Groundwater overuse and farm-level technical inefficiency: evidence from Sri Lanka

Athukorala, Wasantha; Wilson, Clevo

Groundwater overuse and farm-level technical inefficiency: evidence from Sri Lanka | Surexploitation de l’eau souterraine et inefficacité technique à l’échelle de l’exploitation agricole : exemple du Sri Lanka Uso excesivo de agua subterránea e ineficiencia técnica a nivel de finca: evidencia de Sri Lanka 地下水过度使用和农场等级技术的低效率: 来自斯里兰卡的证据 Uso exagerado da água subterrânea e ineficiência técnica a nível agrícola: evidências do Sri Lanka

2012

Athukorala, Wasantha | Wilson, Clevo

Extraction of groundwater for onion and other cash crop production has been increasing rapidly during the last two decades in the dry zone areas of Sri Lanka. As a result of overuse, the quantity of available groundwater is gradually declining, while water quality is deteriorating. The deteriorating water quality has a negative impact on agricultural production, especially for crops (such as onions) that are sensitive to increases in salinity levels. This issue is examined with respect to onion production in Sri Lanka. A stochastic frontier production function (SFPF) is used, in which technical efficiency and the determinants of inefficiencies are estimated simultaneously. The results show that farmers are overusing groundwater in their onion cultivation, which has resulted in decreasing yields. Factors contributing to inefficiency in production are also identified. The results have important policy implications.

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