Technical efficiency of tomato production under plastic tunnel technology and their determinants in Kathmandu, Nepal: A stochastic frontier approach
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26832/24566632.2026.110108Keywords:
Plastic tunnel technology, Stochastic frontier, Technical efficiency, Tobit regression modelAbstract
This study aimed to assess the technical efficiency of tomato production under plastic tunnels, and factors influencing it in Kathmandu district. From Chandragiri, Tarakeshwar and Kirtipur Municipalities, 150 randomly selected tomato farmers using plastic tunnel were surveyed using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Excel, IBM SPSS, and STATA. Technical efficiency was estimated using a stochastic frontier model, and its determinants were identified using a Tobit regression model. The average technical efficiency was 79.7%, ranging from 59.0% to 92.2%, indicating a 20.3% potential for improvement. Tomato cultivated area, labor, and seed quantity were found to significantly increase productivity under plastic tunnels, with a 1% increase in each leading to a production rise of 0.431%, 0.394%, and 0.121%, respectively (p<0.01). In contrast, a 1% increase in chemical fertilizer use slightly reduced output by 0.011% (p<0.01), highlighting the importance of balanced input use. The Tobit regression model showed that education, group membership, training, credit access, use of recommended varieties, and mulching practices positively influenced technical efficiency and a unit increase in any of these factors favored tomato yield by 0.001%, 0.046%, 0.025%, 0.035%, 0.018%, and 0.023%, respectively. The study suggests that improving access to resources, technology adoption, and institutional support can enhance efficiency in plastic tunnel tomato farming. These findings provide insights for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to strengthen off-season tomato production in Nepal.
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