MEASUREMENT OF TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY IN THE NORTH-WEST FRONTIER PROVINCE OF PAKISTAN

The objective of this study is to measure technical efficiency, using a translog frontier production function on cross-sectional data from 397 farms in the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan in 1988–89. The estimated farm level technical efficiency is found to be dependent upon levels of credit and education, farmers' ages and the extent of land fragmentation. Lack of education, restricted credit and fragmented holdings are found to be causes of inefficiency; hence policies which consolidate holdings, provide credit or educate farmers will tend to improve efficiency in agriculture.     

TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY: A COMPARISON OF PRODUCTION FRONTIER METHODS

Recent differences in the measurement of farm efficiency may be related to the methods employed. Here, four alternative production frontiers are estimated using time-series, cross-section data for a sample of Illinois grain farms. Efficiency measures are found to be highly correlated between nonparametric methods, and between parametric methods. However, large differences are noted when efficiency measures are compared between nonparametric and parametric methods. An analysis of farms with large differences, which are efficient under the nonparametric method, indicates that correlations between efficiency measures are much higher when these firms are excluded.     

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN FRONTIER MODELLING AND EFFICIENCY MEASUREMENT

In this paper recent developments in the estimation of frontier functions and the measurement of efficiency are surveyed, and the potential applicability of these methods in agricultural economics is discussed. Frontier production, cost and profit functions are discussed, along with the construction of technical, allocative, scale and overall efficiency measures relative to these estimated frontiers. The two primary methods of frontier estimation, econometric and linear programming, are compared. A survey of recent applications of frontier methods in agriculture is also provided.     

ALTERNATIVE PRODUCTION FRONTIER METHODOLOGIES AND DAIRY FARM EFFICIENCY

This paper estimates technical efficiency (TE) measures using four alternative production frontier models, and evaluates the sensitivity of the results to the choice of methodology. The Cobb-Douglas functional form along with data for 1982 and 1983 from 404 dairy farms located throughout six northeastern states in the US are used in the estimation. A general conclusion is that, broadly speaking, frontier function models are neutrally upwardly scaled versions of the OLS or average model. A second conclusion is that different models yield markedly different efficiency levels across firms. However, the correlation between the indexes from the various methods is high, which implies that the ordinal ranking of firms according to their measured level of technical efficiency appears to be independent of the method used for a given year. By comparison, the correlation between efficiency indexes for the same method across time, although positive, is much lower than the previous set of correlations. Correlation analysis of efficiency versus farm size and of efficiency versus returns over variable costs, based on the alternative models, yielded consistent results.     

MEASURING TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY FROM PRODUCTION FUNCTIONS: SOME FURTHER ESTIMATES

The concept of economic and technical efficiency is fundamental to agricultural policy-making, and Russell and Young (1983) in this Journal provide a recent addition to the literature for British agriculture. They estimate technical efficiency for a cross-section of farms in the North-West of England for the year 1977/8. However, such measures for a single year may be influenced by particular events in that year. This paper considers some further estimates of farm efficiency but for the longer, four-year period 1974/5 to 1977/8. Three measures of technical efficiency are estimated, two using econometric techniques and one using linear programming methods. It is found that there are low correlations between these different measures of technical efficiency both over time and at one point in time. This casts doubt on the usefulness of measuring efficiency using cross-section (single period) survey data.     

辽宁省粮食生产技术效率分析

该文利用1994～2009年省粮食生产相关数据,采用超越对数随机前沿生产函数模型,对辽宁省粮食生产技术效率变化和影响因素进行分析。结果表明,辽宁省粮食生产技术效率总体上还有待进一步提高的潜力,而加强农田灌溉设施和提高农机装备水平、提升农技服务、继续加大粮食生产补贴政策以及加强防灾减灾能力建设是提高粮食生产技术有效性的重要政策取向。     

MEASUREMENT OF FIRM-SPECIFIC TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY: A COMPARISON OF METHODS

Various procedures have been used for the measurement of firm-specific technical efficiency. Most commonly used methods are static and deterministic. Deterministic methods tend to yield biased estimates of technical efficiency and to overestimate the variability of technical efficiency over time. These conclusions are illustrated by applying stochastic frontier production function analysis and corrected ordinary least squares procedures to farm data from Sri Lanka.     

A FURTHER NOTE ON THE MEASUREMENT OF EFFICIENCY AND ECONOMIES OF FARM SIZE

Efficiency has a precise meaning in the case of the optimally conditions associated with the perfectly competitive norm. However, the efficiency concept loses a precise meaning and much of its usefulness under real world conditions of uncertainty and costly information since efficiency is inescapably evaluative and cannot be defined and measured independently of the goals and knowledge of the decision maker. Similarly, the concept ‘economies of size’ is shown to lose its normative significance when specialised resources and other unique aspects of the firm are taken into account. Although the economist has no objective procedure by which to measure the efficiency of entrepreneurial activity, it is argued that in the real world of uncertainty and disequilibrium, there is always scope for entrepreneurial activity in the sense of unexploited profit opportunities.     

THE MEASUREMENT OF MANAGERIAL EFFICIENCY IN AGRICULTURE*

This paper is an outline only of a Ph.D. thesis submitted to the University of Nottingham. The paper proposes a socio-economic model of farm production with special emphasis placed on the role of management: formulates an econometric model, to represent the socio-economic model, in which the degree of managerial efficiency appears as a variable, and suggests means of interpretation of the econometric model to aid farm planning at the individual farm level.     

INTER-REGIONAL FARM EFFICIENCY IN PAKISTAN'S PUNJAB: A FRONTIER PRODUCTION FUNCTION STUDY

Agricultural production efficiency in four irrigated cropping regions of the Punjab province of Pakistan was compared on the basis of a probabilistic frontier production function estimated from whole-farm survey data for the year 1984-85. It is found that the gross income of farmers can be increased by 13% at the current levels of resource use if the production gap between ‘best practice’ and ‘average’ farmers is suitably narrowed in all cropping regions. This will increase profits by up to 40%. No significant difference in technical efficiency was found across the regions. Economic efficiency was similar across all cropping regions except in the cotton region, which had significantly lower economic efficiency due to higher allocative inefficiency, which in turn was attributable to the more dynamic production technologies being adopted in that region.     

沈抚连接带“三生”空间的功能均衡性分析

随着人口增长和城市化发展,国土空间利用类型之间的竞争关系逐步增强,空间问题日益突显。自十八大报告明确提出"三生"空间以来,以生产、生活、生态划分的土地空间类型越来越被关注。该研究以沈抚连接带为研究区域,从土地空间的生产、生活和生态功能出发,构建"三生"功能评价指标体系。采用熵权法进行"三生"功能评价,利用GIS技术分析"三生"功能的空间格局。研究结果表明,"三生"功能均较强的街道具有较高的经济发展水平,如五三街道、李石街道,分值为64.96、54.59;生活功能较强的街道一般相邻城市,如五三街道、白塔街道、李石街道,分值为23.15、15.82、11.14,人均道路面积和公共服务设施完备度是主要影响因素;生态功能较高的街道多集中在浑河景观带和北部生态区,如高坎街道、满堂街道、东陵街道,分值为20.50、19.98、19.96,水面面积率、森林覆盖率和景观Shannon多样性是主要影响因素;生产功能较强的街道集中在建设快速区内,如李石街道、五三街道,分值为39.25、25.85,工业产值和服务业产值是主要影响因素。总体上看,受城市和经济建设活动影响强烈的街道的"三生"空间的功能不均衡性较为明显。     

生产技术效率与化肥施用效率的耦合协调关系研究——以15个油菜生产省（市）为例

目的 从农业生产系统均衡协调发展角度考虑,正确认识生产技术效率与化肥施用效率二者间的辩证关系,实现生产技术效率与化肥施用效率的协调发展,是保障我国粮食安全和推进农业绿色发展的有力举措。方法 文章基于1978—2019年中国15个油菜生产省（市）的面板数据,运用基于超越对数生产函数的随机前沿分析模型、耦合协调度模型及空间相关性分析探究中国油菜生产技术效率、化肥施用效率及两者间耦合协调度的时空分异特征。结果 （1）1978—2019年中国油菜生产技术效率保持平稳增长态势,且长江下游产区（0.777）> 长江上游产区（0.765）> 春油菜产区（0.741）> 长江中游产区（0.620）;（2）1978—2019年中国油菜化肥施用效率整体呈现波动上升趋势,具有明显时段特征,但整体水平不高,明显低于油菜生产技术效率;（3）1978—2019年中国油菜生产技术效率与化肥施用效率耦合协调度稳步增长,且长江下游产区（0.457） > 长江上游产区（0.440） > 春油菜产区（0.396） > 长江中游产区（0.349）;（4）中国油菜生产技术效率存在正向空间相关关系,化肥施用效率不存在空间自相关关系,两者间的耦合协调度仅在部分年份存在正向空间自相关关系。结论 中国油菜生产技术效率和化肥施用效率的耦合协调度经历了由中度失调至濒临失调的发展阶段,且整体呈现向协调方向发展的趋势。     

DYNAMIC INTERRELATED DEMAND FUNCTIONS FOR FACTORS OF PRODUCTION AND THE AGGREGATE PRODUCTION FUNCTION IN UNITED KINGDOM AGRICULTURE

Taking the price situation as given in product and factor markets, a non-linear differential equation model of gross output, employment, capital accumulation, and gross input for united Kingdom agriculture is derived by incorporating internal adjustment cost functions into the representative decision-maker's objective function, and estimated using a discrete approximation. The results are consistent with efficient use of resources, but further incentives for capital investment and a greater exodus of labour could upset this. Adjustment costs as estimated account for 2.6 per cent of the value of output; those associated with net investment for 1.8 per cent, and those associated with employment and gross input for 0.57 and 0.23 per cent respectively.     

肉羊养殖技术效率测算与地区差异研究

目的 明晰我国肉羊养殖成本收益情况,测算肉羊养殖技术效率,比较分析地区差异。方法 文章基于BC92随机前沿分析模型,测算2004—2020年我国农区、牧区及半农半牧区家庭散养肉羊、规模户山羊与绵羊的技术效率。结果 （1）饲料与人工投入对我国肉羊活重产出有显著的促进作用。（2）当前而言,我国家庭散养肉羊的养殖技术效率高于规模养殖,而改良绵羊规模养殖的技术效率高于本种绵羊和山羊。（3）我国牧区家庭散养肉羊的养殖技术效率最高,半农半牧区其次,农区最低。山羊与绵羊规模养殖的技术效率则是牧区高于半农半牧区。结论 增加基础要素投入,优化饲料与人工资源配置效率。推进肉羊规模养殖现代化,研发推广肉羊优良品种,刺激生产前沿面外扩。完善牧区养殖示范基地建设,辐射带动农区与半农半牧区肉羊产业发展。坚持创新驱动发展,建立健全肉羊产业优惠政策体系。     

ANALYSIS OF THE TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY OVER TIME OF WEST JAVANESE RICE FARMS

The high costs and effectiveness of Indonesia's current mix of policies aimed at maintaining rice self-sufficiency, for example fertiliser and other subsidies, has been questioned. Consequently, attention has turned to developing policies to increase farmers yields through efficiencies, for example as a result of better extension. The main issue investigated in this article is whether existing yields can be significantly improved through increasing the efficiency of individual farmers. Production frontiers are estimated and technical efficiencies/inefficiencies predicted from panel data and for one year at a time. Different results are explained in relation to a number of aspects, especially the rate of adoption of new technologies, and policy actions are recommended. The robustness of the analysis is examined as conclusions obtained from past analyses have often been inconsistent.     

基于生产要素视角的重庆市农业供给效率与发展潜力分析

目的 重庆市作为我国西部大开发重要的综合产业基地,探究该地区农业供给效率和农业发展潜力对促进农业可持续发展和农业政策制定具有积极意义。方法 文章以2001—2017年为研究时段,采用C-D生产函数模型对农业供给效率进行动态分析,采用熵权法构建农业发展潜力指数评价模型,并根据各地区农业发展潜力指数构建农业发展潜力竞争模型。结果 生产要素弹性分析结果表明2001—2017年农业劳动力弹性、农业土地弹性和化肥使用量弹性呈现负增长趋势,在农业供给侧结构中的贡献程度在逐渐减弱。农业资本弹性、农业机械总动力弹性和农业技术进步随着时间呈现增长的趋势,应该加大农业资本的投入,提高农业机械化程度,最大程度地提高农业生产效率。综合分析生产要素弹性和规模报酬指数,2001—2017年重庆市农业供给效率在不断提高。农业发展潜力指数分析结果表明2001—2017年全市农业发展潜力指数从47.15增长到60.13,各区县农业发展潜力指数也都呈明显的增长趋势。结论 重庆市农业经济增长方式已经由外延式增长方式逐渐转化为内涵式增长方式,农业经营方式从粗放型向密集型转化,农业供给效率在明显上升,各地区农业发展潜力指数在逐渐增加,经济发展程度对农业发展潜力具有明显的促进作用。     

技术进步、规模化经营与我国甘蔗主产区生产效率研究

[目的]农业种植业的发展是多种因素共同作用的结果,文章旨在探究技术进步和规模化经营两个重要着力点对农业种植业可持续健康发展的影响。[方法]通过DEA-Malmquist指数分析方法,利用2003—2017年中国甘蔗主产区甘蔗种植投入产出面板数据,测算了在农业种植业发展过程中的综合技术效率、技术进步以及全要素生产率增长状况,并对各甘蔗主产区技术进步以及规模化经营情况作对比分析。[结果]我国以及广东、广西的甘蔗生产效率呈下降的趋势,海南和云南则呈上升的趋势;技术进步是提升广东和云南甘蔗种植业生产效率的直接因素,而对广西和海南甘蔗种植业生产效率贡献最大的是规模化经营;近年来,广东、广西的甘蔗种植生产技术进步缓慢,甚至出现技术衰退;广东、广西和海南3地的甘蔗规模化经营还存在一定的优化空间,尤其是广东和海南地区。[结论]我国及各甘蔗主产区应根据农业种植业的区域发展差异,以因地制宜为首要原则,重视技术进步和综合技术效率同步改进的同时,更应注重通过技术进步来推动规模化经营的发展。     

武汉城市圈“三生”功能与土地利用碳排放耦合测度及协同分区

目的 探究土地“三生”功能与土地利用碳排放的耦合协调关系,提出低碳导向下国土空间结构优化路径,构建“三生”功能土地利用社会经济生态长效发展机制。方法 文章构建“三生”功能评价指标体系,系统分析武汉城市圈“三生”空间格局演变特征;运用直接/间接碳排放测算方法测算“三生”功能土地利用碳排放并分析时空分布特征;运用耦合协调度模型探究“三生”功能与土地利用碳排放耦合协调关系并划分协同发展区。结果 （1）2000—2020年武汉城市圈“三生”功能空间格局均呈现出明显的空间分异特征和演变规律,土地生产、生活功能空间分布具有较好一致性,土地生态功能呈现南北高中间低的梯度变化格局。（2）研究期间,武汉城市圈土地利用碳排放总量增加,土地利用碳排放强度空间上表现出显著的“生产—生活功能同向性,生态功能异向性”的空间布局特征。（3）2000—2020年武汉城市圈“三生”功能强度与土地利用碳排放耦合协调度提高,根据研究结果将研究区协同划分为4类协同发展分区：生态低碳保障区、生产高碳控制区、生活高碳引导区和双生高碳优化区。结论 未来武汉城市圈“三生”发展应根据分区发展特征,针对性地优化土地利用结构和功能,完善行业要素投入配置机制,遵循生态宜居化建设原则,减控“三生”功能土地利用碳排放,实现“双碳”目标下土地利用“三生”功能的协同发展。     

冬小麦—夏玉米复种的生产效率及其时空分异

目的 提高粮食生产效率是保障国家粮食安全的重要任务,对粮食生产中典型的冬小麦—夏玉米复种模式的生产效率进行分析,可以精确把握粮食生产效率,为粮食生产相关政策制定提供参考。方法 文章基于2007—2018年6省（市）面板数据,运用SBM-DEA和Fare-Primont模型从静态和动态视角对冬小麦—夏玉米复种模式的技术效率和全要素生产率的空间分布和时序变动特征进行测算及比较。结果 冬小麦—夏玉米复种模式的平均技术效率和全要素生产率水平值分别为0.793和0.744;机械投入、农药投入和水资源投入的平均冗余率较高,分别为28.693%、26.670%和21.578%。剩余混合效率即投入产出混合比例优化是造成冬小麦—夏玉米全要素生产率地区差异的主要原因;冬小麦—夏玉米复种模式的全要素生产率波动中小幅上升,技术进步、技术效率和剩余混合效率是主要影响因素。结论 冬小麦—夏玉米复种模式的低生产效率客观存在,应通过生产资料的科学合理投入,加快科技创新推广,推动粮食生产适度规模经营等方式来推动粮食高质量发展。