Factors influencing productivity and efficiency of rice farming in Quirino [Philippines]

The study analyzed the factors affecting rice productivity and technical efficiency in Quirino Province [Philippines]. This study developed a production model based from the Cobb-Douglas Stochastic Frontier Production model across 6 municipalities in Quirino Province. The triangulation approach involved personal interviews with the rice farmers through the aid of questionnaires; inspection of secondary data from the Department of Agriculture (DA) pertaining (masterlist of rice farmers, rice production, prices of output and inputs); and observation to validate information gathered from the interview guide. Primary data was gathered during the Dry Season (November 2012-April 2013) and Wet Season (June-October) of 2013 and secondary data gathered from DA were on the same period with the primary data. Results under irrigated system revealed positive output-input relationship in all variables such as seeds, labor, nitrogen content of fertilizers, chemicals and pesticide used in farming. Moreover, the negatively signed variables in the inefficiency effects model such as age, educational attainment, number of years in rice farming and number of trainings received tenure (owned) and topography (flat) proved to be significant in lessening technical inefficiencies of farmers. The results signaled the need to review the trainings and skill-enhancing programs provided to the farmers so as to determine the trainings that provided the greatest impacts on farm productivity and efficiency. The overall mean technical efficiency of all farms under irrigated system was recorded at 0.82 and 0.80 during dry and wet season respectively. Technical efficiency index found out to be higher during dry season as compared on wet season. Significant difference in the yield level was obtained between the two farming systems. In irrigated farms, average yield obtained was 4.48 mt/ha which was 0.86 mt/ha higher than the average yield attained in rainfed areas at 3.60 mt/ha. These results indicate that irrigated farms are relatively achieving higher level of output given at a similar level of inputs during dry season.