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on Agricultural Economics |
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Issue of 2016‒04‒30
101 papers chosen by |
| By: | Olomola, Aderibigbe S. |
| Abstract: | The food crisis of 2008 in Nigeria was influenced by price changes in the world market and the escalation of the price of imported fuel into Nigeria which led to sharp increases in the prices of agricultural inputs and transportation cost. The soaring prices of food staples benefited the producers whereas there was a worsening of malnutrition among the poor. To cushion the effects within the short-term, the government released grains from the reserve, ordered the import of half a million tonnes of rice to be sold at a subsidized rate and suspended the tariff on rice imports. The policy measures adopted caused a reversal of the trend of food price increase within six months, generated awareness about the nutritional importance of major food staples, and led to changes in preferences in the demand for food commodities and stimulated increased financing for commercial agriculture. This study sought to (i) examine the political economy issues surrounding the 2008 food price crisis, (ii) analyse the performance of the medium-term policies and strategies to prevent a recurrence of the 2008 episode and (iii) draw policy implications for price stability in the country. The study found that the country has not been under any threat of food crisis since the 2008 episode. Right from 2011, the medium-term policies and strategies were redesigned and entrenched as major components of the agricultural transformation agenda (ATA). The implementation of the ATA has led to an increase in domestic food production, reduction in food import and stabilization of food prices. |
| Keywords: | Financial Economics, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212635&r=agr |
| By: | Galioto, Francesco; Cuming, David; Raggi, Meri; Viaggi, Davide |
| Abstract: | In European agriculture, the changing environmental and institutional context is setting the path for the development of new technologies and relevant patterns of diffusion. This is particularly the case for irrigation practices. The present study explores new frontiers for optimizing the use of water resources in agriculture through “Precision Irrigation” (PI). The main purpose of the study is to develop a theoretical framework to assess the adoption of PI. This framework has been validated and integrated through a Delphi study involving a structured group of experts. The experts provided insights into where and when PI can be considered a promising innovation and regarding the actions that should be undertaken to overcome barriers to its diffusion. Thereafter, a methodology was designed in light of the economic theory of information. An empirical example is offered to illustrate the circumstances in which the adoption of PI is more likely to be of benefit according to crop growth and soil water balance model rules. The paper concludes with a discussion of the extent to which PI can be considered an instrument capable of meeting the main concerns addressed by the WFD and the new CAP reform. |
| Keywords: | Precision Irrigation, Value of Information, Adoption, Delphi Study, Agricultural and Food Policy, Q5, |
| Date: | 2015–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aiea15:207846&r=agr |
| By: | Turner, Justin; Kenkel, Phil; Holcomb, Rodney B.; Arnall, Brian |
| Abstract: | The Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) predicts that 80% of the U.S. unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market will be in agricultural and rural areas where cooperatives have a strong presence. Agricultural cooperatives could use UAVs in crop scouting to provide timely high-resolution imagery of crop conditions. Rural electric cooperatives (RECs) could use UAVs to detect line-loss, perform line inspections, and assess storm damage. Our research investigated the level of interest and awareness of these rural cooperatives towards UAVS and analyzed the feasibility of UAV adoption. Surveys were sent to Oklahoma grain and farm supply cooperatives and RECs. The survey investigated the knowledge of and interest in UAVs, and elicited information on crop scouting fees and costs, distribution line inspection costs and preventable line loss. The results indicated a low level of knowledge but a high level of interest in UAV technology. Modeling suggests that UAV applications could be feasible for both REC and agricultural cooperatives. Final regulations from the Federal Aviation Administration, particularly restrictions on line-of-sight operation and altitude appear to be a major impediment to UAV adoption. Our survey results suggest that REC applications would be particularly sensitive to the regulatory structure. |
| Keywords: | Unmanned aerial vehicle, farm supply cooperative, rural electric cooperative, Agribusiness, Crop Production/Industries, Production Economics, q13, q16, |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea16:230047&r=agr |
| By: | Joshi, Pramod K.; Aggarwal, P.K.; Tyagi, N.K.; Pandey, Divya |
| Abstract: | The Government of India has pursued policies supporting intensive use of irrigation and fertilizer for the development of agrarian economy. A first order assessment of the impacts of these development policies on mitigation, adaptation, resilience and sustainability has been made quantitatively with the help of specific performance indicators. The analysis is based on the hypothesis that productivity enhancement serves better to deal with climate change as it minimizes deforestation and therefore reduces intensification of greenhouse gas emissions. The assessment establishes that development policies have been highly successful in reducing potential greenhouse gas intensification and increasing the adaptation capacity in terms of food grain production. The performance of policies, particularly of water resources development, with respect to sustainability is, however, questionable. The relatively new initiative on micro irrigation fares well in respect of most performance indicators, calling for further policy support for its scaling out. |
| Keywords: | Virtual mitigation, Adaptation, Sustainability, Irrigation, Fertilizers, Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, O13, Q58, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:211817&r=agr |
| By: | Rahut, Dil Bahadur; Ali, Akhter; Behera, Bhagirath; Aryal, Jeetendra |
| Abstract: | Pakistan is currently facing severe shortage of irrigation water. Current study is based on comprehensive cross sectional data set collected from 950 farmers from all the four major provinces of Pakistan. The paper analyzes the determinants of water scarcity and its impact on cereal crops yield (wheat, maize and rice), household income, food security and poverty levels by employing the propensity score matching approach. The empirical analysis indicated that farmers with water scarcity problem have lower yield (wheat, maize and rice) and household income and are food insecure. Poverty levels were higher in the range of 7-12% for the household facing water scarcity problem. Policy implications of the study is that public and private sector in Pakistan needs to invest in irrigation water management to maintain the productivity of cereal crops which is important for household food security and poverty reduction. |
| Keywords: | Irrigation Water, Cereal Crops, Food Security, Poverty, Household Income, Propensity Score Matching, Pakistan, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Consumer/Household Economics, Land Economics/Use, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212696&r=agr |
| By: | Tabeau, Andrzej; van Meijl, Hans; Overmars, Koen P.; Stehfest, Elke |
| Abstract: | The REDD policy which preserves, enables substantial emission reductions. Since agricultural production and area expansion is a primary driver of tropical deforestation, REDD policies might limit the expansion possibilities of agricultural land use and therefore influence competitiveness, agricultural prices, trade, production and food security the world. This paper studies the impact of REDD policies on the agri-food sector and food security with a global CGE model called MAGNET. It focuses on the restrictions on agricultural land expansion within the REDD policy package. Simulation results show that REDD policies start to affect the agri-food sector in some lower developed countries if more than 15% of potentially available agricultural areas are protected from deforestation. A stringent REDD policy that protects 90% of land reserves that could potentially be used for agriculture production results in a global real agricultural price increase of almost 6%, and a worldwide agricultural production decrease of 1.5%. |
| Keywords: | REDD, deforestation, land supply, agricultural prices and production, scenarios, Environmental Economics and Policy, Food Security and Poverty, D58, O13, O50, Q11, Q18, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:211940&r=agr |
| By: | Mensah, Emmanuel; Almas, Lal K.; Guerrero, Bridget L.; Lust, David G.; Ibrahimov, Muslum |
| Abstract: | The world demand for food is growing rapidly due to population increase. Agriculture is expected to play a leading role of feeding a global population that will number 9.6 billion in 2050, while providing income, employment and environmental services. The study assesses agriculture and the state of food insecurity in Western Africa. In the light of slow progress in food security, it is suggested that investments in the agricultural sector that will increase food availability and strengthen the food production system in West Africa should be given immediate priority especially the innovation of family/smallholder farming. |
| Keywords: | Food insecurity, Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 1c, Western Africa, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Food Security and Poverty, International Development, International Relations/Trade, |
| Date: | 2016–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea16:229976&r=agr |
| By: | Singh, Suresh Prasad; Behura, Debdutt; Kumar, Saurabh |
| Abstract: | Lack of availability of quality rice seeds is a dent for achieving higher yield in both India and Bangladesh. Since both the countries are characterized by similar agro-climatic conditions, it could be economically rewarding if the two cooperate and trade varieties suitable for the local conditions. However, both the countries suffer from technical and resource constraints in production and distribution of adequate quantity of seeds. The problem is further aggravated by lack of cooperation and trade in rice seeds between the two countries. Varying national laws and regulation and lack of official recognition to HYV seeds available are two most important reasons. It is expected that harmonization of seed certification processes, laws and regulation in Bangladesh and India could make good quality seeds available and accessible to a larger number of farmers. This in turn, could help raising rice yields, and improve food security scenario in both the countries. |
| Keywords: | Rice seed availability, Informal trade, India-Bangladesh Cooperation, Food security, Crop Production/Industries, International Development, International Relations/Trade, F13, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212063&r=agr |
| By: | Mwangi, Edina Metili; Yu, Bingxin |
| Abstract: | Countries in Asia have undergone a process of transformation in the past four decades as both real incomes and the share of populations living in urban areas have increased. Evidence shows accompanying shifts in food consumption as well as production across the region, but how much each country has shifted domestic production and which farmers in particular are shifting is unclear. There has been a noticeable shift in consumption patterns away from staples (mainly rice), toward high-value commodities such as fruits, vegetables, and meat. In response, we see growing diversification in agricultural production with a steady decrease in the share of harvested area growing rice and an accompanying increase in the share of harvested area growing horticulture. In this paper we use household survey data from Cambodia, Vietnam, and Myanmar to explore the extent of crop diversification at the household level, analyze differences between farmers who primarily grow rice and those who choose to diversify, and explore the factors that encourage them to do so. |
| Keywords: | Agribusiness, International Development, Land Economics/Use, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:211864&r=agr |
| By: | Laqua, Kyle A.; Nair, Shyam S.; Mills, Foy D. Jr. |
| Abstract: | US food and agricultural policy can be a sensitive subject among numerous constituencies. Since university agricultural students may eventually become a part of these groups, does the level of agricultural literacy and personal backgrounds influence students’ views of agricultural policy? The Food and Fiber System Literacy instrument and the Consumer Preferences for Farm Policy and the USDA Budget survey were administered to students enrolled in Introduction to Professional Leadership Skills (Intro) and in Agriculture and Government Programs (Policy) at Sam Houston State University (SHSU). A student’s one-tailed t-test variances compared agricultural literacy between students in the two courses. Results indicated students enrolled in Policy were significantly more agriculturally literate than students enrolled in Intro (p<0.001). Subsequently, students’ level of agricultural literacy and demographic background were regressed on a series of seven Likert-type scale questions related to farm policy. Select demographic characteristics were significantly different on three of the seven questions. Based on the findings from the policy questions posed, students’ academic experience, enrolled course, level of agricultural literacy, age, political affiliation and being raised around a family farm influenced their views regarding programs to ensure food supply, programs to preserve rural landscape and government interference in markets. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural Literacy, Agricultural Policy, Undergraduate, Education, Agricultural and Food Policy, Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession, A22, Q10, Q18, |
| Date: | 2016–01–21 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea16:229954&r=agr |
| By: | Sibande, Lonester; Bailey, Alastair; Davidova, Sophia |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates the effects of subsidized fertilizer on marketing of maize in Malawi. It uses the nationally representative two-wave Integrated Household Panel Survey (IHPS) data of 2010 and 2013. The correlated random effects method of analyzing linear and non-linear panel data models is used to estimate the average partial effects. The control function approach of the instrumental variables methods is employed to control for potential endogeneity of subsidized fertilizer. The results suggest that subsidized fertilizer increases farmers’ market participation as sellers, quantity sold and commercialization of maize. However, the magnitudes of the effects are relatively smaller, which highlight the challenge of improving farm household income from sales of staple food crops. The results have implication on sustainability of the program, policy formulation and design of programs for the agricultural sector and small farmers in developing countries. |
| Keywords: | Farm Input Subsidy, Maize Marketing, Malawi, Farm Management, International Development, Marketing, Q1, Q13, Q18, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:211918&r=agr |
| By: | Yah, Tingting; Wang, Jinxia; Huang, Jikun |
| Abstract: | The overall goal of this paper is to analyze the impacts of the urbanization on regional and national agricultural production through its impact on water use in agriculture in China. Given the historical trend of water use in agriculture and its correlation with urbanization, the change in agricultural water use due to urbanization is estimated. Then the impacts of this change on regional crop production are simulated based on the China Water Simulation Model (CWSM). Within CWSM, a positive mathematical programming (PMP) optimizes water allocation among crops and between irrigated and rainfed areas within a crop in each of ten river basins in China. The results show that water use in China has an obvious increasing trend, particularly in the industrial and domestic sectors, while the share of water use in agricultural sector has been dropping. A 1-percentage-point increase in urbanization can result in a 0.47 percentage-point decline in share of water use. Based on the model simulation, this will lead to the further decrease of irrigated areas and the increase of rainfed areas at both the national and river basin levels, particularly for water intensive crops (such as rice and wheat). Accordingly, average yields and total production will also decrease. A river basin with large production of either rice or wheat (or both) decreases more in irrigated area as urban area expands. Adaptation measures are recommended for both authorities and farmers to ensure food security, such as providing incentive for farmers to adopt water saving technology, implementing appropriate institutional and policy innovations (e.g, water use association, water pricing and water use rights). |
| Keywords: | Urbanization, Agricultural Water Use, Crop Areas, Crop Production, Regional and National Level in China, Community/Rural/Urban Development, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:211882&r=agr |
| By: | Mugera, Harriet; Gilbert, Christopher |
| Abstract: | High fuel prices combined with legislative policies have increased biofuel production causing high food prices and establishing a link between energy and agricultural markets. This paper examines price relationships between agricultural food and energy commodities over the recent decade. A structural change analysis on weekly prices of crude oil, gasoline, ethanol, corn and wheat is conducted. The presence and the nature of structural breaks are empirically tested on single prices and on the price relationships. A cointegration analysis is conducted accounting for the presence of structural breaks. We find that commodity prices have experienced structural changes both at price levels and in the price relationships. The energy and food commodity prices exhibit long run relationships when structural breaks are considered. The break dates identified are in line with biofuel policy interventions and changes in policy regimes in the United States. |
| Keywords: | commodity prices, energy prices, structural breaks, co-breaking cointegration, policies. JEL codes:, Financial Economics, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, C10, C32, Q10, Q18, Q28, Q42, Q48, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212505&r=agr |
| By: | Junker, Franziska; Wolf, Verena; Marquardt, Sandra; Ledebur, Oliver |
| Abstract: | Due to concerns regarding possible negative impacts of conventional biofuels on food security, biodiversity, land use change and greenhouse gas emission savings, the EU wants to restrict the use of food crop based biofuels. Current legislation stipulates a minimum share of ten percent renewables in fuel consumption in the transport sector. Recent policy proposals limit the share of food crop based biofuels counting towards the achievement of this share to six and seven percentage points. This policy change will have an effect on biofuel as well as on feedstock markets. To analyze the magnitude of such a policy change on relevant domestic and international markets, we extend and apply a computable general equilibrium model. Main findings are that limiting the use of food crop based biofuels in the EU only slightly affects domestic rapeseed production but significantly reduces vegetable oil imports. |
| Keywords: | Biofuel policies, CGE modeling, Agricultural markets, Agricultural and Food Policy, Q16, Q18, Q20, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:211819&r=agr |
| By: | Sidibe, Yoro; Williams, Timothy O. |
| Abstract: | Recent large-scale investments in agricultural land that are coupled with irrigation present opportunities for increased food production in sub-Saharan Africa. However, to achieve this objective two management issues must be addressed: efficient water use in the face of a looming water scarcity and equity in the sharing of the resource between large-scale investors and smallholder farmers. Focusing on the Office du Niger, one of the largest irrigable areas in Africa this paper compares the performance of three alternative water valuation methods: the currently used flat rate area-based pricing, uniform pricing and increasing block tariffs. Results show the limitations of the current pricing system in economic efficiency and equity terms and in terms of generating sufficient revenue to meet water supply costs. The paper shows that volumetric water pricing avoids these shortcomings and allows the water decision maker to weigh the efficiency-equity trade-offs in irrigation water management. |
| Keywords: | Large-scale agricultural land investment, water pricing, bioeconomic simulation, tradeoff analysis, poverty, equity, efficiency, Environmental Economics and Policy, Land Economics/Use, Q12, Q18, Q310, Q570, Q250, Q240, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212235&r=agr |
| By: | Tocco, Barbara; Bailey, Alastair; Davidova, Sophia; Raimondi, Valentina |
| Abstract: | The pronounced gender gap in Italian agriculture is reflected by lower levels of female labor force participation, labor supply and managerial positions in the farm sector, coupled with their higher incidence of part-time work. The objective of the paper is to investigate the drivers of farm holders’ labor supply decisions while controlling for gender differences. Using micro-data from the Italian agricultural business survey (REA), this study employs a random effects ordered probit over the period 2002-2009. The results highlight significant gender differences in labor market responses. In particular, farm size and livestock systems are found to increase the on-farm labor supply of male farm holders, reflecting the role of men in the farm and gender differences in ownership, control and decision making over productive resources. The diverse impact of farm subsidies on labor supply may suggest the presence of credit constraints in female-operated households, preventing the capitalization of subsidies into fixed assets. |
| Keywords: | on-farm labor supply, part-time farming, gender-gap in agriculture, Italy., Farm Management, International Development, Q12, J22, J16, J43., |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:211932&r=agr |
| By: | Yi, Fujin; Lu, Wuyi; Zhou, Yingheng |
| Abstract: | This study examines the multiplier effects of the grain subsidy program in China, which is a large food self-sufficiency project that is implemented as a cash transfer program. Income multiplier effects have not been examined in the evaluation of the grain subsidy program although increasing the income of farmers is the original goal of this project. A large number of household-level observations are employed to measure the program’s income multiplier. Results show that the grain subsidy program has an unrealized high income multiplier, and the income promotion effect of the transferred subsidies is from agricultural production derived by intensifying various input uses for each unit of land. The multiplier effect can be particularly utilized by households with good education and poor farmers in less developed regions. Hence, to maximize the income multiplier effect, the grain subsidy distribution method should consider these criteria instead of retaining the prevalent standard that is based on contracted land areas. |
| Keywords: | Crop Production/Industries, International Development, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:211877&r=agr |
| By: | Liu, Xuanli; Ibrahim, Mohamed |
| Abstract: | Small-scale farms had been challenged in their survival and development for years after big farms took the dominant position in the US agricultural sector. The trend was reversed in the last decade due to the rapid growth in consumer demand for organic products and the U.S. small farms has been revitalized. This investigation is to evaluate the impacts of organic production in the development of small-scale farms. Through analysis of historical data and production practices, we find that organic products give small-farms some leverage in price negotiation. Organic production provides small farms a chance to differentiate products as local, fresh, and more important organic, which helps them to seize a lucrative market niche that big farm have difficulty in wedging in, therefore, avoids the direct competition with big farms in the conventional marketplaces. USDA data on prices of agricultural products confirmed the impact of organic products in changing the value distribution along the supply chain and in enabling small farms to retain a relatively large value share. A conclusion possibly be reached is that small-scale farms have an effective way to survive through organic production. |
| Keywords: | Organic Products, Organic Farming, Crop Production/Industries, Farm Management, Production Economics, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea16:230012&r=agr |
| By: | Muriithi, Beatrice |
| Abstract: | Commercialization of agriculture is often associated with decline in women control even for previously women-managed crops such as vegetables. This study utilizes survey data of over 300 smallholder vegetable producers in selected regions in Kenya to access the gender roles in horticultural commercialization, identify determinants of women participation in vegetable markets and evaluate the impact of women control over production and revenues derived from vegetables on household well-being. Women have limited access to vegetable production and marketing training, extension services, agricultural credit and membership in farmer groups compared to men. Empirical results indicate that female participation in commercialization of vegetables is positively related to their membership in farmer groups, younger age, education, large number of female adults in the household, female ownership of assets and access to business. Female management of vegetable plots relates negatively to households’ food, clothing, school fees and health care expenditures. |
| Keywords: | Consumer/Household Economics, Labor and Human Capital, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212516&r=agr |
| By: | Mili, Samir; Judez, Lucinio; de Andres, Rosario |
| Abstract: | This contribution analyzes the adoption of integrated and organic olive farming, and the likely impacts of the new CAP reform on diverse olive farming systems in Andalusia, Spain. We use statistical methods for the former and a Positive Mathematical Programming model calibrated with the neutral procedure for the latter. The PMP model compares the situation of the average olive farm in base year with its position in a simulated year using two policy scenarios. Results indicate that the new rules on green payment don’t incentive the adoption of sustainable systems, although they don’t prevent the development of these systems whose sustained growth seems to be largely independent from market circumstances and agricultural policies. An alternative policy advocating the implementation of green payment scheme in the olive sector would lead to a better redistribution of public support from less to more environmentally-friendly farming practices, contributing to enhance the CAP aids legitimacy. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Crop Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212462&r=agr |
| By: | Zhou, Jie-hong; Yan, Zhen; Li, Kai |
| Abstract: | The presence of toxic agri-products, and chemical contamination remain for the existence of smallholder farmers, who are not educated to use agricultural inputs correctly. This inability raises the issue of safety control in the agricultural sector. We proposes that cooperatives’ self-inspection of agricultural products before they enter the market can better organize small farmers to utilize a standardized production and safety management system. An Ordered Logistic Regression Model is employed to estimate the factors that influence cooperatives' choices of inspection frequency. The results show that the respondents expressed a medium to high level of implementing self-inspection but a lower level of concern in testing products by batch. The regression results indicate that subjective norms, the perceived behavioral control of managers, input management, and production documentation significantly affect cooperatives’ self-inspection behavior. The future implementation of safety inspection depends on the extent to which subjective norms, ability, and internal rules can improve agri-product safety in China. |
| Keywords: | Crop Production/Industries, International Development, Land Economics/Use, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:211860&r=agr |
| By: | Reynolds, Travis W.; Anderson, C. Leigh; Slakie, Elysia; Gugerty, Mary Kay |
| Abstract: | Common estimates of agricultural productivity rely upon crude measures of crop yield, typically defined as the weight of a crop harvested divided by the area harvested. But this common yield measure poorly reflects performance among farm systems combining multiple crops in one area (e.g., intercropping), and also ignores the possibility that farmers might lose crop area between planting and harvest (e.g., partial crop failure). Drawing on detailed plot-level data from Tanzania’s National Panel Survey, this paper contrasts measures of smallholder productivity using production per hectare harvested and production per hectare planted. Yield by area planted differs significantly from yield by area harvested, particularly for smaller farms and female-headed households. OLS regression further reveals different demographic and management-related drivers of variability in yield gains – and thus different implications for policy and development interventions – depending on the yield measurement used. Findings suggest a need to better specify “yield” to more effectively guide agricultural development efforts. |
| Keywords: | Crop Production/Industries, Farm Management, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212485&r=agr |
| By: | Lankoski, Jussi |
| Abstract: | Empirical evidence shows that biodiversity conservation policies implemented in agriculture sector in many OECD countries have not been environmentally effective nor cost-effective. There are several new policy mechanisms available to improve both environmental effectiveness and the cost-effectiveness, including spatially differentiated payments and conservation auctions. In this paper a theoretical framework is developed for describing farmers’ participation in government payment programme for enhancing semi-natural wildlife habitats on farmland. Payment types analysed include uniform payment, three types of conservation auctions with environmental targeting, uniform payment with environmental targeting and two types of differentiated payments with environmental targeting. Quantitative results show that uniform payment performs less efficiently than other payment types, and that auctions with environmental targeting are the most cost-effective option from analysed payment types. Adding environmental targeting to the uniform payment policy greatly improves the cost-effectiveness of uniform payment. Key |
| Keywords: | conservation auction, uniform payment, differentiated payment, policy-related transaction costs, targeting, Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, Q57, Q58, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212031&r=agr |
| By: | Velde, Katrien; Maertens, Miet |
| Abstract: | Supply chain upgrading in domestic and staple food chains in developing countries is important for a more efficient supply to growing urban markets. Little research is done on institutional innovations, such as contract-farming, in these chains. Research on the impact of smallholder contract-farming largely focuses on export-oriented high-value commodities. In this paper, we assess the welfare implications of smallholder contract-farming in the rice sector in Benin, using farm-household survey data and applying propensity score matching and difference-in-difference estimation. We find that contract-farming is associated with higher rice incomes, higher yields, higher input use, increased commercialization and higher farm-gate prices. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Farm Management, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212205&r=agr |
| By: | Siameh, Celestine; Tack, Jesse; Barnett, Barry J.; Harri, Ardian |
| Abstract: | Response to adverse weather conditions by cotton and other major crops are likely to be heterogeneous across varieties, but it is unclear whether this translates into yield risk heterogeneity across varieties. Crop insurance is the dominant agricultural policy instrument and will play an important role for any potential adaptation path to climate change. However, the impact of climate change on the performance of crop insurance programs is not well established and currently the Risk Management Agency does not offer alternative premium rates across varieties. This study utilizes Mississippi cotton variety trial data for the period 1998 to 2013 to identify whether there are heterogeneous crop insurance premium rates across varieties using a moment-based model. Warming impacts on these rates will then be measured. Our results identified heterogeneities for both the mean and variance of cotton yields across varieties. These differences extended to the coefficient of variation – a commonly used measure of yield risk – as well as actuarially fair premium rates, which capture a producer’s exposure to downside risk. Our findings provide evidence of yield risk heterogeneity across varieties. The finding of heterogeneous premium rates across varieties presents an interesting problem for the FCIP. |
| Keywords: | Cotton, yield risk, Heterogeneities, premium rates, climate change, Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea16:230089&r=agr |
| By: | Omondi, Samuel |
| Abstract: | Agricultural commercialization has a potential to increase farming households’ income and standard of living. This study assessed the degree of rice commercialization and the determinants of commercialization of rice farmers in Ahero Irrigation Scheme, Kenya. Stratified and probability proportionate to size sampling were used to select 221 rice farmers. A Household Commercialization Index (HCI) was computed to estimate the degree of commercialization and then modeled as a function of explanatory variables. Informed by the Chow test, three regressions were estimated; male, female and the whole sample. The HCI were 0.77, 0.79 and 0.78 for male, female and whole sample respectively. Household size, off-farm income generating activities, household income, rice price and pesticides usage were significant determinants of rice commercialization. The recommended policy options are to advice and train farmers on pesticides use and the government to have a planned exit from agriculture by introducing attractive off-farm income generating activities. |
| Keywords: | Smallholder farmers, commercialization, rice, Kenya, gender, Consumer/Household Economics, Farm Management, Labor and Human Capital, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212599&r=agr |
| By: | Miao, Ruiqing; Khanna, Madhu |
| Abstract: | We develop a framework to examine the extent to which farmers’ risk and time preferences, availability of credit to cover establishment cost, and crop insurance for conventional crops may influence farmers’ decision to allocate land to a perennial energy crop and, therefore, the total costs of meeting a cellulosic biofuel mandate using this crop. We also investigate the cost-effectiveness of two supplementary policies to the mandate: an establishment cost subsidy and subsidized energy crop insurance, which may achieve the targeted level of biomass production more cost-effectively than the mandate alone. We apply this framework to examine the total costs and land requirements of providing biomass for meeting a one-billion-gallon cellulosic biofuel mandate by using miscanthus as a feedstock while accounting for temporal and spatial variability in miscanthus yields relative to those of conventional crops at a county level across the U.S. rainfed region. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212458&r=agr |
| By: | Murphy, Geraldine; Meredith, David |
| Abstract: | Included in the food harvest report, which outlines how agricultural sectors may meet a target increase in the value of primary output by 2020, is a suggestion that beef production systems need to improve farm competiveness, technology and knowledge transfer. To implement policies that effectively improve these measures on cattle farms, policy makers need to first account for the high level of heterogeneity that exists across these production systems. Hence, we have developed a typology for irish cattle farmers. The typology is created using a latent class cluster model, which groups farmers according to demographic, economic anf farm level criteria. Eight types of cattle producers are identified: dairy farmers, finishing with tillage farmers, bachelor finishers, ederly farmers selling stores, extensive suckler farmers, hobbyist farmers (or those retaining ownership of their holdings), opportunist farmers and on-farm diversifiers. |
| Keywords: | Drystock systems, typology, latent class model, Consumer/Household Economics, Farm Management, Labor and Human Capital, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212518&r=agr |
| By: | Zhang, Wei; Kato, Edward; Bhandary, Prapti; Nkonya, Ephraim; Ibrahim, Hassan Ishaq; Agbonlahor, Mure; Ibrahim, Hussaini Yusuf |
| Abstract: | This research has been undertaken to improve our understanding of stakeholders’ knowledge and perception about ecosystem services (ES), which provides a valuable means of gaining insight into the opportunities and constraints that face ES management in a multiuser landscape. Land use preferences are influenced by a variety of motives, attitudes, and values intrinsic to every individual’s decisionmaking. Knowledge can affect attitudes and behavioral intentions, and a positive attitude toward the environment has been found to predict conservation practices. Using primary data collected from a village survey of 102 villages in Nigeria between November 2012 and February 2013, this study assesses local communities’ awareness, perceptions, and knowledge of a broad range of ES and examines the key factors that explain the variations in the level of awareness across communities, with a special focus on land uses within landscapes. We found that exposure to forest and lowland floodplains was positively correlated with people’s level of awareness of ES, highlighting the importance of direct experience and local context in shaping people’s perceptions toward ES. Such considerations should be taken into account when designing policies aimed at addressing natural resources and environmental management issues. While provisioning services were generally well recognized, consistent with findings of previous studies, a majority of the sampled villages also appreciated spiritual values as a cultural service. Communities’ awareness and knowledge about regulating and supporting ES were generally very low, including those services that are important for maintaining the stability and productivity of agroecosystems (for example, pollination and biological pest control), warranting a greater role for agricultural extension to play in influencing community levels of awareness of ES in Nigeria. Furthermore, incorporating new concepts and topics about ES into the primary school curriculum will better educate people about the importance of ES. Finally, our assessment of communities’ attitudes toward payments for environmental services suggests a need to respect local communities’ preferences, norms, and traditions when designing policies that encourage natural resources management. |
| Keywords: | ecosystem services, awareness, knowledge, perception, rural community, forest, Nigeria, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Environmental Economics and Policy, International Development, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212605&r=agr |
| By: | Li, Na; Vyn, Richard; McEwan, Ken |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the impact of Ontario’s Greenbelt legislation, a land use policy that permanently protects over 1.8 million acres of land from non-agricultural development, on farmers’ exit and investment decisions. A farm-level panel data set for 32,512 farms in Ontario is used to perform two econometric estimations: a correlated random effects Probit model of farm exit and a dynamic unobserved effects Tobit model of farm investment. The Greenbelt policy is found to have influenced both farm exit and farm investment decisions, with the impact varying depending on location within the Greenbelt. In particular, the results indicate evidence of a negative impact on farm investment, which is contrary to one of the objectives of the Greenbelt policy. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural Finance, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212049&r=agr |
| By: | Li, Xi; Paulson, Nicholas; Schnitkey, Gary |
| Abstract: | Agricultural producers operate in a volatile environment, facing a number of sources of risk. A key question is whether farmers who are more highly skilled can better mitigate these risks and consistently earn higher returns than their lower skilled peers. In this article, farm management performance is analyzed based on yearly Illinois Farm Business Farm Management (FBFM) panel data across 6,760 farms from 1996 through 2011. Two out-of-sample measures of skill are used to analyze the ability of farm managers that consistently perform well over yearly and longer time horizons. Results suggest that the most skilled managers often generate better financial results. Furthermore, persistence tests show management skills are consistent and predictable. |
| Keywords: | skill, persistence, farm management, performance, Farm Management, Q12, Q13, M11, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212047&r=agr |
| By: | JUSTYNA GÓRAL (Institute of Agricultural and Food Economics National Research Institute) |
| Abstract: | This paper examines differences in the management styles of Polish farms. The Common Agricultural Policy has a significant impact on structure of production and decisions of farmers. The impact is visible in the financial analysis of farms. Author studies a few changes in structure of assets and many changes of economic indicators. Subsidies have an impact on value of farmland. The financial support influences on flexible management of farms. Farmers need to know all possibilities and instruments of the CAP. They ask about future draft, rules and programmes of this policy. The results demonstrate that farmers make decisions following diverse management strategies. |
| Keywords: | farm management; the Common Agriculture Policy; subsidies; Polish farms |
| JEL: | H20 Q10 Q18 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sek:ibmpro:3405668&r=agr |
| By: | Justus, Ochieng; Knerr, Beatrice; Owuor, George; Ouma, Emily |
| Abstract: | Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) faces the challenge of low food production and high incidences of poverty. Several programs initiated in the region to improve food security and market access have had limited success. Many households mainly grow bananas and legumes as staple crops. Using propensity score matching, this paper evaluates the impact of bananas and legumes commercialization on household food security. Commercial oriented farmers have more diverse diets than non-commercial oriented ones because they can easily purchase other foods to supplement own production. Commercialization has a robust and positive effect on household food security. It significantly increases household dietary diversity and reduces the number of coping strategies adopted during food shortage. Programs that promote commercialization of smallholder agriculture coupled with improved infrastructure in terms of roads and market information systems are continuously needed to facilitate commercialization of farm produce. |
| Keywords: | Central Africa, Dietary Diversity, Coping strategies, Propensity score matching, Consumer/Household Economics, Food Security and Poverty, Q13, Q12, Q11, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212588&r=agr |
| By: | Bhavsar, Hiren; Baryeh, Kofi; Tegegne, Fisseha |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the general knowledge of consumers regarding organic food and determines their willingness to pay more for it. Data was collected on a random sample of grocery shoppers in the state of Tennessee. The study reveals most of the respondents had a fair knowledge of what organic food was. The number of respondents who had never purchased organic food was found to be only slightly higher than the number who purchase it. A binary logistic regression found income and Environmental concern to be factors that effectively determine willingness to pay more for organic food. |
| Keywords: | Organic food, Willingness to pay, Tennessee consumers, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Industrial Organization, L66, Q18, |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea16:230010&r=agr |
| By: | Minot, Nicholas; Stringer, Randy; Umberger, Wendy J.; Wahida |
| Abstract: | The rapid growth of supermarkets in developing countries has raised concern that small farmers may be squeezed out of urban markets by the quality standards and other requirements of supermarkets. This study explores these issues using data from a stratified random survey of 1180 urban households in Indonesia. The results suggest that 73% of urban households use modern food retailers, but these retailers account for just 19% of food expenditure. Econometric analysis indicates that the use of modern food retailers is associated with higher income, higher education, and ownership of a refrigerator and motorbike. The impact of supermarkets on fresh vegetable growers is likely to be minimal because 98% of urban vegetables are still purchased at traditional retailers. Projections based on the current relationship between income and shopping patterns suggests that traditional retailers will continue to play an important role in fresh produce marketing for the foreseeable future. |
| Keywords: | supermarkets, horticulture, urban consumption, Indonesia, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Consumer/Household Economics, D12, O12, Q13, Q18, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212464&r=agr |
| By: | Riera, Olivia; Swinnen, Jo |
| Abstract: | The indirect effects of biofuels are mostly considered negative. In this paper, we argue that there may be a positive indirect effect of biofuels on food security and poverty. Our analysis shows that the introduction of castor production for biofuel in a poor country as Ethiopia can significantly improve food productivity of rural households who produce raw material for biofuel production. This spillover seems particularly linked to enhanced access to inputs and technical assistance which were provided as part of biofuel feedstock production contracts. Our results thus help nuancing the view that biofuels necessarily harm smallholders’ food security. |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212291&r=agr |
| By: | Manzamasso, Hodjo; Acharya, Ram N.; Blayney, Don P. |
| Abstract: | The primary objective of this paper is to evaluate the impact of market prices, weather, and policy variables on crop yield and acreage response in Togo using panel data estimators. Results show that both input (fertilizer) and output prices have statistically significant and expected effect on corn acreage. Output price also has significant but opposite impact on corn (negative) and rice (positive) yields. As expected, rainfall during planting months has a significant impact on both corn (April) and rice (May) acreage allocations. Similarly, total rainfall during growing season has significantly positive impact on both corn and rice yields. Moreover, recent agricultural policy initiative designed to boost domestic food production has significantly increased corn and rice yields and corn acreage. |
| Keywords: | Crop acreage, Crop yield, Producer price, Climate factor, Policy, Togo, Agricultural and Food Policy, Food Security and Poverty, Production Economics, Productivity Analysis, |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea16:230082&r=agr |
| By: | Segovia, Michelle; Palma, Marco |
| Abstract: | A non-hypothetical second-price Vickrey auction was conducted to elicit consumer preferences and willingness to pay for vegetable attributes, including production technique, origin, taste, and health benefits. Using a Latent Class Analysis (LCA) we segmented participants based on health-driven motivations, willingness to pay estimates, and socio-economic characteristics. Two latent classes were found and characterized as: “Health Conscious”, and “Health Redeemers”. In particular, the “Health Conscious” consumers presented healthy lifestyle habits, expressed price premiums for domestic and local-specialty food products after a blind tasting treatment, but they did not have price premiums for health benefits of the products. On the contrary, the “Health Redeemers” presented unhealthy lifestyles but they were willing to pay more for healthy food products, perhaps in an attempt to make up for their unhealthy habits. |
| Keywords: | credence attributes, functional foods, health behaviors., Consumer/Household Economics, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Health Economics and Policy, I12, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea16:229779&r=agr |
| By: | Khonje, Makaiko; Mkandawire, Petros; Manda, Julius; Alene, Arega |
| Abstract: | This paper analyzes the adoption and welfare impacts of improved cassava varieties in Zambia using data from a sample of 500 farm households. Using different treatment effect estimators—endogenous switching regression, propensity score matching, and inverse probability weighting, the paper shows that adoption of improved cassava varieties leads to significant gains in crop yields, household income, and food security. Results further show that improved cassava varieties have significant poverty-reducing impacts in Zambia. Stimulating agricultural growth largely depends on policies that stimulate adoption of improved cassava varieties. |
| Keywords: | Adoption, Africa, Improved cassava varieties, Treatment effect estimators, Welfare, Zambia, Crop Production/Industries, International Development, C31, I3, O33, Q16, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:211842&r=agr |
| By: | Pamuk, Haki; van Rijn, Fedes |
| Abstract: | A relatively new view to boost agricultural growth relies on the innovation system perspective. The Integrated Agricultural Research for Development Approach (IAR4D) adopted this as its main approach through the implementation of local decentralized Innovation Platforms (IPs) in eight countries. Previous research indicates considerable heterogeneity in IP impact. In this paper we show that this heterogeneity might have resulted from heterogeneity in implementation: IPs have equally implemented the principles of the IAR4D approach. We quantify the five defining principles of IAR4D into an IAR4Dness index and find that the index is correlated positively and significantly to the food security Looking at the sub-components of this index, it seems that especially participation in information sharing activities and field visits is crucial. Our analysis indicates that the effect of IAR4Dness on FSC does not operate through increased use of agricultural technologies or household social capital, two potential channels of impact. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Food Security and Poverty, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212610&r=agr |
| By: | Oluoch-Kosura, Willis; Kulke, Elmer; Muluken, Adamseged; Kamiru, Hellen |
| Abstract: | The symposium seeks to engage professionals in Agricultural and Applied Economics in sharing experiences and insights to develop a common understanding on agricultural value chain analysis. Reaching consensus on how to integrate climate change aspects in agricultural value chain research and capacity development in institutions of higher learning will be important. Focusing on horticulture value chains, the symposium will provide a forum to refine, harmonize or contextualize agribusiness curricula in Universities across the world with a view to integrating value chain and climate change aspects in training modules and research. |
| Keywords: | Agribusiness Economics & Management, Food & Agricultural Policy Analysis, Rural/Community Development, Agricultural and Food Policy, Agricultural Finance, Q13, Q16, Q18, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212598&r=agr |
| By: | Kerr, William; Hobbs, Jill |
| Abstract: | After six years of secret negotiations the agreed text of the trade agreement between the European Union and Canada was released in September 2014. The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) must still be ratified by the respective legislatures. Agricultural trade was expected to be a contentious issue in the negotiations with both Canada and the EU having sensitive areas where liberalization would be difficult. In Canada, the domestic policy for dairy and poultry -supply management- requires support from high trade barriers. In the EU, some SPS barriers are non-negotiable- GMOs and the use of growth hormones in beef production. The eventual bargain leaves these trade inhibiting measures largely intact. Some liberalization was achieved in other areas such as recognition of EU geographical indications in Canada, reduced barriers to sales of EU wine, increased market access for EU cheeses and expansion in EU TRQs for wheat, hormone free beef and pork. |
| Keywords: | Agri-food trade, Canada, EU, preferential agreement, protectionism, Agricultural and Food Policy, International Relations/Trade, F53, Q17, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:211840&r=agr |
| By: | Ryan, Mary; O'Donoghue, Cathal; Upton, Vincent |
| Abstract: | The role of forests in our environment is increasing in importance due to the multifunctional benefits forests provide in relation to climate change mitigation, water conservation and provision of fibre for bioenergy. However, afforestation targets across Europe are not being met. Using Ireland as a case study, we investigate why farm afforestation rates are falling, despite the availability of generous subsidies. We use a novel technique to examine the afforestation participation decision using a life cycle choice framework where we apply revealed choice methodology to afforestation for the first time. We find that the model coefficients coincide with expected economic theory relative to the utility maximisation of income, leisure and wealth (long term land value). However, we observe a cohort of farmers who do not plant forestry regardless of income derived, reflecting their preference to maintain the flexibility of the long term value of their land by continuing to farm. |
| Keywords: | Afforestation decision, life-cycle analysis, Land Economics/Use, C5, D1, 013., |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212285&r=agr |
| By: | Marta Kozicka; Matthias Kalkuhl; Jan Brockhaus |
| Abstract: | This paper analyzes current and possible future reforms of the Indian food policies of the two most important staple grains, wheat and rice, within a two commodity dynamic partial equilibrium model with stochastic shocks. The model is empirically grounded and reproduces past values well. It uses a new reduced-form approach to capture private storage dynamics. We evaluate implementation of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) under several policy measures with the current regime as well as two scenarios with a regime change - implementation of cash transfers and deficiency payments. Implications for market fundamentals and fiscal costs were simulated in the medium term - until 2020/21. The NFSA puts a high pressure on fiscal costs and public stocks. Relying on imports with low MSPs results in a high stock-out risk and the lowest fiscal costs, however with high domestic price levels and volatility and high international prices. A policy strategy to manipulate procurement prices in order to maintain public stocks close to the norms leads to slightly higher fiscal costs with lower and more stable prices and ample stocks. A cash-based regime can bring considerable savings and curb fiscal costs, particularly if targeted to the poor, and would leave ample stocks due to higher private stocks. However, this scenario shows the highest market price levels and variability, which can have negative effects on some producers and consumers as well as political stability. |
| JEL: | I38 O13 Q02 Q18 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fsc:fspubl:41&r=agr |
| By: | Huang, Jikun; Ding, Jiping |
| Abstract: | While Asian food economy has been experiencing significant transitions, little transformation occurs in farm land operation. However, recent rapid emergence of middle and large farms in many regions of China is striking. Overall goal of this paper is to understand small-scale farm transformation in China based on a unique dataset surveyed in Northeast and North China. The results show that the institutional innovation through establishing land transfer service center to activate land rental market, supporting policies to incentivize and speed up land consolidation, and farm mechanization services are major driving forces in recent evolution of China’s farm operations. The paper concludes with policy implications on small-scale farming transformation in China and the rest of world and identifies remaining research issues for further study. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Farm Management, International Development, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212029&r=agr |
| By: | Osman, Rehab; Ferrari, Emanuele; McDonald, Scott |
| Abstract: | This study provides quantitative assessments for the impacts of efficiency enhancement for different types of irrigation water under water scarcity conditions. It employs a single country CGE (STAGE) model calibrated to an extended version of a recently constructed SAM for Egypt 2008/09. The SAM segments the agricultural accounts by season and by irrigation scheme; Nile water- and groundwater-dependent as well as rain-fed agricultural activities. The simulations show that Egypt should manage potential reductions in the supply for Nile water with more efficient irrigation practice that secures higher productivity for Nile water, groundwater and irrigated land. The results suggests more ambitious plan to boost irrigation efficiency for summer rice in order to overweight any potential shrinkages in its output and exports. Furthermore, even doubling all non-conventional water resources is not sufficient to compensate the potential adverse impacts of Nile water losses. This highlights the importance of irrigation efficiency for the Egyptian economy |
| Keywords: | Water Availability, Agriculture Productivity, Nile Basin, Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) Models, Crop Production/Industries, Environmental Economics and Policy, Q25, D58, C68., |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212601&r=agr |
| By: | Silva, Felipe; Fulginiti, Lilyan E.; Perrin, Richard K. |
| Abstract: | The Amazon Forest is the largest tropical forest in the world stretching over nine states in northern Brazil. Land use in the Amazon Forest has been under discussion due to its direct and indirect effects on emission and sequestration of greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as CO2, N2O and CH4. Our interest here is to investigate whether technological change in agriculture has resulted in higher or lower costs of emissions abatement. We examined a panel of nine states from this region during the period 1990-2009, a period of rapid agricultural expansion as well as a series of new environmental regulations. The rate of technical change and its biases were estimated using stochastic and non-stochastic approaches. Preliminary results indicate a technological progress for Brazilian’s Amazon Forest states, which suggests a simultaneously expansion on GDP and contracted on CO2e emissions due to technical change. This technical change has been biased toward GDP and against emissions, indicating an increase in GDP foregone to achieve a given reduction in emissions. |
| Keywords: | Amazon forest, Agriculture, Greenhouse gasses and Technical change., Environmental Economics and Policy, Production Economics, Productivity Analysis, Q54, Q55, O13, D24, |
| Date: | 2016–01–22 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea16:230092&r=agr |
| By: | Kankwamba, Henry; Mangisoni, Julius |
| Abstract: | Sustainable agricultural practices could promote agricultural development. They have proven to improve soil structure, moisture content and reduce competition from weeds. There are, however, mixed reactions to the impacts of these technologies. Opponents argue that some technologies are labor intensive, bind nutrients in the soil and decrease crop yields in the short run. This study examines impacts of sustainable intensification strategies on maize output and household full income using random survey data from Malawi. The study employs multinomial endogenous switching regressions on a typology of farm households to isolate direct causal effects of these technologies. It triangulates the results with reduced form propensity score matching. Average Treatment Effects on the Treated are reported. Results indicate that socioeconomic, geographical and plot characteristics influence adoption decisions. Further, farmers who adopt sustainable agricultural practices such as improved seed and soil and water conservation have consistently more farm output and incomes than non-adopting households. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Agricultural Finance, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:211827&r=agr |
| By: | Senia, Mark C.; Dharmasena, Senarath |
| Abstract: | The 2010 USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommended that individuals consume around 25 grams of dietary fiber per person per day. Yet despite these recommendations, consumers do not purchase enough foods high in dietary fiber. To investigate the factors behind this behavior, we perform an empirical analysis using Nielsen Homescan data for 2011 with a sample of 62,092 households from across the United States. This research contributes to the literature by simultaneously investigating per capita purchases of products containing fiber: bread, pasta, tortilla, and fresh produce (fruit and vegetables combined). We perform the estimation using a seemingly unrelated regression framework with a Tobit model setting for each equation in order to account for the censored nature of the available data. Preliminary results suggest that individuals that use coupons generally report purchasing more fiber per capita. Those living below 130 percent and below 185 percent of the federal poverty level purchase less fiber per capita from bread and pasta. For these individuals, the fiber purchased from produce is not significantly different from the individuals above the cutoff levels. Those with a higher income or education report more consumption of fiber per capita from produce and less from bread and pasta. |
| Keywords: | Dietary fiber, fiber consumption, Nielson Homescan Panel, USDA Dietary Guidelines, Consumer/Household Economics, D12, I18, |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea16:229982&r=agr |
| By: | Siqueira, Tiago T.S.; Duru, Michel |
| Keywords: | Farm Management, International Development, Land Economics/Use, Livestock Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:211936&r=agr |
| By: | Ogada, Maurice; Nyangena, Wilfred |
| Abstract: | This study investigates the impact of package adoption of inorganic fertilizers and improved maize varieties on yield among smallholder households in Kenya. We used a blend of the quasi-experimental difference-in-differences approach and propensity score matching to control for both time-variant and time-invariant unobservable household heterogeneity. Our findings show that inorganic fertilizers and improved maize varieties significantly improve yields when adopted as a package rather than as individual elements. The impact is greater at the lower end of the yield distribution than at the upper end, and when technical efficiency of the farmers improves. A positive effect of partial adoption is experienced only in the lower quantile of the yield distribution. The policy implication is that complementary agricultural technologies should be promoted as a package, and should target households and areas which are already experiencing low yields. |
| Keywords: | Technology Adoption, Yield, Difference-in-Differences, Kenya, Farm Management, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, Q12, Q16, O33, O55, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212590&r=agr |
| By: | Parvathi, Priyanka; Waibel, Hermann |
| Abstract: | Organic farming and fair trade certified commodities considered as catering to niche markets is growing rapidly. So far little is known on the welfare impacts of such innovations and it is of particular interest if the joint adoption of both systems adds additional benefits to smallholders in developing countries. Hence, this paper examines the household welfare impacts of an organic and fair trade certification by smallholder black pepper farmers in Kerala, India. We use panel data collected from 300 smallholder rural pepper growers in Idukki district and apply a multinomial endogenous switching regression model along with a coutnerfactual analysis to estimate certification impacts. Results show that both certification systems have a significant impact on income compared to conventional black pepper farming. However, membership in fair trade marketing systems does not increase income of organic farmers, but has positive asset effects. |
| Keywords: | Organic farming, fair trade, impact evaluation, multinomial switching regression, Agricultural and Food Policy, Agricultural Finance, Farm Management, D1, D6, O1, Q1, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212614&r=agr |
| By: | Takayama, Taisuke; Nakatani, Tomoaki |
| Abstract: | Farmland fragmentation can lead to low agricultural productivity. In Japan, one solution is Farmland Consolidation Projects (FCPs), participatory public projects that physically merge and reshape several small plots into one large plot. This paper examines the impact of FCPs on community-level social capital by using propensity score matching. We find that FCPs have a positive impact on agriculture-related bonding social capital and a negative impact on non-agriculture-related bridging social capital. Focusing on the constituent elements of bonding social capital, FCPs have a positive effect on the number of community meetings held, non-agriculture-related organizations for women, and management of common-pool resources. On the other hand, focusing on the constituent elements of bridging social capital, FCPs have a negative effect on holding direct sales of agricultural products and rural experience programs for city residents. |
| Keywords: | Farmland Consolidation Projects, Participatory Projects, Social Capital, Impact Evaluation, Japan, Agribusiness, Farm Management, International Development, O13, Q15, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:211938&r=agr |
| By: | Lloyd, Tim; McCorriston, Steve; Zvogu, Evious |
| Abstract: | Against the backdrop of recent price spikes on world commodity markets, retail food inflation has varied considerably across EU Member States despite the existence of a range of common policies and, for some Member States, a common currency. In this paper, we investigate the extent and potential causes of the differences in the experience of food inflation through the lens of a single welldefined product chain in 11 EU Member States. Using a structural VAR framework, we find that the contribution of world prices to the behaviour of retail bread prices shows significant differences across the EU Member States we cover. Differences in the functioning of the food sector (particularly barriers to competition and vertical control) appear to be correlated with the role played world prices, highlighting the importance of such structural features in commodity price transmission. |
| Keywords: | Food Inflation, Structural Vector Autoregressive Models, Commodity Pass-Through, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Food Security and Poverty, C32, E31, Q02, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212055&r=agr |
| By: | Olila, Dennis; Nyikal, Rose; Otieno, David |
| Abstract: | Climate change and weather variability are perhaps some of the major challenges facing the world today. In the phase of these challenges, various climate mitigation strategies including financial, production, as well as marketing aspects have played a significant role in cushioning farmers against adverse effects. In Kenya, agricultural insurance is still at a pilot stage after the unsustainable effort in the 1970’s. Despite the noble intention to revive the crop insurance industry, limited empirical information exists on farmers’ preferences for crop insurance. The study employed Choice Experiment (CE) to elicit farmers’ preferences for crop insurance design features among 300 farmers. The analysis employed a random parameter logit (RPL) model. The results show that farmers are willing to pay for various features of crop insurance. These findings are important in informing ex-ante design and improvement of crop insurance programmes in Kenya and the rest of the world. |
| Keywords: | Crop insurance, Choice experiment, Random parameter logit, Kenya, Crop Production/Industries, Farm Management, C90, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212596&r=agr |
| By: | Marconi, V.; Raggi, M.; Viaggi, D.; Lefebvre, M.; Gomez y Paloma, Sergio |
| Abstract: | The research question addressed in this study is the impact of the CAP 2013 reform and alternative CAP scenarios on farm investment behaviour and economic performances in different farming systems. An ex-ante analysis of the farmers’ response to different policy scenarios is performed simulating some of the main changes introduced by the reform in both CAP pillars, accounting for regional variations across Europe. The methodology consist in the implementation of a farm-level mathematical programming model. The model is cast as an integer dynamic linear programming model based on the model developed by Viaggi et al. (2010) using GAMS software. The models are calibrated using a set of real farms data and accouting for farmers stated intentions collected through survey (Lefebvre, 2014). In this paper we present the model structure, the policy scenario and the results of the simulations carried out on 50 models, each corresponding to a surveyed farm. |
| Keywords: | linear programming, CAP reform, investment decisions, ex-ante analysis, Agricultural and Food Policy, C10, Q18, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212225&r=agr |
| By: | Qian, Wenrong; Li, Baozhi; Zheng, Liyi |
| Abstract: | This study aimed to determine the impact of non-agricultural employment of peasants on their farmland transfer and investment in agricultural assets by using theoretical models and empirical analysis. The Heckman two-step approach and ordinary least squares method of econometric estimation were used to analyze the questionnaire survey data collected from Jiangxi Province in China. Non-agricultural employment led to reduction of investment in agricultural assets and renting of land. The remittance flows from non-farm income were mainly used to improve the current quality of life, particularly housing condition, rather than to invest in agricultural assets. Migration of laborers caused farmers to rent out farmland, but the inflow of remittances from non-farm income, which increased the capital stock, did not increase the renting in of farmland. |
| Keywords: | Non-agricultural employment, Agricultural asset investment, Farmland transfer, Farm Management, Land Economics/Use, C83, J43, J61, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212703&r=agr |
| By: | Van Campenhout, Bjorn; Bizimungu, Emmanuel; Birungi, Dorothy |
| Abstract: | To feed a growing and increasingly urbanized population, Uganda needs to increase crop production without further exhausting available resources. Therefore, smallholder farmers are encouraged to adopt sustainable crop intensification methods such as inorganic fertilizer or hybrid seeds. However, these farmers perceive these new technologies as risky hence adoption will depend on how well they can manage this additional risk. This paper documents patterns observed in socioeconomic data that suggest risk is an important barrier to sustainable crop intensification practices among Ugandan smallholder rice and potato farmers. In particular, we find that households that engage in risk management strategies, such as investing in risk-reducing technology or engaging in precautionary savings, are more likely to practice intensified cropping. However, our data also show only limited yield risk associated with the use of fertilizers or pesticides, suggesting part of the problem is related to perception. We also discuss the consequences for policy. |
| Keywords: | risk, sustainability, intensification, rice, potato, smallholders, fertilizers, pesticides, technology adoption, |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:ifprid:1521&r=agr |
| By: | Malak-Rawlikowska, Agata; Majewski, Edward; Kobus, Pawel |
| Abstract: | The study focuses on the relations between landscape structure and composition, functions and benefits, and its contribution to the regional competitiveness understood as an ability to generate income, at the same time assuring employment and wellbeing of the society. The question is whether agricultural landscapes, through provision of ecosystem services could contribute to the development and competitiveness of the rural areas. The causal connections between landscape management, socio-economic benefits and mechanisms influencing the income level have been described and analyzed on the example of the case study region1 – Chlapowski Landscape Park in Poland. The Bayesian Belief Network method was applied for the analysis of the abovementioned problem. It was found that all considered landscape elements (fields, forests, shelterbelts, and water reservoirs) have a positive influence on regional competitiveness. Agricultural land (fields and permanent grasslands) have the strongest, positive impact on the competitiveness of the region resulting from provisioning ecosystem services. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural Landscape, Ecosystem Services, Regional Competitiveness, Bayesian Belief Network, Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, Land Economics/Use, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212220&r=agr |
| By: | Owen, Stephanie; English, Burton C.; Lambert, Dayton M.; Clark, Christopher D.; He, Lixia L. |
| Abstract: | Tennessee’s water resources could become stressed as population continues to increase, climate change impacts water availability, and agricultural producers increase irrigation. These stresses could impact the agricultural sector and other industries as competition for limited water resources increases. To prepare for these anticipated changes, farmers, policymakers, and researchers alike could benefit from quantifying the economic value of water to formulate cost-effective and sustainable water use practices. This analysis uses a linear programming (LP) model to determine the shadow value of water for 536 economic sectors in Tennessee, given changes in water availability and water use by economic sectors. Economic sectoral activity uses data from IMPLAN (the Impact Analysis for Planning model). Gross regional product is maximized, constrained by water and labor requirements for each sector. The economic implications of changes in water availability and final demand among different industries is also evaluated to determine which sectors have the highest values for water under varying water availability scenarios. The goal is to provide useful information that can be used in planning and managing Tennessee’s water resources in the medium to long term. |
| Keywords: | input output analysis, linear programming, water allocation, climate change, value of water, Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea16:230007&r=agr |
| By: | Minten, Bart J.; Dereje, Mekdim; Engeda, Ermias; Tamru, Seneshaw |
| Abstract: | Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) are rapidly increasing in global value chains. While consumers (mostly in developed countries) are willing to pay significant premiums for such stand-ards, it is however not well understood how effective these incentives are transmitted to producing countries. We study VSS in Ethiopia’s coffee sector, its most important export commodity, using a unique census of transaction data at the export level and large-scale data at the production level. We find that transmission of the export quality premiums to coffee producers is limited, with only one-third of this premium being passed on. Moreover, as quality premiums are small and with low average production levels from coffee farmers in these settings, these premiums would only lead to an increased income of 20 USD per year even with a perfect transmission scenario, and would therefore have little effect on the livelihoods of an average coffee farmer. |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy, International Development, International Relations/Trade, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212708&r=agr |
| By: | Bageant, Elizabeth; Liu, Yanyan; Diao, Xinshen |
| Abstract: | Much policy and research attention has focused on the relationship between agriculture and nutrition. We extend this analysis to the context of Nepal’s decade-long civil conflict. Understanding how conflict or similar stress mitigates the agriculture-nutrition linkage is essential to developing impactful agriculture and nutrition policy in potential conflict zones. To our knowledge, there is no prior empirical work on the link between agriculture and nutrition in the context of conflict. We find a robust relationship between milk consumption and anthropometric outcomes. We also show a positive link between milk production and milk consumption at the household level. We find significant negative relationships between conflict and milk consumption for households owning few livestock while such relationships do not exist for larger holders. We attribute these heterogeneous effects to conflict-related productivity declines and milk price increases, both of which disproportionately affect households with fewer livestock and lower milk-production capacity. Among rural households in Nepal, milk production could serve as a nutritional buffer in times of conflict or other stress, and thus, policies that promote households’ livestock production could be effective measures in improving resilience of the rural poor against shocks that negatively affect child health outcomes. |
| Keywords: | nutrition, children, dairy, livestock, agriculture, conflict, agricultural policies, nutrition policies, health, milk, milk production, food consumption, poverty, resilience, shocks, economic shocks, |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:ifprid:1515&r=agr |
| By: | Copeland, Alicia; Dharmasena, Senarath |
| Abstract: | Production and consumption of dairy alternative beverages in the United States has been on the rise as per capita consumption of fluid milk continues to fall. Almond milk and soymilk are the fastest growing categories in the U.S. dairy alternative marketplace. Using household-level purchase data from 2011 Nielsen Homescan panel and tobit econometric procedure, the conditional and unconditional own-price, cross-price and income elasticities for soymilk and almond milk were estimated. Income, age, employment status, education level, race, ethnicity, region and presence of children are significant drivers affecting the demand for dairy alternative beverages, such as almond milk and soy milk. We use the estimates from the tobit econometric procedure to predict how changes in demographic profiles, prices and income will likely affect demand for the aforementioned dairy and dairy alternative products, and how these changes in retail demand will affect the blend price, production and producer surplus of U.S. dairy farmers subject to the federal milk marketing order system. To model the farm-side effects we follow Balagtas and Sumner (2001) and use estimates of elasticities of supply for milk from the literature. |
| Keywords: | Almond milk, soymilk, lactose free milk, tobit model, Nielsen Homescan data, household level demands, Consumer/Household Economics, Marketing, D11, D12, P46, |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea16:230044&r=agr |
| By: | Murali, Palanichamy; Hari, Kuppusamy; Karpagam, Chidambara; Govindaraj, Gurrappa; Subhagowri, Jaganthan |
| Abstract: | Biofuels provide only around 2% of total transport fuel today, by 2050, 32 exajoules of biofuels will be used globally, accounting 27% of the world transport fuel. Some biofuels already perform well in economic terms, particularly sugarcane ethanol and other low cost agricultural biofuels. The biofuel program in India at niche stage though the policy has been rolled out well in advance. India has carefully designed the biofuel policy and blending ratio to reduce CO2 emissions and import of the crude oil. The log linear demand function was used to estimate the crude oil, diesel and petrol demand. Based on the demand, the bioethanol and biodiesel requirements were estimated. The possible ways to meet out the biofuel demand and production frontier were elaborated. Proper policy making, domestic production support measures for sustainable biofuel production and infrastructure for anhydrous ethanol storage are the guidepost for successful biofuel program in India. |
| Keywords: | sugarcane, demand, supply, biofuels, sustainability, Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212512&r=agr |
| By: | Nordin, Martin; Hojgard, Soren |
| Abstract: | This paper analyses the effects of advisory services regarding the use of nutrients in Swedish agriculture on nutrient balances and farms’ finances. The key to our research design is that consultation varies between counsellors (some counsellors give more consultation than others), which leads to random variation in “treatment”. We find that counselling affects nutrient utilisation, which possibly reduces leakages and eutrophication in the Baltic Sea. Higher yields imply a large and positive impact on farms value added. The improvements is mainly due to better land management practices so that more efficient use of fertilizers increases crop production and thereby decreases the nitrogen balance. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212586&r=agr |
| By: | Zhang, Lisha; Seale, James L. Jr. |
| Abstract: | The rising concerns of foodborne illness and the globalization of food production, distribution, and retail marketing have been accompanied by an evolution in the rules and regulations that attempt to govern and improve food safety. That evolution continues with the passage of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) in 2011. The FSMA aims to ensure the U.S. food supply is safe by shifting the focus from responding to contamination to preventing it. The compliance costs of FSMA will have substantial structural impacts on both domestic and import food producers. For instance, compliance costs will raise food prices and more importantly, they will also impose different cost burdens on different sized farms. This paper aims to measure impacts of FSMA on domestic or import tomato producers with different size of farms. Specifically, this paper has twofold: 1) Price elasticity of tomatoes are estimated with a model that fit the data best. In this step, log-likelihood ratio test is conducted to choose the best model from the General, Rotterdam, AIDS, NBR and CBS models. 2) Based on the price elasticity estimated in the first step, the revenue changes of tomato producers after adopting FSMA are estimated in the second step. |
| Keywords: | Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea16:230111&r=agr |
| By: | Rigoberto A. Lopez (University of Connecticut); Nataliya Plesha (University of Connecticut); Ben Campbell (University of Connecticut) |
| Abstract: | The northeastern region of the United States comprises 5 percent of the United States land mass but houses 20 percent of the population. Even within this relatively small, densely population area, agriculture, forestry and fisheries are important economic components at the household, state and regional levels. At the request of Farm Credit East, we conducted a study to document and ascertain the significance in the economies of eight northeastern states of the agriculture sector, defined broadly as including four Fs: farming, food, forestry and fisheries. As measured in the eight states under study using data from 2012, agriculture contributed $99.4 billion to regional total sales or $2,312 per resident and generated 474,482 jobs. |
| Keywords: | farming, economic impacts |
| Date: | 2015–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zwi:outrep:35&r=agr |
| By: | Bradley, Jason; Jones, Rodney; DeVuyst, Eric A.; Riley, John Michael; Doye, Damona |
| Abstract: | With the announcement of the 2014 Farm Bill, agricultural producers were faced with many changes in the various programs available to agricultural producers through various government agencies. When these programs opened for enrollment, producers faced complex decisions regarding which of the program combinations would best suit their operational needs. One of the decisions faced by producers was the selection of crop insurance type and coverage level. The objective of this research is to evaluate what factors influenced producer’s crop insurance program decisions after the introduction of new government crop insurance programs and other provisions of the 2014 Farm Bill. By comparing current crop insurance protection types and the selected coverage levels against previous reports, the results will show the change caused by the introduction of the government programs. Using enrollment numbers from both the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the Risk Management Agency (RMA) programs the influence that the 2014 Farm Bill commodity program choices had on producer’s crop insurance election choices will be determined. Other crop insurance decision factors examined include geographic location, and primary crops produced. The findings of the research provide further insight regarding what factors drive producer crop insurance decisions. |
| Keywords: | Farm Bill, Crop Insurance, Agricultural and Food Policy, Crop Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea16:230143&r=agr |
| By: | Mintert, James R.; Widmar, David; Langemeier, Michael; Boehlje, Michael; Erickson, Bruce |
| Abstract: | Precision farming utilizes information technology to add exactness to the quantity, quality, timing and location in the application and utilization of inputs in agricultural production. Though having tremendous potential, after two decades of work pertaining to precision agriculture, our abilities to capitalize on this technology have fallen far short of expectations. This manuscript frames the discussion concerning the challenges and opportunities of precision farming identifying critical knowledge gaps that must be addressed before precision agriculture technologies will be more widely embraced. A review of the literature provides the foundation for this discussion, helps identify knowledge gaps and outline some of the progressions in technologies needed for the industry to better capitalize on the potential advantages offered by precision agriculture. |
| Keywords: | Farm Management, |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea16:230057&r=agr |
| By: | Van Berkum, Siemen |
| Abstract: | In the framework of its European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), the EU is aiming to strengthen its political and economic relations with former Soviet Union republics. A key instrument to achieve this objective is to negotiate Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements (DCFTA). A DCFTA concerns not only the liberalisation of trade in all areas, but also the harmonisation of trade-related legislation with EU standards and acquis communautaire. To date, the EU has signed DCFTA’s with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. Yet, the current political tensions centering on the Ukrainian crisis may disrupt the intended East-West integration significantly. Increasing strains between the EU and Russia in the summer of 2014 culminated in reciprocal trade sanctions, by which a range of EU food products is still banned from the Russian market. This session discusses the impacts of both short-term and long-term developments in the bilateral agro-food trade and markets. As an introduction to the topic, this paper sketches EU’s current state of agro-food trade relations and the evolutions in the trade policy context with its Eastern neighbours. |
| Keywords: | Trade, European Union, CIS, International Relations/Trade, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:211927&r=agr |
| By: | Mazorodze, Brian Tavonga |
| Abstract: | Livelihood strategies in developing countries typically depend on agricultural activities. Nonetheless, climate change, recurrent droughts and floods are contributing to crop failures in many developing countries yet beekeeping has proven to offer a valuable adaptive strategy. Against this background, the study sought to examine the role of apiculture as an alternative livelihood strategy in Honde Valley. Using the feasible generalised least squares (FGLS) technique and cross sectional data collected on 80 households selected through multistage sampling technique, gender of household head, access to credit, dependency ratio, level of education and size of land owned are found to be significant factors explaining rural income in Honde Valley. Turning to the variable of enquiry, the results of the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) indicate that the mean per capita income for apiculture farmers is found to be significantly higher than that of non-apiculture farmers. Against this background, apiculture can be used as an alternative livelihood for the rural community. The study contributes in identifying alternative livelihood strategies in developing countries like Zimbabwe. |
| Keywords: | Apiculture, Beekeeping, rural income, poverty alleviation, Honde Valley, Crop Production/Industries, Food Security and Poverty, |
| Date: | 2015–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:miscpa:212254&r=agr |
| By: | Tong, Benjamin; Boyer, Tracy; Sanders, Larry |
| Abstract: | Best-worst scaling, also called maximum-difference scaling, is used to rank the most important to least important benefits and characteristics of a conservation practice during the adoption decision-making processes of agricultural producers and non-farming/absentee landowners. Both groups are found to rank and value the attributes and reasons for adoption of conservation practices differently at the 95% significance level. Producers rank “practice benefits the farm ecosystem” as the most important consideration when making conservation practice decisions on their operation 29.7% of the time. This is followed closely by the attribute, “practice improves profit,” which is chosen as the best reason by 29.4% of producers. Non-farming/absentee landowners rank, “practice benefits the farm ecosystem” as the most important factor 33.4% of the time, but they choose, “practice improves profit” only 23.4%. This difference, combined with variations in the rankings of the reasons for adopting conservation practices between the two groups reinforces the importance of land tenure in decision making. This indicates the need for both new extension educational efforts and economic incentives to reduce negative externalities from sediment loading and eutrophication that could be ameliorated from increased adoption of soil and water conservation. |
| Keywords: | Best Worst, Non-farming and Absentee Landowners, Maximum Difference, Adoption of Conservation, Agricultural producers, Soil and Water Conservation, Environmental Economics and Policy, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, Q150 Q24 Q25 Q58 Q15, |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea16:229775&r=agr |
| By: | Kohler, Andreas; Ferjani, Ali |
| Abstract: | The Swiss franc appreciated strongly against the currencies of Switzerland’s most important trading partners after the global financial crisis in 2008. This has led to renewed interest in the question of how sensitive Swiss exports are with respect to exchange rate movements. We analyze this question for exports of the Swiss Agriculture and Food Sector, using both time series and dynamic panel data models based on data from 1999 to 2012. We find that in the long-run a one percent appreciation of the Swiss franc leads on average to a decrease in exports of agricultural and food products of approximately 0.9 percent. Our results suggest that on average, producers in the Swiss Agriculture and Food Sector are able to successfully avoid price competition by differentiating their products, producing high-quality products for niche markets. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Financial Economics, International Development, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212011&r=agr |
| By: | Weber, Ron; Musshoff, Oliver |
| Abstract: | Using a unique dataset from a commercial microfinance institution in Madagascar, this paper investigates how the provision of microfinance loans with (in)flexible repayment schedules affects loan delinquencies of agricultural borrowers. We estimate different repayment functions to compare loan delinquencies of agricultural and non-agricultural borrowers and apply a quasi-experimental approach to investigate whether introducing flexible repayment schedules affects loan delinquencies of seasonal agricultural borrowers. In this attempt, three different delinquency categories reflecting different levels of credit risk are assessed. Our results reveal that loan delinquencies of non-seasonal agricultural borrowers without grace periods are not significantly different from those of non-farmers. Furthermore, we find that seasonal agricultural borrowers with grace periods show significantly higher delinquencies than non-farmers. Within the group of agricultural borrowers we find that introducing grace periods increases delinquency levels only in the lowest delinquency category, while we find no significant effect in the higher delinquency categories. |
| Keywords: | Agribusiness, Financial Economics, International Development, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:211905&r=agr |
| By: | Engida, Ermias; Guthiga, Paul; Karugia, Joseph |
| Abstract: | In agricultural economies of Africa, livestock sub-sector supports livelihoods of large proportion of households and has important role on value addition and on insuring national food security. However, its importance has often been ignored by policymakers as well as researchers. Researchers neglect livestock sector mainly for methodological reasons. This study tries to overcome this problem. We extend an existing DCGE model for Tanzania with a separately built herd dynamics module which enables us to specify stock–flow relationship, distinguishing between the capital role of livestock and the flow of livestock products. The results from realistic TFP shocks on different agricultural sub-sectors clearly show that livestock sub-sector has better growth elasticity greater than the cereal and cash crop sub-sectors in contrast to previous literature. Factors reallocation among activities is observed which leads us to emphasize on livestock – cereal sub-sectors joint growth plan rather than cereal sub-sector growth alone. |
| Keywords: | Livestock, livestock module, TFP, Tanzania, Agricultural and Food Policy, Livestock Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212039&r=agr |
| By: | Kirchweger, Stefan; Eder, Michael; Kantelhardt, Jochen |
| Abstract: | Despite the ongoing trend of higher intensities in dairy farming, some farmers select rather low-input systems. We identify such system in an agricultural bookkeeping dataset and assess economic effects of this system selection under volatile prices situations using cluster analysis and direct covariates matching. We find one lowinput cluster with low levels of input use and three clusters with rather higher input levels. Those clusters differ in site conditions, farm size and milk production. After applying the matching methodology, the results indicate that choosing a low-input system does not affect farm income but reduces the work load and borrowed capital even under volatile markets. |
| Keywords: | Dairy Farming, Farm Competitiveness, Low-input farming, Cluster Analysis, Matching Method, Agricultural and Food Policy, Farm Management, Livestock Production/Industries, Q12, Q16, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212005&r=agr |
| By: | Ehrlich, Oren; Bi, Xiang; Borisova, Tatiana; Larkin, Sherry |
| Abstract: | The recent developments of nonmarket valuation have focused on identifying preference heterogeneity and examining the impact it has on consumer’s willingness to pay. The objective of this study is to examine the extent to which heterogeneous environmental attitudes influence demand for freshwater recreational activities as well as the valuation of freshwater recreational benefits. We focus on the St. Johns River, the longest river in Florida, and use a telephone survey of Florida’s residents to elicit information in regards to household outdoor recreational experiences on the river. Information regarding respondent attitudes and perceptions towards Florida’s water resources and natural resource policies was gathered in the survey as well. We employed a latent class analysis to reveal two distinct classes of respondents based on their responses to questions regarding their environmental attitudes and perceptions. We then estimated a recreational demand model with respect to travel costs associated with getting to the river, household income, perceived water quality of the river, and respondents’ environmental attitudes within each latent class. We found that class 1’s individual recreational benefits are twice as large as class 2’s. We contribute to the literature by emphasizing that environmental attitudes directly influence consumer recreational demand and valuation of the river, and should be taken into consideration for water resource management policies. |
| Keywords: | latent class analysis, travel cost method, recreational demand, freshwater, st. johns river, preference heterogeneity, Consumer/Household Economics, Demand and Price Analysis, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea16:230058&r=agr |
| By: | Yeboah, Osei; Naanwaab, Cephas B.; Ekua, Effraim |
| Abstract: | Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (MCOOL) is a labeling law passed in 2008 Farm Bill by the US Congress which requires all food commodities to be labeled by their country of origin. Total cost assessed to the meat industry from the implementation of mandatory COOL has raised concerns for research into the estimation of how cost associated with mandatory COOL are shared across the supply chain and how the increased cost will be borne by producers and consumers. The research seeks to determine the welfare impacts of mandatory COOL on producers and consumers in the beef and pork sectors. Using Equilibrium Displacement Model, we estimate the consumer and producer surplus with existing cost estimates associated with mandatory COOL implementation. The empirical result shows that a 2% and 5% increase in demand for beef and pork is not sufficient to offset mandatory COOL cost. |
| Keywords: | Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling, Equilibrium Displacement Model, Agricultural and Food Policy, |
| Date: | 2016–01–21 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea16:229988&r=agr |
| By: | Troost, Christian; Berger, Thomas |
| Abstract: | In combination with crop growth models, farm-level models allow an in-depth, process-based analysis of farmer adaptation to climate change and agricultural policy. Evaluated for all farms in an area and extended by interactions, farm-level models become agent-based models that allow simulating aggregate regional production and structural change. Confined to a local or regional scope, however, they cannot directly incorporate price feedbacks that play out at global scale. In this contribution, we use experimental designs to evaluate a non-connected agent-based model for the full space of potential future price developments. We discuss and compare the use of standard regression analysis and non-parametric, automatic methods (MARS and Kriging) to summarize supply behavior over the simulated price ranges. Estimated supply functions constitute a surrogate model for the original agent-based model and could be used to iterate detailed regional analysis with national or global market models in an efficient way. |
| Keywords: | Agribusiness, International Development, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:211929&r=agr |
| By: | Chen, Lijun; Parcell, Joe; Moreland, Jill |
| Abstract: | From a survey of farmers’ markets shoppers,this study aims to investigate the factors that differentiate samplers and non-samplers,factors that motivate and discourage consumers to take free samples presented by vendors,and estimate to what extent sampling affects consumer behavior and perceptions about products. A survey questionnaire was conducted yielding 1145 usable responses. A simultaneous equation model and exploratory factor analysis assessment was conducted. Results show that consumers’ trust in farmers’ markets food system have a significant impact on sampling decisions,and affiliation towards persons distributing samples motivate consumers to sample. The post sampling effect can be reflected by consumers’ immediate purchase,generating word of mouth and an increase in unplanned purchase. |
| Keywords: | Sampling, Farmers’ Markets, Consumer Preference, Consumer/Household Economics, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Institutional and Behavioral Economics, Marketing, |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea16:230054&r=agr |
| By: | Dong, Wanlu; Wang, Xiaobing; Yang, Jun |
| Abstract: | China has experienced the dramatic change of food consumption pattern in the last three decades. However, there are different opinions toward the future change of this process. By adopting the well-developed Chinese agricultural partial equilibrium model-CAPiM model, the demands on livestock products and main feed crops in 2011-2031 are predicted and analyzed. It is found that China's per capita consumption of livestock products will continue to rise in 2011-2031, even though its growth rate will slow down gradually. Meanwhile, the expansion of livestock production will pose great challenges on feed supply in China. More accurately, it is feed security instead of grain security confronted by China in the future. Based on the findings, the related policy implications are proposed. |
| Keywords: | feed demand, food consumption pattern, partial equilibrium model, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Livestock Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212716&r=agr |
| By: | Hoang, Hoa; Meyers, William H. |
| Abstract: | Rank three demand systems have been recognized to be best-suited for long-term demand projections due to their Engel flexibility. Using a fitted QUAIDS model, food demand in Vietnam is projected under scenarios that account for alternative growth rates in food expenditures, food prices and urbanization. Results indicate that at higher levels of expenditure growth, budget share of rice declines while budget shares of high-valued foods such as meat and drinks increase. Demand for rice is projected to decline in 2020 and further in 2030 both on a per capita basis and in total while demand for other foods increases. The projections also show that the effect of urbanization is more remarkable for rice while it is modest for non-rice food groups. Results of this study highlight the importance of considering the effect of income distribution and urbanization in long-term food demand projections. |
| Keywords: | QUAIDS, Vietnam, Southeast Asia, Diet transition, Rice consumption, Household demand, Agricultural and Food Policy, Consumer/Household Economics, D12, R20, O12, C52, C31, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212456&r=agr |
| By: | Liu, Min; Heijman, Wim; Zhu, Xueqin; Dries, Liesbeth; Huang, Jikun |
| Abstract: | This paper analyses the degree of divergences among different groups of stakeholders in allocation of the four types of rural land: cultivated, range, forest and other land, and the optimal allocation from the social perspective of balancing economic and ecological benefits. The preference of stakeholders stemming from stakeholders’ different ecological and economic interests on four types of rural land was quantified by the Analytic Hierarchy Process. Weights for stakeholders in the social welfare function were derived for three social-economic scenarios. Welfare economics was employed then to determine the ‘individual’ or ‘private’ optimal allocation of each stakeholder by maximizing its utility function, and social optimal allocation by maximizing the social welfare function. A county located in the eco-fragile areas of Northern China was taken as a case to present the empirical analysis. Our results provide policy insights on how to regulate the divergences and achieve an efficient allocation of rural land. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Land Economics/Use, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212051&r=agr |
| By: | Naik, Vinod R.; Kunnal, L.; Nethrayini, K.R. |
| Abstract: | The present study was conducted in Belgaum District of Karnataka, India. To know the viability of organic vegetable cultivation, a sample of 30 farmers each practicing organic cultivation of tomato and chilli and 30 farmers each practicing non-organic cultivation of tomato and chilli were selected randomly for the study. The data so collected were analysed using budgeting technique and output decomposition technique. The study revealed that, even though per acre cost of cultivation and yield of both crops on organic farms was less than non-organic farms but the B: C ratio was found higher in organic farms. The outcome of decomposition analysis revealed that in case of both the crops, organic farming technology was the major contributing factor for increase in income of the organic growers over the non-organic growers. Hence it is advisable for the farmers to switch over to organic farming which is environmental friendly and cost effective. |
| Keywords: | Budgeting technique, Organic farming, Non-organic farming and Decomposition technique, Crop Production/Industries, Farm Management, Financial Economics, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212520&r=agr |
| By: | Islam, Abu Hayat |
| Abstract: | Although Integrated Rice-Fish farming (IRFF) system is a potential technology but the adoption of IRFF farming system is very low and even decreasing. This raises the question of whether the returns and adoption of rice-fish systems are being adequately investigated. Most micro-level impact studies so far are based on cross-sectional data, which can lead to unreliable impact estimates, and also focus on productivity of IRFF systems, not its impact. This article presents results of a two-year panel survey with adopting and non-adopting indigenous farm households in Bangladesh to estimate the impact of adopting IRFF on small-scale indigenous farmers’ overall welfare. Using propensity score matching with a difference-in-difference estimator we found that adopting IRFF has a positive and statistically significant effect on household total income and expenditure, total farm income, number of days fish is consumed in a month and the quantity of fish consumption per day in a month. |
| Keywords: | Bangladesh, Integrated Rice Fish Farming System, Indigenous People, Difference-in-Difference, Propensity Score Matching, Impact., Crop Production/Industries, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, O13, O33, Q16, Q22, Q01, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:211792&r=agr |
| By: | Muraoka, Rie; Matsumoto, Tomoya; Jin, Songqing; Otsuka, Keijiro |
| Abstract: | As population pressure on land grows rapidly in Kenya, rural farmers have started to intensify land use, which has lef to the emergence of a new maize farming system. The new system is characterized by the adoption of high-yielding maize varieties, the application of chemical fertilizer and manure produced by stall-fed improved dairy cows, and intercropping, especially the combination of maize and legumes. This study aims to explore the determinants of the new maize farming system and its impact on land productivity. We examine not only the impacts of new technologies and production practices but also the impact of the entire new maize farming system by generating an agricultural intensification index based on a principal component analysis. The estimation results show that a decrease in the land-labor ratio accelerates farming intensification, and that the adoption of each new technology and production practice has positive and significant impacts on land productivity. These findings are further supported by the significantly positive impacts of the agriculture intensification index on land productivity. |
| Keywords: | farming system, agricultural intensification, population pressure, Maize, green revolution, Kenya, Agricultural and Food Policy, International Development, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212033&r=agr |
| By: | Kirui, Oliver; Mrzabaev, Alisher |
| Abstract: | Land degradation is a serious impediment to improving rural livelihoods in eastern Africa. This paper identifies land degradation patterns based on Land Use Cover Change and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index decline, compares the costs of action against inaction against land degradation using the Total Economic Value approach in four countries – Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi and Tanzania. Results show that land degradation hotspots cover about 51%, 41%, 23% and 22% of the terrestrial areas in Tanzania, Malawi, Ethiopia and Kenya respectively. The cost of land degradation between 2001-2009 periods is about US$2 billion in Malawi, US$11 billion in Kenya, US$18 billion in Tanzania and US$35 billion in Malawi. These represent about 5%, 7%, 14% and 23%, of GDP in Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania and Ethiopia respectively. The costs of action as compared to the costs of inaction represented only about 23.7%, 24.1%, 26.0% and 26.2% in Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi and Tanzania. |
| Keywords: | Land Economics/Use, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212007&r=agr |
| By: | Mirzabaev, Alisher; Tsegai, Daniel |
| Abstract: | Higher weather volatility may be reflected in higher incidences of weather shocks. Weather shocks could potentially affect the supply of agricultural commodities and their prices. In this study, the effects of weather shocks on agricultural commodity prices in Central Asia are investigated at the provincial scale using monthly data for the period of 2000-2010. The study uses an estimation method, where the idiosyncratic components of the variables are analyzed using Feasible Generalized Least Squares (FGLS) panel regression in the presence of cross-sectional dependence and serial autocorrelation. The analysis indicates that weather volatility and, especially, the fluctuations in the availability of irrigation water have statistically significant effects on wheat prices in Central Asia. Weather shocks, involving lower than usual temperatures and precipitation amounts, could create favorable conditions for higher wheat prices in the region. |
| Keywords: | weather and price shocks, Central Asia, Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, O13, Q11, Q54, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212466&r=agr |
| By: | Suzuki, Aya; Vu, Hoang Nam |
| Abstract: | The high number of import rejections of food commodities suggests that producers in exporting countries are not complying with established standards. To understand why this is the case, we explore the behavior of producers and consumers in developing countries. First, we examine the successful transformation of production practices adopted by shrimp producers in Thailand. In support of the dramatic change in practices, we observe an important role played by the public sector in providing a means to visualize chemical residues and to control processes upstream of the supply chain via a registration system and a traceability system called Movement Document. Furthermore, very active information sharing by the private sector contributes to the dissemination of useful technical and market information among producers. We also examine the knowledge and perceptions of consumers with respect to food safety in Vietnam. We find that consumers in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City behave differently toward the third-party certification VietGAP, probably owing to differences in the history of market mechanisms between the two cities. |
| Keywords: | Food industry, Quality control, Production management, Consumers, Agriculture, Food Standards Compliance, Traceability, Aquaculture, Social Network, Good Agricultural Practice |
| JEL: | D12 L15 O13 O19 |
| Date: | 2016–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:jet:dpaper:dpaper569&r=agr |
| By: | Wang, Tong; Park, Seong; Jin, Hailong |
| Abstract: | A variety of water conservation policy alternatives have been promoted to extend the economic life of Ogallala Aquifer in the Southern Great Plains. However, few studies have been done to analyze whether these policies provide profit-driven farmers with incentives to save water. In this paper we adopt a theoretical approach to analyze farmer’s optimal response when facing following policy alternatives, including 1) irrigation technology subsidy, 2) increased water cost, 3) unit subsidies for water saving; and 4) subsidies on water-conservative crop. Our findings suggest that optimal water conservation policies vary by region. Specifically, the switching to higher efficiency technology should occur in a preventative stage for the water saving to occur. Similarly, an increase in water cost promotes water saving only when water resource is relatively abundant. In regions where groundwater already poses a constraint, the unit subsidy for actual water saved and price subsidy for water-conservative crops are more effective in achieving the water conservation goal. |
| Keywords: | Ogallala Aquifer, groundwater conservation, economic incentive, irrigation technology, subsidy, water cost, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, Production Economics, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, Q25, Q28, Q56, |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea16:229904&r=agr |
| By: | Karantininis, Kostas; Hajderllari, Eliona |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates the market potential for a new technology such as a genetically modified crop, which produces both a private and a public good. A theoretical framework is developed, based on vertically differentiated products and heterogeneous producer returns. Our setting corresponds to a system composed of a biotech firm, individual farm, consumer and the government. We claim that coordination among every single stage of the system is needed in order for the adoption process to be successful and beneficial to all those involved. Our results indicate that the market adaption of a genetically modified product depends on the magnitude effect of the new technology on the incremental savings and costs as well as consumers’ aversion and the carbon emission market price. In particular we consider the carbon emissions market as an important instrument associated with the reduction of the two negative parameters of production costs and consumers aversion.. |
| Keywords: | GMO, China, GHG, Public Good, Crop Production/Industries, O34, Q17, Q56, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:211831&r=agr |
| By: | Jin, Shaosheng; Zhang, Yan; Xu, Yining |
| Abstract: | This study employs random nth price auction to investigate consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for food traceability system with both abbreviated and detailed information. Results show that consumers have a positive WTP for both kind of food traceability systems, and on average the premium for apples with detailed information is 10 percent higher than that of apples with abbreviated information. Males, the married and those with relatively low level of education have high premiums for detailed traceability information, while the self-reported healthy consumers would not like to pay much more premium for detailed information. The results also show that consumers show much interest in information of quality certificate and chemical fertilizers/pesticides used in food production provided by food traceability system. Implications for implementing food traceability system were discussed. |
| Keywords: | Consumer, information, food traceability system, willingness to pay, China, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Food Security and Poverty, L15, Q18, D1, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:211811&r=agr |
| By: | Miguel Martín-Retortillo (Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Spain); Vicente Pinilla (Universidad de Zaragoza and Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón –IA2, Spain); Jackeline Velazco (Pontificia Universidad Católica de Perú, Peru); Henry Willebald (Universidad de la República, Uruguay) |
| Abstract: | Since 1950 profound changes, such as new technological innovations or changes in agricultural and trade policies took place in the Latin American agriculture. This article aims to analyse the dynamics of the growth of Latin American agricultural production between 1950 and 2008. It explores whether the increases in agricultural production have been due to increases in the use of production factors, or whether production increases have been due to efficiency gains. Our findings suggest that efficiency gains made a rather modest contribution to the important increase in production; this increase was principally the result of the use of capital. This was the most important productive factor in explaining increases in output, together with more moderate increases in the use of land and labour. |
| Keywords: | Latin American economic history, Latin American agriculture, Agricultural productivity, Agricultural growth |
| JEL: | N56 O13 Q11 |
| Date: | 2016–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ahe:dtaehe:1610&r=agr |
| By: | Witzke, Heinz-Peter; Fellmann, Thomas; Van Doorslaer, Benjamin; Huck, Ingo; Weiss, Franz; Salputra, Guna; Jansson, Torbjorn; Drabik, Dusan; Leip, Adrian |
| Abstract: | According to the European Council's recent agreement on domestic climate and energy goals, greenhouse gas emissions from sectors outside the EU’s Emission Trading Scheme have to be cut by 30% below 2005 levels by 2030. So far no decision has been taken on agriculture's specific involvement in mitigation obligations or on how mitigation targets would be distributed between Member States. Based on hypothetical assumptions, we employ the CAPRI model to illustrate and highlight some potential impacts and challenges related to an integration of the agricultural sector into the new EU climate policy framework. Results of the hypothetical mitigation policy scenario show important impacts on EU agriculture, in particular the livestock sector, if the distribution key of the current Effort Sharing Decision would be rigidly applied as in our assumptions. The results highlight the importance of a targeted but flexible implementation of mitigation policy instruments in the EU and its Member States, as well as the need for a wider consideration and adoption of technological mitigation options. |
| Keywords: | Agribusiness, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:211897&r=agr |
| By: | Kadzamira, Mariam; Kazembe, Cynthia |
| Abstract: | This study assesses the nature of networking between youth and agricultural policymakers – given youth disillusionment with agricultural livelihoods. Using the Malawi case, a mixed methods approach shows that first local government departments that are mandated to work on youth issues are the main hubs of information for youth in agriculture. The Ministry of Agriculture plays a secondary role. Second, the study shows that youth in agriculture have little or no direct interactions with each other. Therefore, youth remain on the periphery of agricultural policymaking and their role in shaping agricultural policy dialogue is negligible. This is attributable to both lack of a deliberate government policy to include the youth and lack of a unified youth platform. The onus is therefore on the youth to ensure that they are effectively engaged in agricultural policy dialogue. The study conclusions with policy recommendations relevant for countries with the ‘youth/agriculture’ problem like Malawi. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:211821&r=agr |
| By: | Rasetti, Michele; Filho, Joaquim B.S. Ferreira; Finco, Adele; Pena-Levano, Luis M.; Zhao, Xin; Opgrand, Jeffrey |
| Abstract: | For many years, biofuels have been considered a cleaner, greener alternative to fossil fuels in order to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the transportation sector. For this reason, in recent years, many European policies has tried to promote biofuels production and consumption. However, some concerns on the actual sustainability of biofuels have arisen. In particular, scientific studies have pointed out that additional emissions from indirect land-use change (ILUC) could cancel out biofuels benefits on climate change. This paper analyzes the global economic and environmental consequences of an increase in biofuel production, as established by the RE Directive, for the period 2001-2020. The GTAP-BIO general equilibrium model was used for the simulation. The results suggest a total emission of 168 gCO2/MJ per year over 20 years of biodiesel production, which would mean that the GHG reduction requirements established by the policies could not be fulfilled. |
| Keywords: | European biofuel policy, Biodiesel, GTAP-BIO, Land use change, GHG emissions, Environmental Economics and Policy, Land Economics/Use, D58, Q16, Q58, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212489&r=agr |
| By: | Potori, Noorbert; Stark, Andras |
| Abstract: | The oil produced from sunflower seed is primarily used for human consumption. It can substitute for other edible vegetable oils, such as rapeseed oil, processed into biodiesel in the EU. This paper assesses the influence of crude oil futures on new crop sunflower seed futures in Hungary during the growing seasons of sunflower by applying standard cointegration analysis for the period 2004-2013. Tests were performed for the entire period and each sunflower growing season. For comparison, the influence of Paris rapeseed futures on sunflower seed futures was also assessed. The contrasting estimations for the global and seasonal characteristics of the variables suggest that standard cointegration analysis may not be appropriate for multiannual price series of agricultural commodities with strong seasonality in production because it will not capture the periodical shocks in supply and demand. The results are briefly discussed from the aspect of the fundamentals of the sunflower seed market. |
| Keywords: | Price cointegration, sunflower seed, crude oil, growing seasons, Hungary, Agribusiness, Crop Production/Industries, Demand and Price Analysis, C18, O13, Q11, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212710&r=agr |
| By: | Liverpool-Tasie, Lenis |
| Abstract: | This article revisits a conventional wisdom that inorganic fertilizer use across sub Saharan Africa is too low. This assumes that it is profitable to use rates higher than observed. The paper exploits the political economy of fertilizer access in Nigeria to obtain consistent estimates of the effects of applied nitrogen on rice production. We find the yield response to applied nitrogen to be marginal in the main rice growing farming system. Farmer behavior is not inconsistent with profitability which is limited by a low yield response to fertilizer, high transportation costs and low selling prices for rice in rural areas. |
| Keywords: | Fertilizer profitability, rice, marginal physical product, political economy, Nigeria, Africa, Agricultural and Food Policy, Crop Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212053&r=agr |
| By: | Djanibekov, Utkur; Finger, Robert |
| Abstract: | In Uzbekistan cotton production substantially contributes to GDP. The cotton is produced based on the cotton procurement policy, according to which farmers have to allocate half of their land for cotton and produce certain amount of cotton. However, cotton yields are uncertain. Lower than expected cotton production by farms can be considered as inefficient farm. Because farmers lease land from the state, failure to deliver the cotton output lead to adjustment in its scale of operations – a process called farm optimization. Reduction in farm size of one farmer leads that the area of more efficient farmer that accomplished the cotton production increases. The study aims to develop policies that can improve cotton production and farm incomes. For this we developed a dynamic recursive model that considers variability and farm adjustments. We showed that variability influences farm sizes and due to farm size changes the income inequality may widen among farms. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Farm Management, Production Economics, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:211829&r=agr |
| By: | Lakner, Sebastian; Breustedt, Gunnar |
| Abstract: | The article summarizes the literature on efficiency and productivity of organic farming. A short overview on theories and models is provided. We can distinguish between studies that concentrate of specific problems of the organic sector and studies that aim to compare conventional and organic farming systems. Sample selection is a major challenge for comparisons between organic and conventional farms, since the organic farms have a different farm-structure and are often represented by a relatively small number of observations. We find that conversion to organic farming is influenced by inefficiency. In three of four studies, organic farms have a lower productivity than conventional farms. Studies on environmental efficiency document that organic farming show a higher degree of efficiency if environmental variables (such as landscape elements and diversity in the croprotation) are taken into account. The impact of subsidies on farm efficiency is often found to be negative. |
| Keywords: | Organic Farming, Technical Efficiency, Environmental Efficiency, Productivity, Farming Systems, Subsidies, Crop Production/Industries, Farm Management, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212025&r=agr |
| By: | Louhichi, Kamel; Ciaian, Pavel; Espinosa, Maria; Colen, Liesbeth; Perni, Angel; Gomez y Paloma, Sergio |
| Abstract: | This paper presents the first EU-wide individual farm level model (IFM-CAP) intending to assess the impacts of CAP towards 2020 on farm economic and environmental performances. IFM-CAP is a static positive programming model applied to each EU-FADN individual farm to guarantee the highest representativeness of the EU agricultural sector and to capture the full heterogeneity across EU farms in terms of policy representation and impacts. The model is used to assess the effects of the crop diversification measure. Results show that most farms choose to comply with the diversification measure owing to the sizable subsidy reduction imposed in case of non-compliance. However, the overall impact on farm income is rather limited: farm income decreases by less than 1% at EU level, and only 5% of the farm population will be negatively affected. Nevertheless, for a small number of farms the income effect could be more substantial (more than -10%). |
| Keywords: | Common Agricultural Policy, Greening, Farm Level Model, Positive Programming Model, EU, Agricultural and Food Policy, C55, Q12, Q18, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212155&r=agr |