Factors Affecting Efficiency and Scale Economics in Parametric and Non-parametric Approaches (Case Study: Range Management Projects in Iran)

This study compares parametric and non-parametric approaches for the efficiency and scale economics of range management projects in 3 provinces.The DEA results indicate that: 1- There is a potential to raise technical-efficiency 33% in range. management projects; 2- Increasing return - to - scale(IRTS) is prevalent in production process; 3- Ordering the provinces according to the level of technical efficiency position khorasan, west-Azarbaijan, Yazd in the first, second and third place. 4- The feeling of possession and local methods of management and division of range land has a positive impact on the sustainability of pasture lands. 5- The increasing number of livestock and livestock operators lead to a decline in the biologic capacity of pasture lands. 6- Extension trainings are successful for increasing of efficiency.The comparative study of approaches show: 1- Both have their specific potential; 2- There is the possibility of contradictory results; 3- The application of the results of parametric approach in non-parametric approach modeling reduce the possible deficiencies of the latter; 4- The application of parametric approach in the agricultural and natural resource researches is very essential because of their characteristics; 5- The average efficiency in DEA-VRS is likely higher comparing to SFA in Agricultural and natural resource section.