Table 2 Explanatory variables for estimation of efficiencies and hypothesized sign
Sr. No. | Factor | Unit | Description | Expected sign |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Human labour | Man days/hectare | Constitutes the cumulative effort invested in various pre-harvest to harvest activities, such as applying fertilizer, irrigation, sowing, transplanting, weeding, and harvesting. These tasks are measured in man-days per hectare to determine the total weighted labour (man equivalent) in person-hours, using a standard conversion factor. Given that labour plays a pivotal role in agricultural output, an abundance of domestic and other labour enables farmers to promptly implement essential crop husbandry techniques. | +/- |
2 | Machine labour | Hours/hectare | Machine working hours are the number of farm machinery hours required on one hectare of land, from initial tillage to the preparation of soil for nursery raising, transplanting, and other relevant field operations. The operating costs, labour costs, and fuel costs were considered to standardize the per-hour rate of machine use. | +/- |
3 | Seed | Kilogram/hectare | Seed is a prime input to govern the success of farm operations. It is hypothesized that seed quantity governs the seeding density and thereby may impact the yield positively or negatively. | +/- |
4 | FYM | Tonnes/hectare | FYM used in crop production is hypothesized to have a positive impact on soil properties, nutrient uptake, micronutrient status, and microbial status. | + |
5 | Fertilizer | Kilogram/hectare | The objective behind using fertilizer is to enhance crop output, yet excessive application can lead to reduced yields or even crop failure. Proper use of chemical fertilizers can substantially elevate production levels and improve farmer efficiency, resulting in positive outcomes. | +/- |
6 | Crop protection sprays | Numbers | It accounts for sprays taken for control of both fungal diseases and pests. Pesticide sprays are hypothesized to positively impact crop yield by minimizing the failure risk associated with different crop diseases and damaging pests. | + |
7 | Irrigation Water | Hectare centimeter /hectare | Generally, water is considered a growth and yield-limiting factor that governs crop yield. Both excess and less irrigation limit crop growth by affecting root functions and nutrient flow. | +/- |