Total Factor Productivity of Tuna Fisheries in Lakshadweep

Abstract

An assessment of total factor productivity (TFP) was carried out for tuna fisheries in Lakshadweep to evaluate its growth and economic sustainability using Divisia-Tornqvist index. The output index showed a positive growth of 7.32% and input index showed a positive growth of 5.88% when year-to-year simple growth rates were averaged while TFP showed a positive growth of 1.44% during 2000-14. Positive TFP growth in tuna pole and line fisheries during the given period is mainly due to technology development in terms of installation of FADs, mechanisation of pole and line Pablo boats, introduction of new mechanical sprayers, subsidies, training and capacity building programmes, improvement in engines, development in infrastructure facilities like cold storage and ice plants and awareness regarding potential of yellowfin tuna resources.