Agricultural Economics and Development

Agricultural Economics and Development

Investigating the Efficiency of Pomegranate Growers in Khash County of Iran Using Data Envelopment Analysis and Super-Efficiency Models

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
M. H. Karim 1
A. Karim 2
َH. Amiri 1
1 Faculty Member of Economics, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
2 MA Graduate in International and Regional Studies, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran
10.30490/aead.2020.252248.0
Abstract
This study aimed at investigating the efficiency of pomegranate growers in Khash County of Iran using two methods of data envelopment analysis (DEA) and super-efficiency analysis. The required information was collected by completing a questionnaire from pomegranate growers in the county. The study results showed that the average level of technical efficiency in the model assuming constant return to the scale (CRS) was 0.46 and in the model assuming variable return to the scale (VRS) was 0.68; and there was a clear difference in the level of technical efficiency between the studied gardens. The most important reason is the inefficiency in how to manage the use of inputs. The range of efficiency levels in the super-efficiency model was estimated 0.08 to 6.86 percent, indicating a great difference between pomegranate gardens in terms of input consumption. The results of ranking pomegranate gardens using the super-efficiency approach with input-oriented assumption showed that the ranking of inefficient gardens was similar to that of the data envelopment analysis. Therefore, proper management and optimal allocation of inputs used in the pomegranate production process as well as the support of relevant agencies are recommended to increase and improve the efficiency of pomegranate producers.
Keywords
Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA)
Super-Efficiency Model
Pomegranate Growers
Khash (County)
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