Economies of scale and scope and the economic efficiency of China's agricultural research system

This article investigates economics of scale and scope and other potential sources of improvements in the economic efficiency of China's crop breeding, an industry at the heart of the nation's food economy. Using data covering 46 wheat- and maize-breeding institutes from 1981 to 2000, we estimate cost functions for the production of new varieties at China's wheat- and maize-breeding institutes. Our results indicate strong economics of scale, along with small to moderate economics of scope related to the joint production of new wheat and maize varieties. Cost efficiency increases significantly with increases in the breeders' educational status and with increases in access to genetic materials from outside the institute.