TY - JOUR

T1 - Which farming systems are efficient for Vietnamese coffee farmers?

AU - Ho, Thong Quoc

AU - Hoang, Viet Ngu

AU - Wilson, Clevo

AU - Nguyen, Trung Thanh

PY - 2017/12

Y1 - 2017/12

N2 - This paper provides a comparative assessment of the productive efficiency of three common coffee growing systems in Vietnam: mono-cropping, synchronization and segregation. Results from an input distance function approach deliver several important findings. First, the average inefficiency level is estimated to be around 18% although inefficiency varies significantly between the three farming systems. Second, the synchronized system of growing coffee and the other industry crops is found to be the most efficient farming system. Third, coffee mono-cropping is less efficient than synchronized systems due to the presence of economies of scope between coffee and industrial crops. Fourth, the least efficient system is segregated cultivation of coffee and rice. Food insecurity is seen as a primary reason for coffee farmers diversifying into rice. These findings provide empirical evidence of agronomic benefits being derived from synchronized systems, and which are translated into higher productive efficiency. Policy options promoting synchronized farming systems may therefore enhance both economic and agronomic benefits.

AB - This paper provides a comparative assessment of the productive efficiency of three common coffee growing systems in Vietnam: mono-cropping, synchronization and segregation. Results from an input distance function approach deliver several important findings. First, the average inefficiency level is estimated to be around 18% although inefficiency varies significantly between the three farming systems. Second, the synchronized system of growing coffee and the other industry crops is found to be the most efficient farming system. Third, coffee mono-cropping is less efficient than synchronized systems due to the presence of economies of scope between coffee and industrial crops. Fourth, the least efficient system is segregated cultivation of coffee and rice. Food insecurity is seen as a primary reason for coffee farmers diversifying into rice. These findings provide empirical evidence of agronomic benefits being derived from synchronized systems, and which are translated into higher productive efficiency. Policy options promoting synchronized farming systems may therefore enhance both economic and agronomic benefits.

KW - Efficiency

KW - Farming synchronization, segregation, diversification

KW - Input distance function

KW - Vietnam's coffee production

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85029389221&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.eap.2017.09.002

DO - 10.1016/j.eap.2017.09.002

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85029389221

VL - 56

SP - 114

EP - 125

JO - Economic Analysis and Policy

JF - Economic Analysis and Policy

SN - 0313-5926

ER -