P!nk - I#39m Not Dead free essay sample

While most celebrities maintain their identities in pop culture by conforming to the conventions of society, one will not find P!nk converging with todays superficiality. Instead, one will find her on the offense, confidently asserting her views, as in her album Im Not Dead. While P!nk could have taken the conventional road in constructing her album like most artists, she chose to speak her mind, quoting, â€Å"I decided I was going to be me to the fullest extent, that my songs were going to reflect relationships Ive had, things Ive been through, and even the stuff Im embarrassed about† (tv.com). She has proved herself, with her controversial lyrics and equally captivating melodies. Selling over million albums in the United States, Im Not Dead, can be declared a success in providing food for thought. Music serves a different purpose for every artist. P!nks music is her unique expression of her memories, thoughts, and opinions. We will write a custom essay sample on P!nk I#39m Not Dead or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In her highly controversial song, â€Å"Dear Mr. President,† she speaks candidly about her views on the Bush administration. She asks him, â€Å"How do you sleep at night/How do you walk with your head held high?† Although a lot of people may harbor the same feelings, not many assert their opinions in a public forum. Furthermore, she does not just criticize him; she challenges him on a personal level. These challenges are almost attacks, shooting rhetorical questions at Bush in a way that is sarcastic but condescendingly diplomatic. Even though everyone may not agree with her view, the purpose of her music is to provoke honest discussion about stifling subjects. Along with the highly controversial â€Å"Dear Mr. President,† P!nk released a couplet of equally controversial songs pertaining to societys perception of women and their roles. In her song, â€Å"Stupid girls,† she talks about the ambitions of young women to become famous by flaunting their bodi es instead of using their minds. She even makes specific references such as, â€Å"What happened to the dream of a girl president? /Shes dancing in the video next to 50 cent†. In her music video she goes on to mock the actual girl in the video as well as other celebrities including Paris Hilton, Jessica Simpson, and Mary-Kate Olsen. But thats not all. In her third single of the album, â€Å"U+UR Hand,† she partially attributes this behavior of women to the expectations of men. In the song she confidently rejects a man who is trying to pick her up saying, â€Å"Im not here for your entertainment/ you dont want to mess with me tonight†. Her strong statement about the dynamics of men and women in todays society has certainly offended many people, and as in her intent, she received a response to its meaning rather than just the melody. Im Not Dead undoubtedly exercises P!nks first amendment right of freedom of speech, which is what makes her album a top seller. It is the confidence in which she is able to assert her views that is so attractive, not necessarily her views themselves. If nothing else, P!nk must be revered for outspokenness in Im Not Dead.

Bank War Essays - Financial Crises, Free Essays, Term Papers

Bank War Essays - Financial Crises, Free Essays, Term Papers Bank War Did the Bank War cause the Panic of 1837? Richard Hofstadter from The American Political Tradition and the Men Who Made It believes President Andrew Jackson?s refusal to recharter the Bank of the United States was politically popular but economically harmful to the long-term growth of the United States. Peter Tenim, from The Jacksonian Economy, believes international factors, such as changes in the monetary policies of the Bank of England, the supply of silver from Mexico, and the price of southern cotton, were far more important than Jackson?s banking policies in determining fluctuations in the 1830s economy. The two intelligent men present their facts and arguments well and make it hard for the reader to mold their opinion for either side. After reading both arguments and thoroughly reviewing the facts stated, I took the side of Peter Tenim by saying that the war against the Bank of the United States was not the cause of the Panic of 1837. I have to agree with Mr. Tenim simply because there were more factors present in his opinion involving the Panic of 1837. The opinion of Mr. Hofstadter revolved around one factor, which was the war against the Bank of the United States. In order to somewhat disprove Mr. Hofstadter?s theory, I believe we have to analyze the relationship between President Andrew Jackson and Nicholas Biddle, who at the time was the President of the Bank. Mr. Jackson was very much a man of the middle class. He believed in the American dream of becoming an entrepreneur and the opportunity to create wealth for oneself. He disliked the cheap and sometimes-worthless paper money the banks printed. The only money he trusted was hard money, gold and silver. He was especially bitter against the Bank of the United States, which with its monopoly of the government?s business was a symbol of all hated special privilege. He thought it was evil as well as unconstitutional, and he loathed it. More impo! rtantly though, he was a person who had experience using the so-called capital makers of the time and trying to start businesses. For example, the one time in his career President Jackson owned land, which he sold to various individual and received notes as payments. Unfortunately, these buyers were unable to pay back the notes and President Jackson lost his land. He then had to start from scratch. He also had become a debtor and due to financial hardships, he was unable to pay off his own debts. President Jackson was faced with a double-sided sword because people were unable to repay the debts owed to him, while at the same time he could not pay the debts he owed to others. Nicholas Biddle, on the other hand, was an entirely different man. Biddle knew how Jackson felt about the Bank but wanted the President to be on good terms with it. Henry Clay, though, saw the Bank issue as a way to defeat Jackson in the 1832 election. Clay induced Biddle to apply for a new charte! r for the Bank early in 1832. He believed that if Jackson dared to veto the recharter bill, he would lose the election. The plan did not go according for Mr. Clay and Mr. Biddle and Jackson was still the favorite among the people. President Jackson and Nicholas Biddle were never met good terms with each other and their relationship was one of argument and disagreement. In my opinion, Biddle wanted to keep the Bank of the United States intact for the sole purpose of benefiting the aristocrats and the politically involved. Biddle was not, though, the cause of the Panic of 1837. The depression of the early 1840s was neither as serious as historians assume nor the fault of Biddle. It was primarily a deflation, as opposed to a decline in production, and it was produced by events over which Biddle had little control over. Mr. Jackson?s view of banks was a very distressing one. He, along with the people of his party, believed the same ideology that the banks were in favor of the wealthy and those with political advantage. The only people who benefited from the banks were the ?wall-street? types and

Final Project Report on Meezan Bank Essay Example

Final Project Report on Meezan Bank Essay Example Final Project Report on Meezan Bank Essay Final Project Report on Meezan Bank Essay It is concerned to a brief study of the operations, functions, Products and Services of Means Bank. Means Bank is the largest Islamic Banking Network of Pakistan. Islamic banking one of the fastest growing segments of the financial industry. Banks serving the Islamic population must comply with several very specific principles of Islamic law if they hope to retain existing customers and attract new ones. Banks must be ready with specialized products and SE;sec and they must put programs in place to train their personnel to support these products and services in order to exist in this competitive marketplace. This Report contains detail of MBA Management structure, Operations, products, Services and Functions along with their features. History of Banking History Of Banking in Pakistan Starts from the partition Of Indo-Pakistan sub continent in August, 1947. At that time, the areas consisting Pakistan had 631 offices of 45 scheduled banks out of which 487 were located in West Pakistan and 1 14 in East Pakistan which was also served by 500 offices of small and non-scheduled banks. There were 19 branches of foreign banks in Pakistan but they had a very limited role to play. Just after the partition, the Indian bankers started immigrating and shifting he head offices of their banks and capital to India. It caused a great set back to the banking field in Pakistan, and resulted in decline in the number of offices in schedule bank from 631 to 195 by 30th June, 1948. The West Pakistan the number fell from 487 to 81 in East Pakistan from 14th 69 by 30th June, 1951. Among these Habit Bank Ltd. , with 25 offices and Australia Bank Ltd. With 19 offices were institutions run by Muslims who shifted their head offices to Pakistan. : The technical and administrative difficulties of establishing a central bank just after independence compelled Pakistan to enter into an agreement with the Reserve Bank of India by which the bank was to perform the function of a central bank in this area also up to 30th September, 1948. The Reserve Bank of India started following wrong policies against the interest of Pakistan. The situation became so grave that after the consultation of two governments the Reserve Bank of India was asked to finish the agreement from 30th June instead of from 30th September, 1948. So the Government of Pakistan decided to establish the State Bank of Pakistan as its central bank from 1st July, 1948. In the same year first Pakistani notes in the denomination of RSI. , 10, and 100 were issued and Indian currency was withdrawn from circulation. After it the government was advised to a bank which should serve as a agent of State Bank of Pakistan. On this suggestion National Bank of Pakistan which was established in 1949 to finance jute trade in East Pakistan to take over the agency functions from the Imperial Bank of India. Furthermore banking companies control act 1949 was promulgated which empowered the State Bank of Pakistan to control the operation of other banks. To boost the economic development the State Bank of Pakistan encourage the commercial inks and gave them schemes to advance in the agricultural and industrial fields. In addition to this specialize financial. Institutions were set up to meet the acute shortage of funds in these fields. The State Bank of Pakistanis policy encouraged expansion in established banks, establishment of new banks, and weeding out Of unsound banks just to faster the growth of banking system in the country.

New Car Alarm Market Research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

New Car Alarm Market Research - Essay Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that the main weakness of the process is the unfamiliarity of the product within the market which will, later on, be tasking in the globalization process and the competition. Various openings and threats have been found in the automobile market research and the advantages that the company has over its competition by virtue of its location and production line. The research results are intended to outline how well Luminescent Alarms would be received by the general public (car owners). The research is also aimed at finding out if there is a demand for its proposed product and to see if its potential customers would buy the new product with regard to its practicality. Car crime has been an ostensible global problem for decades, in practically every country in the world. As reports show that more than 2700 cars are reported stolen in Europe on a daily basis and 50% of them are hardly ever retrieved. Luminescent Alarms  is the World’s fir st silent and visual car alarm. A unique British patent that uses cutting-edge optical tools. It responds to a signal provided by a standard mobile phone SIM and makes an illuminated flashing message Stolen appear visibly on a number  plate when required, this feature, however, is subject to manipulation by the car owner. Luminescent Alarms was created by David Richardson and  Dr. Ashley Knowles to develop and exploit the idea of an anti-theft technology for identifying stolen cars.The ideology is to raise the profile of a stolen vehicle thereby drawing the attention of the public who can then respond by alerting the police. The Alarm ensures that the owners stay in complete control of the security of their vehicles and the police can launch a recovery mission as nippily. When activated, the owner and the relevant authorities concurrently receive text messages alerting them to the theft. That helps raise the profile and ensure the vehicle is apprehended with haste.  The system is tamper proof and can be tracked on a number of devices (including computers, laptops, and smartphones).

Experimental film analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Experimental film analysis - Essay Example In Free Radicals, he synthesizes all his artistic abilities and sensitivities in order to create a truly majestic work. This paper intends to read Lye’s doodling on film through an examination of the multimedia character of the Free radicals. Although, the paper attempts to read the Free Radicals from within, i.e. by examining its medium and content on its own, it would try to incorporate necessary theoretical insights as well. 2. The Artistic Background of the Free Radicals Len Lye was always particular in drawing the source of his inspiration from music from various (often distant and little known) cultural backgrounds. In one of his first and best animated sound films, which is A Colour Box, Lye uses Caribbean jazz in a time when it was not much known to the outside the world. Peculiarly, in Lye’s animation films, shadows, streaks and colors are easily blended to an extraordinary music with quite perfection. Color could be seen bouncing back from the screen. It is th is very synchronization of colors and images with the music makes Lye’s animations more than appealing. Lye’s animated films were not only quite different from the movies produced in their respective times but also technologically advanced than other. This technological edge is one of the distinct features of Lye’s films. It was in 1926, Len Lye moved to England from New Zealand. He was attracted to the modernist movement in England and active in such circles having many friends among the stalwarts of arts and literature. Lye was also attracted into various art forms such as surrealist stories and poems and moving sculpture. He was both eclectic and eccentric. The indigenous art of Maori people in the New Zealand had strong influence on Ley’s idea of art, especially his conception of visual art. Moreover, he was extremely fascinated by the oceanic cultures from around the world. It is necessary to remember that he was expelled from the racist New Zealand for living among the Maori people. In his way to England, he had also visited many pacific islands and closely interacted with the aboriginal people. It might be because of this influence of the indigenous culture, Lye’s painted-on-celluloid art resembled a lot to the finger paintings which are common among the aboriginals. In 1944, Len Lye moved to the United States wherein he got more acquainted with the African music traditions. As his interests in kinetic sculpture grew, it was well reflected in the films he made later. 3. The Free Radicals as Doodling on the Film The Free Radical was made in 1958 and it was peculiar with its intense black and white nature. It appeared as drawings on a chalkboard. According to Kasmere, â€Å"an assured, signature work that Stan Brakhage called â€Å"an almost unbelievably immense masterpiece†,  Free Radicals  synchronizes etched hieroglyphs, squiggly horizontal lines and verticals of varying thickness to energetic drum music f rom The Bagirmi Tribe of Africa. Nothing in the film is static. â€Å"White ziggle-zag-splutter scratches†, inscribed using a variety of tools including arrowheads and saw-teeth, appear abruptly, leap, quiver, and dance alongside the beat, then vanish suddenly. Occasionally the flat picture plane is transformed into a three-dimensional space as fluid, rough-edged wiry shapes appear to rotate, as though circled by a camera/eye. At times one denotes the outline of quickly passing hill covered or jagged mountainous landscape as the line-play slips

Classical greek influence Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Classical greek influence - Research Paper Example Zeus was the king of Greek gods and god of weather and rains in ancient Greece. Zeus like other gods prevented humankind from making progress and learning the basics of life. These gods punished people for not obeying their orders. Gods were against the use of fire by human beings as it was the symbol of power for the god and goddess (Roebuck, 1984). Doric, Ionic and Corinthian were the architectural orders used by people, which were commonly seen in their temples. Doric was the basic order that was used previously by Spartans (Durant, 1997). Initially wooden structures were used and these were replaced with stones later on. Religion and god images are very clear on construction of golden age. Corinthian order was not frequently used for being very fancy. Ionic architecture was the final order. Dimensions of these orders were eight to nine feet high instead of four feet. Sculpture shapes are also found on the Ionic structure. Stones were also used to carve hair shape and other religious shapes in the Ionic architecture (Durant,

The concept of technical and allocative efficiency

The concept of technical and allocative efficiency Technical Efficiency- Basic Concept The term Technical Efficiency was first used by M. J. Farrell in 1957 in his seminal paper and differentiated and disaggregated economic efficiency into two components i.e. technical efficiency and allocative efficiency. Coelli et al. (1999) define technical efficiency as the maximum achievable output from a given set of inputs and existing technology (Coelli, Rao, Battese, 1999). It has been also defined as the ratio of actual output and potential output of a farm unit i.e. In this sense TE refers to the manner in which the inputs or production resources are used. By this definition it is more closely associated with the techniques of framing or understanding of technology and deals with the behavior of how to produce an optimal level of production regardless of input-output price ratio. Hence, technical efficiency is also equivalent to Agronomic Efficiency. The concept of technical and allocative efficiency can be explained by the help of Figure 2.1 illustrated by Kalirajan and Shand (1999). Theoretically, we assume that all units of production (firm or land) operate at potential frontier production function i.e. the points along the curve FF. Any level of inefficiency with respect to this production function will be purely allocative. The reason may be that the producer has no income to buy inputs or is not willing to spend more for the marginal amount of inputs. Now suppose if the firm operates at point B by using I1 inputs and getting Y1 output. At this point the firm is both technically and allocatively efficient with a maximum profit of à Ã¢â€š ¬1. When the firm operates at Point-A with I2 level of inputs producing Y2 output points, earning à Ã¢â€š ¬2 amount of profit. At this point the firm is technically efficient as it is operating at FF but it is inefficient allocatively. It can improve its profit by à Ã¢â€š ¬2/à Ã¢â€š ¬1 amount. But on real grounds, the units of production operate at less than the level of its potential frontier. The reasons are differe nt technical, socio-economic, bio-physical, organizational and other unknown factors (Ahmed et al., 2002; Ajibefun, 2008; Ozkan et al. (2009)). Thus the firm operates at its actual production function AA below the potential frontier FF. Let us suppose it operates at point C with I2 amount of inputs and producing Y3 yield and earning à Ã¢â€š ¬3 profits. At this point the firm is neither technically nor allocatively efficient. It could maximize its profit to à Ã¢â€š ¬4 levels by operating at point D utilizing I3 inputs and producing Y4 outputs. But on real grounds, the units of production operate at less than the level of its potential frontier. The reasons are different technical, socio-economic, bio-physical, organizational and other unknown factors ( Ahmed et al., 2002; Ajibefun, 2008; Ozkan et al. 2009). Thus the firm operates at its actual production function AA below the potential frontier FF. Let us suppose it operates at point C with I2 amount of inputs and producing Y3 yield and earning à Ã¢â€š ¬3 profits. At this point the firm is neither technically nor allocatively efficient. It could maximize its profit to à Ã¢â€š ¬4 levels by operating at point D utilizing I3 inputs and producing Y4 outputs. Thus it is quite clear from Figure 2.1 that economic inefficiency is composed of two components of technical and allocative inefficiency. The total loss of the firm in profit terms operating at point C is à Ã¢â€š ¬1-à Ã¢â€š ¬3. Within this loss, à Ã¢â€š ¬3-à Ã¢â€š ¬2 and à Ã¢â€š ¬1-à Ã¢â€š ¬2 are the technical and allocative inefficiency losses respectively. The efficiency scenarios in these models explain three reasons of farmers attributes as discussed by Ellis (1988); Farmers desire to maximize profit with less input levels given by yield gap (Y0 Y3). Such behavior is referred as profit maximization behavior. Second reason may be the lack of correct allocation of inputs given by (Y3 Y2), and Farmers failure of operating in the most efficient production function (Y3 Y3). This gap represents technical inefficiency level, and Farmers behavior to reduce his risk instead of maximizing profit. . . . Technical Efficiency- History / Evolution Farrell (1957) is known as the pioneer of efficiency literature when the frontier production model developed by him, in one of his seminal papers, decomposed economic efficiency into two components; i.e. technical and allocative efficiency. He defined TE as the ability of a firm to produce maximum output given a set of inputs under existing technology. Stated differently, technical inefficiency is the failure of attaining the maximum possible level of production given existing resources and technology (Bravo-Ureta Pinheiro, 1993). The adoption of new technologies after green revolution for enhancing farm output has acknowledged special attention as a means to accelerate agriculture development after Schultzs hypothesis that conventional agriculture was fully efficient (Schultz, 1964). The growth performance is not only determined by such technological innovations but also by the efficient management and utilization of such technologies. The importance of efficiency measures as a me ans of nurturing productivity a considerable amount of literature is found focusing on agriculture (Bravo-Ureta Pinheiro, 1993). The efficiency analysis of units of agriculture inputs (land, labour, fertilizer etc.) has always been the focus of a number of studies since early 1960s. Most of the studies have supported Schultzs efficient but poor hypothesis. Theodore Shultz stated this hypothesis in 1964 that The traditional agriculture is fully efficient in the allocation of inputs under an existing technology. The combination of crops being grown, the depth and number of cultivation, time of planting, fertilizing, watering and harvesting, the combination of tools, draft animals and equipment are all made with a fine regard for marginal costs. (Schultz, 1964) Sahota (1968) based on his and many others have supported Schultzs hypothesis in their empirical works. Based on his study in Indian agriculture, Sahota (1968) concludes that the bulk of the evidences appear to support the hypothesis that the resources available to conventional Indian farmers have been, by and large, efficiently allocated (Sahota, 1968). A large number of frontier models were developed based on Farrells work which was than classified into parametric and non-parametric types. Aigner Chu (1968) were the initiators of deterministic parametric approach. They estimated a deterministic production frontier of a Cobb-Douglas type through linear and quadratic programming techniques. Timmer (1971) further developed this procedure by introducing a probabilistic production frontier model. He estimated a series of production frontiers by dropping extreme observations at each stage until the rate of change of parameter estimates stabilizes. These estimators had undefined statistical properties. Another class of frontier models was proposed by Afriat in 1972 known as statistical production frontiers. According to Afriats (1972) model, technical efficiency is a one-sided disturbance term with some explicit assumptions and frontier is estimated by method of maximum likelihood estimation (MLE). On the other hand if the disturbances are based on no a-priori assumptions, then corrected least squares (COLS) method is used to estimate the production frontier by just shifting the frontier upwards covering all negative disturbance terms. In 1977, Aigner et al. (Aigner, Lovell, Schmidt, 1977), and Meeusen and Broeck (1977) independently developed stochastic frontier production model in which the error term was decomposed into two components. A one-sided positive component reflecting inefficiency and a two-sided error component covering measurement errors and the random effects, which are not in control of the producer. Under this model the frontier could be could be estimated either by COLS or MLE. But in 1980, Greene found that the MLE are more efficient than COLS as the former method makes use of special statistical distributions for the disturbance terms e.g. exponential, half-normal or gamma distribution (Greene, 1980). Another mathematical programming method was developed by Charnes, Cooper and Rhodes (CCR) in 1978 which was a generalized form of Farrells (1957) method in terms of multi-input and multi-output vectors. Their method is well known as Data Envelopment Analysis or DEA. But their approach of measuring efficiency confounds the true technical efficiency score with uncontrollable noise (Charnes, Cooper, Rhodes, 1978). Further developments in DEA were incorporated by Varian in 1985. He brought improvements in DEA by treating the deviations as having stochastic characteristics and split them into two components of technical efficiency and random noise (Varian, 1985). The Free Disposal Hull (FDH) model, introduced by Deprins et al. (1984), was originally designed as an alternate to DEA models. In FDH approach only strong (free) disposability of inputs and outputs is assumed by relaxing the convexity assumptions of DEA models. FDH models were initially treated as DEA models under variable returns to scale (VRS). The FDH models are traditionally represented as mixed integer linear programming (MILP) problems. Further extensions in production frontier estimation are multi-equation models based on production, utility, cost or profit function specifications. Such extensions include the work of Kumbhakar (1987); Battese, Coelli and Colby (1989). In the decade of 1990s, the literature on TE expanded with the growing use of Z-variables in the application of Stochastic Frontier Approach (SFA). Previously, researchers used auxiliary or two-step regression on a set of socioeconomic, institutional and policy variables, so-called Z-variates to observe the effect of such variables on TE scores. A new method proposed by Wang and Schmidt allows a one-step procedure for calculation of TE and inspect effects of such Z-variables (Wang Schmidt, 2002). Kalirajan and Obwona (1994) suggested another approach for modeling production behavior and technical efficiency of any production unit, known as Stochastic Varying Coefficient Frontier Approach or SVFA. Under this method, like DEA, the potential output is estimated by allowing TE to vary by each individual input. Thus it makes comparison between firms performances easier in a sample of firms. It also facilitates to identify a benchmark of an excellent performing firm in terms of best practice in a sample (Kalirajan Shand, 1999). A recent approach, different from other sampling theory models, is Bayesian Approach (BA). The approach treats the uncertainty concerning which sampling method to use by mixing over a number of competing a-priori inefficiency distributions with a-posteriori model probabilities as weights. This approach overcomes the criticism of imposing a-priori distributions on disturbance term as in SFA. But in Bayesian Approach, like SFA, the potential output to estimate TE varies over all inputs taken together. It also differentiates random effects and fixed effects issue for panel data (Kalirajan Shand, 1999). Developmetns are being made on the methods to make them more, efficient, flexible, easily computable and more policy oriented. Especially Bayesian and FDH approaches need more modifications and specifications. Efficiency Studies in Developing Countries Agriculture and Associated Factors Here we cite some literature on efficiency estimates in agriculture sector of some developing countries with our main focus being on Pakistan. The findings regarding average efficiency scores and their relationship between different factors are summarized in the following paragraphs. Shapiro (1983) examined TE of Tanzanian cotton farmers using a Cobb-Douglas production frontier. His findings yielded an average TE of 66 percent leading rejection of Schultzs (1964) hypothesis. Balbase and Grabowski (1985) invested TE in Nepalese agriculture. His findings yielded 84 percent and 67 percent TE scores for rice and maize farms respectively. His analysis showed that nutrient levels, farmers education and income were significant factors influencing TE. Kalirajan and Shand (1985) examined TE of paddy farms in Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Their study proved non-formal education as significant positive factor in enhancing efficiency levels of farmers. Ali and Flinn (1989) have used a modified trans-log stochastic profit frontier to investigate profit efficiency of Basmati rice farms in Pakistan. They identify education, credit, late application of fertilizer and water shortage as key factors in profit losses. Ali and Chaudhary (1990) estimated efficiency for 220 farmers in Pakistani Punjab. According to his findings the average technical, allocative and economic efficiency were 84%, 61% and 51% respectively. Hussain (1991) analyzed efficiency in Punjab province of Pakistan. His results showed a TE score ranging from 80 percent for rice region and 87 percent for sugarcane region. Bravo-Ureta and Evenson (1994) analyzed efficiency for 101 cassava and 87 cotton farmers from Eastern Paraguay. His findings showed 58%, 70% and 41% technical, allocative and economic efficiency scores respectively for cotton farmers. Whereas the corresponding figure for cassava growers were 59%, 89% and 52% respectively. His results evidenced farmers age, education, farm size, extension contacts and credit availability as significant factors influencing efficiency level of farmers. Another study conducted by Ali, Parikh and Shah (1994) in NWF province of Pakistan by using both behavioral and stochastic cost frontier functions. Among socioeconomic variables, farmers age, farm size, land fragmentation and subsistency were showing significant influence on inefficiency levels. Ahmed et al. (2002) have analyzed TE of wheat growers in three provinces of Pakistan using a stochastic frontier production approach. The results yielded on average 32 percent losses due to technical inefficiency. The variables of age, education, extension services, farm to market distance, farm size, and credit availability had significant influence on efficiency levels of farmers in the provinces. He also found that wheat farmers in Punjab were technically more efficient (70%) than their counterparts in Sindh (66%) and NWFP (63%). Tenants were technically more efficient than the owners and owner-cum-tenants. Dhungana et al. (2004) have used Data Envelopment Analysis approach to examine efficiency of Nepalese rice Farmers. The results revealed that 76, 87 and 66 percent technical, allocative and economic efficiency levels were achieved by farmers. The factors contributing in inefficiency were excessive use of input resources, farmers level of risk attitude, managers age and gender, education and family labour endowment. Hassan and Ahmed (2005) examined TE of wheat growers in a mixed farming system of Punjab province in Pakistan using a C-D production function. The mean TE was recorded about 94 percent. The key influencing factors of efficiency were education, timely cultivation of crops, credit availability, sowing patterns and water availability. Bashir and Khan (2005) have conducted an efficiency analysis of 200 wheat farms in Northern region of Pakistan. They found high variation in yields of sample farms showing an average allocative efficiency of 72 percent in the study area. Farmers awareness, education level, farm size and level of fertilizer used were significant factors depriving farmers to achieve their optimum level of profits. Lambarraa et al. (2006) examined TE and productivity growth in the Spanish Olive sector. They found that farmers age, farm location; tenure regimes of land and organic nature of farming techniques affect significantly the level of efficiency. Mari and Lohano (2007) have analyzed TE of onion, tomato and chili farms in Sindh province of Pakistan. The mean TE was found to be 83 percent, 74 percent and 59 percent for chili, tomato and onion farms respectively. A detailed study on TE of Russian agriculture has been conducted by Brock et al. (2007). They found interesting results under three organizational farming regime; i.e. peasant farming, large corporate farming and household plots. The TE rankings were highest for household plots (81%) followed by corporate farms (74%) and peasant farms (70%). The peasant farms were least efficient. Analyzing efficiency of Nigerian food crops, Ajibefun (2008) has applied both SFA and DEA approach. He found only slight variation in average TE computed by both methods, i.e. 68 percent by SFA and 65 percent by DEA. Significant influencing factors were farmers age and education level. Kilic et al. (2009) have investigated TE of hazelnut production in Samson province of Turkey. Their study showed an average efficiency of 73.5 percent. Farmers education level and farm fragmentation were found as significant factor determining TE. A very recent work by Monchuk et al. (2010) on TE in Chinas agriculture reveals that heavy industrialization and large percentage of rural labour force in agriculture sector tend to reduce TE. He suggests that air and water pollution have negative effects on agriculture production; and growth of non-primary agriculture may lead to efficient use of labour resources. Factors Affecting Technical Efficiency There are various socioeconomic, infrastructural, institutional and policy factors that tend to influence technical efficiency of farmers, thereby depriving them from achieving a potential output from their available resources. Identification and probable solutions of such factors had been the focus of researchers and policy makers through decades. A summary table of the work of different researchers showing TE of different crops and significant factors affecting level of TE is given in Table 2.1 Yield Gap Yield gap is the difference between the yields of the experimental station by researchers and yield from farmers plot. According to Gomez (1977), yield gap appears in two ways (see Figure 2.2); The yield gap between maximum yield of research station and potential farm yield. This gap emerges into the system due to the environmental factors (climate, rainfall, humidity, sunlight etc) and non-transferable technology to farmers fields from the research station. Second type of yield gap is the difference between potential farm yields to that of the actual farm yield gained by the farmer. This difference arises from the different biological and socio-economic factors. This study of these gaps is particularly important in the context of research and arises some questions that whether the research methodologies, technologies, environment, equipments and capital costs utilized at research station are appropriate to farmers field conditions? Whether the recommended technology is complete? Whether this can address or takes into consideration the less favorable socioeconomic, bio-physical and environmental conditions of rain-fed and resource-poor marginalized farmers (Dahal, 1996)? The process of estimating technical efficiency gaps should be taken in a systematic and realistic way. It is necessary to consider the farmers specific farm trials rather than the trials conducted at the research stations. Role of Marketing in Rural Economy Farmers consider themselves as price takers and think that they have no control over prices and are bound to accept whatever the price is offered. They do not know how to capture new markets nor how market demand and buyers preferences are changing and which products are to grow to gain more profit from their produce. Farmers generally have knowledge and skills in agriculture production techniques but marketing needs new skills, techniques and sources of information. Farmers armed with newest business and marketing skills will have better profit margins (Dixie, 2005). Rural businesses include input suppliers, product buyers, transporters, storage companies, processing companies and wholesalers. These intermediaries are often believed to exploit farmers and making unfair profits. Although they try to maximize their profit yet it is to accept that without these intermediaries farmers would not be able to link with input and output markets and neither they would be able to sell their produce. Role of Marketing in Consumer welfare As farmers desire is to receive higher prices, consumers desire to pay lower prices. Farmers want to be paid as much share of consumer price as possible. These two conflicting goals balance when there is an efficient and low-cost marketing chain. Consumers preferences are constantly developing particularly in the case of horticulture crops. They need a marketing system that can respond to their changing demands and tastes. The marketing system should supply the volumes, variety and quality products that consumers demand. Fruits Marketing System in Pakistan (Aujla et al) Marketing includes a series of inter-connected activities involved in the flow of products and services from the point of production to the point of consumption at a profit. An efficient marketing system guarantees sustained agricultural growth as it affects both producers income and consumers welfare (Aujla, Abbas, Mahmood, Saadullah, 2007). The marketing of fruits in the Pakistan is supply based. Once a producer brings his produce to the market, the prices are decided by large traders at the spot such that he is bound to accept the prevailing prices. Most of the times the producers have to dispose off their commodities at throwaway prices (Hanif, Khan, Nauman, 2004). Several factors influence the efficiency of fruit marketing that include high perishability, seasonality, low quality, uneven prices and location of the products, the physical handling of produce and the institutional arrangements for facilitating these activities. The existing marketing system in Pakistan consists of assembly, wholesale and terminal markets, which are briefly discussed below: Assembly Markets Assembly markets are situated close to horticulture farm gate, generally situated in small towns or sub-districts, where farmers bring their major portion of marketable surplus for sale to the shopkeepers, traders and retailers present in these markets. Most of the transactions in assembly markets involve small quantities of produce. Traders in assembly markets are not approved by any government agency, although in some cases town committees charge an entry fee from traders. Usually, these traders maintain no systematic record of transactions. The price formation is simple and based on direct negotiation between the traders and the farmers. Because the quantities involve small bulks the farmers may not mind small price differentials. Wholesale Markets Wholesale markets are essential components of any marketing system, especially for horticulture crops because these markets provide farmers effective and profitable marketing outlets for their products. Adequately located, sized and managed wholesale markets serve as a basic instrument for promoting competition and help to improve consumers health and food quality control (FAO, 2001). Wholesale markets in Pakistan are usually located in a district town or a major sub-division town. These markets are the main assembly centers for the fruit and vegetable surplus of surrounding areas. These markets have better transportation, storage, communication and working conditions than those in the assembly markets. The example of wholesale market in Balochistan is that of Quetta, where the surplus fruit produce of nearby districts are supplied. Wholesale markets have permanent auction floors and offices built by traders (commission agent) who hold an official permit for their activities. Each trader has sufficient space in the market to store produce for a few days or for longer periods at a nominal charge. Traders keep records of their daily transactions and report them to the Market Committee. Market participants in wholesale markets including commission agents, wholesalers, retailers, shopkeepers and weighing men are also registered and licensed by Market Committees. Intro duction of these measures have resulted in some improvements in these markets. Commission agents in wholesale market, charged 8 to 10 percent commission on the sale revenue (Hussain Abid, 2005). The major players in the wholesale market are commission agents, wholesalers, retailers and shopkeepers. Terminal Markets Terminal markets are generally situated in large urban centers. Most of the marketable surplus of agricultural commodities is ultimately routed to these markets. The Karachi market is one of the best examples of this kind of market in Pakistan. Foreign trade is another reason for the flow of the marketable surplus to this market. Traders in terminal markets are usually wholesalers who supply agricultural products to firms, industries and exporters. The majority of traders are buying agents, who buy from other wholesale markets through their agents or directly when the produce is brought there from other regions. This market is well equipped with traders who are well established and mostly depending on supplies from growers and other wholesale markets. They have access to all modern facilities for approaching their agents in lower level markets. Many traders have their own trucking companies. Telephone and telegraph services are easily available for them. Fruit Marketing Channels in Pakistan Khushk and Smith 1996 Khushk and Smith (1996) have done a nice and detailed study of fruit marketing channels in Pakistan by concentrating particularly on mango production in Sindh province. According to them, agricultural marketing channels refer to the outlets or routes through which commodities pass to reach final consumers. As produce moves along the marketing chain, its price increases because of opportunity cost incurred by each intermediary (Dixie, 2005). The existing fruit marketing channels in Pakistan by à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. are presented in Figure . . . . . Figure 2.3 Marketing Channels for Fruits in Pakistan The marketing channels functionaries common in the country are; Producer The fruit growing farmers are dispersed geographically in the country. Majority of producer sell the harvesting rights of their orchards to contractors at the flowering or in hanging fruits stage because they do not want to be involved in marketing complications. Also the farmers do not do not want to take the risk of price and income variation due to perishability, quality damage, and price seasonality. In addition, Khushk and Smith (1996) found another important reason reported by farmers is the lack of knowledge of marketing. commission agents are biased towards farmers than contractors and do not want to transfer market price information to farmers or provide them other facilities, like informal credits, transportation or information access at the market-place. By this way commission agents control the supply, demand and prices of market (Khushk Smith, 1996; Ali, 2004; Aujla, Abbas, Mahmood, Saadullah, 2007). Contractor The contractor plays a main role in the marketing of fruits. He has close contacts with commission agents in the wholesale and terminal markets. While contracting an orchard, the contractor estimates its yield and considers the expected costs to be incurred for supervision, labour, transportation, and marketing. Khushk and Smith (1996) report that more than 95 percent of mango contractors in Sindh province of Pakistan obtained loans from commission agents to pay the initial installments to the mango farmers and to pay an advance for labour and packing material. Once a contractor receives loan from commission agent, he is obliged to supply the produce to that commission agent. Commission Agent Commission agents act as a link between contractors in the field and wholesalers or retailers at wholesale market. They usually have their own transport companies and have offices and staff at wholesale markets of big cities, equipped with all communication facilities. They maintain contacts with market committees, market associations, wholesalers and retailers and influence the prices in fruit markets of Pakistan (Ali, 2004). Wholesaler Wholesalers perform their business in wholesale or terminal markets of the country. They do business with large quantities of farm products and deal in several commodities like vegetables, fruits and other agricultural produce within interregional markets and also supply produce to processing industries, exporters, and retailers according to their demand. They maintain contacts with commission agents in wholesale markets and retailers in the local area. Wholesaler usually purchase fruit from the commission agents at open auction and sell in smaller quantities to the retailers and consumers. They mostly buy from the commission agents on a credit basis, and about one week after selling that quantity, they pay the commission agents. Some wholesalers also act as commission agents (Khushk Smith, 1996; Ali, 2004; Zulfiqar, Khan, Bashir, 2005). Retailer Market activities come to end with the retailers. They buy and sell small quantities according to the demand of consumers in the area. A small number of fruit retailers occupy small shops in the main fruit markets or in the town. Moreover, a number of retailers are found standing at focal places of a town, particularly railway stations, bus stands, vicinity of courts, schools, and hospitals. Among fruit retailers there is a high degree of competition. Retailers buy fruit from the wholesalers on a 24-48 hour credit basis (Khushk Smith, 1996; Ali, 2004; Zulfiqar, Khan, Bashir, 2005). Importance of Market functionaries / Intermediaries Although a heavy literature is found on exploitative behavior of market intermediaries towards agriculture producers, especially in developing countries such as Pandit et al. (2005) Aujla et al. (2007), Khushk and Smith (1996) and many others, yet their role cannot be ignored (Dixie, 2005). It is often mis-understood how important traders are in taking agriculture produce from farm to the market. Their importance becomes more critical in case of fruits which are highly perishable in nature and need quick supply. The more dynamic the fruit trading sector leads greater competition among traders and greater volumes of produce taken out of rural farm lands resulting, ultimately, high income returns to the farming community. Farmers Selling directly to consumers does mean higher profits but also greater risks. Market traders accept that risk such as non-payments, price decrease and marketing and handling losses (Khushk Smith, 1996). Therefore the intermediaries should be encouraged, not criticized (Dixie, 2005; Pokhrel, 2005). Marketing Margin Analysis Marketing margins or farm-to-retail price spread are some functions of differences between farm-gate prices and retail prices, intended to measure the opportunity cost of providing marketing services including buying, grading, packing, transporting, storage, and processing (Khushk Smith, 1996; Wohlgenant, 2001). The prices paid to the rural sellers at farm-gate are much lower. But as the product moves along the production-marketing chain, its price increases such that the retailers achieve the highest price (see Figure 2.3). The farm-to-retail price spread of fruits in Pakistan is con