Measuring Change in Total Factor Productivity in the Iraqi Agricultural Sector Using the Malmquist Index (1990–2023)

• Saadiyah Jamal Abd1, Majid Abed Hamza2

  Author

This study aims to measure changes in the total factor productivity of the Iraqi agricultural sector using the Malmquist Productivity Index during the period 1990–2023 by analyzing technical efficiency and technological change. The study relied on annual data for the period 1990–2023. Agricultural gross domestic product (GDP) was used as the output variable, while agricultural fixed capital formation and agricultural labor were used as input variables. The Malmquist Productivity Index was estimated using DEAP 2.1 software to measure changes in technical efficiency (EFFCH), technological change (TECHCH), and total factor productivity (TFPCH). The results showed that the geometric mean of technical efficiency was 0.950, the geometric mean of technological change was 0.732, and the geometric mean of total factor productivity was 0.709, indicating a decline in agricultural productivity during the study period. The decline in technological change reflects the limited adoption of modern agricultural technologies, weak agricultural investment, and the economic and environmental challenges experienced by Iraq during the study period. The study recommends promoting the adoption of modern agricultural technologies, improving agricultural resource management, and increasing investment in the agricultural sector to enhance productivity and support sustainable agricultural development.

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