Farm size, productivity and returns to scale in agriculture revisited: a case study of wine producers in South Africa

摘要: Abstract The inverse relationship between farm size and productivity has almost become a `stylised fact' in the economic development literature. Most of studies contributing to this preception have been flawed by methodological shortcomings request is that these be treated with caution. Using recent survey data from wine producing areas Western Cape South Africa, study attempts overcome some problems, distinguishing partial total measures. envelopment analysis, most grape producers were found operate under constant returns scale. Co-operative membership seemed economies scale associated processing marketing. both land factor weak, not consistently negative differs regions. Thus, caution must used when advocating rural policies based on inevitability an existing all sectors production regions agriculture.