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on Development |
| By: | Gelvez, Juan David (University of Maryland) |
| Abstract: | Governments across the Global South widely rely on tough-on-crime policies to control illicit drug production. Advocates argue these policies are necessary to control cartels; detractors claim they undermine human rights and ultimately yield minimal results in reducing drug production. How do these policies affect the government’s support? Who supports harsh crime policies? This paper addresses these puzzles by examining the political benefits of coca eradication in Colombia. I show that despite the electoral cost in coca-growing areas, politicians who rely on harsh eradication policies are more likely to benefit electorally, as their core supporters perceive aerial spraying as an effective strategy to combat drug production. Using a dynamic difference-in-differences design and a nationally representative survey, I show that right-wing politicians benefited politically from its aerial spraying eradication efforts, despite the punishment of voters living in coca-growing regions. |
| Date: | 2024–07–22 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:osfxxx:yn9rz |
| By: | Gelvez, Juan David (University of Maryland); Angulo, Juan Carlos |
| Abstract: | What drives public support for drug policies? This paper studies public opinion on the forced eradication of illicit coca crops in Colombia, focusing on the influence of social mobilization and racial identity. We conducted a nationally representative vignette experiment to gauge citizens’ support for eradicating illicit crops using aerial spraying. Our findings reveal three main patterns: i) Community protests against forced eradication significantly shape support for such measures, regardless of voters’ political affiliation and demographic characteristics. ii) Support for forced eradication is highly partisan, with less backing among left-wing supporters. iii) Gender notably influences attitudes towards forced eradication policies, with women displaying greater resistance. These findings underscore the importance of demographic and political factors, considering both those directly affected by eradication and those forming opinions about it, in shaping public opinion on drug policy. We discuss the policy implications and suggest directions for future research. |
| Date: | 2024–07–23 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:osfxxx:6ys2g |
| By: | Wolfgang Maennig (Chair for Economic Policy, University of Hamburg); Leo Doerr (Chair for Economic Policy, University of Hamburg) |
| Abstract: | This paper provides new evidence on the globalization‒poverty nexus. We innovate by using an indicator of globalization in the food sector, finding evidence of a significantly aggravating impact on poverty prev-alence, adding to earlier studies that use indicators of general globalization. The opening of food markets since the mid-1990s in Latin America might have accounted for approximately 2 additional percentage points of the population living below the absolute poverty line of $2 a day in our sample. |
| Date: | 2024–08–19 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hce:wpaper:078 |
| By: | Regassa, Mekdim D.; Esenaliev, Damir; Tzvetkova, Milena; Baliki, Ghassan; Schreiner, Monika; Stojetz, Wolfgang; Brück, Tilman |
| Abstract: | We study the impact of exposure to COVID-19 on food security and diet diversity in four African countries (Uganda, Tanzania, Sierra Leone and Mozambique), using phone-based survey data collected throughout 2021. We find that in 2021, one in two households faced moderate-to-severe food insecurity and one in three households had borderline to poor diet diversity score. Food insecurity and poor diet diversity are particularly pronounced among certain groups of households, who characterize with large family sizes, low access to public services, own fewer assets, and mostly have a female, younger, and less educated person as household head. Both food insecurity and poor diet diversity are positively associated with exposure to COVID-19 – either through individual experience of having a virus or having people in their surroundings who had the virus. We show that tighter movement restrictions and a more drastic decline in household income in COVID-19-exposed areas were the main reasons for worsened food insecurity and poorer diet diversity. Vulnerable households rarely received financial support from governments, forcing many of them to use harmful food- related coping strategies and to borrow from other households. |
| Keywords: | Food Security and Poverty, Health Economics and Policy, Labor and Human Capital |
| Date: | 2024–08–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:cfcp15:344321 |
| By: | Cavalcanti, Francisco; Helfand, Steven M.; Moreira, Ajax |
| Abstract: | Climate change is likely to impact the occurrence of natural disasters such as drought. This paper calculates a standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) and uses it to analyze the frequency, duration and severity of drought in Brazil (1901-2020). Second, the study uses annual panel data to estimate the causal effects of drought on agricultural production (1974- 2019), and calculates the distribution of impacts across municipalities. Third, the paper compares annual panel and long difference estimates to shed light on adaptation/intensification over a longer period. Finally, by combining the panel estimates with seven CMIP6 global climate models, the study provides a range of projections for drought impacts (2025-2075). Results indicate that drought severity increased substantially in the second half of the 20th century and again in the 2010s. Estimates show that ten percent of the time droughts reduced municipal production by about 25% or more, with considerable spatial heterogeneity. Long difference estimates indicate intensification in response to more extreme droughts, and (statistically insignificant) adaptation at the median. A substantial risk to agricultural production is identified in the 21st century, especially under more pessimistic global warming scenarios, with annual losses rising to over 35% by 2075. Policy implications are discussed. |
| Keywords: | Crop Production/Industries, Environmental Economics and Policy, International Development |
| Date: | 2024–08–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:cfcp15:344267 |
| By: | Sakketa, Tekalign Gutu; Nkonde, Chewe; Nkonde, Mwelwa; Herrmann, Raoul |
| Abstract: | Nucleus-outgrower schemes (NOSs) are supposed to be a particularly effective private-sector mechanism to support smallholder farmers and contribute towards mitigating the problematic aspects of pure large- scale agricultural investments. Using two rounds of panel household surveys in Zambia, this study examines the impacts of the NOS of one of the largest foreign land-based investments in agriculture, Amatheon Agri Zambia (AAZ) Limited, on smallholder agricultural technologies adoption, sustainable land management (SLM) and productivity. The findings indicate that participation in the NOS increased the adoption of full- suite conservation agriculture (CA) practices. However, the impact on the adoption of other technologies, specifically the use of improved seed varieties, is less obvious and depends on the type of support provided and scheme design details such as crops promoted. The results also indicate that even if the impact on overall productivity is modest, the programme improves maize productivity during its initial phase compared to the later phase when the programme shifted its focus towards oilseed crops. In sum, the study suggests that NOSs, despite associated risks, have the potential to make substantial contribution to sustainable agricultural practices and to some extent improve productivity of smallholder farmers. |
| Keywords: | Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy |
| Date: | 2024–08–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:cfcp15:344286 |
| By: | Padigapati, Venkata Naga Sindhuja; Singh, Alka; K V, Praveen |
| Abstract: | The feeding practices of infants and young children in the first two years of their lives are essential for their nutritional status. The lack of dietary variety poses a significant threat to children’s growth and development. Therefore, it is vital to study the dietary diversity among infants and young children in India to identify nutritional gaps, health risks, and factors that influence their diets. We analyzed data collected from 64, 084 children in India through the National Family Health Survey5, based on a 24-hour recall. This study focused on the consumption patterns of food groups and their critical factors among infants and young children in India. We found that only 22.46 percent of children met the minimum dietary diversity requirement. From logistic regression analysis, we identified that age, gender, birth order, religion, nutrition access, and health conditions significantly affect children’s food intake. This study highlighted the significance of maternal education and female leadership in improving health and nutrition outcomes for children. Moreover, the study identified that the socio-economic, cultural, and regional determinants influencing dietary diversity enable the development of tailored strategies. These strategies can ensure equitable access to diverse and nutritious foods, irrespective of socioeconomic background or geographic location in India. |
| Keywords: | Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety |
| Date: | 2024–08–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:cfcp15:344350 |
| By: | Sakketa, Tekalign Gutu; Maggio, Dan; McPeak, John |
| Abstract: | Droughts are among the leading causes of livestock mortality and conflict among pastoralist populations in East Africa. To foster climate resiliency in these populations, Index Based Livestock Insurance (IBLI) products have become popular. These products, which allow herders to hedge climate risk, often utilize remote-sensed data to trigger indemnity payouts, thus ameliorating moral hazard issues associated with standard insurance products. We study how one such program, implemented in southern Ethiopia, impacted the experience of violent conflict among participating households. Using a causal mediation analysis, we show first that there is a strong link between rangeland conditions and violent conflict; a one- unit decrease in a standardized version of the normalized difference vegetation index (zNDVI) in the previous season is associated with a 0.3-3 percentage point increase in the likelihood of conflict exposure. Within the mediation framework, we leverage a randomized encouragement experiment and show that insurance uptake reduces the conflict risk created by poor rangeland conditions by between 17 and 50 percent. Our results suggest that social protection programs, particularly index insurance programs, may act as a protective factor in areas with complex risk profiles, where households are exposed to both climatic and conflict risks, which themselves may interact. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, Livestock Production/Industries |
| Date: | 2024–08–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:cfcp15:344274 |
| By: | Amondo, Emily Injete; Kornher, Lukas; von Braun, Joachim |
| Abstract: | We conduct high-frequency panel surveys to investigate poverty dynamics, encompassing monetary and non-monetary dimensions, using various consumption and nutritional indicators. These surveys are carried out on random samples of rural households in Uganda, Ethiopia, and Bangladesh. Our findings reveal that a significant proportion of households in the lowest quartile in all three countries remain there after 2-3 months and even one year later. Our analysis using multinomial models suggests that natural shocks increase the likelihood of experiencing poverty in Ethiopia and facing food poverty in Uganda. Additionally, conflict- related shocks are strong predictors of chronic and transient monetary poverty in Uganda and escalate the probability of falling into food poverty in Ethiopia. We also observe substantial adverse effects of economic shocks on food poverty in both Uganda and Ethiopia. Furthermore, our results indicate that having a female head of household reduces the likelihood of escaping poverty by up to 14% in Ethiopia and Bangladesh while decreasing the probability of remaining non-poor by 21% and increasing the likelihood of being poor by 12% in Uganda. We recommend targeted interventions, such as investments in human capital, including education, safety nets, and financial policies that empower households to build their asset base, for instance, by acquiring livestock and promoting women empowerment. Such measures are crucial for reducing poverty and enhancing resilience in these communities. |
| Keywords: | Food Security and Poverty |
| Date: | 2024–08–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:cfcp15:344300 |
| By: | Takeshima, Hiroyuki; Kishore, Avinash; Kumar, Anjani |
| Abstract: | The fertilizer response of yield has been one of the major indicators of agricultural productivity in both developed and developing countries. Filling the evidence gap remains vital regarding fertilizer response in Asia, particularly in South Asia, given the evolution and emergence of new challenges, including intensifying climate shocks. We aim to partly fill this knowledge gap by investigating the associations between climate shocks and fertilizer response in Bangladeshi rice production. Using three rounds of nationally representative farm household panel data with plot- level information, we assess fertilizer response functions regarding rice yield and how the shapes of these response functions are heterogeneous in relation to anomalies in temperatures, droughts, and rainfall. We find robust evidence that climate anomalies have adverse effects on fertilizer responses, including higher temperatures for the Boro and the Aman irrigated systems and higher temperatures and droughts for the Aman rainfed systems. These findings hold robustly under various fertilizer response function forms, i.e., polynomial function and stochastic Linear Response Plateau. Furthermore, results for stochastic Linear Response Plateau are also consistent for both switching regression type models and Bayesian regression models. |
| Keywords: | Crop Production/Industries, Farm Management, Production Economics |
| Date: | 2024–08–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:cfcp15:344280 |
| By: | Pierre Nguimkeu; Cedric I Okou |
| Abstract: | This paper analyzes the drivers of digital technologies adoption and how it affects the productivity of small scale businesses in Africa. We use data collected from two semi-rural markets in Benin, where grains and legumes are key staple foods and one-third of the population has internet access. We develop a structural model to rationalize digital technologies adoption—defined as the use of mobile broadband internet connection through smartphones—as well as usage patterns and outcomes observed in the data. The model’s implications are empirically tested using both reduced-form and structural maximum likelihood estimations. We find that younger, wealthier, more educated grains and legumes suppliers and those closely surrounded by other users are more likely to adopt digital technologies. Adopters perform 4-5 more business transactions each month than non-adopters on average, suggesting that digital technologies adoption could raise the monthly frequency and amounts of trades by up to 50%. Most adopters are women, but their productivity gains are lower than their male counterparts. Counterfactual policy simulations with the estimated model suggest that upgrading the broadband internet quality yields the largest improvement in adoption rate and productivity gains, while reducing its cost for a given connection quality only has a moderate effect. Improving access to credit only increases the adoption rate of constrained suppliers. |
| Keywords: | Digital Technology Adoption; Food Supply; Counterfactual Analysis |
| Date: | 2024–07–26 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2024/163 |
| By: | Maruejols, Lucie; Jaiswal, Ritu K.; Sibhatu, Kibrom T. |
| Abstract: | Global warming-induced climate change presents a significant threat to agriculture and food security, particularly in vulnerable regions like India. This study explores whether home-produced food can act as a source of resilience or vulnerability in the face of climate change. Using comprehensive national data from the National Sample Survey (NSS) 68th round and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), the paper quantifies the food consumption and security role of home-produced food across various Indian regions and examines the implications of climate-induced yield changes on food security. The study employs a deep learning approach to model the complex, non-linear relationships between climate change, agricultural yields, and household food consumption. Preliminary findings suggest that home produced food plays a critical role in food consumption and security, especially in rural areas. However, increased dependence on home production could heighten vulnerability to climate anomalies. While home-produced food has the potential to enhance resilience, its role must be carefully supported through policies that provide tools and knowledge for better agricultural practices. Conversely, if market participation increases, ensuring effective market functioning and affordable nutritious food becomes crucial. The study findings provide valuable insights for policymakers on balancing home production and market reliance in the context of climate change. |
| Keywords: | Food Security and Poverty |
| Date: | 2024–08–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:cfcp15:344295 |
| By: | Jinbaani, Alhassan Nuhu; Wale, Edilegnaw |
| Abstract: | Employing two rounds of pooled data from the Ghana Living Standard Survey (GLSS), a sample of 4, 355 maize growing households across the former 10 regions of Ghana, the study evaluates the causal effects of participation in Ghana’s Fertilizer Subsidy Program (GFSP) on all the four dimensions of household food security (availability, access, utilization, and stability) for maize growing households. This was done using propensity score matching techniques. The overall average treatment effect of the GFSP is positive and statistically significant for food availability and food access. The GFSP increased maize yield/ Ha between 29 to 34 percent at p < 0.01, among program beneficiaries. For food access, the GFSP increased household consumption expenditure by 37 percent at p < 0.01. The effect of GFSP on the stability dimension of food security was also positive, though weaker statistically against robustness checks. There was, however, negative effect of GFSP on food utilization. The study points out a not-straight forward relationship between participation in the GFSP and household food security, as food availability may not necessarily leads to better utilization or nutrition. The less impressive performance of GFSP on utilization and stability dimensions imply that maize growing households who benefited from the program are still food insecure. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, Land Economics/Use |
| Date: | 2024–08–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:cfcp15:344271 |
| By: | Kiratu, Nixon Murathi; Aarnoudse, Eefje; Petrick, Martin |
| Abstract: | Though the suggested pathways of achieving nutrition through irrigation are production, income, water sanitation and hygiene and women’s empowerment, the linkages to nutritional outcomes are not understood well and often, nutritional measurement approaches neglect the households’ most vulnerable members; women and children. This study took the standpoint that irrigation is diverse and different irrigation arrangements (i.e. socio-technical set-ups in which irrigation takes place) affect household nutritional outcomes through different pathways. Using a simultaneous equation model and data from Kenya, the results showed that the different irrigation arrangements have different nutrition outcome pathways. The results revealed that overall irrigation affects production diversity, farm income and women empowerment and nutrition-outcomes were improved through production diversity and income pathways. The farm households in the public irrigation scheme arrangements attained better nutritional outcomes through the production diversity pathway even though this irrigation arrangement positively affects production diversity, income and women empowerment. The farmer-led irrigation arrangement was found to positively affect farm income and women empowerment and these two pathways were found to lead to improved household nutritional outcomes. Consequently, there is need for specific policy interventions based on irrigation arrangements as opposed to a unilateral policy encompassing irrigation. |
| Keywords: | Consumer/Household Economics, Environmental Economics and Policy, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety |
| Date: | 2024–08–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:cfcp15:344347 |
| By: | Mungase, Sachin; Nikam, Supriya; Kothe, Satyanarayan |
| Abstract: | The BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) have seen varying GDP growth rates, averaging around 5 percent in the 1990s, rising to 8 percent in the 2000s, and about 5.5 percent from 2011 to 2020. Structural change and labour productivity are key for sustained economic growth, achieved by reallocating resources to more productive activities. This study analyses employment changes and labour productivity from 1990 to 2018, focusing on labour shifts from less productive to more productive sectors, inter-sectoral changes in output and employment patterns, and the impact of structural changes on labour productivity. Using the Economic Transformation Database (ETD) and methodologies from various researchers, the study highlights significant structural changes in China and India, while Russia, Brazil, and South Africa show minimal change. It underscores the need for policies promoting education, vocational training, and reducing trade barriers to enhance productivity and economic growth. |
| Keywords: | BRICS Countries, GDP Growth Rates, Structural Change, Labour Productivity, Economic Growth, Resource Reallocation, Employment Patterns, Sectoral Shifts, Economic Transformation Database (ETD), Inter-Sectoral Changes, China Economic Growth, India Economic Growth, Russia Economic Growth, Brazil Economic Growth, South Africa Economic Growth, Education and Vocational Training, Trade Barriers, Policy Recommendations, Productivity Enhancement, 1990-2018 Economic Analysis |
| JEL: | E00 E24 F62 J01 O11 O14 O4 O47 O57 |
| Date: | 2024–07–30 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:121607 |
| By: | Sahoo, Dukhabandhu; Behera, Jayanti; Biswas, Chandrima |
| Abstract: | The objective of this paper is to explore the determinants of the use of climate smart agriculture technology (CSAT) among agrarian households of Odisha, India. The effect of climate change and the consequent unpredictability of weather patterns make agricultural production vulnerable. It calls for a solution wherein it is required to transform the existing agricultural practices to make it more efficient, more productive and less prone to climate change. So, the farm inputs should be more adaptive that can be ushered in by adopting CSAT by the practitioners. It is a smart agriculture process that minimizes the negative effect of climate change on agricultural production and contributes towards sustainable agricultural system. The result of the Fractional and Beta regression reveals that higher the level of social capital, higher is the intensity of the use of CSAT by the households. The use of CSAT is less in households that are female headed and belong to the scheduled tribes in comparison to the households that are male headed and belong to the scheduled castes. However, the households having knowledge about the technology use it more than the households with no knowledge of CSAT. The households who think that CSAT is not women-friendly use the technology more in comparison to households that think that women do not have the skills to use the technology. The intensity of the use of CSAT is higher for households where the female takes agricultural decisions. Further, the use of CSAT is less in families where land is owned by the male members only. This calls for institutional arrangements to ensure wider usage of social capital, land ownership by the female members and their economic empowerment by providing them better wages and livelihood so that agrarian households will be interested to use CSAT in agriculture that can ultimately cater to the growing demand of food. |
| Keywords: | Climate Change, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, Sustainability |
| Date: | 2023–09–19 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:haaewp:344215 |
| By: | Akalu, Lingerh Sewnet; Wang, Huashu; Walelign, Solomon Zena; Kassie, Workineh Asmare |
| Abstract: | Large-scale land investments are often pursued as pro-poor investments by governments in developing countries. However, research on their actual impact on local communities offers a mixed picture. This meta-analysis, drawing on estimates of 37 primary studies, sheds light to understand the overall impact of these investments on local communities. Our analysis finds a modest positive average impact (standardized mean effect size of 0.043) of large-scale agricultural investments on local communities' welfare and livelihoods. This suggests that, on average, large- scale agricultural investments can contribute to positive outcomes. Some potential pathways for this benefit include asset building, increasing income and enhancing food security. However, the sub-group analysis show that the average impact is heterogenous across host countries of these investments. For most of the countries the positive significant impact is robust. We discussed the source of these heterogeneity, the impact pathways and publication bias in the primary studies. The overall positive impact, albeit modest, suggests potential for large-scale agricultural investments to contribute to development outcomes. However, the smaller mean effect size and the observed heterogeneity highlight the need for further research to fully understand the nuances of large-scale agricultural investments. |
| Keywords: | Agribusiness |
| Date: | 2024–08–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:cfcp15:344402 |
| By: | Diro, Samuel; Mohammed, Ali; Getahun, Wudineh; Mamo, Tadele |
| Abstract: | This paper aims to estimate the technical efficiency measures of wheat-producing farmers in Ethiopia using the stochastic frontier panel model. Data from 3482 farm households collected in two rounds of panels (2011 and 2014) was used to estimate the Translog stochastic frontier production function and factors influencing technical efficiency with a one-step maximum likelihood estimator. The production frontier function involves land, seed, inorganic nitrogen, pesticide, oxen power, and labor. The model showed that more than 95% of the total variation in output was a result of factors within the control of the farmer. The result also indicated that land, seed, nitrogen, and pesticide had significant positive effects on wheat output. Most sustainable agricultural practices and plot characteristics included in the production frontier had positive effects on wheat production. The covariates such as gender and education of the household head, credit access, and livestock holding were important in reducing the inefficiency of the wheat producers. However, land size was found to increase the inefficiency of wheat producers. The mean technical efficiency of 2011 and 2014 was 65.3 and 65.4 which was not significant implying limited technological and institutional progress in the wheat sector between the study time. Results revealed that on average wheat output can be increased by 35 percent without additional inputs. Improved access to direct inputs and identified environmental and socioeconomic factors are important in attaining a higher frontier in wheat production in Ethiopia. |
| Keywords: | Production Economics |
| Date: | 2024–08–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:cfcp15:344277 |
| By: | Paudel, Gokul P.; Chamberlin, Jordan; Nguyen, Trung Thanh |
| Abstract: | Sustainable intensification (SI) has been promoted within smallholder farming systems to improve agricultural productivity and reduce negative environmental externalities associated with agri-food systems. However, existing studies are concentrated towards the productivity effects of SI and input use efficiency impacts of SI are scant. This study assesses the impact of early sowing of wheat on productivity, nitrogen, phosphorus, potash, and combined fertilizer use efficiency in the eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains. We use the two-stage least squares instrumental variable approach to control the potential endogeneity that arises from both observed and unobserved sources of heterogeneity. We find that early sowing improves all resource use efficiency measures, as well as productivity. However, these impacts are unevenly distributed. Early sowing of wheat on large farms and farms applying doses of fertilizers exceeding the state recommendations are weakly associated with productivity and fertilizer use efficiency. Our findings suggest that while SI has potential to boost wheat productivity and fertilizer use efficiency, significant policy initiatives are required to minimize the over-application of fertilizers and mitigate the negative environmental externalities associated with agri-food systems in India. |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy |
| Date: | 2024–08–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:cfcp15:344263 |
| By: | Mohammad Haroon Asadi; Mohammad Reza Farzanegan; Mohammad Reza Farzanegan |
| Abstract: | This study investigates men's attitudes toward women’s education in Afghanistan, focusing on primary, secondary, and tertiary levels, as well as studying in another province or abroad, through the lens of identity theory and the intra-household bargaining framework. We use data from Afghan surveys conducted by the Asia Foundation from 2014 to 2021 across 34 provinces and apply multivariate regression analysis with a comprehensive set of covariates. Our findings reveal that men’s attitudes toward women's education are predominantly negative, notably in rural areas. However, women's contributions to household income significantly mitigate these negative attitudes, particularly toward secondary education, followed by tertiary education, and studying in other provinces or abroad. Moreover, fear of insecurity in society amplifies the negative attitudes of men toward women’s education. This research underscores the potential of increased financial contributions by women to transform gender attitudes and promote educational equality in Afghanistan. |
| Keywords: | education, gender gap, attitudes, education inequality, security, Afghanistan, survey |
| JEL: | C83 D63 I24 I25 J16 |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:ceswps:_11244 |
| By: | Kubitza, Christoph; Eckert, Sandra; Lay, Jann |
| Abstract: | Despite the numerous ‘Western’ initiatives to improve the sustainability of global agricultural supply chains, there is little evidence on whether these initiatives can effectively reduce environmental degradation in tropical cultivation areas at scale. In our study, we analyze patterns in the establishment of oil palm plantations and deforestation on peatlands in Indonesia. We compare plantations established by investors from high-income countries (HIC), many of which are covered by sustainability certification, with plantations established by domestic investors or by investors from other low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Our dataset comprises 386 concessions in Kalimantan and Papua with their investment structure, annual satellite imagery on forest loss and oil palm cultivation, and spatial maps on peatlands. Our results show a divergence in production practices in global agricultural supply chains after 2011, with actors tied to HIC reducing degradation of peatlands within their concessions, while actors from LMIC continued to show no specific protection of these high conservation value areas. While this is good news in terms of the effectiveness of ‘western’ initiatives for sustainable supply chains, companies linked to HIC comprise only 10% of the concession area in the research region compared to companies from LMIC which will limit the overall impact of ‘western’ supply chain initiatives. |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy |
| Date: | 2024–08–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:cfcp15:344268 |
| By: | Naik, Sunil; Srivastava, S. K.; Kishore, Prabhat; Ray, Mrinmoy; Nithyashree, M. L.; Kingsly, I. T. |
| Abstract: | The present study examined trends and growth patterns in farmers' income across districts in Odisha. It identified the determinants of farmers' income and delineated least developed regions in Odisha based on farmers' income and its correlates. The study is based on the data form a nationally representative survey, commonly known as Situation Assessment Survey (SAS) of Agricultural Households. Odisha witnessed highest growth in income (8.29 per cent) during 2002- 03 to 2012-13 mainly because of the increased income from the livestock and non-farm business sectors. However, in the recent periods Odisha witnessed a negative growth rate of -3.58 per cent (lowest among the states). Higher farm income is correlated with large land holding size, higher productivity, improved market and institutional access, and, better price realisation for produce. Districts were delineated into homogenous regions using K-means clustering technique to identify the least developed regions for prioritisation and targeted policy intervention. Mean values of income and its correlates such as operational land holding, share of crop income, marketed surplus, proportion of paddy farmers sold at MSP, and paddy price received by farmers were found to be lowest in the least developed regions. Targeting these least developed regions would have higher marginal positive impact on overall farmers income in the state. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural Finance |
| Date: | 2024–08–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:cfcp15:344285 |
| By: | Gupta, Disha |
| Abstract: | There has been a declining trend in groundwater depths in India and subsidies on farm electricity contributes to over-extraction of groundwater raising concerns about its sustainability for irrigation. In this paper, we estimate the reduction in groundwater pumping under volumetric pricing of farm electricity for Punjab where farm electricity is free. We use parcel-level cost of cultivation data from Ministry of Agriculture for 2011-12 to 2013-14 to estimate the production function for paddy using instrumental variable approach. We find that the estimated marginal product of water function is relatively flat at the level of the average water application. The average marginal product of water is 32 kilograms for additional thousand cubic meters of water per hectare, which is very low. Simulations show that increasing the price of electricity from current level of zero to the true cost of electricity supply leads to sharp cutbacks of 59 percent in water extraction using electric pumps. However, the decline in average paddy yields is 11 percent. We show welfare gains in terms of reduction of the deadweight loss under volumetric pricing. Finally, we quantify average lump-sum subsidy that can be given to farmers as direct transfers to keep their surplus unchanged and we show that this can be financed using collections done by state electricity board from pricing electricity. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy |
| Date: | 2024–08–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:cfcp15:344328 |