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on Agricultural Economics |
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Issue of 2008‒04‒04
three papers chosen by |
| By: | Stampini, Marco (African Development Bank); Davis, Benjamin (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) |
| Abstract: | We examine the relationship between participation in non-agricultural labor activities and farming production decisions, focusing on the use of inputs. In particular, we are interested in the hypothesis that income from non-agricultural labor relaxes credit constraints. Using longitudinal data for Vietnam from 1993-98, we find that households participating in non-agricultural labor activities, consistently with our hypothesis, spend significantly more on seeds, services, hired labor and livestock inputs. |
| Keywords: | rural labor markets, linkages, credit constraints, Vietnam |
| JEL: | J43 Q12 |
| Date: | 2008–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp3403&r=agr |
| By: | ; Deodhar Satish Y. |
| Abstract: | The gradual elimination of quotas and tariffs from international agricultural trade has given way to non-tariff barriers such as the SPS measures. SPS standards are mostly based solely on agro-biological scientific evidence. However, over-cautiousness in standard setting may lead to trade distortions and lower welfare. We summarise various approaches used to study SPS restrictions, propose a game theoretic approach to assess strategic interaction between two trading partners, and juxtapose the cost-benefit analysis to estimate payoffs of the game. As a topical application of the proposed approach, we pick up the case of potential Indo-US trade in mangoes and wheat. Estimates of the payoffs, which are the net changes in welfare, would suggest whether or not complete ban is justifiable in terms of economic welfare, and, what levels of SPS restrictions may be optimal. |
| Date: | 2008–03–14 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iim:iimawp:2008-03-04&r=agr |
| By: | Timilsina, Govinda R. |
| Abstract: | This paper analyzes the economic and environmental consequences of a potential demand side management program in Thailand using a general equilibrium model. The program considers replacement of less efficient electrical appliances in the household sector with more efficient counterparts. The study further examines changes in the economic and environmental effects of the program if it is implemented under the cl ean development mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol, which provides carbon subsidies to the program. The study finds that the demand side management program would increase economic welfare if the ratio of unit cost of electricity savings to price of electricity is 0.4 or lower even in the absence of the clean development mechanism. If the program ' s ratio of unit cost of electricity savings to price of electricity is greater than 0.4, registration of the program under the clean development mechanism would be needed to achieve positive welfare impacts. The level of welfare impacts would, however, depend on the price of carbon credits the program generates. For a given level of welfare impacts, the registration of the demand side management program under the clean development mechanism would increase the volume of emission reductions. |
| Keywords: | Energy Production and Transportation,Environmental Economics & Policies,Economic Theory & Research,Environment and Energy Efficiency,Energy and Environment |
| Date: | 2008–03–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:4563&r=agr |