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Productivity differences between organic and other vegetable farming systems in northern Thailand

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 August 2013

Pranthanthip Kramol ,
Renato Villano ,
Paul Kristiansen  and
Euan Fleming
Pranthanthip Kramol
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Extension and Centre for Agricultural Resource System Research (CARSR), Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Thailand.
Renato Villano*
Affiliation:
UNE Business School, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia.
Paul Kristiansen
Affiliation:
School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia.
Euan Fleming
Affiliation:
UNE Business School, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia.
*
*Corresponding author: rvillan2@une.edu.au
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Abstract

We analyzed the productivity levels of smallholder farms in northern Thailand practicing different ‘clean and safe’ vegetable farming systems or conventional vegetable (CV) production. ‘Clean and safe’ farmers are categorized into three groups based on their use of synthetic chemicals: organic, pesticide-free and safe-use. Farm-level data on vegetable production were collected from random samples of farms operating these farming systems. A standard stochastic production frontier model and a metafrontier model were estimated for each system to obtain estimates of technical efficiency (TE) with respect to their cohorts, metatechnology ratios (MTRs, showing the extent of technology gaps between farming systems) and overall productivity measures. Productivity levels were found to vary moderately between farming systems. ‘Clean and safe’ farms achieved a higher mean TE score than conventional farms, indicating a more efficient use of inputs in producing a certain level of output within their system. However, their MTRs were significantly lower than those of conventional farmers, indicating greater production technology constraints because of the need to conform to strict guidelines. All four farming systems had at least one farmer who could overcome the technological constraints to achieve the highest possible output regardless of the technology used. Effective assistance providers were found to be crucial for farmers to achieve high productivity in the organic farming system. Improvements are needed to raise low productivity levels through technology transfer, value chain improvement and farmer capacity in production and marketing. The required improvement strategies differ among farming systems.

Keywords

organic farmingtechnical efficiencystochastic metafrontiernorthern Thailand
Type
Research Papers
Information
Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems , Volume 30 , Issue 2 , April 2015 , pp. 154 - 169
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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