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on Agricultural Economics |
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Issue of 2011‒02‒19
thirty-one papers chosen by |
| By: | Nkonde, Chewe; Mason, Nicole M.; Sitko, Nicholas J.; Jayne, Thomas S. |
| Abstract: | Zambiaâs record-breaking maize harvest of nearly 2.8 million metric tons (MT) in 2010 is a major achievement and a testimony to what input subsidies, output price incentives, and favorable weather can do to elicit a major supply response. Maize-growing smallholders harvested more than in previous years and so have more to eat. Public markets are currently well stocked with maize grain, to the benefit of urban consumers and maize-buying rural households. Farmers who were able to sell their crop to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) at K65,000 per 50-kg bag, a price well above market levels, have clearly benefited from the bumper crop and FRAâs involvement in maize marketing. The FRAâs high buy price and purchase of nearly 900,000 MT of maize are also likely to have put upward pressure on market prices for maize. As a result, farmers who sold maize to private sector buyers may have benefited indirectly from the FRAâs activities. However, the policies adopted by the Zambian government (GRZ) to handle the 2010 maize bumper crop have produced both winners and losers. This paper examines the key features of the 2010/11 GRZ maize marketing policies and their likely income distributional effects on various stakeholder groups: large-scale farmers, three categories of smallholder households (net sellers of maize, net buyers of maize, and those that neither buy nor sell maize), urban consumers, millers, traders, and government. We then propose a set of alternative policies GRZ could use to manage future maize bumper crops and explore the likely distributional effects of these policies on the various stakeholder groups. |
| Keywords: | food security, marketing, agricultural policy, zambia, Agricultural and Food Policy, Food Security and Poverty, International Development, Marketing, |
| Date: | 2011–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:midcwp:99610&r=agr |
| By: | Ferrell, Shannon L.; Rumley, Elizabeth |
| Keywords: | GIPSA, Packers and Stockyards Act, Market Concentration, Alternative Marketing Arrangement, Administrative Procedure Act, Agricultural and Food Policy, Livestock Production/Industries, Q13, Q18, K23, |
| Date: | 2011–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaeapi:99801&r=agr |
| By: | Acs, Szvetlana; Armsworth, Paul R.; Dallimer, Martin; Gaston, Kevin J.; Graves, Anil; Hanley, Nick; Morris, Joe |
| Abstract: | Recent decades have witnessed substantial losses of biodiversity in Europe, partly driven by the ecological changes associated with intensification of agricultural production. These changes have particularly affected avian (bird) diversity in marginal areas such as the uplands of the UK. We developed integrated ecological-economic models, using eight different indicators of biodiversity based on avian species richness and individual bird densities. The models represent six different types of farms which are typical for the UK uplands, and were used to assess the outcomes of different agricultural futures. Our results show that the impacts of these future agricultural scenarios on farm incomes, land use and biodiversity are very diverse across policy scenarios and farm types. Moreover, each policy scenario produces un-equal distributions of farm income changes, and gains and losses in alternative biodiversity indicators. This shows that generalisations of the effects of land use change on biodiversity can be misleading. Our results also suggest that a focus on umbrella species or indicators (such as total richness) can miss important compositional effects. |
| Keywords: | agri-environmental policy; biodiversity; farm models; ecological-economic models; policy scenarios |
| Date: | 2010–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:stl:stledp:2010-14&r=agr |
| By: | Zhifeng Gao (University of Florida); Xiaohua Yu (Georg-August-University Göttingen); Jonq-Ying Lee (University of Florida) |
| Abstract: | A large volume of literature has been focusing on the measure of diet quality and consumer demand for food. However, little has estimated consumer demand for diet quality. In this article, we systematically estimate consumer demand for diet quality using the healthy eating index (HEI) developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Results show that consumers have insufficient consumption of the food containing dark green, orange vegetable, legumes and total grain. Age and education have significant impact on consumer demand for diet quality but income does not. The own price elasticities of demand for diet quality are inelastic and are larger than cross price elasticities. Asymmetric cross price elasticity exists between the diet quality of solid fats, alcoholic beverages and added sugars and the quality of other diet groups. This information is critical in policies and programs that are designed to improve consumer healthy food choice which can reduce social cost of public health. |
| Keywords: | Healthy Eating Index; Diet quality; Demand; Household production; Translog cost function |
| JEL: | D12 |
| Date: | 2011–02–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:got:gotcrc:069&r=agr |
| By: | Shingo Kimura; Jesús Antón |
| Abstract: | This report analyzes the agricultural risk management system in Australia, applying a holistic approach that considers the interactions between all sources of risk, farmers. strategies and policies. The policy analysis is structured around three layers of risk that require a differentiated policy response: normal (frequent) risks that should be retained by the farmer, marketable intermediate risks that can be transferred through market tools, and catastrophic risk that requires government assistance. The main focus of risk management policy in Australia is drought risk and this paper assesses the objective and instruments of the country.s national drought policy framework. |
| Keywords: | climate change, risk-management, agricultural policy, catastrophic risk, drought policy, bio-security, cost sharing, index insurance |
| JEL: | Q18 |
| Date: | 2011–02–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:agraaa:39-en&r=agr |
| By: | Stefan Meyer (Georg-August-University Göttingen); Xiaohua Yu (Georg-August-University Göttingen) |
| Abstract: | This paper develops a two-step method to estimate the influence of non-deterministic factors in production on subsequent food prices, and finds that non-deterministic factors of wheat production do significantly affect both wheat and corn prices in the world and, however, those of corn do not. |
| Keywords: | Non-Deterministic Factors; World Food Prices; WTO |
| Date: | 2011–02–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:got:gotcrc:066&r=agr |
| By: | Tangen, Alyssa; Koo, Won W.; Taylor, Richard D. |
| Abstract: | The objective of this study is to evaluate the changes in import and export demand in China and India on the United States and global agriculture in 2020. A spatial equilibrium model is developed to optimize production and trade in China, India, and other major importing and exporting regions in the world. This research focuses on four primary crops: wheat, corn, rice and soybeans. In the model, China and India are divided into 31 and 14 regions,respectively. The model also includes five exporting countries and ten importing countries/regions. The results indicate that India will be able to stay largely self-sufficient in 2020 and China will increase its soybean and corn imports to meet rising domestic demand. The research also gives perspectives on production and trade in the United States and other major exporting and importing countries. |
| Keywords: | Agribusiness, |
| Date: | 2011–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:nddaae:99345&r=agr |
| By: | Jesús Antón; Shingo Kimura; Roger Martini |
| Abstract: | This report analyses the agricultural risk management system in Canada, applying a holistic approach that considers the interactions between all sources of risk, farmers‘ strategies and policies. The policy analysis is structured around three layers of risk that require a differentiated policy response: normal (frequent) risks that should be retained by the farmer, marketable intermediate risks that can be transferred through market tools, and catastrophic risk that requires government assistance. The main policy issue in this report is the definition of the boundaries of these different layers. In Canada the system is overcrowded with policies and unable to signal risk layers in which farmers should take their own responsibility of management. Policies include AgriInvest, AgriInsurance, AgriStability, AgriRecovery and ad hoc measures. The analysis of AgriStability provides insights about the economics of agricultural income stabilization policies. |
| Keywords: | insurance, risk-management, agricultural policy, catastrophic risk income stabilization, policy targeting, montecarlo simulations |
| JEL: | Q18 |
| Date: | 2011–02–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:agraaa:40-en&r=agr |
| By: | Xiaohua Yu (Georg-August-University Göttingen); David Abler (The Penn State University); Chao Peng (Renmin University of China) |
| Abstract: | Contractual breaches are very prevalent in developing countries, such as in China. In order to prevent breaches of contracts, the contractual designs between farmers and agricultural processors (Dragon-Heads Firms) in China, innovate in two ways: organizational innovations and contractual innovations. In particular, contractual innovations are that initial simple price-quantity contracts involve into complex cooperation contracts. Using the data for over 500 State Key Processors in 2003 from Chinese Ministry of Agriculture, we construct econometric models to study contract choices, contract intensity, and the impacts on sales and profits for agricultural processors in China. The results indicate that capital and the number of contracted farmers are endogenous in contract choices. Processors are more likely to use cooperation contracts compared with price-quantity contracts as the number of contracted farmers increases, because then the costs of coordinating, monitoring and enforcing price-quantity contracts may increase dramatically in the case of price-quantity contracts. On the other hand, contract types are not important for the number of contracted farmers, the intensity of contracts, sales and profits for processors, because the purposes of different contract types are related with prevention of breaching contracts. By the way, the results indicate that the elasticity of profits with respect to capital is 0.52, which implies that the returns to investing in the food processing industry are relatively high in China. |
| Date: | 2011–02–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:got:gotcrc:063&r=agr |
| By: | Eleni A.Kaditi; ; |
| Abstract: | This paper examines whether ownership and increased competitive pressure affect food retailers’ market power, analysing whether all actors involved in the food supply chain deviate from the pricing behaviour that exists under perfect competition. A method proposed by Roeger (1995) is used to estimate price-cost margins, relaxing the assumptions of perfect competition and constant returns to scale. The obtained results show that foreign investments and consolidation have a positive and significant impact on the market power of food processors and retailers. Food processors, agricultural producers and wholesalers have lower price-cost margins than retailers, which suggests that these actors price closer to marginal costs being more concerned with maximising social welfare or that the former have higher costs than retailers. The results are robust to various estimation techniques and specifications. |
| Keywords: | Price-cost mark-ups, multinational firms, retailing |
| JEL: | F23 L13 L81 |
| Date: | 2011 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:lic:licosd:27311&r=agr |
| By: | Jesús Antón; Shingo Kimura |
| Abstract: | This report analyses the agricultural risk management system in Spain, applying a holistic approach that considers the interactions between all sources of risk, farmers. strategies and policies. The policy analysis is structured around three layers of risk that require a differentiated policy response: normal (frequent) risks that should be retained by the farmer, marketable intermediate risks that can be transferred through market tools, and catastrophic risk that requires government assistance. The Spanish risk management system is dominated by public insurance. Two main policy issues are discussed in this paper. First, the contribution of the insurance system to market efficiency; this comes from the information sharing arrangement in the public private partnership, rather than from the premium subsidies. Second, the insurance system as a device for catastrophic assistance. |
| Keywords: | public-private partnerships, risk-management, agricultural policy, catastrophic risk insurance, information sharing |
| JEL: | Q18 |
| Date: | 2011–02–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:agraaa:43-en&r=agr |
| By: | Martine Audibert (CERDI - Centre d'études et de recherches sur le developpement international - CNRS : UMR6587 - Université d'Auvergne - Clermont-Ferrand I) |
| Abstract: | Contrary to Asian countries, the agricultural sector in Africa had not benefited from the green revolution success. After a long time of disinterest in the agriculture sector in Africa, several voices arise now in favour of greater efforts towards this sector. Several studies tend to show the crucial role of agriculture in African countries' growth and highlight the huge need of increasing the productivity in this sector. If increase in agriculture productivity requires both an expansion of irrigated areas and the adoption of high yield varieties, those innovations and their high development could be the source of negative health (and environmental) effects. Using a mega-analysis, this paper highlights first the links between health, disease and development and then agricultural productivity. The literature review shows that the negative effect of bad health was not systematically checked, and that the intensity of this effect depends of the disease, but also of the work productivity and the existence or not of a coping process. The second part of the paper focused on the development of high intensive agriculture as a risk factor for farmers' and rural inhabitants' health. This survey shows that whether irrigation and fertilizer and pest intensive use could be considered as highly health (and environmental) risk factors, appropriate control measures (such as for examples systematic maintenance of irrigation canals, alternate wetting and drying of irrigated fields or integrated pest management) considerably reduce this risk, while at the same time, increase the agriculture productivity. |
| Keywords: | agriculture;productivity;endemic disease;health risk factor;Africa |
| Date: | 2011–02–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:wpaper:halshs-00563389&r=agr |
| By: | Xiaohua Yu (Georg-August-University Göttingen); Yinchu Zeng (Renmin University of China); Yuanyuan Liu (Renmin University of China) |
| Abstract: | Consumers are facing a trade-off between the benefits of an increase in the length of the shelf life of food, such as low food costs, and the potential health damages caused by food preservatives. However, few studies in the current literature place emphasis on food preservatives, neither from a scientific perspective nor from an economic perspective. This causes a lot of controversies about government regulations. By constructing a theoretical framework and using a survey of 293 customers from 25 supermarkets in Beijing, this paper studies the consumer attitude towards food preservatives and attempts to fill the gap in the current literature. The main findings include that food price, and consumers’ age and income are important for the willingness to pay (WTP) for “preservative-free food” in Beijing. In particular, food price and consumer incomes are positively correlated with the WTP and there might be an inverted U-shaped relationship between age and WTP. This study indicates that consumers in Beijing are willing to pay a very high premium for preservative-free food —62% for preservative-free Mooncakes compared to conventional ones. |
| Keywords: | Preservative-Free Food; Willingness to Pay; Double-Bounded Dichotomous Choice; Mooncakes; Beijing |
| JEL: | I12 Q18 |
| Date: | 2011–02–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:got:gotcrc:070&r=agr |
| By: | Olga Melyukhina |
| Abstract: | This report analyzes the agricultural risk management system in the Netherlands, applying a holistic approach that considers the interactions between all sources of risk, farmers’ strategies and policies. The policy analysis is structured around three layers of risk that require a differentiated policy response: normal (frequent) risks that should be retained by the farmer, marketable intermediate risks that can be transferred through market tools, and catastrophic risk that requires government assistance. The main risk-related policies in the Netherlands are implemented as part of the EU policy framework. Specifically, national policies focus on the management of catastrophic risks by promoting public-private partnerships, such as Livestock Veterinary Fund, to manage the costs of livestock epidemics. The mutual insurance companies specialised in the coverage of specific types of risks are also promoted, with some of them receiving start-up capital and re-insurance support. The recently launched subsidised multi-peril yield insurance exploits the new opportunities created by the EU framework. |
| Keywords: | risk-management, agricultural policy, risk perceptions, pest and disease risk, Livestock Veterinary Fund, muti-peril insurance |
| JEL: | Q18 |
| Date: | 2011–02–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:agraaa:41-en&r=agr |
| By: | Olga Melyukhina |
| Abstract: | This report analyzes the agricultural risk management system in New Zealand, applying a holistic approach that considers the interactions between all sources of risk, farmers’ strategies and policies. The policy analysis is structured around three layers of risk that require a differentiated policy response: normal (frequent) risks that should be retained by the farmer, marketable intermediate risks that can be transferred through market tools, and catastrophic risk that requires government assistance. The risk management policy in New Zealand is focused on prevention of pest and disease incursions. Assistance related to natural catastrophes is delivered within the Adverse Events Framework programme. The government contributes to knowledge and information systems to support private risk management efforts. |
| Keywords: | agricultural policy, bio-security, risk perceptions, levy organisations, co-operatives, risk management, Adverse Events Framework, industry good organisations |
| JEL: | Q18 |
| Date: | 2011–02–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:agraaa:42-en&r=agr |
| By: | Rainer Holst (Georg-August-University Göttingen); Xiaohua Yu (Georg-August-University Göttingen); Carola Grün (Georg-August-University Göttingen) |
| Abstract: | This paper employs the production function-based method proposed by Just and Pope (1978, 1979) to explicitly analyze production risk in the context of Chinese grain farming and climate change, and test for potential endogeneity of climate factors in Chinese grain production. Our results indicate that grain production in south China might, at least in the short run, could be a net beneficiary of global warming. In particular, we find that a 1 °C increase in annual average temperature in South China could entail an increase of grain output by 3.79 million tons or an economic benefit of around USD 798 million due to the increasing mean output. However the impact of global warming in north China is negative, small and insignificant. In addition, Hausman tests reveal no endogeneity of climate variables in Chinese grain production. |
| Keywords: | Agriculture; grain production; climate change; production risk; China |
| JEL: | Q1 Q54 |
| Date: | 2011–02–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:got:gotcrc:068&r=agr |
| By: | Julie Subervie (CERDI - Centre d'études et de recherches sur le developpement international - CNRS : UMR6587 - Université d'Auvergne - Clermont-Ferrand I) |
| Abstract: | This paper aims at analyzing the effect of world price instability on the aggregate agricultural supply of developing countries and determining to what extent this effect depends on the macroeconomic environment. Producers of agricultural commodity-exporting countries are particularly vulnerable to the fluctuations of world prices : they are exposed to price shocks and their ability to cope with them is weak. But the effectiveness of risk coping strategies is conditional on the influence of macroeconomic factors. We test the impact of international price instability on the aggregate agricultural supply, taking account of some features of the national environment (infrastructure, inflation, and financial deepening). The analysis is based on a sample of 25 countries during the period 1961-2002. Results from panel data highlight a significant negative effect of international price instability on aggregate agricultural supply. Moreover, they show that high inflation, weak infrastructure and poorly developed financial system contribute to reinforce this effect. |
| Keywords: | aggregate supply;price instability;inflation;infrastructure;financial deepening |
| Date: | 2011–02–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:wpaper:halshs-00564577&r=agr |
| By: | Vassilopoulos, Achilleas; Drichoutis, Andreas; Nayga, Rodolfo; Lazaridis, Panagiotis |
| Abstract: | Over the last few decades, the prevalence of obesity among US citizens has grown rapidly, especially among low-income individuals. This has led to questions about the effectiveness of nutritional assistance programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamps Program (FSP). Results from previous studies generally suggest that FSP participation increases obesity. This finding is however based on analyses that assumed that participants do not misclassify their program participation. Significant misclassification errors have been reported in the literature. Using propensity score matching estimation and a new method to conduct extensive sensitivity analysis, we find that this finding is quite sensitive to misclassification errors above 10% and to functional form assumptions. |
| Keywords: | matching estimators; sensitivity analysis; food stamps; obesity |
| JEL: | D12 C63 I10 |
| Date: | 2011–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:28768&r=agr |
| By: | Rainer Holst (Georg-August-University Göttingen); Xiaohua Yu (Georg-August-University Göttingen) |
| Abstract: | Drawing on the method developed by Just and Pope (1978, 1979), this paper separately analyzes the marginal contributions of both regular input factors and climate factors to mean output and to production risk in Chinese inland aquaculture. Furthermore, the net change in output following a 1°C increase in annual average temperature will be determined. According to the results obtained, the impending changes in global climate will have both positive and negative impacts. While an increment in annual average temperatures will increase mean output and decrease production risk, an increase in temperature variability will reduce mean output and cause a higher level of production risk. The corresponding measures of precipitation however have no significant impact on mean output and production risk. Finally, a 1°C increase in annual average temperature is, ceteris paribus, likely to increase national mean output by 1.47 million tons. |
| Keywords: | Aquaculture; climate change; production risk; China |
| JEL: | Q1 Q54 |
| Date: | 2011–02–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:got:gotcrc:064&r=agr |
| By: | Nakano, Yuko; Bamba, Ibrahim; Diagne, Aliou; Otsuka, Keijiro; Kajisa, Kei |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates the potential of and constraints to a rice Green Revolution in Sub-Saharan Africa's large-scale irrigation schemes, using data from Uganda, Mozambique, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Senegal. The authors find that adequate irrigation, chemical fertilizer, and labor inputs are the key to high productivity. Chemical fertilizer is expensive in Uganda and Mozambique and is barely used. This is aggravated when water access is limited because of the complementarities between fertilizer and irrigation. Meanwhile, in the schemes located in four countries in West Africa's Sahel region, where water access is generally good and institutional support for chemical fertilizer exists, rice farmers achieve attractive yields. Some countries'wage rate is high and thus mechanization could be one solution for this constraint. Improvement of credit access also facilitates the purchase of expensive fertilizer or the employment of hired labor. |
| Keywords: | Crops&Crop Management Systems,Irrigation and Drainage,Water Supply and Systems,Regional Economic Development,Water and Industry |
| Date: | 2011–02–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:5560&r=agr |
| By: | S. Mahendra Dev (Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research; Institute of Economic Growth) |
| Abstract: | The objective of the study is to examine the impact of rising food prices and financial crisis on the impact of women and children in India. It identifies the pathways for dealing with the effects of these two crisis on households particularly women and children. It also outlines the desirable macro and sectoral policies and measures, particularly in relation to social protection, which would mitigate the negative effects of the crises and effectively protect households against them through a special focus on the issues of nutrition, health, education and enhancement of child protection. |
| Keywords: | Rise in food prices, financial crisis, food and nutritional security, women, children, social protection |
| JEL: | Q11 Q18 G10 I10 I31 |
| Date: | 2011–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ind:igiwpp:2011-003&r=agr |
| By: | Jean-Louis Arcand (CERDI - Centre d'études et de recherches sur le developpement international - CNRS : UMR6587 - Université d'Auvergne - Clermont-Ferrand I); Daniela Borodak (CERDI - Centre d'études et de recherches sur le developpement international - CNRS : UMR6587 - Université d'Auvergne - Clermont-Ferrand I) |
| Abstract: | This paper considers whether it is differences in technical efficiency or differences in factor endowments that explain productivity differentials in Moldovan agriculture. We compute non-parametric measures of technical efficiency for a sample of Moldovan small-holders using the four-step Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) approach suggested by Fried, Schmidt and Yaisawang (1999). We also consider a model of class structure inspired by the work of Eswaran and Kotwal (1986), and estimate a bivariate probit model that explains a household's labor market participation decisions (and hence class membership) in terms of its factor endowments. These constructs are then used in an effort to understand the determinants of output per hectare in Moldovan agriculture. We find that differences in technical efficiency explain very little of the great heterogeneity in productivity observed in our sample, while class membership is slightly more successful. Our empirical model of class structure suggests that self sufficient households will disappear and be replaced by a class of small capitalist farmers as land and credit markets develop. |
| Keywords: | transaction costs;Technical efficiency;household model;transitional economy;agrarian reform |
| Date: | 2011–02–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:wpaper:halshs-00564567&r=agr |
| By: | Salois, Matthew; Balcombe, Kelvin |
| Abstract: | The impact of covariates on obesity in the US is investigated, with particular attention given to the role of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The potential endogeneity of participation in SNAP is considered as a potential problem in investigating its causal influence on obesity using instrumental variable (IV) approaches. Due to the presence of heteroscedasticity in the errors, the approach for dealing with heteroscedastic errors in Geweke (1993) is extended to the Bayesian instrumental variable estimator outlined in Rossi et al. (2005). This approach leads to substantively different findings to a standard classical IV approach to correcting for heteroscedasticity. Although findings support the contention that the SNAP participation rate is associated with a greater prevalence of obesity, the evidence for this impact is substantially weakened when using the methods introduced in the paper. |
| Keywords: | Bayesian; Food Stamps; Food Insecurity; Instrumental Variabls; Heteroscedasticity; Obesity. |
| JEL: | I38 I00 C31 D10 C11 |
| Date: | 2011–02–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:28745&r=agr |
| By: | Chau, Nancy H.; Zhang, Weiwen |
| Abstract: | For decades, rapid urban expansion has led to concerns over the loss of cultivated land in rural China. This contrasts sharply with another salient feature of the Chinese land policy reform landscape that has gone on largely unnoticed - the addition of newly cultivated land in China through land development has consistently exceeded land conversion. In a model featuring fiscal decentralization, local governments as custodians of land use and development, along with a land development allowance policy instituted in 1998, we show that a land development allowance policy can harness the forces of urban expansion to encourage agricultural land development. |
| Keywords: | land development allowance, fiscal decentralization, inter-jurisdictional competition, agricultural development, Community/Rural/Urban Development, H11, H77, P35, R5, R14, O18, |
| Date: | 2011–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:ubzefd:99416&r=agr |
| By: | Xiaohua Yu (Georg-August-University Göttingen); Zhifeng Gao (University of Florida) |
| Abstract: | By conducting a meta-analysis with 50 observations collected from 15 primary studies, we systematically analyze heterogeneities in consumer preferences for the Country-of-Origin (COO) of U.S. beef products. The main findings include that consumers in Asian countries (Korea and Japan) are willing to pay least for the COO of U.S. beef products compared with North American countries, and that the BSE incidence in the U.S. substantially damaged consumer preferences for the COO of U.S. beef products outside the U.S. but not in the U.S. The results also indicate that choice experiments yield larger WTP values and that the sample size is negatively correlated with WTP values. |
| Keywords: | U.S. beef; COO; WTP; Meta analysis |
| JEL: | Q18 Q51 |
| Date: | 2011–02–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:got:gotcrc:065&r=agr |
| By: | Zhang, Xu; Goddard, Ellen |
| Abstract: | The competitive landscape in retailing has changed over the past decade. Moreover, the degree of product differentiation has been increasing: households are able to choose between an increasing number of store brands and national brands of similar products. The value added meat market is no different than any other sector of the grocery market â both national brands and private label brands are being developed to appeal to the consumerâs desire for convenience, health, production and environmental attributes. Understanding the factors that are influencing consumersâ value added meat product preferences is important for meat manufacturers who wish to add value to their firmâs performance and increase market share. This knowledge is required in order to predict changes in demand and develop new products and marketing strategies that respond to changing consumer needs. The objective of the paper is to provide information on value added meat consumption patterns in Canada at the household level using household purchase information from a representative sample of the Canadian population collected through Nielsen Homescanâ¢. Specifically the focus is on how meat consumers make their decision to purchase value-added meat products â the impact of value added meat types, store choices and brands preference on meat demand. The study undertakes an empirical investigation of Canadian household value added meat demand for the period 2002 to 2007. A comparison of consumersâ preferences is performed with respect to store-switching, brand loyalty and meat expenditure. Multivariate regression analysis is employed to explain consumer preferences for the examined stores, products and brands. We find that meat price, advertising, the number of stores visited, household socio-demographic characteristics and regional segments are strongly related to meat expenditure levels. Value added meat product preferences vary widely across meat types - for example, consumer behaviour towards pork is not a good predictor of behaviour towards poultry, in terms of national brand/store brand choice. The data developed in this analysis can highlight6 marketing opportunities that exist for meat producers and processors to increase the value of total sales for their particular products. The results of this study highlight the impact of number of stores regularly shopped at on purchases of national brand versus private label meat products, the impact of expenditure on meat by product form on national brand versus private label and the impact of demographic and regional variables on all meat purchases, by animal species. |
| Keywords: | consumer behaviour, store loyalty, meat demand, value-added meat, national/store brand choice, Consumer/Household Economics, Demand and Price Analysis, D1, M3, |
| Date: | 2010–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:ualbpr:99703&r=agr |
| By: | Horacio L. P. Piffano |
| Abstract: | The paper analyzes tax burden on rural sector and its implication on property right of land. First, tax burden on land property and rural activities, and its incidence on land values are analyzed; next, the author tries to advance an economic foundation theory for evaluating a legal quantitative limit for the determination that judicial intervention had established, or may establish in the future, to define or differentiate tax burden as confiscatory and, therefore, violating property right. |
| Keywords: | Taxation on rural sector, tax burden, land value, property right, confiscation. |
| JEL: | H2 |
| Date: | 2010–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:lap:wpaper:077&r=agr |
| By: | Grace Lordan (School of Economics, The University of Queensland); John Quiggin (School of Economics, The University of Queensland) |
| Abstract: | The idea of using ?fat taxes? to curb obesity rates has been raised by many. In particular, the idea of taxing sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) has received considerable attention in the United States and has recently been discussed by President Obama. Rather less attention has been given to the alternative of ?thin subsidies?, that is, subsidies for the consumption of foods or beverages likely to be associated with reduced incidence of obesity. This commentary examines the case for a subsidy for artificially sweetened beverages (ASBs) or ?diet soft drinks?. In this commentary, we outline the evidence on the relationship between health outcomes, most notably obesity, and the consumption of SSBs and ASBs. In the light of the evidence we consider the economic effects of taxing SSBs, and the way in which those effects would be modified by the adoption of the alternative ?thin subsidy? based on subsidising ASBs. |
| Date: | 2011 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:qld:uq2004:417&r=agr |
| By: | Lukas Schweiger |
| Abstract: | This paper seeks to analyse the evolution of the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) as a Community tool for the management of a common-pool resource in the context of European integration. The theoretical framework, comprising different levels of analysis, employs European integration theories (Neo-Functionalism and Liberal Intergovernmentalism), paradigms of fisheries management (conservation, economic and social/community) and the concept of common goods. Spillover contributed to the development of the two pillars of the original policy, the structural policy and the common market organisation, which was complemented by a resource conservation regime and a common external policy regarding fisheries. Also, the European Court of Justice has played a significant role in confirming the supremacy of Community law in this field. At the same time, domestic interests in several Member States led to the extenuation of Commission proposals and to perennial stalemates, also due to the Luxembourg Compromise and especially in negotiations on distributive matters. Furthermore, since the adoption of the first CFP in 1970, overdue reforms have not been undertaken (particularly the introduction of individual transferable quotas as a market-based management tool and a definitive end to subsidising overcapacity). Partial reforms, especially concerning equal access, enshrined the status quo through repeatedly renewing derogations, thereby making them de facto permanent. The CFP has evidently failed to prevent the Tragedy of the Commons as most major fish stocks in Community waters are far below their 1983 levels, the year the common conservation regime went into effect. This trend has been exacerbated not only due to the CFP’s ambiguous objectives that stem from its common heritage with the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) but also through a tendency of the policy to be oriented toward the social/community paradigm of fisheries management. |
| Keywords: | political science; neo-functionalism; integration theory; agriculture policy; intergovernmentalism; European Court of Justice; Luxembourg |
| Date: | 2010–11–15 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:erp:eifxxx:p0015&r=agr |
| By: | Xu Tian (Georg-August-University Göttingen); Xiaohua Yu (Georg-August-University Göttingen) |
| Abstract: | Derived from unit value and the gravity model, this paper proposes a simple model to analyze the quality determinants of imported fruits in China, and finds that (1) both quantity and price are exogenous for quality, and quality decreases in quantity but increases in price; (2) the own-income elasticity of quality is 8.55 and the partner-income elasticity is only -0.08; and (3) distance and common boundary do not play significant roles in determining quality. |
| Keywords: | Gravity model; Quality index; Quality Gravity model |
| Date: | 2011–02–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:got:gotcrc:067&r=agr |
| By: | Julie Subervie (CERDI - Centre d'études et de recherches sur le developpement international - CNRS : UMR6587 - Université d'Auvergne - Clermont-Ferrand I) |
| Abstract: | This paper aims at analyzing the role of the real exchange rate in the transmission of world price instability to producers of agricultural commodity-exporting developing countries. The analysis relates to a sample of 51 developing countries over the 1968-2002 period. In those countries whose real exchange rate is supposed to be determined by world price movements, the instability of real prices measured in local currency is supposed to be lower than the instability of world real prices. However, in the great majority of countries, the instability of real prices in local currency is on the contrary stronger. This observation leads to analyse the nature of the relationship between the real exchange rate of these countries and the international real price of exported commodities. More precisely, we investigate whether this relationship can be asymmetric, which would explain a weak correlation between real exchange rate and world real prices. To test this hypothesis, we use an asymmetric cointegration approach. As it was expected, for many countries the results highlight a cointegration relationship between real effective exchange rate and world real prices when there is a rise in world prices, while the hypothesis of cointegration is rejected for almost all countries when there is a drop in world prices, which tends to corroborate the hypothesis of asymmetry. |
| Keywords: | taux de change réel;instabilite des prix;cointégration asymétrique |
| Date: | 2011–02–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:wpaper:halshs-00564575&r=agr |