Overtime Growth in Crop and Livestock Productivity in Pakistanas Provincial Context
Combined data on crops and livestock were used to examine productivity growth rates for the period 1980-81 to 2009-10 for four provinces, namely Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhawa (KP) and Balochistan of Pakistan,. The analysis revealed that economic infrastructure and the development of human capital had important implications for the growth of combined Total Factor Productivity (TFP). However, the benefits of growth are not evenly distributed across various provinces. The irrigation infrastructure is the most effective in triggering the growth of combined TFP in Punjab as compared with the rest. Road development and nutrition benefited Punjab’s producers in a disproportionate way than those in other provinces. The benefits of literacy and medical facilities are spatially well spread and motivate TFP growth across most of the provinces. Extension activities for crops and research for livestock reflected positive impact on combined TFP. The trend in crop research variable is, however, negative, which needs to be carefully interpreted as its implications for TFP growth are obtainable with time lag. The situation in other provinces contrasts with that in Punjab as it has long benefited from research and extension for crops, while it is yet to be accomplished in the others. The relationship of combined TFP and tractor is mixed as it is a substitute for livestock and a complement for crops. Finally, animal health care positively impacted upon the combined TFP.
