Journal of Vegetable Science · 2007 · 21 citations · 5 references
Precision AgricultureEngineeringWaterleaf OutputAgricultural EconomicsEnvironmental EconomicsAgricultural ProductionProductivityMinor VegetablesAgricultural Water ManagementEco-efficiencySustainable AgricultureSustainable Crop ProductionAgricultural EfficiencyWaterleaf ProductionEconomicsCrop ProductionWater ConsumptionCrop YieldAgricultural SystemSustainable ProductionBusinessNatural Resource EconomicsTechnical Efficiency
Abstract Information on economics of production of minor vegetables is largely limited. This is the case for waterleaf [Talinum triangulare (Jacq). Wild]. Farm-level, output-oriented technical efficiency indices were estimated by fitting stochastic production frontier functions to survey data collected from waterleaf producers. By use of the Maximum Likelihood analysis, asymptotic parameter estimates were evaluated to describe efficiency determinants. The most critical production factors were labor, irrigation, and use of organic manure. The mean efficiency term, 0.65, indicates that waterleaf output could be increased with available technology. Some socioeconomic factors were evaluated to determine their influences on the ability of producers to be efficient in input use. Waterleaf production may be able to contribute to income derived from vegetable production in tropical environments.
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