Production characteristics and technical efficiency of buffalo farming in Thanamalwila veterinary division, Sri Lanka

Buffalo accounts for a reasonable proportion in the livestock sector in terms of dairy production in Sri Lanka. This study was conducted to identify the important socio-economic determinants and to estimate the technical efficiency of buffalo farming in Thanamalwila veterinary division, Uva Province, Sri Lanka. A sample of fifty buffalo farmers were selected by multi stage sampling. Maximum likelihood estimation was used to determine the stochastic production function of average daily milk production per animal. Breed, average birth weight, shed condition, grazing duration, labor power, frequency of water given, cost of farming and feeding were used as the variables of production function. Breed, birth weight and labor power were the significant variables of Cobb-Douglas function. Monthly income was the only significant variable in technical inefficiency. Frequency of receiving extension services had a great impact in determining the
efficiency of buffalo farmers. Buffalo farmers operate with an average of 86.8% technical efficiency. The milk production could be increased by13.2% through better use of extension services and given the current state of technology with extra investment over introducing exotic breeds, quality feeds and adequate labour power. The key findings of this study would help in policy formulation to promote the technically efficient buffalo farming in the area.