From soil to sustainability: A comparative dive into technical efficiency in organic and conventional vegetable production in Northeastern Bangladesh

Organic vegetable farming is promoted in Bangladesh for its environmental sustainability and health benefits, yet concerns persist about whether it can match the technical efficiency of conventional systems without sacrificing
productivity. In Sylhet district, Northeastern Bangladesh, both systems have expanded rapidly with marked variation in performance, but context-specific comparative evidence is lacking—limiting policies that must simultaneously support productivity, farmer livelihoods, and sustainability. This study addresses this critical gap. Primary data were collected from 232 vegetable farmers (116 conventional, 116 organic) using multistage sampling and structured questionnaires. Technical efficiency was estimated via stochastic frontier production function analysis. Results show organic tomato farmers achieved markedly higher technical efficiency (0.94) than conventional farmers (0.72). Conventional systems exhibited lower efficiency in gourd (0.804) and bean (0.85) production. In both systems, efficiency was significantly influenced by plot size, seed use, labor, fertilizers (organic/inorganic), integrated pest management (IPM), pesticide application, and irrigation. Technical inefficiency was further driven by education, farming experience, family size, training access, extension services, and credit availability. Overuse of irrigation, seed, and labor was common across systems. Among organic farmers, limited experience and engagement in secondary occupations increased inefficiency. These findings indicate that dedicated, experienced farmers adopting scientific organic practices can attain superior efficiency and advance sustainable vegetable production in Bangladesh.