Determining the Efficiency of Vetch Producers in Erzurum Province Using Fuzzy Data Envelopment Analysis

This study was conducted to determine the efficiency levels of farms engaged in vetch production

in Erzurum province. Vetch holds a significant position in forage crop production in Turkey and is of strategic

importance for the sustainability of livestock farming. However, productivity issues and efficiency in resource

utilization in vetch production directly affect the economic performance of producers. In this context, the Fuzzy

Data Envelopment Analysis (FDEA) method was applied to evaluate how efficiently farms utilize their resources.

Compared to traditional data envelopment analysis, FDEA provides more precise results in situations characterized

by high levels of uncertainty and data ambiguity. The study utilized data collected from 55 vetch-producing farms

operating in Erzurum province. These data encompassed the input and output variables of producers. Input

variables included land preparation costs, sowing costs, fertilization costs, irrigation costs, and harvesting costs

per decare, while the output variable was considered as vetch yield (kg/da). Symmetric triangular membership

functions were used to model uncertainties, and the left and right spreads were determined for each farm. The

findings revealed diversity in the efficiency levels of the farms. Many of the examined farms were evaluated as

fully efficient at α-cut levels, while others exhibited low average efficiency scores. Moreover, a high positive

correlation was identified between the fuzzy efficiency levels and classical efficiency levels of farms through the

C-K index. The results underscore the importance of training and technical support programs to enhance the

efficient use of resources by vetch producers. It was particularly emphasized that support in cost management and

modern production techniques could improve producers' efficiency levels, thereby contributing to regional

production efficiency. Additionally, it was recommended that efficiency levels of farms should be considered in

the planning of agricultural subsidies. This study demonstrated the applicability of the FDEA method for efficiency

analysis in vetch production and provided significant insights for the development of regional agricultural policies.

The research highlighted that accounting for uncertainties in agricultural efficiency analyses offers policymakers

and producers more realistic and practical outcomes.