Abstract:
This article analyzes the total factor productivity in the Northeast region of Brazil, being a region that has limitations in terms of natural resources for agricultural production. Was estimated a production frontier and determined the Malmquist total factor productivity (TPF) index, which is decomposed in the rates of efficiency and technological change. The conclusions indicate that TFP growth was not homogeneous between the northeastern states, and that agricultural sector obtained increasing gains of productivity from 1970 to 2006.
Key words:
Agriculture of Northeast; Productivity; Economic growth