Investigating the Efficiency of Pomegranate Growers in Khash County using Data Envelopment Analysis and Super-Efficiency Model

The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficiency of pomegranate growers in Khash County using two methods of data envelopment analysis and super-efficiency analysis. The required information was collected by completing a questionnaire from pomegranate growers in Khash County. The results of this study showed that the average level of technical efficiency in the Khash County in the model assuming constant return to the scale is 0.46 and in the model variable returns to the scale is 0.68 and there is a clear difference in the level of technical efficiency between the studied gardens. The most important reason is the inefficiency in how to manage the use of inputs. The range of efficiency levels in the Super-Efficiency Model was between 0.08 to 6.86%, which shows a great difference between pomegranate gardens in terms of input consumption. The results of ranking pomegranate gardens using the Super-Efficiency approach with input-oriented assumption showed that the ranking of inefficient gardens is similar to data envelopment analysis. Therefore, it is recommended to increase and improve the efficiency of pomegranate producers by proper management and optimal allocation of inputs used in the pomegranate production process and the support of relevant agencies.