|
on Africa |
| By: | Mabiso, Athur |
| Abstract: | This study investigates smallholder farmer participation in biofuels-related crop and land rental markets and estimates whether participation is associated with farm income. Multinomial treatment-effects models are estimated using farm household data from 247 South African smallholder farmers. Results reveal, among other things, that receiving price information increases smallholders’ likelihood to participate in biofuels cropping markets by 18% and by 27% the likelihood to participate in biofuels land-rental markets. While not statistically significant, the mean income of smallholders growing biofuels crops is 33% higher than that of those renting land to biofuels firms and 16% higher than that of non-participants. |
| Keywords: | Sub Saharan Africa, South Africa, Biofuels contracts, Land rental markets, Smallholder participation, Food Security and Poverty, International Development, Labor and Human Capital, Land Economics/Use, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, O12, Q12, Q13, Q15, Q16, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126370&r=afr |
| By: | Kibonge, Aziza |
| Keywords: | Productivity Analysis, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126908&r=afr |
| By: | Kibonge, Aziza |
| Keywords: | Production Economics, Productivity Analysis, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126910&r=afr |
| By: | Freguin-Gresh, Sandrine; Anseeuw, Ward; D'Haese, Marijke F.C. |
| Abstract: | This paper intends to contribute to the on-going debate about whether and how restructured agri-food markets can provide viable market opportunities for small-scale farmers in South Africa. It aims at analyzing contract farming from the small-scale farmer perspective and at better understanding the implications for small-scale farmers regarding contractual arrangements with processing and/or marketing firms. The paper, based on empirical research conducted in the Limpopo Province of South Africa and on a combination of qualitative and econometric analyses, argues however that contract farming is not a panacea for small-scale farmers. On one hand, contract farming improves agricultural production for contract farmers benefiting from increased incomes, enables better access to services and resources and creates new opportunities to participate in markets. However, on the other hand, the results, show that contract farming remains limited and mostly involves the already better-off, who have benefited from specific development paths and public support. This case study shows that contract farming by itself does not appear to provide an efficient means of reducing poverty, nor does it provide an institutional tool through which to improve rural livelihoods. It does therefore, not represent a tool for the majority of small farmers and for redressing the historical imbalances in the South African agricultural sector. |
| Keywords: | Contract farming, small-scale agriculture, poverty, South Africa, Agribusiness, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Food Security and Poverty, Marketing, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126567&r=afr |
| By: | Kodila-Tedika, Oasis |
| Abstract: | This study aims at testing the relation between intelligence and governance. It is based on African data. This study finds that countries with high-IQ populations enjoy good governance. |
| Keywords: | Institution; Governance; Intelligence; Africa |
| JEL: | D73 O55 I20 D02 |
| Date: | 2012–05–13 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:39937&r=afr |
| By: | Douillet, Mathilde |
| Abstract: | Global general equilibrium simulations of “regional” (within Sub-Saharan Africa –SSA-) and “multilateral” (Doha and preferential) trade integration are compared to assess policy reform priorities. Their coherence with the objective of agriculture-led industrialization is tested. New results reveal that for SSA regional integration delivers as much as multilateral integration. Multilateral liberalization drives Sub-Saharan African countries further away from agricultural-led industrialization. On the contrary regional integration fosters the production and trade of processed agricultural products. Regional integration has heterogeneous impacts on countries in SSA and gains might be concentrated on a few countries. Accompanying redistributive policies to compensate the loosers might help bring the negotiations further. |
| Keywords: | trade policy, market integration, agriculture, computable general equilibrium, trade preferences, Sub-Saharan Africa, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, International Development, International Relations/Trade, Public Economics, F15, F47, O19, O24, O55, Q17, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126546&r=afr |
| By: | Ojehomon, V.E.T.; Tiamiyu, S.A.; Adebayo, S.B.; Diagne, A.; Dontsop Nguezet, Paul Martin; Awotide, Bola Amoke |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Agricultural Finance, Crop Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126746&r=afr |
| By: | Diagne, Aliou; Alia, Didier Y.; Wopereis, Marco C.S.; Saito, Kazuki |
| Abstract: | This paper assesses the ex-ante impact of rice research in Africa on income and poverty for the period 2011–2020, with the final purpose of setting priority for Africa Rice Center research activities. It describes the methodology and analyzes the main findings. The methodology used combines research solutions elicited from scientists, household- and community-survey data, and econometric models to assess the potential benefit of the research. We found that the potential annual income benefit from all research options across all value-chain actors and for all sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries is US$ 1.8 billion, which aggregated over the period 2014–2020 reaches US$ 10.6 billion. As consequence, it is expected that at least 11 million people will be lifted out of poverty by the end of the period (2020) and at least 5.6 million of people will no longer be undernourished. In terms of actors, rice farmers will receive the highest benefit; however, significant benefit will also accrue to other actors – namely consumers, processors, and traders. In terms of research disciplines, the impacts of research that alleviates major biophysical constrains are the greatest. This indicates that priority should be given to this type of research, but there is also a need to consider postharvest work in the future research agenda. In terms of research nature, breeding research is the most important, followed by agronomy (including integrated pest management, IPM). In terms of geographical area, the main rice-producing sub-region in SSA is western Africa, which will receive the highest research benefit. Eastern Africa will receive the second-highest level of benefits and Central Africa third. In general, lowland ecosystems will have the highest benefit, closely followed by the upland ecosystem. The irrigated system – the importance of which is increasing – will be the third major ecosystem. The analysis shows a significant contribution of rice research to import reduction, and agricultural GDP. In summary, the analysis shows evidence that rice research in Africa in economically and socially profitable. |
| Keywords: | Rice research, priority setting, sub-Saharan Africa, Crop Production/Industries, Food Security and Poverty, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126874&r=afr |
| By: | Nakano, Yuko; Kajisa, Kei |
| Abstract: | Using an extensive household-level data set collected in Tanzania, this paper investigates the determinants of technology adoption in rice cultivation by focusing on the role of credit. We find that credit enhances fertilizer use and the adoption of labor-intensive agronomic practices such as transplanting in rows and plot leveling. Based on these findings, we argue that with appropriate policies including credit, a rice Green Revolution can improve the productivity of small-scale farmers in Tanzania. |
| Keywords: | Technology Adoption, Green Revolution, Sub-Saharan Africa, Tanzania, International Development, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, O12, O13, Q16, Q18, |
| Date: | 2012–07–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126822&r=afr |
| By: | Arora, Abhimanyu; Swinnen, Johan F.M.; Verpoorten, Marijke |
| Abstract: | This article analyzes data on self-reported food insecurity of more than 50,000 individuals in 18 Sub- Saharan African countries over the period 2005 to 2008, when global food prices increased dramatically. The average level of self-reported food insecurity was high but remarkably stable, at about 54%. However, this average hides large heterogeneity, both within countries and across countries. In eight of the sample countries, self-reported food security improved, while it worsened in the ten other countries. Our results suggest that heterogeneous effects in self-reported food security are consistent with economic predictions, as they are correlated with net food consumption (both at the household and country level) and economic growth. Specifically, self-reported food security improved on average in rural households, while it worsened in urban households. Improvements in food security were positively correlated with net food exports and GDP per capita growth. We estimate that over the period 2005-2008 between 5 and 12 million people in the 18 SSA countries became more food secure. While the self-reported indicator used in this paper requires further study and one should carefully interpret the results, our findings suggest the need for a critical evaluation of the currently used data in the public debate on the food price crisis, which makes mention of hundreds of millions of additional food insecure. |
| Keywords: | Food policy, food insecurity measurement, Sub-Saharan Africa, food crisis, Agricultural and Food Policy, Food Security and Poverty, Risk and Uncertainty, Q18, I32, O551, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126897&r=afr |
| By: | Kassie, Menale; Jaleta, Moti; Shiferaw, Bekele A.; Mmbando, Frank; Mekuria, Mulugetta |
| Abstract: | Soil fertility depletion is considered one of the main biophysical limiting factors for increasing per capita food production for smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. The adoption and diffusion of sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs), as a way to tackle this challenge, has become an important issue in the development policy agenda in the region. This paper examines the adoption decisions for SAPs, using recent primary data of multiple plot-level observations collected in 4 districts and 60 villages of rural Tanzania. The paper employs a multivariate probit technique to model simultaneous interdependent adoption decisions by farm households. The analysis reveals that rainfall, insects and disease shocks, government effectiveness in provision of extension services, tenure status of plot, social capital, plot location and size, and household assets, all influence farmer investment in SAPs. Policies that target SAPs and are aimed at 1 Corresponding author: Menale Kassie: m.kassie@cgiar.org. Tel: 254(20) 722 4628; Fax: 254(20) 7224600. 2 organizing farmers into associations, improving land tenure security, and enhancing skills of civil servants can increase uptake of SAPs in smallholder systems. |
| Keywords: | Sustainable agricultural practices, multiple adoption, multivariate probit, Tanzania, Agricultural and Food Policy, Food Security and Poverty, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126791&r=afr |
| By: | Kodila-Tedika, Oasis |
| Abstract: | This article re-examines the relationship alcohol and VIH/Aids, while resorting to another methodological approach that utilized by Fisher et al., (2007) and Kalichman et al. (2007). We confirm a direct relation of alcohol to the AIDS. |
| Keywords: | Africa; Alcohol; Determinant; HIV/Aids prevalence |
| JEL: | I12 O15 I10 |
| Date: | 2012–06–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:39938&r=afr |
| By: | Gbegbelegbe, Sika; de Groote, Hugo |
| Abstract: | Maize is the major food crop and an important cash crop in East Africa, but yields have not increased in the last years. Maize prices fluctuate heavily both over time, causing price insecurity which hampers investment decisions, and over space which, combined with limited knowledge of that fluctuation, reduces opportunities to market surplus. In this paper, temporal and spatial price volatility is analyzed, based on monthly maize prices from various markets in East Africa, including 28 markets in Kenya. The hypothesis that the market liberalization of the 1990s increased efficiency and decreased volatility in Kenya is also tested. Preliminary results for Kenyan markets show a clear negative trend, indicating that real maize prices have decreased over time, on average 4% per year. Major factors in price variation are the differences between years, although a distinct one-season effect is demonstrated. Prices are clearly higher in the surplus zone during the high season, but lower otherwise. The coast has higher prices in the lower season. Generally, it can be concluded that price volatility has been decreasing over the years. The liberalization, most likely, has played a positive effect on this trend. |
| Keywords: | Market liberalization, maize, price variation, spatial analysis, Demand and Price Analysis, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126844&r=afr |
| By: | Ricker-Gilbert, Jacob; Jayne, Thomas S. |
| Abstract: | This study uses three waves of nationally representative household-level panel data from Malawi to estimate how receiving an additional kilogram of subsidize fertilizer affects maize production and the value of total crop output across the distribution of smallholder farm households. We use quantile regression and a correlated random effects estimator to deal with potential endogeneity of subsidized fertilizer. We then estimate the impact of subsidizing fertilizer at the 10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 90% of the maize production and value of total crop output distributions. Results from this study indicate that an additional kilogram of subsidized fertilizer contributes 2.61 additional kilograms to household maize production at the 90th percentile, but just 0.75 additional kilograms to maize production at the 10th percentile. Results also indicate that an additional kilogram of subsidized fertilizer has an effect of generating an extra US $0.80 at the 90th percentile of the value of total crop output distribution, but has no statistically significant effect at the 10th percentile of the distribution. These results raise the question of whether or not fertilizer subsidies can substantially boost maize production and reduce poverty at the same time, because the major returns from the subsidy program seem to accrue to households at the top of the maize production and value of total crop output distributions. Many households at the bottom of theses distributions seem unable to generate a substantial response from the subsidized fertilizer that they acquire. |
| Keywords: | Productivity Analysis, |
| Date: | 2012–06–29 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126742&r=afr |
| By: | Kuikeu, Oscar |
| Abstract: | The main aim of this paper is to know if business climate can be consider like a cause of sub Saharan African export’s dependence against raw materials, and, for this purpose, we have assessed, in panel data, the effect of business climate in cfa farnc zone on the manufactured exports of selected cfa economies. |
| Keywords: | Sub-Saharan Africa; cfa franc; business climate; foreign direct investment; panel data |
| JEL: | F10 C23 |
| Date: | 2012–07–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:40019&r=afr |
| By: | Kuikeu, Oscar |
| Abstract: | The main aim of this paper is to know if foreign direct investment can be consider like a cause of sub Saharan African export’s dependence against raw materials, and, for this purpose, we have assessed, in panel data, the effect of foreign direct investment in cfa franc zone on her manufactured exports. |
| Keywords: | Sub-Saharan Africa; cfa franc; foreign direct investment; panel data |
| JEL: | C23 F21 |
| Date: | 2012–07–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:40033&r=afr |
| By: | Owuor, George; Shem, A.O. |
| Abstract: | It is widely documented that credit is an important instrument among resource poor farmers in developing economies. However, accessing loans from formal credit institutions has proved almost impossible for small and resource poor farmers leading to reliance on the least regulated informal credit sources such as the Grameen type institutions (Micro-Finance Institutions-MFIs) that peg lending to memberships in social networks such as groups. In spite of the growing preference to this type of lending, very little is known on their contribution among farm related productive activities in Kenya. This paper attempts to illuminate the role of lending via groups on economic performance of smallholder farmers via changes in purchased factor use between borrowers and non-borrowers. We employ endogenous switching regime approach (accomplished via heckman selection correction model) on a sample of 401 respondents made up of 180 borrowers and 221 non-borrowers from two districts in Kenya. Results show significant effects of group based lending on production via improved factors such as fertilizer, planting materials and crop chemicals, as well as on investment in non-farm businesses, hired labour, and in renting in more land. However, descriptive results indicate high fungibility of this type of credit, with over 20% use on non-productive activities, which infringe on expected output effects. Supervision and or issuing of credit in form of inputs could generate expected impact. |
| Keywords: | Informal Micro-Credit, Rural Smallholder Farmers, Productivity, Kenya, Agricultural Finance, International Relations/Trade, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126624&r=afr |
| By: | Kuikeu, Oscar |
| Abstract: | The main aim of this paper is to know if infrastructures/technology and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) can be consider like a cause of sub Saharan African export’s dependence against raw materials, and, for this purpose, we have assessed, in panel data, the effect of infrastructures/technology and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in cfa farnc zone on her manufactured exports. |
| Keywords: | Sub-Saharan Africa; cfa franc; business technology; foreign direct investment; panel data |
| JEL: | F10 C23 F21 |
| Date: | 2012–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:40072&r=afr |
| By: | Tachibana, Towa; Sakurai, Takeshi |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the determinants of rice-cultivation adoption in inland-valley bottom areas in Ghana. In West African countries, surging import of rice has shown farmers a new and potentially huge income source. Around the second largest urban area in Ghana, Kumsi, there are inland-valley bottoms which are suitable for rain-fed rice cultivation. The puzzle is that not much part of these inland-valley bottoms has been utilized for rice production. In 2001, in four villages around Kumasi, we conducted a detailed household survey both on lowland-rice and upland-maize farmers. We found that the profit from lowland-rice cultivation was significantly lower than that from upland-maize farming. This paper also examines our predictions made from the profit comparisons in 2001 survey by the results of rice-farmer census conducted in 2011 in the same four villages. |
| Keywords: | Crop Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2012–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126684&r=afr |
| By: | Marenya, Paswel Phiri; Nkonya, Ephraim M.; Xiong, Wei; Rossel, Jose Deustua; Edward, Kato |
| Abstract: | Why do many smallholder farmers fail to adopt improved land-use practices which can improve yields and incomes? The reason is not always because these practices are uneconomical but sometimes it is because resource poverty prevents farmers from taking advantage of yield and income enhancing agricultural practices. In this study we examine the relative merits of using a carbon payment scheme compared to a subsidy policy to help reduce the cost of specific best management practices (BMPs) with productivity and ecosystem benefits. Using a 30-year crop simulation model, we examine the impacts of different soil fertility management treatments (SFTs) on yields and soil carbon and proceed to compute discounted incremental revenue streams over the same period. We find that the SFTs simulated are on average profitable given the conditions assumed in the DSSAT simulations and subsequent net present value analysis and revenue-cost comparisons. When carbon was priced at $8 or $12/t, the increase in incremental incomes generated from a carbon payment were higher than those imputed from a 50% fertilizer subsidy. When carbon was priced at $4/t, the increase was almost always equal and sometimes higher than that from the imputed income transfer from a 50% subsidy. If these indications hold in further research, it could imply that using fertilizer subsidies as the sole mechanism for stimulating adoption of improved soil fertility management practices may unnecessarily forgo other complementary and possibly superior alternatives. Given the fiscal burden on public finances and unavoidable opportunity costs of any substantial subsidy program, it is possible that a carbon payment system is a reasonable alternative even at low carbon prices especially if accompanied by measures to ameliorate the costs of fertilizer to farmers. |
| Keywords: | fertilizer subsidy, carbon payments, sub-Saharan Africa, Farm Management, International Development, Land Economics/Use, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126904&r=afr |
| By: | Olwande, John; Mathenge, Mary K. |
| Abstract: | Kenya’s smallholder agriculture remains a major engine of rural growth and livelihood improvement, yet it is largely semi-subsistence. Therefore, any pathway that can lift large numbers of the rural poor out of poverty will require some form of transformation of smallholder agriculture into a more commercialized production system. This study used a three-year panel household data set collected in 2000, 2004 and 2007 and across nine agroecological zones of Kenya to assess the extent of market participation among poor smallholder farmers in Kenya with a view to identifying constraints to market participation among and potential market opportunities for the poor. Descriptive results reveal differences in market participation across selected commodity groups among poor and non-poor households, with poor households having generally lower market participation. Some characteristics of the poor households that could partly explain this low market participation include low literacy levels, small land sizes, low asset values, low access to credit and limited ability to produce surpluses for the market. In terms of factors that could enhance market participation for poor households, we find that land size and membership in farmer organization play significant roles. These results suggest that any hope for the poor to participate in markets and make any meaningful gains from agriculture lies in improving productivity of their land as well as improving their access to land. Increasing social capital through promotion of collective action among poor households can also be of great value in enhancing their access to markets. |
| Keywords: | Marketing, |
| Date: | 2012–06–29 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126711&r=afr |
| By: | Hailemariam, Teklewold; Kassie, Menale; Shiferaw, Bekele A. |
| Abstract: | Sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs) that lead to an increase in productivity are central to the acceleration of economic growth; this will alleviate poverty and help to overcome the recurrent food shortages that affect millions of households in Africa. However, the adoption rates of SAPs remain below expected levels. This paper analyzes the factors that facilitate or impede the probability and level of adoption of interrelated SAPs, using recent data of multiple plot-level observations. Multivariate and ordered probit models are applied to the modeling of adoption decisions by farm households facing multiple SAPs which can be adopted in various combinations. The results show that there is a significant correlation between SAPs, suggesting that adoptions of SAPs are interrelated. The analysis further shows that both the probability and the level of decisions to adopt SAPs are influenced by many factors: a household’s trust in government support, credit constraint, spouse education, rainfall and plot-level disturbances, household wealth, social capital and networks, including the number of traders known by a farmer in his vicinity, his participation in rural institutions, and the number of relatives he has inside and outside his village, labor availability, and plot and market access. These results imply that policy makers and development practitioners whose aims are to strengthen local institutions and service providers, maintain or increase household asset bases, and establish and strengthen social protection schemes, can speed up the adoption of SAPs. |
| Keywords: | Multiple adoption, Sustainable Agricultural Practices, Multivariate probit, Ordered probit, Ethiopia, International Development, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, Q01, Q12, Q16, Q18, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126885&r=afr |
| By: | Adong, Annet; Mwaura, Francis; Okoboi, Geofrey |
| Abstract: | Farmer groups have returned to the policy agenda of many developing countries because of their attractiveness as facilitators and accelerators of technical and economic change in rural areas and as potential avenues for mobilizing farmers around a common objective especially in the delivery of services and formulation of policies that support agriculture development. In Uganda, the government and development agencies are targeting farmer groups as the vehicle for agricultural development in the country. Despite this significance of farmer groups in the policy agenda little is known on the level of membership and the factors influencing the decision of farmers to join these groups. Using the Uganda Census of Agriculture 2008/9 data, the study reveals that nationally, membership to groups is low at 9 and 16 percent amongst individual farmers and agriculture households respectively. Northern Uganda had the highest level of membership followed by Western Uganda. The Central region had the least membership. Farmer characteristics that influenced membership to groups were found to be: age, gender, marital status, major activity and education achievement. Distance to extension services was a major factor influencing membership to groups in addition to distances to the to all year gravel road for some regions. To increase membership to farmer groups, government and development agencies need to provide more time and resources to group formation with targeting directed towards illiterate farmers and those far away from extension workers. The use of the local language in publicity materials is also important in ensuring participation among the illiterate. Overall, there is a need for concerted efforts by all institutions supporting groups to ensure that groups’ approach succeeds in improving access to agricultural technologies and ensuring that noticeable outcomes are achieved for them to attract more farmers like the out grower schemes in Ghana. Other groups based factors including governance, capacity in knowledge, resources and sustainability should be enhanced as it will motivate the more riskaverse farmers to join the groups. |
| Keywords: | Farmer groups, Membership, Uganda Census of Agriculture, Industrial Organization, Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126774&r=afr |
| By: | Goto, Junichi |
| Abstract: | The present paper examines the economic rationale for regional economic integration, such as a common market and currency union, in the East African Community (EAC). For that purpose, I examined the degree of regional economic interdependence in terms of trade, macroeconomic indicators, and real disturbances (IS shocks) in the EAC. First, I used the trade intensity indices (TTI) to examine whether the degree of trade interdependence in East Africa is higher or lower than that in other regions (e.g., Asia), and whether the region’s economic interdependence has deepened since the reformation of the EAC in 2000. Surprisingly, the interdependence in terms of trade in Africa is very strong, much stronger than that in Asian countries. Second, I investigated whether the macroeconomic links among the East African economies are strong and whether they became tighter in the 1990s. Relying on the principal component analysis, I have found that the degree of confluence in macroeconomic variables, such as inflation, growth, and exchange rates, is high in East Africa, although I did not observe a clear trend of increases. Third, relying on the theory of the optimum currency area, I examined the prospects for currency unification in the EAC. For that purpose, I examined the degree of synchronization of real disturbances (IS shocks) among EAC countries, and compared it with that among Asian countries. By applying the principal component analysis on IS shocks in each country, I found that the EAC countries face similar real disturbances. This suggests that the need for independent monetary policy is less than otherwise, and therefore the EAC is a good candidate for the optimal currency area. All these findings suggest that there is a strong case for a common market and currency union in the EAC. |
| Keywords: | African Community , regional economic integration , common market , currency union , principal component analysis , optimal currency area |
| Date: | 2012–06–29 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:jic:wpaper:46&r=afr |
| By: | Fischer, Elisabeth; Qaim, Matin |
| Abstract: | With the commercialization of agriculture, women are increasingly disadvantaged because of persistent gender disparities in access to productive resources. Farmer collective action that intends to improve smallholder access to markets and technology could potentially accelerate this trend. Here, we use survey data of small-scale banana producers in Kenya to investigate the gender implications of recently established farmer groups. Traditionally, banana has been a women’s crop in Kenya. Our results confirm that the groups contribute to increasing male control over banana. While male control over banana revenues does not affect household calorie consumption, it has a negative marginal effect on dietary quality. We demonstrate that the negative gender implications of farmer groups can be avoided when women are group members themselves. In the poorest income segments, group membership even seems to have a positive effect on female-controlled income share. Some policy implications towards gender mainstreaming of farmer collective action are discussed. |
| Keywords: | gender, collective action, market access, agricultural technology, household food security and nutrition, Kenya, Consumer/Household Economics, Food Security and Poverty, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126659&r=afr |
| By: | Luke Hurst |
| Abstract: | The paper briefly sets out factors behind Chinese demand for iron ore imports and the main features of China's medium term resources consumption growth path. It then outlines the potential of major iron ore export countries to meet China's medium term iron ore import demands. The focus of the paper in on the potential of iron ore supplies from west and central Africa to enter the export market over the short and medium terms. To assess this, three export capacity scenarios (low, medium and high risk) are constructed for 17 iron ore mines (over 27 production expansion phases) in west and central Africa. The result suggest the development of west and central African iron ore has the potential to create significant downward pressure on the price of iron ore exports over the short to medium term. The impact of the excess export capacity on iron ore price is estimated and it suggests that there would be significant knock-off effects for iron ore-centric economies such as Australia and Brazil. |
| Keywords: | iron ore, export, economy, import |
| JEL: | L72 O13 Q31 |
| Date: | 2012–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:een:crwfrp:1202&r=afr |
| By: | Simtowe, Franklin; Muange, Elijah; Munyua, Bernard; Diagne, Aliou |
| Abstract: | We apply a program evaluation technique to data obtained from rural Kenya to assess the patterns of adoption of improved pigeonpea varieties. The sample adoption rate of improved pigeonpea is found to be 36% while potential adoption rate is estimated at 48%. The adoption gap resulting from the incomplete exposure to the improved pigeonpea is 12%. Adoption is prominent among farmers that close to the agricultural offices, and among younger and wealthier farmers. The findings suggest that there is scope for increasing pigeonpea adoption once the farmers are exposed to the new technologies and once the associated constraints are addressed. |
| Keywords: | pigeonpea, adoption, Average Treatment Effect, Kenya, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126760&r=afr |
| By: | Tsehay, Abrham Seyoum; Bauer, Siegfried |
| Abstract: | This study is primarily intended to examine the dynamics and determinants of rural household poverty and vulnerability in Northern Highlands of Ethiopia. The data for this research is mainly based on the Ethiopian Household Survey (ERHS). Results from disaggregation of the poor indicate that ultra poverty is predominant in the area. Similarly, using a three steps feasible generalized least squares (FGLS) we found that many of the households in the region are vulnerable to poverty. However, the trend has been found to vary across villages for both poverty and vulnerability measures. Besides, poverty decomposition of sample households showed that chronic poverty is dominant while transient poverty is secondary. An implication of this is that programs targeting on poverty should primarily focus on factors causing persistence deprivation without undermining risk factors that drag households in to poverty. Finally, some of the important determining factors of observed poverty appear to impact on vulnerability to poverty differently. Therefore, strategies aimed at reducing poverty should critically consider factors that make households vulnerable to poverty. |
| Keywords: | Poverty Dynamics, Vulnerability, Rural Ethiopia, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Food Security and Poverty, I32, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126873&r=afr |
| By: | Sheahan, Megan; Black, Roy; Jayne, Thomas S. |
| Keywords: | Productivity Analysis, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2012–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126739&r=afr |
| By: | Ragasa, Catherine |
| Abstract: | This paper analyzes incentive and capacity factors that explain variations in research productivity among 344 agricultural scientists in Nigeria and 237 agricultural scientists in Ghana using multilevel analysis. Education level, years of experience, research linkages, and perceived adequacy of resources and management plans are consistently significant capacity factors in explaining productivity. Reported job satisfaction and reported staff’s happiness or satisfaction on organizational climate are statistically significant incentive factors. |
| Keywords: | organizational culture, multilevel analysis, poisson, productivity, research, motivation, Ghana, Nigeria, Productivity Analysis, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, Q16, L32, D23, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126627&r=afr |
| By: | Speelman, Stijn; Veettil, Prakashan Chellatan |
| Abstract: | In many countries growing water scarcity puts pressure on the irrigation sector, as main consumptive user, to improve performance. In this context, the need for research on institutional policy options for improved water allocation and governance is more and more recognized. Exante evaluation of institutional changes, such as reforms in water rights systems, is however a challenging task. In this article two case studies are considered. Choice modelling is used to evaluate the preferences of irrigators in India and South Africa for different water rights configurations. By comparing the results of both case studies insight is gained on the effects of context specific factors. Both the information from the individual choice experiments as the comparison across cases reveals interesting information for policy makers to guide institutional reforms. |
| Keywords: | Water property rights, irrigation, India, South Africa, International Development, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126731&r=afr |
| By: | Okello, Julius Juma; Kirui, Oliver K.; Gitonga, Zachary |
| Abstract: | Smallholder farmers’ access to markets has traditionally been constrained by lack of market information. The need to facilitate farmers’ access to markets has seen the emergence of many projects that employ electronic tools in the provision of market information services (MIS). This study used a triple hurdle analysis to examine the factors influencing farmer awareness of electronic based (e-based) MIS projects, the decision by smallholder farmers in Kenya to participate in such projects and the use of services they provide. It finds that the drivers of awareness, decision to participate in e-based projects and use of the use of e-based MIS various farmer, farm and location-specific characteristics as well as endowments with physical, financial, human, and social capital. It specifically finds that education, distance to market, membership to farmer organizations, household income and cell phone ownership affect both the decision to participate in e-based projects and the use of MIS services such projects offer. The study concludes that transaction costs and social, financial and human capital endowments play an important role in smallholder farmer participation in e-based projects and the use of e-based MIS. The study discusses the implications of these findings for policy and practice. |
| Keywords: | Smallholder farmers, e-based projects, use of MIS, Kenya, Marketing, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126804&r=afr |
| By: | Simtowe, Franklin; Kassie, Menale; Asfaw, Solomon; Shiferaw, Bekele A.; Monyo, Emmanuel; Siambi, Moses |
| Abstract: | This paper applies a program evaluation technique to assess the causal effect of the adoption of improved groundnut technologies on consumption expenditure and poverty measured by headcount, poverty gap and poverty severity indices. The paper is based on a cross-sectional farm household level data collected in 2008 from a sample of 594 households in rural Malawi. A sensitivity analysis is conducted to test the robustness of the propensity score based results using the rbounds test and the mean absolute standardized bias (MASB) between adopters and non-adopters. The analysis reveals robust and positive and significant impacts of improved groundnut variety adoption on per capita consumption expenditure and on poverty reduction. The findings generally provide justification for continued public and private investment in groundnut research and outreach in Malawi. |
| Keywords: | groundnuts technology, propensity score matching, poverty, Malawi, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, C13, C15, O32, O38, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126761&r=afr |
| By: | Tsehay, Abrham Seyoum; Bauer, Siegfried |
| Abstract: | This study is primarily intended to examine the dynamics and determinants of rural household poverty and vulnerability in Northern Highlands of Ethiopia. The data for this research is mainly based on the Ethiopian Household Survey (ERHS). Results from disaggregation of the poor indicate that ultra poverty is predominant in the area. Similarly, using a three steps feasible generalized least squares (FGLS) we found that many of the households in the region are vulnerable to poverty. However, the trend has been found to vary across villages for both poverty and vulnerability measures. Besides, poverty decomposition of sample households showed that chronic poverty is dominant while transient poverty is secondary. An implication of this is that programs targeting on poverty should primarily focus on factors causing persistence deprivation without undermining risk factors that drag households in to poverty. Finally, some of the important determining factors of observed poverty appear to impact on vulnerability to poverty differently. Therefore, strategies aimed at reducing poverty should critically consider factors that make households vulnerable to poverty. |
| Keywords: | Poverty Dynamics, Vulnerability, Rural Ethiopia, Consumer/Household Economics, Food Security and Poverty, I32, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea12:126780&r=afr |
| By: | Mulugeta, Tsegaye; Hundie, Bekele |
| Abstract: | This study aims at shedding light on the potential impact of agricultural technology adoption on household food consumption status. The analysis is based on the data collected from randomly selected 200 farm households in Southeast Ethiopia. Since the process of technology adoption usually involves non-random placement of adopters, we employed a propensity score matching method to avoid bias arising from possible self-selection. The results show that adoption of improved wheat technologies has a robust and positive effect on farmers food consumption per adult equivalent per day. The Average Treatment Effect on the Treated (ATT), based on three estimation algorithms, ranges from 377.37 calories per day to 603.16 calories per day which indicates that efforts to disseminate existing wheat technologies will highly contribute to food security among farm households. |
| Keywords: | Impact, adoption, food consumption, propensity score matching, Ethiopia, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Food Security and Poverty, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126766&r=afr |
| By: | Jena, Pradyot Ranjan; Stellmacher, Till; Grote, Ulrike |
| Abstract: | What is the impact of product certification on small-scale farmers’ livelihoods? To what extent does the participation of Ethiopian small-scale coffee farmers in certified local cooperative structures improve their socio-economic situation? To answer these questions, this paper employs household data of 249 coffee farmers from six different cooperatives collected in the Jimma zone of Southwestern Ethiopia in 2009. Findings show that the certification of coffee cooperatives has in total a low impact on small-scale coffee producers’ livelihoods mainly due to (1) low productivity, (2) an insignificant price premium, and (3) poor access to credit and information from the cooperative. Differences in production and organizational capacities between the local cooperatives are mirrored in the extent of the certification benefits for the smallholders. ‘Good’ cooperatives have reaped the benefits of certification, whereas ‘bad’ ones did not fare well. In this regard the “cooperative effect” overlies the “certification effect”. |
| Keywords: | Coffee certification, cooperative, poverty reduction, Ethiopia, Crop Production/Industries, Q13, Q18, R11, R12, |
| Date: | 2012–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126720&r=afr |
| By: | Nin Pratt, Alejandro |
| Abstract: | This paper looks at past trends of agricultural R&D allocation in developing countries, projects future performance of agriculture in these regions based in past investment and determines the optimal allocation of R&D investment across regions to maximize global welfare using a dynamic linear programming model of global agriculture. Results suggest that present allocation of agricultural R&D in SSA is highly inefficient and substantial gains could be obtained by increasing investment in East Africa in the next twenty years. At the global level, differences between efficient and present investment allocation are smaller than those observed within SSA due to the importance of China as an innovator in agriculture. |
| Keywords: | agriculture, growth, optimization, poverty, R&D investment, Agricultural and Food Policy, Agricultural Finance, International Development, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126802&r=afr |
| By: | Sikei, Geophrey; Nyangena, Wilfred |
| Keywords: | Community/Rural/Urban Development, Consumer/Household Economics, Political Economy, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126839&r=afr |
| By: | Ziv Chinzara (QUT); Radhika Lahiri (QUT); En Te chen (QUT) |
| Abstract: | The study examines the impact of financial globalisation on intra-sector and inter-sector firm level reallocation of capital in South Africa using panel data for the period 1991-2008. The measure of efficient reallocation of capital is based on the variation of firm's marginal returns to capital around the optimal level, while the measure of financial globalisation is constructed by tracing the financial reforms/restrictions that took place in South Africa since the 1970s. We find that financial globalisation is associated with a reduction of the dispersion of firms' marginal returns around their sectoral steady states suggesting that financial globalisation enhances efficient reallocation of capital. The benefits of financial globalisation seem to be stronger at the intersector rather than intra-sector level, implying that the implicit/explicit barriers to free movement of capital across firms in different sectors may limit the benefits of financial globalisation. Further results show that quality institutions are a pre-requisite if the efficiency gains from financial globalisation are to be realised. Finally, there is evidence to suggest that the benefits of financial globalisation may also manifest indirectly through its role in augmenting the domestic financial system. |
| Keywords: | Financial Globalisation, intra-sector/inter-sector reallocation of capital, efficient capital allocation, development, Tobin Q |
| JEL: | E22 F2 F36 |
| Date: | 2012–06–27 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:qut:dpaper:286&r=afr |
| By: | Tefera, Nigussie |
| Keywords: | Food Security and Poverty, |
| Date: | 2012–06–29 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126698&r=afr |
| By: | Mason, Nicole M.; Jayne, Thomas S.; Myers, Robert J. |
| Abstract: | This paper develops a conceptual model of farmers’ production decisions in the context of dual output marketing channels (e.g., government and private sector) when prices at harvest time and the availability of one of the channels are unknown at planting time. It then uses the operationalized model to estimate the marginal effects of Food Reserve Agency (FRA) policies on smallholder behavior in Zambia. Results suggest that increases in the FRA farmgate maize price influence smallholders’ production decisions by raising their expected maize price. Smallholders respond to an increase in the FRA price by both intensifying and extensifying their maize production. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126927&r=afr |
| By: | Saweda, Lenis; Liverpool-Tasie, O |
| Abstract: | This paper uses a double hurdle model to explore whether different methods of distributing fertilizer through groups in a targeted input subsidy program affects an intervention’s ability to increase farmer access to agricultural inputs. It uses a case study of Nigeria to demonstrate this. Farmer group membership was required for participating in a voucher program in Nigeria in 2009. However, for actual fertilizer distribution among participants, individual farmers were given their allotted share directly for one set of farmers while for the other set; the fertilizer was given indirectly through a group representative. Where fertilizer was given to a group representative for further distribution to members, respondents with close links to their farm group president received more bags of fertilizer than those without. Where fertilizer was given directly to farmers such results did not obtain. This differential outcome suggests that while groups may facilitate the process of farmer identification and coordination, intra group dynamics may affect their efficacy for providing equal access to inputs for members. A double hurdle model enables us to model the potentially separate processes that determine participation in the voucher program and one’s experience, upon deciding to participate. With intentions to adopt and scale up voucher programs in various food security and poverty alleviation programs across developing countries, it is important to understand the role that intra group dynamics play in the successful implementation of such programs. |
| Keywords: | Farm Management, |
| Date: | 2012–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126744&r=afr |
| By: | Wainaina, Priscilla W.; Okello, Julius Juma; Nzuma, Jonathan M. |
| Abstract: | Contract farming is a form of vertical coordination largely aimed at correcting the market failure associated with spot markets that arise due to imperfect information. However there is still no consensus in the literature on the impact of contract farming on the welfare of smallholder farmers. While some studies have argued that contact farming improves access to ready markets by smallholder farmers, other studies have suggested that contract farming lowers the incomes of smallholder farmers because the contractors wield greater market power over the farmers. Consequently, it is seen as a blessing by some and a necessary evil by others. This study uses a propensity score matching technique to shed light on the impact of contract farming on smallholder farmers. The study also examines the conditioners of participation in contract farming. It uses data collected from 180 smallholder poultry farmers stratified by participation in contract production. The study finds that, on average, contracted farmers earned more net revenue per bird compared to the independent farmers, by approximately 27 percent, and as such participating in contract farming could improve the welfare of these small holder poultry farmers. The study discusses the policy implications of the findings. |
| Keywords: | Contract farming, smallholder farmers, impact, propensity score matching, poultry production, Kenya., Agribusiness, Institutional and Behavioral Economics, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126323&r=afr |
| By: | Yonemitsu, Aya; Njenga, Mary; Liyama, Miyuki; Matsushita, Shusuke |
| Keywords: | Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2012–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126658&r=afr |
| By: | Negash, Martha |
| Abstract: | This paper provides microeconomic evidence on food security impacts of privately organized biofuel outgrower schemes in Ethiopia. We conducted a household and community level survey and evaluated the impact of castor bean farming. We use endogenous switching regressions to analyze the impact on food security. Food security (as measured by a “food gap”) and food caloric intake is significantly better in households producing castor beans. “Fuel” and “food” are complements rather than substitutes at the micro-level in castor production in Ethiopia. |
| Keywords: | biofuel, castor, food security, Ethiopia, Food Security and Poverty, Q42, Q16, O13, Q12, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126793&r=afr |
| By: | Ayinde, Kayode; Ayinde, Opeyemi Eyitayo; Muchie, Mammo; Omotesho, O.A.; Adewumi, Matthew Olaniyi |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, |
| Date: | 2012–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126732&r=afr |
| By: | Vorlaufer, Miriam; Wollni, Meike; Mithofer, Dagmar |
| Keywords: | Marketing, |
| Date: | 2012–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126660&r=afr |
| By: | Quattri, Maria A.; Fosu, Augustin Kwasi |
| Abstract: | In the wake of the current financial and economic crises, the economies of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) find themselves squeezed between likely reductions in Official Development Assistance (ODA) and the pressing challenge to eradicate poverty. Public expenditure allocation to the social sector and to public investment is constrained by the need to pursue fiscal discipline, in order to avert debt distress. Within a framework of public expenditure choice (based on Fosu, 2007, 2008, 2010), the paper investigates the impact of the external debt-servicing constraint and external aid on government expenditure allocation in SSA countries after the launch of the HIPC initiative. Three-year panel over 1995-2009 for 40 low- and low-middle income SSA economies, of which 29 are HIPC, is used for the analysis. The findings suggest that the debt effect, while substantially lower than existing estimates for the pre-HIPC period, remains negative for the social sector, with education expenditure suffering the most from higher actual or predicted constraint-consistent debt servicing. ODA, particularly multilateral aid, has a significant positive effect on public investment. Moreover, recent relatively low levels of debt seem temporary and low-income countries are likely to contract additional debt to fill their funding gaps. This calls for appropriate measures, to be undertaken in order to prevent the deleterious effects of debt, especially on the social sector. The additional finding that government effectiveness favors public investment and spending in the social sector suggests that increased attention on governance is called for. |
| Keywords: | SSA, HIPC, Public Expenditure Allocation, External Debt and Aid, International Relations/Trade, F34, F35, H51, H52, H54, 055, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126879&r=afr |
| By: | Olwande, John; Smale, Melinda |
| Abstract: | A globally-recognized maize “success story” since the 1970s, Kenya’s first maize hybrid diffused faster than did hybrids in the U.S Corn Belt during the 1930s-1940s. Today, a hybrid released in 1986 still dominates on farms in Kenya, despite the dramatic increase in the number of hybrids, breadth of seed suppliers, and range of hybrids sold as seed markets liberalize. Claims of stagnating yields and stagnating adoption are offset here, at least in part, by longitudinal survey data showing rising yields and adoption rates on farms. However, as the overall percent of maize farmers growing hybrids tops 80 percent and the seed industry matures, the slow pace of hybrid replacement may still be cause for concern. This paper begins an exploration of factors affecting the age of hybrids on farms in Kenya. We find a strong farmer response to the seed-to-grain price ratio—evidence of a commercial orientation even on household farms, and also of the need to “get (seed) prices right” in the industry. |
| Keywords: | Consumer/Household Economics, Crop Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126669&r=afr |
| By: | Takeshima, Hiroyuki; Yamauchi, Futoshi |
| Keywords: | Risk and Uncertainty, |
| Date: | 2012–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126690&r=afr |
| By: | Reyes, Byron; Donovan, Cynthia; Bernsten, Richard; Maredia, Mywish K. |
| Abstract: | This paper uses a double hurdle regression analysis to estimate the factors influencing marketing decisions among potato growers in the central highlands of Angola, focusing on gender of household head, productive asset ownership and transaction costs. Although the results suggest that the quantity produced is exogenous in the models for market participation and for quantity sold, the methodology used provides a framework for others to follow when endogeneity is suspected in one or more variables. The wealth analysis suggests that potato growers, potato sellers and male heads were richer than their counterparts. The linear regression results on quantity produced suggest that female-headed households produced less than their male counterparts, owning productive assets or having access to public assets had no statistical effect on production, and that farmers who used fertilizer produced more than farmers who didn’t apply fertilizer to their fields. The double hurdle regression results suggest that (1) male-headed households were more likely to sell potatoes, (2) owning productive assets and having access to government extension services, conditional on market participation, positively affected the quantity sold, (3) transaction costs, conditional on market participation, negatively affected the quantity sold, and (4) quantity produced was a marginally significant positive factor on both the likelihood of selling potatoes and the quantity sold. In contrast, the unconditional average partial effects suggest that, (1) potato sales were gender neutral, (2) owning productive assets had no statistical effect on quantity sold, (3) transaction costs negatively affected the quantity sold, and (4) having access to extension services and the quantity produced both positively affected the quantity sold. Thus, to boost sales, investments may be needed to promote farmer participation in organizations and/or establish farmer organizations in villages without them, increase farmers’ access to extension services, invest in infrastructure, and help farmers increase their production. |
| Keywords: | Crop Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2012–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126655&r=afr |
| By: | Ogada, Maurice Juma |
| Abstract: | This study investigates the factors that influence participation of households in devolved system of forest management by joining community forest associations (CFA). It further employs Propensity Score Matching (PSM) to measure the impact of household’s participation in CFA on farm forestry decisions. The analysis uses cross-sectional data from a survey of Kakamega forest communities in Kenya in 2010. Generally, our findings reveal that participation in CFA by households is influenced broadly by socio-economic and institutional factors, and that participation in CFA has a positive impact on farm forestry development. Policy makers and development practitioners, therefore, need to devise, implement and sufficient fund interventions that would promote development of community forest associations with the ultimate goal of increasing forest cover in the country. |
| Keywords: | Participatory Forest Management, Selection Bias, Farm Forestry Development, Kenya, Consumer/Household Economics, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, Institutional and Behavioral Economics, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, Q12, Q28, D52, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126319&r=afr |
| By: | Stelios Michalopoulos; Elias Papaioannou |
| Abstract: | We investigate the role of deeply-rooted pre-colonial ethnic institutions in shaping comparative regional development within African countries. We combine information on the spatial distribution of ethnicities before colonization with regional variation in contemporary economic performance, as proxied by satellite images of light density at night. We document a strong association between pre-colonial ethnic political centralization and regional development. This pattern is not driven by differences in local geographic features or by other observable ethnic-specific cultural and economic variables. The strong positive association between pre-colonial political complexity and contemporary development obtains also within pairs of adjacent ethnic homelands with different legacies of pre-colonial political institutions. |
| JEL: | N17 O4 O43 Z1 |
| Date: | 2012–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:18224&r=afr |
| By: | Teklewold, Hailemariam; Kassie, Menale; Shiferaw, Bekele A. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126829&r=afr |
| By: | Gelan, Ayele; Engida, Ermias; Caria, A. Stefano; Karugia, Joseph Thuo |
| Abstract: | Researchers and policymakers increasingly recognize that the livestock sector supports the livelihoods of a large proportion of rural households in most African countries and may have an important role to play in rural poverty reduction strategies. In order to develop this insight, economywide models should capture both the biological, dynamic relationships between the stocks and flows of livestock and the economic linkages between the sector and the rest of the economy. We extend an existing dynamic recursive general equilibrium model for the Ethiopian economy which better models the livestock sector. A separate herd dynamics module enables us to specify stock-flow relationship, distinguishing between the capital role of livestock and the flow of livestock products. We also improve the underlying system of economic accounts, to better capture draft power and breeding stocks. We use this model to simulate separate, realistic Total Factor Productivity (TFP) shocks to three agricultural subsectors—cereals, cash crops, and livestock—and compare them with a baseline scenario replicating the 1998 to 2007 productivity trends, following Dorosh and Thurlow (2009) who have examined CAADP productivity scenarios. The results we obtain reveal the important role of the livestock sector in increasing various measures of GDP and combating food insecurity. Agricultural GDP and overall GDP growth levels achieved in the livestock TFP shock scenario are very similar to those achieved in the cereal TFP shock scenario, unlike what previously thought. Importantly, as factors are dynamically re-allocated between agricultural activities, our analysis highlights the inefficiency of strategies focusing on cereal sector development alone. Moreover, livestock sector productivity growth leads to greater factor income growth, particularly labor income, than in the other simulations. Labor is the predominant asset of poor households and hence large income gains and food consumption growth are realized under the livestock-led scenario. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural Finance, Livestock Production/Industries, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126800&r=afr |
| By: | Mabuza, M.L.; Ortmann, G.F.; Wale, E.Z. |
| Abstract: | With over 90% of mushroom producers having opted to participate in the industry through informal farmer groups, this paper sought to identify the key factors that unify members of informal collective initiatives. In contrast to formal organisations, which are regulated by law, informal groups are fully autonomous and not regulated by any legal instrument in Swaziland. Based on a conceptual framework that uses social capital dimensions to study collective action, trust, cooperation and communication were identified as the key elements responsible for ensuring cohesion in informal groups engaged in mushroom production. Further analysis indicated that trust is positively influenced by gender, age and religion, while cooperation was found to be influenced by members’ dependence on mushrooms for food. Communication, on the other hand, was found to be positively influenced by the level of trust and member cooperation. The empirical evidence indicates that members from communities characterized by positive cognitive social capital are most likely to engage in voluntary collective action in an attempt to improve their livelihoods. The study, therefore, recommends that informal groups developed voluntarily by community members should be encouraged and embraced as an important element of Swaziland’s development agenda. |
| Keywords: | collective action, social capital, mushrooms, Swaziland, Crop Production/Industries, Farm Management, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126764&r=afr |
| By: | Christian K.M. Kingombe (Overseas Development Institute / Graduate Institute of International Studies) |
| Abstract: | Remarkably little is known about the long-term impacts of project aid to lagging poor areas (Chen, Mu et al. 2006, 2008). This paper contributes to the debate about the role of rural transport infrastructure development in explaining the long-term rural development. In line with Grimm and Klasen (2008) we agree that there is value-added to consider this debate at the micro level within a country as particularly questions of parameter heterogeneity and unobserved heterogeneity are likely to be smaller than between countries. Moreover, at the micro level it is possible to identify more precise transmission mechanisms from rural transport infrastructure to socio-economic development outcomes. This is done empirically by analyzing a UNDP&UNCDF financed rural development project in Zambia’s Eastern Province running from 1997-2002. The secondary datasets consist of respectively a series of repeated cross-sectional living conditions monitoring surveys (LCMSs). The LCMSs were collected in 1998 (baseline) and 2004 (follow-up), that is both prior, during and after the project implementation. Our aim is to assess the ability of the parametric and semi-parametric models as well as using a time- series of cross-sections to provide an adequate description of the logarithm of per adult equivalent consumption of rural household conditional on few covariates, including an infrastructure treatment dummy variable. Although, the mean cotton sales share of household income has more than doubled despite the fact that the mean distance to the input market remained unchanged from 1998 to 2004, the parametric and semi-parametric estimation results are only small and statistically insignificant in terms of gains to mean consumption emerged in the longer-term. The main results are robust to corrections for various sources of selection bias. |
| Keywords: | Parametric and Semi-parametric Regression Models; Time-series Model from Successive cross sections; Cohort Data; Poverty Measures, poor rural area development projects, feeder roads, household surveys, impact evaluation, Zambia. |
| JEL: | C14 C21 D12 I32 O1 Q1 |
| Date: | 2012–07–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:gii:giihei:heidwp10-2012&r=afr |
| By: | Mazvimavi, Kizito; Ndlovu, Patrick V.; An, Henry; Murendo, Conrad |
| Abstract: | This study sought to evaluate the performance of conservation agriculture (CA) technology-essentially comparing productivity and efficiency levels in maize production in CA and conventional farming. The analysis is based on a three year panel sample of smallholder farming households and employing a stochastic production frontier model compare productivity and technical efficiency between CA and conventional farming. Study results indicate that CA technology is implemented in relatively smaller plots than conventional farming (0.36ha compared to 0.85ha) but has a significant contribution to total maize production, on average 50% of output share. Output elasticities indicate positive responses for labor and seed in CA, and negative responses in conventional farming. On the other hand, there are negative responses to land and draft in CA. Fertilizer has a greater positive response in CA than in conventional farming. Overall returns to scale are similar for CA and conventional farming (0.84 and0.89 respectively). There is evidence of technical progress in CA for the three year panel period. Technical progress has been land-saving but seed and fertilizer-using in CA, while land-using and seed-saving in conventional farming. Joint frontier estimates indicate that farmers will produce 39% more in CA compared to conventional farming. Technical efficiency levels are generally the same (about 68%) for both technologies. Two-thirds of farmers achieve efficiency scores in the 60-80% range both CA and conventional farming technologies. These results show significant yield gains in CA practices and significant contributions to food production. CA is land-saving, and this is an important issue for land constrained farmers because they can still have viable food production on smaller area. But high labor demands in CA present some problems in adoption, particularly for the poorer farmers. |
| Keywords: | Conservation agriculture, productivity, efficiency, technical change, Crop Production/Industries, Productivity Analysis, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126767&r=afr |
| By: | Pieter Serneels; Marijke Verpoorten |
| Abstract: | Important gaps remain in the understanding of the economic consequences of civil war. Focusing on the conflict in Rwanda in the early 90s, and using micro data to carry out econometric analysis, this paper finds that households and localities that experienced more intense conflict are lagging behind in terms of consumption six years after the conflict, a finding that is robust to taking into account the endogeneity of violence. Significantly different returns to land and labour are observed between zones that experienced low and high intensity conflict which is consistent with on-going recovery. Distinguishing between civil war and genocide, the findings also provide evidence that these returns, and by implication the process of recovery, depend on the form of violence. |
| Keywords: | civil war; economic growth; Rwanda; human capital |
| JEL: | O E2 O5 |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:csa:wpaper:2012-10&r=afr |
| By: | Taruvinga, Amon; Mushunje, Abbyssinia |
| Abstract: | This paper explores the role of buffer zones in household welfare in Zimbabwe by using primary household level data collected between November and December 2010 from communities that share boundaries with Nyatana Game Park. The descriptive statistics suggest that the contribution of buffer zone activities to household income may be significant, with a positive correlation to household agricultural income for communities that reside inside or close to the Park. Using the Gini decomposition approach and Lorenz curves, the paper further suggest that buffer zone income may be capable of contributing to more equally distributed incomes for rural communities who share boundaries with Game Parks. The implied message is that buffer zones may provide active livelihood sources capable of financing rural household agriculture and reducing income inequality. However, this potential may not be realized because of the current buffer zone design status (created for local secondary use, not for commercial primary use), restrictive policies, high predation, poorly defined buffer zone boundaries and poor institutional support. Need therefore arises to address current barriers as suggested by regression estimates for correlates of household income. This will promote households’ adaptation abilities hence marrying conservation and rural development using positive harvests from buffer zones as incentives for wildlife conservation. |
| Keywords: | Buffer zone incomes, income inequality, household agriculture, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Environmental Economics and Policy, Food Security and Poverty, Land Economics/Use, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126377&r=afr |
| By: | Okello, Julius Juma; Lagerkvist, Carl Johan; Ngigi, Marther W.; Karanja, Nancy |
| Abstract: | Peri-urban areas play a major role in the supply of vegetables consumed in urban areas. In order to meet high demand for aesthetic quality characteristics, peri-urban farmers use intensive production practices characterized by use external inputs. This paper uses Means-End Chain analysis approach to examine the role farmers’ personal values play in the decision to use soil fertility improvement inputs namely, animal manures (organic fertilizer) and inorganic fertilizers. It found that use of animal manures and inorganic fertilizers was driven by the need to earn higher profit margins thus making more money in order to meet family needs. This in turn met farmers’ personal values relating to, among others, happiness, leading a comfortable life, independence and healthy life. The major implication of these findings was that farmers’ private goals could, with the urging of the market that demands unique aesthetic quality characteristics, promote intensive applications of both the organic and inorganic inputs with potential negative environmental consequences. |
| Keywords: | Peri-urban vegetable farmers, manure and fertilizer use, personal values, means-end chain approach, Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, Production Economics, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126805&r=afr |
| By: | Di Falco, Salvatore; Veronesi, Marcella |
| Abstract: | This study investigates the impact of climate change adaptation on farm households’ downside risk exposure in the Nile Basin of Ethiopia. The analysis relies on a moment-based specification of the stochastic production function. We use an empirical strategy that accounts for the heterogeneity in the decision on whether to adapt or not, and for unobservable characteristics of farmers and their farm. We find that (i) past adaptation to climate change adaptation reduces current downside risk exposure, and so the risk of crop failure; (ii) climate change adaptation would have been more beneficial to the non-adapters if they adapted, in terms of reduction in downside risk exposure; and (iii) climate change adaptation is a successful risk management strategy that makes the adapters’ more resilient to climatic conditions. |
| Keywords: | adaptation, climate change, downside risk exposure, environmental risk, Environmental Economics and Policy, Risk and Uncertainty, D80, Q18, Q54, |
| Date: | 2012–06–20 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:eaa126:126010&r=afr |
| By: | Longwe-Ngwira, Abiba; Simtowe, Franklin; Siambi, Moses |
| Abstract: | Groundnut is an important component of the national food supply. It does not only have nutritional and dietary value, groundnut also provides cash to farmers; enrich the soil with nitrogen through biological nitrogen fixation; and its haulms can be used as fodder and fuel. Groundnut production has not kept up with the demands both local and export markets especially in terms of volumes over time. This has been in part due to low average yields resulting from continuous use of unimproved seed. In turn Malawi’s groundnut exports have also generally dwindled over time. The analysis of Malawian groundnut production using the Policy Analysis Matrix methodology shows that both traditional and improved technology groundnut production are both privately and socially profitable. This leads to the conclusion that protectionist policies that would raise domestic groundnut prices above the import parity prices determined in world markets are unnecessary. However, investments in improved technology show profits that are greater than traditional technology. These are likely to be areas in which government investments would yield a significant rate of return and reduce dependence on world markets. In addition to investments in improved seed technology, government should also invest in improved technologies for post harvest handling. |
| Keywords: | Policy Analysis Matrix, Groundnut Competitiveness, Malawi, improved technology., Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Crop Production/Industries, Marketing, Production Economics, Productivity Analysis, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126429&r=afr |
| By: | KABLAN, Sandrine |
| Abstract: | This study aims to assess the microfinance institutions’ (MFIs’) efficiency in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) after the reforms that were undertaken in the industry. Given the complementary role between MFIs and banks (where MFIs reach the population that the banks cannot), we ask whether these reforms have promoted sustainability or outreach. For this purpose, we use a data envelopment analysis (DEA) to measure the social efficiency on the one hand and the financial efficiency on the other hand. Our results show that sustainability prevails. Indeed, we observe an increase in financial efficiency at the expense of social and financial efficiency. MFIs that stress outreach tend to be less efficient, when one considers their intermediation role. Moreover, reforms have a negative impact on social efficiency and a positive impact on financial efficiency. Indeed, prudential ratios and accounting standards that were implemented, led MFIs to privilege their intermediation role. |
| Keywords: | efficiency; microfinance; outreach; reform programs; sustainability; WAEMU |
| JEL: | O55 C23 O16 C61 C67 G21 |
| Date: | 2012–07–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:39955&r=afr |
| By: | Todd Moss and Stephanie Majerowicz |
| Abstract: | Ghana’s largest and most important creditor for the past three decades has been the International Development Association (IDA), the soft loan window of the World Bank. That will soon come to an end. The combination of Ghana’s rapid economic growth and the recent GDP rebasing exercise means that Ghana suddenly finds itself above the income limit for IDA eligibility. Formal graduation is imminent and comes with significant implications for access to concessional finance, debt, and relations with other creditors. This paper considers the specific questions related to Ghana’s relationship with the World Bank, as well as the broader questions about the country’s new middle-income status. |
| JEL: | E01 E65 H50 |
| Date: | 2012–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cgd:wpaper:300&r=afr |
| By: | Nguetse Tegoum, Pierre; Nakelse, Tebila; Ouedraogo, Issaka |
| Abstract: | Between 2001 and 2007, the poverty headcount in Cameroon has remained steady around 40%. In fact, poverty has reduced in urban areas while it has increased of about 3 points in rural areas. This, despite the numerous agro-pastoral programs that were undertaken by the government between 2002 and 2008 in favour of rural people. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of these actions on the productivity of famers’ organisations. The methodology is based on a combined assessment approach combining both qualitative and quantitative aspects. The qualitative analysis uses Likert scale. The quantitative approach is based on Rubin's causal model and uses propensity score matching techniques. The main data used are those of the survey on the assessment of the impact of programs (EIPA) conducted by Ministry of Economy and Planning in 2009. The results obtained with both methods (qualitative and quantitative) are consistent and indicate that programs implemented by Cameroun government and donors between 2002 and 2008 have had a positive impact on the productivity of farmers’ organizations. The analysis of satisfaction, while indicating an overall appreciation of programs by leaders and members of Famers organisations (FOs), shows that the level of satisfaction seems to be negatively correlated with the regional level of poverty. The matching techniques revealed that FOs aid recipients have experienced a 4% increase in their productivity. More specifically, the study reveals that the impact of government programs is more important in the livestock sector (16%) and in the crops growing sector; it is quite null. Furthermore, non-beneficiaries organisations of the livestock sector could have had an increase of their productivity of about 10% if they had benefited from government assistance. The study therefore recommends that the government to (i) put more means in the livestock sector, which seems to be very promising and can emerge as an important growth leverage of Cameroon economy; (ii) revise the assistance strategies of FOs engaged in the agriculture sector by adopting more targeting approaches and, (iii) establish a monitoring –evaluation system. |
| Keywords: | Famers organisations, Matching, Likert scale, Productivity, Cameroon., Community/Rural/Urban Development, Farm Management, Productivity Analysis, Public Economics, |
| Date: | 2012–06–27 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126365&r=afr |
| By: | Allen, Summer L.; Badiane, Ousmane; Ulimwengu, John M. |
| Abstract: | Using the most recent data from Tanzania, we investigate the impacts of district-level health and education expenditures on marginal productivities of agricultural inputs and overall production. We use a covariance structural model combined with a mixed linear model to account for the endogeneity of social outcomes and technological heterogeneity across districts. Our results confirm the significance of government social expenditures in human capital formation as measured through health and education indicators and their effects on agricultural productivity. Indeed, the marginal productivities of inputs (labor in particular) respond significantly and positively to health and education outcomes, especially considered jointly. The impacts also seem to be a function of the type of health constraint, with short-term health factors such as malaria and diarrhea impacting productivity from seeds and fertilizer while longer-term health constraints seem to have greater impacts on labor quality and land productivity. Our results also confirm the importance of considering intra-country heterogeneity as well as climate-related constraints, as the results show that annual precipitation has a signification impact on production for all specifications. |
| Keywords: | Tanzania, health, education, precipitation, marginal productivity, social expenditures, state variable, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126663&r=afr |
| By: | Hazell, Peter B.R. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, |
| Date: | 2012–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:127070&r=afr |
| By: | Constant, Labintan Adeniyi; Shijun, Ding |
| Abstract: | This paper explored the Benin agricultural productivity and profitability under occurred reform since 1961 to 2008. Productivity and profitability has been evaluated using the new approach developed by O’Donnell(2008).In the approach Productivity is obtain using Hick Moorsteen index decomposition into Technical Change, mix Efficiency change and Scale Efficiency Change while Profitability is obtain using productivity and Term of Trade product. To achieved the purpose of this paper, agricultural output-input quantity and prices data have been collected from FAO stat, Benin Country FAO statistical database and Benin National Agricultural Institute Database during the period 1961-2008. All data are computing using the DPIN software developed by O’Donnell (2010). It is found that since the country national independency in 1961, Benin agriculture productivity has decreased. The decreased has been more significant after the sector liberalization while the term of trade has been much improved and profitability increased. This situation explains that after the liberalization, competiveness has decreased and monopolization increased. It can be conclude that most private stakeholder involve in the sector during post liberalization has earn more profit than invest to contribute at the sector productivity growth. The paper indentify that the country doesn’t improved agricultural productivity after the sector liberalization in opposite to the normal figure that liberalization will stimulate technology transfer and development which will improve productivity. The situation will then highlight policies maker to identify news strategy which can help to optimize the production and agriculture resources efficiency. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural-Productivity- Profitability-Benin-Reform, Productivity Analysis, |
| Date: | 2012–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126748&r=afr |
| By: | Nicholas Wilson |
| Abstract: | Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) is the single most effective HIV prevention intervention in practice today. Nonetheless, little reliable empirical evidence exists on the behavioral effects of PMTCT. This paper documents the rapid expansion of access to PMTCT in Zambia during the period 2000-2007 and provides some of the first evidence on the change in reproductive behavior associated with PMTCT scale-up. The results of a primarily descriptive analysis suggest that PMTCT may have generated increases in knowledge about PMTCT and MTCT, large reductions in child mortality and pregnancy rates, and smaller changes in breastfeeding rates. However, additional research is required to address the potential endogeneity of PMTCT availability. |
| JEL: | I10 J13 |
| Date: | 2012–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:18226&r=afr |
| By: | Dercon, Stefan; Porter, Catherine |
| Abstract: | In 1984, the world was shocked at the scale of a famine in Ethiopia that caused over half a million deaths, making it one of the worst in recent history. The mortality impacts are clearly signicant. But what of the survivors? This paper provides the first estimates the long-term impact of the famine twenty years later, on the height of young adults aged 19-22 years who experienced this severe shock as infants during the crisis. An innovative feature of the analysis is that famine intensity is measured at the household level, while impacts are assessed using a difference-in-differences comparison across siblings, and compared with an IV cross-section, using rainfall as an instrument for the shock. We find that by adulthood, affected children who were aged of 12-36 months at the peak of the crisis are signicantly shorter than the older cohort, and their unaffected peers, by at least 5cm. There are no significant effects on those in utero during the crisis, and we cannot rule out that for this cohort, the selection effect dominates scarring. Indicative calculations show that for the affected group such height loss may lead to income losses of around 5% per year over their lifetime. The evidence also suggests that the relief operations at the time made little difference. |
| Keywords: | Ethiopia; Famine; Human Development |
| JEL: | I12 J13 O12 O15 |
| Date: | 2012–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:9033&r=afr |
| By: | Kajisa, Kei; Payongayong, Ellen M. |
| Keywords: | Crop Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126648&r=afr |
| By: | Philippe De Vreyer (Université Paris Dauphine, LEDa, UMR 225 DIAL, IRD); Nathalie Guilbert (Université Paris Dauphine, LEDa, UMR 225 DIAL, IRD); Sandrine Mesplé-Somps (DIAL, IRD, Paris) |
| Abstract: | This paper estimates the long run impact of a large income shock, by exploiting the regional variation of the 1987-1989 locust invasion in Mali. Using exhaustive Population Census data, we construct birth cohorts of individuals and compare those born and living in the years and villages affected by locust plagues with other cohorts. We find a clear and strong impact on educational outcomes of children living in rural areas but no impact at all on children living in urban areas. School enrollment of children born or aged less than seven years old at the time of shock is found to be impacted. Children born in 1988-1989, the main years of invasion, are those whose school enrollment has been the most affected by the plague. The negative impact on school enrollment of boys is higher than for girls, but on the other hand, girls attending school and living in rural areas have a lower level of school attainment than boys. Controlling for the potentially selective migration behavior of individuals, differences in educational amenities do not dampen our results. Our results are also robust to different variations of the cut-off cohort. _________________________________ L’objet de ce travail est d’estimer l’impact à long terme de chocs de revenu à travers l’analyse des effets de l’invasion de criquets qui a eu lieu de 1987 à 1989 au Mali sur différents indicateurs d’éducation. En mobilisant des données exhaustives de recensement de la population, nous construisons des cohortes d’individus selon leur date de naissance et leur lieu de résidence. Nous examinons les écarts de scolarisation des enfants impactés en double différence. Nous montrons un impact fort et significatif du choc sur les enfants des zones rurales et aucun effet sur les enfants des villes. Les enfants nés ou âgés de moins de sept ans lors des invasions de criquets ont des taux de scolarisation inférieurs aux autres. L’impact est à la fois plus fort pour les enfants qui sont nés en 1988 et 1989 c'est-à-dire les années de plus fortes invasions de criquets et pour les garçons. Cependant, parmi les enfants scolarisés, la durée de scolarisation est plus réduite du fait des invasions de criquets pour les filles que pour les garçons. Ces résultats sont maintenus lorsque l’on contrôle du biais potentiel de migration, des différences possibles d’évolution des niveaux d’infrastructures entre villages et lorsque l’on fait varier le seuil des cohortes incluses dans l'échantillon. |
| Keywords: | Education, Shocks, Mali, Locust,chocs, Mali, criquets. |
| JEL: | I21 O12 O55 |
| Date: | 2012–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dia:wpaper:dt201205&r=afr |
| By: | Wanjiku, Julliet; Ogada, Maurice Juma; Guthiga, Paul; Karugia, Joseph Thuo; Massawe, Stella; Wambua, Jonesmus |
| Abstract: | Shrinking productive land coupled with climate change has led to rising food insecurity in COMESA region. The situation has been exacerbated by the rise in food prices as witnessed in the vast majority of COMESA member countries and elsewhere in the world. Intra-regional trade in food staples offers prospects for enhancing food security through cross border trade and movement of food from surplus to deficit areas. The objective of the current study is to analyze the opportunities available in intra-regional trade in food staples in COMESA region. Using data for selected countries in COMESA region, the study finds that, while some countries, or even some regions within the same country, are food surplus, others are food deficit and literally lacking food to buy in some seasons. This creates a framework for a win-win situation—the food surplus countries/regions could get better prices for their products by selling to food deficit countries/regions while food deficit countries/regions could avoid food shortages and extreme food price volatility by allowing inflow of food staples from surplus countries/region. The regional diversity, differential rainfall patterns across the countries coupled with the phenomenon of staggered harvesting due to spatial climatic variability has and will continue to be major stimulus for cross-border trade from food surplus areas in one country to food deficit areas in neighboring countries. The study also finds that a more liberalized cross-border trade leads to reduced price volatility. Further, the analysis of the results shows that trade in staples has grown rapidly in the recent past in the COMESA region. Consequently the impacts of regional trade in food staples in the region cannot be debated. The region is also faced with numerous tariff/non-tariff barriers, poor infrastructure and lack of market information which translates to increased transaction costs. The study recommends a regional approach to enhance food security and agricultural growth, rather than a national isolated approach. There is need for a clear follow up and monitoring of the implemented COMESA commitment of eliminating NTBs and prevention of entry of new NTBs. Regional approach is highly advocated to elimination of the NTBs as they are similar across countries in addition to investment in improved infrastructure. |
| Keywords: | COMESA, Food staples, Trade, International Relations/Trade, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126424&r=afr |
| By: | Gajigo, Ousman; Schwab, Benjamin |
| Abstract: | We analyze the consequences of seasonal variation in maternal consumption on child health using two nationally representative Gambian household surveys. Seasonal fluctuation in consumption stems from difficulties borrowing when incomes are low during the rainy season and saving when they peak after harvest. The resulting fluctuations in maternal nutritional intake can affect birth outcomes and lactational performance. Using mother fixed effects to isolate the effect of birth season, we find that child health—measured by weight-for-age and height-for-age—varies significantly with birth timing. Children in farm households born during dry seasons (February-June) fare considerably worse than siblings born in other seasons. |
| Keywords: | Child, Maternal Health, Consumption, Agriculture, Seasonal, Agricultural and Food Policy, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Food Security and Poverty, Health Economics and Policy, I20, I22, O12, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126343&r=afr |
| By: | Michael Donadelli (University Luiss "Guido Carli") |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates the \education-total factor productivity trade-o " in explaining per worker income dierences between Sub-Saharan (unlucky) and G7 (lucky) economies. Following Hall and Jones (1999) and Caselli (2005), on a country basis, I am able to study separately the dynamic of the average years of schooling (i.e. education level), the per worker capital, the per worker income, and the total factor productivity (TFP). I conrm that physical capital and education levels partially explain income dierences between unlucky and lucky economies. In a time-series setup I create, on a country-by-country basis, ad hoc TFP shock times series. The main result of this paper is that the impact of TFP shocks on per worker income is larger in unlucky economies than in lucky ones. The result holds both for negative and positive shocks. I show that average TFP volatility in the "unlucky world" is 8 times higher than the "G7 world" average TFP volatility. I argue that the order of magnitude of the impact heavily depends on the level of the TFP volatility. It turns out also that the eect of a TFP shock on a relative low per worker income growth rate is higher. I conclude by arguing that the presence of low levels of per worker capital and of human productivity pushes the unlucky economies into a poverty trap. |
| Keywords: | Education, TFP Shocks, Poverty Trap |
| JEL: | I24 I25 O10 O11 O16 O47 O55 |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:lui:lleewp:1299&r=afr |