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Technical Efficiency of Chinese Grain Production: A Stochastic Production Frontier Approach

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  • Chen, Adam Zhuo
  • Huffman, Wallace E.
  • Rozelle, Scott

Abstract

This article examines technical efficiency of the Chinese grain sector using the framework of stochastic production frontier. The results reveal that: the marginal products of labor and fertilizer are much smaller than that of land; human capital and farm-level specialization have positive effect on efficiency, land fragmentation is detrimental to efficiency, and elder farmers are as efficient as younger farmers. We also examine the effects of size, mechanization and geographic location. Simulation results show that significant output gains can be obtained by eliminating land fragmentation, improving rural education and promoting specialization and mechanization.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen, Adam Zhuo & Huffman, Wallace E. & Rozelle, Scott, 2003. "Technical Efficiency of Chinese Grain Production: A Stochastic Production Frontier Approach," 2003 Annual meeting, July 27-30, Montreal, Canada 271497, American Agricultural Economics Association (New Name 2008: Agricultural and Applied Economics Association).
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:aaea03:271497
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.271497
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    Cited by:

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    2. Sabasi, Darlington & Shumway, C. Richard, 2014. "Technical Change, Efficiency, and Total Factor Productivity in U.S. Agriculture," 2014 Annual Meeting, July 27-29, 2014, Minneapolis, Minnesota 170225, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    3. El-Rasoul, Ahmed Abou El-Yazid & alomar, Ibrahim Saleh, 2012. "دراسة اقتصادية تحليلية لكفاءة استخدام أنماط الري الحديثة: دراسة ميدانية بمزارع منطقة القصيم [An analytical economic study for the efficiency of water resources use in irrigation, “A field study at ," MPRA Paper 98655, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Khor, Ling Yee & Zeller, Manfred, 2012. "Doubts on input quality: The effect of inaccurate fertilizer content on the estimation of production functions and technical efficiency," 2012 Conference, August 18-24, 2012, Foz do Iguacu, Brazil 126212, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    5. Furong Chen & Yifu Zhao, 2019. "Determinants and Differences of Grain Production Efficiency Between Main and Non-Main Producing Area in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-14, September.
    6. N'cho, Simon Akahoua & Mourits, Monique & Demont, Matty & Adegbola, Patrice Y. & Lansink, Alfons Oude, 2017. "Impact of infestation by parasitic weeds on rice farmers’ productivity and technical efficiency in sub-Saharan Africa," African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, African Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 12(1), March.
    7. Khor, Ling & Zeller, Manfred, 2015. "Perception of Substandard Fertilizer and Its Impact on Use Intensity," 2015 Conference, August 9-14, 2015, Milan, Italy 211843, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    8. Mathias, Karangwa, 2010. "The Effect of Land Fragmentation on the Productivity and Technical Efficiency of Smallholder Maize Farms in Southern Rwanda," Research Theses 243457, Collaborative Masters Program in Agricultural and Applied Economics.
    9. Khor, Ling Yee & Zeller, Manfred, 2014. "Inaccurate fertilizer content and its effect on the estimation of production functions," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(C), pages 123-132.

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