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on Agricultural Economics |
| By: | Ahmed Ouhnini; Larissa Wachholz; Bruno Brasil |
| Abstract: | This policy brief was originally published on T20 India website Supportive policies for tropical agriculture have helped millions of small-scale farmers in Brazil step out of poverty by improving government capacity to design legal frameworks to strengthen agricultural production and family farming. Scientific and technological developments have enabled small-scale Brazilian farmers to produce food while considering local tropical conditions. In contrast, tropical agriculture stakeholders in Africa continue to face structural challenges to productivity levels. The persistent technological gap between tropical nations in Africa and industrialised countries hinders the capacity of local producers to compete with major traditional tropical crop exporters under the current free trade conditions. Although tropical farming has evolved differently in Latin America and Africa, farmers in the two regions face similar challenges, such as insufficient investments in infrastructure, tropical deforestation as a result of economic incentives, and significant rural poverty. In many countries, promoting tropical agriculture is not a priority for governments and public policies, which results in a lack of strategy and structured investments. Brazil and Africa could meet the increase in demand expected for tropical products, such as food and fibres, by 2050. Considering that both the country and the continent are important players in global food production systems, Brazil and Africa both have significant potential to increase their production of tropical products to meet future demand. To achieve this, the sector needs structured investment and strategically aligned policies to lay the ground for a prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable tropical agriculture. This Policy Brief compares the position of both regions within global commodity value chains and investigates additional factors that could explain successes and failures, as well as highlight best practices to promote inclusive markets for tropical farming, define prospects for underexploited new market opportunities, and identify relevant instruments to reach common goals. |
| Date: | 2023–06 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ocp:pbagri:pbnn_30 |
| By: | Elias Danyi Kuusaana |
| Abstract: | Unpacking how climate change exacerbates rather than causes farmer-herder conflicts requires a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of influence. This study seeks to document the circumstances under which climate change influences farmer-herder conflicts, adaptation practices, and peacebuilding approaches towards co-existence. The political ecology analytical approach was used to synthesise the different socio-political and ecological implications of reconciling the socio-cultural narratives with the agroecological factors of farmer- herder conflicts. The study found that climate change influences farmer-herder conflicts through changes in weather, food and water availability, mobility patterns, and the spread of diseases, pushing herders to adapt strategies that set the pace for farmer-herder conflicts. These adaptations include seasonal migration across complementary ecological zones along the frontiers of farmlands and grazing at night that tends to vandalise farms. The results build on the ongoing argument that climate change would rather exacerbate pre-existing tensions than being a direct cause of climate change. Both Fulani herders and farmers expressed willingness to coexist as they employed varied peacebuilding mechanisms to settle disputes. The above findings have implications for the ongoing national policy dialogue on reducing farmer-herder conflicts in Ghana as they inform discussions on socially acceptable ways of addressing them. |
| Keywords: | Climate Change; farmer-herder conflict; Ghana; Land; resource conflicts |
| JEL: | R3 |
| Date: | 2024–01–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:afr:wpaper:afres2024-008 |
| By: | Lin, Faqin; Li, Xuecao; Jia, Ningyuan; Feng, Fan; Huang, Hai; Huang, Jianxi; Fan, Shenggen; Ciais, Philippe; Song, Xiao Peng |
| Abstract: | Ukraine and Russia are two important grain producers and exporters in the world, accounting for 12% and 17% of the world's wheat exports, respectively. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine may greatly impact Ukraine's wheat production and export as well as Russia's wheat export. Satellite observations have showed signs of wheat production reduction in Ukraine in the season 2021–2022. Considering the uncertainty of the conflict duration, we have designed three scenarios (i.e., slight, medium, and severe) depending on how the war would significantly impact the wheat harvest and trade disruption. From analysis of potential impacts of the conflict on global wheat market under the general equilibrium trade model, we have found that the conflict would lead to a trade drop (60%), soaring wheat prices (50%), and severe food insecurity with decreased purchasing power for wheat (above 30%) in the most severe scenario, especially for countries that heavily rely on wheat imports from Ukraine, such as Egypt, Turkey, Mongolia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. Considering the role of Russia and Ukraine in agricultural input sectors including oil, natural gas, and fertilizers, especially Russia, the trade blockade caused by the conflict will give rise to price increase by 10%–30% and welfare decline by 15–25% for most affected countries. The conflict would put as many as 1.7 billion people in hunger and 276 million people in severe food insecurity. Food shortages, energy shortages and inflation have spread to many countries like dominoes which have fallen into trouble one after another with social unrest day after day. Our analysis also shows that countries including the United States, China, India, Canada, Australia, France, Argentina, and Germany would increase their wheat production and exports for the reconstruction of the global wheat supply pattern. The modeled results indicate that the conflict-induced global wheat crisis and food insecurity can be notably alleviated if these countries increase their production by 2%–3% in 2022–2023 and unnecessary trade restrictions are exempted. |
| Keywords: | general equilibrium trade model; global food security; quantification; Russia-Ukraine conflict; wheat crisis |
| JEL: | Q18 |
| Date: | 2023–03–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ehl:lserod:117700 |
| By: | Bateman, Ian J.; Binner, Amy; Addicott, Ethan T.; Balmford, Ben; Cho, Frankie H.T.; Daily, Gretchen C.; De-Gol, Anthony; Eisenbarth, Sabrina; Faccioli, Michela; Ferguson-Gow, Henry; Ferrini, Silvia; Fezzi, Carlo; Gannon, Kate; Groom, Ben; Harper, Anna B.; Harwood, Amii; Hillier, Jon; Hulme, Mark F.; Lee, Christopher F.; Liuzzo, Lorena; Lovett, Andrew; Mancini, Mattia C.; Matthews, Robert; Morison, James I.L.; Owen, Nathan; Pearson, Richard G.; Polasky, Stephen; Siriwardena, Gavin; Smith, Pete; Snowdon, Pat Pat; Tippett, Peter; Vetter, Sylvia H.; Vinjili, Shailaja; Vossler, Christian A.; Watson, Robert T.; Williamson, Daniel; Day, Brett H. |
| Abstract: | Land use change is crucial to addressing the existential threats of climate change and biodiversity loss while enhancing food security [M. Zurek et al., Science376, 1416-1421 (2022)]. The interconnected and spatially varying nature of the impacts of land use change means that these challenges must be addressed simultaneously [H.-O. Pörtner et al., Science380, eabl4881 (2023)]. However, governments commonly focus on single issues, incentivizing land use change via "Flat-Rate" subsidies offering constant per hectare payments, uptake of which is determined by the economic circumstances of landowners rather than the integrated environmental outcomes that will be delivered [G. Q. Bull et al., Forest Policy Econ.9, 13-31 (2006)]. Here, we compare Flat-Rate subsidies to two alternatives: "Land Use Scenario" allocation of subsidies through consultation across stakeholders and interested parties; and a "Natural Capital" approach which targets subsidies according to expected ecosystem service response. This comparison is achieved by developing a comprehensive decision support system, integrating new and existing natural, physical, and economic science models to quantify environmental, agricultural, and economic outcomes. Applying this system to the United Kingdom's net zero commitment to increase carbon storage via afforestation, we show that the three approaches result in significantly different outcomes in terms of where planting occurs, their environmental consequences, and economic costs and benefits. The Flat-Rate approach actually increases net carbon emissions while Land Use Scenario allocation yields poor economic outcomes. The Natural Capital targeted approach outperforms both alternatives, providing the highest possible social values while satisfying net zero commitments. |
| Keywords: | biodiversity; climate change; decision-making; land use; natural capital |
| JEL: | R14 J01 |
| Date: | 2024–12–03 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ehl:lserod:126171 |
| By: | Christopher Mulenga; Moses Phiri |
| Abstract: | Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have been instrumental in implementing many donor-funded land projects in Zambia due to their vast experience in interacting with the communities. Participatory land use planning (PLUP) is one of the key elements to achieving sustainable development in a country. Zambia is endowed with abundant natural resources that include forests. However, the rate at which these are being depleted is a source of concern for both the government and the private sector. The eastern province of Zambia has received a lot of interest from both the cooperating partners and the government in implementing participatory land use planning with a particular focus on integrating social biodiversity impact assessment (SBIA). It is in this vein that Petauke District Land Alliance, Chipata District Land Alliance and Nyimba Land Alliance as part of the consortium were hired by Zambia Integrated Forest Landscape Project, a government project funded by World Bank managed to support 22 wards spanning across nine districts in Eastern province to develop Participatory Land Use plans covering a total of over 90, 000 hectares of land dotted in four districts implemented in twelve months from February 2021 to February 2022. The assignment was to support/facilitate planning and implementation of integrated land use and resource management that meet the climate resilience/mitigation and livelihoods objectives of rural households in the Eastern Province. This resonates with last year’s COP28 meeting in Dubai, United Arab Emirates where world leaders met to seek for means and ways of combating the effects of climate change. In order to achieve this geo spatial tools such as open data kit incorporating geo ODK, garmin glos, QGIS and GPS have been extensively used in the implementation of participatory land use planning in eight districts of eastern province of Zambia. These geo spatial technologies have eased the work of the implementing team as they cover long distances to capture either line or polygon data in 22 wards spanning across the eight districts. The wards and districts were carefully chosen as they represent different landscapes and cultural diversities. Some are patrilineal whilst others are matrilineal. PLUP has been undertaken both on customary and statutory lands, though the former is more prevalent. The PLUP implementation in Eastern Province is aimed at reducing deforestation and land degradation in the rural communities where unsustainable agricultural practices and indiscriminate cutting down of trees for charcoal production is rife. In order to effectively counter unsustainable agricultural practices climate smart agricultural (CSA) practices were carried out in each ward by mapping agricultural parcels of land through the use of low-cost geo spatial data collection tools. This was meant to assist in meeting ZIFLP’s goal of investing in low carbon development initiatives that include district level integrated land use planning (IDP), participatory community land use planning, sustainable forest management, climate smart agriculture (CSA) and value chain development. This paper seeks to explore how CSOs have been instrumental in the implementation of participatory land use planning that integrates the social biodiversity impact assessment. |
| Keywords: | Climate Change; CSA; Geo spatial tools; PLUP; SBIA |
| JEL: | R3 |
| Date: | 2024–01–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:afr:wpaper:2024-004 |
| By: | Spillane, Charles; Chekol, Dawit Alemayehu; Hoang, Ky; Plazas, Carlos Andrés Rodríguez; Ssekandi, Shamilah Nassozi; Tessema, Yared Mesfin; Varley, Ciara; McLaughlin, Isabel; Mashizha, Tinashe; Lorente, Anna |
| Abstract: | The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is preparing a new IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities, which will address issues of climate mitigation, adaptation and just transitions in cities and urban systems. In this context, accelerating the sustainable transitions of the diets and food systems of cities is critical to ensuring that the planet remains within key planetary boundaries, including the 1.5 C limit for global warming. The EU/IFAD EcoFoodSystems project [https://ecofoodsystems.org/] is focused on research to enable food systems transitions in city regions that can deliver diets that are more sustainable, healthy and affordable. The EcoFoodSystems project is working with stakeholders in Vietnam (Hanoi), Ethiopia (Addis Ababa) and Colombia (Cali) to conduct research to enable accelerated transitions towards more sustainable, healthy and affordable diets. To contribute to the process for developing the new IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities, the EU/IFAD funded EcoFoodSystems project provides the following initial guidance and inputs to the scoping process for the IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities. |
| Date: | 2024–06–30 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:osfxxx:hqgu8 |
| By: | Varley, Ciara; Lorente, Anna; Novak, Inna; Hoang, Ky; Tho, Pham; Ha, Nguyen; Tessema, Yared Mesfin; Ssekandi, Shamilah Nassozi; Chekol, Dawit Alemayehu; Plazas, Carlos Andrés Rodríguez |
| Abstract: | The transition of city region diets to diets that are more sustainable, healthy and affordable is critically important for environmental, health and food security outcomes. The EcoFoodSystems project aims to work with city-regional stakeholders to identify key needs and priorities for dietary transitions in Hanoi city region that can be enabled by research and innovation. To identify the research needs and priorities of Hanoi city region food systems stakeholders, an EcoFoodSystems Project Research Prioritisation Workshop was held on 24th January 2024 in Hanoi, Vietnam. The workshop introduced food systems stakeholders in the Hanoi city region to the EcoFoodSystems research project and to enable stakeholders to co-create and prioritise research and innovation activities that could be advanced by EcoFoodSystems research project. The EcoFoodSystems workshop brought together sixty participants from diverse sectors and stakeholder organisations, including Government Ministries, UN Agencies, private sector companies, farmer cooperatives, university and research institutes, national and international NGOs and civil society. The workshop attendees shared their expertise in areas spanning nutrition, food systems, policy, consumer safety, climate resilience and urban and peri-urban development. Participants worked together in groups to identify and prioritise research topics and tools for decision-making that should be developed to enable transitions towards diets in Hanoi city region that are more sustainable, healthier and affordable. The workshop had opening speeches from representatives of the EU Delegation to Vietnam, the Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences (VAAS), Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the National Institute of Nutrition (Vietnam) and representatives of the EcoFoodSystems project from University of Galway, Rikolto and the Alliance of Bioversity – CIAT. The workshop highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral research collaboration for food systems transformation for sustainability, health and affordability outcomes. This EcoFoodSystems workshop report identifies the key research priorities generated by stakeholders during the workshop. |
| Date: | 2024–12–17 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:osfxxx:n86mg |
| By: | Eleftherios Giovanis (Izmir Bakircay University); Öznur Özdamar (Izmir Bakircay University) |
| Abstract: | The relationship between climate change and violent conflict has been the focus of rigorous scholarly and policy discourse in recent decades. The adverse economic conditions can be a significant conduit that connects the two phenomena. We aim to explore the impact of economic growth and food production indices on conflict. Specifically, the objective is to link the causal path of climatic conditions to economic and food production outcomes and armed conflict. We apply Probit and Instrumental Variable (IV) Probit regressions using a panel of 16 countries in the MENA region, including Iraq and Turkey. We employ weather conditions as instruments for the economic and food production indices. Moreover, we use country dyadic data to examine the impact of shared river basins on conflict. For the incidence of armed conflict, we use the UCDP/PRIO Armed Conflict Dataset in 1960-2022, and for the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), food production indices and climatic conditions, we use data from the World Development Indicators. The findings show that international aid, GDP, and food production indices negatively affect the incidence of conflict, while natural resource rents increase the likelihood of conflict. Regarding the river-shared basins, we find that when the rivers cross the borders, and if two or more countries share a river basin, then the incidence of conflict increases. Future research should further explore the interaction between climatic change and conflict and whether is conditioned by economic, social, political, and demographic factors to understand how they contribute to conflict. |
| Date: | 2024–09–20 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:erg:wpaper:1725 |
| By: | Shakeel, Jovera; Attique, Iman; Nadir, Munazza |
| Abstract: | According to the Ministry of Finance, more than 40 percent of Pakistan’s GDP is attributed to the informal sector. Nearly 75 percent of Pakistan’s working-age population is employed in the informal sector, according to the Labour Force Survey (2020-2021). The widespread persistence of the informal sector has several manifestations in the country’s agricultural economy. This study analyses the impact of the informal economy on agricultural productivity in Pakistan by applying Stochastic Frontier and Principal Component Analysis models using the Pakistan Standards of Living Measurement (PSLM) farm-level data collected in 2014, 2016, and 2019. It is the first regionally and nationally representative study of the informal economy’s impact on agricultural indicators using the country’s largest dataset. These findings show, as prior literature has suggested, that farms utilizing formal economic relations, including better working employment contracts, more access to proper credit resources, and better irrigation systems, produce higher yields than farms that operate within informal structures. In addition, crop diversification and resource allocation were found to be significant in raising the efficiency of agriculture. But there is also a geographical dimension to productivity - some of the agro-climatic regions are lagging consistently implying a case for focused attention. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural Productivity, Farm Efficiency, Cropping Patterns, Agro-climatic Zones, Crop Diversification, Informal Economy, Stochastic Frontier Analysis, Resource Allocation |
| JEL: | C13 Q10 Q12 Q15 |
| Date: | 2024–09–16 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:122828 |
| By: | Hans R.A. Koster (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam); Saeed Tajrishy (Sharif University of Technology); Jos van Ommeren (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam); Mohammad Vesal (Sharif University of Technology) |
| Abstract: | We examine the economic effects of agricultural dams for Iran. To estimate the benefits of having a larger dam, we introduce a novel triple difference identification strategy using information on rainfed and irrigated land. The benefits for landowners and agricultural workers are captured by a range of measures (e.g. land rent, profit, agricultural output, wages). We demonstrate that increasing water volume of dams that are upstream creates substantial benefits for landowners, but not for agricultural workers. About half of agricultural dams are profitable. There are substantial economies of scale in volume of dams, but as the benefits of volume are more strongly diminishing, so benefit to cost ratios is smaller for larger dams. |
| Date: | 2024–08–20 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:erg:wpaper:1719 |
| By: | Priscilla Donkoh; Gad Asorwoe Akwensivie |
| Abstract: | The challenges faced by women in acquiring land and accessing credit in Africa is now well documented. In many parts of rural Ghana, women continue to face peculiar challenges in their quest to access land not only for agriculture, but also for development and to formal sources of credit. This problem is partly due to the fact that in most developing economies like Ghana, land tends to be held largely by men or kingship groups controlled by men. In many places even today, women can only access land through a male relation usually the father or their male sons. In other places, a woman’s access to land and land use rights can also be decided by marriage arrangements of a particular community. Examples include through marrying a man from the land-owning clan which then gives her some restricted access or right to use of the land. This limited access to land may be curtailed with the breakdown of the marriage relationship. Like in many other places across the world, most banks and financial institutions tend to provide loans and credit to applicants who can provide some form of ownership to property mainly land. The Specific Objectives of the work therefore are as follows: Provide an explanation of the relationship between women, land ownership and their access to credit, Explain the extent to which land is used as collateral for credit in rural Ghana, Explain the requirements for accessing bank loans by women in rural Ghana and Make recommendations to improve access to credit by women in rural Ghana. Overall, the findings and results show that women in rural Ghana continue to face discriminatory practices in their effort to secure bank loans and facilities for their farming activities and trading businesses and that the formation of cooperative represent the best and surest way for women groups to access loans as it provides the banks and financial institutions some form of security. There is need for education of women to understand the benefits of joining cooperatives. There is also a need for the GCB Bank the most decentralised commercial bank in Ghana to create satellite offices to send their services even closer to the communities remote from the district capitals where bank branches exit. |
| Keywords: | Access to land; Credit; land use rights; rural Ghana |
| JEL: | R3 |
| Date: | 2024–01–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:afr:wpaper:2024-013 |
| By: | Dagher, Leila; Farajalla, Nadim; Jabbour, Hiba; Zreik, Mohamad |
| Abstract: | Decades of political tension and conflict have led to mass displacement in the Levant, placing immense pressure on the region’s limited resources. Climate change acts as a risk multiplier, intensifying vulnerabilities through more frequent extreme events that reduce water availability and make agricultural production less predictable. The resulting competition for dwindling resources fuels tensions, exacerbating the region’s security challenges. As climate impacts worsen, conflicts over resources are expected to escalate, perpetuating a cycle of displacement that threatens regional and global stability. Addressing governance failures and enhancing climate resilience through coordinated efforts is crucial to reducing the Levant’s vulnerability and mitigating prolonged crises. |
| Keywords: | Levant; climate change; refugees; conflict; displacement |
| JEL: | Q01 Q56 |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:122861 |
| By: | Federico Revelli; Tsung-Sheng Tsai |
| Abstract: | We study the impact of climate change on migration by developing a real options model that rigorously formalizes the trade-off between migrating early and procrastinating to learn more about the government’s implementation of an adaptation policy that can effectively moderate the consequences of climate change. The model delivers an unambiguous guide to estimation of the impact of climate change on the occurrence of natural disasters and of the latter on migration decisions within a structural empirical model where the distinct mediation roles of the option value of waiting components (migration cost, home income, quality of government) are specified in a principled way. Evidence from panel data on international bilateral migration flows supports the main predictions of the theory and points to the key mediating role of government. |
| Keywords: | option value of waiting, climate change adaptation, international migration |
| JEL: | C33 H31 O15 Q54 |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:ceswps:_11493 |
| By: | Rila, R.; Mithursan, A.; Samaranayake, D.I.J. |
| Abstract: | The study makes an effort to experiment the effectiveness of green nudges in promoting water conservation and fostering a sustainability mindset in an educational setting. The objective of the study is to explore the potential for fostering a sustainability mindset at the school level by using green nudges to encourage environmentally conscious water conservation behaviors. The methodological application was a field experiment with a post-intervention quantitative analysis, strategically placed visual prompts (stickers) were used to encourage water-saving behavior among students, teachers, and staff. The results show a significant reduction in water wastage, highlighting the impact of green nudges. Regression analysis indicates that responsiveness to green nudges and knowledge of environmental issues are significant predictors of water conservation behavior. The study concludes that tailored, strategically placed nudges can effectively promote sustainable behaviors in schools. These findings offer valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and sustainability practitioners, emphasizing the importance of integrating sustainability education to maintain long-term behavioral changes. |
| Keywords: | Behavioral choices, Green-nudges, Sustainability mindset, Water conservation. |
| JEL: | D71 Q01 Q57 Z0 |
| Date: | 2024–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:122767 |
| By: | Guimbeau, Amanda (University of Sherbrooke); Ji, Xinde James (University of Florida); Menon, Nidhiya (Brandeis University) |
| Abstract: | This study investigates the impact of climate change on intimate partner violence in Bangladesh and shows that policy can mitigate much if not all of the harmful consequences of climate shocks on women. Utilizing a novel dataset linking geo-referenced meteorological remote-sensed data with information on women's agency from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Surveys, we find that dry shocks increase tolerance for intimate partner violence among women in poor and agriculture-dependent communities, amplifying existing social and environmental vulnerabilities. Climate resilience projects funded by the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust (BCCT), a domestic climate fund, mitigate the negative impacts of dry shocks, highlighting the important role of such initiatives in generate positive spillover effects in ameliorating the negative social impacts of changing climate. We show that impacts are mitigated as these projects enhance resilience in agriculture by reducing the effects of droughts on acreage and yield in rainfed areas. Our findings underline the role of targeted policy interventions in fostering climate adaptation and wellbeing. |
| Keywords: | climate change, women's agency, intimate partner violence, adaptation, mitigation, resilience, agriculture, Bangladesh |
| JEL: | Q54 J16 O13 |
| Date: | 2024–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17529 |
| By: | Salau Liadi Tunde |
| Abstract: | Developed nations exhibit greater adoption of new land registration technologies than developing countries, marking a shift from traditional methods to tech-driven solutions to address evolving land challenges and leveraging advancements for effective resolutions. This study focuses on assessing the implementation levels of an Electronic Land Titling System (ELTS) in land registration practices within Bauchi State. Objectives include evaluating ELTS components' availability and examining cognitive perceptions (perceived benefits and usefulness) among stakeholders. A quantitative approach is employed, utilising standardised questionnaires to gather data from 300 senior staff (levels 7 and above) at Bauchi State Geographic Information System (BAGIS). Simple random sampling is adopted because it ensures statistical validity. Descriptive statistics, including mean ranking, revealed that the Electronic Land Titling System (ELTS) is highly valued for automating tasks in the land registration process (M=3.69, SD=1.139) and facilitating comprehensive data overlays (ownership, zoning, topography), aiding informed decision-making in land use planning and policy development. The study concluded that adopting Electronic Land Titling Systems represents a shift towards more efficient, transparent, and responsive land administration systems. This study provides insights into the readiness and perceptions surrounding ELTS, highlighting opportunities to enhance land governance and support sustainable development goals. |
| Keywords: | developing nations; Electronic Land Titling System (ELTS); Land registration; technological adoption |
| JEL: | R3 |
| Date: | 2024–01–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:afr:wpaper:afres2024-049 |
| By: | Nonso Izuchukwu Ewurum; Njideka Maryclara Aguome; Tema Nnyaladzi; Fidelis Ifeanyi Emoh |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the integration of value dynamics modeling within Land Administration Domain Models (LADM) to enhance smart and sustainable land administration systems. While LADM has traditionally focused on land registration and cadastral management, the dynamic and multidimensional nature of land parcel values necessitates a more comprehensive approach. Utilising the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology, this study systematically reviews existing literature to evaluate the strengths, limitations, and research gaps in incorporating value dynamics into LADM. The qualitative analysis highlights the potential for a value register to capture and synchronise fluctuating land values, enhancing land taxation, dispute resolution, and land use planning. The integration of value dynamics is posited to optimise LADM, promoting smarter, more sustainable land administration systems. This research provides critical insights for academics, practitioners, and policymakers, advancing the discourse on land administration in Africa and contributing to developing more efficient and transparent land management practices. |
| Keywords: | effective decision-making; LADM interoperability; land administration inefficiencies; Land Value Capture; sustainability |
| JEL: | R3 |
| Date: | 2024–01–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:afr:wpaper:afres2024-036 |
| By: | Schaub, Sergei; Pfaff, Alexander; Bonev, Petyo |
| Abstract: | Paying farmers for measured outcomes – i.e., results, not actions - is promoted for reducing risk and raising flexibility in addressing agriculture’s environmental damages. One key design choice is how exactly to reward those measured results. Continuous rewards are possible yet, in practice, observed species outcomes have been rewarded using a single threshold (compliant/not) or, to move toward continuity, a few thresholds (e.g., low-medium-high). We assess whether more continuous rewards – specifically, multiple target thresholds for plant species - raised bird diversity. We study a pilot scheme in Germany’s Lower Saxony, where an incentive with one threshold is the baseline. Using citizen-science bird data (offering over 6.7m entries across 16 years), we find that the pilot scheme using multiple target thresholds for plant species raised bird diversity versus the single-threshold baseline (same lower threshold, but no further thresholds). Our findings show potential for benefits from even small shifts in incentive designs. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural policy, Policy design, Agri-environmental payments, Results-based payments, Biodiversity, Birds |
| JEL: | Q15 Q18 Q57 |
| Date: | 2025–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:usg:econwp:2025:02 |
| By: | Elias Julio; Depetris-Chauvin Nicolas; Ferro Gustavo; Gatti Nicolás; Villanueva Emiliano |
| Abstract: | Argentina is one of the latecomers as a wine exporter among New World producers. However, its insertion in the international market is steady in volume and improving in relative prices, indicating an increasing appreciation of its quality over time. Quality is essential for differentiating products and is intimately related to innovation. We use a new, unique microdata set of wineries in Argentina to quantitatively characterize the innovators’ approach to innovation. Based on the innovator type in the Argentine wine industry, we link these types with variables capturing critical decisions in the production process and variables capturing the winery's performance. We use innovator profiles defined by a questionnaire to estimate the impact of being an extremely conceptual innovator on export performance. We hypothesize that there are differences in export performance between different types of innovators. Using an Inverse Probability Weighting with Regression Adjustment (IPWRA) methodology, we find that being an extremely conceptual type of innovator is associated with larger shares of export volume and value. This research has implications for focusing on the types of innovators who succeed as international wine exporters. |
| JEL: | L66 O30 |
| Date: | 2024–11 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:aep:anales:4729 |
| By: | Moritz A. Drupp; Zachary M. Turk; Ben Groom; Jonas Heckenhahn |
| Abstract: | While the global economy continues to grow, ecosystem services tend to stagnate or decline. Economic theory has shown how such shifts in relative scarcities can be reflected in project appraisal and accounting, but empirical evidence has been sparse to put theory into practice. To estimate relative price changes in ecosystem services to be used for making such adjustments, we perform a global meta-analysis of contingent valuation studies to derive income elasticities of marginal willingness to pay (WTP) for ecosystem services to proxy the degree of limited substitutability. Based on 735 income-WTP pairs from 396 studies, we find an income elasticity of WTP of around 0.6. Combined with good-specific growth rates, we estimate relative price change of ecosystem services of around 1.7 percent per year. In an application to natural capital valuation of forest ecosystem services by the World Bank, we show that natural capital should be uplifted by around 40 percent. Our assessment of aggregate public natural capital yields a larger value adjustment of between 58 and 97 percent, depending on the discount rate. We discuss implications for policy appraisal and for estimates of natural capital in comprehensive wealth accounts. |
| Keywords: | willingness to pay, ecosystem services, income elasticity, limited substitutability, growth, relative prices, contingent valuation, forests, natural capital |
| JEL: | D61 H43 Q51 Q54 Q58 |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:ceswps:_11500 |
| By: | Callanta, Daphney Shane; Moreno, Frede |
| Abstract: | This study investigates the socioeconomic implications of farm-to-market road infrastructure on rural development in Zamboanga Sibugay Province, Philippines. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, including surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions, the research explores how improved road infrastructure affects agricultural productivity, market access, and household incomes. Theoretical frameworks, including Rational Choice Theory and Development Theory, provide context for understanding the decision-making processes behind infrastructure investments and their impacts on economic growth and poverty reduction. Findings reveal that enhanced road infrastructure significantly boosts agricultural output, facilitates better market access, and increases household incomes. However, challenges such as political patronage and bureaucratic inefficiencies impede project effectiveness. Recommendations include adopting data-driven decision-making, improving project planning and management, and fostering greater community involvement. By developing comprehensive monitoring and evaluation frameworks and ensuring transparency and accountability, stakeholders can optimize infrastructure investments. This research contributes to public administration theory and practice by offering actionable insights for improving rural infrastructure projects and enhancing socio-economic outcomes in the Philippines. |
| Keywords: | Farm-to-Market Roads, Rural Development, Socioeconomic Impact, Infrastructure, Public Administration, Philippines |
| JEL: | H4 H7 O1 O4 Q0 Q1 R0 R4 |
| Date: | 2024–08–31 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:122793 |
| By: | Tamma Carleton; Esther Duflo; Kelsey Jack; Guglielmo Zappalà |
| Abstract: | Mounting costs of anthropogenic climate change reveal that adaptation will be essential to human well-being in coming decades. At the same time, the literature on the economics of adaptation offers relatively little guidance for emerging policy. In this chapter, we review the existing literature, focusing on how it can better inform adaptation policy design and implementation. A simple conceptual model of adaptation decision-making describes two core adaptation channels that we link to two streams of adaptation literature, which have emerged largely in parallel. We outline how insights from these literatures can be used for adaptation policy evaluation, highlight key limitations of and opportunities for public intervention in private adaptation markets, and provide guidance for future work. |
| JEL: | Q5 Q54 Q58 |
| Date: | 2024–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:33264 |
| By: | Veríssimo, Diogo; Blake, Katie; Flint, Hilary Byerly; Doughty, Hunter; Espelosin, Dulce; Gregg, Emily A.; Kubo, Takahiro; Mann-Lang, Judy; Perry, Laura R.; Selinske, Matthew J.; Shreedhar, Ganga; Thomas-Walters, Laura |
| Abstract: | Conservation of biodiversity is above all else an exercise in human persuasion. Human behavior drives all substantive threats to biodiversity; therefore, influencing it is the only path to mitigating the current extinction crisis. We review the literature across three different axes to highlight current evidence on influencing human behavior for conservation. First, we look at behavioral interventions to mitigate different threats, from pollution and climate change to invasive species and human disturbance. Next, we examine interventions focused on different stakeholders, from voters, investors, and environmental managers to consumers, producers, and extractors. Finally, we review delivery channels, ranging from mass and social media to interventions involving changes to the physical environment or carried out in person. We highlight key gaps, including the lack of scale and robust impact evaluation of most interventions, and the need to prioritize behaviors, overcome the reproducibility crisis, and deal with inequality when designing and implementing behavior change interventions. |
| Keywords: | behavioral science; communication; nudge; social marketing; social science; sustainability |
| JEL: | L81 |
| Date: | 2024–10–31 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ehl:lserod:126106 |
| By: | Martinez, Jaycee Rick; Moreno, Frede |
| Abstract: | This study examines food safety compliance at the Zamboanga Fish Port Complex (ZFPC) in the Philippines, focusing on identifying challenges and proposing effective strategies for improvement. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates quantitative surveys, qualitative interviews, and focus group discussions with key stakeholders, including port operators, fish traders, and regulatory staff. Findings reveal significant issues such as inadequate infrastructure, insufficient training, and inconsistent enforcement of regulations. The study highlights the need for substantial upgrades to cold storage facilities, enhanced training programs, and better stakeholder engagement. By applying New Public Management (NPM) theory, which emphasizes efficiency and accountability, the research proposes actionable recommendations to improve food safety practices. These recommendations aim to address current gaps and strengthen governance structures within the agro-fishery sector. The study’s implications extend beyond ZFPC, offering insights applicable to similar contexts across the Philippines, and providing a framework for policymakers and practitioners to enhance food safety compliance and governance in the agro-fishery sector. |
| Keywords: | Food Safety, Zamboanga Fish Port Complex, Agro-Fishery Sector, Compliance, New Public Management, Infrastructure, Training, Stakeholder Engagement, Regulatory Measures |
| JEL: | L5 L6 O1 Q0 Q1 |
| Date: | 2024–06–09 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:122781 |
| By: | Angela C. Lyons (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign); Josephine Kass-Hanna (IESEG School of Management, Univ. Lille); Deepika Pingali (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign); Aiman Soliman (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign); David Zhu (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign); Yifang Zhang (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign); Alejandro Montoya Castano (Colombian Directorate of Taxes and Customs (DIAN), Bogotá) |
| Abstract: | This study integrates geospatial analysis with machine learning to understand the interplay and spatial dependencies among various indicators of food insecurity. Combining household survey data and novel geospatial data on Syrian refugees in Lebanon, we explore why certain food security measures are effective in specific contexts while others are not. Our findings indicate that geolocational indicators significantly influence food insecurity, often overshadowing traditional factors like household socio-demographics and living conditions. This suggests a shift in focus from labor-intensive socioeconomic surveys to readily accessible geospatial data. The study also highlights the variability of food insecurity across different locations and subpopulations, challenging the effectiveness of individual measures like FCS, HDDS, and rCSI in capturing localized needs. By disaggregating the dimensions of food insecurity and understanding their distribution, humanitarian and development organizations can better tailor strategies, directing resources to areas where refugees face the most severe food challenges. From a policy perspective, our insights call for a refined approach that improves the predictive power of food insecurity models, aiding organizations in efficiently targeting interventions. |
| Date: | 2024–09–20 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:erg:wpaper:1729 |
| By: | Marcelle Chauvet; Claudio Morana; Murilo Silva |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates the linkage between deteriorating extreme weather conditions and anthropogenic GHG emissions and their economic impact on 40 European countries. The analysis employs the European Extreme Events Climate Index (E3CI) and its seven subcomponents, i.e., extreme maximum and minimum temperatures, wind speed, precipitation, droughts, wildÂ…res, and hail. Using an innovative panel regression-based trend-cycle decomposition approach, we Â…nd support for the contribution of human-made GHG emissions to the deterioration of underlying extreme weather conditions and their highly nonlinear pattern. We then conduct a Growth-at-Risk analysis within a quantile panel regression framework to assess the economic implications of our Â…ndings. We show that deteriorating extreme weather conditions, as measured by the E3CI index, negatively impact the entire GDP growth rate distribution. Yet the impact on the downside risk to growth is much more substantial than the upside risk. This result holds for various E3CI components, such as rising extreme maximum temperature, wind speed, drought, and wildÂ…res. |
| Keywords: | climate change, extreme weather events, global warming, GHG emissions, trend-cycle decomposition, Growth-at-Risk, panel quantile regressions, Europe |
| JEL: | C21 C23 Q51 Q54 |
| Date: | 2025–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mib:wpaper:547 |
| By: | Oscar Patrick Mireku; Anita Brakoa Mireku |
| Abstract: | The Land Act 2020 (Act 1036), which seeks to ensure sustainable land administration and management, has introduced statutory restrictions on the transfer of land by spouses in Ghana. This restriction has placed a burden on public land administrators and the general public in scrutinising land transactions in Ghana, particularly what constitutes spousal land transactions, how they are determined, and how they are managed. Unfortunately, not much attention is placed on spousal land transactions in Ghana. This paper, therefore, seeks to examine the statutory restrictions imposed by the Land Act, on spousal land transactions in Ghana and the burden on public land administrators in giving effect to this legislative prescription. Through explorative interviews, the Paper exposes the challenges of land administrators in applying these restrictions in spousal land transactions in Ghana. The Paper concludes by recommending the effective operationalisation of restrictions on spousal land transactions in Ghana. |
| Keywords: | Administration; Land; Marriage; spouse; transaction |
| JEL: | R3 |
| Date: | 2024–01–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:afr:wpaper:afres2024-047 |
| By: | Richard Damania (World Bank); Pasquale Lucio Scandizzo (University of Rome “Tor Vergata”) |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the economic implications of evolving water availability with a twofold objective. Firstly, it provides an overview of the problem of economic modelling of water in a general equilibrium context. To this aim, it presents both a general discussion of key issues and a review of CGE models that have attempted to deal with water as a key economic input and its direct and indirect influence on markets and well-being. Secondly, it addresses a crucial gap in the research work to date, by developing and implementing a global CGE model that incorporates the economic impacts of both precipitation and total water storage (TWS) – an aggregate measure encompassing soil moisture, surface water, and groundwater. By integrating these key variables, alongside a detailed representation of how water enters in the different value chains, the model provides novel suggestions and a better understanding of how water availability influences economic activity across sectors. Simulation results from the model are then used to provide insights into the question of the “cost of inaction”, that is the failure to engage in proactive economic policies under various water-related scenarios, including those driven by climate change. |
| Date: | 2025–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:awm:wpaper:21 |
| By: | Sayan, Ramazan Caner; Bilgen, Arda; Kibaroğlu, Ayşegül |
| Abstract: | Moving beyond the purely material understanding of infrastructures, new perspectives in infrastructural regionalism assert that infrastructures and regions simultaneously shape each other. Drawing on this reciprocal relationship, we introduce the concept of ‘water regionalism’ to examine how regional factors, dynamics, and complexities shape water infrastructures, and how water infrastructures concurrently shape regions. Through qualitative research methodologies, we empirically demonstrate how this concept operates in practice by examining the history of regional planning and hydraulic infrastructure development in Turkey, particularly the process of how the South-eastern Anatolia Project (GAP) and the GAP region have shaped each other since the 1970s. |
| Keywords: | Euphrates and Tigris Basin; GAP; Turkey; water infrastructure; critical infrastructure studies; regionalism |
| JEL: | Q25 |
| Date: | 2024–11–27 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ehl:lserod:126296 |
| By: | Auffhammer, Maximilian; McLaughlin, David W.; Spiller, Beia (Resources for the Future); Sunding, David L.; Frank, Eyal G. |
| Abstract: | Protecting species’ habitats is the main policy tool employed across the globe to reduce biodiversity losses. These protections are hypothesized to conflict with private landowners’ interests. We study the economic consequences of the most extensive and controversial piece of such environmental legislation in US history—the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973. We assemble the most comprehensive data on species conservation efforts, land transactions, and building permits to date. By comparing parcels with identical histories of protections we show that, on average, the ESA shifts transactions from inside to outside of the protected area and leads to a slight appreciation in residential and vacant land values outside of critical habitats. We also show that the federal regulator determines borders for areas with the most stringent protections to avoid large effects on land values, only where it is explicitly allowed to take economic criteria into account. These average findings mask significant heterogeneity at the species and location level, which we document. Furthermore, we find no evidence of the ESA affecting building activity as measured by construction permits. Overall, even taking into account species-level heterogeneity, the number of possibly negatively affected parcels is extremely small. This suggests that the capitalization of the eco-nomic impacts of the ESA through the land market channel are likely minor, despite potential delays to development through permitting, for which we provide suggestive evidence. Our findings do not rule out economically significant impacts in a few highly constrained land markets with ESA protections amplified by local regulatory action. |
| Date: | 2025–01–13 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rff:dpaper:dp-25-01 |
| By: | Joseph Kwaku Kidido |
| Abstract: | Social inclusion in resource governance and enjoyment is critical towards attaining social cohesion, stability and shared prosperity. Thus, leaving no one behind is critical to sustainable development and inclusive growth. This underpins the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The paper examines how land law reforms in Ghana with the passage of the Land Act 2020 (Act, 1036) promote social inclusion in the land market. The study used a descriptive research design and interviewed 69 respondents - land experts and practitioners. The results show that the new land law promotes social inclusion in the land market. All the 14 constructed social inclusion indicators based on certain provisions of the Act were generally critical in promoting inclusiveness. However, six of the indicators – expert representation in compensation assessment, prohibition of discriminatory practices, ensuring transparency and accountability, recognition of user rights and registration, automatic renewal leases for indigenes, a change of a person authorised to make a grant of stool or skin, or family land does not affect previous grants significantly promote inclusiveness in the land market. The law also sets out a compensation payment and sharing framework, protection of spousal property rights, and safeguards in large-scale land disposals, further bolstering inclusivity in the land market. The paper underscores the need for enough public education on the provisions of the law and the enactment of a legislative instrument to guide implementation. |
| Keywords: | Ghana; Land Act; Land Market; legislation; social inclusion |
| JEL: | R3 |
| Date: | 2024–01–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:afr:wpaper:afres2024-016 |
| By: | Moreno, Frede; Sulasula, Josephine |
| Abstract: | This study explores flood risk adaptation strategies and the resilience of riverbank-dwelling families in major urban centers of the Zamboanga Peninsula, Philippines. It examines the challenges these communities face in coping with recurrent flooding and identifies the factors that influence their ability to adapt to flood risks. Geospatial mapping further supported the analysis of flood-prone areas. The findings reveal that while families use a variety of adaptation strategies, including home elevation, temporary relocation, and community-based early warning systems, their effectiveness is constrained by limited resources, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient local governance. Social capital and community networks play a critical role in resilience, but vulnerability remains high due to lack of formal support and resources. The study highlights the importance of inclusive disaster risk management policies, strengthened governance, and the potential of public-private partnerships in enhancing flood resilience. It contributes to the understanding of disaster governance and offers actionable recommendations for improving flood adaptation in vulnerable communities. |
| Keywords: | Flood risk, adaptation strategies, resilience, riverbank-dwelling families, Zamboanga Peninsula, local governance, disaster risk management, social capital, public-private partnerships, community-based adaptation. |
| JEL: | D1 D6 D62 D8 H2 H23 H24 H3 Q5 |
| Date: | 2024–12–20 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:123052 |
| By: | Natal, Arnaud (University of Bordeaux); Nordman, Christophe Jalil (IRD, DIAL, Paris-Dauphine) |
| Abstract: | The relationship between personal debt and cognition has received limited attention, especially, in developing countries. This study focuses on India and examines the relationship between Big Five personality traits, cognitive skills (math, literacy, and Raven scores), and financial decision-making, specifically debt negotiation and debt management, while considering the weight of social identity (i.e., caste and gender). Using a panel dataset built from an original household survey conducted in 2016-17 and 2020-21 in rural Tamil Nadu and employing multivariate correlation probit analysis, we find the following. Firstly, conscientiousness is an advantage in the negotiation and management of debt, particularly for non-Dalit women, suggesting that, in a rural patriarchal context, women leverage personality traits to overcome the constraints of social identity. Secondly, emotional stability is a disadvantage in both debt negotiation and management. Thirdly, the role of cognition and in particular the Raven score is ambiguous (negative correlation with debt negotiation but positive correlation with debt management). Our results suggest that training programmes designed to improve conscientiousness, when integrated into broader macroeconomic policies, could help individuals secure better loan conditions and avoid repayment difficulties. |
| Keywords: | caste, Big Five, personality traits, cognitive skills, gender, social identity |
| JEL: | D14 D91 G51 O1 |
| Date: | 2024–11 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17482 |