Determination of Technical Efficiency in Second Crop Maize Growing Farms in Turkey: A Case Study for the East Mediterranean in Turkey

Abstract

This study analysis the technical efficiency of sec crop maize growing farms in East Mediterranean region of Turkey. Data were collected from maize growing farms through a questionnaire study, carried out following the 2004-2005 growing season. The technical efficiency of maize farming was estimated using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Technical efficiency scores were calculated using an input oriented DEA and Tobit regression analysis was used to identify determinants of technical efficiency. The average land size of the farmer is 141.13 decares. The average number of persons in the farm is 4.55; the average age of farmers is 46, an average experience is 26 years and average education level is 7.29 years. Technical efficiency was calculated as 81\% in farm. The results indicate that sec crop maize farmers can reduce inputs by at least 19\% while remaining at the same production level. However, Technical Efficiency (TE) ranges between 41 and 100\% among the sec crop maize producers in East Mediterranean region. The greatest excesses were observed in fertilizer, machinery and labor use. Factors strongly affecting the efficiency of the farmers were found to be groups of maize harvesting area.