Effect of ownership on energy use efficiency in watermelon farms - A DEA approach-

Abstract

The aims of this study were to determine the amount of input-output energy and exploring a non-parametric data envelopment analysis (DEA) technique which permits efficiency estimation to investigate the efficiency of watermelon farms under different farming technologies in Hamadan province, Iran. The population investigated was divided into two groups, Group II non-owner of land, machinery and low level of farming technology and Group I farms owner of land, machinery and high level of farming technology. Technical and pure technical efficiency of watermelon production was estimated 0.82 and 0.91. Frequency distribution of technical and pure technical efficiency represented farmers in Group II was more efficient. Separate analysis of groups and technical efficiency also followed same results for Group II, farms with high farming technology are more efficient and waste less source of energy. Present and target use of energy and energy saving of inefficient farms calculated. The results reveal that, on an average, in Group I and II about 68% and 28% of the total input energy could be saved respectively if the farmers follow the input package recommended by the study and farms with high technology can decrease waste of energy and costs and increase productive efficiency.

Keywords

• Watermelon, Productive efficiency, Data envelopment analysis, Farming technologies.

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