REGIONAL ANALYSES OF SOUTH AFRICAN AGRICULTURAL RESOURCE USE AND PRODUCTIVITY

Abstract
Cobb Douglas type production functions were fitted in order to evaluate agricultural productivity. The country was divided into five fairly homogeneous regions for this purpose. Agricultural productivity tended to improve between 1976 and 1988, but serious malallocations persist. Overmechanization has occurred in all but one region. Labour is underutilized and underpaid. The Karoo is overstocked with livestock.