|
on Africa |
| By: | Brooks, Laura |
| Abstract: | A deterministic model for the economic impact of African Horse Sickness (AHS) on the equine breeding industry was developed for South Africa. It was applied to the case of the 2007/2008 outbreak of AHS in the Eastern Cape as a pilot application of the model, using data from breeders in the province. It was concluded that the deterministic modelâs extension to include other areas of equine livelihoods could be effective in exposing the need for further research into the control and treatment of AHS in South Africa. |
| Keywords: | African horse sickness, economic impact, South Africa, Environmental Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2010–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:ruhp10:107456&r=afr |
| By: | Birol, Ekin; Asare-Marfo, Dorene; Ayele, Gezahegne; Mensah-Bonsu, Akwasi; Ndirangu, Lydia K.; Okpukpara, Benjamin; Roy, Devesh; Yakhshilikov, Yorbol |
| Abstract: | In this paper we investigate the role of poultry in the livelihoods portfolios of households and the impact of supply and demand shocks that may be caused by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) on various livelihoods outcomes of households in four Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. The study countries include Ethiopia and Kenya in East Africa and Ghana and Nigeria in West Africa. These countries represent a spectrum of SSA countries in terms of disease status, role of poultry sector and means of disease spread. By using nationally representative household level secondary data and discrete choice methods (probit model and zero inflated negative binomial model) we profile the household, farm and regional characteristics of those households who are most likely to keep poultry, and those who are most likely to be engaged in intensive poultry production, i.e., keep larger household flocks. We estimate the impact of the disease outbreaks and scares/threats on livelihood outcomes by using matching methods (i.e., propensity score matching). The results of this study generate valuable information regarding the role of poultry in the livelihoods of small-scale poultry producing households and the livelihood impacts of HPAI induced demand and supply shocks. Such information is critical for the design of targeted and hence efficient and effective HPAI control and mitigation policies. |
| Keywords: | Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), demand shock, supply shock, livelihoods, probit model, zero inflated negative binomial model, propensity score matching, Livestock Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:97084&r=afr |
| By: | Dalton, John T.; Leung, Tin Cheuk |
| Abstract: | Polygyny rates are higher in Western Africa than in Eastern Africa. The African slave trades explain this difference. More male slaves were exported in the trans-Atlantic slave trades from Western Africa, while more female slaves were exported in the Indian Ocean and Red Sea slave trades from Eastern Africa. The slave trades led to prolonged periods of abnormal sex ratios, which impacted the rates of polygyny across Africa. In order to assess these claims, we construct a unique ethnicity-level data set linking current rates of polygyny with historical trade flow data from the African slave trades. Our OLS estimates show a positive correlation between the trans-Atlantic slave trades and polygyny. An IV approach shows the relationship is causal and statistically signicant. We also provide cross-country evidence corroborating our findings. |
| Keywords: | slave trades; polygyny; Africa; development |
| JEL: | O55 F14 J12 N17 |
| Date: | 2011–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:32598&r=afr |
| By: | Adeniyi, Labintan |
| Abstract: | In poor countries the agricultural sector is essential to growth, poverty reduction, and food security. In Sub- Saharan Africa, the agricultural sector employs 65 percent of the labor force and generates 32 per cent of GDP growth (Christian Friis Bach and all, 2008).More than half of rural employment in Sub- Saharan Africa consists of self-employed farmers, many of whom are women. Women generally own less land and the land they have is often of lower quality than the land owned by men. According to the International Development Research Centre, women in Africa only own 1 per cent of the land. Women have to contend with limited access to financial and technical resources. Women lack political influence. However the recent economic crisis that has affected the food crisis may have considerable consequences on African rural women who are mostly vulnerable in African society and may increase some challenges that can limited the African agriculture growth as women is the heart of this sector in Africa even if most of politic donât consider them in the policies. This paper is to evaluate the major effect of this crisis on this vulnerable group In Africa and define some perspective that policies maker could use for Africa Agriculture sustainable growth.. The Descriptive analysis show that the economic crisis has increase in gender inequality in agriculture sector, increase women financial credit access lack, women farmer migration, women farmer income reduction, women land access facilities reduction and their health problem has also increase. It is clear that to solve the economic crisis impact on African agriculture for sustainable growth, policies maker should include more policies which should consider women farmers. Research also should focus more on women vulnerability in agriculture face the economic crisis. |
| Keywords: | Women Farmer-Africa- Economic Crisis-Challenge and Perspective, International Development, Labor and Human Capital, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:97062&r=afr |
| By: | Oyewumi, Olubukola Ayodeju; Sarker, Rakhal |
| Abstract: | Prices guide economic agentsâ resource allocation and output mix decisions. The extent of price transmission determines the nature of market integration. Volatility spill-over in spatially linked agricultural markets has been investigated, but not across borders. We developed an E-GARCH model which enabled us to explore various properties of price volatility â volatility persistence, asymmetric interference and volatility spill-over. We found the existence of significant volatility spill-over within the South African Customs Union (SACU) using sheep price data in Namibia and South Africa, especially with the introduction of Small Livestock Marketing Scheme (SLMS) in namibia. The results show more stickiness in the retail market than the wholesale market in South Africa (90% and 49%), suggesting a greater impact of price volatility on South Africa consumers than the processors. In terms of volatility spill-over, the asymmetric effect is significant at 5 percent suggesting that these two markets are somewhat integrated, since the incidence of volatility spill-over from Namibia has influenced price information transmission in the South African sheep market. Furthermore, 79 percent of the volatility in the Namibian market is transmitted through sheep meat retail prices to the South African sheep market. The measure of volatility persistence is significant; indicating that 45 percent of the volatility transmitted to the South African sheep market is persistent. |
| Keywords: | Livestock Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96196&r=afr |
| By: | Delpeuch, Claire; Leblois, Antoine; Swinnen, Johan F.M. |
| Abstract: | The cotton sector has been amongst the most regulated in Africa, and still is to a large extent in West and Central Africa (WCA), despite repeated reform recommendations by international donors. On the other hand, orthodox reforms in East and Southern Africa (ESA) have not always yielded the expected results. This paper uses a stylized contracting model to investigate the link between market structure and equity and efficiency in sub-Saharan cotton sectors and analyze the potential consequences of orthodox reforms in WCA. We argue that the level of the world price and of government intervention, the degree of post-reform competition, as well as the degree of parastatal inefficiency, all contribute to making reforms less attractive (but not less pressing) to farmers and governments in WCA today, as compared to ESA in the 1990s. We illustrate our arguments with empirical observations on the performance of cotton sectors across sub-Saharan Africa. |
| Keywords: | Sub-Saharan Africa, cotton reforms, self-enforcing contracts, Crop Production/Industries, Q12, L33, O12, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96176&r=afr |
| By: | Traub, Lulama Ndibongo; Myers, Robert J.; Jayne, Thomas S.; Meyer, Ferdinand H. |
| Abstract: | Price transmission between the South African market and other regional markets is not as straightforward, despite South Africaâs role of a surplus producer for the region. There appears to be a host of local factors that must be taken into account in order to anticipate the likely level of regional food prices. This article assesses the degree of market integration and the speed of price adjustment to spatial price differentials between the SAFEX maize price in South Africa and maize grain and maize meal prices in Maputo, Mozambique. The findings of this study indicate that under certain trading regimes, there is no evidence of a long-run relationship between Mozambican and South African maize grain prices. This implies that any large deviations, within these regimes, which exceed transaction costs, could continue to grow with no tendency towards equilibrium. However, the trade volume data indicates maize grain exports from South Africa into Mozambique in every month except for three within the sample set. Hence, the empirical findings of this paper are unexpected given a simple arbitrage argument. Possible reasons for these findings are highlighted in the article. It is interesting to note that when the same empirical analysis is undertaken for the SAFEX maize prices and maize meal prices in Maputo then there is in fact evidence of a long-run relationship between these prices in a high import regime. These findings are not surprising and are what we would expect since two of the largest milling companies, located in Maputo are responsible for the majority of the volume of maize grain imported into the country from South Africa. |
| Keywords: | price transmission, market integration, cointegration, trade regimes, Crop Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96644&r=afr |
| By: | Beatrice D. Simo-Kengne (Department of Economics, University of Pretoria); Manoel Bittencourt (Department of Economics, University of Pretoria); Rangan Gupta (Department of Economics, University of Pretoria) |
| Abstract: | This paper empirically examines the effect of house price changes on economic growth across provinces in South Africa. The economic impact of house prices is estimated using a panel data set that covers all nine provinces in South Africa from 1996 to 2010. We find that when heterogeneity, endogeneity and spatial dependence are controlled for, house price changes exhibit a significant effect on regional economic growth in South Africa. The paper then introduces a Seemingly Unrelated Regression (SUR) specification and shows that spatial effects are highly important in South African housing markets. Moreover, the estimation results suggest that the wealth effect is important at the aggregated level which contrasts the relevance of the collateral effect found at the regional level. |
| Keywords: | House prices, Economic growth, Spatial dependence, Panel data |
| JEL: | C33 E23 E24 R11 R12 |
| Date: | 2011–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pre:wpaper:201116&r=afr |
| By: | Dittoh, Saa; Akuriba, Margaret A.; Issaka, Balma Y.; Bhattarai, Madhusudan |
| Abstract: | Irrigated agriculture in most parts of Sub-Saharan Africa has not been encouraging even with the threat of severe adverse effects of global food and financial crises and a scourge of the consequences of climate change. The situation in the West African Sahel is even more disturbing since it is at the fringe of the Sahara desert and past attempts at irrigation development have been very disappointing. The paper analyses information from an assessment of the extent of use and impacts of micro irrigation technologies in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Senegal, and suggests a future direction for irrigation development in the West African Sahel. It argues for substantial investments by Governments, NGOs and the private sector in development of âlow-costâ micro irrigation system. Drip irrigation in the form of the âAfrican Market Gardenâ (AMG) is a technology that has the potential to drastically reduce mass poverty levels in the Sahel. It has been widely acclaimed by smallholder irrigators in the Sahel as being suitable for the arid environment and it has been shown to be profitable to the farmers. The cost of establishing a viable, effective, and sustainable smallholder drip irrigation system is however above the capabilities of small farmer groups. The suggestion is to institute modified public-private partnership (PPP) methodologies of funding and management of farmer-group drip irrigation systems to ensure, adequate funding and that, viable, sustainable and poverty alleviation systems are established in all parts of the Sahel and in similar areas in Sub-Saharan Africa. |
| Keywords: | Crop Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:97045&r=afr |
| By: | Ihle, Rico; von Cramon-Taubadel, Stephan; Zorya, Sergiy |
| Abstract: | This study uses a rich dataset of 85 market pairs between January 2000 and October 2008 for Kenya, Tanzanian and Uganda, the three largest member countries of the East Africa Community, to analyze the factors determining national and cross-national maize price transmission. Although the three countries are members of the communityâs customs union and they each claim to pursue maize trade without borders, their agricultural trade policies still differ, thus affecting prices and trade flows to different extents. This analysis extends the existing border effects literature in three ways. First, it assesses the magnitude of price transmission, instead of analyzing trade flows or price variability. Second, distance is shown to have a significant impact on price transmission in the region and to be of nonlinear nature, which is modelled using a semiparametric partially linear model. Third, the border effect is found to be heterogeneous, that is, it matters which national border is crossed. A strongly negative effect of the Tanzanian-Kenyan border appears, while no significant effect for the crossing of the Ugandan-Kenyan border exists. These results are of high political relevance because they show that Tanzania represents a rather isolated and internally fragmented island within the East African maize markets. Bilateral maize trade with Nairobi appears to display substantially higher price transmission than with the rest of the markets, confirming its economic importance in the East African region and the structural maize deficit in Kenya. |
| Keywords: | border effect, spatial market integration, cointegration, semi-parametric regression, partially linear model, Eastern Africa, maize, Demand and Price Analysis, C32, Q11, Q13, Q17, Q18, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96184&r=afr |
| By: | Van Eck, Lisa |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates social democracy and the âdevelopmental stateâ model as development alternatives for South Africa. This research is significant as it enhances the developmental debate in South Africa that is indispensable in light of South Africaâs poor socio-economic performance. A comparative-historical study is conducted, as well as an analysis of the socio-political situation in South Africa to determine each modelâs compatibility with South Africa. State autonomy is assumed essential. Liberal democracy and the authoritarian âdevelopmental stateâ model are rejected on theoretical and compatibility grounds. Social democracy is therefore investigated. It is concluded that this model is theoretically stronger, yet ideologically squeezed, and its execution is hindered by major stumbling blocks that are identified. Ultimately, it is shown that the economics is fairly simple, but the âprimacy of politicsâ is essential. |
| Keywords: | Social democracy, developmental state, South Africa, Political Economy, Public Economics, |
| Date: | 2010–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:ruhp10:107457&r=afr |
| By: | Amikuzuno, Joseph |
| Abstract: | Cross-border trade in food commodities within sub-regional economic blocks in Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) is believed to be faster, cheaper, more convenient and welfare-enhancing than trade between SSA countries and the USA or EU. The difficulty of commodity arbitrage across borders in SSA is however a fundamental impediment to price transmission, market integration and the realisation of the welfare-enhancing role of cross-border trade. This study examines the impact of border and distance on price transmission between tomato in Ghana and Burkina-Faso. The analysis applies a linear and a regime-switching vector error correction model to estimate wholesale prices of tomato in four tomato markets in Ghana and a producer market in Burkina-Faso. The estimated parameters contain evidence of border and distance effects. This is expected since high transfer costs, including cross-border formal and non-formal tariffs are incurred by traders in moving tomato across the border. Moreover, the perishable nature of tomato, and the poor quality of roads and transportation facilities linking markets on both sides of the border imply additional risks, and constrain Just in Time delivery and price transmission from producing to retail and consuming markets. The findings have implications for interstate trade between landlocked and coastal countries in West Africa. |
| Keywords: | Price Transmission, Border, Tomato, Ghana, Burkina-Faso, International Relations/Trade, C32, Q11, Q13, Q17, Q18, |
| Date: | 2011–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aesc11:108943&r=afr |
| By: | Louw, Andre; Ndanga, Leah Z.B. |
| Abstract: | This paper seeks to describe and discuss the impact that climate changes, and other challenges in terms of sustainability, have had on Africa and particularly on South Africa. It seeks to discuss the extent to which these changes directly and indirectly impact agriculture and the measures that are currently underway, with particular reference to South Africa, as well as suggest other strategies that could be implemented to attenuate the effects of climate change, thereby advancing the global shift towards sustainability. The paper discusses environmental and other changes that have taken place in Africa and asserts that the continent is in a particularly difficult situation in light of the debate on sustainability versus productivity. The fact that most of the worldâs rural poor depend on agriculture and that climatic changes have created new complications makes it more difficult to meet the MDGs and impedes economic development. This is especially relevant in light of the financial crisis and the drop in aid from the developed world. However, although more still needs to be done, it should be noted that significant progress has been made and projects and strategies are currently underway to utilize the regionâs natural advantages. |
| Keywords: | sustainability, agriculture, South Africa, climate change, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96810&r=afr |
| By: | Chaaban, Jad; Cunningham, Wendy |
| Abstract: | Although girls are approximately half the youth population in developing countries, they contribute less than their potential to the economy. The objective of this paper is to quantify the opportunity cost of girls'exclusion from productive employment with the hope that stark figures will lead policymakers to reconsider the current underinvestment in girls. The paper explores the linkages between investing in girls and potential increases in national income by examining three widely prevalent aspects of adolescent girls'lives: early school dropout, teenage pregnancy and joblessness. The countries included in the analysis are: Bangladesh, Brazil, Burundi, China, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Paraguay, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda. The authors use secondary data to allow for some comparability across countries. They find that investing in girls so that they would complete the next level of education would lead to lifetime earnings of today's cohort of girls that is equivalent to up to 68 percent of annual gross domestic product. When adjusting for ability bias and labor demand elasticities, this figure falls to 54 percent, or 1.5 percent per year. Closing the inactivity rate between girls and boys would increase gross domestic product by up to 5.4 percent, but when accounting for students, male-female wage gaps and labor demand elasticities, the joblessness gap between girls and their male counterparts yields an increase in gross domestic product of up to 1.2 percent in a single year. The cost of adolescent pregnancy as a share of gross domestic could be as high as 30 percent or as low as 1 percent over a girl's lifetime, depending on the assumptions used to calculate the losses. |
| Keywords: | Population Policies,Adolescent Health,Gender and Development,Primary Education,Gender and Education |
| Date: | 2011–08–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:5753&r=afr |
| By: | Nyhodo, Bonani; Nakana, Elvis; Phahlane, Heidi; Kotze, Louise |
| Abstract: | This article considers Chile and South Africaâs agricultural policy evolutions in terms of trade. It also looks at Chile and South Africaâs trade with the rest of the world, particularly with regards to agricultural trade. From an agricultural trade perspective, Chileâs position as a direct competitor of South Africa for the EU and USA markets is clearly apparent, primarily due to their joint location in the southern hemisphere. Furthermore, the movement of agricultural products between these nations from a South African export perspective is discussed. This article explores the potential for South Africa to increase its exports to Chile by deepening existing trading and investigating the expansion of trade lines. Two policy observations can be identified from this study with a view to improving South Africaâs current agricultural sector and increasing its exports trade to Chile. The first observation is the manner in which the agricultural budget is allocated (following Chileâs successful budget allocation as a guide). The second observation is, should South Africa negotiate a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Chile, the opportunities for agricultural export expansion from the products listed in the annexe shown on the final page. |
| Keywords: | International Relations/Trade, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:97075&r=afr |
| By: | Kirui, Oliver K.; Okello, Julius Juma; Nyikal, Rose Adhiambo |
| Abstract: | Smallholder farmer access to agricultural finance has been a major constraint to agricultural commercialization in developing countries. The ICT revolution in Africa has however brought an opportunity to ease this constraint. The mobile phone-based banking services that started in Kenya urban centers have spread to rural areas and even other countries. Using these services farmers could receive funds invest in agriculture finance transactions. This study examines the awareness and use of m-banking services among rural farmers in Kenya. It also assesses the factors conditioning the use of such services. The study finds high awareness of m-banking services among the smallholder farmers. It also finds that education, distance to a commercial bank, membership to farmer organizations, distance to the m-banking agents, and endowment with physical and financial assets affect the use of m-banking services. It discusses the implications of these findings for policy and practice. |
| Keywords: | Mobile phones, m-banking services, awareness and use, smallholder farmers, Kenya, Financial Economics, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96188&r=afr |
| By: | Ouma, Emily Awuor; Jagwe, John |
| Abstract: | Smallholder farmers in developing countries need to improve their position in food value chains in order to improve their margins and as a strategy for coping with agricultural food price volatility through innovations within the chains. Value chain mappings and gross margin analysis were employed to assess constraints and opportunities for existing value chains for bananas in Central Africa using market survey data. The results showed weak linkages within the banana value chains with poor integration of value chain actors and minimal involvement with regional markets and high-value domestic chains such as supermarkets. Value addition in terms of agroprocessing was carried out at small scale levels using rudimentary techniques limiting the final product to low value markets. Transaction costs comprising transport, handling and storage comprised a high proportion of cost items in the value chain. Generally, the findings suggest that efforts aimed at strengthening linkages within the value chains, collective marketing, penetration into high-value chains and improved processing techniques may provide a potential avenue for enhancing banana value chains in Central Africa. |
| Keywords: | banana value chains, smallholder farmers, Central Africa, collective action, Crop Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96169&r=afr |
| By: | Joubert, Christo J.; Phahlane, N.H.; Jooste, Andre; Dempers, C.; Kotze, Louise |
| Abstract: | The focus of this research was to investigate the comparative advantage of the potato industry in seven potato production regions in South Africa. Potatoes are the most important vegetable crop produced in South Africa. In 2008 it contributed more than 40% to the total production of vegetables in South Africa and it accounted for more than 20% of the value of all fresh produce sold on all the major national fresh produce markets. This study uses the Resource Cost Ratio (RCR) methodology that provides an explicit indication of the efficiency with which production alternatives uses domestic resources to generate or save foreign exchange. The Nominal Protection Ratio (NPR) and Effective Protection Coefficient (EPC) were also calculated. The results show that current policies that affects the input market for potato production in South Africa is constraining the potato industry. This was confirmed by the results obtained from the NPR and EPC analysis, and the size of the policy distortions was shown through the calculation of market and economic profitability. If current policies prevail potato production in the Eastern Free State will not have a comparative advantage, but in the absence of such policies all production regions have a comparative advantage. |
| Keywords: | Crop Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96432&r=afr |
| By: | Mano, Yukichi; Iddrisu,, Alhassan; Yoshino, Yutaka; Sonobe, Tetsushi |
| Abstract: | The vast majority of micro and small enterprises in developing countries are located in industrial clusters, and the majority of such clusters have yet to see their growth take off. The performance of micro and small enterprise clusters is especially low in Sub-Saharan Africa. While existing studies often attribute the poor performance to factors outside firms, problems within firms are seldom scrutinized. Entrepreneurs in these clusters are unfamiliar with standard business practices. Based on a randomized experiment in Ghana, this study demonstrates that basic-level management training improves business practices and performance, although the extent of improvement varies considerably among entrepreneurs. |
| Keywords: | Labor Policies,Primary Education,Access&Equity in Basic Education,Education For All,E-Business |
| Date: | 2011–08–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:5755&r=afr |
| By: | Dzivakwi, Robert; Jacobs, Peter T. |
| Abstract: | Official data show that a small proportion of Eastern Cape households evidently derive their main or primary income from farming. But the same data also show that the majority of households with access to small plots suitable for farming are concentrated in Eastern Cape. Furthermore, comparative analyses of standard indicators of human wellbeing and development of Eastern Cape with the rest of South Africa show that the province consistently reports worse than national average rates of poverty, food insecurity, unemployment and inequality- reaching extreme levels in rural locations. Over the medium term, higher economic growth and service-oriented sectoral change, might be inadequate to reverse this dismal track record in human well-being. In this context, this paper considers the potential of better targeted public spending on agricultural development for resource-poor small farmers to raise living standards in the Eastern Cape. According to the latest official evidence, slightly more than half a million households in Eastern Cape (representing roughly 40% of all South African households) reported that they have access to farmland- with average land size in the order of 1-1.25 ha per farmily. Interventions aimed at boosting agricultural productivity among these small producers, such as the CASP launched in 2004/05, must be better targeted to meet the needs of the intended beneficiaries. |
| Keywords: | International Development, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96808&r=afr |
| By: | Idsardi, E. |
| Abstract: | South Africa has relatively not been affected that significantly by the global food end economic crises. Although, the exports of South Africaâs traditional agricultural exports showed a moderate dip over the last two years. However, the countryâs agricultural export base that earns valuable foreign currency is quite shallow. Against this background the study indentified ten agricultural export products which showed a significant increase in exports over the last years. These emerging agricultural exports form the basis for the analysis of the determinants of export growth. The identified determinants will provide a guideline for future trade diversification. An augmented gravity model was applied to investigate factors such as transaction cost, market size, the stage of economic development, exchange rate fluctuations and the impact of trade agreements on the export flows of the selected products. Various factors were found to have an significant impact on trade flows amongst which: economic market size, supply capacity and physical market size. |
| Keywords: | agricultural exports, diversification, South Africa, augmented gravity model, determinants of trade, International Relations/Trade, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96639&r=afr |
| By: | Babatunde, Raphael O.; Qaim, Matin |
| Abstract: | Reducing food insecurity in the developing world continues to be a major public policy challenge, and one that is complicated by the lack of a generalized comprehensive strategy for dealing with it. Around 854 million people are undernourished worldwide, many more suffer from micronutrient deficiencies, and the absolute numbers tend to increase further, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. Recent food price hikes have contributed to greater public awareness of hunger related problems, also resulting in new international commitments to invest in developing country agriculture. Whereas agriculture-led growth played an important role in reducing food insecurity and transforming the economies of many Asian and Latin American countries, the same has not yet occurred in Africa. Most countries in Africa have not yet met the criteria for a successful agricultural revolution, and factor productivity lags far behind the rest of the world. This has led to growing skepticism in the international development discourse about the relevance of agriculture to food security in the region. As a result, the promotion of off-farm activities as a pathway out of food insecurity has gained widespread support among development agencies and non-governmental organizations. So far, relatively little policy efforts have been made to promote the off-farm sector in a pro-poor way and overcome potential constraints in countries of Sub-Saharan Africa. One reason is probably the dearth of solid and up-to-date information about the impact of off-farm income on food security and nutrition in specific context. While the poverty implications of off-farm income have been analyzed in different developing countries, much less is known about the impact of off-farm income on household food security and nutrition. 2 This paper analyzes the role of off-farm income in enhancing food security and nutrition for households in rural Nigeria. The analysis builds on a survey of 220 households in Kwara State, which was conducted in 2006. Food consumption data were elicited through a 7-day recall, covering 105 food items. The food consumption data are supplemented by anthropometric measurements that we took from pre-school children up to 60 months of age. In the 220 sample households, we obtained weight and height data from 127 children. Different Econometric analyses are employed to examine the mechanisms by which off-farm income affects household calorie and micronutrient supply, dietary quality, and child anthropometry. We hypothesize that off-farm income contributes to better nutrition in terms of calorie and micronutrient supply and child anthropometry. Issues of endogeneity are taken into account by using instrumental variable approaches. Both descriptive analyses and econometric approaches showed that off-farm income contributes to improved calorie supply at the household level. We find that off-farm income has a positive net effect on food security and nutrition, which is in the same magnitude as the effect of farm income. We also show that the prevalence of stunting and underweight is remarkably lower among children in households with off-farm income. Accordingly, improving poor householdsâ access to the off-farm sector can contribute to reducing problems of rural malnutrition. Our results demonstrate that both farm and off-farm activities can equally contribute to better food security and nutrition. Yet, while investing into agricultural growth is currently featuring high on the development policy agenda, promoting the rural off-farm sector receives much less attention. This should be rectified, especially in regions where agricultural resources are becoming increasingly scarce. Using a structural model, we also show that off-farm income contributes to higher food production and farm income by easing capital constraints, thus improving household welfare in multiple ways. Off-farm income diversification is already an extensive phenomenon 3 among rural households in developing countries. But without a clear policy strategy on how to support this process in a pro-poor way, outcomes might socially undesirable, because of unequal household access to certain off-farm activities. |
| Keywords: | Farm households, food security, micronutrients, child anthropometry, off-farm income, Food Security and Poverty, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:97332&r=afr |
| By: | Bernard, Munyua; Hellin, Jonathan; Nyikal, Rose Adhiambo; Mburu, John G. |
| Abstract: | The rising world prices for major tradable staples such as maize have been a concern for sub- Saharan countries such as Kenya which are maize deficit countries. Maize is a major staple food for over 80 percent of Kenyaâs population. Kenya relies on maize for up to 40 percent of its dietary energy supply and is accordingly searching for ways to increase maize productivity. Maize productivity has been rising in the last decade manly as a result of the use of improved germplasm and fertilizer. However, the proportion of farmers using these technologies is low and the aggregate productivity in maize is low compared to other countries and its potential. Previous studies on input adoption have often assumed the existence of perfect supply and product markets, tending to ignore the important but significant role played by institutions as well as the role of transaction costs associated with market exchange. This study makes use of qualitative information from institutions and actors in seed input value chains as well as quantitative information collected from a sample of 150 farmers, in the Moist Transitional Maize Zones of Kenya. A two stage regression model was applied to analyze determinants of adoption and factors affecting degree of adoption of certified improved maize seed. The results show that as farmers adopt certified seeds, they incur higher transaction costs than non adopters, rural infrastructure, social capital such as membership in groups and trust play an important role in the decision of whether or not to use certified seed. |
| Keywords: | Crop Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96423&r=afr |
| By: | Berem, Risper M.; Obare, Gideon A.; Owuor, George |
| Abstract: | Using survey data from 110 randomly selected honey producers from two divisions in Baringo this paper analyzes the constraints and drivers of value addition in honey, an economic activity with a potential to improve household livelihoods but whose development has remained rudimentary. Baringo District undergoes frequent and prolonged drought that impacts on household livelihood assets. The livelihoods have traditionally been agro-based but due to variations in climatic conditions, crop production has been very low. Livestock production has also been adversely affected by these trends, leaving honey production as a viable alternative for smallholder farmers since it is less dependent on, or affected by climatic variations and is not resource intensive. This study uses Heckman two stage and the logistic regression models to determine the extent of value addition contingent on the decision of a honey producer to participate in value addition activity, and to assess the link between honey value addition and household poverty status, respectively. The results show that the decision to add value is positively and significantly influenced by the amount of honey harvested, group membership and amount of hours spent on off-farm activities, while it is negatively influenced the age of the farmers and the education level of the household head. Value addition contributes to the reduction of poverty through the improvement of household incomes. This paper concludes measures need to be put in place that would encourage and facilitate the practice of value addition if the welfare of the poor rural population is to be improved. |
| Keywords: | value addition, poverty reduction, drought, ASAL, Africa, Livestock Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96163&r=afr |
| By: | de Groote, Hugo; Tomlins, Keith; Haleegoah, Joyce; Awool, Manfred; Frimpong, Benedicta; Banerji, Abijit; Chowdury, Shyamal; Meenakshi, J.V. |
| Abstract: | Deficiencies of micronutrients such as vitamin A are widespread, expecially in Africa. Biofortified crops such as maize, bred for high levels of provitamin A might offer a solution, but these crops are often bright orange, and African maize consumers prefer white. To estimate the consumers interest in orange biofortified maize, sensory evaluations were organized in rural Ghana with white, yellow and orange maize. The effect of information on willingness to pay for biofortification was estimated using a simulated radio message. Results indicate that color preferences are highly regional, wide variation exist within regions, and the provision of information is able to change these preferences. The color of biofortified maize should therefore not be seen as major impediment, but proper information messages should be targeted at the right channels such as rural radio. |
| Keywords: | maize, biofortification, consumers, experimental auction, sensory evaluation, Crop Production/Industries, Demand and Price Analysis, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96197&r=afr |
| By: | Langat, B.K.; Sulo, T.K.; Nyangweso, P.M.; Ngeno, V.K.; Korir, M.K.; Kipsat, Mary J. |
| Abstract: | Policies fronting commercialization of agriculture in Kenya assumed that realization of increased household incomes, through cultivation of cash crops, would guarantee improved food security and subsequent reduction of poverty. However, most communities in Kenya growing cash crops are currently struggling to put food on the table. Nandi South is a maize deficit zone despite being 68% arable and having good climate (GoK, 2005). Population pressure has led to competition for limited land resource, coupled with unfavourable poverty indicators; they have impacted negatively on food access in the district. Specifically significant is smallholder tea population in Nandi Hills division. The study focused the population of smallholder tea farmers in Nandi South who supply their tea leaves to the Multinational tea estates. The main objective was to investigate the factors influencing householdsâ food security among smallholder tea farmers in Nandi South. A modified Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS) was used to model food demand of the smallholder households. Multi-stage proportional-to-size cluster sampling was used to sample 180 households. Data was collected using both questionnaires and interviews. Results point out that income, savings, food storage, land productivity, off-farm income, ratio of land allocated to tea significantly influence household food security. Policies that aim at improving household food security among smallholder cash crop farmers should target at increasing and diversifying household income sources and farm enterprises, provision of saving opportunities, storage facilities and proper allocation of land resource between cash crops and food crops. |
| Keywords: | Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:97086&r=afr |
| By: | Asfaw, Solomon; Shiferaw, Bekele A. |
| Abstract: | Achieving agricultural growth and development and thereby improving rural household welfare will require increased efforts to provide yield enhancing and natural resources conserving technologies. Agricultural research and technological improvements are therefore crucial to increase agricultural productivity and thereby reduce poverty. However evaluation of the impact of these technologies on rural household welfare have been very limited by lack of appropriate methods and most of previous research has therefore failed to move beyond estimating economic surplus and return to research investment. This paper evaluates the potential impact of adoption of modern agricultural technologies on rural household welfare measured by crop income and consumption expenditure in rural Ethiopia and Tanzania. The study utilizes cross-sectional farm household level data collected in 2007 from a randomly selected sample of 1313 households (700 in Ethiopia and 613 in Tanzania). We estimate the casual impact of technology adoption by utilizing endogenous switching regression and propensity score matching methods to assess results robustness. This helps us estimate the true welfare effect of technology adoption by controlling for the role of selection problem on production and adoption decisions. Our analysis reveals that adoption of improved agricultural technologies has a significant positive impact on crop income although the impact on consumption expenditure is mixed. This confirms the potential direct role of technology adoption on improving rural household welfare, as higher incomes from improved technology translate into lower income poverty. |
| Keywords: | rural household welfare, technology adoption, propensity score matching, endogenous switching, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Food Security and Poverty, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, C13, C15, O32, O38, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:97049&r=afr |
| By: | Muhammad, Shahbaz; Tiwari, Aviral; Muhammad, Nasir |
| Abstract: | This paper explores the effects of financial development, economic growth, coal consumption and trade openness on environmental performance using annual data over the period of 1965-2008 for South African economy. ARDL bounds testing approach to cointegration has used to test the long run relationship among the variables while short run dynamics have been investigated by applying error correction method (ECM). Unit root problem is checked through Saikkonen and Lutkepohl [1] structural break unit root test. Our findings confirmed long run relationship among the variables. Results showed that a rise in economic growth increases energy emissions while financial development lowers it. Coal consumption has significant contribution to deteriorate environment significantly. Trade openness improves environmental quality by lowering the growth of energy pollutants. EKC is also existed. |
| Keywords: | Coal Consumption; Economic Growth; Environment |
| JEL: | F18 P28 |
| Date: | 2011–08–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:32723&r=afr |
| By: | Amikuzuno, Joseph; Ihle, Rico |
| Abstract: | We assess market integration and price transmission of perishable agricultural produce in Sub-Saharan Africa by studying Ghanaian tomato markets which are characterized by pronounced seasonality in production and trade flows. We analyse the tomato markets of Ghana by simultaneously regarding its five most important markets, Navrongo, Techiman, Kumasi, Tamale and Accra, in a multivariate asymmetric price transmission framework. The estimation of the model is based on a unique dataset and on a modified version of the Johansen estimation procedure which is suitable for estimating such multivariate models. We estimate the price transmission parameters for four regimes which are a combination of the seasonal patterns in trade flows and asymmetries in the longrun price equilibrium between the most important production region (Techiman) and the most important consumption centre for tomatoes (Accra). We find strong evidence for integration of the five markets. In general, price transmission appears to be fast. Disequilibria mainly trigger price responses in the two production regions of Navrongo and Techiman. The regimes are found to matter for the whole system of tomato markets. Disequilibrium is shown to spillover between the price relationships. Consequently, tomato markets in Ghana appear to be integrated and function very well since price signals are rapidly passed through the country. |
| Keywords: | asymmetric price transmission, cointegration, Ghana, regime-dependent model, seasonality, tomato, vector error-correction model, Crop Production/Industries, Demand and Price Analysis, C32, Q11, Q13, F14, F15, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96814&r=afr |
| By: | Gelan, Ayele; Muriithi, Beatrice |
| Abstract: | Replaced with revised version of paper 11/18/10. |
| Keywords: | Dairy farms, efficiency scores, Data Envelopment Analysis, fractional regression, returns to scale, Livestock Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96187&r=afr |
| By: | Vermeulen, Hester; Bienabe, Estelle |
| Abstract: | Internationally, alternative food quality movements have given rise to a quality turn from the mass consumption model toward an increasing qualitative differentiation of products and demand (Allaire, 2002). While food quality trends and their implications have been widely analyzed internationally, little has been written on the local quality dynamics in South Africa, a country with clear dualistic socio-economic features. This paper aims to contribute to the understanding of South African consumersâ present food quality evaluation with a specific focus on âconventionalâ and âadvancedâ quality attributes associated with fresh food produce (fruit / vegetable and meat). Primary data was collected during 2009 through an extensive nationally representative consumer survey (n=420) (LSM 7 â 10), preceded by focus groups and retailer observations of actual quality claims on fresh food labels. Statistical analysis involved descriptive and comparative analyses and Kmeans cluster analysis in SPSS 17.0. The paper substantiates the fact that when selecting food purchase outlets and fresh food products, South African consumers largely apply âconventionalâ quality and convenience considerations (e.g. appearance, taste). Even though âadvancedâ / credence attributes (e.g. animal welfare, environmental practices, safety) are generally less important the results also demonstrate that they already have a relatively significant foothold in the local market, being more established for higher LSM groups in particular and suggesting potential opportunity for market growth.. The complexity of consumersâ behaviours and evaluation towards advanced food quality issues is also pointed out. Implications surrounding guaranteeing bodies and small-scale farmersâ market access are also addressed, as well as study limitations and recommendations for future research. |
| Keywords: | Farm Management, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96194&r=afr |
| By: | Gill, Tania; Punt, Cecilia |
| Abstract: | In South Africa, a water scarce country, conflict between water users is mounting, while there are few remaining bulk water augmentation options. Water demand management is thus increasingly taking centre stage in water management debates. Water pricing is regarded as an important component of managing the demand for water resources. This article traces the efficacy of increasing irrigation water tariffs to save water and the impact thereof on the national economy and the Western Cape economy using the Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model and Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) constructed by Hassan et al (2008). Two scenarios are investigated in which the water tariff is increased by 50 percent from a base of 2c/m³. In the first scenario water demand is fixed in agriculture; thus, water needs to be fully utilized in agriculture. In the second scenario it is assumed that all water does not have to be utilized. The study finds that, for both scenarios, increasing water tariffs by 50% raises the risk profile of agriculture, threatens food security, decreases national welfare, increases imports of staple foods, increases the prices of staple foods, decreases household welfare and decreases employment in agriculture. These adverse effects are more severe in the second scenario than in the first scenario. The introduction of irrigation water pricing shocks should thus be approached with due caution and alternative demand management approaches should be investigated. |
| Keywords: | Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96425&r=afr |
| By: | Olarinde, Luke O.; Binam, Joachim; Abdoulaye, Tahirou; Maman, Nouri; Adekunle, Adewale |
| Abstract: | This paper approaches the soil and water management (SWMGT) adoption estimation from the perspective of the modern evaluation theory. As a result, the analytical procedure adopted for the study follows the Average Treatment Effect (ATE) estimation framework. The data gathered for the analysis are part of the baseline data collected from a sample of 572 households in 20 villages in Maradi (Niger Republic) and katsina (Nigeria). Results show that about 45 percent of the respondents have adopted the soil and water management (SWMGT) practices, out of 398 (70%) households that had knowledge or were aware of the SWMGT options. The joint exposure and adoption rates from three different models have been estimated at 39%. Results for joint exposure and adoption (within the SWMGT exposed sub-population) rate are also similar for the three models (59%) with similar range of 95% confidence interval (between 52% and 65%). With the intervention of the SSACP through the 2 IAR4D, it is expected that the adoption rate could be increased by at least 14% if an effective awareness of these SWMGT practices through the Innovation Platform system is undertaken. Key words: Adoption, Exposure, Average treatment Effect, Innovation Platform, Integrated Agricultural Research for Development. |
| Keywords: | Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:95983&r=afr |
| By: | Kirsten, Johann F.; Haankuku, Choolwe; Stander, Ruan |
| Abstract: | Reliable data on private sector agricultural research and development is globally scarce, particularly in developing countries. In South Africa, it has been observed that research performance by the public sector via the Agricultural Research Council has declined in recent years and consequently, the private sector has embarked on a much larger role in South Africaâs agriculture research than before. However, the extent of this engagement remains unknown as data quantifying private sector agricultural R&D is limited. This study identified 51 private firms that perform agriculture related research activities and attempts to gather primary data to determine the nature and extent of private R&D in South Africa. However due to the large number of non-responses, the study covers only 19% of these firms. Nevertheless, the study found that the participation of the private sector in agriculture research in the past decade has increased; in terms of research expenditure by more than 100% and number of research personnel by more than 50%. It emerged that the nature of research done by the private sector locally is mainly adaptive research - focused on testing imported technology to ensure registration and certification for use on the local market as opposed to developing âownâ innovations. The most influencing government policy initiatives in the participation of the private sector in South Africaâs agriculture R&D have been deregulation of agriculture markets and liberalization of agricultural trade, which have increased the spill-in of agriculture technologies to South Africa. The study recommends that, in order to ensure sustainability and efficiency of private sector research, collaboration between the public sector and private sector as well as international organizations will be crucial. |
| Keywords: | Private sector agriculture Research and Development, innovations, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:95981&r=afr |
| By: | Beyene, Abebe Damte |
| Abstract: | Replaced with revised version of paper 12/14/10. |
| Keywords: | property rights, institutions, fuel wood, rural, Ethiopia., Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96171&r=afr |
| By: | Baiyegunhi, L.J.S.; Fraser, Gavin C.G. |
| Abstract: | Poverty has always been studied in a world of certainty. However, if the aim of studying poverty is not only improving the well-being of households who are currently poor, but also preventing people from becoming poor in the future, a new forward looking perspective must be adopted. For thinking about appropriate forward-looking anti-poverty interventions (i.e. interventions that aim to prevent or reduce future poverty rather than alleviate current poverty), the critical need then is to go beyond a cataloging of who is currently poor and who is not, to an assessment of householdsâ vulnerability to poverty. This study analyses a panel dataset on a representative sample of 150 rural households interviewed in 2007 and 2008 in the Amathole District Municipality of the Eastern Cape Province to empirical assess the dynamics of poverty and estimate the determinants of householdsâ vulnerability to poverty. The result of the study indicates that the number of vulnerable households is significantly larger than for the currently poor households; the vulnerability index was found to be 0,62 compared to 0,56 headcount index in 2008. This implies that while 56 percent of the sampled households are poor (ex post) in 2008, 62 percent are vulnerable to becoming poor (ex ante) in future. The result of the Probit model shows that the age, level of education and occupation of the household head, dependency ratio, exposure to idiosyncratic risks and access to credit are statistically significant in explaining a householdsâ vulnerability to poverty. |
| Keywords: | Poverty, vulnerability, poverty dynamics, risks, rural households, Food Security and Poverty, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:97078&r=afr |
| By: | Hanekom, J.W.; Willemse, B.J.; Strydom, D.B. |
| Abstract: | The South African Potato industry was deregulated in the early 1990âs, leading to changes in market structure. The adjustment in market structure leads to changes in production and marketing practices, including contracting and pricing strategies for processing firms within the industry. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the current status in the potato processing industry, based on market structure, conduct and performance. The objective is to qualitatively measure the driving forces within the industry, and how these factors influence performance of the industry as a whole. The research method was based on the structure-conduct-performance paradigm, giving a better understanding of the potato processing industry and the driving forces, relating to future growth. A short case study of the Australian potato processing industry, which finds itself in a similar position as South Africa, reveals that increasing global competition in the form of low cost importers, are hampering competitiveness and profitability, along with rising production costs. It was found that the South African potato processing industry has a relatively high concentration, which means efficiency is lacking as market shares is not distributed effectively. It was further evident that a lack of trust between processors and producers is a source of concern for processors. |
| Keywords: | Crop Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96643&r=afr |
| By: | D'Haese, Marijke F.C.; Speelman, Stijn; Vandamme, Ellen; Nkunzimana, Tharcisse; Ndimubandi, Jean; D'Haese, Luc |
| Abstract: | This paper deals with the devastating food insecurity in two densely populated provinces in the north of Burundi as a result of overpopulation and low production capacity in the aftermath of conflict. We compare data that was collected in the Ngozi and Muyinga Province in 2007 with data of households interviewed on the same hills in 1996. Households live from subsistence farming, erratic surplus sales, sales of coffee and banana and occasional off- and non-farm work. We find that not only did production levels decrease but also total factor productivity (Malmquist indices calculated with DEA approach) dropped in 83% of the hills between 1996 and 2007. |
| Keywords: | food security, post-conflict, Central Africa, Burundi, subsistence farming, poverty trap, International Development, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96829&r=afr |
| By: | Darroch, Mark A.G. |
| Abstract: | A representative stratified random sample of 100 South African farmers from across all production regions that export fresh citrus to the EU were surveyed during 2007-2008 to document their perceptions of the benefits and costs of complying with EUREPGAP standards on citrus exports. Principal Component Analysis identified six broad dimensions of internal benefits as improved operating/technical performance; regulations compliance and intra-business benefits; gains in competitiveness; regulations compliance and new market access; benefits from existing markets; and to overcome non-tariff barriers to entry. Two further dimensions of supply chain benefits identified by PCA were improved business working relationship and product quality benefits, and improved cooperation and contractual benefits. The sampled growers thus perceive operational, technical, safety, management, monetary, marketing and supply chain benefits from certification. The major costs of implementing EUREPGAP certification related to initial investment costs and the recurrent annual costs of compliance. The respondents, on average, spent R70510 on initial compliance costs, mainly for infrastructure, additional buildings and employees training. Some 60% of respondents spent less than 1% of annual farm turnover on initial compliance costs, while most of the respondents (84%) spent less than 1% of annual farm turnover on recurrent costs of compliance. Growers that owned a pack-house had statistically significantly higher initial and annual costs of compliance. The intra- and inter-firm benefits and costs of compliance identified by these results indicate factors that policymakers, and the Citrus Growersâ Association of Southern Africa, can focus on to improve the competitiveness of SA fresh citrus exports to the EU. |
| Keywords: | South African fresh citrus exports, European Union, perceived benefits and costs, EUREPGAP compliance, Farm Management, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96437&r=afr |
| By: | Abdu-Raheem, K.A. |
| Abstract: | This paper addresses the problem of extending biodiversity conservation onto the communal lands of the Dwesa-Cwebe conservation area in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, by investigating the conditions that must be fulfilled for any success to be registered. These conditions were derived based on a qualitative survey conducted in the Nqabara Administrative Area. The study developed a conceptual framework to unravel the complex nature of the whole community conservation initiative. A focus group discussion was adopted as the data collection method; and the underlying factors that have contributed to the success of the initiative in the Nqabara Administrative Area were identified. Appropriate coding was assigned to each distinct and major factor for proper presentation of the results and observations were appropriately indicated to buffer the explanation of the achieved results. Recommendations were subsequently made for the Dwesa-Cwebe in terms of the decision-making instruments that demand critical consideration for any successful community biodiversity conservation to be achieved. |
| Keywords: | Dwesa-Cwebe, Nqabara, biodiversity conservation, communal land, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:97069&r=afr |
| By: | Manganhele, Anina Trefina |
| Abstract: | Despite many decades of experimentation with supplier-led approaches to credit in many developing countries, limited success has been achieved in terms of improving access to credit for smallholder farmers. In the case of Mozambique, previous attempts by government to improve access to credit for farmers were not successful and the government is looking for more effective strategies. The purpose of this study is to examine experiences in other developing countries in Africa and Asia. The study is a multiple case studies selected from Zimbabwe, Thailand and Indonesia. The data collection method comprised a combination of primary collected through in-depth interviews with key informants and secondary sources. The data analysis techniques consisted of searching for themes regarding successful strategies in terms of dealing with costs and risks of lending to agriculture. Lessons from these cases were drawn to shed light on what the most effective intervention strategy for the Government of Mozambique could entail if it is to succeed to improve access to credit for smallholder farmers. The study concludes that an alternative strategy by the government to improve access to credit for smallholder farmers includes the re-establishment of a public rural bank. The study recommends that rural financial institutions should adopt a demand-driven approach, and the fundos do fomento (special development funds) need to be reformed. |
| Keywords: | smallholder farmers, access to agricultural credit, government intervention, Mozambique and other developing countries, Financial Economics, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96811&r=afr |
| By: | Langyintuo, Augustine S. |
| Abstract: | Patterns in price adjustment in response to information are important to market practitioners. This study looks at cowpea real wholesale price adjustment patterns in Bolgatanga, Wa, Makola and Techiman markets in Ghana. Using Techiman as the central market, a threshold autoregressive test for asymmetric price adjustment rejected the null hypothesis of symmetric adjustment for only the Bolgatanga-Techiman price series. An autoregressive conditional heteroskedastic regression indicates that wholesalers in Bolgatanga market respond differentially to price signals from Techiman than those in the other two markets. This suggests that policies targeting cowpea traders must recognize the differential responses by wholesalers to information. |
| Keywords: | Africa, Ghana, wholesalers, market information, autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity, threshold autoregressive, Crop Production/Industries, D82, D43, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96165&r=afr |
| By: | Ohajianya, D.O.; Ugochuckwu, A. |
| Abstract: | This study determined the factors (related to fixed and variable transaction costs) influencing the decision to participate in sweet potato markets by a random sample of 320 small holder farmers in south eastern Nigeria. Data were collected with structured and validated questionnaire, and analyzed using the ordered probit analysis procedure. Participation decisions revealed that marketing experience, farm size, membership of cooperatives/social organizations, extension contact, farming experience and road conditions to the nearest town had positive relationship with decision to be autarkic other than buyer and to be seller other than autarkic, and were significant at 1% level of probability. The coefficient of age, household size, and output were also positive and significantly related to decision to be autarkic other than buyer and to be seller other than autarkic at 5% level of probability. The coefficients for access to credit, and access to communication facilities were positive and significantly relate to decision to remain autarkic other than buyer and to be seller other than autarkic. The coefficients for level of education, distance to the nearest town, distance from the farm to the market and cost of transportation were negative and significantly related with the decision to remain autarkic other than a seller and to be buyer other autarkic at 1% level of probability. The coefficient for sex was positive and significantly related to decision by female farmers to be autarkic other than buyer and to be seller other than autarkic. These decisions to participate as a buyer, seller or 2 remain autarkic were as a result of fixed and proportional transaction costs associated with participating in the market. |
| Keywords: | Ordered probit, Transaction costs, Market participation, potato, autarkic, Agricultural Finance, Crop Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2011–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aesc11:108936&r=afr |
| By: | Meliko, Majory O.; Phinea, K. Chauke; Oni, Stephen A. |
| Abstract: | The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of the small scale farmers for the production year 2006/2007 in Limpopo province using policy analysis matrix. A total of twelve production systems were selected. Result shows that all were profitable under market condition with existing policies and all except Dry land maize had comparative advantage suggesting efficiency in the systems. Ranking the systems in term of PRC and DRC, irrigated vegetables like Potatoes, cabbages and tomatoes had higher profitability and comparative advantages than field crops like both dry and irrigated maize, Peanut and Beans. Despite competiveness in all and comparative advantage in most systems, these was not due to policy intervention as incentive indicators, e.g. SRP, shows that all production systems are being taxed indicating little motivation from policies for small scale farmers to production. |
| Keywords: | Farm Management, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96801&r=afr |
| By: | Nambiro, Elizabeth; Chianu, Jonas; Murage, Alice W. |
| Abstract: | Maize is the staple food for most Kenyan households, and grown in almost all the farming systems. Due to diminishing farm sizes in Kakamega District, crop productivity and the efficiency of farming systems are of great concern. This paper aims to provide empirical evidence on the links between efficiency in maize production and access to soil-related agricultural information services. Using cluster sampling, a total of 154 farmers in Kakamega District were interviewed. A 2âstep estimation technique (Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Tobit model) were used to evaluate the technical efficiencies among the farmers and the factors explaining the estimated efficiency scores. Data was disaggregated into farmers with and those without access to soil-related agricultural information services. The results shows that farmers with access to soil-related agricultural information services were more technically efficient (average technical efficiency of 90%) in maize production compared to those without access to information (technical efficiency at 70%). Given the significant role that access to soil-related agricultural information services play on technical efficiency in maize production in the study area, the paper recommends improvements in farmers access to this important resources through: (i) the strengthening of the formal and informal agricultural extension services, (ii) a stronger linkage among agricultural research, agricultural extension, and farm level activities; and (iii) policy support for increased distribution of soil management inputs. |
| Keywords: | Maize, Soil information, Technical efficiency, Tobit analysis, DEA, Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:95961&r=afr |
| By: | Mignouna, D.B.; Mutabazi, K.D.S.; Senkondo, E.M.; Manyong, Victor M. |
| Abstract: | Declining yields of maize as a result of Striga infestation has necessitated a new technology known as Imazapyr-resistant maize (IRM) to contain the problem. As a result, research and development initiatives with substantial participation of the private sector to transfer this new technology to farmers have been made in western Kenya. This study therefore assesses the adoption of IRM variety and efficiency levels of farmers in western Kenya. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select a total of 600 households from Nyanza and Western provinces for this study. Tobit model and stochastic production frontier analysis were the analytical methods. Results show that age, education, maize production gap, risk, contact with extension agents, lack of seeds, membership in social group, effective pathway for IRM dissemination and compatibility of the technology are the variables that were found to be significant (P<0.05) in shaping the decisions of households on whether to adopt or not. The study reveals that the mean technical efficiency of maize production of sampled farmers is 70% indicating some inefficiencies of maize production in western Kenya. Also, adoption of IRM significantly increased frontier maize output (P<0.01); household size decreased inefficiency along with farm size. It was recommended that efforts to increase adoption of IRM for enhanced farm efficiency should focus on farmersâ education, farming experience and access to information and farm basic inputs. |
| Keywords: | IRM technology, efficiency, stochastic production frontier, Tobit model, Crop Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96160&r=afr |
| By: | Aye, Goodness C.; Mungatana, Eric D. |
| Abstract: | The current food crisis all over the globe has necessitated alternative policy actions by various stakeholders in almost all countries of the world. Consequently, efforts are focused on increased investment in agricultural research and development. The study evaluates impact of technological innovations on estimates of technical, allocative and cost efficiency from a parametric stochastic and non-parametric distance functions. Inefficiency effects are modelled in a second stage endogeniety-corrected Tobit regression model as a function of technological innovation and other policy variables. The results from both approaches show there is substantial technical, allocative and cost inefficiency in maize production and that analysis of technical, allocative and cost efficiency with respect to technological innovation and other policy factors are robust. Our results show that policies aimed at maize technology development and their timely dissemination, improvement in education, access to credit and extension among others could promote technical, allocative and cost efficiency, reduce yield variability, enhance farm income, food security and reduce poverty in Nigeria. |
| Keywords: | technology, efficiency, maize, parametric, non-parametric, distance function, Nigeria, Crop Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:95965&r=afr |
| By: | Owusu, Victor; Owusu, Michael Anifori |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the market potential for fresh organic lettuce and water melon with a recently collected data on consumers from Kumasi metropolis of Ghana. Using a doublebounded dichotomous choice contingent valuation technique, consumerâs willingness to pay is estimated with a Tobit model to address the zero willingness to pay responses in the sample data. As much as 71% of the consumers are willing to pay over 50% price premiums for organic vegetables and over 82% are willing to pay 1%â50% price premiums for organic fruits. The empirical results indicate that human capital, product attributes and consumer perception influence consumersâ willing to pay for organic food products. The estimated market potential for organic fruit is GH¢32,117,113 (US$ 26,453,433) per annum and that of organic vegetable is GH¢1,991,224 (US$1,640,083) per annum suggesting a huge market potential for organic fruits in Ghana. |
| Keywords: | Willingness to Pay, Price Premium, Organic Products, Consumer Perception, Market Potential, Africa, Crop Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:95955&r=afr |
| By: | Ouma, James Okuro; Odendo, Martins; Bett, C.; de Groote, Hugo; Mugo, Stephen; Mutinda, C.; Gethi, J.; Njoka, S.; Ajanga, S.; Shuma, J. |
| Abstract: | Insect Resistant Maize for Africa Project (IRMA) aims at developing and deploying insect resistant maize varieties to reduce grain losses due to insect pests. As part of incorporating farmerâs perceptions and improving the adoption of the developed varieties, participatory approaches are adopted. The paper analysis farmerâs preferences of maize germplasm developed through conventional breeding. The paper uses data collected from evaluations conducted at the end of 2006 April and October rains. Nine stem borer resistant maize varieties were evaluated alongside six commercial checks in the moist transitional zones (East and West) at vegetative and harvest stage, while in the dry transitional zone and dry mid altitude zones, 6 new varieties were evaluated together with four commercial checks at harvest stage. Each variety was assessed on a scale of 1(very poor) to 5 (very good) based on key criteria generated in earlier group discussions with farmers and overall score. Data was analyzed using ordinal regression model of Social Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). In DT zone, Katumani, CKIR06007 and CKIR06008 were more preferred to the checks based on overall score. CKIR06008 was also more preferred on yield and tolerance to insect pest criteria, while CKIR04002, CKIR06009, and CKIR04003 were perceived more superior to local check based on tolerance to insect pests. In moist transitional zone Embu only CKIR06005 was more preferred (p<0.01) to the check at harvest stage in April 2006 season based on early maturity. While there was no preference for the new varieties at vegetative stage in Embu in October rains 2006 season, a number of new varieties CKIR06001, CKIR06002, CKIR06003, CKIR06004, and CKIR06005 were more preferred based on early maturity at harvest in October rains 2006 season. In the moist transitional zone (west), CKIR06005 and CKIR06005 were more preferred on maturity criteria but CKIR06004 also had good attributes in terms of cob size vegetative stage in April rains 2007. We conclude that farmers perceive some varieties to have good tolerance to insect pests in addition to good yield and maturity characteristics attributes, which are critical to the farmers in the adoption of new varieties. |
| Keywords: | Crop Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96189&r=afr |
| By: | Odendo, Martins; Obare, Gideon A.; Salasya, Beatrice |
| Abstract: | Most adoption studies have employed cross-sectional data in a static discrete choice modelling framework to analyze why some farmers adopt at a certain point in time. The static approach does not consider the dynamic environment in which the adoption decision is made and thus does not incorporate the speed of adoption and the effect of time-dependent elements in explaining adoption. The adoption speed of an innovation is important in various aspects. Based on data from a survey of a random sample of 331 smallholder households in western Kenya, this study investigated determinants of time to adoption of mineral fertilizer, animal manure and compost using Duration analysis. Results revealed that factors that influenced timing of the adoption varied by the practices. Whilst education level of the household head, cattle ownership, location of the farm, access to extension services, and participation in land management programmes accelerated the adoption of different practices, age of household head, relative farming experience and market liberalization retarded the adoption. Gender of household head gave mixed results. To speed up adoption of the practices requires policies that promote farmersâ participation in land management programs, access to extension services and markets in addition to stratified targeting of different practices to specific locations and farmers. |
| Keywords: | Adoption, duration analysis, soil nutrients, Crop Production/Industries, Land Economics/Use, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96192&r=afr |
| By: | Speelman, Stijn; Frija, Aymen; Buysse, J.; Van Huylenbroeck, Guido |
| Abstract: | With increasing water scarcity, research on policy options for improved water allocation and governance becomes an urgent priority for many developing and developed countries. Evaluating institutional alternatives is however a challenging task. This article takes a comparative approach and compares case study data from Tunisia and South Africa highlighting the importance of the water rights system for irrigators. Using contingent valuation methods the benefits for water users of changes in water rights systems are quantified. In both countries WTP estimates reveal that from the farmersâ perspective significant improvements can be made to the current water rights systems. This is valuable information for policy makers to guide institutional reforms. |
| Keywords: | Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:95954&r=afr |
| By: | Kiria, Christine G.; Vermeulen, Hester; de Groote, Hugo |
| Abstract: | The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensory characteristics and consumer acceptability of quality protein maize (QPM) in rural Tanzania. Due to the malnutrition problem facing consumers in developing countries, QPM which has almost double the amount of tryptophan and lysine, has been identified as a possible solution to this problem. To know whether consumers will accept QPM, it is vital that its sensory attributes and consumer acceptance tests are carried out. Sensory characteristics were determined using home use testing and central location methods by use of stiff porridge. Three districts were visited and 120 consumers participated in home use testing, whereas 30 respondents participated in the central location testing. At the central location, triangle test was also undertaken to find out if a difference exists between QPM and conventional maize. Additionally, acceptability of QPM was tested using BDM method. Consumer characteristics of QPM were highly appreciated for stiff porridge, a major maize product in East Africa. This was observed both in home use and sensory location testing. Likewise, consumers were willing to pay more for QPM than for conventional maize in all evaluation criteria used. Triangle test showed a significant difference between QPM and conventional maize. Sensory evaluation however needs to be repeated with other QPM varieties to ensure that it is not only a specific QPM variety that has favourable consumer characteristics |
| Keywords: | QPM, consumer acceptability, sensory evaluation, malnutrition, Tanzania, Crop Production/Industries, Demand and Price Analysis, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96417&r=afr |
| By: | Wiredu, A.N.; Mensah-Bonsu, Akwasi; Andah, E.K.; Fosu, K.Y. |
| Abstract: | The study assessed the effect of improved technology on land productivity of smallholder cocoa farmers in Ashanti Region, Ghana. With data from 366 smallholders cocoa farmers productivity was shown to be linearly related to and the use of improved cocoa technology in the study area. Both the decision to use improved technologies and the proportion of cocoa land allocated to cocoa production are all significant determinants of increased productivity. In addition, farm level factors characteristics as well as idiosyncrasies are shown to affect productivity. These including age, household size, participation in programs related to cocoa production, access to virgin lands, size of cocoa farm, labour resource use and nativity affect productivity at various levels of significance. Strategies to improve the productivity of the smallholder cocoa farmers must include the promotion of improved cocoa technologies as it evidently enhances productivity of the smallholders. These must not come alone but with appropriate training on their use. |
| Keywords: | Crop Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:97073&r=afr |
| By: | Baiphethi, Mompati N.; Viljoen, Machiel F.; Kundhlande, Godfrey; Ralehlolo, N.G. |
| Abstract: | The world recently experienced the food and financial crisis. The food crisis was an indicator of the challenges towards sufficiently feeding an increasing world population. Food production through rainfed and irrigated agriculture account for the bulk of the freshwater used globally but the water is still sufficient to meet the MDG goal on hunger reduction. Agricultural water management is thus an important challenge for feeding humanity; creates the need to find sustainable methods of managing water that will include all water users. Some of these methods include rainwater harvesting which has great potential in increasing food production as compared to irrigation. This paper aims to identify challenges and opportunities for small scale rainwater harvesting in enhancing food and livelihoods security. Given the large array of practices that are classified as rainwater harvesting, infield rainwater harvesting (IRWH) developed and mainly practised in the Free State Province, South Africa is used. The technique has been in use in villages around Thaba Nchu for a couple of years. Previous studies have shown that the technique increased yield significantly, reduced risk and thus improved household food security. The paper traces the evolution of the technique based of previous studies and recent data, to identify the potential and challenges faced by adopting households. It is concluded that IRWH has great potential to improve household food security as well as contribute to sustainable rural livelihoods mainly as it can reduce dependence on market sourced food supplies. |
| Keywords: | food security, livelihoods, rainwater harvesting, household, yield, Food Security and Poverty, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96640&r=afr |
| By: | Taruvinga, A.; Mushunje, Abbyssinia |
| Abstract: | Increased droughts in southern Africa have noticed some appreciation of the role that partial wetland cultivation can play to address household food security. This has also witnessed some indication of possible relaxation of wetland cultivation restrictive policies in Zimbabwe. However, the general perceptions of society towards wetland cultivation remain unclear and critically important for policy crafting before blanket recommendations are made. Using a Binary Logistic Regression Model seven predictor independent variables were regressed against a binary dependent variable of wetland cultivation status of households with the implicit goal of estimating socio-economic factors capable of influencing households` participation in wetland cultivation. Results revealed that from the seven predictor variables, six variables had a significant influence, while one variable was not significant. The implied message centres on careful articulation of such a policy given the fact that, the dominant age group (young and educated household heads) had a negative attitude towards wetland cultivation, a crucial factor that may risk its rejection if put under a referendum. Intuitively results conjecture a bleak future for partial wetland cultivation as a possible land use because the expected future generation (current young and educated household heads) currently shares a negative attitude towards partial wetland cultivation. |
| Keywords: | Wetland Cultivation, Environmental Policy, Logistic Regression, Crop Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:95967&r=afr |
| By: | Rao, Elizaphan J.O.; Qaim, Matin |
| Abstract: | Many developing countries are currently experiencing a rapid expansion of supermarkets. New supermarket procurement systems could have important implications for farming and wider rural development. While previous studies have analyzed farm profit and income effects, possible employment effects have received much less attention. Building on data from a recent survey of vegetable farmers in Kenya, in this article a double-hurdle model of hired labor use is developed and estimated. Farmer participation in supermarket channels increases the likelihood of hiring labor by 13% and overall demand for hired labor by 38%. A gender disaggregation shows that positive employment effects are especially pronounced for female hired labor. Given that agricultural wage labor is primarily an activity of low-income households in rural areas, the poor benefit over-proportionally. |
| Keywords: | Supermarkets, Off-farm income, Hired labor, Double-hurdle model, Kenya, Agricultural and Food Policy, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Consumer/Household Economics, Crop Production/Industries, Demand and Price Analysis, Farm Management, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Food Security and Poverty, Labor and Human Capital, Land Economics/Use, Livestock Production/Industries, Productivity Analysis, C34, Q12, Q13, J43, |
| Date: | 2011 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:gagfdp:107745&r=afr |
| By: | Vincent, Ngâeno; Lagat, B.K.; Korir, M.K.; Ngeno, E.K.; Kipsat, Mary J. |
| Abstract: | Poultry production is one of the most important economic activities to the smallholder farmers of Kenya. However, constraints are evident which have resulted in low production of poultry and poultry products to meet population demand and for socio-economic sustainability of the livelihoods. The objective of the study was to determine resource use efficiency, optimal production levels, production systems of small-scale poultry farmers in Bureti district, Kenya. Primary data were obtained using a set of structured questionnaires from 300 representative farmers drawn from the study area using cross-sectional sampling techniques. Data were analyzed by Cobb-Douglas production function. The results showed that the resources used in poultry production were underutilized while others were over utilized. The efficiency indicators for poultry feeds (0.0603) showed that poultry feeds were inefficiently used. Labour efficiency indicator (-0.091) showed that farmers were not only grossly inefficient in the use of the resource but also over utilized it while the efficiency indicator (60.86) for poultry equipment implied the resource was inefficiently utilized. It is recommended that farmers should use inputs more efficiently (particularly feeds which were being inefficiently utilized) by reducing their levels of employment. |
| Keywords: | Economic Efficiency, Resource Use Efficiency, Small-Holder Poultry Farmers, Kenya, Livestock Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:97094&r=afr |
| By: | Mandleni, B; Anim, F.D.K. |
| Abstract: | This paper investigated the extent of awareness of climate change by livestock farmers in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. It further explored the choice of adaptation measures that were followed and factors that affected adaption measures. The results indicated that marital status, level of education, formal extension, temperatures and the way in which land was acquired, significantly affected awareness of climate change. Variables that significantly affected adaptation selections were gender, formal extension, information received about climate change, temperatures and 2 the way in which land was acquired. The study suggested that the positive and significant variables that affected awareness and adaptation measures by livestock farmers be considered when awareness and adaptation strategies are implemented. |
| Keywords: | Climate change awareness, Heckmanâs two step probit model, decisions to adapt, Farm Management, |
| Date: | 2011–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aesc11:108794&r=afr |
| By: | Simtowe, Franklin; Asfaw, Solomon; Diagne, Aliou; Shiferaw, Bekele A. |
| Abstract: | This paper applies the Average Treatment Effect (ATE) framework on data obtained from a random cross-section sample of 594 farmers in Malawi to document the actual and potential adoption rates of improved groundnut varieties and their determinants conditional on farmersâ awareness of the technology. The fact that not all farmers are exposed to the new technologies makes it difficult to obtain consistent estimates of population adoption rates and their determinants using direct sample estimates and classical adoption models such as probit or tobit. Our approach tries to control for exposure and selection bias in assessing the adoption rate of technology and its determinants. Results indicate that only 26% of the sampled farmers grew at least one of the improved groundnut varieties. The potential adoption rate of improved groundnut for the population is estimated at 37% and the adoption gap resulting from the incomplete exposure of the population to the improved groundnut is 12%. We further find that the awareness of improved varieties is mainly influenced by information access variables, while adoption is largely influenced by economic constraints. The findings are indicative of the relatively large unmet demand for improved groundnut varieties suggesting that there is scope for increasing the adoption rate of improved groundnut varieties in Malawi once the farmers are made aware of the technologies and if other constraints such as lack of access to credit are addressed. |
| Keywords: | groundnuts, adoption, Average Treatment Effect, Malawi, Crop Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:95921&r=afr |
| By: | Mwaura, Francis; Muwanika, Fred Roland; Okoboi, Geofrey |
| Abstract: | Although the Ugandan government is determined to aid farmers increase agricultural productivity as an intervention on increasing food security and reducing poverty through extension services, resources constraints are dampening its efforts. Private extension services providers are being invited to take up information dissemination roles with queries on the availability and demand of the services among farmers to attract private sector and factors influencing the demand for extension services. Data collected by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) on national service delivery throughout the country in 2008 among 5363 and 3318 farmers involved in cropsâ and animalsâ husbandry was used to predict willingness to pay, amount farmers were willing to pay for extension services and factors that were to influence willingness to pay. It was established that about 35% and 40% of the farmers were willing to pay on average Ugandan shillings 3,400 (US$ 1.8) and 3,700 (US$ 2) per trip for extension services in crop and animal husbandry respectively. Key farmerâs attributes that influenced willingness to pay included sex, age, education level, regions of residence and preferred means to receive the services. The demand for extension and preferred price are low for private sectors engagement and the government should first educate the public on the importance of the services. |
| Keywords: | Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96185&r=afr |
| By: | Fischer, Elisabeth; Qaim, Matin |
| Abstract: | Collective action has become an important strategy for smallholders in developing countries to remain competitive in rapidly changing markets. However, within farmer groups, the commitment of individual members can vary, as the expected net benefits are not the same for all individuals, and opportunities to free-ride exist. Since the benefits of collective action emerge primarily through the exploitation of economies of scale, low participation rates in joint activities may put a serious threat to the success and viability of farmer groups. This article investigates determinants of smallholder participation intensity and free-riding, using the example of banana groups in Kenya. The results suggest that family labor availability and previous benefits that members received through the groups positively influence their intensity of participation in group meetings and collective marketing. Free-riding can mostly be attributed to structural and institutional conditions, such as group size and the timing of payments. More diversified farmers are less likely to sell collectively. Since smallholders are often highly diversified in their agricultural activities, farmer groups should also diversify, focusing on more than a single crop. Further policy implications are discussed. |
| Keywords: | collective action, participation intensity, smallholder farmers, Kenya, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Institutional and Behavioral Economics, International Development, D23, D71, O13, Q13, |
| Date: | 2011–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:gagfdp:108551&r=afr |
| By: | Segun-Olasanmi, A.O.; Bamire, A.S. |
| Abstract: | Net gains on agricultural investments promote sustainable farm production. The costs and returns analysis to maize-cowpea intercrop was analysed in selected communities of Oyo state, Nigeria, to determine the profitability of the enterprise. A multi-stage stratified sampling technique was used to select a sample size of one hundred and sixty maize-cowpea intercrop farmers in eighteen farming communities in the study area. Data were obtained from the farmers on their socio-economic characteristics, resource ownership, input and output used as well as costs incurred and revenue obtained for the 2006 production season using a structured questionnaire. Data were collected on a gender-disaggregated basis and analysed with the budgetary technique using the gross margin approach. Results showed that the difference between gross revenues and total variable costs for male and female maize-cowpea intercrop farmers was statistically significant at 5% level. Maize-cowpea intercropping was found to be profitable as indicated by mean gross margins of N31, 200 and N19, 900 per hectare for male and female farmers respectively. However, the difference in the mean gross margin was not significant at the 5% level. |
| Keywords: | Costs, Maize-cowpea intercrop, Returns, Crop Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96800&r=afr |
| By: | Adewumi, Matthew O.; Babatunde, Raphael O.; Olufunke, Ayodele |
| Abstract: | A country needs a well nourished population of children for a productive future. Malnutrition is by far the biggest contributor to child morbidity and mortality; therefore, combating malnutrition in our communities should be an issue to policy makers. With the use of anthropometric indices derived from survey data collected from 150 randomly selected children from 150 farming households in Kabba Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, this study assessed malnutrition of children in the Central part of Nigeria. Logit model was used to examine the relationship between some anthropometric indices and the general characteristics of the household and the children. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information from the sampled households. The result showed that about one-quarter of the children are underweight while a very insignificant number of the sampled children were wasted. The probit result showed that daily calorie intake and access to safe water had significant effect on underweight of children in the study area. Daily calorie intake per child was also significant on stunting and wasting. Over 66% of the farming households had access to well water and only 21% had access to bore-hole. Majority of the children could be said to be more susceptible to water borne diseases. Provision of better domestic water source, mass food production strategies can be policy options for a virile labour force in the study area. |
| Keywords: | Health Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96798&r=afr |
| By: | Jaleta, Moti; Gebremedhin, Berhanu |
| Abstract: | Most studies on smallholder market participation decisions analyze crop or livestock market participation separately. However, in mixed crop-livestock farming systems, smallholdersâ participation decisions in crop and livestock markets may not be separate as a householdâs position in one market may be influenced by its position in the other. Where there is limited income from off-farm and/or non-farm activities, household cash requirements for crop production or household consumption are usually met by selling livestock. Similarly, livestock purchase is usually financed by income from crop sales. However, to what extent the position in one market influences the other is still not well explored in the literature. The aim of this paper is to investigate the interactions of crop and livestock output market participation of smallholders, by analyzing the determinants of household market participation positions in both commodities simultaneously. Household level data collected in 2009 from 1075 sample households in ten districts of the four major regions of Ethiopia is used for the analyses. Using simultaneous equation models, we test whether the position of being a net seller in crop market is affected by the position of being a net buyer in the livestock market, and vice versa. Results show that the decision to be a net buyer in crop market is associated positively with the decision to be a net seller in livestock market. Similarly, the decision to be a net seller in crop market is associated positively with the decision to be a net buyer in livestock market. This implies that crop purchase is financed by livestock sale and excess income from crop sale is saved in the form of livestock asset. Thus, policies/strategies enhancing smallholdersâ participation in crop and livestock markets in mixed crop-livestock system should pay attention to the production and marketing of both commodities simultaneously. |
| Keywords: | market participation, market position, crop-livestock system, smallholder, Ethiopia, Farm Management, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96168&r=afr |
| By: | Korir, M.K.; Kibet, J.; Kipsat, Mary J.; Nyangweso, P.M.; Rirei, M. |
| Abstract: | The dairy sub sector is one of the most important of the agricultural sub sectors in Kenya, contributing to 5% of Kenyaâs GDP. The estimated annual consumption of milk stands at 3.1 billion litres. Although there was a steady agricultural growth to about 6% between 2003 and 2007, other emerging challenges as high production costs have emerged. These were compounded by the post election crisis (PEC) after the disputed Presidential elections which saw the looting of property including livestock, leading to a decline in the sector. The objective of the study was to determine the dairy productivity after the PEC. The survey was done in four designated project areas namely, Turbo, Kapseret, Kessess and Ainabkoi. Primary data was collected by use of structured questionnaires from 194 systematically selected farmers. The data was then analyzed by use of the SPSS. The results show that 67.53% of the farmers had lactating cows; the average number being 1.2 cows. The numbers of all the livestock categories (lactating, dry, bulls and steers, and calves) reduced after the PEC. Despite a higher mean production of 10.67 lts/day for pure breeds, this was not significantly different from the average production of 7.38 lts/day among the crosses. This implied that the milk production potential of pure bred dairy cattle was yet to be exploited. It is recommended that development agencies focus on all production and management initiatives to enable farmers exploit existing potential. |
| Keywords: | Dairy productivity, Uasin Gishu, Kenya, Livestock Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96177&r=afr |
| By: | Gebrehiwet, Yemane; Meyer, Ferdinand H.; Kirsten, Johann F. |
| Abstract: | Agricultural inputs expenditure has not been widely incorporated in most partial equilibrium models. Moreover, input costs are treated exogenous and the recursive link between input and output side of the sector is overlooked in few of the models that attempts to incorporate input expenditures. The study has addressed both issues by integrating agricultural input expenditures into the South African sectoral partial equilibrium model by endogenising input costs and recursively linking both input and output side of the agricultural sectors to enhance the results of a standard partial equilibrium model in analysing the effect of policies on agricultural sector. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural Finance, Farm Management, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:97050&r=afr |
| By: | Kamau, Mercy W.; Mose, Lawrence Obae; Fort, Ricardo; Ruben, Ruerd |
| Abstract: | Increased awareness among coffee consumers of the impact of their consumption habits on the people and environment in coffee producing countries has resulted to implementation of certification programs in the coffee sector as an assurance of good practices in production and marketing of coffee. The UTZ certificate was the first to be introduced in the Kenyan coffee industry and this study provides the first quantitative assessment of its impact on smallholder farmers. The propensity score matching technique was used because it solves the âselection biasâ problem in assessment of the impact of development programs. The impact of the certification program differed between the two regions where it is being implemented probably due to the differences in bio-economic characteristics. Overall, the impact of the program ranges from higher coffee prices and coffee incomes, increased access to greater amounts of credit for agricultural purposes, increased incomes from other crop enterprises or off-farm activities, greater savings by households and increased investments on land. UTZ certification also resulted to better service provision by the cooperative societies. The perception by certified households that their economic situation has not changed may be attributed to the short period that the certification program has been in existence and also to the reference period (2008) which was a difficult year in Kenya due to the post election and economic crises. |
| Keywords: | Crop Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96651&r=afr |
| By: | Ricker-Gilbert, Jacob; Jayne, Thomas S. |
| Abstract: | This study uses household level panel data from Malawi to measure the contemporaneous and dynamic impacts of fertilizer subsidies on different indicators of household wellâbeing. Wellâbeing is measured in this paper using indicators contained in available survey data, such as area cultivated, maize production, asset wealth, respondentâstated adequacy of food consumption and respondent-stated life satisfaction. The study uses fixed effects and instrumental variable methods to control for endogeneity caused by the nonârandom distribution of targeted fertilizer subsidies. Results indicate that the quantity of subsidized fertilizer acquired by a household has a positive contemporaneous effect on area planted, area planted to maize and maize production at the household level. The subsidy also has a significant dynamic effect on the quantity of maize that households produce. Subsidized fertilizer has no significant contemporaneous or dynamic effect on household asset accumulation. Receiving more subsidized fertilizer does not make households feel that their food consumption has been adequate over the past year, but receiving more subsidized fertilizer makes household heads say that they are more satisfied with their lives. Subsidized fertilizer appears to be going to people with more land. In addition, people in villages where members of parliament reside also receive greater quantities of subsidized fertilizer. These findings raise questions about how subsidy recipients are targeted. Improving targeting could increase the positive impacts of fertilizer subsidies on household wellâbeing. |
| Keywords: | Food Security and Poverty, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96650&r=afr |
| By: | Nyairo, Newton Morara; Kola, Jukka; Sumelius, John |
| Abstract: | The introduction of agricultural reforms has debatable effects on food security in developing countries. This research investigates how such effects influenced maize supply in two developing countries which were among the first to introduce agricultural reforms. Conclusions from the research suggest that agricultural reforms led to mixed results. This may be attributed to the sometimes stop-go nature of reform implementation. The mixed results are reflected in the weak maize output response to price changes. Overall country economic conditions, state of agricultural development can be attributed to the pace of response, hence effect on agricultural supply. Elasticity of maize output to changes in price and acreage are strongly significant in maize output for the case of Kenya. Both restricted models of maize production suggest that prior to the introduction of reforms acreage, prices and alternative crops were more elastic when simulated with Zambian data than with Kenyan data. |
| Keywords: | food security, agricultural reforms, elasticity of supply, International Relations/Trade, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96172&r=afr |
| By: | Tuei, B. Chepkoech |
| Abstract: | Regulation in the dairy industry targets the small scale producers and milk traders with the aim of ensuring that they meet requirements for milk quality control. The paper presents results from a study carried out in Kikuyu division, Central province of Kenya that assessed the challenges and the benefits accrued to on farm clean milk production and the level to which farmers were aware of regulations governing the dairy sector. The farmers were producers of milk only and possessed no milk bar licenses, public health licenses, business producer licenses nor single business licenses. They had little knowledge of laws regulating dairying with 40% identifying Kenya Dairy Board (KDB)as law enforces, 20% as law enforcers and educators while 40% had no knowledge of their mandate. Farmers adopt hygienic milk production and handling if the practices are cost effective and simple to understand. Those who carried out milk production, disease control and facility hygiene were 55% while 21.1% tested for mastitis and another 22.9% able to keep the zero grazing units clean. Information on milk quality control was acquired from extension workers from the Ministry of Livestock development by 52% of the producers, 36% from the veterinary department of the same ministry and 12% through seminars. There is need to develop pro-poor interventions, strengthen infrastructure, farmer groups and security so as to maximize the production of quality and quantity of milk. |
| Keywords: | milk quality control, regulation, Livestock Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:97077&r=afr |
| By: | Mukarumbwa, P.; Mushunje, Abbyssinia |
| Abstract: | Successive droughts, in Zimbabwe compounded by other economic shocks in recent years have resulted in decreased maize productivity amongst the communal farmers most of whom reside in regions IV and V which are considered semi-arid. This has given rise to the need to find alternative food crops, which may be suitable for these areas. Generally, research in the world indicates that sorghum and millet have the potential to end chronic food insecurity in semi-arid areas because of their drought tolerance. Whilst this might be the case, research, government policy and assistance from non-governmental organizations on food crop production in Zimbabwe have shown a continual inclination to maize production in semi-arid areas. However, maize is regarded as a high risk crop in these regions. The main objective of this paper is to review relevant literature on the potential contribution of small grains to alleviate household food security in semi arid regions of African countries with specific focus on Zimbabwe. These findings will enable developing countries to craft a policy shift that encourage increased production of finger millet and sorghum in their semi-arid regions. It is suggested that this may increase household food security in these regions. |
| Keywords: | semi-arid, sorghum, finger millet, small grains, food security, Crop Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96430&r=afr |
| By: | Odwori, P.O.; Mapelu, M.Z.; Odhiambo, Mark O.; Nyangweso, P.M. |
| Abstract: | Simulation models have been used successfully to forecast productivity of cropping systems under various weather, management and policy scenarios. These models have helped farmers make efficient resource allocation decisions. However, in Kenya simulation models have not been used extensively and more specifically in modeling maize cropping system. The study aimed at forecasting productivity and profitability of maize cropping system in Uasin Gishu district, Kenya. Both primary and secondary data were used. Both time series and cross-sectional data for variables of interest were collected and complemented by a survey of 20 maize farmers who were systematically selected to verify information obtained from secondary sources. Cropping Systems simulation model and Monte Carlo simulation were used to determine maize output and profits under alternative price scenarios. Even though, simulated yields underestimated actual maize yield both at the district and across the four agro-ecological zones, the deviation from the actual yield was marginal. It is recommended that Cropsyst and Monte Carlo models be included among a bundle of tools for decision making. Further research is also required to test the two models under different locations, soil types, management styles and scales of production. |
| Keywords: | Forecasting, Yields, Profits, Maize cropping system, Simulation models, Crop Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:97080&r=afr |
| By: | Hough, Ella Christina; Nell, Wilhelm T.; Maine, Ntsikane; Groenewald, Jan A.; van der Rijst, M. |
| Abstract: | Phosphates (P) are an important nutrient required by every living plant and animal cell, and deficiencies in soils could cause limited crop production, thereby reducing profitability. Phosphates are also a primary nutrient essential for root development and crop production, and are needed in the tissues of a plant where cells rapidly divide and enlarge. Precision agriculture (PA) could assist the farmer in applying the correct amount of P to the part of the field where it is required most. Variable rate technology (VRT) is a potential tool that can help with the development of strategies for phosphate fertilizer management. On-field trials were conducted on a commercial farm in the Western Cape Province; As many as five soil types occur on each field studied, and three crops â wheat, canola and barley - are grown in rotation. One half of each field was planted using VRT (PA), while constant application (SR) was used on the other half. The objective was to determine whether spatial econometric models are more accurate than traditional ordinary least squares (OLS) models in predicting the profitability impact of P on PA. There are significant differences to be observed between the results obtained with the OLS, Spatial Error (SER) and restricted maximum-likelihood (REML) models. All the measures of goodness of fit indicated an increase in fit from the OLS to the SER model, with the best fit being achieved with the REML model, implying that the use of this model resulted in more accurate estimates. |
| Keywords: | Precision agriculture, variable-rate phosphate application, single rate phosphate application, profitability, spatial differences, restricted maximum-likelihood model (RELM), spatial regression, best fit model selection, South Africa, Crop Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96642&r=afr |
| By: | Omotesho, O.A.; Fakayode, S.B.; Tariya, Y. |
| Abstract: | Global trends nowadays towards long term sustainable crop production is hinged on either supplementing the use of chemical fertilizers with organic materials or a complete use of organic materials. This is more so since substituting chemical fertilizers with organic materials reduces the risks of exposure to ailments that arise on account of synthetic compounds and increases farmersâ gains via reduced soil erosion and carbon emissions and increased bio-diversity. In this vein, the current study investigated organic materials use in Nigeriaâs agriculture. Specifically, the study examined availability and use of chemical fertilizer and organic materials substitutes and investigated factors affecting the use of organic materials in the Nigerian food sector. The study data were drawn from a survey of sixty-one farm households that used organic materials as major nutrients inputs or as supplement with chemical fertilizers for their cropping activities. The study area is Shira in Nigeria. Farmers in this area usually incorporate the use of organic materials in their agriculture. The descriptive statistics and regression analyses were used to analyse the study data. Results indicate that farmers in the study area source their chemical fertilizer inputs from the open market at an exorbitant price of N2000 (US dollar $13.8) per bag on average thereby using very low rates of chemical fertilizers. Organic materials used by farmers were sourced from cattle, goats, sheep and poultry droppings. The quantity of organic material used was 12,513.0 kg per hectare at a cost of N15,015.6 (US dollar $103.5). Major constraints in the use of organic materials by farmers include poor transport facilities and cutworm infestations of the organic materials. Factors revealed to influence the quantity of organic material used by farmers were the cost of organic materials and the quantity of chemical fertilizers used by the farmers. The study therefore calls for stakeholders in the food sub-sector to encourage the establishment of blending plants for the production of organic materials, burning of organic materials before usage, and the need to enhance researches aimed at establishing optimal material mixtures and application rates for organic materials used in the Nigerian farming systems. |
| Keywords: | farming systems, bio-diversity, carbon emissions, cut worm infestation, food sub-sector, sheep, goat, poultry, optimal mixtures, Crop Production/Industries, Environmental Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:97093&r=afr |
| By: | Robinson, Jonathan |
| Abstract: | In many developing countries, unexpected income shocks are common, formal insurance is absent, and informal inter-household risk-sharing networks are unable to provide full insurance. An important question is therefore whether risk sharing within the household is effective. I conducted a field experiment in Western Kenya in which 142 married couples were followed for approximately 8 weeks. Every week, each individual had a 50% chance of receiving an income shock equivalent to a few days' income. Since these shocks are, by definition, small relative to lifetime income, they should not affect intra-household bargaining power and should only affect a Pareto efficient household through the pooled budget constraint. However, I find that men increase their private consumption when they receive the shock but not when their wives do, a rejection of efficiency. I present evidence that such behavior is not specific to the experiment - both husbands and wives spend more on themselves in weeks in which their labor income is higher. The results suggest that insurance is limited even within the households in this sample. |
| Keywords: | risk sharing, intra-household, efficiency |
| JEL: | O20 O12 |
| Date: | 2011–05–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:30842&r=afr |
| By: | Apata, T.G.; Folayan, A.; Apata, O.M.; Akinlua, J. |
| Abstract: | This study examined the role of subsistence-oriented agriculture in Nigeria in the 1990s to 2000s. The start out by discussing the diverging economic effects of the growth of subsistence agriculture in Nigeria since the transition process started. The quantitative analysis of this sectorâs role is carried out by means of an applied Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model applying a 1994 Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) as base year data. The innovation of the article is to disaggregate primary agricultural production not by products but by farm types, which enables us to distinguish their institutional and economic characteristics. The study simulates two Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) of the government. The results of the post SAP period highlight that Nigeriaâs subsistence agriculture was an important shock absorber against further agricultural output declines during transition. A simulation, which looks into the effects of a devaluation of the Nigeria Naira, shows that the financial crisis should have increased the relative competitiveness particularly of large-scale crop farms versus small-scale farms. The reforms of successive governments show that efficiency enhancing institutional change would benefit both large-scale and small-scale farms. However, within small-scale agriculture, a shift from subsistence to commercial agriculture would take place. |
| Keywords: | Subsistence agriculture, CGE model, Exchange rate, Institutional Development, Structural Constraints, Nigeria, Community/Rural/Urban Development, |
| Date: | 2011–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aesc11:108942&r=afr |
| By: | Kirumba, E.G.; Pinard, F. |
| Abstract: | This paper sought to investigate determinants of farmersâ compliance with coffee eco-certification standards in Mt. Kenya region. Socio-economic, institutional and farm factors were analyzed and the binary logistic regression model was used to predict factors enhancing compliance. The findings show that perception of benefits, coffee as the main source of income, annual coffee production, and the number of times a farmer sprayed annually; were the main drivers of compliance. The findings point towards a growing concern that certification projects focus on âprogressiveâ farmers rather than seek to uplift and integrate âweakâ farmers. This calls for concerted efforts among all key stakeholders to enhance inclusivity and participation. |
| Keywords: | Crop Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:95970&r=afr |
| By: | Kaguongo, Wachira; Ortmann, Gerald F.; Wale, Edilegnaw; Darroch, Mark A.G.; Low, Jan W. |
| Abstract: | This study applied logit and logit transformed regression to examine factors affecting the adoption of orange flesh sweet-potatoes (OFSP), and intensity of such adoption, by a representative sample of 340 farmers in the Busia and Rachuonyo districts of Kenya in 2009. The study also investigated whether participation in a value chain extension intervention programme increased these farmersâ likelihood of adopting OFSP. The results suggest that the district where the farmer comes from, knowledge on value addition and nutritional benefits, and availability of vines were the key factors for adoption. The results also suggest that participation in a value chain extension programme enhanced the probability of adoption. Factors affecting intensity of adoption were site, value addition, vines availability, level of commercialization and having a child of up to five years. |
| Keywords: | Adoption, extension intervention programme, intensity of adoption, orange flesh sweetpotato, Crop Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96805&r=afr |
| By: | Mare, Frikkie A.; Nell, Wilhelm T.; Willemse, B.J. |
| Abstract: | Since the decline in the price of maize from the beginning of 2010, meat has become the new buzzword under maize producers as they are desperately looking for alternatives to increase the value of their crops. It seems as if the price of maize may stay low at levels equal to export parity prices for the next year or two due to very large yields and an increasing level of ending stocks each year. On the other hand, there is the meat sector which is doing extremely well and had even shown positive growth during the worldwide financial crisis. A substantial decrease in the price of beef therefore seems unlikely and makes it a very attractive alternative market for maize. The question, however, is whether the value of maize can be increased by marketing it through beef, and what factors influence the profitability of this marketing alternative. A model simulating different scenarios with regards to the physical and financial information of a feedlot indicates that in the most cases a feedlot will have a positive margin and thus increases the value of the maize that is fed. The factors that were found to affect the margin the most in a negatively correlated relation, are the weaner price, maize price, feed conversion ratio, mortality rate and feed concentrate price, while those affecting the margin in a positively correlated way are the carcass price, slaughter percentage and average daily gain. |
| Keywords: | Livestock Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96646&r=afr |
| By: | Magreta, Ruth; Magombo, Tennyson; Zingore, Shamie |
| Abstract: | The knowledge today recaps thatâs livelihood of many African farmers are constrained by poor access to both inputs and output markets, limited entrepreneurial skills for adding value to produce and to bargain for better prices and finally limited technical skills in agricultural production. Despite a tremendous attention to salvage this through government interventions and research, there is still a big problem in addressing the smallholder farmerâs needs. Farmer organizations open up opportunities for farmers to better overcome the above mentioned constraints through lobbying and collective action. Drawing from results of Participatory diagnosis and participatory market research done in Nkhate irrigation scheme in 2007 and 2008 this paper examines the effect of effective farmer groups in influencing rice price formation. Results demonstrated that farmer groups have the potential to effectively influence policy outcomes in their favour. This was however achieved through reorganization and mobilization of farmer groups to improve lobbying efficiency and reduce the inefficiencies caused by free riding. The results indicate that from the participatory gross margin analysis which was done by CIAT ( 2007) with rice farmers at the irrigation scheme, it was revealed that farmers have been making losses in the marketing of Kirombero and Super Fire rice varieties and have been realizing a very small positive margin for Mtupatupa a local rice variety. The analysis revealed gross margins of 36.78 US$ ha-1, -182.50 US$ ha-1, and 60.36 US$ ha-1, for Super fire, Kirombero and Mtupatupa varieties respectively. This shows that farmers were making losses when they sold rice to traders at a price dictated to them. However, after farmers were effectively organised in a group and linked to markets, farmers realized gross margins of 681.84US$ ha-1, 664.23US$ ha-1 and 1,028.69US$ ha-1 for Mtupatupa, Super fire and Kirombero rice varieties respectively. The paper further recommends that such farmer groups need to better articulate and deliver benefits to members hence ensuring that these members subscribe to the group and hence finance lobbying efforts which are often costly. |
| Keywords: | Farmer groups, Profitability, input and output markets, participatory market research, lobbying, Farm Management, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:97043&r=afr |
| By: | Vincent, Ngâeno; Korir, M.K.; Nyangweso, P.M.; Kipsat, Mary J.; Lagat, B.K. |
| Abstract: | One of the major challenges facing the stateâowned Kenya Meat Commission (KMC) in Kenya has been the inadequate supply of quality live animals for meat processing. It has been observed that the live animal throughput is inadequate and, as a result the existing meat processing facilities operate at less than 50% of their operational capacities. This has increased the fixed costs of operation thereby decreasing the export abattoirs competitiveness in the domestic and export markets. Overcoming the constraint of supply shortage of quality live animals requires, among other things, understanding the livestock producersâ marketing behaviour. This study was conducted with the main objective to assess the determinants of market offâtake rates for cattle and shoats in the pastoral areas of East Pokot District, Kenya. The multinomial logit model was used for econometric analyses using both primary and secondary data obtained from different sources covering the pastoral areas of Kenya. It was observed that in general, many pastoralists do not participate in the livestock market. Furthermore, for those pastoralists who participate in the market, the size of transaction (sale or purchase of cattle or shoats) was found to be very small. The implication of limited market participation is that under the production and marketing conditions, livestock production systems do not provide regular and adequate market supply of quality live animals at competitive prices, which adversely affect the efficient utilization of meat processing capacity and hence their competitiveness in the domestic and export markets. |
| Keywords: | pastoralists, livestock markets, market participation, east Pokot, Kenya, Farm Management, Livestock Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:97090&r=afr |
| By: | Gebremedhin, Berhanu; Jaleta, Moti |
| Abstract: | The literature on commercial transformation of smallholders makes little distinction between market orientation (production decision based on market signals) and market participation (sale of output). However, policy implications to enhance commercial transformation of subsistence agriculture drawn from the analysis of the determinants of household market participation alone could be inadequate, if in fact, the determinants of market orientation and market participation are not the same or not consistent with each other. This paper analyzes the determinants of market orientation and market participation in Ethiopia separately and examines if market orientation translates into market participation. Empirical results show that the determinants of market orientation and market participation in crop output markets are not the same, but market orientation translates strongly into market participation. Results imply that while interventions to enhance market orientation could also help in promoting market participation, interventions to promote market participation may not be adequate to promote market orientation. |
| Keywords: | commercialization, smallholders, market orientation, market participation, Marketing, C21, C24, Q12, Q13, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96159&r=afr |
| By: | Otieno, David Jakinda; Hubbard, Lionel J.; Ruto, Eric |
| Abstract: | In this study the stochastic metafrontier method is used to investigate technical efficiency and technology gaps across three main beef cattle production systems in Kenya. Results show that there is significant inefficiency in nomadic and agro-pastoral systems. Further, in contrast with ranches, these two systems were found to have lower technology gap ratios. The average pooled technical efficiency was estimated to be 0.69, which suggests that there is considerable scope to improve beef production in Kenya |
| Keywords: | Technical efficiency, technology gap, beef cattle, production systems, stochastic metafrontier, Kenya., Livestock Production/Industries, D24, O32, Q18, |
| Date: | 2011–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aesc11:108947&r=afr |
| By: | Olatunji, G.B.; Omotesho, O.A.; Ayinde, Opeyemi E.; Ayinde, K. |
| Abstract: | Inflation is undeniable one of most leading and dynamics macroeconomics issues confronting almost all economies of the world. Its dynamism has made it an imperative issue to be considered. Hence the study examines the factors affecting inflation in Nigeria. Time series data were employed for the study. The data was sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria and National Bureau of Statistics. Descriptive statistics and cointegration analysis were the analytical tools used. It was observed that there were variations in the trend pattern of inflation rate. Some of the variables considered were significant in determining inflation in Nigeria. The previous total export was found to have a negative impact on current inflation while the previous total import exerts a positive effect likewise the food price index. It has thus been recommended that policies that will set the interest rate to a level at which it will encourage investment and increase in production level could be institutionalized, importation should be reduced in Nigeria such that it will not encourage change of consumer taste resulting to inflating prices, exchange rate system should be maintained at a level that will not impose threat on the Nigeria economy and the domestic consumption of petroleum product should be focused, not only exportation. |
| Keywords: | Financial Economics, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96162&r=afr |
| By: | Mbatha, C. Nhlanhla; Antrobus, G.G. |
| Abstract: | A good indicator of successful farm redistribution cases has to be the continuation of viable productivity rates in their post transfer periods. Continued productivity benefits all the stakeholders that are involved in the process. Unfortunately negative productivity levels have been reported in numerous South African land redistribution transfers in recent years. A game theoretic perspective is adopted to argue that cooperation among key stakeholders, which could be enforced through long term contracts between a land buyer, sellers and new owners, would lead to higher productivity levels and other benefits. Additional benefits would, for example, include market related prices paid by a buyer. Sugarcane farm transfer cases from two municipality districts in KwaZulu Natal province are used to show that the productivity rates in post transfer periods of cooperative land sales were more than 10% higher than the rates observed before such transfers. At the opposite end of the scale, the productivity rates in noncooperative land sales dropped by 16% after land takeovers. Furthermore, the prices paid for farms that became less productive after transfers were higher by more than 40% compared to those paid for productive farms. The cases illustrate the values of cooperative strategies in economic transactions. |
| Keywords: | Sugarcane, farms, redistribution, productivity, cooperation, games, Land Economics/Use, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96156&r=afr |
| By: | Asuming-Brempong, Samuel |
| Abstract: | Agricultural land use and the management of agricultural lands in Ghana as evidenced from farmer practices have been analysed using descriptive and regression analysis. The analysis shows that different land management practices affect crop yields differently in the different ecological zones. Also, the types of land management practices farmers use differ across the different ecological zones. The policy implication is that agricultural interventions should be developed on the basis of agro-ecological zones, and blanket crop improvement packages should be avoided. The recommended policy action is that food crop farmers should be helped to improve the management of their agricultural lands by ecological zones at two levels. First, the practices that are common and promote agricultural production in each zone should be targeted for improvement. Such a policy will re-orient farmers towards the adoption of more sustainable farm practices. Second, land management practices that are not currently being used by farmers in each zone but have potential to improve crop production should be identified and promoted in the respective agro-ecological zones. A pro-active policy of this kind will provide farmers better land use alternatives in each ecological zone. |
| Keywords: | Land Management, Crop Yields, Ecological Zones, Productivity, Practices, Land Economics/Use, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96830&r=afr |
| By: | Mungatana, Eric D.; Ahimbisibwe, Peter Beine |
| Abstract: | This paper presents the results of a household survey designed to qualitatively evaluate the impacts of the invasive alien species Senna spectabilis on the distribution of welfare across dependent communities in Budongo forest reserve (BFR) in Uganda. BFR is the largest forest reserve in Uganda with globally significant conservation values. The study establishes that households in BFR have high levels of knowledge on its conservation values, they are aware of the invasiveness of S. spectabilis and its potential to compromise the conservation values of BFR, and that S. spectabilis confers tangible benefits to dependent households, whose levels significantly vary with proximity to the reserve. The study concludes by evaluating strategies designed to manage the spread of S. spectabilis in BFR which consider its demonstrated socioeconomic impacts. |
| Keywords: | Invasive Senna spectabilis, distribution of impacts, Budongo forest reserve, Uganda, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:97330&r=afr |
| By: | Olarinde, Luke O.; Manyong, Victor M.; Akintola, J.O. |
| Abstract: | In this paper, we examine the diversity of risks that affect farming in the Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria. We also investigate the perspectives of these risks in relation to their economic implications on the farming enterprises. We also show that through reorganization of these risks, some derived factors have the ability to present themselves whether as corresponding to existing categorization of the variables or not and also to enable us know which of the factors is more important than the other. Gross margin and factor analytical methods were used in computing the estimated results on a cross sectional sample of 348 farming households. Results show that farmers who were grouped under natural risk incurred the least mean production cost of N11, 115.61, while the highest mean production cost of N 15,998.18 was incurred by farmers grouped under production risks. The highest mean revenue of N18, 998.16 was recorded by farmers under production risk which translated into a mean gross margin of N65, 999.85. Verifying whether some derived factors would correspond to the existing categorization of 14 risk types (from 5 sources) which the farmers faced, results from the factor analysis and the consequent F-tests from ANOVA show no marked or significant differences among the identified factors and the existing risk sources. Consequently, the individual effect or importance of the original 14 risk types that the sampled farmers considered important can be dully represented and effectively regrouped into five sources (factors) as natural, technical, social, ecosocial and biochemical. |
| Keywords: | Risk and Uncertainty, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96821&r=afr |
| By: | Mazvimavi, Kizito; Ndlovu, Patrick V.; Nyathi, Putso; Minde, Isaac J. |
| Abstract: | This study is based on a panel survey interviewing 416 farmers practising conservation agriculture for at least five cropping seasons. Farmers obtained higher yields on conservation agriculture plots than on nonconservation agriculture ones. The mean maize yield on conservation agriculture was 1546 kg/ha compared to 970 kg/ha for non-conventional draft tillage plots across all 15 districts. However, the contribution of conservation agriculture to total household food security requirements was limited due to small plot sizes. Labor and land still remains a major challenge that limits the expansion of conservation agriculture area. Winter weeding remains a challenge, with 63% of farmers practicing it. Application of residues is still limited (56% of farmers practising it). Fertilizer application is largely dependent on access to free fertilizer. The survey results show that the 78 % of the respondent farmers were initially selected by the NGOs and were provided with inputs such as seed and fertilizer. The other 22% of the farmers in the sample were selected as spontaneous adopters, who did not initially receive any NGO support to implement conservation agriculture practices. Eleven percent of the interviewed farmers had stopped conservation agriculture practices by the 2008/09 cropping season due to withdrawal of input support by NGOs. Research should continue to explore different recommendations for different areas as farmers face dynamic agro-ecological and soil environments. Conservation agriculture should not be introduced as a blanket technology for all areas, but should be flexible and adaptable to local conditions. |
| Keywords: | conservation agriculture, planting basins, yield gains, adoption labor, and fertilizer, Farm Management, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96822&r=afr |
| By: | Minde, Isaac J.; Mazvimavi, Kizito; Murendo, Conrad; Ndlovu, Patrick V. |
| Abstract: | The fertilizer sector in Zimbabwe has evolved over the years in response to different policy changes based on the governmentâs priorities on agricultural development. The industry grew from the 1930s that targeted primarily large scale commercial farmers, through the liberalization period of the mid 1990s, and recent changes that have introduced controls on the marketing system. Since 2000, following the fast track land reform program, Zimbabwe has faced food insecurity challenges that have been exacerbated by the political and economic crises. This prompted the government to adopt policies that have reduced private sector interests in fertilizer supply. In this situation where explicit fertilizer markets have been absent, relief programs have been leading in facilitating deliveries of fertilizers to poorer smallholder farmers located even in remote areas. The supply of fertilizers in Zimbabwe has been driven by government policy, finance and infrastructure while the demand has primarily been a function of farmerâs capacity to acquire fertilizers, availability of water and farmers knowledge of fertilizer use. There is need for a policy shift that promotes a competitive fertilizer marketing to support a broader range of farmers in Zimbabwe leading to agricultural productivity growth. Investment in infrastructure is critical to reduce marketing costs and to boost fertilizer demand; policies that strengthen farmerâs capacity to acquire fertilizers and increase their knowledge on fertilizer use complemented by technologies that promote water use efficiencies are needed. |
| Keywords: | Fertilizer, supply and demand, policy reform, consumption trends, Crop Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96179&r=afr |
| By: | Victor, Afari-Sefa; Gockowski, James; Agyeman, Nana Fredua; Dziwornu, Ambrose K. |
| Abstract: | Ghana is well endowed with premium bulk cocoa and is strategically positioned to capture significant market shares for the growing demand in specialty cocoa products on the world market. Consumersâ taste and preference for differentiated or âspecialtyâ cocoa based on environmental- and ethically certified cocoa products have been rising over the years. This study uses an ex-ante analytical approach to explore the potential for smallholder cocoa farmers in Ghana to develop niche markets for an environmentally and sustainably produced cocoa, namely; Rainforest Alliance Certified cocoa as an alternative to Ghanaian bulk cocoa. Using NPV, BCR and IRR economic decision criteria, the profitability or otherwise of introducing this rainforest alliance certified cocoa in Ghana is assessed. Rainforest Alliance certification requires farmers to shift from low or no shade Amazon production systems (i.e., <20 trees per ha) to medium shade Amazon production systems (70 shade trees distributed over a minimum of 12 species per ha) as well as other standards. In the base case scenario, results of the hypothetical high certified production system are compared with the current low input landrace cocoa and high input no shade cocoa systems. Under these conditions the certified production system and the low input landrace cocoa are essentially breakeven propositions while the high technology full sun system was moderately profitable. Sensitivity analysis of changes in FOB shares revealed that increasing the percentage of producer price from 70 to 85 percent of FOB dramatically increases the profitability of Rainforest Alliance certified cocoa at all varying FOB price levels when fertilizer price is subsidized. Profitability did however not change from the base model when fertilizer subsidies are removed by the government and the producer price increases to 85 percent of FOB. |
| Keywords: | Cocoa biodiversity, Ex-ante Cost-Benefit Analysis, Rainforest Alliance Certification, Differentiated cocoa production, Crop Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:97085&r=afr |
| By: | Bush, Glenn; Hanley, Nick; Rondeau, Daniel |
| Abstract: | Reducing deforestation and forest degradation will mean imposing restrictions on the use of forest resources by households that currently use natural forests to maintain their livelihoods. An emerging issue in forest monitoring is the need to assess social and economic impacts in forest user communities of alternative policy and management approaches. Implicit but often unrecognized in forest management strategies focused on integrating people into forest management is that communities are not homogeneous , implying an important degree of variation in the costs of forest use restrictions across households. Quantitative economic methods are essential to a robust measurement of the real socio-economic impacts of forest management and conservation programs, and to adequately design compensation packages to offset local costs. A key entry point to understanding the scope of impact in design of a forest management program, under conditions of local subsistence use, is assessing the minimum compensation necessary to incentivize forest conservation. Two principal valuation approaches exist, financial and economic. The latter measures both financial and social values; but which approach should we use? The selection of valuation approach can dramatically impact estimates of the compensation required to affect real change in forest conservation. Empirical evidence on the divergence of different value measures are presented for four case study forests under different governance arrangements in Uganda. A contingent valuation (CV) survey was administered alongside a market price (MP) method household survey for park-adjacent households. In the CV survey respondents were asked to state their minimum level of compensation required to forgo access to timber and non-timber forest products from their local protected area for a period of one year, whilst the MP survey estimated total annual household income from all sources e.g. agriculture, livestock and forest access. Data were collected from households in areas adjacent to the forests according to a stratified random sample (n=690). Distributional differences in forest income and welfare values are examined, to illustrate the strengths and weaknesses of different valuation approaches for estimating the benefits of forest use. We find that a range of complimentary conclusions can be drawn from the two techniques. Together, they provide contrasting information on the importance of forest income to heterogeneous rural households and they can help assess the potential effectiveness of alternative forest management strategies and governance arrangements. |
| Keywords: | contingent valuation; forest income; protected areas; costs of conserv ation |
| Date: | 2011–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:stl:stledp:2011-12&r=afr |
| By: | Quattri, Maria; Ozanne, Adam; Wang, Xioabing; Hall, Alastair R. |
| Abstract: | The recognition that policies aimed at âgetting prices rightâ in less developed countries were failing due to incomplete markets has spurred a new wave of reforms, directed instead at âgetting markets and institutions rightâ. Although previous studies have documented the potentially crucial role of the brokerage institution in crop commercialisation, few have investigated what determines wholesalersâ decisions to use brokers. Using data collected in 2006/07 by Gabre-Madhin, IFPRI and EDRI, we examine Ethiopian tradersâ decisions regarding whether or not they should use brokers, and how much. Independent variables are human, financial and social asset availability, implemented trading practices, access to infrastructure and institutions, location, travelled distance and traded crops. Results show that brokerage services are particularly valuable for wholesalers lacking social capital and storage capacity, who are based in areas with low population density, and who trade at a distance especially when roads are not asphalted. Buyers in drought-prone domains rely on brokers more for their long-distance purchases, while sellers in moisture-reliable domains employ brokers more for their long-distance sales. These results provide useful indications regarding where and how the recent formalisation of brokerage functions through the ECX could be most beneficial for the functioning of Ethiopian agricultural markets. |
| Keywords: | Agribusiness, O12, O13, O18, |
| Date: | 2011–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aesc11:108941&r=afr |
| By: | Agyei-Sasu, Felix; Egyir, Irene Susana |
| Abstract: | Purpose- The issue of export success and the ability to sustain oneself in international horticultural markets have become more critical in the recent global and economic downturn because of its significance to the economy and to actors in the horticultural export chain. The extent of success is even much critical for enterprises. Therefore this study establishes the factors which influence the intensity of export success which measures the extent of export success. Design- Primary data were collected from 52 managers and representatives of horticultural exporting firms through a semi-structured questionnaire. The tobit model was used to estimate the intensity of export success by horticultural enterprises in Ghana. Findings- The result indicates that, managerâs educational level, managers past experience, manager trained in export management, managerâs entrepreneurial orientation, presence of export department, product diversification and government support directly influences the intensity of export success. Export barriers and constraints in accessing working capital negatively influences intensity of export success. Practical implications- Personnel or personal development in terms of training in export management and build up of experience is important in the quest to improve the intensity of export success. Organizational reforms such as institution of export department and diversifying horticultural export products improves the intensity of export success. To improve the intensity of success, external factors such as working capital inaccessibility and trade barriers should be addressed by various stake holders. In all government and institutional interventions has been proved to be of the essence. Originality/value- Although various determinants of export performance or success have been established by researchers the factors that influence the intensity of export success is not known. This study therefore bridges this gab. |
| Keywords: | Tobit, export success, horticulture, enterprises, Ghana, Crop Production/Industries, International Relations/Trade, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:97071&r=afr |
| By: | Eze, C.C.; Konkwo, S.O.; Orebiyi, J.S.; Kadiri, F.A. |
| Abstract: | This study examined land tenure systems, farm sizes, agricultural productivity and innovation in Imo State, Nigeria. Specifically the study examined the socio-economic characteristics of farmers, estimated the farm size of the farmers, identified reasons for not practicing mechanized farming, identified different innovations available to the farmers and identified the factors that affected agricultural productivity . Five communities were chosen randomly and from each of these communities, twenty farmers were randomly chosen. Data were collected, collated and analyzed using relevant techniques such as means, percentages, frequency distribution and multiple regression analysis. The results showed that 85% of the respondents practiced individual land tenure system alone. It was also revealed that the laws of inheritance and increase in population led to the subdivision and fragmentation of existing farmland in such a manner that the sizes of farm holdings discouraged agricultural commercialization. Also, it was found that fragmentation led to a great distance between the plot which increased the waste in man-hour and energy. It was also shown that mechanization of agriculture was impracticable under land fragmentation and adoption of modern innovation was reduced since just 35.0% of the respondents claimed to have adopted other forms of innovation. Lastly, the null hypothesis was rejected concluding that socio-economic factors affected the farmerâs productivity in the area. It was recommended that formation of cooperatives by farmers is an imperative in farm land consolidation of the scattered farm holdings into economic size to encourage large scale operation and bulk input sourcing and procurement. |
| Keywords: | land Tenure system, farm size, Agricultural productivity, innovation, Productivity Analysis, |
| Date: | 2011–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aesc11:108934&r=afr |
| By: | Adetonah, S.; Coulibaly, Ousmane; Sessou, E.; Padonou, S.; Dembele, U.; Adekambli, S. |
| Abstract: | Intensifying inland valley systems will require the promotion of high value commodity chain system involving rice and vegetable with increased productivity and low per unit cost of production and natural resources. The objective aim to identify the current production systems assesses their constraints and analyzes the profitability of best bet rice and vegetable cropping systems under different levels of input use and access to market. A total of 235 producers selected in Benin and Mali according to input use and access to product market. The value chain approach used to analyze the performance associated with productivity. The results show that four main chain stakeholders operate in the inland valley: producers, processors, trader and consumers. This study specifically focuses on producers and major constraints reported by this group are attacks of the insects and birds, the poor access to products markets and the unavailability of key inputs (seeds, pesticides, small equipment,) in both countries. Other constraints are high costs of transport, post-harvest losses and poor conservation of fresh vegetables and tubers. The most profitable systems in the inland valley are the ones based on rice and vegetable (Gboma: Solanum sp) using improved seeds, follow-up of the system containing rice and `'gboma'' using improved varieties of rice like NERICA associated with chemical fertilizers and herbicides. Rice associated with improved varieties of potato and mineral fertilizers is more profitable in Mali. Rice as sole crop is not profitable in both countries. Women are more involved in the sole cropping of rice in Mali. |
| Keywords: | Promotion, Value chains, Rice/Vegetable, Benin, Mali, Land Economics/Use, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96815&r=afr |
| By: | Teweldemedhin, M.Y.; van Schalkwyk, Herman D. |
| Abstract: | This study attempts to examine the empirical relationship between trade and total factor productivity (TFP) in the agricultural sector using both cross -sectiona, (across nine agricultural commodities), and time -series analysis. The Error Correction Model of ordinary least square (OLS) results from the cross -sectional analysis confirm that export shares and capital formation were found to be positive and significant; whereas, import shares and real exchange rate were found to be related negatively. However, the net effect of export and import shares had a positive effect. This implies that trade liberalisation causes productivity gains. Moreover, the time -series analysis goes in the same direction as the cross -sectional results, showing that there is a robust relationship among TFP, degree of openness, and capital formation. Whereas, debt was found to be inversely related, this implies that agricultural industries / farmers lack debt management skills. |
| Keywords: | TFP, OLS, Trade liberalization or degree of openness, capital formation, International Relations/Trade, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:95963&r=afr |
| By: | Langyintuo, Augustine S. |
| Abstract: | Interspatial and intertemporal grain distribution in Ghana is a private sector activity carried out mainly by traders. These traders sometimes collude to maximize their joint profits. By so doing they influence the conduct of the grains market. To examine the effect of their actions on the informal maize market in Ghana, a spatial equilibrium model was estimated under three scenarios: (1) Perfect competition, (2) Cournot-Narsh conjectures, and (3) Collusion. The results indicate that imperfect competition distorts grain flows, reduces consumer welfare and depresses tradersâ sales revenue. Collusive behavior of traders, on the other hand, causes the greatest distortion of grain flows as well as trader and consumer welfare. These results draw attention to policy makers and development agents to educate traders against using their associations to foster collusion. |
| Keywords: | Spatial equilibrium, monopoly, imperfect competition, interspatial, Cournot- Narsh conjectures, Crop Production/Industries, D4, L1, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96166&r=afr |
| By: | Ahouandjinou, Morenike Cendrine; Adegbola, Patrice Ygue; Yabi, Jacob Afouda; Adekambi, Souleimane Adeyemi |
| Abstract: | In order to diversify the sources of incomes of the country, to reduce the financial risks and to improve the farmersâ revenues, the government of Benin decided to promote new agricultural sectors. One of those new sub-sectors is shea tree which is targeted in this study. Due to the painful of certain stages of shea butter processing, the semi-mechanization was initiated. The paper uses data from a stratified random sample of 198 shea butter producers to assess the adoption and impact of this semi-mechanization in North-Benin. A multinomial probit model is estimated to analyze the factors which explain the adoption of each type of technology. A counterfactual approach drawing from a modern evaluation theory is used to evaluate the impact of this semi-mechanization on producersâ incomes. It result that the adoption of the crusher is influenced by the presence of electricity in the village and by the availability of the family labor. As for the shea nuts grinder, the determinants of its adoption are the membership to a shea butter producers association, the literacy in local language and the availability of the family labor. The results also reveal that the adoption of these technologies increases significantly the producersâ incomes by 103,914 FCFA per year. |
| Keywords: | Adoption, impact, shea butter, semi mechanization, income, Benin, Farm Management, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96186&r=afr |
| By: | Kimenju, Simon Chege; de Groote, Hugo |
| Abstract: | Upcoming technologies for maize storage have sometimes been promoted without being subjected to trials and economic analysis. In the recent past, new storage technologies, actellic super, super grain bag and the metal silo have been developed. In this paper, the results of crop loss trials are combined with measures of project worth to determine the attractiveness of investing in new storage technologies. Determination of the benefit was based on the amount of loss the new technology could abate. A one ton metal silo, with negligible % crop loss abated USD 100 in 12 months. These benefits were found to increase with time meaning that a farmer benefits by storing longer. Measures of project worth, the NPV and BCR were used to analyze the attractiveness of investing in the new technologies at a discount rate of 15% and an investment period of 15 years. Sensitivity analysis was done by varying the discount rate and the investment period. When six metal silo sizes were subjected to this analysis, the results showed that the three largest silos were attractive for all these scenarios. On the other hand, the smaller the silo size the higher the requirement that the interest rate be small and the period of investment bigger for it to be an attractive investment. Therefore, promoting larger silos would be more cost-effective to the farmer. |
| Keywords: | Storage, LGB, economic analysis, Kenya, Crop Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96419&r=afr |
| By: | Katengeza, S.P.; Mangisoni, Julius H.; Okello, Julius Juma |
| Abstract: | The government of Malawi in 2004 initiated an ICT-based Malawi Agricultural Commodity Exchange (MACE), a market information service project, to improve access by farmers to market information. MACE was intended to improve the efficiency of agricultural markets as part of the strategy to improve food security. This study uses quantitative methods to examine whether MACE has contributed to efficiency of rice markets in Malawi. It especially tests if MACE has contributed to spatial integration of rice markets. As hypothesized, the study finds that the tendency of rice prices to move together in spatially separated markets has significantly increased since the implementation of MACE. It concludes that ICT-based market information services improve the efficiency with which agricultural markets perform. The study discusses implications of this finding for policy. |
| Keywords: | ICT-based intervention, market information service, market integration, rice, Malawi, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96170&r=afr |
| By: | Akudugu, M.A. |
| Abstract: | The global food crisis led to upward trends in food prices across the world. The millions of impoverished people living in developing countries including Ghana were the worst affected by the phenomenal increases in world food prices. This paper examines the implications of the global food crisis on the trends of food prices in the Upper East Region of Ghana. The data used for the analyses were average monthly prices of some selected grain cereals, grain legumes, vegetables, and root and tuber food items consumed in the region. The data were gathered from the Upper East Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. The analyses revealed that on the average, the prices of food items grew over 200 percent during the last twenty years. However, the all time record high increase in food prices in the Upper East Region of Ghana was recorded in 2008 which is estimated as over 100 percent. It is concluded that the global food crisis among other things translated positively in terms of prices in the Upper East Region of Ghana. This has had negative effects on the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals especially on the reduction of extreme poverty and hunger in the area where over 80 percent of the people are said to be poor. It is recommended that farmers in the area should be supplied with subsidized farm inputs and credit facilities to help boost their production levels to help mitigate the effects of hunger, malnutrition and poverty on the vulnerable â women, children and the physically challenged. |
| Keywords: | Developing Countries, Food Crises, Ghana, Spiral Food Prices, Upper East, Demand and Price Analysis, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:97088&r=afr |
| By: | Nyangweso, P.M.; Odmori, Paul Okelo; Mapelu, M.Z.; Odhiambo, Mark O. |
| Abstract: | Simulation models have been used successfully to forecast productivity of cropping systems under various weather, management and policy scenarios. These models have helped farmers make efficient resource allocation decisions. However, in Kenya simulation models have not been used extensively and more specifically in modeling large scale cropping systems. The study aimed at forecasting productivity and profitability of wheat cropping systems in Uasin Gishu district, Kenya. Both primary and secondary data were used. Both time series and cross-sectional data for variables of interest were collected and complemented by a survey of 20 wheat farmers who were systematically selected to verify information obtained from secondary sources. Cropping Systems simulation model and Monte Carlo simulation were used to determine wheat output and profits under alternative price scenarios. Even though, simulated yields overestimated actual field wheat yield both at the district and across the four agro-ecological zones, the deviation from the actual field yield was marginal. It is recommended that Cropsyst and Monte Carlo models be included among a bundle of tools for decision making. Further research is also required to test the two models under different locations, diverse soil types, varied management styles and different scales of production. |
| Keywords: | Wheat, cropping system, simulation, forecasting, productivity, profits, Crop Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:95960&r=afr |
| By: | Sparks, G.D.; Ortmann, Gerald F.; Lagrange, L. |
| Abstract: | Global biofuel production has risen substantially in recent years, driven primarily by government support for biofuel industries. The stated motivations for these initiatives are numerous and have varied over time. Soybeans are the only field crop produced in sufficient quantities in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) that the South African (SA) industrial biofuel strategy identifies as a potential biodiesel feedstock. Preliminary results from a mixed integer linear programming model support the notion of Funke et al. (2009), who contend that the incentives and commitments outlined by the industrial biofuel strategy are inadequate to both establish and sustain a domestic biodiesel industry. |
| Keywords: | Industrial biofuels strategy, soybeans, biodiesel, KwaZulu-Natal, mixed integer linear programming, Crop Production/Industries, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:95980&r=afr |
| By: | Chisango, F.F.T.; Obi, Ajuruchukwu |
| Abstract: | A development goal pursued by the Zimbabwean government even before the much-maligned fast track land reform programme (FTLRP) was expansion of agricultural production through agricultural mechanization. This goal has been pursued through the acquisition and use of tractors by arable crop farmers in communal and resettlement state land delineated during the period following the launch of the FTLRP. This research project investigated the combined impacts of mechanization and an unplanned land reform on agricultural productivity in the Bindura district of Zimbabwe. The existing land policy and the issue of technical efficiency in agricultural productivity are assumed to be the drivers of the programme. It is likely that these issues will be important considerations in determining the sustainability of the mechanization policy. A multistage sampling technique was used to randomly select 90 farmers in the study area and structured questionnaires were used to collect demographic, investment and production data which were subsequently fitted by means of the Stochastic Frontier Model. Results revealed that mechanization was an important factor in the performance of the farmers who participated in the programme. The results also suggest that availability of land and access to production resources are crucial to farm productivity. Despite these, overall production and productivity remain low and the hyperinflationary situation triggered by supply constraints are only beginning to slightly ease. As the national unity government grapples with the huge task to restore growth in the Zimbabwean economy, it is important that these issues are borne in mind. |
| Keywords: | Technical Constraints, Market Access, Agricultural Development, Induced Innovation Model, The Stochastic Frontier model, The Productive Efficiency and Mandate of Extension, Farm Management, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:97066&r=afr |
| By: | Bushara, Mohamed O.A.; Barakat, Hoyam E. |
| Abstract: | The main objective of this paper was to decompose Total Factor Productivity Change (TFPCH) of cotton cultivars Barakat-90 and Barac(67)B in the Gezira scheme in 1991-2007, based on Data Envelopment Analysis Program (DEAP) Software Version 2.1, using model of inputâoriented Malmquist indices Total Factor Productivity (TFP). This model could give meaningful results regarding technological and economic behavior relationship over time using balance panel data on Barac(67)B and Barakat-90 cultivars, Relevant secondary data were collected and analyzed to meet the stated objectives. This paper was aimed to decompose TFPCH into two components Technological Change (TECH) and Technical Efficiency Change (EFCH) and the latter was further divided into Scale Efficiency Change (SEFCH) and Pure Efficiency Change (PEFCH). The methodology allowed the recovery of various efficiency and productivity measures. The paper was mainly to answer the questions related to technical efficiency, scale efficiency and productivity changes. In the study on cotton cultivars, the innovation was improving up and down of TECH over time. Scale inefficiency was the main problem in efficiency analysis and mainly due to production operating at increasing returns to scale in Barac(67)B and Barakat-90 operating at constant return to scale. TFPCH was -1.3%, the contribution of EFCH was -1.6% and TECH was 0.30%, the main problem was efficiency change and this was mainly due to scale inefficiency, Barac(67)B contributed to this negative at an average annual rate -3.3%. This implying that the Barac(67)B was ailing due to efficiency change. The study has recommended, substantial improvement in knowledge about productivity and efficiency using scientific approaches, the scheme administration should take full advantage of Barac(67)B cultivar to be extensively grown, Barakat-90 requires further investigation benefiting from technological innovation, additional, improvement in agricultural processing to increase the value added, and the benefit of scientific breakthrough in agricultural science are also recommended. |
| Keywords: | Crop Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96648&r=afr |
| By: | Nhundu, K.; Mushunje, Abbyssinia |
| Abstract: | Irrigation development is a gateway to increased agricultural, water and land productivity, increased household and national food security. However, irrigation development has been a major challenge in many developing countries, including Zimbabwe. The launch of the Fast Track Land Reform Programme (FTLRP) in 2003 ushered in new unskilled cadres and this was followed by a reduction in area developed for irrigation from 200,000ha to approximately 120,000ha. This was due to thefts, dilapidation, and vandalism of irrigation infrastructure. The government made efforts to develop and bring back the 200,000ha into operational, but little has been achieved. To assess irrigation development post FTLRP, a case study was done in Goromonzi District. Using a Trend Analysis to assess the trend in irrigation funding, a downward trend was revealed. A Gross Margin Analysis, modeled via the Business Coefficient Expansion Factor (BCEF) to evaluate productivity and profitability of the irrigation enterprises showed that farmers performed below average and major irrigation crops were below the ideal BCEF threshold of 2.5, suggesting non-profitability of irrigation enterprises. An analysis on infrastructure revealed that most of it was partially or non-functional, hence farmers reduced area under irrigation. The study also revealed non-accessibility of training services by farmers. The study concluded that inadequate irrigation funding, low irrigation productivity, nonprofitability of irrigation enterprises, poor cost recovery mechanisms and lack of relevant training has led to low irrigation development. The study recommends that national governments should formulate and hold sound irrigation development strategies and encouraged to partner with public and private institutions in defining and implementing such comprehensive strategies for sustainable irrigation development. |
| Keywords: | Irrigation, irrigation development, funding, productivity, cost recovery, viable, FTLRP, Crop Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:97065&r=afr |
| By: | Okello, Julius Juma; Ndirangu, Lydia K. |
| Abstract: | The need to provide agricultural information to farmers has led to emergence of numerous ICTbased MIS projects in developing country. These projects aim at promoting commercialization of smallholder agriculture and subsequently their welfare. This study examines the how the environment in which such ICT-based MIS affect their performance. It specifically uses the DrumNet project, an ICT-based MIS, to assess how the socio-economic, physical, political and physical environment in the project areas affected its performance. The study finds that those transaction-related problems, especially strategic default, deriving from these environmental factors greatly undermined the performance of DrumNet forcing it to relocate severally. It discusses policy implications of these findings. |
| Keywords: | ICT-based MIS projects, the DrumNet model, operational environment, performance, Kenya, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96193&r=afr |
| By: | Gnatoulouma, Takpa; Koffi-Tessio, Egnonto M.; Diagne, A. |
| Abstract: | La présente étude a pour objectif une évaluation de lâétat de pauvreté des riziculteurs du nord-Togo dans les zones dâintroduction des NERICA en vue dâapprécier leurs capacités de résistance aux risques naturels et économiques. Pour parvenir à cette fin, des données primaires collectées sur la base dâune enquête effectuée auprès de 255 ménages dans 20 villages dans les régions centrale et de la Kara, ont été analysées par la méthode de FOSTER GREER et THORBECKE basée sur les dépenses de consommation. Lâincidence, la profondeur et la sévérité, sont respectivement de 88,37%, 31% et 12,98%. Le niveau de pauvreté est pratiquement le même aussi bien chez les producteurs de NERICA que les producteurs des variétés. The present studyâs objective is an evaluation of the state of poverty of the rice growers of north-Togo in the zones of introduction of the NERICA in order to assess their abilities of resistance to the natural and economic risks. To reach this objective, primary data on 255 households in 20 villages were collected at the central and Kara areas of Togo. These data were analyzed using FOSTER GREER and THORBECKE method based on the consumer expenditure. The incidence, the depth and severity of poverty are estimated to 88,37%, 31% and 12,98% respectively. Moreover, there is no significant difference between the level of poverty observed with NERICA producers and other producers. |
| Keywords: | Pauvreté, filet de sécurité, risque, riziculteur, ménage, NERICA, dépense de consommation, Poverty, safety nets, risk, rice grower, household, NERICA, consumer expenditure, Crop Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:97331&r=afr |
| By: | Rusike, Joseph; Jumbo, S.; Ntawuruhunga, Pheneas; Kawonga, J.M.; James, Braima; Okechukwu, R.; Manyong, Victor M. |
| Abstract: | Ex ante evaluation of agricultural research for development projects has become important in recent years for priority setting, ex post impact assessment and learning about generalizability to other populations and contexts. We apply farm household and random utility modeling to baseline survey data and evaluate the impact of a cassava research for development project in Malawi prior to its implementation. The project is being implemented to unlock the potential of cassava in response to the global food crisis. We find that a high proportion of farm households are not self-sufficient in food production and can be assisted by increasing the productivity of land and labor in production, processing and marketing of cassava to reduce deficits and increase marketed surplus. The research for development embeds research in an innovation systems network and speeds up exposure, awareness, adoption and diffusion. This increases the likelihood that incremental benefits will be generated and accrue earlier compared to the counterfactual without the project. |
| Keywords: | Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96182&r=afr |
| By: | Komi, Tsogonnin |
| Abstract: | Cette étude vise à évaluer lâétat de pauvreté des riziculteurs en vue dâapprécier leurs capacités de gestion des risques auxquels ils sont exposés. Une enquête a permis de collecter des données dans 14 villages sur un échantillon de 183 ménages riziculteurs dans la région des plateaux au Togo. La formule de Foster Greer et de Thorbecke (FGT) a été utilisée pour calculer les indicateurs de pauvreté au sein de ces ménages. Les indicateurs de pauvreté sont élevés et témoignent lâextrême pauvreté qui règne au sein de ces ménages. Lâincidence de la pauvreté, la profondeur de la pauvreté et la sévérité de la pauvreté sont respectivement 92,59%, 14,90% et 7,51% pour les producteurs de NERICA contre 96,15%, 32,50% et 12,73% pour les autres producteurs. Les facteurs socio-économiques et démographiques tels que la taille du ménage, la superficie cultivée en riz et le niveau dâéducation du chef de ménage ont une influence sur le statut de pauvreté de ces ménages. La gestion des risques par les ménages se fait de la même manière, principalement par la diversification de leur revenu. Ainsi les producteurs de NERICA et les non producteurs présentent pratiquement les mêmes filets de sécurité.The objective of this study is to evaluate the state of poverty of rice growers in order to appreciate their capacities of risk management in which they are exposed. Data used are from 14 villages on a sample of 183 householdâs rice growers in the area of the plates in Togo. The formula of Foster Greer and Thorbecke (FGT) was used to calculate the indicators of poverty within these households. The indicators of poverty are raised and testify the extreme poverty which reigns in those households. The incidence of poverty, the depth of poverty and the severity of poverty are respectively 92,59%, 14,90% and 7,51% for the producers of NERICA against 96,15%, 32,50% and 12,7 3% for the other producers. Socio-economic and demographic factors such as the size of the household, the acreage out of rice and the level of education of the head of household have an influence on the statute of poverty of these households. The management of risks by the households is made same manner, mainly by the diversification of their income. Thus, producers of NERICA and the other producers present practically the same safety nets. |
| Keywords: | Pauvreté, Dépenses de consommations, Ménage, NERICA, Risque, filets de sécurité, Poverty, Consumer expenditure, household, NERICA, Risk, safety nets, Crop Production/Industries, Food Security and Poverty, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:97091&r=afr |
| By: | Darko, Francis Addeah; Allen, Benjamin; Mazunda, John; Rahimzai, Rafiullah; Dobbins, Craig L. |
| Abstract: | Replaced with revised version of paper on 01/14/2011. |
| Keywords: | Developing countries, nutrition, minimum costs, linear programming, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96161&r=afr |
| By: | Kapuya, T.; Meyer, Ferdinand H.; Kirsten, Johann F. |
| Abstract: | This paper attempts to analyze the impacts of the âfast trackâ land reform policy on maize production in Zimbabwe through the construction of a partial equilibrium model that depicts what could have happened if no further policy shifts had taken place after 2000. The resimulated baseline model was used to make projections based on the various trends of exogenous variables in 2000. This means that the model generated an artificial data set based on what the maize market would have looked like under a set of the pre-2000 existent policy conditions. The âfast trackâ land reform policy was thus assessed based on the performance of the baseline model using a range of âwhat ifâ assumptions. Commercial area harvested was 39 % less than what could have been harvested in 2001, and declining by negative 80.57 % in 2007. Results showed total maize production was 61.85 % and 43.88 % less than what could have been produced in the 2002 and 2005 droughts, respectively. This may imply that droughts would have been less severe if the âfast trackâ land reform was not implemented. Therefore, the âfast trackâ land reform had a negative effect on maize production. Thus, the econometric model system developed provided a basis through which the effects of the FTLRP on the maize market may be analyzed and understood. |
| Keywords: | âfast trackâ land reform programme, partial equilibrium model, maize, Zimbabwe, Crop Production/Industries, Land Economics/Use, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:95958&r=afr |
| By: | Shiimi, T.; Taljaard, Pieter R.; Jordaan, Henry |
| Abstract: | About 70% of the Namibian population depends on agricultural activities for their livelihood. Moreover, agriculture remains an important sector to Namibia because its national economy is widely dependent on agricultural production. Cattle producers in the Northern Communal Areas (NCAs) have an option to market their cattle via the formal or informal markets. Efforts have been made to encourage producers to market their cattle through the formal market; however, limited improvement has been observed. In this study a number of factors have been analysed to determine its influences on cattle marketing decisions. Factors influencing the marketing decision of whether or not to sell through the formal market are analysed using the Probit model. Factors influencing the proportion of cattle sold through the formal market on condition that a producer uses the formal markets to sell cattle are analysed with the Truncated model. Testing the Tobit model against the alternative of a two-part model is done using Craggâs model. Empirical results revealed that problems with transport to MeatCo, improved productivity, accessibility to market-related information and access to new information technology, are some factors significantly affecting the decision of whether or not to sell through the formal market. Payment arrangements by MeatCo, animal handling, accessibility to new information technology, age of respondents and lack of access to marketing expertise, are some factors influencing the proportional number of cattle sold through the formal market. The results suggest that substantially more information is obtained by modelling cattle marketing behaviour as a two decision-making instead of a single decision-making framework. |
| Keywords: | Cattle marketing, decision-making, formal markets, transaction costs, Livestock Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96641&r=afr |
| By: | Tchabletienne, Kombate; Koffi-Tessio, Egnonto M.; Diagne, A. |
| Abstract: | Lâapproximation linéaire du modèle Almost Ideal Demand System (LA/AIDS) est utilisée pour estimer la demande du riz (riz local et riz importé) au Togo de 1986 à 2006. Un modèle à correction dâerreur (MCE) a été développé pour tenir compte des relations de court terme entre les variables. Les paramètres de court et de long terme ont été estimés par les MCO. Dans cette étude, le riz local et le riz importé sont supposés être faiblement séparables des autres biens. Cette hypothèse excluant les relations avérées entre le riz importé et le riz local dâune part et entre ces produits, et les autres produits alimentaires dâautre part ; a conduit à estimer la demande du riz au Togo au deuxième stade dâun processus de maximisation de lâutilité. Les paramètres de court terme et de long terme obtenu, ont donc servi à calculer les élasticités conditionnelles marshalliennes de la demande du riz au Togo. The linear approximation of the model Almost Ideal Demand System (LA/AIDS) is used to estimate rice demand (local rice and imported rice) in the Togo between 1986 and 2006. An error correction model (ECM) was developed to capture the short terms relationships between the variables. The parameters of short and long run were estimated by the MCO. In this study, local rice and imported rice are supposed to be weakly separable from other goods. This assumption, excluding the relations proven between imported rice and local rice on the one hand and between these products, and the other food products on the other hand; resulted in estimating the demand of rice in Togo at the second stage of utility maximization process. The short and long run parameters obtained, were then used to calculate conditional Marshallian demand elasticises of rice in Togo. |
| Keywords: | utilité, élasticités conditionnelles marshalliennes, demande, utility, conditional Marshallian elasticises, demand, Consumer/Household Economics, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:97329&r=afr |
| By: | Fordjour, R.; Badu, E.E.; Adjei, E. |
| Abstract: | The poor performance of students in the various universities has been attributed to the inability of students to effectively retrieve information for academic work. The purpose of the study was to investigate the prospects and challenges of information retrieval among university students. The survey research method was used to investigate the awareness and use of information retrieval systems, document retrieved and its relevance to studentâs information need, challenges of information retrieval among students and future expectation of information retrieving skills by students. Three student faculties in the University of Ghana, Legon participated in the study. A questionnaire consisting of 29 items was used as an instrument for collecting data. The findings reveal that students from all the faculties considered are highly aware of the information retrieval systems. However, there was no relationship between awareness of information retrieval systems and faculties. The study also shows that the use of information retrieval tools to retrieve relevant information depends on the information needs of the student. The study recommends that information retrieval skills training programme should be embedded in the curriculum and undertaken at an appropriate time and supported by academic staff of the University. In addition, the University administrators should ensure students studying subjects without an emphasis upon technology receive sufficient information retrieval skills training so that they are not prejudiced against due to subject chosen. Also, ensure that information retrieval skills training are pitched at a level which is appropriate to the individual needs of the student. |
| Keywords: | Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96831&r=afr |
| By: | Mujawamariya, Gaudiose; D'Haese, Marijke F.C.; Burger, Kees |
| Abstract: | Interlocked relationships are characterised by tradersâ supply of inputs and cash to producers on credit, to be reimbursed at sale time based on a pre-defined price which is often lower than the prevailing market price. The study analyses determinants of choice of interlocking in the gum sector in Senegal and the effect of interlocking on market participation and gum production. Data from 422 gum producers in Northern and Eastern regions of Senegal are used. About 41% of respondents are involved into interlocking with village shop-owners or mobile traders. Interlocking positively influences market participation and production as found through a Heckman selection model. |
| Keywords: | Marketing, |
| Date: | 2010–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaae10:96826&r=afr |