AJETOMOBI J.O.
Abstract
This study used stochastic production frontier analysis to assess productivity growth of millet in Economic Community of
West African States (ECOWAS). The data were collected from Food and Agriculture Organization Statistical (FAOSTAT )
database and covered a 45 year period (1961–2005) separated into pre-ECOWAS (1961–1978) and ECOWAS (1979–2005).
The results show that: (1) there has been a productivity improvement in the sector, in the interval 0.7–15% in the periods
studied and (2) technical change has had the greatest impact on productivity, indicating that producers have a tendency to
catch-up with the front runners. The average TFP in pre-ECOWAS period is larger than that of ECOWAS period. In both
periods, productivity growth is sustained through technological progress.
Key words:
efficiency, technological progress, productivity growth, ECOWAS