Change and involution in sugar production in Cultivation-System Java, 1840-1870

Production functions for sugar in four major sugar-producing zones in Culti vation-System Java (1840 through 1870) are estimated using colonial data. T he estimates are analyzed for evidence of structural change in the years ii om 1848 to 1851. The results confirm. that the colonial reforms of those y ears were accompanied by significant changes in sugar production: the resul ts are also consistent with the thesis of "agricultural involution" in Java . There is strong evidence for technological change in sugar production, th ough these gains cannot be specifically attributed to either the agricultur al or the industrial aspect of sugar production.