Productivity and Technical Efficiency of Organic Rice Farming in Camarines Sur, Philippines

Abstract

Producing an optimum supply level is a critical barrier in the chain flow of organic rice. Low productivity is one of the main reasons rice farms cannot quickly address the market requirement for organic rice. The paper aimed to assess the productivity and technical efficiency of the organic rice farms in Camarines Sur and explore the factors affecting the yield of organic rice. By exploring the performance of organic rice farms in the province, this study provides empirical evidence to develop an economically effective farming system that will boost productivity at the farm level. Using farm-level data from 60 certified organic rice farms collected over four cropping seasons, we adopt the stochastic production analysis framework to analyze the productivity and technical efficiency determinants of certified organic farming households in Camarines Sur, Philippines. The results showed significant evidence of variations in farmers’ productivity and further improvement opportunities. The average technical efficiency is 0.75, ranging from 0.30 to 0.96. Labor availability, capital, and area planted to organic rice were the main factors affecting overall productivity. Results also highlighted the importance of access to irrigation, availability of full-time labor, and farming experience in improving farmer's technical efficiency. The findings of this study reinforce the need for a deeper understanding of the role of government, particularly in increasing investment in agricultural training and rural education, in agricultural production of smallholder farming households, and in the provision of support mechanisms for enabling improvement in the organic rice industry.