Optimizing technical efficiency in whiteleg shrimp aquaculture: a double-bootstrap data envelopment analysis

Maximizing shrimp yield necessitates the efficient utilization of key inputs to enhance technical efficiency and overall production performance. This study employs Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) with a double-bootstrap procedure to derive statistically robust efficiency estimates. Using cross-section data of 256 semi-intensive whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) farms in Tamil Nadu, India, the study shows that most farms operate below the production frontier with an average technical efficiency score of bias-corrected, radial, and non-radial measures equivalent to 0.57, 0.60, and 0.38, respectively. Notable inefficiencies in input utilization underscore the need for targeted interventions to refine resource allocation strategies. The divergence between radial and non-radial efficiency scores suggests that while overall input use is relatively efficient, further optimization in specific resource management practices is required. The determinants of technical efficiency scores are farm size, stocking density, culture duration, and specific growth rate, all exerting statistically significant positive effects on shrimp yield. Findings highlight the critical role of strategic resource allocation to enhance farm performance by improving productivity, which helps ensure the long-term viability of shrimp aquaculture.