DEA-Tobit analysis of alfalfa productive efficiency in Minqin, Gansu

We applied the DEA-Tobit method to estimate the productivity efficiency of alfalfa growers and analyzed the factors affecting technical efficiency, using the field survey data obtained from Minqin County in China. DEA results showed that the cost efficiency was only 0.532, implying room for improvement, with a scale efficiency of 0.872, implying limited potential for development. Tobit results indicated that temperature, educational background of household head, experience of using machinery, and the use of new technology had significantly beneficial impacts on alfalfa growers’ technical efficiency.