Title: Water efficiency of agricultural production in China: regional comparison from 1999 to 2002

Authors: Shinji Kaneko, Katsuya Tanaka, Tomoyo Toyota, Shunsuke Managi

Addresses: Graduate School for International Development and Cooperation, Hiroshima University, 1-5-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima 739 8529, Japan. ' Graduate School for International Development and Cooperation, Hiroshima University, 1-5-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima 739 8529, Japan. ' Graduate School for International Development and Cooperation, Hiroshima University, 1-5-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima 739 8529, ' Graduate School of Bio-Applications and Systems Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei, Tokyo 184 8588, Japan

Abstract: We apply stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) techniques to a provincial level data set to measure technical and water efficiency in China|s agricultural production from 1999 to 2002. The determinants of the efficiencies are identified together with the physical determinant structure of the irrigation factor, which refers to the water use per irrigated land area. The study yields the following three main results: corn is the most important crop in improving economic and water efficiency; the mean annual temperature is highly elastic to the change in water efficiency; water reservoirs facilitate the utilisation of irrigation water but could lead to less efficiency in water use.

Keywords: water efficiency; SFA; stochastic frontier analysis; agriculture; productivity; China; agricultural production; irrigation; corn; mean annual temperature; water reservoirs; water use.

DOI: 10.1504/IJARGE.2004.006038

International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, 2004 Vol.3 No.3/4, pp.231 - 251

Published online: 23 Jan 2005 *

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