Ranking wheat-producing provinces of Iran based on eco-efficiency

This research ranked wheat-producing provinces of Iran based on cross- efficiency and eco-efficiency. Eco-efficiency measured by cross-efficiency in which greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were regarded as an undesirable output. Data required for the research on the amount of input consumption, yield, and revenue were derived from the databases of the Ministry of Agriculture Jahad for 2018 and were analyzed using the MATLAB and MS-Excel software packages. The ranking of irrigated wheat-producing provinces based on cross-efficiency showed that Lorestan was in the first rank. Based on eco-efficiency the ranks of 19 provinces were changed by one to five levels. Ardabil, Isfahan, Fars, and Mazandaran downgraded the most. Cross-efficiency based on revenue revealed that Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, attained the first ranks. Based on the results of cross- efficiency of rainfed wheat-producing regions, South Khorasan, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, and Zanjan consume inputs more optimally. In general, it was revealed that the provinces with higher cultivated areas and production did not have higher efficiency. It appears that in comparison with other provinces, production inputs are not used in these regions optimally. Given the status of these provinces in cultivated areas and production, any plan to increase production requires to seriously consider the optimal use of resources as well as the environmental effects.