Technical efficiency of fish culture in relation to technology adoption the case of Tripura State in India

Abstract

The state of Tripura in the north-east India has developed few model aquaculture villages for improvement in fi sh productivity through demonstration of scientifi c technologies. The present study aimed at analysing the technical effi ciency of fi sh culture of model aqua-villages (adopted villages) in comparison with other areas (non-adopted villages) where the State Government did not give such special attention. The objective of the study was achieved using stochastic frontier production function and measuring technical effi ciency through error component model. The study has revealed that there is potential for increasing fi sh production in Tripura and there was signifi cant difference between the mean technical effi ciency of adopted (0.86) and non-adopted (0.77) villages in the state. Study estimated the production elasticities for different input variables like fi sh seed, cow dung, lime, pellet feed, mustard oil cake, rice bran, labour, and showed the possibilities to increase fi sh production by using more quantities of all the inputs except fi sh seed. Study also analysed the potential production frontier by following scientifi c recommendations and the technical effi ciency realised for both categories of villages was found to be lesser than the potential. The results of the present study helped to identify the scope for technical improvement in fi sh culture development in Tripura State of India.