A Comparison of Agricultural Productivity Across Countries Using Input‑Oriented Slack‑Adjusted Data Envelopment Analysis

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to comprehensively evaluate agricultural productivity across 154 countries for the period 1994–2023, employing advanced slack-adjusted DEA methodology to rank countries and decompose productivity changes into technical efficiency, scale efficiency, and shifts in the technological frontier.Methodology: The paper uses an input-oriented SA-DEA model with modification by Cook for the infeasible super-efficiency cases. All variables are normalized by labor. Hence, there are five inputs (feed, fertilizer, irrigation, land, capital) and three outputs (aquaculture, animal, crop). The intertemporal indexes (IEI and IESI) are calculated in relation to the year 1994. Data are from the USDA-ERS International Agricultural Productivity database.Findings: Oceania exhibits the highest level of technical efficiency and North America has the lowest level of scale efficiency. Both regions are functioning well above their optimal scale. Asia and LAC show the highest technological progress while Europe shows high static efficiency but weaker scale-inclusive progress. Sub-Saharan Africa and CWANA lag. Technological catch-up is quickest in lower middle-income countries. More than 99% of countries exhibit decreasing returns to scale in most years, and global productivity growth declined after 2010.Originality: This study provides a comprehensive cross‑country ranking using SA‑DEA with Cook’s modification and intertemporal indexes, offering a nuanced decomposition of productivity dynamics across 154 countries over three decades.