Technical Efficiency of Paddy Cultivation and Its Non-Input Determinants: A Case Study in Char Areas of Barpeta District of Assam

Abstract

This paper has measured technical efficiency of paddy cultivators in Char areas of Barpeta district of Assam on the basis of primary data of 143 sample cultivators selected from both char and non-char areas for the winter cropping season of 2018-19. Char areas are small riverine islands or sandy bars located in the vicinity of the river basin. A Cobb-Douglas stochastic production frontier with inefficiency effects is estimated and selected non-input factors are modelled to explain variations in technical inefficiency across cultivators. The non-input variables such as experience and education are found to have positive effects on technical efficiency. However percentage of self-consumption and engagement in alternative occupations have negative influences on the same. Mean technical efficiency estimated in non-char area is 81present while that in char areas is clearly lower at 73 percent. The study observes that frequent water-logging during monsoons along with recurrent floods, lead to both soil erosion and sand deposition on cultivable land making it difficult for char farmers to cultivate paddy throughout the summer and monsoon months. Hence such adversities are compelling them to cultivate one paddy crop along with winter vegetables in pursuit of their principal livelihood.