Technical and Allocative Efficiency of Garlic Production in Karanganyar Regency: A Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) Approach

Garlic is one of Indonesia's strategic horticultural commodities however, domestic production remains insufficient to meet national demand, resulting in continued dependence on imports. Improving the efficiency of garlic farming is therefore essential to enhance domestic production and reduce import dependency.This study attempts to analyze the technical and allocative efficiency of garlic farming production in Karanganyar Regency in response to the still suboptimal use of production inputs by farmers. The study employs a quantitative approach with a sample of 110 garlic farmers in Karanganyar Regency. Technical and allocative efficiency are analyzed using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), while the determinant of technical efficiency are examined using a Tobit regression model. The findings show that the average level of technical efficiency falls into the low category (0.375 ≤ x 0.583), whereas allocative efficiency is in the moderate category (0.585–0.792). The Tobit regression results show that education and farmer group participation have a positive effect on technical efficiency, while the frequency of extension participation and rainfall risk severity have a negative effect on technical efficiency. These findings suggest the need for strategies focused on strengthening farmer education, enhancing the role of farmer groups, improving the effectiveness of extension services, and developing adaptation measures to mitigate rainfall-related production risks in garlic farming.