Food security through increasing technical efficiency

Abstract

Stochastic frontier production function was used to determine technical efficiency and its determinants in potato production. Cobb Douglas production function was adopted. Results indicated that age of the respondents, consulting extension staff and cost of plant protection measures were positively related with technical efficiency. However, cost of fertilizer was negatively affecting technical efficiency. The main reason was injudicious use of fertilizer especially nitrogenous fertilizer. The mean technical efficiency level was 76% indicating that there exist a large potential to increase potato production in Pakistani Punjab. Results of the study suggest that by improving technical efficiency, food security problem could be handled to a great extent with available technology and resources. © 2006 Asian Network for Scientific Information.