Investigating the management efficiency of date growers with data envelopment analysis approach in environmental zones

Regarding the limitations of date production factors in the rivers, it is necessary to be carried out an optimal management on the production of this product and the use of production inputs. The main purpose of the present study is to identify the factors affecting the management of palm trees by using regression analysis and then to calculate the efficiency of constant returns to scale and variable returns to scale with the approach of minimizing input and maximizing output of management of date growers by separating cities of this region (Including 4 cities) using data envelopment analysis method. According to the limited statistical population, 200 date growers were selected from city, 50 date growers from each city. Data collection tool was a questionnaire which was designed as a Likert scale and its face and content validity was confirmed by relevant professors and experts. The results showed that the management efficiency of date growers in all cities in the region was acceptable. In comparison to cities, Rabi and Shirin Shahr have the most efficient and inefficient management of palm trees, respectively. Average efficiency with constant scale, efficiency with variable scale with input minimization and output maximization for Rabi city has been obtained 100%, 100% and 100% respectively and for Shirin city obtained 97.56%, 98.69% and 98.04%, respectively. The cities of Kut Abdulah and Kanaan have almost equal efficiency.