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on Agricultural Economics |
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Issue of 2009‒09‒05
twenty-two papers chosen by |
| By: | Cororaton, Caesar B.; Orden, David |
| Keywords: | Distorted incentives, agricultural and trade policy reforms, national agricultural development, Agricultural and Food Policy, International Relations/Trade, F13, F14, Q17, Q18, |
| Date: | 2009–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:wbadwp:52789&r=agr |
| By: | Zhai, Fan; Hertel, Thomas |
| Keywords: | Distorted incentives, agricultural and trade policy reforms, national agricultural development, Agricultural and Food Policy, International Relations/Trade, F13, F14, Q17, Q18, |
| Date: | 2009–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:wbadwp:52787&r=agr |
| By: | Herault, Nicolas; Thurlow, James |
| Keywords: | Distorted incentives, agricultural and trade policy reforms, national agricultural development, Agricultural and Food Policy, International Relations/Trade, F13, F14, Q17, Q18, |
| Date: | 2009–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:wbadwp:52792&r=agr |
| By: | Arndt, Channing; Thurlow, James |
| Keywords: | Distorted incentives, agricultural and trade policy reforms, national agricultural development, Agricultural and Food Policy, International Relations/Trade, F13, F14, Q17, Q18, |
| Date: | 2009–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:wbadwp:52794&r=agr |
| By: | Hertel, Thomas W.; Keeney, Roman |
| Keywords: | Distorted incentives, agricultural and trade policy reforms, national agricultural development, Agricultural and Food Policy, International Relations/Trade, F13, F14, Q17, Q18, |
| Date: | 2009–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:wbadwp:52786&r=agr |
| By: | Cororaton, Caesar B.; Corong, Erwin; Cockburn, John |
| Keywords: | Distorted incentives, agricultural and trade policy reforms, national agricultural development, Agricultural and Food Policy, International Relations/Trade, F13, F14, Q17, Q18, |
| Date: | 2009–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:wbadwp:52790&r=agr |
| By: | Warr, Peter |
| Keywords: | Distorted incentives, agricultural and trade policy reforms, national agricultural development, Agricultural and Food Policy, International Relations/Trade, F13, F14, Q17, Q18, |
| Date: | 2009–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:wbadwp:52788&r=agr |
| By: | Anderson, Kym; Valenzuela, Ernesto; Van Der Mensbrugghe, Dominique |
| Keywords: | Distorted incentives, agricultural and trade policy reforms, national agricultural development, Agricultural and Food Policy, International Relations/Trade, F13, F14, Q17, Q18, |
| Date: | 2009–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:wbadwp:52785&r=agr |
| By: | Warr, Peter |
| Keywords: | Distorted incentives, agricultural and trade policy reforms, national agricultural development, Agricultural and Food Policy, International Relations/Trade, F13, F14, Q17, Q18, |
| Date: | 2009–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:wbadwp:52791&r=agr |
| By: | Cicowiez, Martin; Diaz-Bonilla, Carolina; Diaz-Bonilla, Eugenio |
| Keywords: | Distorted incentives, agricultural and trade policy reforms, national agricultural development, Agricultural and Food Policy, International Relations/Trade, F13, F14, Q17, Q18, |
| Date: | 2009–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:wbadwp:52793&r=agr |
| By: | van der Mensbrugghe, Dominique; Valenzuela, Ernesto; Anderson, Kym |
| Keywords: | Distorted incentives, agricultural and trade policy reforms, national agricultural development, Agricultural and Food Policy, International Relations/Trade, F13, F14, Q17, Q18, |
| Date: | 2009–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:wbadwp:52797&r=agr |
| By: | Sanchez, Marco V.; Vos, Rob |
| Keywords: | Distorted incentives, agricultural and trade policy reforms, national agricultural development, Agricultural and Food Policy, International Relations/Trade, F13, F14, Q17, Q18, |
| Date: | 2009–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:wbadwp:52796&r=agr |
| By: | Massuanganhe, Israel Jacob |
| Abstract: | The role that agriculture should play in economic development has been recognised for years. In recent years, concern has been expressed over rising agricultural and food prices. The world market prices for major food commodities have risen sharply to historic highs of more than 60 percent above levels just two years ago. Many factors have contributed to the rise in food commodity prices. Some factors reflect trends of slower growth in production and more rapid growth in demand that have contributed to a tightening of world balances of grains and oilseeds over the last decade. Other factors that have added to global food commodity price inflation include the declining value of the US dollar, rising energy prices, increasing agricultural costs of production, growing foreign exchange holdings by major food-importing countries, and policies adopted recently by some exporting and importing countries to mitigate their own food price inflation (Trostle, 2008). Mozambique has a vast extension of land and diversity of natural resources. Resources are inadequately used, the rural income continues to fall, and poverty is increasing. The rural standard of living has been deteriorating year by year. To date, estimations reveal that between 60 and 80 percent of cultivated land in all the provinces is concentrated in areas between 0.2 and 1 ha. For a sample of 192 farmers, using a translog stochastic production frontier like that of Bravo-Ureta and Pinheiro (1993), who estimated a Cobb-Douglas total value product frontier for analysis purposes, the study found that the average economic efficiency (EE), technical efficiency (TE) and allocative efficiency (AE) for the sample were 11.6%, 83.0% and 13.7% respectively. These results suggest that there is considerable room to maximise resource usage and increase agricultural output without additional input and given the existing technology. The adoption of new technologies designed to enhance farm output and income has received particular attention as a means to accelerate economic development. However, output growth is not only determined by technological innovations, but also by the efficiency with which available technologies are used in the absence of inefficiency factors. As Bravo-Ureta and Pinheiro (1993)noted, the evidence presented in this study suggests that there is much room for improving the efficiency of natural resource management in general. The results based on frontier methodology are generally consistent with the notion that local actors play an important role in the management of local resources; consequently, public investments designed to enhance human and social capital at local level can be expected to generate additional skills and output even in the absence of new technologies. The participation of citizens in all stages is crucial. |
| Keywords: | Data envelopment analysis, Efficiency, Decentralisation, Natural resource management, Land reform, Agricultural development, Governance, Participation, Local development, Agricultural and Food Policy, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Institutional and Behavioral Economics, International Development, Political Economy, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2009–07–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:ufstpd:53061&r=agr |
| By: | Izhar , Ahmad; Tariq , Masood |
| Abstract: | Abstract The study attempts to assess the impact of institutional credit on agriculture production by estimating Cobb Douglas agricultural production function for the pre reform (1972-91) and post reform (1992-2005) period in India using time series data. Study also analyses the trends and pattern of institutional credit during pre reform and post reform period. Annual average growth rate of institutional credit was lowest during the decade 1990-2000 and was highest during 1971-80. Institutional credit as percentage of agricultural gross domestic product increases more rapidly during the post reform period. Institutional credit per cultivated area also increases tremendously over the period since the total cultivated area remains more or less same over the period. Study also analyses sectoral share of total non food bank credit for the period 1980-2005. The share of agriculture sector in total non food bank credit deteriorated during the post reform period. In last cob Douglas production function has been estimated to assess the impact of institutional credit on aggregate agricultural production. Model estimated for the over all period 1972-2005 suggest that institutional credit has significant impact on aggregate agricultural production in India. Cob Douglas production function for the pre reform period (1971-91) gives coefficient which has significant impact on agricultural production. But the model estimated for the post reform period shows that institutional credit does not affect agricultural production. Study concludes that during post reform period the sectoral share agriculture sector declined and also the growth rate of agricultural credit deteriorated. During post reform period institutional credit is not a significant determinant of agricultural production in India. |
| Keywords: | Institutioan Credit; Agicultural Production Fuction; India |
| JEL: | Q14 C01 |
| Date: | 2009–08–13 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:17075&r=agr |
| By: | Lindberg, Gunnar; Hansson, Helena |
| Abstract: | This study uses a disaggregated input-output (IO) table of Sweden to assess the economic impacts of different production lines within Swedish agriculture. Focus has especially been placed on the differences between different types of livestock production and the differences between livestock and arable productions. Swedish agriculture was divided into the production lines, or sectors, cattle (milk and beef), pig, poultry and egg, sheep, mixed livestock production, cereals and mixed farm production, and the importance and potential of each one of them were assessed. To enable such a detailed analysis we first developed and applied a method for disaggregating the single agricultural account in the Swedish IO table. To do so we disaggregated the inputs and outputs of all production lines identified in the study. We used farm accounting data for Sweden together with sector specific data from Statistics Sweden and Agriwise to determine the purchases and sales of different farm types. Within the so called Make-Use framework of the IO table we allowed different farm types to produce more than one output to take the normal heterogeneity of farm production into consideration. Turning the IO table into an IO model we analyzed the various interdependencies in the economic system and determined the relative impact and potentials of different sectors. In particular, output, employment and income multipliers, together with elasticities were calculated and analyzed. In this process we developed the already existing measure of elasticities to better capture the relative importance of sectors with limited final demand. Livestock production lines are generally more integrated in the system of intermediate sales and purchases compared with cereal production. This means that these production lines offer a greater potential in generating output throughout the economy, if the final demand for these products was to increase exogenously. Among the livestock production lines, poultry and egg production seem to be the most input-intensive; however this production line uses labour to a small extent. Combining the multipliers with the relative size of production lines to derive measures of elasticities we find that significant production lines are cattle (milk and beef), cereals and mixed farming. The output, employment and income multipliers, as well as the elasticities, calculated in this study offer a basis for decisions related to sector priorities and regional and rural development. It is however utterly important that the results are interpreted in the right way and that the reader understands that production lines with great output generating potential might for example not perform as well in generating employment. Furthermore generating employment can be measured from different perspectives. That is, a sector can generate employment from one more person employed in the sector or from exogenous increase in the demand for the product of the production line. Results might differ substantially. |
| Keywords: | Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, |
| Date: | 2009 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:suaswp:52971&r=agr |
| By: | Schroeder, Ted |
| Abstract: | Organized Symposium: Market Structure, Organization, and Performance of the Food System: Greatest Contributions by Agricultural and Applied Economists |
| Keywords: | Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession, |
| Date: | 2009 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea09:53059&r=agr |
| By: | Janda, Karel |
| Abstract: | This paper provides an econometric estimation of the influence of individual social-economic, natural, and technological determinants of the credit provision for the agriculture in the case of the Czech Republic. The regression model is based on the microeconomic model of the maximization of the bank’s profit. The results of this paper show that the support of agricultural credit provided by Guarantee Fund goes primarily to the areas with a good conditions for the development of agricultural production. On the other hand, the direct government subsidies are targeted primarily to the areas with non-favourable natural conditions. |
| Keywords: | Subsidies; Guarantees; Rural Development |
| JEL: | R51 Q14 |
| Date: | 2009–08–29 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:17005&r=agr |
| By: | Raúl Serrano (Department of Business Administration,Universidad de Zaragoza); Vicente Pinilla (Department of Applied Economics and Economic History, Universidad de Zaragoza) |
| Abstract: | This study examines the reasons for changes in the composition of international trade in agricultural and food products. We use a Gravity Model to compare the impact of the key factors in bilateral agri-food trade, which we split into three main product groups, between 1963 and 2000 for a representative sample of 40 countries. Our results show how intervention and/or protectionism, the level of participation in intra-industrial trade and the effects of national and per capita income growth have determined the rise in high value-added products and processed goods and the declining share of traditional, basic commodities. |
| Keywords: | Agri-food trade, Gravity Model, GATT, Regional Trade Agreements, home market effect |
| JEL: | F14 F10 N70 |
| Date: | 2009–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ahe:dtaehe:0905&r=agr |
| By: | Mélise Jaud |
| Abstract: | Cet article examine la capacité des filières agroalimentaires des pays en développement à se mettre aux normes internationales sanitaires et phytosanitaires. Après un rappel de l'évolution du commerce agroalimentaire, l'article présente les principales normes publiques et privées existantes, retrace la diversité des expériences des PED dans les filières, poisson, fruits et légumes, viande et élevage et en tire des enseignements.###[english abstract: This paper provides a review of developing country compliance with international agro-food standards. After an overview of the recent evolution of agro food trade, the article describes the existing official and private standards, then reviews the various experiences of developing countries in responding to emerging changes in standards in agro-food markets such as fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, and animal products and finally draws up some key lessons.]### |
| Date: | 2009 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pse:psecon:2009-29&r=agr |
| By: | Lee J. Alston; Edwyna Harris; Bernardo Mueller |
| Abstract: | We present a conceptual framework to better understand the interaction between settlement and the emergence of de facto property rights on frontiers prior to governments establishing and enforcing de jure property rights. In this framework, potential rents associated with more exclusivity drives “demand†for commons arrangements but demand is not a sufficient explanation; norms and politics matter. At some point enhanced scarcity will drive demand for more exclusivity beyond which can be sustained with commons arrangements. Claimants will therefore petition government for de jure property rights to their claims – formal titles. Land conflict will be minimal when governments supply property rights to first possessors. But, governments may not allocate de jure rights to these claimants because they face differing political constituencies. Moreover, governments may assign de jure rights but be unwilling to enforce the right. This generates potential or actual conflict over land depending on the violence potentials of de facto and de jure claimants. We examine land settlement and conflict on the frontiers of Australia, the U.S. and Brazil. We are interested in examining the emergence, sustainability, and collapse of commons arrangements in specific historical contexts. Our analysis indicates the emergence of de facto property rights arrangements will be relatively peaceful where claimants have reasons to organize collectively (Australia and the U.S.). The settlement process will be more prone to conflict when fewer collective activities are required. Consequently, claimants resort to periodic violent self-enforcement or third party enforcement (Brazil). In all three cases the movement from de facto to de jure property rights led to potential or actual conflict because of insufficient government enforcement. |
| JEL: | D72 Q15 N40 N50 O17 K11 |
| Date: | 2009–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:15264&r=agr |
| By: | Mélise Jaud; Olivier Cadot; Akiko Suwa-Eisenmann |
| Abstract: | This paper documents a decreasing trend in the geographical concentration of EU agro-food imports. Decomposing the concentration indices into intensive and extensive margins components, we find that the decrease in overall concentration indices results from two diverging trends: the pattern of trade diversifies at the extensive margin (EU countries have been sourcing their agri-food products from a wider range of suppliers), while geographical concentration increases at the intensive-margin (EU countries have concentrated their imports on a few major suppliers). This leads to an increasing inequality in market shares between a small group of large suppliers and a majority of small suppliers. We then move on to exploit a database of food alerts at the EU border that had never been exploited before. After coding it into HS8 categories, we regress the incidence of food alerts by product on determinants including exporter dummies as well as HS8 product dummies. Coefficients on product dummies provide unbiased estimates of the intrinsic vulnerability of exported products to food alerts, as measured at the EU border. We incorporate the product risk coefficient as an explanatory variable in a regression of geographical concentration and show that concentration is higher for risky products. |
| Date: | 2009 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pse:psecon:2009-28&r=agr |
| By: | Pinar Celikkol Geylani; Spiro E. Stefanou |
| Abstract: | We investigate the relationship between productivity growth and investment spikes using Census Bureau's plant-level data set for the U.S. food manufacturing industry. We find that productivity growth increases after investment spikes suggesting an efficiency gain or plants' learning effect. However, efficiency and the learning period associated with investment spikes differ among plants' productivity quartile ranks implying the differences in the plants' investment types such as expansionary, replacement or retooling. We find evidence of both convex and non-convex types of adjustment costs where lumpy plant-level investments suggest the possibility of non-convex adjustment costs and hazard estimation results suggest the possibility of convex adjustment costs. The downward sloping hazard can be due to the unobserved heterogeneity across plants such as plants' idiosyncratic obsolescence caused by different R&D capabilities and implies the existence of convex adjustment costs. Food plants frequently invest during their first few years of operation and high productivity plants postpone investing due to high fixed costs. |
| Date: | 2008–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cen:wpaper:08-36&r=agr |