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on Agricultural Economics |
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Issue of 2022‒06‒13
twenty-one papers chosen by |
| By: | Benjamin Davis; Leslie Lipper; Paul Winters |
| Abstract: | Even prior to COVID-19, there was a considerable push for food system transformation to achieve better nutritional and health – as well as environmental and climate change – outcomes. In 2019, several major publications focusing on transforming agricultural and food systems to achieve nutritional and climate change objectives argued for major changes in agricultural land use, production systems and dietary choices. They placed an emphasis on increasing resource use efficiency, reducing agricultural extensification and reducing consumption of meat-based products while increasing nutritionally dense foods. However, these reports fail to fully consider the impact of these measures on the livelihoods of the approximately 2.7 billion rural people who depend on small-scale food production and to propose specific measures to ensure the rural poor participate in – and benefit equitably from – food system transformation. Although the importance of inclusion in food system transformation is gaining traction, including in a recent Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability – Nature Sustainability Expert Panel Report on food system transformation, in this paper we argue that recent research, modelling and discourse on food system transformation is insufficient and that specific actions are needed to ensure that food system transformation does not take place on the backs of the rural poor. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy |
| Date: | 2022–05–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:unadrs:320710&r= |
| By: | Pierre-Marie Aubert (IDDRI - Institut du Développement Durable et des Relations Internationales - Institut d'Études Politiques [IEP] - Paris); Baptiste Gardin (IDDRI - Institut du Développement Durable et des Relations Internationales - Institut d'Études Politiques [IEP] - Paris); Élise Huber (IDDRI - Institut du Développement Durable et des Relations Internationales - Institut d'Études Politiques [IEP] - Paris); Michele Schiavo (IDDRI - Institut du Développement Durable et des Relations Internationales - Institut d'Études Politiques [IEP] - Paris); Christophe Alliot (BASIC - Bureau d'Analyse Sociétale pour une Information Citoyenne - Bureau d’Analyse Sociétale pour une Information Citoyenne) |
| Abstract: | This paper proposes an innovative framework to describe sustainable transitions of food systems while considering simultaneously socio-economic and environmental issues, in a just transition perspective. This framework (i) describes the structural changes needed for a sustainable transition in food systems; (ii) assess their effects on employment at the farm and processing industry level; (iii) detect the political levers needed to make this transition a just one—that is, preserving jobs and livelihoods for communities. Using the decarbonation pathway for the agricultural sector issued from the French National Low-Carbon Strategy as reference, we developed two scenarios for the French dairy sector which have the same level of climate ambitious, but a different approach to reach the target. Aiming exclusively to achieve a greenhouse gases reduction, the first scenario relies only on supply side measures. This scenario has a negative impact in terms of employment loss at the farm level and in the agri-food sector. In contrast, a multifunctional scenario considering simultaneously climate, biodiversity, health, and employment issues, and playing with policy measures targeting supply, demand and market organisation can maintain jobs in the farm and agri-food sector, contributes to restore the agro-biodiversity and develops food products compatible with healthy nutritional guidelines. |
| Keywords: | dairy value chain,decarbonization,agri-food sector,modelling framework,farm jobs,agri-food jobs,French national low-carbon strategy |
| Date: | 2021 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-03653089&r= |
| By: | Walsh, Margaret; Backlund, Peter; Buja, Lawrence; DeGaetano, Arthur; Melnick, Rachel; Prokopy, Linda; Takle, Eugene; Todey, Dennis; Ziska, Lewis |
| Abstract: | The Climate Indicators for Agriculture report presents 20 indicators of climate change, carefully selected across multiple agricultural production types and food system elements in the United States. Together, they represent an overall view of how climate change is influencing U.S. agriculture and food systems. Individually, they provide useful information to support management decisions for a variety of crop and livestock production systems. The report includes multiple categories of indicators, including physical indicators (e.g., temperature, precipitation), crop and livestock (e.g., animal heat stress), biological indicators (e.g., pests), phenological indicators (e.g. seasonality), and socioeconomic indicators (e.g., total factor productivity). |
| Keywords: | Crop Production/Industries, Labor and Human Capital, Livestock Production/Industries, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, Risk and Uncertainty |
| Date: | 2020–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:uerstb:320800&r= |
| By: | Glauben, Thomas; Svanidze, Miranda; Götz, Linde Johanna; Prehn, Sören; Jaghdani, Tinoush Jamali; Djuric, Ivan; Kuhn, Lena |
| Abstract: | The war in Ukraine has aggravated existing tensions on the agricultural commodities market. Since late 2021, prices for commodities such as grains and vegetable oils have reached record highs, surpassing even the levels of the global food price crises of more than a decade ago. Now, the invasion of Russian forces in Ukraine has sent prices soaring even higher. This has above all affected import-dependent countries in the MENA region and sub-Saharan Africa, which rely heavily on Russian and Ukrainian wheat. Disruptions to exports from the Black Sea region and high prices are further destabilizing food security in these regions. However, global demand for wheat is expected to be met in the current marketing year since countries such as Australia, India and the USA will increase exports to fill the gap left by Russia and Ukraine. It is difficult to predict what will happen beyond this marketing year, as this will be determined by the development of the current conflict in addition to agricultural fundamentals in key supply and demand regions. Global food systems and competitive international trade structures, in particular, are key to dealing with crises and mitigating the risks of food shortages. That way, disruptions in some exporting regions can be compensated for by exports from another. However, this requires greater collaboration in international trade. Any calls to move towards a centrally planned economy or autarky are strongly advised against, as this would only be to the detriment of food security in the Global South. |
| Date: | 2022 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:iamopb:44e&r= |
| By: | Cauê Carrilho (USP - Universidade de São Paulo); Gabriela Demarchi (CIFOR - Center for International Forestry Research - CGIAR - Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research [CGIAR], CEE-M - Centre d'Economie de l'Environnement - Montpellier - UM - Université de Montpellier - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement - Institut Agro - Montpellier SupAgro); Amy Duchelle (CIFOR - Center for International Forestry Research - CGIAR - Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research [CGIAR]); Sven Wunder (CIFOR - Center for International Forestry Research - CGIAR - Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research [CGIAR], EFI - European Forest Institute); Carla Morsello (EACH - Escola de Artes Ciências e Humanidades - USP - Universidade de São Paulo) |
| Abstract: | Rigorous impact evaluations of local REDD+ (reduced emissions from deforestation and forest degradation) initiatives have shown some positive outcomes for forests, while wellbeing impacts have been mixed. However, will REDD+ outcomes persist over time after interventions have ended? Using quasi-experimental methods, we investigated the effects of one REDD+ initiative in the Brazilian Amazon on deforestation and people's well-being, including intra-community spillover effects (leakage). We then evaluated to what extent outcomes persisted after the initiative ended (permanence). This initiative combined Payments for Environmental Services (PES) with sustainable livelihood alternatives to reduce smallholder deforestation. Data came from face-to-face surveys with 113 households (treatment: 52; non-participant from treatment communities: 35; control: 46) in a three-datapoint panel design (2010, 2014 and 2019). Results indicate the REDD+ initiative conserved an average of 7.8% to 10.3% of forest cover per household. It also increased the probability of improving enrollees' wellbeing by 27-44%. We found no evidence for significant intra-community leakage. After the initiative ended, forest loss rebounded and perceived wellbeing declined – yet, importantly, past saved forest was not cleared. Our results therefore confirm what the theory and stylized evidence envisioned for temporal payments on activity-reducing (‘set-aside'): forest loss was successfully delayed, but not permanently eradicated. |
| Keywords: | conservation incentives,emission reductions,additionality,climate change mitigation,impact assessment. |
| Date: | 2022–03–21 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:wpaper:hal-03614704&r= |
| By: | Kundu, Amit; Goswami, Pubali |
| Abstract: | The basic objective of this paper is to identify the possible factors which influence the marginal farmer households of West Bengal to go for tenancy contracts. In our study area, the target group is marginal farmer households where the only fixed-rent contract is observed, and all the contracts are verbal. Comparatively big landowners among the marginal farmer households where lack of motivation is observed among the younger generations to pursue agricultural activities for their livelihood and have higher earnings from different non-farm activities influence them to lease out the land. On the contrary, landless or the marginal farmer households owned very small size of land are more eager to take land in a lease for cultivation. The availability of family labour force among these types of households and earnings from alternative sources play an important role during the time of taking such a decision. After applying Heckman’s two-step treatment effect models, it is observed that marginal farmer households who lease out land are economically better off than the marginal farmer households who are not interested in any such tenancy contract. Besides that, it is also observed that farm households even after taking land in the lease are economically worse-off than the farm households who are not interested in any tenancy contract. But most of the marginal farmer households whichever type are living below the poverty line. |
| Keywords: | Agriculture, Tenancy Contract, Marginal farmers, Impact Evaluation, Poverty |
| JEL: | C31 I32 Q15 R23 |
| Date: | 2021–03–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:112874&r= |
| By: | Scott C. Bradford (Brigham Young University); Digvijay Singh Negi (Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research); Bharat Ramaswami (Ashoka University) |
| Abstract: | The global output of food staples is far more stable than most individual nations’ outputs, but does this lead to consumption risk sharing? This paper applies tools from the risk sharing literature to address this question for rice, wheat, and maize, using a multilateral risk sharing model that, unlike the canonical model, accounts for trade costs. While the data show that optimal risk sharing does not occur, the wheat market comes closest to the idealized model. Our analysis also implies that both trade and storage play significant roles in smoothing domestic output shocks. Further, we find that risk sharing tends to rise with a nation’s income. |
| Keywords: | food markets; risk sharing; international trade; supply shocks |
| Date: | 2022–02–21 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ash:wpaper:74&r= |
| By: | Abedullah (Pakistan Institute of Development Economics) |
| Abstract: | Wheat is politically sensitive crop and Government of Pakistan (GoP) heavily intervene in the wheat market by purchasing about 70% of marketable surplus at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). Without realizing that inflation, itself is a culprit of increase in wheat prices, it is argued that fixing high wheat prices as a minimum support price is contributing in surging inflation. The analysis reveal that MSP of wheat has increased less sharply than its cost of production during the last four years—leading to decline the profitability of wheat growers overtime. Hence, wheat farmers are the victims of inflation. Comparison further demonstrate that profitability of other crops (Rice, Maize and Cotton) has increased overtime—implying that inflation has benefited the growers of these crops. Because input-output prices adjust through market mechanism which automatically account for inflationary effect while it is not in case of wheat. |
| Keywords: | Fixing, Minimum Support Price, Wheat, Inflation, |
| Date: | 2022 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pid:kbrief:2022:65&r= |
| By: | Jean Christophe Bureau (National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment); Jesús Antón (OECD) |
| Abstract: | Increased productivity and sustainability of the agricultural sector are core policy objectives in OECD and non-OECD countries. This Guide provides an overview of the current state of the art in measuring sustainable productivity of the agricultural sector and analysing sources of growth in a reliable and comparable manner across countries in a way useful for policy makers. It draws on the contributions from members of the OECD Network on Agricultural Total Factor Productivity (TFP) and the Environment that brings together relevant experts from academia and national statistical agencies. Its insights will be key for designing policies necessary to meet the triple challenge of feeding a growing world population and providing incomes to food system actors whilst ensuring environmental sustainability.The Guide presents recommendations in two areas. First, on how to improve the traditional calculation of TFP based on market prices inputs and outputs, proposing harmonised methods on capital measurement, land pricing, output aggregation and quality adjustment. Second, on how to account for environmental outcomes, considering a reduction in pollution or emissions as a productivity gain, but the increased use of natural capital as a productivity loss. A main challenge is the estimation of “shadow prices” for non-market inputs and outputs. It is recommended to pursue several complementary avenues: investing in improving TFP methodologies and data; continuing investigating its expansion to include environmental outcomes; and mapping traditional TFP with other indicators of agri-environmental performance. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural productivity, Economic growth, Environmental sustainability |
| JEL: | O11 O13 O41 O47 |
| Date: | 2022–05–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:agraaa:177-en&r= |
| By: | Enrico Botta; Matthew Griffiths; Takayoshi Kato |
| Abstract: | The “energy, water and land use nexus” approach has been attracting attention of policy makers, development practitioners and academia in Central Asia as a tool to facilitate regional and cross-sectoral co-operation for climate action and resource security. However, further work is still needed to better understand economic and non-economic benefits of the nexus approach, and integrate it into policy processes in the countries. Based on desk research and consultations with stakeholders in Central Asia, this paper aims to highlight several possible action points for promoting the energy-water-land use nexus approach in the face of a changing climate in the region. |
| Keywords: | energy, land use, water |
| JEL: | Q01 Q15 R11 |
| Date: | 2022–05–27 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:envddd:2022/01-en&r= |
| By: | Daisy Recchia (UMR MoISA - Montpellier Interdisciplinary center on Sustainable Agri-food systems (Social and nutritional sciences) - Cirad - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement - IRD - Institut de Recherche pour le Développement - CIHEAM-IAMM - Centre International de Hautes Etudes Agronomiques Méditerranéennes - Institut Agronomique Méditerranéen de Montpellier - CIHEAM - Centre International de Hautes Études Agronomiques Méditerranéennes - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement - Institut Agro - Montpellier SupAgro); Pascaline Rollet (UMR MoISA - Montpellier Interdisciplinary center on Sustainable Agri-food systems (Social and nutritional sciences) - Cirad - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement - IRD - Institut de Recherche pour le Développement - CIHEAM-IAMM - Centre International de Hautes Etudes Agronomiques Méditerranéennes - Institut Agronomique Méditerranéen de Montpellier - CIHEAM - Centre International de Hautes Études Agronomiques Méditerranéennes - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement - Institut Agro - Montpellier SupAgro); Marlène Perignon (UMR MoISA - Montpellier Interdisciplinary center on Sustainable Agri-food systems (Social and nutritional sciences) - Cirad - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement - IRD - Institut de Recherche pour le Développement - CIHEAM-IAMM - Centre International de Hautes Etudes Agronomiques Méditerranéennes - Institut Agronomique Méditerranéen de Montpellier - CIHEAM - Centre International de Hautes Études Agronomiques Méditerranéennes - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement - Institut Agro - Montpellier SupAgro); Nicolas Bricas (UMR MoISA - Montpellier Interdisciplinary center on Sustainable Agri-food systems (Social and nutritional sciences) - Cirad - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement - IRD - Institut de Recherche pour le Développement - CIHEAM-IAMM - Centre International de Hautes Etudes Agronomiques Méditerranéennes - Institut Agronomique Méditerranéen de Montpellier - CIHEAM - Centre International de Hautes Études Agronomiques Méditerranéennes - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement - Institut Agro - Montpellier SupAgro, Cirad-ES - Département Environnements et Sociétés - Cirad - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement); Simon Vonthron (UMR Innovation - Innovation et Développement dans l'Agriculture et l'Alimentation - Cirad - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement - Institut Agro - Montpellier SupAgro); Coline Perrin (UMR Innovation - Innovation et Développement dans l'Agriculture et l'Alimentation - Cirad - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement - Institut Agro - Montpellier SupAgro); Caroline Méjean (UMR MoISA - Montpellier Interdisciplinary center on Sustainable Agri-food systems (Social and nutritional sciences) - Cirad - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement - IRD - Institut de Recherche pour le Développement - CIHEAM-IAMM - Centre International de Hautes Etudes Agronomiques Méditerranéennes - Institut Agronomique Méditerranéen de Montpellier - CIHEAM - Centre International de Hautes Études Agronomiques Méditerranéennes - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement - Institut Agro - Montpellier SupAgro) |
| Abstract: | Background: To limit the spread of COVID-19, a strict lockdown was imposed in France between March and May 2020. Mobility limitations and closure of non-essential public places (restaurants, open-air markets, etc.) affected peoples' food environment (FE) and thus their food purchasing practices (FPPs). This study aimed to explore changes in FPPs of French households during lockdown and associations with individual and environmental factors. Methods: In April of 2020 households from the Mont'Panier cross-sectional study ( n = 306), a quota sampling survey conducted in the south of France, were asked to complete an online questionnaire about their FPPs during lockdown and related factors, including perceived FE (distance to closest general food store, perception of increased food prices, etc.). Objective FE (presence, number, proximity, and density of food outlets) was assessed around participant's home using a geographical information system. Multiple correspondence analysis based on changes in frequency of use and quantity of food purchased by food outlet, followed by a hierarchical cluster analysis, resulted in the identification of clusters. Logistic regression models were performed to assess associations between identified clusters and household's sociodemographic characteristics, perceived, and objective FE. Results: Five clusters were identified. Cluster "Supermarket" (38% of the total sample), in which households reduced frequency of trips, but increased quantity bought in supermarkets during lockdown, was associated with lower incomes and the perception of increased food prices. Cluster "E-supermarket" (12%), in which households increased online food shopping with pickup at supermarket, was associated with higher incomes. Cluster "Diversified" (22%), made up of households who reduced frequency of trips to diverse food outlet types, was associated with the perception of increased food prices. Cluster "Organic Food Store" (20%), in which households did not change frequency of trips, nor quantity purchased in organic food stores, was associated with being older (35–50 y vs. <35 y). Finally, cluster "Producer" (8%), which includes households who regularly purchased food from producers, but mostly reduced these purchases during lockdown, was associated with the presence of an organic food store within a 1-km walking distance around home. Conclusion: This study highlighted diverse changes in FPPs during lockdown and overall more significant associations with perceived than with objective FE indicators. |
| Keywords: | COVID-19 lockdown,food purchasing behaviors,grocery shopping,food outlets,food environment,France |
| Date: | 2022–03–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-03638229&r= |
| By: | Eduard van der Merwe; Matthew Clance; Eleni Yitbarek |
| Abstract: | The detrimental effect of climate change on health is becoming an essential topic of economic research and policymaking. The negative impact of rising temperatures and extreme weather events on children’s health outcomes and their human capital is especially concerning. This study investigates the effects of a changing climate, in terms of changes in the monthly maximum average near-surface temperature (◦C) and total monthly precipitation (mm), on children’s nutritional status in Nigeria using LSMS-ISA survey data combined with high-resolution gridded climate data. Malnutrition in children is measured in the form of stunting, underweight and wasting. Our results indicate that the changing climate is correlated with a higher probability that Nigeria’s children are malnourished - even more so in rural areas. The paper’s findings support the notion of the need for climate-friendly policies to mitigate the long-term effect of climate change on malnourishment; otherwise, climate change could reverse years of progress in lowering children’s malnutrition. |
| Keywords: | climate change, malnutrition, stunting, underweight, spatial analysis |
| JEL: | Q54 I12 I15 |
| Date: | 2022–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rza:wpaper:871&r= |
| By: | Nazam Maqbool (Pakistan Institute of Development Economics) |
| Abstract: | Water scarcity is a frightening situation that is already happening in Pakistan. The country ranks 14 among the 17 ‘extremely high water risk’ countries of the world, a list that includes hot and dry countries like Saudi Arabia.[2] Over 80 percent of the total population in the country faces ‘severe water scarcity’ for at least one month of the year.[3] In addition to surface water, Pakistan’s groundwater resources—the last resort of water supply—are severely overdrawn, mainly to supply water for irrigation. If the situation remains unchanged, the whole country may face ‘water scarcity’ by 2025. The situation is strategically more complicated, as Pakistan is the lower riparian country to India and 78 percent of its water inflows from therein.[4] Moreover, only two-thirds of available water is being utilised while one-third of the water is either lost or discharged into the sea.[5] |
| Keywords: | Water Crisis, Pakistan, Manifestation, |
| Date: | 2022 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pid:kbrief:2022:60&r= |
| By: | Kedia, Gaurav Kumar; Garg, Amit; Mishra, Pradeep Kumar; Krishna, Nishant; Mishra, Aprajita |
| Abstract: | The cow#, in the Indian context, has been the backbone of our agricultural economy since the early age of human civilization. Our agriculture-based economy thrived alongside cow welfare; thanks to a bounty of natural gifts such as dairy products, manure, crops, vegetables, fruits, and medicinal and natural products derived from cow dung and urine. Mahatma Gandhi even talked about the importance of cow by saying “Mother cow is in many ways better than the mother who gave us birth”. Unfortunately, due to several economic constraints, cow owners are bound to leave the non-milching cows when they become non-productive. Such stray cattle are forced to survive on the garbage and suffer from fatal health problems. The recent ban on illegal slaughterhouses by the government (although rightly so), while beneficial for the cattle, has further complicated the situation. These stray cattle cause crop damage in villages and become victims of several injuries and casualties via accidents. There are already five million stray cattle officially on the streets of India, and with the ban on slaughterhouses, the numbers are only going to go further up. This is an alarming stage to analyse and tackle this problem in a systematic manner. In order to conquer this problem, it has been observed that Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based model incorporation can provide a solution by integrating stray cows in a circular economy. Donors could provide support to cows through a sustainable AI-based business model that is created in this paper. It provides donors to track their donations in real-time while also caring for cows (Gau Seva). Economical optimization of stray cow by-products: cow dung derivatives like cakes, compost, briquettes, incense sticks, etc., and cow dung as such along with urine can be sold to the biogas/bio fertiliser generation plants for further economic benefits. The real-world application of the model also demonstrates how a community biogas plant can help sustainable energy transitions for our villages and even the cities to become self-reliant and lower their dependency on LPG, which can save millions of dollars per year for the government through lower oil imports for LPG generation. In the long run, the proposed model relies more on internal revenue generation and phasing out the donation part to enable the GAU-based sustainability model for an economy. |
| Date: | 2022–05–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iim:iimawp:14675&r= |
| By: | Bharat Ramaswami (Ashoka University); Milind Murugkar (Pragati Abhiyan, Nashik); N. Lalitha (Gujarat Institute of Development Research); Carl E. Pray (Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics, Rutgers University) |
| Abstract: | Previous work has concluded that farmers (in developing countries) have limited voice in influencing agricultural research. However, in electoral democracies, farmers are not without political influence. The tension between these understandings is examined here by investigating the salience of farmers in the political economy of GM crop approvals in India. The paper assembles a unique data set that consists of media reports about GM crops in English, Gujarati and Marathi for the period 2010 to 2013. The media reports are coded for their content and opinion. The idea is that if firms locate themselves to be close to consumer preferences, then observing the product type (media reports) can be informative about consumer preferences. We find that it is urban interests that primarily shape the GM debate even though it has no interest in the pragmatic concerns of farmers. The immediate economic interest of farmers is emphasized more in the rural press which, however, carries limited debate on GM crops. The evidence is consistent with the notion that while farmers may not be important in shaping policy, they have the clout to defeat it. In particular, they are likely to oppose corporate control that affects their material interests. |
| Date: | 2022–02–24 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ash:wpaper:75&r= |
| By: | Shahryar Afra (Cambridge Resources International Inc.); Mikhail Miklyaev (Department of Economics, Queens University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, K7L3N6 and Cambridge Resources International Inc.) |
| Abstract: | Public resources are finite and, as such, should be employed efficiently. There is an opportunity cost in the use of resources in one project over another. Hence, there is a need to ensure that resources are put to their best use, given that the same resources can be allocated to alternative uses. The Water Supply Projects Appraisal Manual (WSPAM) serves to scrutinize proposed water supply projects to ensure that public expenditure in the development of water supply infrastructure in Zimbabwe leads to the achievement of development objectives and socio-economic growth. The WSPAM provides guidance on the methodology and best practices employed in the development and appraisal of water supply projects. |
| Keywords: | Cost Benefit Analysis, Water, Public Investment, Zimbabwe |
| JEL: | D61 I38 L95 O55 Q25 |
| Date: | 2022–04–18 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:qed:dpaper:4590&r= |
| By: | Askenazy, Philippe; Cottineau, Clémentine |
| Abstract: | Despite the growing interest in the firm bargaining process, little research has focused on the structure of bargaining within a multi-establishment firm. This paper explores whether running negotiations at the very decentralized level of the workplaces and/or at a multi-establishment level is an employer's strategic choice to maximise profits, according to the characteristics of the firm. We propose a model where the level chosen for bargaining depends on the geography of the firm. The employer faces a trade-off: workplace level bargaining allows deals that meet local conditions; but a higher level increases the distance between workers and their representatives, weakening their bargaining power. Using a representative survey of French establishments merged with administrative sources, we test this model and find a significant relation between the level of bargaining within a firm and the spatial distribution of its facilities. |
| Keywords: | collective bargaining; decentralization; geography of the firm; multi-establishment firms; wages |
| Date: | 2022–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cpm:docweb:2205&r= |
| By: | Aidah Nanyonjo (Cambridge Resources International Inc.); Mikhail Miklyaev (Department of Economics, Queens University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, K7L3N6 and Cambridge Resources International Inc.) |
| Abstract: | This study is an instructive tool in the preparation and appraisal of Irrigation projects, supplements the Public Investment Management Guidelines (PIM Guidelines) and the Public Investment Management Manual (PIM Manual). It is designed to aid public officials working within the irrigation sector especially those responsible for the planning, appraisal, development, selection, budgeting, and implementation of Irrigation projects. The IPAM provides guidance on the methodology and best practices employed in the appraisal of Irrigation projects. |
| Keywords: | Cost Benefit Analysis, Irrigation, Public Investment, Zimbabwe |
| JEL: | D61 I38 O55 Q25 |
| Date: | 2022–04–18 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:qed:dpaper:4588&r= |
| By: | Jared C. Carbone (Department of Economics and Business, Colorado School of Mines); Sul-Ki Lee (Korean Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade); Yuzhou Shen (Department of Economics and Business, Colorado School of Mines) |
| Abstract: | We construct a quantitative model to simulate the impacts of climate change on U.S. domestic migration patterns. The model consists of an equilibrium framework for modeling counterfactual migration responses and their implications for regional welfare, prices and populations. The model's parameters are estimated using an econometric, locational sorting model, the structural equations of which are a key component of the equilibrium framework. The econometric model is estimated from demographically rich data from the U.S. Census. The parismonious structure of the equilibrium model allows us to incorporate much of this demographic richness in the simulation of the predicted migration flows. |
| Keywords: | climate change, domestic migration, regional economics |
| JEL: | D58 Q54 R13 |
| Date: | 2022–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mns:wpaper:wp202201&r= |
| By: | Anna Valero |
| Abstract: | Many countries have plans for a 'green recovery' from the pandemic. Anna Valero reviews 30 years of CEP research into how environmental and industrial policies can be combined to achieve economic growth that is strong, sustainable and inclusive. |
| Keywords: | Green growth, policy, environment, industry |
| Date: | 2021–10–15 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cep:cepcnp:613&r= |
| By: | Ermias Gebru Weldesenbet |
| Abstract: | We examine whether early-life exposure to rainfall shocks has a long-term impact on health, education, and the socioeconomic statuses of individuals in rural Tanzania, where livelihoods heavily depend on rain-fed agriculture. We use a unique panel of data from a Kagera Health and Development Survey(KHDS) in which children were followed from childhood (1991) to adulthood (2010) together with historical rainfall data. We apply a sibling fixed-effect estimator to overcome potential endogeneity issues. We find that rainfall in birth year affects the education and socioeconomic statuses of children in adulthood. A 15 percent increase in rainfall in one’s birth year and birth village (relative to average village rainfall) leads children to have more years of schooling and live in a household in 2010 that scores 0.19 higher on an asset index. We then explore the relationship between early-life rainfall and childhood nutritional status to identify early-life rainfall’s initial effect. We find that higher birth-year rainfall leads to significant decreases in height and weight deficits in children. A 15 percent increase in rainfall in one’s birth year and birth village (relative to average village rainfall) improves height-for-age z score by 0.20 and weight-for-age z score by 0.26. When taken together, our results point to the importance of early childhood nutrition intervention. Sensitivity checks show that the results are robust to sample selection. |
| Keywords: | rainfall shocks; malnutrition; long-term outcomes; children; Tanzania |
| Date: | 2022–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rza:wpaper:877&r= |