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The Structure of Technology in Brazilian Sugarcane Production, 1975-87: An Application of a Modified Symmetric Generalized McFadden Cost Function

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  • Rask, Kevin

Abstract

Sugarcane-based ethanol has become a primary automotive fuel in Brazil over the past 15 years. Because sugarcane costs are over two-thirds of the costs of ethanol production, the economic efficiency of the renewable petroleum substitute hinges on the structure of technology in sugarcane production. In this paper a modified symmetric generalized McFadden (SGM) cost function for sugarcane is estimated and the presence of technical change and economies of scale are investigated. The original SGM proposed by Diewert and Wales (1987) is modified to allow for fixed factors of production. This allows the cost function to be applied to processes which have fixed factors. The results suggest that there is no empirical evidence of economies of scale and very little technical change, only in the north of Brazil. The implications for the future economic efficiency of this petroleum substitute are discussed. Copyright 1995 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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  • Rask, Kevin, 1995. "The Structure of Technology in Brazilian Sugarcane Production, 1975-87: An Application of a Modified Symmetric Generalized McFadden Cost Function," Journal of Applied Econometrics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 10(3), pages 221-232, July-Sept.
    • Handle: RePEc:jae:japmet:v:10:y:1995:i:3:p:221-32
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    Cited by:

    1. Carrer, Marcelo José & Filho, Hildo Meirelles de Souza & Vinholis, Marcela de Mello Brandão & Mozambani, Carlos Ivan, 2022. "Precision agriculture adoption and technical efficiency: An analysis of sugarcane farms in Brazil," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
    2. Ludo Peeters & Yves Surry, 2000. "Incorporating Price-Induced Innovation in a Symmetric Generalised McFadden Cost Function with Several Outputs," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 14(1), pages 53-70, July.
    3. Pierani, Pierpaolo & Rizzi, Pier Luigi, 2003. "Technology and efficiency in a panel of Italian dairy farms: an SGM restricted cost function approach," Agricultural Economics, Blackwell, vol. 29(2), pages 195-209, October.
    4. Sauer, Johannes, 2004. "Rural Water Suppliers And Efficiency - Empirical Evidence From East And West Germany," IAMO Discussion Papers 14866, Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO).
    5. Catherine Hausman, 2012. "Biofuels and Land Use Change: Sugarcane and Soybean Acreage Response in Brazil," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 51(2), pages 163-187, February.
    6. Sauer, J.F., 2005. "“Efficiency Flooding”: Black-Box Frontiers and Policy Implications," International Journal of Applied Econometrics and Quantitative Studies, Euro-American Association of Economic Development, vol. 2(1), pages 17-52.
    7. Juan Manuel Domínguez, 2015. "An Analysis of the Technological Structure of Refineries and Blenders: Estimation of the Leontief Multiproduct Cost Function and Reservation Prices," Revista Equidad y Desarrollo, Universidad de la Salle, May.
    8. Nguyen, Duong T.M. & McLaren, Keith Robert & Zhao, Xueyan, 2008. "Multi-Output Broadacre Agricultural Production: Estimating A Cost Function Using Quasi-Micro Farm Level Data From Australia," 2008 Conference (52nd), February 5-8, 2008, Canberra, Australia 6009, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society.
    9. Sauer, Johannes, 2004. "Rural water suppliers and efficiency: Empirical evidence from East and West Germany," IAMO Discussion Papers 63, Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO).
    10. Casasnovas, Valero L. & Aldanondo, Ana Maria, 2011. "Influence of Animal Feeding on Milk Supply in Navarre," 2011 International Congress, August 30-September 2, 2011, Zurich, Switzerland 114316, European Association of Agricultural Economists.

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