PRODUCTIVITY AND TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY OF RICE FARMERS IN QUIRINO PROVINCE Mila T. Benabise, Fredisminda M. Dolojan, and Marissa B. Hernando Abstract The study analyzed the factors affecting rice productivity and technical efficiency in Quirino province. This study developed a production model based on the Cobb-Douglas Stochastic Frontier Production model across six municipalities in Quirino province. The triangulation approach was used in gathering the data needed. This approach involved personal interviews with the rice farmers through the aid of questionnaires: inspection of secondary data from the Department of Agriculture (DA) (masterlist of rice farmers, rice production, prices of output and inputs); and observation to validate information gathered from the interview guide. Results under irrigated system revealed positive output-input relationship in all variables such as seeds, labor, nitrogen content of fertilizers, chemicals, and pesticide used in farming. The negatively signed and significant variables considered in the IEM tend to lessen technical inefficiency of irrigated farms. The number of trainings received, irrigation from National Irrigation Administration (NIA), tenure (owned), and topography (flat) proved to be significant in lessening technical inefficiencies in farms. The overall technical efficiency of all farms under irrigated system was recorded at 0.82 and 0.80 during dry and wet season respectively. Technical efficiency index found out to be higher during dry season as compared on wet season. Significant difference in the yield level was obtained between the two farming systems. In irrigated farms, average yield obtained was 4.48 mt/ha which was 0.86 mt/ha higher than the average yield attained in rainfed areas at 3.60 mt/ha. Keywords: Productivity, Efficiency, Stochastic Frontier Model, Rainfed, Irrigated Farms INTRODUCTION The Philippines is the world’s eighth-largest rice producer. Rice area harvested has expanded from nearly 3.8 million hectares in 1995 to about 4.4 million hectares in 2010. However, the country still imports about 10% of its annual consumption requirements. In 2010 and 2011, the country was the biggest rice importer. Its rice imports amounted to 2.38 million tons in 2010, mostly coming from Vietnam and Thailand. The Philippine rice sector has always been the core of the government’s agricultural policies. The focal points of the policies revolve around promoting rice self-sufficiency and providing high income to farmers while making rice prices affordable to consumers. One of the most significant programs of the government for the rice sector is, “The Philippine rice master plan 2009-13—enhancing provincial rice self-sufficiency.” This rice master plan envisions a 100% self-sufficient rice economy by 2013 through improved rice productivity and increased income of rice farmers. This plan pursues location-specific interventions that can help farmers achieve higher yield. It focuses on how interventions can improve productivity toward sufficient yield. These include improvement of the effectiveness and efficiency of irrigation systems through rehabilitation; the use of high-quality hybrid and inbred seeds and farmers’ varieties, integrated and sustainable crop management technologies, the provision of soft loans for the establishment of shallow tube wells and surface water pumps, and delivery of extension support services. Rice is the staple food of Filipinos. This commodity plays a vital role in the national