TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY OF CORN FARMERS: THE CASE OF SAAD PROGRAM BENEFICIARIES IN ALABEL SARANGANI PROVINCE

The study was conducted to determine the technical efficiency of corn production in Malapatan, Sarangani Province. The study was carried out in Malapatan Sarangani Province using a complete enumeration in collecting respondents. For the data collection, personal interview was done using structured questionnaire. Stochastic Frontier Function Approach was used to determine factors affecting the efficiency of corn production.

The results show that among the variables, labor, fertilizer, tenure status and No. Of years in corn farming are significant factors affecting the efficiency of the OPV Corn Farmers in Malapatan, Sarangani Province. More so, a unit increase of fertilizer the yield will increase to 0.137%, which coincides with the findings of Tyner et. Al, (2016), that if inputs such as fertilizer and etc. increased, there could be an increase in crop yields, and increase of returns of capital. And a 1 unit increase of labor, the yield will increase in .774 % That agrees to the findings of Deme et.al, (2015), shows that increase in farm labor will result in the timely performance of agricultural activities, therefore increasing production. And a 1 unit increase of tenure status the yield will increase at .145%, which means that it's more efficient for the farmers if they owned the land area, this was similar to the study of Sogue et.al (2018). In terms of No. Of Years in corn farming, the productivity of corn is more efficient when the farmers had experience in farming.

The Researcher recommends the following: Corn farmers may consider to utilize the labor, fertilizers in order to achieve the potential yield of OPV corn farming, The government may provide subsidy to the beneficiaries with regards to the farm inputs like fertilizers, since an increase in fertilizer increases yield, The Government may provide a regular technician to assist the OPV corn farmer.