Abstract

                                The study was conducted in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu during this year 1998-99 to estimate technical efficiency in the stochastic frontier production function model. It was found that the co-efficient of labour, FYM and fertilizers, plant protection chemicals and variety for both tea farmers and corporate sector remained significant. It was also identified that about 15.00 per cent of the total farmers who operated the estates belonged to the most efficient category (91-99 per cent) and 65.00 per cent in the least efficient group (64-80 per cent) with a mean technical efficiency of 76.52 per cent. Whereas in the case of corporate units, about 70.00 per cent belonged to the most efficient category (91-99 per cent) and 11.67 per cent in (64-80 per cent the least efficient group with a mean technical efficiency of 86.68 per cent. Therefore, in short run it is possible to increase tea yield on an average by 23.48 per cent in the case of farmers and 13.32 per cent in the case of corporate units by adopting better management practices used by the best performers.

Key words : Tea farmers, Corporate sector units, Stochastic frontier, Maximum likelihood estimates and Technical efficiency.