Introduction
This paper examines the factors behind the differences among IS former communist
countries in performance oftheir agricultural sectors'! Various studies have shown
that the distortions imposed in the past by the planned economy, with respect to type
of prevailing institutions, ownership, and management ofland have weighed heavily
during the first decade oftransition [see Rozelle & Swinnen (2004) for an overview
ofrelevant studies]. Policies to eliminate these distortions have been implemented at
a varying pace, often because of opposition by vested interests and groups fearing the
loss of employment and access to subsidized resources. This has resulted in substantial
differences among countries in output and productivity growth.
The progress in agricultural reform has been strongly associated with progress
in general economic reform (Anon., 2002). Such progress has in turn been closely