Author(s) :

Jean Jacques Tumbu Nzau, Génie-Spirou Kiala Lutonadi, Cush Luwesi Ngonzo, Antoine Kihumba Mfumu, Fidélise Benga Ntedika, Raphael Muamba Tshimanga.

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Abstract :

The stochastic frontier is an econometric model used to measure the productive performance of a system while accounting for stochastic factors such as environmental conditions and technical uncertainties. Applying this model to the evaluation of an irrigation system helps determine its efficiency in terms of water conservation, agricultural productivity, and environmental sustainability. In this context, the present study aimed to assess the economic efficiency of the irrigated production system used by the Seed Production Centre (CEPROSEM), an agricultural association located in the Mfuti watershed, through econometric modeling based on the stochastic production frontier approach. The data on endogenous and exogenous stochastic factors, which were used to establish the model with the Frontier 4.1 software, were sourced from CEPROSEM and covered a period of 18 years, from 2005 to 2022. The analysis of stochastic factors revealed that CEPROSEM does not explicitly include environmental protection costs in its operating expenses. Furthermore, a significant portion of the pumped water is allocated to other services, thereby reducing the amount of water actually used for agricultural irrigation. This inefficient use of water, with an estimated efficiency coefficient of 0.88, indicates a suboptimal management of this resource. It contributes to technical and allocative inefficiency, negatively impacting the economic efficiency of the irrigation system. These findings highlight the need to improve input and resource management to optimize the profitability of the production system.

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