The Scale Efficiency and Its Influencing Factors of Single-household Operation on Bamboo Forest: Based on the Survey in Sanming of Fujian Province

Based on the survey data of 163 households in Sanming of Fujian, DEA-Tobit model was used to analyze the scale efficiency and influencing factors of single-household operation on bamboo forestland. In terms of efficiency estimates, the average overall scale efficiency of operation on bamboo forest by single-household farmer in the surveyed area of Fujian Province was 0.91, and the average scale efficiency of forestland was 0.86, from which it could be seen that the scale efficiency of overall operation on bamboo forest was high, but the scale efficiency of forestland as a factor was low. The optimal size of single-household operation of forestland was 4 ~4.67 hm2, which allowed the allocation ratio of the input to output element to be relatively coordinated well, however, the operation efficiency of farmers with small-or middle-scales still need to be improved. Regarding the influence factors, there was a positive correlation between the scale efficiency of operation on bamboo forest and the influencing factors of the number of family labors, the experience of forestry management engagement, and forest area; while the gender and age of householder, and costs in production period showed the reverse changes in the relationship with scale efficiency. Finally, according to the analysis of the factors affecting the scale efficiency, the following suggestions were proposed, i. e. , determining the proper size for optimal scale efficiency of forestland based on the specific situation of local, fully supporting the famers with middle-or small-scales of bamboo forestland, and enhancing the capabilities of forestry operators.