Data Envelopment Analysis as a Complement to Marginal Analysis

The consideration in the present study is mainly conceptual. The objective is to show how Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) can be used to reveal the true input-output relations in an industry. In the estimation of a production function it is assumed that all firms use the existing technology efficiently. However, in the real world the observed firms produce homogeneous outputs with differences in factor intensities and in managerial capacity. Hence, inefficiencies are hidden in the estimated production functions. In order to overcome this drawback of the parametric approach and to reveal the true nature of the input-output relations in production, given the available technology, the DEA approach is applied. In this study DEA is applied in order to select the farms that utilize efficiently the existing technology, allowing the estimation of a production function that reveals the true input-output relations in sheep-goat farming, using farm accounting data from a sample of 108 sheep-goat farms.Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,

Efficiency measurement in Greek dairy farms: Stochastic frontier vs. data envelopment analysis

Analysis (DEA) have become very popular in the analysis of productive efficiency. This paper undertakes a comparison of the SFA and the constant returns to scale (CRS) and variable returns to scale (VRS) output-oriented DEA models, based on a sample of 165 dairy farms in Greece. However, the aim of this paper is not only to compare estimates of technical efficiency obtained from two approaches, but also to produce efficiency data about the farms studied, which have implications for agricultural policy to improve dairy production. The results indicate that there is a potential for increasing production in the dairy farms through improved efficiency

Agricultural protection in Greece A regional study based on a survey in W. Macedonia in 1979

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Lending Division - LD:D58356/85 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Agricultural Land Use in an Environmentally Sensitive Area: An Assessment of an Agri-environmental Policy Measure

The agri-environmental measures included in European Union regulation 1257/99 encourage agricultural methods designed to protect the environment and maintain the countryside. The option of such environmentally favourable management of farming round a sensitive ecosystem including two lakes is examined. A multi-objective programming model is used to assess the cost of reducing the use of agrochemicals by changing the pattern of cropping alone. The solution shows that a substantial reduction in the use of agrochemicals can be achieved, if the support scheme provided for in this regulation can offset income loss due to reduced agrochemical use. The proposed aid results in a substantial reduction in the use of fungicides and insecticides, which are the most noxious agrochemicals.

A COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF THE DAM IN SIMANTRA-PORTARIA REGION

Η κατασκευή φράγματος στην περιοχή Σημάντρων-Πορταριάς αποσκοπεί στην άμβλυνση των αρνητικών συνεπειών της υπερχείλισης του τοπικού χειμάρρου στον τουρισμό, τη γεωργική δραστηριότητα και σε άλλες δραστηριότητες της περιοχής. Η οικονομική του αξιολόγηση βασίζεται στην αποτίμηση των ωφελειών με τη μέθοδο της εξαρτημένης αποτίμησης και στη διερεύνηση της σκοπιμότητας κατασκευής του με την ανάλυση κόστους-ωφελειών. Τα αποτελέσματα της ανάλυσης καταδεικνύουν τις προϋποθέσεις που καθιστούν συμφέρουσα την κατασκευή του έργου. Η απόδοση του έργου μεταβάλλεται σε σχέση με τον αριθμό των πλημμυρικών φαινομένων που θα αποφευχθούν.The construction of a dam in Simantra-Portaria region aims at the mitigation of the problems from local torrent overflow, which affect tourism, farming and other local activities. The expected benefits for the region are valuated with the Contingent Valuation method. A cost-benefit analysis for a period of 50 years reveals the conditions under which the construction of the dam is economically efficient. It is illustrated that the expected returns are linked to the frequency of flood incidents that will be avoided

Data Envelopment Analysis as a Complement to Marginal Analysis

The consideration in the present study is mainly conceptual. The objective is to show how Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) can be used to reveal the true input-output relations in an industry. In the estimation of a production function it is assumed that all firms use the existing technology efficiently. However, in the real world the observed firms produce homogeneous outputs with differences in factor intensities and in managerial capacity. Hence, inefficiencies are hidden in the estimated production functions. In order to overcome this drawback of the parametric approach and to reveal the true nature of the input-output relations in production, given the available technology, the DEA approach is applied. In this study DEA is applied in order to select the farms that utilize efficiently the existing technology, allowing the estimation of a production function that reveals the true input-output relations in sheep-goat farming, using farm accounting data from a sample of 108 sheep-goat farms

Food policy in Bangladesh 2010: impacts of domestic wheat productivity growth

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to estimate wheat productivity in Bangladesh and forecast the future expected population and food requirements in the country by 2010. Design/methodology/approach – This paper reaches the objectives using total factors productivity approach, Box Jenkins approach, and sensitivity analysis for wheat farms in the country. The study used data on wheat during 1972-2002. Findings – In the existing situation, the national average level wheat yield was 1.9?MT/ha that was lower than any other stations. The reasons are late sowing, coupled with lack of seed quality, excess moisture at sowing, lack of fertilizer at reasonable price and timeliness at the farmers' level, and lack of capital. The total productivity grew at an average annual rate of 1.35 percent. Practical implications – The results show that the Bangladeshi government could increase the domestic wheat supply by 56.84, 115.79, 247.37, and 321.58 percent depending, respectively, on the applied model I-IV, that is much higher than the existing level of production. Originality/value – This paper brings together diverse views and fusing them together providing a future path for research and taking suitable policy for wheat production to meet the demand for food.Bangladesh, Box Jenkins, Food crops, Food industry, Productivity rate, Wheat