Impact of Rototiller Fertilizer Applicators on Technical Efficiency of Coconut Plantations in North Western Province, Sri Lanka

As a major plantation crop, coconut contributes directly and immensely to the economy of Sri Lanka. With the aim of enhancing the efficiency of the industry, rototillers have been introduced recently as fertilizer applicators. Hence, the purpose of this study was to assess the impact of such application on technical efficiency and productivity of the coconut plantations. Data were collected randomly from 60 growers: 30 rototiller users and 30 non-users. Stochastic frontier production function was used to measure the technical efficiency of production using the maximum likelihood method. The productivity of the estates was used as the output, and inputs were education level, off farm income, farming experience, water availability, availability of irrigation system, cropping system, land extent, labour days, fertilizer cost and other costs. The highest technical efficiency was recorded by increasing land extent. The variables such as land area, labour days, fertilizer cost and other costs were also significant on technical efficiency. The mean efficiency of rototiller users was 71 % and non-users was 62 % owing to a less labour requirement for fertilizer incorporation. Three percent of the rototiller users was smallholders with less than three hectares of land, and their efficiency ranged between 30 -50 %. The results of the study will help coconut growers and policy makers to promote rototillers in coconut cultivations.