Do field crop farms and mixed farms of eu members improve productivity at the same rate?

Abstract

In this paper we attempted to address the question presented in the title based on the data contained in the Farm Accounting Data Network (FADN). Analyses covered the first six years following the extension of the European Union in 2004. Estimation of the Malmquist total factor productivity (TFP) and its components was conducted using data envelopment analysis, separately for crop and mixed farms of EU (2004-2009) taking into consideration their economic size. The analysis showed, in general, that for farms from the old regions the total factor productivity increased with an increase in the economic size of farms, while for farms from the new regions, just the opposite, the increase in the size of farms caused a decrease of productivity. As to differences in types of farming, the biggest improvement was observed in the technical and technological aspects. Finally, the estimated Malmquist total factor productivity index, although close to one, nevertheless indicates a slight progress for farms from old regions and, just the opposite, a slight regress for those from new regions.

Keywords

• data envelopment analysis
• malmquist index
• scale efficiency change
• technical efficiency change
• agriculture
• eu