Is Agricultural Sustainability Positively Related with Technical Efficiency? A Case of Paddy-Cattle Integration Farming Systems, Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka
- January 21, 2022
- Posted by: RSIS
- Categories: Agriculture, IJRISS
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue XII, December 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186
S.P. Dissanayake1*, L.H.P. Gunaratne2, T. Sivananthawerl3, and G.A.S Ginigaddara4
1,2,3Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
4Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Abstract: Paddy-cattle integration farming system is one of the dominated farming systems in the dry zone, Sri Lanka where a reciprocal relationship is reinforced through the integration of paddy farming system with cattle. Particularly, these farming systems are subjected to high risk and uncertainty which resulted in poor productivity and less sustainability. Hence, this study attempted to measure the relationship between sustainability and technical efficiency in paddy-cattle integrated farming systems. The study employed a survey instrument to gather data from 300 randomly selected paddy-cattle integrated farmers in the Anuradhapura district. Sustainable Livelihood Security Index was computed using 11 variables representing economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Principle Component Analysis and linear weighted scores were occupied to develop the Sustainable Livelihood Security Index using normalized variables. Stochastic Frontier Analysis measured the technical efficiency of these farming systems. The correlation coefficient was measured between technical efficiency and sustainability level of the farming systems. According to Sustainable Livelihood Security Index values, 11% of the respondents were sustainable while 14% and 68% were moderately sustainable and vulnerable respectively. The average technical efficiency was 83%, implying that paddy-cattle integrated farmers have the potential to increase productivity by 17%. Net swan area (P<0.05), number of milking cattle reared (P<0.01), amount of organic fertilizer used (P< 0.01), and family labor (P< 0.05) showed a significant impact on the productivity. Age (P<0.1), gender (P< 0.05), household size (P< 0.1), farming experience (P< 0.1), education level (P< 0.1), access to credit (P< 0.1), and off-farm income (P< 0.1) significantly influenced the efficiency. A positive correlation was found between technical efficiency and level of sustainability. Thus, policymakers should consider the improvements in technical efficiency while considering the socio-economic variables to ensure the sustainability of these farming systems.
Keywords: Farming systems, Paddy-cattle integration, Sustainability, Technical efficiency
