The Impact of Agricultural Total Factor Productivity and Economic Growth on Environmental Quality: The Case of Agriculturally Successful Countries

Agricultural productivity supports the increase in agricultural production by ensuring the efficiency of resources used in the agricultural sector, such as water, soil, labour, and capital. In addition, environmental problems such as land expansion and deforestation can be prevented by using efficient agricultural techniques. However, when the literature is analyzed, it is seen that there is no consensus on the impact of agricultural productivity on environmental quality. On the other hand, it is very important to examine the impact of economic growth on the environment. The economic activities of countries that are in line with their growth and development targets affect environmental quality. In this direction, in this study, in the period 1990-2022, in 12 countries (China, USA, Russia, France, Germany, Canada, Australia, India, Brazil, Indonesia, Argentina, and T & uuml;rkiye) that are successful in agriculture, The impact of agricultural Total Factor Productivity (T-TFP) and economic growth on environmental quality is analyzed by the Augmented Mean Group (AMG) method and Dumitrescu & Hurlin causality analysis. The carbon emission variable is used to represent environmental quality. The findings show that an increase in T-TFP increases environmental quality in China, the USA, Russia, France, Canada, Indonesia, and Australia; that is, the Borlaug hypothesis is valid in these countries. In India, Brazil, Argentina, and T & uuml;rkiye, the increase in T-TFP decreases the environmental quality; that is, Jevons' Paradox is valid in these countries. Moreover, in the study, environmental quality decreases as economic growth increases in all countries except Germany. Renewable energy consumption increases environmental quality in China, the USA, Brazil, Australia, and T & uuml;rkiye. Dumitrescu & Hurlin's causality analysis findings show that there is a bidirectional causality relationship between T-TFP, carbon emissions, and renewable energy consumption. The findings reveal that T-TFP, economic growth, and renewable energy consumption are important in environmental quality.