Comparison of Technical Efficiency of Wheat Production between the Provinces Implementing New Agricultural Extension System and Other Provinces

Extension and education of farmers in the innovative use of production resources plays an important role in the optimal use of resources. The main purpose of this study was to compare the technical efficiency of wheat production between the provinces implementing the new agricultural extension system and other provinces in Iran. The required data were obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture's website for the period of 2015-2019 and their analysis was performed using data envelopment analysis method. The results showed that the mean of input-oriented technical efficiency under constant and variable efficiency in the provinces implementing the new agricultural extension system was 0.59 and 0.75 and in other provinces was 0.56 and 0.72, respectively. Also, the amount of technical efficiency under constant and variable efficiency in the provinces implementing the new agricultural extension system is 0.58 and 0.66 and in other provinces was 0.55 and 0.62, respectively. Since the technical efficiency of input-oriented in two group of provinces has been statistically different, it can be said that the implementation of the new promotion system has reduced the consumption of wheat production inputs. Considering the success of the implementation of the new extension system, it is recommended that the government pay attention to the implementation of this system in all provinces and not unilateral support for a limited number of specific provinces.