Technical Efficiency in Wheat Cultivation: An Analytical Study of the Transcendental Production Function and Performance Variations Between Fixed and Pivot Irrigation Systems

Abstract

This study examines the technical efficiency of wheat production using Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) and the transcendental production function to evaluate the effectiveness of various agricultural inputs, such as land area, pesticide and fertilizer usage, human and mechanical work hours, water, and seed quantities on productivity. It also explores the role of managerial factors, such as family size, education level, agricultural experience, and farmer age, in explaining technical inefficiency. The analysis compares fixed and pivot irrigation systems, revealing that fixed irrigation enhances production with the expansion of cultivated land, while pivot irrigation faces obstacles due to timing mismatches with climatic conditions. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that rational use of mechanical labor, water, and seed quantities significantly improves productivity. Conversely, misuse of pesticides and fertilizers can have adverse effects on soil and crops, necessitating advisory interventions. The findings highlight the need for improved agricultural resource management by adopting educational and awareness strategies to enhance farmers' efficiency. Innovative agricultural practices focusing on optimal input utilization are recommended. The study advocates for organizing planting schedules, investing in agricultural mechanization, regulating the use of agricultural chemicals, and strengthening farmers' managerial capacities to boost productivity and minimize the gap between actual and optimal frontier production.