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Rural extension and technical efficiency in the Brazilian agricultural sector

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  • Freitas, Carlos Otavio de
  • Silva, Felipe de Figueiredo
  • Braga, Marcelo Jose
  • Neves, Mateus de Carvalho Reis

Abstract

In this paper, we identify the effect of rural extension on the productive performance of Brazilian agricultural establishments, using technical efficiency as a measure of farm performance. The data used is drawn from the microdata of the 2006 Agricultural Census, accessed directly from the IBGE secrecy room. For this, we use an approach that combines the stochastic production frontier, considering selection bias in the adoption of rural extension (Heckman’s approach) and entropy balancing. We find that rural extension increases efficiency in the use of the productive inputs, with more technical efficiency found among adopting producers than non-adopters. When considering the differences according to farm size, an even greater effect is observed for larger producers. In addition, public rural extension generates higher technical efficiency scores than those obtained by privately-operated establishments.

Suggested Citation

  • Freitas, Carlos Otavio de & Silva, Felipe de Figueiredo & Braga, Marcelo Jose & Neves, Mateus de Carvalho Reis, 2021. "Rural extension and technical efficiency in the Brazilian agricultural sector," International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, vol. 24(2), January.
  • Handle: RePEc:ags:ifaamr:316242
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.316242
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    1. Djuraeva, Mukhayyo & Bobojonov, Ihtiyor & Kuhn, Lena & Glauben, Thomas, 2023. "The impact of agricultural extension type and form on technical efficiency under transition: An empirical assessment of wheat production in Uzbekistan," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 203-221.
    2. Mateus de Carvalho Reis Neves & Felipe de Figueiredo Silva & Carlos Otávio de Freitas & Marcelo José Braga, 2021. "The Role of Cooperatives in Brazilian Agricultural Production," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-15, September.
    3. Marta Arbelo-Pérez & Pilar Pérez-Gómez & Antonio Arbelo, . "Profit efficiency and its determinants in the agricultural sector: A Bayesian approach," Agricultural Economics, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 0.
    4. Marta Arbelo-Pérez & Pilar Pérez-Gómez & Antonio Arbelo, 2023. "Profit efficiency and its determinants in the agricultural sector: A Bayesian approach," Agricultural Economics, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 69(11), pages 436-445.
    5. De Carvalho Reis Neves, Mateus & Freitas, Carlos Otavio & De Figueiredo Silva, Felipe & Braga, Marcelo J. & Costa, Davi M., 2021. "The effect of marketing through cooperatives on income distribution in Brazil," 2021 Annual Meeting, August 1-3, Austin, Texas 314007, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.

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