Examining Regional Differences in Agricultural Machinery Sector Productivity Using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA)

This study analyzed regional differences in productivity of agricultural machinery sector using data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach. In this research, we identify areas with high productivity in agricultural machinery based on data envelopment analysis method. The data source was a database in the National Statistics Office of Iran (Agricultural Time Series Database). Concerning the performance approach in this study, data envelopment analysis should be used with regarding to input-based process. In order to analyze data from DEA method with input-based approach, different provinces of Iran were selected as the decision making unit in a particular crop year. The efficiency of provincial centers has been evaluated during 2013 and 2016. Based on the results, the centers with performance index of 1 deemed as efficient centers. These centers having high technical performance include Ardebil, Hamedan, Jiroft, Kurdistan, Ilam and Isfahan. Other provincial centers have been technically inadequate or efficient Pareto Kopman.