Determining the Efficiency of Vetch Producers in Erzurum Province Using Fuzzy Data Envelopment Analysis

 This study was conducted to determine the efficiency levels of farms engaged in vetch production in Erzurum province. Vetch holds a significant position in forage crop production in Turkey and is of strategic importance for the sustainability of livestock farming. However, productivity issues and efficiency in resource utilization in vetch production directly affect the economic performance of producers. In this context, the Fuzzy Data Envelopment Analysis (FDEA) method was applied to evaluate how efficiently farms utilize their resources. Compared to traditional data envelopment analysis, FDEA provides more precise results in situations characterized by high levels of uncertainty and data ambiguity. The study utilized data collected from 55 vetch-producing farms operating in Erzurum province. These data encompassed the input and output variables of producers. Input variables included land preparation costs, sowing costs, fertilization costs, irrigation costs, and harvesting costs per decare, while the output variable was considered as vetch yield (kg/da). Symmetric triangular membership functions were used to model uncertainties, and the left and right spreads were determined for each farm. The findings revealed diversity in the efficiency levels of the farms. Many of the examined farms were evaluated as fully efficient at α-cut levels, while others exhibited low average efficiency scores. Moreover, a high positive correlation was identified between the fuzzy efficiency levels and classical efficiency levels of farms through the C-K index. The results underscore the importance of training and technical support programs to enhance the efficient use of resources by vetch producers. It was particularly emphasized that support in cost management and modern production techniques could improve producers' efficiency levels, thereby contributing to regional production efficiency. Additionally, it was recommended that efficiency levels of farms should be considered in the planning of agricultural subsidies. This study demonstrated the applicability of the FDEA method for efficiency analysis in vetch production and provided significant insights for the development of regional agricultural policies. The research highlighted that accounting for uncertainties in agricultural efficiency analyses offers policymakers and producers more realistic and practical outcomes.