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E. Iwasaki and K. Kashiwagi
that the level of output can be increased by 82.5% and 79.8% under the CRS and VRS
specifications, respectively, using the current levels of inputs. Less-efficient farms
exist, whereas more than 90% of farms are no more than 40% efficient. The results of
the scale efficiency scores suggest that more than half of the farms are scale efficient.
More than 24% of the sample farms could possibly increase their production and
productivity through increasing their inputs. About 24.1% of farms could improve
efficiency through reducing their use of inputs. Regarding the factors associated with
increasing efficiency, the results of the OLS estimation suggest a positive effect of
the intensification of dates, human capital accumulation and increased experience on
technical efficiency. Neither the crop diversification nor the intensification of wheat,
rice, alfalfa, and sorghum have positive impacts on efficiency.
These results imply that the simple diversification of crop production does not
result in improved efficiency and the intensification of water-using crops including
rice, alfalfa and sorghum have a negative effect on efficiency. However, intensification
of water-saving crops such as dates contribute to increased efficiency. Human capital
accumulation, increased experience and intensification of family labor use contribute
to improved efficiency.
Then why do farmers diversify their crop cultivation, despite its low efficiency?
The result suggests that the farmers who intensify their production on high-value
crops like dates have the highest efficiencies. In contrast, the farmers who cultivate
wheat and fodder crops along with rice demonstrate low efficiency. Thus, from a
production perspective, it is recommended to intensify planting dates as a profitmaximizing strategy. It would also be an advantage for the sustainability of water
and agriculture in the oasis.
However, farmers, mostly small-scale cultivators, prefer to grow more rice and
fodder crops despite their low efficiencies and water intensity. This could be understood from the consumption side; i.e., from a household consumption perspective, it
is rational to secure the household’s basic food needs.
6 Recommendations
Irrigation water is a limiting factor in the oasis region due to the shortage in water
resources. Therefore, there is a dire need to determine the adequate quantities of
crops to reach the highest levels of crop production. The results of our empirical
analysis show that the most efficient way of cultivation is to intensify the cultivation
of date fruits. However, the cropping decision should simultaneously consider the
requirements for basic food for the household and its animals.
It should be noted that the level of agricultural output could be increased by 79.8
and 82.5% with the current levels of inputs and given technology. More than 24%
of farms could increase their production and productivity by increasing their inputs
under the current crop cultivation patterns. About 24.1% of farms could improve
their efficiencies by reducing their input use.
E. Iwasaki and K. Kashiwagi
that the level of output can be increased by 82.5% and 79.8% under the CRS and VRS
specifications, respectively, using the current levels of inputs. Less-efficient farms
exist, whereas more than 90% of farms are no more than 40% efficient. The results of
the scale efficiency scores suggest that more than half of the farms are scale efficient.
More than 24% of the sample farms could possibly increase their production and
productivity through increasing their inputs. About 24.1% of farms could improve
efficiency through reducing their use of inputs. Regarding the factors associated with
increasing efficiency, the results of the OLS estimation suggest a positive effect of
the intensification of dates, human capital accumulation and increased experience on
technical efficiency. Neither the crop diversification nor the intensification of wheat,
rice, alfalfa, and sorghum have positive impacts on efficiency.
These results imply that the simple diversification of crop production does not
result in improved efficiency and the intensification of water-using crops including
rice, alfalfa and sorghum have a negative effect on efficiency. However, intensification
of water-saving crops such as dates contribute to increased efficiency. Human capital
accumulation, increased experience and intensification of family labor use contribute
to improved efficiency.
Then why do farmers diversify their crop cultivation, despite its low efficiency?
The result suggests that the farmers who intensify their production on high-value
crops like dates have the highest efficiencies. In contrast, the farmers who cultivate
wheat and fodder crops along with rice demonstrate low efficiency. Thus, from a
production perspective, it is recommended to intensify planting dates as a profitmaximizing strategy. It would also be an advantage for the sustainability of water
and agriculture in the oasis.
However, farmers, mostly small-scale cultivators, prefer to grow more rice and
fodder crops despite their low efficiencies and water intensity. This could be understood from the consumption side; i.e., from a household consumption perspective, it
is rational to secure the household’s basic food needs.
6 Recommendations
Irrigation water is a limiting factor in the oasis region due to the shortage in water
resources. Therefore, there is a dire need to determine the adequate quantities of
crops to reach the highest levels of crop production. The results of our empirical
analysis show that the most efficient way of cultivation is to intensify the cultivation
of date fruits. However, the cropping decision should simultaneously consider the
requirements for basic food for the household and its animals.
It should be noted that the level of agricultural output could be increased by 79.8
and 82.5% with the current levels of inputs and given technology. More than 24%
of farms could increase their production and productivity by increasing their inputs
under the current crop cultivation patterns. About 24.1% of farms could improve
their efficiencies by reducing their input use.