Efficiency of Input Use in Rice Production during Summer-Autumn at the Coastal Regions of Vietnamese Mekong Delta

This study evaluates the technical efficiency (TE) and input utilization efficiency of monoculture rice farms in the coastal provinces of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, during the Summer-Autumn crop season, using the Slack-Based Measure Data Envelopment Analysis (SBM-DEA) model. A dataset of 342 farms from five provinces was analyzed to assess the efficiency of key inputs such as irrigation, fertilizers, pesticides, labor, and land preparation. The results show that the average TE score was 0.728, with only 11.1% of farms achieving optimal efficiency (Type I). Input slack analysis revealed significant overuse of irrigation water (30.06%), pesticides (18.28%), and fertilizers (16.93%), indicating considerable inefficiencies in resource use. Conversely, seed utilization exhibited the lowest excess, at only 1.77%, reflecting better management in this area. Determinants of TE included gender, land area, irrigation systems, and crop variety changes, with male-managed farms and larger-scale farms showing higher efficiency. However, farms with complete irrigation systems had lower TE, potentially due to poor management or high maintenance costs. Recommendations to improve efficiency include optimizing resource utilization, promoting crop variety diversification, and enhancing irrigation system management to ensure sustainable rice production in saline-affected areas. The study’s findings highlight significant resource-saving potential and productivity improvements through targeted interventions.