FARMERS’ TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY AND THEIR ADOPTION TO NEW VARIETY OF SORGHUM: EVIDENCE FROM EAST JAVA OF INDONESIA

Objective: The study delves into the technical efficiency of sorghum cultivation and evaluates the effects of the adoption of the new superior variety on the efficiency of farmers. Methods: The research employs a methodology that involves the use of stochastic frontier analysis and propensity score matching to examine cross-sectional data obtained from a sample of 150 farmers located in Lamongan Regency, East Java, Indonesia. Results: The findings indicate that sorghum farmers exhibit suboptimal levels of technical efficiency. The adoption of the bioguma variety has a positive impact on the technical efficiency of farmers. Farmers who choose to implement bioguma demonstrate superior levels of efficiency in comparison to their counterparts who utilize alternative varieties. Suggestions: The study suggests that policymakers should take steps to enhance access to high-quality seeds and encourage farmers to adopt improved varieties. This can be accomplished through measures such as targeted subsidies, favorable credit schemes, or collaborations with seed companies to ensure the availability and affordability of the bioguma variety.