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

This study aimed to determine the technical efficiency of Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program to the corn farmers in Glan, Sarangani Province. After acquiring a list of the beneficiaries, a total of 108 respondents were identified using both purposive and availability sampling. The study was conducted from July to December 2021. Furthermore, Stochastic frontier approach was used to analyze and determine the technical efficiency of the corn farmers.

Results revealed that the number of extension visit, labor, and fertilizer were the significant factors that influences the productivity and technical efficiency in producing corn in Glan, Sarangani Province. The following implications can be derived from this study: (a) one (1) unit increase in the number of extension visit to the farmers can increase the productivity and efficiency of the farmers by 15%; (b) one (1) unit increase in the amount of labor and fertilizer can increase the yield by 28% and 6% respectively.

Given this, it is recommended that extension agents in Glan, Sarangani Province should continuously and regularly visit and monitor the farmers alongside conduct of various corn-related trainings among the farmers. Corn farmers may also consider to increase the labor and fertilizer use in order to achieve the potential yield of corn production.