Abstract:
The study examined the level of economic efficiency of rice farmers and assesses the link
between the estimated efficiency level to farmer’s socio economic and other characteristics. To
seek this objective, the author use multistage sampling technique to select 153 rice producers in
fogera woreda and cross sectional data were collected by using interview through structured
questioners for 2018 production year. Cobb Douglas stochastic frontier analysis was used to
estimate efficiency scores. The mean technical, allocative and economic efficiencies were 79%,
86% and 68% respectively. This implies that output of rice can be increased by 21% given the
existing inputs and technological level and rice farmers has the possibility of reducing their
production cost by 14% to produce the existing output level. Furthermore, the study assessed
factors affecting inefficiency levels of rice producers by using Tobit model. The Tobit regression
result revealed that age of the household head, sex of the household head, family size, education,
experience, extension service, membership of farm association and training were the variables
that affect technical, allocative and economic inefficiency scores. Thus, the author recommended
policies targeting institutional improvements (training, education and membership of farmer
associations) and focus on experience of farmers would reduce rice farmer’s inefficiency or
improve farmer’s efficiency in rice production.