Measurement and convergence of agriculture total factor productivity in Fujian based on Luenberger-Hicks-Moorsteen indicator

【Objective】In order to provide a scientific decision-making reference for achieving high-quality agricultural development, agricultural total factor productivity(TFP) was accurately measuredand its evolutionary trend and convergence characteristics in Fujian were discussed.【Method】Using the Luenberger-Hicks-Moorsteen(LHM) indicator with additive completeness conditions, the LHM TFP indicator was constructed based on the free disposal shell(FDH) model.From the perspective of the county level, including general counties(cities), poor counties and developed cities(districts), the agricultural TFP in counties of Fujian from 2003 to 2018 was measured, and decomposed into technological efficiency changes(TEC) scale efficiency changes(SEC) and technological progress(TP), and then its convergence characteristics were analyzed.【Result】During 2003-2018, the agricultural TFP showed growing trend in Fujian, which reached 0.840 in 2018 with an average annual increase rate of 5.731%.The average annual growth rates of TEC, SEC, and TP were -1.231%, 2.032% and 4.930%, respectively, indicating that technological progress was the main driving force for TFP growth, but changes in technical efficiency was the main limiting factor.The agricultural TFP of general counties(cities), poor counties and developed cities(districts) in Fujian and its decomposition indicators were more consistent with the performance of the provincial level.There were σ convergence, absolute β convergence and conditional β convergence of agricultural TFP in Fujian and its general counties(cities) and poorcounties, while not in developed ones.A catch-up effect was observed in low total factor productivity counties(cities).Urbanization and industrialization could promote agricultural TFP convergence process in Fujian and the general counties(cities), but industrialization constrained TFP convergence process in the poor counties.【Suggestion】First, it is necessary to actively develop moderate-scale management body, to accelerate the gathering of advanced production factors in agricultural parks, and to enhance the innovation ability of agricultural science and technology.Second, with adaptation to local conditions, the developed cities(districts) must play a role in technology leadership and radiation, general counties(cities) focusing on improving TEC and SEC, and poor counties optimizing the allocation of factor resources.Finally, it is necessary to accelerate the formation of a functionally complementary development pattern, to promote advanced production factors to agricultural advantages, and to achieve balanced development of agricultural labor output.