Performance of cold-water fish farms (rainbow trout) in Sistan, Iran: Applying the super-efficiency envelopment analysis approach

Authors

1 Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran

2 Agriculture Institute, Research Institute of Zabol, Zabol, Iran

3 Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Faculty of Agriculture, Faryab University, Afghanistan

10.22092/ijfs.2025.134914

Abstract

This study examined the performance of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) farms in the Sistan region of Iran during 2023-2024, using the super-efficiency envelopment analysis technique.  Data were collected through structured questionnaires, and technical efficiency was evaluated using the basic Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) approach. The findings were then compared with the super-efficiency DEA model. The average technical efficiency was 63.50% (ranging from 0.21 to 1) under the constant return to scale model and 79.35% (ranging from 0.54 to 1) under the variable return to scale model. Additionally, average scale efficiency was 76.1% (ranging from 0.38 to 1). Only 20% of the farms achieved full efficiency, exhibiting significant variations in technical efficiency. The results demonstrated that discrepancies in input consumption management were the primary factor contributing to technical inefficiency. Therefore, optimizing input management is critical for enhancing efficiency in these aquaculture systems.

Keywords

Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences
Volume 25, Issue 2
March 2026
Pages 181-196

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