Subsidies as a measure to increase factor productivity in agriculture of Russia

Abstract

The study attempts to explain the dependence of agricultural development indicators on subsidies and other factors in Russia in 2012–2020. Based on the author's methodology, the survey evaluates the economic efficiency of subsidies in Russia’s agriculture, develops and justifies the measures to improve the support system aimed at increasing total factor productivity (TFP). The object of the study is agricultural subsidy system. The subject of the research is the influence of subsidies on TFP in agriculture. The panel models with fixed effects do not reveal an impact of subsidies on TFP. The 1st lag of the logarithm of subsidies negatively affects the dynamics of labor productivity, and shows no relationship between current year subsidies and labor productivity. Labor productivity in agriculture in Russia grows in 2019– 2020 as a result of higher gross output and, to a lesser extent, of lower employment. Capital productivity increases mainly due to gross output growth. Support measures for general services (development of infrastructure, science, extension, phytosanitary and veterinary services) should be the most important components of increasing the efficiency of agricultural subsidies. These components in agricultural subsidies are of high priority for the environmental situation in rural areas and the state of human capital.