IMPROVED MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ADOPTION AND TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY OF SHRIMP FARMERS IN BANGLADESH: A SAMPLE SELECTION STOCHASTIC PRODUCTION FRONTIER APPROACH

Adoption and technical efficiency of shrimp farmers

Abstract

Adoption of improved management practices and technical efficiency can play a crucial role in the growth of aquaculture sector. The present study jointly estimates the determinants of improved management practices adoption and technical efficiency of shrimp farmers using a sample selection stochastic production frontier model. A total of 300 shrimp farmers were interviewed to achieve the objectives. The findings indicate that 41% of the respondents adopted improved practices. Training and extension contact significantly influenced adoption. Adopters received higher yields (343 kg/ha/year) than non-adopters (297 kg/ha/year). Mean technical efficiency was significantly higher for adopters (0.82) than for non-adopters (0.72). Shrimp production of adopters can be increased by 22% by improving technical efficiency level. Policy implications included improvement in current extension facilities to sustain and increase adoption and productivity. Modifying the existing extension approaches would help to improve technical efficiency and adoption of improved management practices.