Measuring the efficiency of some indicators of the Libyan agricultural sector during the period 1990-2020

Abstract

The study aimed to identify the performance of the Libyan agricultural sector during the period from 1990 to 2020. The study analyzed a number of macroeconomic variables in the Libyan economy related to the agricultural sector, where the time period was divided into two stages: the first (1990–2004) and the second (2005–2020). The analysis included a study of the development of the agricultural gross domestic product, agricultural investments, and agricultural labor, in addition to indicators of agricultural exports and imports. The analysis showed clear differences between the two periods as a result of the changing political and economic conditions, and their direct impact on the agricultural sector. The agricultural GDP growth rate in the second period (2005-2020) reached 8.1%, which is higher than the first period (1990-2004), which reached 2.7%. The same applies to agricultural labor, as the growth rate reached 10%, while it reached 4% in the first period. The growth rate of exports in the second period reached 23.8%, while it was decreasing in the first period and reached -15%. Also, the growth rate of agricultural imports was higher in the second period, reaching 5.3%, while it was 0.1% in the first period. However, the situation was different regarding the growth rate of agricultural investment, as the first period had a higher growth rate, reaching 3%, and in the second period it reached 0.7%. The study concluded that the Libyan agricultural sector suffers from structural imbalances, weak investment orientation, and low resource utilization efficiency. The study recommended supporting agricultural investment, developing agricultural infrastructure, encouraging local and foreign investments, and activating the role of agricultural research