Eficiência da produtividade nos municípios produtores de soja no Brasil (2015-2019): Uma abordagem utilizando análise envoltória de dados (DEA)

Abstract

Soybean has been the primary agricultural crop in the country, and the expansion of the oil sector combined with the development of new technologies has boosted soy cultivation. Given its significant importance and growth, production increasingly demands higher levels of efficiency. In this context, this study investigates the efficiency of soy production in the main Brazilian municipalities between 2015 and 2019, using the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model in the CCR format. To achieve this objective, quantitative research techniques were adopted, involving the collection and analysis of soybean production data across various municipalities. The employed methodology enabled a comparative assessment of productive efficiency in the analyzed units, highlighting performance scores and identifying areas for improvement. "Within-farm" efficiency varied over the studied period, with some cities maintaining high levels of efficiency and others showing significant fluctuations. The results indicate a weighted average efficiency of 0.86 in the analyzed cities, signifying a substantial margin for improvement. This means that it is possible to reduce input costs by approximately 14% without compromising production. Cities with efficiency levels close to the maximum serve as a benchmark for others to follow. The transfer of knowledge from the most efficient cities to the less efficient ones is proposed as a viable solution to reduce disparities. Operational analysis "within the farm" is emphasized as a critical indicator of success in soy production, essential for the continuous improvement of agriculture in Brazil.