Total Factor Productivity of Tuna Fisheries in Lakshadweep

The study has assessed total factor productivity (TFP) for tuna fisheries in Lakshadweep to evaluate its growth and economic sustainability using Divisia-Tornqvist index. The input index was constructed considering only cost of labour and fuel as they accounted for 80 per cent of the total operational costs. For construction of output index, commodities, viz. fresh tuna and masmin were taken into account. Time series data on tuna harvest and consumption of diesel for the period 2000--2014 were based on secondary sources. During 2000–2014, a positive growth has been shown by output index (7.32%), input index (5.88%) and TFP (1.44%). This positive growth has mainly been due to technology development in terms of installation of FADs, mechanisation of pole and line Pablo boats, introduction of new mechanical sprayers, subsidies, training and capacity building programmes, improvement in engines, development in infrastructure like cold storage and ice plants and awareness regarding potential of yellowfin tuna resources.