Assessing the economic efficiency of maize in western undulating lands of Odisha

Abstract

A total of 90 randomly selected maize growers, taking 45 per block, were interviewed using a pre-designed interview schedule in western undulating lands of Odisha. This study investigates the economic efficiency of maize production in Odisha, focusing on factors like input costs, yield optimization, labour utilization, and market access. Data from various agricultural conditions was analysed using a stochastic frontier model. Results showed that conventional inputs like farm size, seed, fertilizer, labour, and weedicides positively impacted maize output. The study shows a coefficient of multiple determinations of 0.88, indicating that ten resources explained 88% variation in maize production activity output across all holding size groups, with an area allocation of 254.14 thousand ha. The study also found that production increased significantly after maize introduction, with productivity increasing from 217.43 kg/ha in 2000-01 to 733.41 kg/ha in 2019-20. The study suggests that improving resource utilization could increase output.