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on Agricultural Economics |
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Issue of 2010‒11‒20
33 papers chosen by |
| By: | Moeller, Thordis; Grethe, Harald |
| Keywords: | Crop Production/Industries, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, |
| Date: | 2010 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iatr10:95947&r=agr |
| By: | Burnett, J. Wesley; Ferrer, Myra Clarisse R. |
| Abstract: | Agricultural production is highly dependent on inorganic substances including fertilizers. High-yielding crop varieties, such as corn, require large amounts of primary nutrients including nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Farmers often add a surplus of nutrients to crops to maximize yields. Utilization of primary nutrients has increased by more than 300% while that of nitrogen alone has increased by more than 600% between 1960 and 2007 (USDA, 2009). From 1964 to 2007, the use of nitrogen in the corn sector alone increased from 1,623,000 to 5,714,000 nutrient tons (USDA, 2009). While increasing production, increased fertilizer use can potentially create negative externalities in the form of nitrate-nitrogen contamination in groundwater. Groundwater is the source of drinking water for about half the total U.S. population and nearly all of the rural population, and it provides over 50 billion gallons per day for agricultural needs (USGS, 2009). In the U.S. the main source of nitrate pollution in the groundwater results from the actions of farmers through the use of fertilizers and other chemicals (Haller, et al. 2009). Nitrogen-nitrate contamination can have adverse human affects including methemoglobinemia or âblue-babyâ syndrome (Majumdar, 2003). The potential for nitrate contamination in corn production is especially problematic as corn alone accounts for over 90% of feed grains produced in the U.S. (USDA, 2009). The USDA estimates that approximately 80 million acres of land is planted to corn, with the majority in the Heartland region (the Midwest) of the U.S. (2009). The Heartland region is primarily rural and much of the population there derives its drinking water from groundwater. Therefore, the potential for groundwater contamination is greatly increased in this region. |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics, Nitrogen/Nitrate Contamination, Dynamic Optimization, Agriculture, Agricultural and Food Policy, Demand and Price Analysis, Environmental Economics and Policy, C61, C63, Q10, Q51, Q53, |
| Date: | 2010–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:ugeofs:96032&r=agr |
| By: | Emma Aisbett (Crawford School of Economics and Government, The Australian National University); Marit Kragt (School of Agricultural and Resource Economics, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA) |
| Abstract: | There is an ongoing policy debate regarding both how much government intervention there should be to protect ecosystems affected by agriculture, and how the costs of these interventions should be distributed across different interest groups. In accordance with the policy focus in most countries, the majority of the valuation literature on ecosystem services and agriculture estimates the benefits that managed agricultural landscapes can provide to the rest of society. We argue, however, that the efficiency and equity of policies for ecosystem services related to agriculture can be further enhanced by understanding the value and sources of ecosystem services that agricultural production receives. With this in mind, we survey studies and techniques for estimating the value of ecosystem services to agricultural production. |
| Date: | 2010–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:een:eenhrr:1073&r=agr |
| By: | Jean-Philippe Boussemart (LEM-CNRS (UMR 8179), IÉSEG School of Management); Hervé Leleu (CNRS-LEM (UMR 8179), IÉSEG School of Management); Oluwaseun Ojo (CNRS-LEM (UMR 8179), IÉSEG School of Management) |
| Keywords: | pesticide, cost, efficiency, agriculture, environmental performance, Free Disposal Hull |
| Date: | 2010–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ies:wpaper:e201005&r=agr |
| By: | Miljkovic, Dragan; Shaik, Saleem |
| Abstract: | This study addresses the impact of trade openness on technical efficiency in the U.S. agricultural sector. The results indicate that trade protectionism illustrated with a decrease in the share of agricultural imports in agricultural GDP led to an increase in technical efficiency. A change in the share of agricultural exports in agricultural GDP had no impact on technical efficiency. These results are partially consistent with the premise of the new trade theory, but also seem to be driven by the intricacies of the agricultural sector and agricultural policy in the United States and internationally. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural Finance, International Relations/Trade, |
| Date: | 2010–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:nddaae:95749&r=agr |
| By: | Elisa Botella-Rodríguez (PhD candidate, Institute for the Study of the Americas. University of London) |
| Abstract: | While most Latin American countries followed outward-looking policies of agrarian development, since the 1990s Cuba shifted towards food self-provisioning, internal liberalisation and sustainable small farming to face the harsh crisis that followed the Socialist demise of the late 1980s. Although it was an indispensable response to the worst crisis in Cuban history, Cuba is today one of the few countries experimenting with alternative development on a national scale. By considering the current context of globalisation where free trade agreements and progressive agrarian liberalisation have created asymmetrical trade relations, increasing import dependency and vulnerability for small farmers in less developed countries, this paper aims at answering the following questions: (1) What were the policies implemented under inward-looking agrarian development in Cuba (1990-2008)? (2) How did the policies transform Cuba's agrarian production patterns and land structures? (3) How have the inward-looking policies generated new spaces for small farmers in Cuba? |
| Keywords: | Cuba, small farming, sustainability, inward-looking development policies. |
| JEL: | N56 P28 Q18 Q27 |
| Date: | 2010–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:seh:wpaper:1011&r=agr |
| By: | Butzer, Rita; Mundlak, Yair; Larson, Donald F. |
| Abstract: | Capital is a fundamental component of agricultural production, and the accumulation of capital is key to growth in agriculture and the process of development. Unfortunately, cross-country data sets on agricultural fixed capital are rare. Using a common methodology that allows comparisons across countries, as well as over time, this paper introduces a data series on fixed capital in agriculture, based on national accounts data. The fixed capital measure differs remarkably from the Food and Agriculture Organization's data series on tractors, which has been widely utilized as a proxy for agricultural fixed capital. The authors construct comparable measures of capital in livestock and tree stock. They examine the evolution of the capital stocks from 1970 to 2000, paying particular attention to the changing composition of agricultural capital, as well as differences in the accumulation of capital for high-income and middle and lower-income countries. Using the capital measures in agricultural productivity analyses, the data yield estimated input elasticities substantially different from those found previously in the literature. The authors show explicitly that this is due to the improved data set on agricultural capital stocks, as well as the methodology used in the study. |
| Keywords: | Economic Theory&Research,Investment and Investment Climate,Rural Development Knowledge&Information Systems,Economic Growth,Emerging Markets |
| Date: | 2010–11–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:5472&r=agr |
| By: | Singh, Ashish |
| Abstract: | This paper analyses the relationship between net farm income per unit of land cultivated and caste divisions in India using a micro unit recorded and nationally representative survey conducted in 2004-05. Findings suggest that the groups that are generally considered disadvantaged (Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes) have, after controlling for other factors, substantially lower farm returns compared to the advantaged (Others) castes, whereas the ‘Other Backward Castes’ occupy position in between. Decomposition of overall net farm income inequality using mean-log deviation indicates that caste based inequality forms a substantial part of it. Results call for policies for neutralizing the impact of caste on agricultural returns in addition to the general policy of land redistribution. |
| Keywords: | Caste; returns to farming; farm income inequality; Caste based inequality; India |
| JEL: | D63 |
| Date: | 2010–07–26 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:26526&r=agr |
| By: | Rafajlovic, Juanita; Cardwell, Ryan |
| Abstract: | Current Doha Development Agenda (DDA) World Trade Organisation negotiations include proposals that would affect the trade barriers that protect Canadaâs chicken producers from foreign competition. This research analyses the effects of the most recent proposals to emerge from the DDA negotiation on Canadaâs chicken industry. We develop a partial-equilibrium model that generates welfare effects for the Canadian chicken industry supply chain. We also introduce stochastic prices to evaluate the effects of world price instability on the Canadian chicken industry. The model is also adapted to represent chicken as two distinct products; white meat and dark meat. Simulation results suggest that the welfare effects of the DDA proposals on the Canadian chicken industry would be small, providing that chicken receives the sensitive products designation. Liberalisation leads to higher total welfare in the chicken industry, which is accounted for by consumer welfare that increases by a larger amount than producer welfare decreases. These results hold across models that incorporate risk and that differentiate products. |
| Keywords: | WTO, chicken, Canada, model, trade, Agricultural and Food Policy, Demand and Price Analysis, International Relations/Trade, |
| Date: | 2010–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:catpwp:95814&r=agr |
| By: | Viju, Crina; Kerr, William A.; Mekkaoui, Cherine. |
| Abstract: | Most observers agree that the major areas where gains can be made in CETA are in the services sector and selected areas of manufacturing. It seems unlikely that CETA will be as all encompassing as the NAFTA with only a few agricultural products excluded from full tariff elimination. Still, it sends a bad signal if some trade liberalization is not achieved in agriculture and with a long implementation period no reason not to make progress. The major gains in agriculture are likely to be in niche markets which taken individually are small but in aggregate could provide a boost to Canadian agriculture. Most importantly, a trade agreement with the potential to open a rich market with 500 million consumers to the wide range of products and services exported by Canada cannot afford to be hijacked by challenging negotiations in agriculture. |
| Keywords: | Canada, EU trade, agreement, Agricultural and Food Policy, International Relations/Trade, Political Economy, |
| Date: | 2010–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:catpcp:95800&r=agr |
| By: | DUMORTIER, JEROME; HAYES, DERMOT J.; CARRIQUIRY, MIGUEL; DONG, FENGXIA; DU, XIAODONG; Elobeid, Amani E.; Fabiosa, Jacinto F.; MULIK, KRANTI |
| Abstract: | We present a global agricultural greenhouse gas model that assesses emissions from land-use change. In addition to evaluating shifts in and out of crop production, we develop a pasture model to assess extensification and intensification of global livestock production based on herd size and stocking rate. We apply the model to a scenario that introduces a tax on me-thane emissions from cattle in the United States. The resulting expansion of pasture in the rest of the world leads to substantially higher emissions than without the tax. The yearly average emissions from the tax are 260 metric tons of CO2-equivalent. |
| Keywords: | Land-use change, greenhouse gas emissions, pasture expansion, pasture extensification, Land Economics/Use, Q15, Q17, Q18, Q54, |
| Date: | 2010–06–27 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iatr10:95944&r=agr |
| By: | OTIMAN, Paun Ion (Institute of Agricultural Economics); TODEROIU, Filon (Institute of Agricultural Economics); FLORIAN, Violeta (Institute of Agricultural Economics); ALEXANDRI, Cecilia (Institute of Agricultural Economics); GAVRILESCU, Camelia (Institute of Agricultural Economics); IONEL, Iuliana (Institute of Agricultural Economics); GRODEA, Mariana (Institute of Agricultural Economics); ALBOIU, Cornelia (Institute of Agricultural Economics); MOLDOVAN, Minodora (Institute of Agricultural Economics); GOSA, Vasile (Research Center for Sustainable Rural Development in Romania); NAGY, Andrea (Research Center for Sustainable Rural Development in Romania) |
| Abstract: | The paper presents the main modalities and solutions by which agriculture and rural development can represent factors of economic-financial crisis shock attenuation and resuming economic growth. It is without doubt that the main modality to increase agriculture contribution to the general economic growth is the capital injection into economic factors (investments that create jobs, increase production and productivity on the agricultural holdings, develop infrastructure in the rural areas), the best use of financial resources by funding systems adequate to the present situation whose effects should stop the economic decline and subsequently generate economic growth. Romania, a EU Member State since 2007, must “get in line” with the funding systems used in agriculture and rural development in the European Union. However, a main remark should be made. All the CAP funding systems, adopted by the EU, from its establishment up to the present moment (except for the first system, in use in the immediate period after the Common Market was established), have been funding systems designed and implemented under strong general economic and agricultural growth conditions, for the equilibration of the agricultural market (in most cases with surplus of agricultural products), family farm consolidation and environment and landscape protection conditions, animal welfare, etc. Taking into consideration the period of generalized economic and financial crisis, in the paper it is specified that none of the funding systems of agriculture and rural development in the EU has been designed for periods of generalized economic-financial crisis or economic recession, so that certain points of view presented below, with regard to the modalities to attenuate the crisis in agriculture and to increase this sector contribution to economic growth relaunching, might be in (relative) disagreement with the present CAP funding system, adopted by the EU. |
| Keywords: | agriculture and rural development; economic-financial crisis; recession; CAP; investments; |
| JEL: | Q01 Q14 Q18 |
| Date: | 2010–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iag:wpsiea:101101&r=agr |
| By: | Mehmet Ulubasoglu; Debdulal Mallick; Mokhtarul Wadud; Phillip Hone; Henry Haszler |
| Abstract: | Many aspects of economic policy formulation and strategic industry planning in the food sector require estimates of food demand elasticities. Despite this central place in economic policy, there is a dearth of recent elasticity estimates in Australian food demand. This is a major problem because the use of dated elasticity estimates in policy analysis could lead to misleading results. This study presents disaggregated food demand elasticities for Australia using data drawn from the latest two national Household Expenditure Surveys covering the period 1998/99 and 2003/04. Adopting an Almost Ideal Demand System approach, a food demand system is estimated for 15 food categories, which cover a significant portion of the food items in households’ shopping lists. Own-price, cross-price and expenditure elasticity estimates have been derived for all categories. Elasticities for Australian-born households are also computed. The underlying food demand elasticities obtained in this study all accord with economic intuition and theory. Importantly, but not surprisingly, some of these elasticities differ, in a policy relevant sense, from the estimates found in earlier studies. |
| Date: | 2010–11–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dkn:econwp:eco_2010_17&r=agr |
| By: | Getu, Hailu; Weersink, Alfons |
| Abstract: | Over the years, critics have argued that futures market prices have been either too low or too high. Speculators have often been the target for the wrath of those feeling the futures price does not properly reflect market fundamentals. Recently, the criticism has been vented toward a new type of speculator that has been blamed for the dramatic changes in agricultural commodity prices experienced over the last several years. Commodity index traders (CITs) and other large institutional traders are commonly accused of exerting a destabilizing influence on commodity prices. The intensity of the debate over the role of CITs appeared to wane with the reduction in commodity prices since 2008 but the recent release of a well-publicized OECD report on the issue by Irwin and Sanders (2010) along with the doubling of wheat prices and the claim by von Braun (2010) and others that the rise was due to speculative activity has renewed the debate. |
| Keywords: | commodity, index futures, trading, volatility, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Demand and Price Analysis, Marketing, |
| Date: | 2010–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:catpcp:95803&r=agr |
| By: | Wilson, William; Bruce, Dahl |
| Abstract: | Canola has become an important crop in the last decade in the U.S. Production of canola is risky and competes with other crops which have a range of risk reduction mechanisms. Alternative contracting strategies were evaluated by comparing returns to labor and management for growers and gross margins for processors. Alternative contracting strategies included no contract, fixed price with and without act of god provisions, and an oil premium contract. Grower returns and processor gross margins were simulated and resulting distributions were evaluated using stochastic efficiency with respect to a function. We estimated certainty equivalents and ranked contract preferences for both growers and processors by region in North Dakota. Grower and processor risk preferences varied by region. Producers and processors preferences differed for contract alternatives in the Northwest, Northeast and Eastcentral regions and were in agreement in the Northcentral region. This suggests that development of a single contract that would be widely adopted across the state would likely have to be altered by region to be acceptable to growers and processors. |
| Keywords: | Canola, Grower, Processor, Contracting, Risk, Stochastic Efficiency (SERF)., Agricultural Finance, Crop Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2010–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:nddaae:95751&r=agr |
| By: | Rude, James; Gervais, J.P.; Felt, Marie-Helene |
| Abstract: | Country of Origin Labelling (COOL) regulation has been applied in the United States meat sector since October 2008. The industry must label beef, lamb and pork (ground meat and muscle cuts) sold through retail outlets according to its country of origin. The labelling requirements create differentiation at the retail level and may impose additional costs on producers, processors and retailers in the U.S. and elsewhere. The purpose of this analysis is to investigate whether there has been structural change in U.S. import demand for Canadian hog/pork products. Given that COOL has been in place for a limited period of time, we implement statistical procedures that are robust to structural change occurring at the end of the sample. We find evidence that COOL has impacted U.S./Canada slaughter hog trade flows. While Canadian feeder hog prices appear to have declined concurrently with the introduction of COOL, statistical hypothesis testing found little evidence of structural change for feeder hog trade flows that could be associated with COOL. |
| Keywords: | Country of origin labelling, Structural change, North American hog/pork sector, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Demand and Price Analysis, International Relations/Trade, |
| Date: | 2010–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:catpwp:95811&r=agr |
| By: | Volk, Tina; Rednak, Miroslav; Erjavec, Emil; Cela, Roland; Marku, Shkelzen; Imami, Drini; MikuÅ¡, Ornella; Cerjak, Marija; Dimitrievski, Dragi; Georgiev, Nenad; Simonovska, Ana; Stojceska, Aleksandra Martinovska; Kotevska, Ana; Božidarka, MarkoviÄ; Bogdanov, Natalija; Bozic, Dragica |
| Abstract: | The current publication covers Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo under UNSCR 1244/99, the FYR Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia, and provides an overview of the agricultural situation in the European Union (EU) candidate and potential candidate countries of the Western Balkans (WBs). The objective was to provide an analysis of the development and current situation in agriculture and agricultural policy in these countries as relates to the EU accession process. The individual country reports, as well as a cross-country overview and comparison, have been prepared as a part of "AgriPolicy" project, which was financially supported by the European Commission under the 7th framework program. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Institutional and Behavioral Economics, Political Economy, |
| Date: | 2010 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iamost:96200&r=agr |
| By: | C.M Drouvot (CERAG - Centre d'études et de recherches appliquées à la gestion - CNRS : UMR5820 - Université Pierre Mendès-France - Grenoble II); H. Drouvot (CERAG - Centre d'études et de recherches appliquées à la gestion - CNRS : UMR5820 - Université Pierre Mendès-France - Grenoble II); P.M Perluss (IAE de Grenoble - IAE de Grenoble) |
| Abstract: | This article depicts the improvement in living conditions for those families of peasants (the “landless peasants”) who have benefited from agrarian reform (termed “assentamentos” i.e. homesteads) through the creation of farming cooperatives. The farming cooperative examined herein was supported by the Petrobas group following the guidelines of the Brazilian National Biofuels Program. This program seeks to foster biofuels production among peasant farmers in Brazil's semi arid regions. The present research project comprises a field study which describes the aforesaid program's evolution and, more critically, ascertains the conditions requisite for success. Several crucial conditions stand forth: 1) First, convincing peasants to join the project; in this regard, a charismatic leader sharing the same social origins as the farming families has played a major role in gaining their confidence. 2) Second, developing a coherent set of value-adding activities that incorporate a range of by-products and waste products (from sunflower crops grown for biofuels, a number of corollary activities have arisen: honey, animal feed and fish farming). 3) Finally Petrobas's essential role as a partially state-owned corporation which has implemented a policy of social and environmental responsibility (assigning of a full-time engineer to oversee the project, providing farm equipment rentals needed for the crops as well as paying the salaries for two agronomic technicians working for the cooperative) |
| Keywords: | biofuel ; family-based farming ; cooperatives ; social and environmental responsibility ; social inclusion |
| Date: | 2010 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-00534811_v1&r=agr |
| By: | Mykel R. Taylor (School of Economic Sciences, Washington State University) |
| Abstract: | An Operational Approach for Evaluating Investment Risk: An Application to the No-Till Transition Abstract: Roy’s safety-first rule is used to provide measures popular with farmers of short and long term business risk associated with various no-till transition strategies over an investment horizon. The short run rule provided more sensitivity to inter-year financial risk than other commonly used criteria. Results revealed that speed of adoption influenced the probability of successful transition more than did the sequence of drill acquisition methods. Higher equity and larger farms had a greater chance of transition success. Slow acreage expansion with a custom or rental drill reduces risk until a no-till yield penalty is eliminated. |
| Keywords: | food safety, discrete choice, information, consumer demand |
| JEL: | D12 Q18 D83 |
| Date: | 2010–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wsu:wpaper:mtaylor-2&r=agr |
| By: | Clovis Zapata (International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth); Diego Vazquez-Brust (ESRC Centre for Business Relationships, Accountability, Sustainability and Society, Cardiff University); José Plaza-Úbeda (University of Almeria) |
| Abstract: | Our research indicates that Petrobras Biocombustíveis can help alleviate poverty among small-scale family farmers by enhancing stakeholder integration into the Brazilian biodiesel programme. This corroborates numerous studies pointing out the importance of stakeholder networks (Rowley, 1997; Roloff, 2008), which can be particularly significant in programmes that aim to incorporate small-scale farmers into internationally driven markets. Petrobras Biocombustíveis needs to improve the involvement of such farmers, especially in the northeast of Brazil, by identifying and engaging representatives of economic and social arenas to form stakeholder networks. (?) |
| Keywords: | How Can Petrobras Biocombustíveis Engage Small-Scale Farmers While Promoting Sustainability in Brazil?s Biodiesel Programme? |
| Date: | 2010–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipc:opager:119&r=agr |
| By: | Nilabja Ghosh |
| Abstract: | Trade liberalization, by aligning domestic prices with world prices, is envisaged to bring welfare gains to a country. In the case of Indian agriculture, owing to the vastness and diversity of the sector, the impact is likely to be profoundly unequal across regions especially when liberalization is double-edged, acting on both output and input sides. This paper views returns from land resource as a primary determinant of farmers’ economic well-being and production incentive and considers paddy both as the dominant support for the rural population and as a product with comparative advantage, as most studies have demonstrated. Working with state and sub-state level data and taking account of the differences in technologies, productivities and transport costs, the paper finds that the gains vary regionally and may not be positive in all cases when both output and input prices are globally aligned. [Discussion Paper No. 2003/50] |
| Keywords: | rice, state-trading, cost of cultivation, India, agriculture, globalization |
| Date: | 2010 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ess:wpaper:id:3156&r=agr |
| By: | Tom Kompas (Crawford School of Economics and Government, and The Australian Centre for Biosecurity and Environmental Economics, Australian National University); Long Chu (Crawford School of Economics and Government, Australian National University) |
| Abstract: | We use a bang-bang optimal control model to derive a rule of thumb for an optimal management of invasive weeds, in terms of the marginal benefits and costs of various control actions. Instead of determining the size of infestation under an optimal surveillance measure, the rule specifies the types of land where an invasive weed should be first prevented from establishment, and under what conditions control should be initiated. The types of land are modeled via the heterogeneous vulnerability of land to the weed and likely infestation. This easy-to-use rule is applied to determine how hawkweed should be controlled in Australia, across three potential control strategies: containment, eradication and no action. We investigate this rule-of-thumb in both deterministic and stochastic settings. With uncertainty, when calculating the threshold of when and how to act, we take into account the fact that delaying a control action will incur not only larger damage and a potentially larger spread but also a higher cost from uncertainty in the spread of the weed itself. The land value threshold is thus given by the unit cost of keeping a weed off a parcel of land times the difference between the interest rate and the current weed spread rate plus the effect of uncertainty. An application to hawkweed in Australia is provided. The rule specifies that hawkweed should be immediately eradicated in all types of agricultural lands they currently occupy where the potential damage is larger than 15AUD/ha/year. This generates a full eradication strategy under broad parameter values. Though the cost of removing hawkweeds is significant, it is overwhelmed by the damage if Hawkweeds spread to higher value agricultural land. |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:een:eenhrr:1070&r=agr |
| By: | Sawka, Alison L.; Kerr, William A. |
| Abstract: | Canada and Mexico are formally challenging US country of origin (COOL) legislation at the World Trade Organization. The industries most affected by COOL are beef and pork. The effect of COOL on North American cross border supply chains is outlined. The areas of international trade law upon which a challenge could be mounted are explained and the key issues that a disputes panel would have to determine indicated. The nature of the evidence that may be required to bolster Canadaâs case is outlined. |
| Keywords: | country of origin, marks of origin, protectionism, Technical Barriers to Trade, supply chains, WTO, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Demand and Price Analysis, International Relations/Trade, Marketing, |
| Date: | 2010–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:catpcp:95806&r=agr |
| By: | Maung, Thein; Gustafson, Cole |
| Abstract: | This study examines the financial feasibility of producing ethanol biofuel from sugar beets in central North Dakota. Under the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007, biofuel from sugar beets uniquely qualifies as an âadvanced biofuelâ. EISA mandates production of 15 billion gallons of advanced biofuels annually by 2022. A stochastic simulation financial model was calibrated with irrigated sugar beet data from central North Dakota to determine economic feasibility and risks of production for a 10MGY (million gallon per year) and 20MGY ethanol plant. Study results indicate that feedstock costs, which include sugar beets and beet molasses, account for more than 70% of total production expenses. The estimated breakeven ethanol price for the 20MGY plant is $1.52 per gallon and $1.71 per gallon for the 10MGY plant. Breakeven prices for feedstocks are also estimated and show that the 20MGYplant can tolerate greater ethanol and feedstock price risk than the 10MGY plant. Our results also show that one of the most important factors that affect investment success is the price of ethanol. At an ethanol price of $1.84 per gallon, and assuming other factors remain unchanged, the estimated net present value (NPV) of the 20MGY plant is $41.54 million. By comparison, the estimated NPV of the 10MGY plant is only $8.30 million. Other factors such as changes in prices of co-products and utilities have a relatively minor effect on investment viability.This study examines the financial feasibility of producing ethanol biofuel from sugar beets in central North Dakota. Under the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007, biofuel from sugar beets uniquely qualifies as an âadvanced biofuelâ. EISA mandates production of 15 billion gallons of advanced biofuels annually by 2022. A stochastic simulation financial model was calibrated with irrigated sugar beet data from central North Dakota to determine economic feasibility and risks of production for a 10MGY (million gallon per year) and 20MGY ethanol plant. Study results indicate that feedstock costs, which include sugar beets and beet molasses, account for more than 70% of total production expenses. The estimated breakeven ethanol price for the 20MGY plant is $1.52 per gallon and $1.71 per gallon for the 10MGY plant. Breakeven prices for feedstocks are also estimated and show that the 20MGYplant can tolerate greater ethanol and feedstock price risk than the 10MGY plant. Our results also show that one of the most important factors that affect investment success is the price of ethanol. At an ethanol price of $1.84 per gallon, and assuming other factors remain unchanged, the estimated net present value (NPV) of the 20MGY plant is $41.54 million. By comparison, the estimated NPV of the 10MGY plant is only $8.30 million. Other factors such as changes in prices of co-products and utilities have a relatively minor effect on investment viability. |
| Keywords: | Agribusiness, Crop Production/Industries, Production Economics, |
| Date: | 2010–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:nddaae:95745&r=agr |
| By: | Ojijo Odhiambo (UNDP, Namibia); John E. Odada (University of Namibia) |
| Abstract: | Difficult economic times began for Namibia in 2008 as real economic growth suddenly dropped to 4.3 per cent from the 5.5 per cent recorded in 2007. There were also wide fluctuations in the general level of prices of goods and services, including food commodities. Cost-of-living inflation rose to a high of 10.4 per cent from a low of 2.3 per cent in 2003 and unemployment rates were high, well in excess of 50 per cent; thus many households faced an increasing cost of living without reliable sources of income. The unfavourable circumstances of these households were exacerbated by inauspicious climatic and soil conditions, which greatly limit the role of subsistence farming as a viable source of livelihood in many parts of the country. In order to mitigate the impact of rising food prices and address food security concerns, the government decided to increase from eight to fourteen the number of basic commodities (foodstuffs and services) that had zero-rated value added tax (VAT) in 2000, as a means of improving access to basic foodstuffs and services needed for daily survival, particularly for the poor. This paper offers an ex-ante analysis of how the zero-of rating VAT on these basic commodities affected the well-being of poor households. We use data from the 1993/94 and 2003/04 National Household Income and Expenditure Survey and a mini survey conducted in 2009 to determine the consumption patterns of these commodities. The VAT burden lifted is determined and disaggregated by income decile. The analysis reveals that, contrary to expectations, rich households are more likely to benefit from VAT zero-rating than poor households. The findings of the study make it plausible to conclude that the zero-rating of VAT on basic commodities in 2000 and 2008 did not adequately target the commodities that the poor consume in large quantities and that they acquire in formal markets; hence the measure is unlikely to bring additional benefits to the poor. The government might have to reconsider the choice of VAT zero-rated commodities and include those that are consumed mostly by the poor and acquired in formal markets, while simultaneously strengthening and expanding other schemes such as social transfers which would benefit the poor disproportionately. (...) |
| Keywords: | Addressing the Plight of Poor Households by Zero-Rating Value Added Tax on Basic Commodities In Namibia |
| Date: | 2010–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipc:wpaper:72&r=agr |
| By: | Dasgupta, Susmita; Huq, Mainul; Khan, Zahirul Huq; Masud, Md. Sohel; Ahmed, Manjur Murshed Zahid; Mukherjee, Nandan; Pandey, Kiran |
| Abstract: | Two-thirds of Bangladesh is less than 5 meters above sea level, making it one of the most flood prone countries in the world. Severe flooding during a monsoon causes significant damage to crops and property, with severe adverse impacts on rural livelihoods. Future climate change seems likely to increase the destructive power of monsoon floods. This paper examines the potential cost of offsetting increased flooding risk from climate change, based on simulations from a climate model of extreme floods out to 2050. Using the 1998 flood as a benchmark for evaluating additional protection measures, the authors calculate conservatively that necessary capital investments out to 2050 would total US$2,671 million (at 2009 prices) to protect roads and railways, river embankments surrounding agricultural lands, and drainage systems and erosion control measures for major towns. With gradual climate change, however, required investments would be phased. Beyond these capital-intensive investments, improved policies, planning and institutions are essential to ensure that such investments are used correctly and yield the expected benefits. Particular attention is needed to the robustness of benefits from large-scale fixed capital investments. Investments in increased understanding of risk-mitigation options and in economic mobility will have especially high returns. |
| Keywords: | Hazard Risk Management,Transport Economics Policy&Planning,Climate Change Mitigation and Green House Gases,Science of Climate Change,Climate Change Economics |
| Date: | 2010–11–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:5469&r=agr |
| By: | Peng, Chao; Zeng, Yinchu; Huang, Bo; Yabe, Mitsuyasu |
| Abstract: | In this paper, transaction cost is introduced into the general firm-level export behavior model. By so doing, we build a theoretical model explaining how connection modes between leading agribusiness enterprises and rural households affect the firm-level agricultural products export. Analyzing the dataset of 561 national leading agribusinesses of the year 2003, we use Tobit model to estimate the firm-level export effect of the connection modes. The empirical result demonstrates that connections in the mode of stock-cooperation or cooperation contracts have a significant positive effect on the enterprises export and export ratio. In addition, the connection with more characteristics of factor contract has stronger effect on export than that with commodity contract characteristics. |
| Keywords: | Contracts; Agribusiness; Rural Households; Firm-level; Export |
| JEL: | D86 L11 O13 |
| Date: | 2010–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:26499&r=agr |
| By: | J. Alapetite (CERAG - Centre d'études et de recherches appliquées à la gestion - CNRS : UMR5820 - Université Pierre Mendès-France - Grenoble II) |
| Abstract: | Ecological footprint is good at telling us how much we weight relative to global ecological ressources. However it tells us nothing on their geographical origin and makes no distinction be-tween ecological ressources used from distant or local land. Moreover it does not measure theintensity of exploitation of soils or other sustainability considerations like biodiversity loss. There-fore the results provided by the footprint calculation are barely suitable for planning and policydesign, as information on real use of local land is lost in the process of calculation. This issuesare well known and are part of the research agenda set by the footprint research community andrecommendations has been made to deal with them. The research community already use various metrics to compute the ecological footprint: global hectares, actual hectares and disturbed hectares. The increasing use of input-output technics has also enhanced the localization of the footprint. In this paper all the metrics are used in conjunction with input-output techniques to produce four ecological performance indicators of a local economy taking in account: its global weight on the planet, its degree of dependence on distant ecological ressources, the sustainability of its farming practices, and the quantity of local fertile land not yet used in a bioproductive way. This four performance indicators are then plotted together giving an easy visualizing tool to compare various alternative scenarios |
| Keywords: | Benchmarking ; local ; ecological performance ; footprint accounts |
| Date: | 2010 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-00534750_v1&r=agr |
| By: | Johanna Kramm; Lars Wirkus |
| Abstract: | This paper explores conflictive negotiation processes over access to water. It focuses on the ability of farmers to access water in an irrigation scheme in Tanzania. In the case of irrigation, management and governance of water resources is a result of selforganization embedded in a matrix of institutional arrangements which derive from local formal and informal institutions. The governance system is characterized by conflictive negotiation processes over access of water. Conflicts occur over the direct extraction of water from the canal between single farmers, and about regulation patterns on the village level between the representatives of the different canals. Negotiation processes and the ability to access water are determined by the participants’ social position and power. The village’s social communities are highly heterogeneous and characterized by strong power differences (concerning capital, access to market, labour and authority). Even though conflicts about accessing water do arise, the existing institutional arrangements for the distribution are quite comprehensive and efficient. Nevertheless the exercising of these rules and the sanctioning differ according to the water availability. |
| Date: | 2010 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mcn:rwpapr:33&r=agr |
| By: | Osberghaus, Daniel; Finkel, Elyssa; Pohl, Max |
| Abstract: | Given that many of the predicted effects of climate change are considered imminent and unavoidable, the need to mainstream adaptation as a viable coping measure among private households is becoming a topic of increasing importance. However, little research to date has assessed the factors influencing the motivation to autonomously adapt, nor any successful measures for instigating this behavioural change. This study investigates whether providing locally-focused vs. globally-focused information about the effects of climate change influences the personal perceived risk (PPR) of individual people. Based on a socio-psychological model, Protection Motivation Theory (PMT), it is hypothesized that a higher PPR will lead to a higher motivation to adapt. While this hypothesis has been empirically confirmed by the study, it has been found that providing information on climate change effects that is more personally relevant to the individual and is concerned with his local surroundings does not significantly increase PPR. This may be due to a trade-off between spatial-temporal distance and the comparably low severity of predicted effects in the study region. Interestingly, providing any kind of information, irrespective of having a global or local focus, also did not increase PPR as compared to receiving no information. These results suggest that the sole provision of information about expected climate change impacts, even if tailored to one‟s individual context, does not significantly increase PPR and consequently the motivation to adapt. Another necessary factor might be increasing the knowledge about concrete coping options to allow people to weigh up their personal options. |
| Keywords: | individual adaptation; perceived risk; adaptation motivation; spatial-temporal distance; information; protection motivation theory |
| JEL: | D83 Q54 Q58 |
| Date: | 2010–07–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:26569&r=agr |
| By: | Clovis Zapata (International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth); Diego Vazquez-Brust (ESRC Centre for Business Relationships, Accountability, Sustainability and Society, Cardiff University); José Plaza-Úbeda (University of Almeria) |
| Abstract: | One of the principal challenges in sustainable development, especially in developing countries, is to build institutions that generate positive environmental and social externalities by helping individuals to perceive a positive relationship between self-interest and ?the common good?. Collective engagement can enable individuals to overcome self-interestedness and work toward shared goals, but ?getting the institutions right? requires an understanding of how the particular set of market and non-market relationships really work for participants. In the context of the biodiesel value chain in Brazil, this paper explores how institutional arrangements need to evolve if they are to foster the productive and sustained inclusion of small farmers and promote sustainable innovation as a regional economic development strategy, one that helps reduce social vulnerability without increasing environmental risks. The paper uses the institutional analysis and design (IAD) framework, which looks at how actors are involved in repetitive situations affected by a biophysical world, a cultural world and a set of rules, in order to understand how different institutional structures can accommodate the power of both internal and exogenous forces that shape the trajectory of sustainable innovation. After a general overview of stakeholders and policy instruments in the biodiesel programme, the paper provides a brief institutional analysis of the interaction between actors and processes, with a view to offering insights into the current effectiveness of the programme as a sustainable rural development tool. (...) |
| Keywords: | Productive Inclusion of Smallholder Farmers in Brazil?s Biodiesel Value Chain: Programme Design, Institutional Incentives and Stakeholder Constraints |
| Date: | 2010–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipc:wpaper:73&r=agr |
| By: | Christian A. L. Hilber; Frédéric Robert-Nicoud |
| Abstract: | We model residential land use constraints as the outcome of a political economy gamebetween owners of developed and owners of undeveloped land. Land use constraints benefitthe former group (via increasing property prices) but hurt the latter (via increasingdevelopment costs). More desirable locations are more developed and, as a consequence ofpolitical economy forces, more regulated. Using an IV approach that directly follows fromour model we find strong and robust support for our predictions. The data provide weak or nosupport for alternative hypotheses whereby regulations reflect the wishes of the majority ofhouseholds or efficiency motives. |
| Keywords: | Land use regulations, zoning, land ownership, housing supply |
| JEL: | H7 Q15 R52 |
| Date: | 2010–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cep:sercdp:0038&r=agr |
| By: | Chung, Wonho; Kinsey, Jean D.; Seltzer, Jonathan M.; Yeap, Clarissa A. |
| Abstract: | PDF File temporarily removed for revision - 10/28/10. |
| Keywords: | Agribusiness, Industrial Organization, |
| Date: | 2010 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:umrfsp:95767&r=agr |