Resource use efficiency of tomato production in Punjab

The study was conducted to analyze the productivity and resource use efficiency of tomato production in Punjab state. The production function analysis estimated that 41 percent of the variation in the yield of tomato crop among sampled farmers was explained by the specified inputs. The coefficients of labour, fertilizers, insecticides were observed positive and significantly influenced the yield of tomato production. Similarly fertilizers, insecticides and labour were found to be less than one indicating over utilization of these resources by the farmers, therefore, reduction in the use of these resources would have optimize returns. The findings of the study further revealed that the coefficient of dummy district was found negative indicating average yield of Amritsar district was found significantly lower than Patiala district by 0.113 percent. The large yield differential between Patiala and Amritsar tomato growers could be due to differences in their cultivation methods (bamboo staking vs open field culture), soil type, varietal difference, location specification in terms of access to services, and input management approaches. Tomato farmers were technically and economically inefficient in utilizing inputs. As per the recommendation, farmers’ access to these resources must be improved by effective and efficient extension services, simple access to formal credit facilities, and encouragement to create cooperative organizations to acquire their input supplies at a lower cost that will be able to expand the scope of production and boost in output levels.