The Efficiency of soybean farming in East Java Province, Indonesia: A Stochastic Frontier Analysis Approach

The soybean ( Glycine max L. Merr.) serves as a significant protein source for the Indonesian populace. However, soybean cultivation faces several challenges, including a decline in national production, insufficient interest from farmers in soybean cultivation, and inefficiencies in agricultural practices. This study aims to identify the technical factors that influence soybean production and farming efficiency within East Java Province. The research was conducted across four primary production districts in the region, namely Nganjuk, Bojonegoro, Blitar and Banyuwangi. The methodology utilized the Stochastic Frontier Cobb-Douglas model. A purposive sampling technique was employed, encompassing 55 soybean farmers. Findings reveal that land area, seed quality, and labor positively affect farming efficiency, whereas education and experience, despite not being statistically significant, exert a favorable influence on inefficiency. The average technical efficiency observed was 0.878, indicating potential for enhanced soybean production in the area.