A Half-Century of Productivity Growth and Structural Change in Canadian Agriculture: An Overview

The primary agriculture sector in Canada experienced impressive productivity growth over the 1961-2007 period, outperforming by far productivity growth seen in the Canadian business sector as a whole. In the period in question, the agriculture sector also experienced profound structural changes, from the massive decline in the use of labour input due to mechanization, to the increased use of intermediate inputs (such as fertilizers and pesticides) in the production process. The objective of this article is to highlight some of the most important structural changes observed by Canadian agriculture over the past 50 years, and link them to the robust productivity growth in the sector.

A Synthesis of the CSLS Provincial Productivity Reports, 1997-2007

This report, based on the CSLS Provincial Productivity Database, provides a portrait of the productivity performance of the ten Canadian provinces over the 1997-2007 period. Level and growth rate estimates of labour and multifactor productivity are presented and discussed, with an emphasis on the provinces’ market sector. Two-digit NAICS industry level estimates are also presented. Capitalintensity and labour quality figures are also provided, and a standard growth accounting framework is used to determine the sources of labour productivity growth, as well as the sources of labour productivity level gaps between Canada and the provinces.labour productivity, multifactor productivity, capital intensity, labour quality, Canadian provinces, growth accounting

A Detailed Analysis of the Productivity Performance of the Canadian Primary Agriculture Sector

In contrast to the significant slowdown in aggregate productivity growth in Canada since 2000, the labour productivity performance of the primary agriculture sector has been strong. The objective of this study is to shed light on the factors behind the sector's success. This report provides an overview of the productivity performance of the Canadian agriculture sector over the 1961-2007 period, discussing both long-term trends and recent developments. Labour productivity and MFP estimates for the period are analyzed, as well as land and intermediate input productivity. The main drivers of productivity growth in the sector are identified and examined. Finally, policy suggestions are discussed.primary agriculture, labour productivity, multi-factor productivity, land productivity, intermediate input productivity