Determination of technical efficiency in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production of Turkey: A case study of Cukurova region

Wheat production in Turkey has always been costly due to the high input prices that reduce competitiveness between Turkish and foreign farmers. So far, few attempts have been done to resolve problems regarding the wheat production and marketing in Turkey. Therefore, as an initial effort we carried out present study to determine technical efficiency of wheat growing farms in Cukurova region of Turkey. Wheat growing farmers provided the data through a questionnaire study in the 2004-2005 growing season. Technical efficiency of wheat farming was estimated by using the data envelopment analysis (DEA). Technical efficiency scores were calculated by employing an input-oriented DEA and Tobit regression analysis was used to identify determinants of technical efficiency. The results showed that wheat farmers could save from the variable inputs by at least 20% remaining at the same production level. The efficiency level is mainly affected by farmer education level and number, size and location of wheat plots of 103 farms, of which 13 showed constant, 87 increasing and 3 decreasing returns to scale conditions. Determining variations in technical efficiencies of wheat growing farms and the causes of inefficiencies, our results are expected to be useful for policy makers as well as wheat growers.