body bg

Inform-Banner

The Returns to Research and Extension Services in Regions and Zones of South Australian Broadacre Agriculture: A Comparison of Two Total Factor Productivity Decomposition Models

  • Year: 2009
  • Author: Black, Ian; Walker, Greg
  • Journal Name: Australasian Journal of Regional Studies, The
  • Journal Number: Vol. 15, No. 2
  • Country: Australia
  • State/Region: South Australia

This paper reports total factor productivity decomposition modelling results of the returns to research and extension in zones and constituent regions of broadacre agriculture in SA, with the ultimate objective of providing policy advice on future research and extension (R&E) resource allocation. A traditional TFP decomposition modelling approach provided unacceptable results at the smaller region level, but acceptable results at the larger zone level. Utilising systematic techniques to accommodate volatility in the raw statistics caused by seasonal rainfall and small sample sizes, it was possible to demonstrate that regional differences in productivity growth were due to differences in the level of research and extension resources applied and not differences in seasonal rainfall. When modelling regional activity, the results support the use of systematic techniques to counter data problems related to large inter-year fluctuations that are associated with exogenous factors and small sample sizes.

Related Items

Economic and Environmental Indicators for South Australia and its Regions, 2006/07

This report is one of a series of reports prepared by EconSearch for the Department of Trade and...

Crafting Regional Cultural Production: emergence, crisis and consolidation in the Gold Coast surfboard industry

Surfboard-making is concentrated in regions with vibrant surfing subcultures, suitable waves and...

Regions and Innovation Policy

Sustainable growth at regional level is now, more than ever, predicated on the capacity to...

Share this with your friends

Footer Logo

Contact Us

Level 2, 53 Blackall Street
Barton ACT 2600
AUSTRALIA
Telephone: 02 6260 3733
or email us