Sources of Agricultural Productivity Growth in South and Southeast Asia

This study focused on the analysis of sources of land productivity in South and Southeast Asian countries. A cross section, time series data from 1980 to 2007 was used in the analysis. An aggregate production function was estimated and growth accounting was carried out to assess the contribution of different inputs on the land productivity growth. The empirical evidence suggests that land productivity and input intensification widely vary across South and Southeast Asian countries. The use of modern input like chemical fertilizer and tractor was found higher in Southeast Asia while the use of traditional inputs like livestocks and labor were found higher in South Asia. The growth accounting suggests that the growth in fertilizer and tractor usages are the main sources of land productivity growth.