Technology efficiency or allocation efficiency

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hailong Cai ◽  
Tianyao Yan
Keyword(s):  
Farm Size ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Allocation Efficiency ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Economies Of Size ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Cereal Production ◽  
Size Groups ◽  
Efficiency Estimation

Purpose The emergence of mega-farms in middle-income countries like Brazil and Ukraine and the efforts to consolidate small farms into larger ones in China and elsewhere have suggested that new institutional arrangements and technology progress may increase the significant farm economies of size, and therefore challenging the classical inverse relationship (IR) between productivity and farm size. The purpose of this paper is to conduct a research to examine the existence of IR in China’s cereal production and further explore the possible mechanism. Design/methodology/approach Based on the panel data concerning farms from 31 provinces in China in 2009–2014, technology efficiency and allocation efficiency in cereal production were measured based on the Translog production function. Findings In China, an IR exists between wheat, rice and maize production after controlling the related variables. Further, the presence of this IR is due to allocation efficiency rather than technology efficiency. Results of technology efficiency show that there is no significant difference between different size groups; in other words, even the larger size groups enjoy a higher technology efficiency in rice production. Results of allocation efficiency demonstrate that, compared with the larger farms, smaller holders tend to invest more in factors which are beneficial in growing productivity. Hence, yields of small-size farms exceed those of large-size farms, which consequently leads to the IR. Practical implications The scale consolidation of cropland is harmless to the efficiency of factor utilization and, conversely, may contribute in improving the technology efficiency of specific crops (like rice). Based on the results of allocation efficiency estimation, the extent of misallocation in large scales is relatively less due to their less input of fertilizer and pesticide; thus, the size-improving policy of farmland may contribute to the ease of the non-point pollution in agriculture. Originality/value The existing discussions of the IR in the context of recent China mainly focus on the accurate verification of IRs. This paper steps forward from the perspective of technology efficiency and allocation efficiency and explores the exact resources of IR with up-to-date and representative data and hopes to find some new conclusions.

scholarly journals Relative Profitability of Maize Production under Different Farm Size Groups in Kishoregonj District of Bangladesh

2013 ◽  
Vol 21 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 247-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Uddin ◽  
MHA Rashid ◽  
S Akhter
Keyword(s):  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Statistical Techniques ◽  
Average Standard Deviation ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Net Returns ◽  
Size Groups ◽  
Gross Margins ◽  
Relative Profitability

This study was conducted to estimate the relative profitability of Maize production under different farm size groups. Data were collected from randomly selected 74 maize growing farmers of which 25 were small, 32 were medium and 17 were large considering the scope and potentials of maize production at Kishoregonj district. To achieve the objectives of the study, descriptive statistical techniques such as sum, average, standard deviation etc, were used. The major findings of the study showed that per hectare average total costs were Tk. 30,147.54, Tk. 31,892.00 and Tk. 34,059.00 for small, medium and large farmers, respectively. Per hectare gross return from maize production were Tk. 61,730.00, Tk. 79,716.00 and Tk. 75,707.00 for small, medium and large farmers, respectively. Per hectare gross margins from maize production was estimated at Tk. 36,836.00, Tk. 53,096.00 and Tk. 46,871.00 for small, medium and large farmers, respectively. Per hectare average net returns of maize were estimated at Tk. 31,583.00, Tk. 47,823.00 and Tk. 41,648.00 for small, medium and large farmers, respectively. The findings of the study revealed that medium farmers earned higher profit than those of small and large farmers.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pa.v21i1-2.16781 Progress. Agric. 21(1 & 2): 247 - 252, 2010

Farm and lender structural change: implications for federal credit

2017 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles B. Dodson ◽  
Bruce L. Ahrendsen
Keyword(s):  
Land Tenure ◽  
Commodity Price ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Farm Income ◽  
Service Agency ◽  
Credit System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Farm Credit ◽  
Size Groups ◽  
Guaranteed Loans

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine changes in the structures of US farms and lenders and identify prospective implications for federal credit. Design/methodology/approach Data from US farm operations for 1996-2014 were adjusted to 2014 values using commodity price indices. Farm size groups were constructed by value of farm production to analyze changes in farm numbers, production, assets, debt, leverage, liquidity, profitability, land tenure, commodity type, contract production, organization type, and use of Farm Service Agency (FSA) direct and guaranteed loans by farm size. Bank, Farm Credit System (FCS), and FSA data from 1996 to 2015 were adjusted to 2014 values. Lender size groups were constructed to analyze changes in bank and association numbers, farm loans, and use of FSA guaranteed loans by lender size. Findings The greatest consolidation has been by farms with over $2 million in production. More farm debt is held by large, complex organizations, frequently with multiple operators, more variable income, and greater reliance on production contracts and operating and nonreal estate credit. Large farms have greater leverage, are more profitable, and have a larger share of household income from the farm. Banks and FCS institutions are fewer and larger, yet smaller institutions use FSA guarantees to a greater extent. Larger farms tend to be more reliant on both direct and guaranteed FSA loans and are likely to become more dependent on FSA credit. Originality/value Changing farm and lender structure together with softening farm income may require FSA farm loan program changes to meet any increase in loan demand. Policy alternatives are provided to meet changing demand for farm credit.

Multidimensional poverty in urban Brazil: income, assets and expenses

2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andre Golgher
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Subjective Evaluation ◽  
Multidimensional Poverty ◽  
Logistic Function ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Food Expenditures ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Multidimensional Deprivation ◽  
Information Assets

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present deprivation in urban Brazil in a multidimensional perspective with dimensions related to household’s objective information, assets in the household, subjective evaluation concerning the dwelling and expenses. Design/methodology/approach – The author used factorial analysis applied to the Brazilian Household Budget Survey. Most dimensions showed a positive correlation with income, while for others it was not observed any significant difference between income ranges. Some types of deprivation specially touched low-income households, while other dimensions differentiated middle-income households, or even higher income households. The author applied a fuzzy perspective to define deprivation membership in each dimension with the use of a modified logistic function. The author observed that households with similar income faced different levels of deprivation in many dimensions. Findings – The author showed that there were significant differences in household’s expense preferences and profiles linked to these findings. Households with high levels of food deprivation relatively spend more on household’s rent, taxes and services, indicating that shelter and then food in the household are the very basic goods. Larger relative expenses with food in the household indicated higher levels of deprivation in all other dimensions, indicating that due to these higher food expenditures, the households could not overcome the deprivation in other dimensions. Households that spend more on smoke and gambling faced higher deprivation in most dimensions, suggesting different expenses priorities, less household oriented. Originality/value – To the best of the knowledge, this is the first attempt to link multidimensional deprivation and expenses profile for Brazilian data.

The ripple effect of credit accessibility on the technical efficiency of maize farmers in Ghana

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Siaw ◽  
Yuansheng Jiang ◽  
Martinson Ankrah Twumasi ◽  
Wonder Agbenyo ◽  
Gideon Ntim-Amo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Technical Efficiency ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Farm Income ◽  
Agricultural Credit ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Frontier Analysis ◽  
Access To Credit ◽  
Variable Approach ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the impact of access to credit on technical efficiency (TE) of maize farmers in a developing country, Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThe study employed an instrumental variable approach and the stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) method for the estimation of the results.FindingsThe study found that farmers who have access to agricultural credit stand the chance of increasing TE by a margin of 8%, which also influences the maize production than those who did not have access to credit. The average TE score of the farmers was 74%. The study also found out that factors like membership, gender, farmers' access to credit, age and social network determine farmers' possibility of accessing agricultural credit. The study finds out that returns to size are increasing among the maize farmers and that significant improvement in efficiency can be realized by increasing the level of input used in production. Also, factors such as farm size, labor, seeds and fertilizer are the essential determinants of maize production output. Also, gender, extension, age, off-farm income, access to credit and membership were significant factors influencing technical inefficiency (TI).Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the existing literature on agricultural credit on rural agricultural development. The problem of endogeneity associated with access to credit, which has been considered by other researchers, is dealt with this study. This paper also provides information to government policymakers, practitioners and all other stakeholders in the maize sub-sectors and also will benefit small farmers outside the study area.

Use of mental health services by women in low and middle income countries

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 211-223
Author(s):  
Christine Paula de los Angeles ◽  
William Watkins Lewis ◽  
Ryan McBain ◽  
Mohammad Taghi Yasamy ◽  
Adepeju Aderemi Olukoya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Service ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Service Usage ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Health Service Usage

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine sex differences in mental health service usage among upper-middle, lower-middle, and low-income countries (LICs). Design/methodology/approach – Data from 62 low- and middle-income countries (LAMICs) were collected with the World Health Organization – Assessment Instrument for Mental Health Systems (WHO-AIMS). Sex differences in mental health service utilization were assessed by comparing the proportion female in the general population with the proportion female treated for mental illness in five different types of mental health facility. Findings – Two-sided t-tests for significance (a=0.05) revealed a significant difference between the proportion female in the population and the proportion treated in inpatient facilities (community-based and mental hospitals) in LICs. There was also a trend toward decreased use of outpatient facilities by women in LICs (p=0.08). Lower-middle and upper-middle income countries showed no differences. In day treatment facilities for the entire sample, there was a significant difference between the proportion female in the population and the proportion treated female (weighted mean difference overall=0.10, p=0.035). Research limitations/implications – The authors found significantly reduced utilization of mental health services by women in LICs in community-based inpatient facilities and mental hospitals and a trend toward decreased use in outpatient facilities. Future studies investigating the factors contributing to the lower utilization of services by women in LICs are essential. Originality/value – This study presents the first comprehensive study of mental health service usage by sex in 62 LAMICs.

scholarly journals An economic study on maize production in some selected areas of Swat District

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-39
Author(s):  
Ijaz Uddin ◽  
◽  
Salman Shah ◽  
Saeedullah Khan ◽  
Zulfiqar Khan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Technical Problem ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Damage Effect ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Maize Cultivation ◽  
Size Groups ◽  
The Government

Introduction. Maize production in Pakistan is reduced over the last decades. Many problems are creating in Tehsil Matta in maize production. Which are technical, marketing, and social problems. The technical problem includes the high cost of irrigation, lack of financial capital, lack of scientific knowledge of farmers, lack of quality seeds. Marketing problems include low cost of maize production, high cost of maize inputs. The social problem includes the damage of seeds of birds, the damage effect by insects, and theft in maize cob. Materials and Methods. The present study aims to find the socio-economic characteristics of maize producers and also estimate their profit function under different farm size groups of maize production. Five villages are selected from the Swat District. Namely, villages, Sakhra, Sambat, Bara Drushkhela, Chupriyal, and Beha. Primary data has been collected from 75 farmers. The simple random sampling has been followed, both statistical and tabulation analysis were applied in this study. The average area under maize cultivation was 64 % respondents are the owner and 36 % were least out of selected sample size. A simple average method was used for finding the results. Results and Discussion. The majority 77.33% respondents were literate and 22.67% were illiterate, the main source of seeds 94.67% own, 5.33% fellow farmers and 0 % were government provided. The majority of respondents i.e 33.33% respondent was facing the water problem, while 66.67 % of respondent were used the canal for irrigation. Finally, in each kanal total revenue was 35800 and per kanal total cost was 16360. The profit was R.s 19440. It is recommended that the government should provide these inputs and other related support lead to an increased significantly in maize production.

scholarly journals Carbon footprint for wheat and maize production modulated by farm size: a study in the North China plain

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Liantao Hou ◽  
Yinsheng Yang ◽  
Xiaoyi Zhang ◽  
Chunming Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
North China Plain ◽  
North China ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The North ◽  
The North China Plain

Purpose The relationship between farm size and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has not been clearly defined. This paper aims to assess and compare the impact of farm size on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions derived from wheat and maize production in the North China Plain (NCP), one of the most important agricultural regions in China. Design/methodology/approach A field survey through face-to-face interviews was conducted to collect the primary data, and life cycle assessment method, a worldwide comparable framework, was then adopted to characterize the farm-size effect on greenhouse gas (GHG) wheat and maize production in NCP. Findings It was confirmed that GHG emissions from N fertilizer production and use were the primary contributor to total carbon footprint (CF). As farm size increased, maize yield increased but wheat yield barely changed, while area-scaled and yield-scaled CF declined for both crops. These results were supposed to relate to utilize the inputs more efficiently resulting from increased application of modern agriculture methods on larger operations. It was also found maize not only had higher grain yields, but possessed much smaller CFs. More notably, the reduction of CF with farm size seemed to be more sensitive for maize as compared to wheat. To further mitigate GHG emissions, farm size should better be larger for wheat than for maize. Originality/value This study provides useful information guide for Chinese agriculture in increasing crop production, raising farm income and relieving environmental burdens caused by the misuse of agricultural resources.

Profitability analysis of rice production: a microeconomic perspective from northern Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abraham Zakaria ◽  
Shaibu Baanni Azumah ◽  
Gilbert Dagunga ◽  
Mark Appiah-Twumasi
Keyword(s):  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Rice Production ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Northern Ghana ◽  
Farm Income ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Rice Farmers ◽  
Profitability Analysis ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to estimate the profitability of rice production for irrigated and rain-fed farmers; determine the factors that influence farmers' decision to participate in irrigation and the impact of irrigation on rice farmers' profitability in northern Ghana.Design/methodology/approachUsing cross-sectional data collected from 543 rice farmers in northern Ghana, the study employed both non-parametric (cost benefit analysis) and parametric (endogenous switching regression) approaches to analyse the data.FindingsThe empirical results reveal a significant difference between the profits of irrigated (GHS 2442.30) and rain-fed farmers (GHS 576.20), as well as the cost-benefit ratios between irrigators (2.53) and rain-fed farmers (1.37). Also, participation in irrigation was found to be influenced by relatively small farm size and off-farm income; while profitability was influenced by membership in a farmer-based organization, access to agricultural extension services and perception of decreasing rainfall intensity. Irrigation also had a positive significant net impact on profitability of rice production.Research limitations/implicationsThe results provide justification for development partners and the government of Ghana through the “one-village-one-dam” policy, to invest in irrigation in northern Ghana in order to improve household welfare as well as build resilience for sustainable production systems.Originality/valueThis study is the first of its kind to provide a robust analysis of the difference in profits of rain-fed and irrigated rice farmers while estimating the determinants of Ghanaian farmers' choice of either of the regimes within a bias-corrected framework.

Adoption and compliance with Council for Scientific and Industrial Research recommended maize production practices in Ashanti region, Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Camillus Abawiera Wongnaa ◽  
John-Eudes Andivi Bakang ◽  
Maxwell Asiamah ◽  
Patrick Appiah ◽  
Joshua Kani Asibey
Keyword(s):  
Female Gender ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Industrial Research ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Production Practices

PurposeThere is a huge gap between actual and achievable yields of maize which threatens household food security in Ghana. Low adoption of improved maize production technologies coupled with poor compliance with Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) recommended maize production practices is identified as the cause of low yields. This study assessed farmers' compliance with CSIR recommended production practices and its effects on yield.Design/methodology/approachUsing a structured questionnaire, a cross-sectional survey of 150 respondents were interviewed for the study. Descriptive statistics, awareness and compliance indices, probit model and Garret ranking technique were the methods of analysis employed in the study.FindingsThe results showed that farmers are highly aware, have adopted and hardly comply with standards of applications of CSIR recommended production practices. Farm size, age, educational level and female gender significantly influenced compliance with recommended production practices. Also, compliance with recommended production practices increase maize yield.Originality/valuePolicies aim at addressing yield gap in maize production should be targeted at improving farmers' level of compliance with production practices by addressing some constraints through farmer credit and subsidy programmes to help farmers increase their level of compliance. The fact that farmers have adopted recommended production practices does not necessarily mean they will have higher yields. The study generates important insights about how well farmers have been adhering to standards of adoption of recommended production practices.

scholarly journals Online learning in COVID-19 pandemic: an empirical study of Indian and Turkish higher education institutions

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Prathamesh Churi ◽  
Kamal Mistry ◽  
Muhammad Mujtaba Asad ◽  
Gaurav Dhiman ◽  
Mukesh Soni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Learning ◽  
Empirical Study ◽  
Classroom Practice ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Online Mode ◽  
Statistical Measures ◽  
Significant Difference

Purpose Online learning is essential in today’s world. The COVID-19 has resulted in shutting down all the universities across the globe. Countries like India and Turkey (lower-income countries) are suffering a lot in giving the best classroom practice to their students through online mode. The entire way of teaching-learning has changed drastically, and it is a need of an hour. Research suggests that online learning has been shown to increase retention of information, and take less time, meaning the changes coronavirus have caused might be here to stay. It is therefore important to understand from student’s perspectives about learning online. The paper systematically surveys the perception of learning online for Indian and Turkan students. Design/methodology/approach To achieve this goal, 594 samples of students (from India and Turkey country) have been taken into considerations, and through statistical measures, the results were analyzed. The set of four research questions comprising of effect of study on COVID-19 pandemic, perception of learning online in COVID-19 pandemic, perception of different genders in learning online and perception of Indians over Turkan students in learning online were analyzed through statistical measures such as mean, standard deviation and so on. Findings The descriptive statistics of various responses across various dimensions (gender, country) reveals that there is no effect in learning online as compared to classroom-based teaching. On the other hand, there is no significant difference in gender and country in learning online. Originality/value Online learning has become crucial in higher education as far as pandemic situation is concerned. Many higher education institutions across different countries are suffering various problems from student point of view. Middle-income countries who are with limited assets and less advancements in higher education need to adhere to certain guidelines in online learning. This empirical study will help to understand the perception of students in online learning across India and Turkey.

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