Analysis of the efficiency of production factors in shallot farming using True Seed of Shallot (TSS) in Adipala District, Cilacap Regency

Red onion is one of the horticultural commodities with significant economic value. Cilacap Regency is a major red onion-producing area in Central Java, one of which is Adipala District. In 2023, the red onion production in Cilacap Regency reached 951.12 tons with a productivity of 8.38 tons/ha. The productivity of Cilacap Regency is still low compared to Central Java Province, which is 10.23 tons/ha. The productivity of red onions in Adipala Subdistrict is 9.16 tons/ha. This study was conducted using the census method. Primary data collection was carried out through interviews with red onion farmers as respondents using a questionnaire. The study was conducted in Adipala District with 65 red onion farmers as respondents. The primary data collected included: respondent characteristics, land area, seeds, labor, NPK fertilizer, organic fertilizer, dolomite, pesticides, age, education level, experience, extension services, and land status. Secondary data were obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Central Statistics Agency, and the Provincial/District Agriculture Office. Data were analyzed using the Frontier 4.1 application, followed by allocative and economic efficiency analysis using the Cobb-Douglas production function dual cost equation. The results showed that land, seeds, labor, NPK fertilizer, and dolomite had a positive effect on production, meaning they increased production, while organic fertilizer and pesticides did not have a significant effect. The analysis indicates that the average technical and allocative efficiency of red onion farmers in TSS is sufficient, but economic efficiency is still lacking. The average technical, allocative, and economic efficiencies are 0.86, 0.70, and 0.60, respectively. Efforts to reduce inefficiency include optimizing extension services. To obtain more diverse data, further comprehensive research is needed on the efficiency of red onion farming during the same planting season.