# Beyond Technical Efficiency: Structural Disconnect Between Managerial Resource Use and Sustainability in Water Buffalo Farming in Türkiye

## TL;DR

This study finds that improving efficiency in water buffalo farming in Türkiye does not automatically lead to better sustainability due to structural issues.

## Contribution

The study reveals a structural disconnect between technical efficiency and sustainability in water buffalo farming, challenging the assumption that efficiency improvements alone enhance sustainability.

## Key findings

- Higher technical efficiency in farms did not correlate with higher sustainability scores.
- Non-farm income and internet access were linked to better farm performance.
- Stronger farmer organizations and improved infrastructure are needed for long-term sustainability.

## Abstract

This study examined the relationship between farm efficiency and sustainability in water buffalo farming using data from 72 farms in Tokat, Türkiye. Improving farm efficiency is generally expected to enhance the sustainability of livestock systems; however, empirical evidence in water buffalo production remains limited. Farm performance was evaluated based on how efficiently farmers managed and used available resources to produce output, while sustainability was assessed through economic, social, and environmental indicators. The results showed that the average efficiency level was moderate, whereas overall sustainability levels were relatively low, indicating a fragile production structure. Importantly, farms with higher efficiency were not necessarily more sustainable. This finding indicated a structural disconnect, meaning that improvements in efficiency did not automatically translate into better environmental, social, and economic outcomes. The analysis also showed that access to non-farm income and internet services was associated with better farm performance, whereas higher debt levels were linked to lower performance. The findings suggested that improving the long-term sustainability of water buffalo farming required not only higher efficiency but also broader structural improvements, including stronger farmer organizations, improved infrastructure, and better financial capacity. These insights may help policymakers design support programs that promote both efficiency and sustainability in livestock farming.

Although higher technical efficiency is theoretically expected to enhance farm sustainability, empirical evidence in livestock systems remains ambiguous. This study investigates the interplay between technical efficiency and sustainability using data from 72 farms in Tokat, Türkiye, selected via stratified random sampling. Technical efficiency was calculated using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), while a multidimensional Sustainability Index was constructed using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) for weighting dimensions. Determinants of inefficiency were estimated using a Tobit model. Results revealed an average technical efficiency of 0.717 and a Composite Sustainability Index of 0.41, classifying the sector as “moderate” but fragile. Crucially, the Kruskal–Wallis test showed no statistically significant difference in sustainability scores across efficiency groups (p > 0.05). This finding confirms a “structural disconnect,” demonstrating that high technical efficiency does not guarantee sustainability because of systemic bottlenecks such as dysfunctional organizations and infrastructure deficits. Furthermore, Tobit results showed that non-farm income and internet access were positively associated with technical efficiency, whereas indebtedness was negatively associated. Consequently, achieving lasting sustainability requires a shift from simple productivity support to structural modernization policies, including the integration of sustainability-oriented criteria such as institutional strengthening, environmental management, and financial capacity into existing support schemes.