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Abstract
This study takes advantages of recent developments in measuring total factor productivity in
output specific directions to examine the influence of technological change in different
agricultural sectors on land-use decisions in a cross-section of countries from 1969 to 2001.
Results demonstrate a positive relationship between productivity and land in agriculture in
most cases. The ruminant sector is an exception where an increase in productivity was
negatively associated with amount of pastureland. The analysis also includes variables that
have been found to be important determinants in other studies of land-use change.
Population is clearly the dominant factor over the time period analyzed, although it is argued
that other factors are likely to become more important in upcoming years since population
growth has slowed significantly in many countries.