Efficiency and Productivity Analysis of High-Tech Multipe Cropping Systems in Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

This research entails the efficiency analysis of multiple cropping systems under tunnels in Punjab, Pakistan. At present, due to higher rate of land fragmentation and higher aggregate population in Pakistan, required such agricultural production practices that are conducive to the intensive farming techniques. The gradual change in traditional cropping patterns is required to elude the future deterrence in terms of food insecurity, poverty and low level of living standards. This study covers a number of ways to elaborate on the farms’ efficiency under multiple cropping systems. Firstly, it undertakes the literature review that covers both the symmetric and meta-analysis. The symmetric analysis considers the studies that examined the efficiency and productivity analyses of mono and multiple cropping systems around the world generally and for Pakistan, specifically. The meta-analysis in this study specifically takes into account efficiency and productivity analyses of Pakistan’s farm sector. Pakistan is on its initial stages of adoption of modern multiple cropping systems under tunnel technology. The adoption of multiple cropping systems under tunnel is one of the ways to increase farm production within same space and time. Major objective of the study was to conduct an efficiency and profitability analyses of multiple cropping systems under tunnels. Two multiple cropping systems namely; cotton-melon and capsicum-bitter gourd under tunnels were selected for this purpose. The sole capsicum cropping system was also selected for comparative efficiency and profitability analyses between multiple and sole cropping systems under tunnels. The data were collected from 450 farmers; those who were cultivating cotton-melon, bitter gourd-capsicum and sole capsicum cropping systems’ crops in the combination under tunnels. The sample size for each selected cropping system was 150 farmers. The data were collected through an interview questionnaire from the study area Punjab, Pakistan. The study conducted the efficiency analysis by using Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) techniques, for robust efficiency analysis. The gross margin analysis is also used to calculate the profitability of selected multiple and sole cropping systems. The result of technical efficiency analysis of cotton-melon, bitter gourd-capsicum and sole capsicum cropping systems depicts the presences of 15, 21 and 17 percent of technical inefficiency, respectively. The allocative efficiency analysis of cotton-melon, bitter gourdcapsicum and sole capsicum cropping systems reports 25, 40 and 35 percent of allocative inefficiency in these cropping systems, respectively. The average economic inefficiencies of cotton-melon, bitter gourd-capsicum and sole capsicum cropping systems are around 34, 49 and 44 percent, respectively. Technical efficiency calculations indicate that the improvement in performance is possible by using balanced quantities of inputs. It can also be improved by analyzing the agricultural policy in order to adopt and improve the productivity of selected cropping systems under tunnels. The bitter gourd-capsicum cropping system appeared as the most profitable system out of three selected systems under tunnels followed by the sole capsicum cropping system as profitable one. Moreover, it is needed that farmers should not apply the inputs by keeping in view mono cropping system only. Every cropping system and farm land has its own unique input requirements. The timely and balanced application of the inputs can ensure the highest possible yield and lower cost of production. It is also a prerequisite for the farmers of the study area to consult with the agricultural experts, and take more practical decisions regarding the input application to maximize the benefits of multiple cropping systems under tunnels. The result of the study also suggested that the improvement in infrastructure, management practices, and socioeconomic factors add to the high level of farm efficiency in cottonmelon, bitter gourd-capsicum and sole capsicum cropping systems. Effective implementation of agricultural schemes coupled with formal and informal education should be materialized. As the formal education is vital for improving farmers’ ability that reflects in the enhancement of agricultural productivity. This aspect must be considered while formulating agricultural policy for future. Overall, this study encompasses all the possible dimensions of multiple cropping systems under tunnels including production function, cost function and farms’ profitability. Comprehensive analysis through time series and panel data is helpful in providing the broader picture of multiple cropping systems under tunnels in the times to come.