Technical and Productivity Efficiency of Agriculture Inputs in Pineapple (Ananas Comosus Sp.) Production: A Case Study in Muar, Johor, Malaysia

Abstract

Pineapple production has contributed about 0.24% towards the Malaysian gross domestic product (GDP). However, the average current national pineapple production value which is 30 Mt/ha still considered as low productivity since it is much lower compared to the national target of 40 Mt/ha. The low national pineapple productivity might be caused by the inefficient inputs’ usage which is still below the economies of scale. The objectives of this research were to analyse the technical and productivity efficiency of agricultural inputs and to assess the relationship between the different rates of agricultural inputs with pineapple production. The
data was collected from 97 respondents in Muar State, Johor, Malaysia. The data were analysed using the technical efficiency (TE) formula, focusing on significant technical efficiency in utilizing agricultural inputs to improve pineapple production. Besides that, correlation and multiple regression analyses were used in assessing the significant relationship between agriculture inputs and pineapple production. As a result, from technical efficiency analysis, it was found that the herbicides and pesticides technical efficiency is the highest among all three agricultural inputs used and has a significant technical effect on pineapple production.
The regression analysis also suggested that the pesticides and herbicides inputs as the most dominant inputs affecting the pineapple production. Thus, it was recommended that the related organization come out with guidelines and policies for controlling the inputs for the production, especially focusing on pesticides and herbicides to improve the national pineapple production.