Agricultural Performance in Kerala in Terms of Total Factor Productivity Growth Rate

The study has analysed the performance of crop sector in Kerala at both state and district levels, by measuring the total factor productivity (TFP) growth rate. The study is based on the secondary data collected from various publications of the Government of Kerala and has used Divisia-Tornqvist index for the measurement of TFP index for the period 1980–81 to 2009–10. The share of TFP in the output growth has been found negative during the study period in all the districts (except Kollam, Idukki, Wayanad and Palakkad) and for the state as a whole. This calls for a better resource management strategy in the state. All efforts in the state in future will have to be concentrated on accelerating the pace of TFP growth and at the same time sufficient caution has to exercised to conserve natural resources and promote institutional infrastructure. For accelerating TFP growth in the state, the study has suggested higher investments on irrigation, infrastructural development, research and extension and management of natural resources.