Research on corn production efficiency and influencing factors of typical farms: Based on data from 12 corn-producing countries from 2012 to 2019

Abstract

Globally, corn is characterised by high production and high export concentrations, yet the world is experiencing an unprecedented, huge change in this regard. Ensuring the global supply of corn, and thereby the energy and food security of nations has become particularly important. To understand the importance of corn production as an influencing mechanism of global food supplies, the present study researched the corn production of typical farms in major corn-producing and importing countries around the world. I selected the corn input and output data of 18 typical farms in 12 countries from 2012 to 2019, used the data envelopment analysis (DEA) model to calculate the technical efficiency of corn production, and built a tobit model to explore the impact of farming methods, input elements, supporting services, and other factors on efficiency. The study established that the average comprehensive technical efficiency of corn production on a typical farm was 0.863, and the average loss was 13.7%. In addition, it concluded that intensive tillage and conservation tillage have high technical efficiency. It also demonstrated that the proportion of mechanical labour and technical efficiency is in a ‘U’-shaped relationship, among others.