Technical efficiency and technological heterogeneity in agriculture in the semi-arid and non-semi-arid regions of northeastern Brazil

Abstract This study aims to analyze the technological differences in agricultural production between the municipalities in the semiarid and non-semiarid Northeast Brazil. It uses the technological meta-frontier model proposed by Battese, Rao e O’Donnell (2004), and O’Donnell, Rao e Battese (2008), for responding to what extent these regional differences influence the efficiency of production. It was observed that the hypothesis that the municipalities belonging to the semiarid and non-semiarid face with different production opportunities. The results indicated, that comparing both regions, the non-semiarid region has the highest average technical efficiency with reference to meta-frontier.

摘要 本研究旨在剖析巴西东北部半干旱与非半干旱区域内各市政行政辖区的农业生产技术差异。本研究采用Battese、Rao与O’Donnell（2004）及O’Donnell、Rao与Battese（2008）提出的技术元前沿模型（technological meta-frontier model），以探究此类区域差异对农业生产效率的影响程度。研究证实，"半干旱与非半干旱地区的市政辖区面临差异化生产机会"这一假说成立。结果显示，对比两大区域，非半干旱地区相对于元前沿的平均技术效率更高。