Determination of Efficiency of Fish Farms in North-East India Using Data Envelopment Approach

Abstract

North-East (NE) India produced about 3.38 lakh tonnes of fish from the total inland water bodies of 5.63 lakh ha during the year 2012-13 with productivity of about 600 kg/ha and it also sources about 90,000 tonnes of fish per year from other states of India. This study has estimated the efficiency levels of fish farms and has identified the fish production potential by improving the efficiency level of underperforming units. The variables, viz. fish farm area and occupation and fish farming with agriculture have been found to significantly influence the efficiency level of fish farms in this area. The study has found that larger farms were more efficient. The average efficiency levels of fish farms in the study area being low, the scope for improvement in fish farming is immense in North-East India and Manipur through adoption of better production practices.