Gender-based Estimation of Technical Efficiency of Organic Vegetable Farmers of North Kerala

The present study focused on technical efficiency (TE) of organic farming in Kerala India. The specific objectives of the study were to estimate the technical efficiency of organic vegetable farmers, and to estimate and compare the technical efficiency of organic vegetable farmers according to gender. The data were collected through a household survey with a structured schedule from 300 organic vegetable farmers. A Cobb- Douglas functional form was used to estimate the Stochastic Production Frontier (SPF) of the organic vegetable farmers. It was concluded that in the frontier model, the independent variables such as land, labour, capital, and organic manure had a positive impact on frontier production among the male farmers. The young farmers were technically efficient than aged farmers. The coefficient of experience showed a negative relationship with inefficiency. It was noted that female farmers were technically efficient than male farmers.