Economic efficiency of wheat production in Gezira scheme, Sudan

This study was carried out in Gezira scheme (season 2007/08) to measure the farmer’s technical efficiency of producing wheat and to determine the main socio-economic factors affecting farmer’s technical efficiency of wheat production. The stochastic production frontier model was employed to achieve the study objectives. Primary data was collected from a random sample of 60 farmers in the Gezira scheme by mean of a structured questionnaire. The primary data was supplemented by secondary data collected from different relevant sources. The study results showed that the mean technical efficiency of wheat production is 63% which means that wheat production could have been increased by 37% at the same level of inputs, had resources efficiently utilized. The main socio-economic factors determining the farmer’s technical efficiency appeared to be: the timing of the different agricultural operations, irrigation and land ownership.To improve wheat production technical efficiency, the study recommended usage of wheat improved varieties and application of the different agricultural operations, particularly land preparation and irrigation, at the optimum timing.