Total factor productivity of grain production in the former Soviet Union

This study estimated the growth of total factor productivity in grain production (TFP) in the FSU between 1960 and 1995. Much lower or negative TFP was observed between the 1960s and 1980s, indicating that grain output growth in the past was achieved at a high cost. The recent reforms (1992-1995), including price and trade liberalization and removal of input subsidies, brought about remarkable gains in Tm. Although total grain production decreased due to the use of fewer inputs, the efficiency of agricultural production in the FSU has increased. (C) 1997 Academic Press.