The Association of Southeast Asian Nations Agricultural Total Factor Productivity, 1961-2011

Authors

Lee Kottmeyer, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

First Advisor

Dr. Lilyan Fulginiti

Second Advisor

Dr. Richard Perrin

Third Advisor

Dr. Wes Peterson

Date of this Version

8-2016

Citation

Kottmeyer, Lee W., Fulginiti, Lilyan E., 2016. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations Agricultural Total Factor Productivity, 1961-2011. University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska.

Comments

A THESIS Presented to the Faculty of The Graduate College at the University of Nebraska In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements For the Degree of Master of Science, Major: Agricultural Economics, Under the Supervision of Professor Lilyan E. Fulginiti. Lincoln, Nebraska: August, 2016

Copyright (c) 2016 Lee W. Kottmeyer

Abstract

This article estimates agricultural total factor productivity (TFP) growth in eight Southeast Asian nations over the time period of 1961-2011, using panel data. This study is concerned with investigating whether the recent slowdown in agricultural productivity growth exhibited by affluent societies extends to this region. Three approaches for measuring agricultural total factor productivity growth are used. First, a non-parametric Simple TFP, output, and input index is calculated. Second, a non-parametric nonstochastic Malmquist index is calculated using data envelopment analysis techniques. Finally, an econometric true fixed effects stochastic frontier model is estimated using a maximum likelihood procedure. Aggregate measures of TFP over the study period for the Simple index, Malmquist index, and stochastic frontier were found to be 2.65%, -0.31%, and 0.98% growth respectively. Through these three methods of measuring agricultural total factor productivity growth our results are inconclusive and need further examination.

Advisor: Lilyan E. Fulginiti