Title
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Bioeconomy: A Comprehensive DEA Analysis
Authors
Abstract
Purpose: The research focuses on analyzing the technical efficiency of a sample of 612 rice (Oryza sativa L.) producers in Ecuador during the year 2019. The objective is to explore productivity and efficiency gaps to guide decision-making and the development of sustainable policies in the rice sector.
Design/methodology/approach: By employing Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) models, including BCC and CCR approaches, and incorporating Super Efficiency and Bootstrapping methods, this study identifies efficiency levels and areas for improvement, ensuring robust statistical validation.
Findings: The findings show that more than 60% of the farms operate with an efficiency level below 0.4 according to the CCR model, indicating significant potential for input reduction. The use of bootstrapping reveals that the confidence intervals for efficient farms are narrow, confirming their solid performance, while inefficient farms show wide intervals, reflecting high operational volatility.
Implications: The findings underscore the potential of advanced DEA methodologies in understanding and improving rice production efficiency. This study highlights the need for cooperative initiatives, adoption of efficient technologies, and sustainable farming practices to enhance productivity and sustainability in Ecuador’s rice bioeconomy.
Originality: This research pioneers the application of DEA combined with bootstrapping in the Ecuadorian rice sector, offering a novel perspective on optimizing resource use and guiding policy decisions. It also contributes to Decision Sciences by providing a robust methodological framework combining DEA and bootstrapping to support complex decision-making for agricultural policy, resource allocation, and sustainability strategies in the bioeconomy.
Keywords
Rice efficiency, DEA, Bootstrapping, Sustainability, Bioeconomy
Classification-JEL
O30, O38, O47