Extensional and Economic Requirements for Applying Contract Farming on Oilseed Sunflower Crop between Farmers of West-Minya and Surrounded Zones

Abstract

The research problem is lack of oilseed sunflower area in West Minya (WM) in the national project “Cultivation 1.5 Million Feddan”, Middle Egypt (ME) and Bani Mazaar (BM). The aims are: identify extensional requirements (knowledge, attitude, practice and behavior (KAPB)) and economic requirements (technical efficiency (TECRS) and economic efficiency (CE) for applying sunflower contracting.531 farmers are selected by simple random sampling. Only 90 farmers represent 16.9% respond to sunflower contracting following Desert Research Center’ demo-plots. Data are collected by personal interview during Nov. 2021 to May2022. Descriptive statistics, correlation, multiple regression, and Data Envelopment analysis (DEA) are employed to achieve these aims. Results are: the lowest (KAPB) levels are in WM (52.2%, 48%, 44.8% and 48.3%), while the highest scores are in ME (88%, 82%, 80% and 80.7%). Pearson correlation demonstrates significant positive relationships between farmers’ behavior and education, income and experience, while significant negative correlations with age. (R) of multiple linear regression proves that independent variables explain (72%, 82 % and 86%) of respondents ’behavior in three zones respectively. (DEA) demonstrates that sunflower isn’t produced efficiently (TECRS= 0.878 and CE=0.796) i.e. the same output can be achieved even if inputs and costs are decreased by (12.2%) and (20.4%). Additionally, WM’farmers are the least efficient than others, conversely, ME ’farmers are the highest efficient. To achieve the target output (1076.46 kg/Fadden), it is recommended to rationalize and re-allocate excessive resources. Also, Nash equilibrium (win, win) is achieved if decision maker provides flexible floor price, extensional service and recycles byproducts.