of farm size, which is 0.52. Additionally, it reveals that labor costs, irrigation cost, seed costs, and plowing cost are crucial elements that influence how efficiently Amon rice is produced. According to the estimated inefficiency impact model's findings, the technical inefficiency of Amon rice production is adversely correlated with farm size, age, education, training and credit availability. According to this study, actions to expand credit opportunities, education, and training are essential to lowering rice production's technical inefficiency in the study area. According to the results, it is advised that variables that positively and significantly affect production efficiency be researched and developed for best results toward sustainable agricultural and rural development in Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to measure the technical efficiency of information technology (IT) companies listed on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) in Bangladesh. It included ten listed IT companies for the period 2016-2020. The input-oriented Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) approach was used to measure technical efficiency. This study used two inputs, such as fixed assets and capital expenditure, and three outputs, such as return on equity, return on assets, and total income, to measure technical efficiency. All the required data were collected from publicly available annual reports, the sample companies' websites, and the website of DSE. The study found that Bangladeshi-listed IT companies were not adequately technically efficient, with an average efficiency score of 56.6 percent, requiring a 43.6 percent improvement in efficiency during the period 2016-2020. This inefficiency was due primarily to pure technical inefficiency followed by scale inefficiency. The findings of the study are expected to provide important and useful information to the Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS), the Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC), the ICT Division of the Bangladesh government, and the sample companies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzes the effects of credit constraints on technical efficiency of Boro rice growers in the district of Pabna in Bangladesh. Using a simple random sampling technique, the data was collected from 570 Boro rice growers from the Pabna district of Bangladesh. Before conducting a field survey, a theoretical model was designed to identify credit-constrained and non-constrained rice growers. We have analyzed the collected data in two phases: first, we investigated the technical efficiency of Boro rice growers using the stochastic frontier model (SFA); and second, we used an inefficiency effect model to estimate the influence of credit constraints on technical efficiency. Findings indicate that credit-constrained rice growers (CCRG) are 6.7% less technically efficient than credit non-constrained rice growers (CNRG). Findings further indicate that the education level of the household head, family size, certified seed, sowing time, access to extension services, off-farm income, and household savings have significant effects on the technical efficiency of both groups of rice growers. Furthermore, credit size has a significantly positive impact, whereas the interest rate imposed on the principal amount has a significantly negative impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we analyzed the effects of the partial quantity rationing of credit on the technical efficiency of Boro rice growers in the Pabna district of Bangladesh. Before conducting the field survey, we designed a theoretical framework and identified farm households affected by the partial quantity rationing of credit. Data were collected from 174 Boro rice growers and analyzed in two stages, where the technical efficiency of Boro rice growers was assessed using stochastic frontier analysis, and the inefficiency effects model was then applied to evaluate determinants of the technical efficiency. The mean technical efficiency of Boro rice growers was 78%, which indicates that their technical efficiency was 22% beyond the production frontier curve. The variables comprising the household head’s age, education level, seed quality, formal training, access to the market, farm labor, tillage cost, fertilizer cost, irrigation cost, and price of seedlings significantly affected the technical efficiency of rice growers. The variables of interest comprising the rate and partial quantity rationing of credit had significant negative effects on the technical efficiency of rice growers. The findings obtained in this study will help to enhance the actual production level using the available resources and improve the food security situation in Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research has been conducted to explore the extent of adopting mechanization at farm level and its impact on rice producers' technical efficiency. Primary data and information required for analytical approach have been collected using structured questionnaire through field survey of 200 farm households located in two districts of Bangladesh. Farm households were selected following multi-stage purposive sampling technique and were classified into two groups on the basis of extent of using modern agricultural practices. Technical efficiency is the ratio between actual and potential output of a production unit. Farmers strongly agree that farm mechanization save their precious time which they spend for farming period and also increased overall food production. They also agree that the use of modern machinery improve their consumption level as well as food security. From the profitability analysis of two levels of mechanization, it is apparent that mechanization has positive impact and leading to increase productivity and profitability of rice producers. The results from DEA approach implies that farms with higher level of mechanization are technically more efficient than the others although both farm groups are technically inefficient in rice production. The findings from Tobit regression show that variables such as farming experience, age and levels of farm mechanization were significantly associated with the technical efficiency of sample farms. Inefficiency of farms is negatively influenced by the level of farm mechanization indicated that mechanization is one of the important determinants to improve technical efficiency. So, the applications of modernized farming machineries could be an essential tool for the development of agricultural sector in Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Farmer organizations (FOs) can elevate many of the production- and marketing-related challenges by ensuring access to technology, farming information and loan for inputs and mechanization. This study assesses the major factors that affect the participation in FOs by the smallholder rice farmers in Bangladesh and evaluates the impacts of the participation on rice yield and production efficiency. Design/methodology/approach: The present study used primary data collected from 1,000 smallholder rice farmers in northwest Bangladesh, consisting of 250 farmers those participated in an organization. This study utilized a sample selection stochastic production frontier (SPF) method, a combination of the conventional SPF and the Heckman's sample selection model, to control for biases stemming from observed and unobserved attributes. Findings: This study demonstrates that participation in an organization is significantly affected by smallholder rice farmers' education, occupation, family size, household income, land ownership and the location where they reside. At the same time, the participation status affects the productivity of smallholder farmers. Findings indicate that farmers who participated in an organization had higher rice yield (11% more) and were technically more efficient (1.4 percentage points higher) compared to farmers who did not participate. Research limitations/implications: Since this study was carried out with representative sampled farmers from northwest Bangladesh, the findings may not represent all farmers' perceptions of FOs in the country. Originality/value: Even though more than 200,000 FOs are currently in operation, knowledge regarding the effectiveness of Bangladesh's FOs is limited. Notably, this study used a relatively new method, sample selection SPF model, to investigate the impact of FOs on the production efficiency of smallholder rice farmers in northwest Bangladesh. Therefore, this study contributes to the literature in elucidating the factors affecting participation in FOs and its impact on rice yield and efficiency. Since FOs have been somewhat ineffective in their role as service providers in Bangladesh, this study's results will guide policymakers to intervene more successfully regarding the changes needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence from the rural livelihood literature shows that farm households in developing countries engage in nonfarm employment to supplement their household income. This raises the question of whether nonfarm income complements or competes with agricultural production due to a possible shift in farm household labour to nonfarm employment. Using survey data, this study examines the impact of rural nonfarm income on farm households' agricultural production in Bangladesh. Applying the instrumental variable Tobit model, we find a nonlinear relationship between nonfarm income and total production expenditure as well as expenditures on major purchased inputs (equipment, seed, fertilizer, purchased labour). This indicates that when nonfarm income rises, production expenditure increases but at a decreasing rate. Furthermore, the endogenous stochastic frontier production model indicates that technical inefficiency in agricultural production decreases at an increasing rate when nonfarm income rises. Overall, the findings of this study suggest that nonfarm income exerts an income effect on agricultural production by reducing the liquidity constraint and intensifying major purchased inputs. Thus, introducing policies that would increase rural nonfarm income opportunities to rural households complements agricultural production. This would also lead to raised food production, ultimately leading to an increase in food availability as well as food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research was conducted to explore the technical efficiency of the cauliflower production in Savar and Keraniganj Upazila of Dhaka district, Bangladesh by applying the stochastic production frontier approach. Primary data were collected from 120 households cultivating the cauliflower following the face to face interview by using a structured questionnaire. The estimated results revealed that the mean technical efficiency was 85 % which implies that the household cultivating the cauliflower can increase the revenue by 15 % at given level of resources. Lastly, the inefficiency model suggested that the seedlings of improved varieties, more access to market information, and better training and extension service can minimize the farm level inefficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines how production environment characteristics affect total factor productivity (TFP) and technical efficiency (TE) in aquaculture farms. Enhancing productivity is important for increasing resource use efficiency, especially in developing countries where improvements in the aquaculture sector can enhance food security for low‐ and middle‐income people and improve farmer livelihood. In the present study, 580 aquaculture farms from different areas of Bangladesh were sampled using stratified random sampling techniques. A Fisher quantity index and data envelopment analysis were used to analyze TFP and TE, respectively. In addition, a rank‐sum test was used to investigate how production environment characteristics affect TFP and TE. The results show that farmers could significantly reduce input while maintaining the same level of output. Furthermore, they demonstrate that the TFP and TE of a farm are significantly affected by environmental characteristics, varying with geographical variation in water availability, color, and plants; feed types; and culture systems. Dissemination of the results through training programs and extension services provided by public or private stakeholders could help extensive pond farmers in developing countries improve productivity and efficiency and thereby help provide food and improve livelihood conditions in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The comparison of technical efficiency scores has been estimated by the parametric and nonparametric production model for agricultural rice farms. This paper used a trans-log stochastic frontier model to explain the existing sources of inefficiency of rice farm due to socioeconomic and farm-specific variables in seven selected regions of Bangladesh based on agro-economic zone. The motivational point is to "start trade" in international rice market like other Asian countries. The results show that the estimated technical efficiency of Transplanted AMAN rice farms are vary from 45% to 92% in case of stochastic frontier analysis (SFA). In addition, the estimated technical efficiency is varying from 64% to 79% in case of data envelopment analysis (DEA). The farms' distributed technical efficiency scores were found higher in the method of parametric SFA than nonparametric DEA in the regions of Dhaka, Khulna, Barisal and Rangpur. The graphical representation of the kernel density estimate indicates that inefficiency was among the farms in the all the selected regions. The results of kernel density estimate indicate that efficiency were negatively skewed in Dhaka, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barisal, Sylhet and Rangpur region. We can conclude that in some places, it can be possible to improve rice production using farmers existing input level. However, there is lot to subsidize for farmers which can be contributed by the local government. They should provide necessary supports for production for marginal farm owners such as training, credit, improved seed and fertilizers and also market facility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) has been widely adopted in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) production, but rigorous impact studies of IPM is limited in tropical, developing, countries. The study employed the stochastic frontier production function and propensity score matching (PSM) to measure farm-level impacts of IPM technology adoption. A total of 283 farmers were interviewed in 2015. It was determined that adoption of IPM did not affect yield and technical efficiency (TE) level of eggplant growers. Mean technical efficiency was similar for adopters (0.66) and non-adopters (0.65). Adoption of IPM reduces the frequency of pesticide application (35.13%) and pesticide cost (Tk. 11,100), Tk. is Bangladeshi currency, 1 USD = Tk. 80, and IPM adopters maximize profit by reducing cost. Due to a higher profitability, IPM technology for eggplant production can improve income to the growers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flood defense (FD) projects are often evaluated from an engineering perspective in terms of flood frequency/flood risk assessment overlooking the productivity potential of the projects from an economic perspective. This is a limitation of the conventional assessment of flood defense projects that productivity potentials are not considered when they are evaluated. Although it is an established fact, FD projects affect the productivity of the production units/farms with them. Modified hydrological conditions of the production environments under the FD projects primarily bring about the changes in farm productivity. Hence, evaluation of FD projects without considering their productivity potential would provide a 'partial assessment' and it leaves room for polarization among stakeholders. This paper, however, addresses this limitation by evaluating FD projects form an economic perspective where productivity potentials of the FD schemes are taken into consideration. Two distinct indicators of productivity e.g., 'technical efficiency' and 'yield-gap' are used here. Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) is engaged to estimate technical efficiency while a standard formula (developed by a synthesis between the ideas of 'efficiency gap' and 'potential yield') is used to measure yield-gap. This empirical study considers two contrasting FD projects, namely, the traditional flood defense (TFD) and the natural flood defense (NFD), implemented in the Southwest coastal zone of Bangladesh. These projects are evaluated with respect to rice production and the study results reveal that mean scores of technical efficiency for the TFD and NFD projects are respectively 0.78 and 0.76 while average yield-gaps are 719.18 and 807.33 in order. Again, 'yield-gap ratio' and the difference between the 'potential yield increments' are 1.12 and 2.84 respectively. These findings indicate that TFD project outperforms the NFD project marginally with respect to their productivity potentials. However, assessment of FD projects from engineering and economic perspectives provides a comprehensive evaluation which can resolve or at least attenuate the debate (if any) over the appropriateness of alternative projects and thereby prevents unnecessary delay in project implementation which has economic and policy implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shortage and inefficient use of resource in agricultural activities in Bangladesh are emphasizing to measure efficiency for increasing productivity with the highest efficiency and ensure the sustainable development of the agricultural sector. The motive of the study is to estimate technical efficiency by using stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) of brinjal and bottle gourd cultivation in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Tobit regression was applied to determine the elements affecting the efficiency and Cobb-Douglas production model was applied to pick out elements affecting the gross return of bottle gourd and brinjal. 100 (50 Brinjal +50 Bottle gourd) farmers were selected randomly as well as interviewed for collecting information through one set of questionnaires. The result revealed that bottle gourd and brinjal farmers were not perfectly efficient in Bangladesh. The mean efficiency of bottle gourd and brinjal observed 0.79 and 0.81, respectively. According to mean efficiency, farmers can be efficient in bottle gourd and brinjal farming through increasing 21 % and 19 % output, respectively with on-hand resources and technologies. Tobit model suggests that the education level of farmer, training program, choosing high yielding variety and the size of the farm have an effect on farmers' efficiency positively and significantly. In addition, we observed that human labor cost, seed cost, irrigation cost, fertilizers cost, and pesticides and insecticides cost have a significant positive impact on bottle gourd and brinjal production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyzes the effects of agglomeration externalities on productivity and efficiency by applying a stochastic production frontier model with a technical inefficiency model to the aquaculture industry. Agglomeration externalities refer to the costs and benefits to firms from clustering. Agglomeration studies within aquaculture have focused on the intensive salmon industry, whereas this study focuses on low-technology, extensive pond aquaculture, representing most farmers in the developing world and using Bangladesh as an empirical case. The results show that there is a positive externality effect of regional industry size on the production possibility frontier and a negative effect on technical efficiency. Farm density enhances efficiency and the farm proximity to output markets decreases efficiency. Thus, policies aimed at increasing aquaculture pond production in developing countries should consider farm locations and their access to input and output markets, all of which affect farm productivity and efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using both household level and plot-level data from Northern Bangladesh, this paper analyzes the difference in agricultural productivity across different contractual arrangements among ultra-poor households. Employing the fixed-effect model on the pseudo panel data, the paper finds evidence of sub-optimal use of inputs and, consequently, lower productivity for lands cultivated under sharecropping contracts. The inefficiency on the part of sharecroppers is also evident from the stochastic frontier model. Although the paper finds that credit has no direct impact on productivity, the results of Logit estimates suggest that availability of credit induces households to opt for fixed-rental contracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study assesses the future potential of the jute sector in Bangladesh by examining its growth performance, international competitiveness, profitability, and production efficiency using national time-series data of over the period 1973-2013 and farm survey data from 289 farmers from two major jute growing areas of Bangladesh. Results revealed that the jute sector has experienced substantial growth in area, production, productivity, prices, and exports. However, productivity has stagnated during the latter 10-year period (2004-2013), while it grew at a rate of 1.3% per annum (p.a.) during the first 31-year period (1973-2003). Only traditional jute production is globally competitive, although financial profitability of white jute is relatively higher (benefit cost ratio = 1.24 and 1.17, respectively). Land, labor, and irrigation are the main productivity drivers for jute. The mean production efficiency of jute is estimated at 75% indicating substantial scope to improve yield by eliminating inefficiency. Marginal farmers are relatively inefficient. Policy implications include investments in research and development, irrigation, and tenurial reform and export protection for white jute in order to revive the sector and boost export earnings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The choice of irrigation water sources is crucial in rice farming as water availability and cost can vary across water sources. Groundwater caters three-quarters of the total irrigated land in Bangladesh, where rice area alone occupies 80% of the total irrigated land. The present study compares productivity and efficiency differences and determinants of surface and groundwater irrigation users based on a sample of 6947 dry-winter rice growing plots from the nationally representative Bangladesh Integrated Household Survey-2018 database. A range of methods was adopted to correct for heterogeneity in irrigation water source choice decision, self-selection and observable biases. This involved an estimation of a Stochastic Production Frontier (SPF) model with the pooled sample first, then an application of Propensity Score Matching (PSM) to remove self-selection and observable biases, then a test of heterogeneity in irrigation source choices was conducted, and finally estimated two SPF separately for matched samples of groundwater and surface water irrigation users. Results revealed a robust effect of groundwater irrigation in enhancing rice productivity and efficiency. Seed and its quality, fertilizer and soil type are also significant drivers of rice productivity. The significant drivers of efficiency are plot ownership, irrigation frequency, subsidy and family size. Large farms with groundwater-irrigated plots are relatively more efficient. Significantly lower efficiency exists in areas vulnerable to drought. These results raise sustainability concerns owing to the high level of groundwater extraction and falling water table. Policymakers need to devise innovative strategies to increase use of surface water irrigation without sacrificing productivity and efficiency, which has been a priority policy drive in Bangladesh. • Competitiveness of groundwater versus surface water for irrigation is evaluated. • Groundwater irrigation technology enhances rice productivity and efficiency. • Dominance of groundwater for irrigation raises environmental/sustainability concern. • Plot ownership, irrigation frequency, subsidy and family size drive efficiency. • Innovative strategies are required to encourage surface water irrigation technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through analysing survey data collected from 300 vegetable growers located in the south-eastern hilly districts of Bangladesh, this article identifies drivers of production and technical efficiency in okra and eggplant production. The estimated efficiency scores reveal that around 67% and 99% of the production in okra and eggplant, respectively, are lost due to inefficiency factors. Among different production inputs, land has the highest production elasticity. Land fragmentation and land slope are positively associated with inefficiency, whereas extension service, rented in land and credit have negative associations. Compared to the lager farmers, the smaller are relatively efficient. Efficiency level is also sensitive to ethnicity, annual income, education and farming practices. The important policy outcomes of the study are: land reform to ensure land entitlement; land consolidation and farmers’ organizations for better access to land; off-farm employment creation; and investment in extension service, especially for the indigenous people and for diffusion of the soil preservation technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of financial inclusion on the enhancement of paddy farmers’ technical efficiency (TE). The impact was evaluated rigorously from different dimensions which could be useful in the policy discussion for enhancing efficiency in utilizing productive resources.Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional data of randomly selected 120 paddy farmers from Khulna district in the Southwest region of Bangladesh were collected for this study. Initially, a stochastic production frontier approach was used for estimating farmers’ TE. Thereafter, ordinary least squares and quantile regression models were applied for unveiling the existing relationship between TE and various dimensions of financial inclusion after controlling all other socio-economic characteristics.Findings The study findings revealed that farmers were around 86 percent technically efficient and amongst them, credit takers were more efficient than non-credit takers. A non-monotonic relationship between TE and amount of credit was observed where TE was maximized at amount around 20,000 Bangladeshi Taka (USD255), a medium credit in terms of its amount. In addition, credit literacy was identified as a significant factor for improving TE. Though difference in the choice of sources for accessing credit had little impact on mean TE, its effect was found significantly higher for low scored technically efficient farmers compared to high scored farmers.Practical implications The policy toward widening the coverage of financial inclusion would be more effective than providing larger amount of credit to a limited number of farmers for improving their TE.Originality/value Such an in-depth assessment of the impact of financial inclusion on TE is probably the first effort in the Khulna district of Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the recent years, maize has emerged as an economically viable crop to the farmers of Bangladesh. This study estimates the technical efficiency of maize production under two different cropping patterns: Rabi season maize and Kharif season maize, and compares the efficiency of production between two cropping patterns. For this purpose, primary data have been collected from maize farmers from Thakurgaon district of Bangladesh as this area encompasses the highest concentration of maize cultivation. The Translog Stochastic Frontier production function is applied to estimate the technical efficiency of both seasons' maize. The results show that mean technical efficiency is found as 87.5% in the case of Rabi season maize, whilst it is 92% for Kharif season maize. It is also found that efficiency of maize production in Rabi season is positively influenced by fertilizer and irrigation while it is negatively influenced by farm size. On the other hand, farm size shows positive effect and irrigation shows negative effect on Kharif season maize production. An inefficiency effect model estimated by the Maximum Likelihood method shows that variables like education, household size, own land holding, access to credit and total income are negatively related to technical inefficiency of maize production in the Rabi season. In reverse, own land holding has positive relationship while farming experience, access to extension service and total income have negative relationship with technical inefficiency of maize production in the Kharif season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although a great deal of research exists on gender and agriculture, few studies investigate the implications of reduced gender disparities in households for technical efficiency. In this article, I compare the levels of technical efficiency achieved on plots operated by households with different levels of gender disparities. Using plot-level data from the 2011-2012 Bangladesh Integrated Household Survey and drawing on indicators derived from the Women's Empowerment in Agriculture Index, I estimate a stochastic frontier production function model, which includes women's empowerment in agriculture as an exogenous determinant of technical inefficiency. I find that reduced gender disparities within households (measured in terms of the empowerment gap between spouses) are associated with higher levels of technical efficiency. This result extends to plots that women jointly manage with their spouses, as well as those that women do not actively manage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study identifies the drivers of production and technical efficiency in onion cultivation based on a survey of 300 farmers from three different major onion growing districts in Bangladesh by applying a stochastic production frontier approach. Results reveal that land is the most important driver of production (elasticity value 0.33) followed by labour (0.24) and seed (0.18). Use of modern seed significantly improves production. A constant returns to scale exists in onion production. The mean technical efficiency is estimated at 67% implying that output can be increased substantially by 49% by eliminating inefficiencies in production. Extension contact, use of recommended dose of fertilizers and non-agricultural income significantly improve technical efficiency. Efficiency is significantly higher for owner operators and diversified farms. Policy implications include investments in extension services and land reform measures to improve land ownership in order to boost onion production in Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The productive employment of scarce resources to achieve financial sustainability and social outreach among microfinance institutions (MFIs) has become a key concern of policymakers and practitioners. In view of its importance, this study adopted the Malmquist total factor productivity approach with a balanced panel dataset of 162 MFIs ranging from 2007 to 2012 to measure productivity performance. The results indicate that the microfinance sector in Bangladesh exhibited 4.3 % in overall productivity progress, attributed mainly to better managerial efficiency. Further splitting the output into financial and social outreach, known as 'dual mission', this study observed 3.9 and 5 % productivity progress per annum respectively, with five best practising MFIs being identified due to their balanced growth in both objectives. Although, depth of social outreach productivity (proxy by average loan size) recorded successive progress during the study period (2007-2012), breadth of social outreach productivity (proxy by number of savers) improved little due to the lack of innovative savings products. Thus, basing their designing of comprehensive savings products and development of appropriate synergies on the best five performing MFIs, the government and respective authorities should stimulate the transfer of their innovative practices to other MFIs to enhance sectorial growth and better serve the poor community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice is the most dominant field crop in Bangladesh covering 75% of the total cultivated area and consumes 80% of the total fertilizers alone. Nevertheless, the productivity of rice in Bangladesh remains one of the lowest in the world. Urea, the main source of nitrogen (N), plays a key role in rice production, is required in large amount, is the most limited nutrient and also suffers from heavy system losses when applied in the puddle field. A worldwide crisis of urea fertilizer in 2008 spurred the need to economize on its use with urgency. The Urea Deep Placement (UDP) technology is aimed at increasing N fertilizer use efficiency in rice production and thus holds the promise to economize on the use of a very important but finite resource (i.e., urea) while improving rice productivity. The present study econometrically measures the impact of recently introduced UDP technology on productivity and efficiency of modern rice cultivation at the farm-level in Bangladesh using a stochastic production frontier approach. Data were collected from Shimlagachi village in Sharsha upazilla (sub-district) of Jessore district, located 225 km southwest of capital Dhaka. A total of 100 farmers using UDP technology and another 100 farmers using conventional urea to produce rice in both Boro (dry winter) and Aman (monsoon) seasons were randomly selected. Detailed input-output data including socio-economic information of the farmers were collected through administering a pre-tested structured questionnaire. The survey was conducted during May-June 2013. Results reveal that net profit, productivity and technical efficiency are significantly higher for the farmers using UDP technology as compared with the conventional urea users. On average, productivity of UDP farmers is 13% higher (estimated at 7164 kg/ha and 5242 kg/ha for Boro and Aman seasons, respectively) than the conventional urea users. Profitability is also higher for UDP farmers (BCR estimated at 1.36 and 1.08 for Boro and Aman seasons, respectively) than the conventional urea users (BCR estimated at 1.17 and 0.99 for Boro and Aman seasons, respectively). Finally, technical efficiency is 12% higher (estimated at 0.93) for the UDP farmers. However, the relative gain from UDP technology adoption is significantly higher in Boro season as compared with Aman season. The key policy conclusion is that the UDP technology should be disseminated widely with urgency so that Bangladesh can improve its food security by significantly increasing rice productivity while at the same time economize on the use of N fertilizer nutrient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhancing technical efficiency of rice production in major rice producing countries of Asia and Africa can have positive impacts on farm household income, alleviation of poverty, and improvement of the livelihoods of millions. Using household income and expenditure survey (HIES) data from Bangladesh and a stochastic frontier production function estimation approach, we examine the technical efficiency of the rice farmers in Bangladesh. Particular attention is given to abiotic stress factors such as maximum temperature and rainfall. Results indicate that while maximum temperature (drought) alone leads to a significant loss in rice production, both maximum temperature and rainfall (floods) are major contributors to technical inefficiency in Bangladeshi rice farming. On the other hand, household assets and off-farm wages tend to increase technical efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetically improved farmed tilapia is increasingly getting popular in Bangladesh. It has high production potential. Its dominant production technology ranges from extensive to improved extensive particularly in the rural areas. This study estimates levels and determinants of farm-level technical efficiency of tilapia farmers of Bangladesh using stochastic frontier production function involving a model for technical inefficiency effects. Data from fifty tilapia farmers of Jessore district are used in the analysis. The mean technical efficiency level of the tilapia farmers is 78%, and thus, the farmers operate 22% below the frontier production. Inefficiency effect is significant, and age, education, income, culture length, pond age, pond depth, water colour and pond tenure, as a group, are significant determinants of technical inefficiency. By operating at full technical efficiency levels, tilapia yield can be improved from the current level of 7.36-8.96 tons per hectare. The decision to add or not to add inputs is sometimes taken arbitrarily and not based on technology requirement. There is a lack of understanding of the technology practices. Fisheries extension efforts are required for proper understanding of the technology practices, further adoption and spread. For promotion of tilapia production, quality feed and seed at affordable price needs to be ensured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat is the second most important cereal crop in Bangladesh. A unique feature of wheat in Bangladesh is 100% adoption of modern varieties. The present paper provides an account of the growth performance of wheat in Bangladesh over the past four decades. The paper then examines the productivity performance of the wheat producers as well as its determinants at the farm-level using a survey data of 293 households collected from three wheat growing regions in 2004. Results reveal that the area under wheat increased six folds from only 132,000 ha in 1971 to 832,000 ha in 2000 but then declined sharply to 479,050 ha in 2006. Consequently, total production and yield grew at an annual rate of 6.9% and 1.9%, respectively. The actual yield level increased from 0.9 t/ha to 1.5 t/ha over this 36 year period. Farm-level result reveals that the environmental production conditions within which the farmers operate significantly affect productivity as well as technical efficiency of wheat production, an issue commonly ignored in the existing literature. Wheat productivity is significantly lower in low lying areas and poor soils. Productivity is also significantly affected by a delay in sowing. Technical efficiency of wheat production in Bangladesh is estimated at 83%, implying that production can be increased by 20% [{(100-83)/83}*100] through reallocation of resources alone. Analysis of the determinants of technical efficiency reveals that a host of managerial and socio-economic factors significantly affect performance of wheat producers. Farmers' education, access to agricultural information, training and use of mechanical power significantly improves technical efficiency, whereas a delay in sowing and fertilization, and poor sourcing of seeds (i.e., from local market and/or neighbours) significantly reduces efficiency. Large farms are more efficient relative to small and medium sized farms. Geography does matter. Productivity of wheat is significantly lower in Jamalpur region. Policy implications include, soil fertility improvement through soil conservation and crop rotation, improvement in managerial practices through extension services and adoption of modern technologies, promotion of education and training targeted to farmers, strengthening the research-extension link, and development of new varieties that have higher yield potential and are also suitable for marginal areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-parametric Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and parametric Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) have become very popular in the analysis of productive efficiency. This study undertakes a comparison of the SFA and the constant returns to scale (CRS) and variable returns to scale (VRS) output-oriented DEA models, based on a sample of 240 farms in Bangladesh. However, the aim of this paper is not only to compare estimates of technical efficiency obtained from the two approaches, but also to examine the determinants of inefficiency. The detection and measurement of technical inefficiency and its determinants can be used as a basis of policy recommendations. The results from both the approaches indicated that there is a potential for increasing farm production through efficiency improvement and that farmers' age and educational level have a significant effect on efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper estimates a quadratic stochastic frontier production function to examine the determinants of technical efficiency in rice farming in Bangladesh using the computer program FRONTIER 4.1. Primary data has been collected using multi-stage random sampling technique from twelve villages in north-central and north-western regions in Bangladesh. Rice cultivation displayed much variability in technical efficiency ranging from 0.16 to 0.94 with mean technical efficiency of 0.83 which suggested substantial gains in output with available resources and existing technologies. The analysis of the determinants of technical efficiency revealed that the age and education of the household heads, availability of off-farm incomes, land fragmentation, access to microfinance, extension visits, and regional variation were the major factors that caused efficiency differentials among the farm households studied. Hence, the study proposes strategies such as providing better extension services and farmer training programs, ensuring access to agricultural microfinance, reducing land fragmentation and raising educational level of the farmers to enhance technical efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'Gher' farming is a unique system that incorporates the joint operation of three enterprises: freshwater prawn, fish and HYV rice and is expanding rapidly in the coastal regions of Bangladesh. In this paper we evaluate the performance of this unique system in terms of the existence of diversification economies (amongst the three integrated enterprises), scale economies and technical efficiency using a stochastic input distance function approach on a sample of gher farmers. The results reveal evidence of a diversification economy in the rice-carp combination. Economies of scale exist in the 'gher' farming system. The level of technical efficiency is estimated at 68% implying that a substantial 47% [(100−68)/68] of potential output can be recovered by removing inefficiency. Significant efficiency gains are made from diversification amongst these enterprises. Also, the education of farmers and the female labour input significantly improve efficiency whilst larger operation size reduces efficiency. The key policy implication is that the diversification of enterprises, particularly the rice-carp combination, is beneficial and should be promoted. Also investment in education and creation of a hired labour market for females would improve technical efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Intensification of agriculture often requires external inputs, has negative environmental effects and increases risk, especially for small-scale producers. Integrated aquaculture-agriculture (IAA) instead uses on-farm synergy effects of crop and fish production. The impact of long-term IAA training provided to small-scale farmers in Bangladesh is assessed using panel data from 260 project and 126 control farmers who were monitored from 2002/2003 to 2005/2006. We find that the training had a significant positive impact on farmers’ technical efficiency, total factor productivity and net incomes. These result in higher food consumption and better nutrition for trained households compared to control farmers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article examines the contribution of women’s labour input to productivity and efficiency in crop farming using a large survey dataset of 1,839 households from 16 villages in two agro-ecological regions of Bangladesh. Results reveal that female labour accounts for a substantial 28% of total labour use (mainly supplied from the family) and contributes significantly to productivity as well as technical efficiency. Contrary to expectation, the cost share of female labour input is significantly higher than the male share, and has a substitution relationship with all other inputs, including male labour. The estimated mean level of technical efficiency is 0.90, implying that crop output might be increased by 10% by eliminating technical inefficiency. Both male and female education have a significant impact on improving technical efficiency. Other significant technical efficiency shifters are farming experience, family size and crop diversification. Owner operators are found to be technically inefficient relative to the tenants. Policy implications include creation of a hired labour market for female labour so that more women can be involved in the production process, and can contribute to towards improving productivity and efficiency. In addition, investment in education for both men and women, strategies to promote crop diversification and effective regulation/modification of the tenancy market will significantly improve technical efficiency in this case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been argued that poor productivity performance is one of the critical causes of stagnation in the African manufacturing sector, but firm-level empirical support is limited. Using original firm data from the garment industry, Kenyan and Bangladeshi firms were compared in terms of their technical efficiency and their contribution to competitiveness represented by unit costs. Our estimates indicate that there is no significant gap in the average technical efficiency of the two industries, although unit costs differ greatly between them. Higher unit costs in Kenyan firms mainly stem from high labor costs, while the impact of inefficiency is quite small. Productivity has little correlation with the stagnation of the garment industry in Kenya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper evaluates resource allocation efficiency of prawn-carp polyculture systems by making use of the data of 105 farmers of Bangladesh. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) was employed to estimate the efficiency. Mean technical efficiency (TE), allocative efficiency (AE) and cost efficiency (CE) were 85%, 58%, and 49%, respectively. Fifty percent of prawn-carp farmers displayed full TE whereas only 9% were cost efficient. Actual input application largely deviated from the technical and cost-efficient levels. TEs and AEs showed a positive and negative correlation with pond size, respectively. Labor, fingerlings and feed were overused while organic and inorganic fertilizers were underused in general. Adjustments in actual input allocations were necessary to make use consistent with TE and CE levels. The study concludes that mere achievement of technical efficiency in prawn-carp production may be a short-run concern; the farmers have to be economically efficient in the long-run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite record national output in the early years of this decade there is widespread concern that rice yields in Bangladesh are below those attainable, and that given future population growth this may constrain achievement of food security and poverty reduction objectives. A frequent response to this problem is that farmers could close the gap between actual farm yields and potential yields identified in field trials if farmers who are technically inefficient could improve their current farming practices. This paper estimates and explains technical efficiency for a sample of rice farmers in Bangladesh employing Bayesian methods. The results provide insights into the distribution of technical efficiency and identify important influences on rice growing. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Greening modern rice farming while improving productivity and reducing chemical use is a desirable goal for sustainable agriculture. This paper analyzes the impact of vermicomposting on productivity and efficiency of modern rice farming using a random sample of 340 farmers from the southwestern region of Bangladesh by applying a stochastic production frontier approach. Results reveal that productivity is significantly higher and the use of chemicals is significantly lower for vermicompost users as expected. However, profitability gain is not significantly different mainly due to the high cost of vermicompost. Use of vermicompost significantly increases productivity along with other conventional inputs and its users are relatively more technically efficient. Policy implications include investments to raise farmers' awareness of the benefits of vermicomposting and support entrepreneurs to expand commercial production of vermicompost, which will synergistically curb the use of chemicals in modern rice farming while improving productivity and efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: District hospitals (DHs) provide secondary level of healthcare to a wide range of population in Bangladesh. Efficient utilization of resources in these secondary hospitals is essential for delivering health services at a lower cost. Therefore, we aimed to estimate the technical efficiency of the DHs in Bangladesh. Methods: We used input-oriented data envelopment analysis method to estimate the variable returns to scale (VRS) and constant returns to scale (CRS) technical efficiency of the DHs using data from Local Health Bulletin, 2015. In this model, we considered workforce as well as number of inpatient beds as input variables and number of inpatient, outpatient, and maternal services provided by the DHs as output variables. A Tobit regression model was applied for assessing the association of institutional and environmental characteristics with the technical efficiency scores. Results: The average scale, VRS, and CRS technical efficiency of the DHs were estimated to 85%, 92%, and 79% respectively. Population size, poverty headcount, bed occupancy ratio, administrative divisions were significantly associated with the technical efficiency of the DHs. The mean VRS and CRS technical efficiency demonstrated that the DHs, on an average, could reduce their input mix by 8% and 21% respectively while maintaining the same level of output. Conclusion: Since the average technical efficiency of the DHs was 79%, there is little scope for overall improvements in these facilities by adjusting inputs. Therefore, we recommend to invest further in the DHs for improvement of services. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) should improve the efficiency in resource allocation by setting an input-mix formula for DHs considering health and socio-economic indicators (e.g., population density, poverty, bed occupancy ratio). The formula can be designed by learning from the input mix in the more efficient DHs. The MoHFW should conduct this kind of benchmarking study regularly to assess the efficiency level of health facilities which may contribute to reduce the wastage of resources and consequently to provide more affordable and accessible public hospital care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulses are an important source of protein and have recently gained international prominence. This paper jointly identifies the determinants of improved variety adoption, productivity and efficiency of 2700 pulse producers from 10 pulse-growing districts of Bangladesh using a Sample-selection Stochastic Production Frontier model. Result revealed that the decision to adopt improved pulse technology is significantly influenced by yield, farming experience, education and extension contact while subsistence pressure discourages adoption. Land, fertilizer, mechanical power, pesticides and labour are the significant determinants of improved pulse productivity. Productivity is significantly lower for improved varieties of lentil, blackgram and chickpea as compared to mungbean and for farmers who use own-sourced seed. Location of the growing area does matter. Improved pulse productivity is significantly higher in five of the ten districts. The mean level of technical efficiency of improved pulses is estimated at 0.73, implying that productivity can be substantially improved by eliminating inefficiency. Policy implications include investments in R&D and extension services by involving farmers in R&D endeavours and enhancing farmer-based seed production and distribution schemes to develop and disseminate improved pulse technology, improving farmers' education and tenurial reforms to facilitate smooth operation of the land market and mechanical power services to increase pulse productivity and production in Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]