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Abstract
Production efficiency for five major crops (winter wheat, summer corn, spring cotton, and summer and spring soybean) grown in the north of China were estimated using a survey of249 households. The survey of rural households was conducted in Dengzhuang township, Hengshui Prefecture, Hebei Province, in 1993. Education and age of the major labourer had a positive effect on production efficiency. Efficiency was higher when females were the major labourer for all crops but spring cotton. Off-farm income had a positive effect, except for summer crops with high labour requirements. The presence of a tractor reduced efficiency, as did the area of fruit trees. Total household land area had a slightly positive effect on efficiency for all crops except soybean. Extension efforts to increase efficiency need to consider education and the gender of the major labourer. An understanding of the structure of the household and farm can assist preparation of appropriate extension programs.