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on Agricultural Economics |
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Issue of 2020‒05‒25
sixty-six papers chosen by |
| By: | Nkonya, Ephraim M.; Kato, Edward; Ru, Yating |
| Abstract: | Irrigation is an important strategy to increase agricultural productivity, improve nutrition security and reduce climate-related risks in rural Africa, but adoption of this technology has been low. Using data from the Living Standards Measurement Study, this paper analyzes the characteristics of irrigation in Mali and its impact on nutrition across sex of irrigators. Results show that gravity irrigation is the most common technology and is practiced by 47 percent of irrigators. The share of women irrigators (3 percent of all plots) is significantly lower than that of men. Econometric results show that the proximity of crop fields to the homestead increases the propensity to use motor pumps while more remote plots are more likely to rely on gravity irrigation. Literacy and income from nonfarm activities increase the propensity to use motorized irrigation technologies. Access to motor pumps, in turn, increases consumption of fruits and vegetables, oils, spices, and cereals for female-headed households. Overall, irrigation increases consumption of nutrient-rich food groups, which significantly improves household nutrition in addition to increasing income. Participation in farmer groups increases the propensity to adopt irrigation. Farmer groups might also be an entry point for capacity building on irrigation; and groups to which women farmers belong should receive information on irrigation. Farmer groups also tend to support market participation, which is important to help address the challenge of economies of scale of small-scale irrigators. |
| Keywords: | MALI; WEST AFRICA; AFRICA SOUTH OF SAHARA; AFRICA; irrigation; technology; water; gender; nutrition; livelihoods; agricultural production; smallholders; farmers; parcels; small-scale Irrigation; sex of irrigator; women irrigators; bucket irrigation; irrigated plots |
| Date: | 2020 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:ifprid:1924&r=all |
| By: | Bonuedi, Isaac; Kornher, Lukas; Gerber, Nicolas |
| Abstract: | With a strong global commitment to ending food insecurity and malnutrition, policymakers are increasingly grappling with how to make smallholder agriculture nutrition-sensitive. While the need to address these problems on multiple fronts is widely recognized, there is limited evidence on the nutritional impacts of integrated interventions in export-oriented sectors in developing countries. This paper aims to bridge this gap by evaluating the nutritional impacts of an innovative nutrition-sensitive value chain intervention, uniquely designed to address food and nutrition insecurity among smallholder cocoa, coffee, and cashew farmers in Sierra Leone. The diversity scores of household, maternal, and child diets are the main dietary outcomes employed in the study. Estimation of programme effects is carried out using the inverse-probability-weighted regression adjustment, which combines the propensity score method with regression adjustments to correct for selection bias and accommodate multiple treatments. We do not find a positive impact of supporting cash crop production on the diversity of household, maternal, and child diets unless it is combined with providing information on nutrition. Specifically, combining both interventions is found to significantly improve dietary diversity and the consumption of nutritious foodstuffs at household and individual levels, in comparison with non-intervention households. We found improvements in nutrition knowledge and women empowerment to be the main pathways linking the combined intervention to better dietary outcomes. The results suggest that nutrition-sensitive investments in cash crop sectors promise to be an effective way to increase dietary diversity and sustainably reduce micronutrient deficiencies among nutritionally vulnerable smallholder families in high-value export crop sectors. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Consumer/Household Economics, Health Economics and Policy |
| Date: | 2020–05–13 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:ubzefd:303638&r=all |
| By: | Boughton, Duncan; Goeb, Joey; Lambrecht, Isabel; Mather, David; Headey, Derek D. |
| Abstract: | There is an urgent need to anticipate and mitigate the threat posed by COVID-19 to Myanmar’s agricultural sector and to rural households that depend on farming for income and for food and nutrition security. We evaluate options to address the threat and to support farmers to prepare their land and plant their crops on time in the short window before the start of the 2020 monsoon cropping season. Recognizing that no single intervention can address the full range of vulnerabilities faced by rural households, we recommend a combination: • Expansion of access to seasonal farm credit with extended loan repayment schedules; • Limited agricultural input subsidies targeting certified seed; and • Implementation of a cash transfer program to smallholder farmers. Despite the high cost of a cash transfer program, there are good reasons to expect that the benefits of such support to farm households will outweigh program costs in monetary terms – even more so if the economic benefits from the consequent lower incidence of malnutrition to which the program would contribute can be measured. |
| Keywords: | MYANMAR, BURMA, SOUTHEAST ASIA, ASIA, smallholders, agriculture, food security, nutrition security, livelihoods, Coronavirus, coronavirus disease, disease control, farm income, subsidies, Coronavirinae, COVID-19, |
| Date: | 2020 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:myanpn:2&r=all |
| By: | Jason Snyder; Thomas Jayne; Nicole Mason; Paul Samboko |
| Abstract: | Key Findings -Changes in district level crop productivity among smallholder farmers have strong and positive lagged multi-year effects on the own-farm incomes of rural households in that district. -This impact is especially true for productivity changes among (a) the highest productivity farms in each district, and (b) smallholder farms cultivating >2 hectares. -There is also some evidence of a similar effect on total income, however this effect is not as robust. -Overall, the least robust set of results are between district-level crop productivity and off-farm household incomes, suggesting that some of the recent critiques of the small farm-led multiplier effect hypothesis mentioned earlier for the African context may be valid. -However, we do find tentative evidence (interpreted with caution due to their lack of significance in the robustness checks) that smaller farm productivity (<2 hectares) indirectly raises off-farm incomes. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Consumer/Household Economics, Food Security and Poverty, International Development |
| Date: | 2019–12–20 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:miffpb:303620&r=all |
| By: | Canning, Patrick; Rehkamp, Sarah; Hitaj, Claudia; Peters, Christian |
| Abstract: | Natural resources facilitate production of an adequate daily food supply for Americans. Food consumption in the United States, measured in total calories per day, increased about 50 percent over a recent 25-year span. Understanding how changes in food consumption impact the U.S. food system’s use of the country’s natural resources requires consideration of many factors. We find that diets, or food choices, are likely to be an important factor. For example, had the diets of Americans who met all the 2010 USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans back in 2007 become the typical American diet of that time, then per capita consumption of the fruits, vegetables, legumes/nuts/seeds, eggs, and dairy categories would have increased, while per capita consumption in the sugars/sweets/beverages, fats/oils/salad dressings, grain products, and meat/poultry/fish/mixtures food groups would have declined. In such a scenario, under the production and marketing practices in 2007, nutrition and resource conservation goals would have been mostly complementary, or synergistic. As one notable exception, water conservation in particular may have required tradeoffs between competing goals, especially for production of fruits, vegetables, and dairy. This report combines empirical evidence of resource use in the system in 2007 with the presentation of a framework for a broader empirical study of sustainable pathways to producing a healthy and adequate food supply. |
| Keywords: | Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety |
| Date: | 2020–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:uersrr:303676&r=all |
| By: | Joseph S. Kanyamuka; Joseph K. Dzanja; Flora J. Nankhuni |
| Abstract: | KEY FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS -Cassava productivity has increased over the past decade partly due to introduction of improved high yielding and pest and disease resistant varieties but yields still fall short of the potential. -Some of the factors constraining productivity growth include: over-recycling of seed among farmers and poor agronomic practices due to limited extension services. -Demand for cassava and associated products is increasing due to increasing urbanization where cassava offers one of the sources of cheap carbohydrates. The crop’s drought tolerant nature also offers one of the adaptation strategies to the impacts of climate change that Malawi is facing. -Cassava has a wide range of products that can be processed, including High Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF), whose potential for wheat import substitution in the confectionary and brewery industries has not been fully exploited. Developing the cassava processing industry can contribute to reduction in Malawi’s high importation bill. -To improve Malawi’s cassava value chain, the following recommendations are made: significant investments in seed systems, greenhouses, irrigation, post-harvest, value addition and agro-processing technologies in response to identified market and industry needs; investments in research and extension on improved varieties, good agronomic practices, and pest and diseases prevention and control; and investments to link farmers, farmer organizations and processors through contract farming arrangements. |
| Keywords: | Food Security and Poverty, International Development |
| Date: | 2018–06–28 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:miffpb:303569&r=all |
| By: | Joseph S. Kanyamuka; Flora J. Nankhuni; Joseph K. Dzanja |
| Abstract: | KEY FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS • Sweet potato yields have increased over the past decade partly due to introduction of improved high yielding varieties but yields still fall short of the potential. • Some of the factors constraining productivity growth include over-recycling of seed among farmers and poor agronomic practices due to limited extension services. • The release of Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) varieties have contributed to decline in Vitamin A deficiency in Malawi, contributing to improved nutrition status. • Demand for sweet potato and associated products is increasing partly due to increased urbanization and vulnerability of maize to climate change impacts. • To improve Malawi’s sweet potato value chain, the following recommendations are made: significant investments in seed systems, irrigation, post-harvest, value addition and agro-processing technologies in response to identified market and industry needs; investments in research and extension on improved varieties, good agronomic practices, and pest and diseases prevention and control; and investments to link farmers, farmer organizations and processors through contract farming arrangements and scaling up of Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) varieties to maintain sufficient Vitamin A intake. |
| Keywords: | Food Security and Poverty, International Development |
| Date: | 2018–08–28 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:miffpb:303570&r=all |
| By: | Zephania Bondera Nyirenda; Flora Janet Nankhuni; Michael Andrew Bret |
| Abstract: | Key Findings -Most of the mangoes produced in Malawi (99%) are of local varieties. Only 1% is are of improved varieties. -The majority of mangoes are traded informally and less than 1% enter food chain stores. Very few also get exported, primarily by the only large scale mango processing factory, Malawi Mangoes. -Malawi Mangoes used to process both local and improved mango varieties for puree but has suspended puree production due to low profitability. It now exports fresh improved variety fruits to international markets and plans on producing dried mangoes. -The largest global markets for mango (for fresh fruits and juice extracts) are in the USA, EU, and the Middle East. Malawi can take advantage of the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) to export mangoes to the United States of America, duty free. Other markets that Malawi can exploit include India and South Africa. -There is need to spur production of improved varieties demanded in these international markets through investments in research and extension. -Smallholder farmers realize Gross Margins of close to MK300,000/ha or 78% profit margin, while semicommercial farmers realize close to MK1.6 million/ha or 87% profit margin. -Whole sellers make a Gross Margin of about MK63, 000 per month representing 12% profit margin while retailers make about MK289, 000 per month representing 52% profit margin. -The biggest challenge in the local mango value chain in Malawi is spoilage and lack of reliable markets. -There is need to improve handling and transportation of mangoes to reduce post-harvest losses. There is also need to invest in infrastructure development including electricity, irrigation, communication, and roads. -The GoM constructed a horticulture shelter in Kanengo that can be used for packaging mangoes and other fruits and vegetables for the market, but the shelter is currently a white elephant. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Food Security and Poverty, International Development |
| Date: | 2019–03–13 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:miffpb:303586&r=all |
| By: | Koo, Jawoo; Mamun, Abdullah; Martin, Will |
| Abstract: | Since Amartya Sen’s famous work on Poverty and Famines, economists have understood that policy responses to food market shocks should be guided by changes in households’ incomes and access to food, rather than by overall food availability. Perhaps because the household-level impacts are not directly observable, many policy makers have continued to rely on availability-oriented policies such as export bans. In the Zambia case considered in this paper, export bans imposed in response to an El Niño event exacerbated the poverty problems resulting from the output shock. The combination of household-level data and crop models used in this paper allows us to assess the impacts of weather and price shocks at the household level, and hence to evaluate the suitability of availability-based policies for dealing with weather shocks. These analytical techniques are also useful in identifying the households and regions adversely affected by food output shocks, and hence in designing policies to improve poor consumers’ access to food. |
| Keywords: | ZAMBIA; SOUTHERN AFRICA; AFRICA SOUTH OF SAHARA; AFRICA; spatial data; climate change; El Nino; models; food security; exports; trade; trade policies; poverty; weather; food supply; households; Decision Support System for Agro-technology Transfer (DSSAT); export ban; geospatial; weather shocks |
| Date: | 2020 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:ifprid:1923&r=all |
| By: | Takeshima, Hiroyuki; Ajmani, Manmeet; Roy, Devesh; Fadhillah, Aniq; Liu, Yanyan |
| Abstract: | Despite the growth of agrifood markets, and gradual structural transformation, smallholders persist in Asia. Such patterns are at odds with the views that market growth should encourage more specialization whereby smallholders’ transition to either larger farmers or specialized non-farm households. Using the panel household data in Vietnam, this study investigates how participation in agrifood markets affect smallholder households’ economies of scope (EOS) in diversifying into agriculture and non-agricultural income-earning activities. We find that, greater agrifood market participation proxied by the increased food purchase generally increases EOS between agriculture and non-agricultural activities at the household level. Moreover, it leads to greater labor productivity in agriculture, and also increases female household members’ diversifications into both agriculture and non-agricultural income-earning activities. These effects are relatively stronger and more consistent than conventional indicators of agrifood product sales or proximity to the market. The results shed more light on how exactly smallholders in Vietnam persist in the face of agrifood market growth, and what kind of their relations with such a growing market can be promoted in ways that enhance their livelihoods in the short- to medium- terms. |
| Keywords: | VIET NAM; VIETNAM; SOUTH EAST ASIA; ASIA; smallholders; agrifood sector; models; markets; gender; farm income; labour productivity; female labour; agrifood market participation; economies of scope; primal model; dual model |
| Date: | 2020 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:ifprid:1922&r=all |
| By: | Vinay Reddy Venumuddala |
| Abstract: | In our country, majority of agricultural workers (who may include farmers working within a cooperative framework, or those who work individually either as owners or tenants) are shown to be reaping the least amount of profits in the agriculture value chain when compared to the effort they put in. There is a good amount of literature which broadly substantiates this situation in our country. Main objective of this study is to have a broad understanding of the role played by public systems in this value chain, particularly in the segment that interacts with farmers. As a starting point, we first try to get a better understanding of how farmers are placed in a typical agriculture value chain. For this we take the help of recent seminal works on this topic that captured the situation of farmers' within certain types of value chains. Then, we isolate the segment which interacts with farmers and deep-dive into data to understand the role played by public interventions in determining farmers' income from agriculture. NSSO 70th round on Situation Assessment Survey of farmers has data pertaining to the choices of farmers and the type of their interaction with different players in the value chain. Using this data we tried to get a econometric picture of the role played by government interventions and the extent to which they determine the incomes that a typical farming household derives out of agriculture. |
| Date: | 2020–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2005.07538&r=all |
| By: | Chukwudi Charles Olumba; Jonathan Okechukwu Alimba; Oyinkan Tasie |
| Abstract: | Key Findings -The majority (59.6%) of urban farmers face tenure insecurity, as they cultivate open spaces/ land. -Access to land for urban agriculture was positively related to credit access and cooperative membership and negatively related to the age of the farmers and conflicting land use. -Credit access, land tenure security and income of the farmers have positive effect on the size of land accessed by urban farmers. -The age and gender of urban farmers negatively influenced the size of land accessed by the urban farmers. |
| Keywords: | Food Security and Poverty, International Development |
| Date: | 2019–02–16 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:miffpb:303580&r=all |
| By: | Billings, Lucy; Wullingdool, Emmanuel |
| Abstract: | Multisectoral coordination and action are recognized as necessary conditions to effec-tively address the multiple drivers of malnutrition. There has been a strong effort in the past decade to establish multisector coordination at the national level among member states of the Scaling Up Nutrition Movement. However, the practice of subnational and commu-nity-level nutrition coordination is still emerging, and literature on the factors related to the formation and success of such coordination bodies is limited (for example, Harris et al. 2017). Understanding contextual factors is particularly important for supporting local-level ena-bling environments, where traditional customs may hold influence over political and social structures. A multisector nutrition committee was formed in Poyentanga, a subdistrict of Wa West District in the impoverished Upper West region of Ghana, where acute child malnutrition is driven by seasonal food insecurity. The committee was launched in November 2018 as a plat-form to coordinate local stakeholders to address the challenges of persistent malnutrition in the communities of Poyentanga. This case study examines the enabling environment for local-level engagement and action on nutrition to understand the context and the key factors that led to the formation of the Poyentanga nutrition committee. The basic policy framework and institutional structures were already in place for multi-sector coordination on nutrition before the committee was established. The National Nutrition Policy specifies the formation of a multisectoral coordination mechanism for nutrition services and programmes at national and subnational levels, and responsibility for resource allocation for the delivery of necessary services sits with the District Assemblies. Yet a strong focus on the treatment of acute malnutrition in Wa West District had left the administration of curative nu-trition services largely to the health sector, with little attention given to preventative ap-proaches or engagement from other sectors. Once attention was drawn to the prevalence and consequences of malnutrition, stakeholders from across sectors demonstrated high commit-ment to addressing the problem. |
| Keywords: | GHANA; WEST AFRICA; AFRICA SOUTH OF SAHARA; AFRICA; nutrition; stakeholders; malnutrition; child nutrition; food security; multi-sector coordination |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:othbrf:october2019&r=all |
| By: | Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA); International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) |
| Abstract: | Chili pepper (Capsicum spp.) is an important spice and condiment used in many Ghanaian dishes. Alongside tomato and onion, chili ranks as one of Ghana’s three most important vegetable crops in terms of hectarage and crop value with significant potential for generating income, creating jobs, and contributing to foreign exchange through exports (Gonzalez et al. 2014). As is the case with other vegetable crops, chili production in Ghana is more profitable than producing traditional staple crops, such as maize and rice (Van Asselt et al. 2018). However, supply is highly seasonal as most production is rainfed. Chili yields in Ghana are also well below their potential. The government of Ghana has recognized this underexploited potential by designating chili as a priority crop under the Planting for Food Jobs (PFJ) initiative. |
| Keywords: | GHANA; WEST AFRICA; AFRICA SOUTH OF SAHARA; AFRICA; food production; food prices; food consumption; trade; international trade; domestic trade; chillies; markets; price trends |
| Date: | 2020 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:othbrf:1152139657&r=all |
| By: | Thomas Url (WIFO); Serguei Kaniovski |
| Abstract: | In 2005 the EU lowered the guaranteed minimum prices for crops in its Common Agricultural Policy and stopped market interventions. Consequently, prices started to fluctuate more intensively, and farmers' incomes are now subject to higher price volatility. A crop price insurance scheme could provide an interesting instrument to stabilise the income of European farmers. We analyse the premium level and capital requirement of a hypothetical insurance contract covering several combinations of minimum prices for a bundle of wheat, maize, and rape seed. The premium level is based on the Black option pricing model and a Bayesian autoregressive stochastic volatility model. Monte Carlo simulated forecasts provide estimates for expected variances and a profit-loss distribution for various combinations of minimum prices. The required solvency capital to keep the insurance business afloat at the 1 percent ruin probability creates capital costs exceeding the expected profit. |
| Keywords: | crop insurance program, option pricing, time varying volatility |
| Date: | 2020–05–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wfo:wpaper:y:2020:i:601&r=all |
| By: | Osayanmon Wellington Osawe |
| Abstract: | KEY FINDINGS: • Significant share of rice farmers and processors in Nigeria still use technologies that do not allow for substantial improvement in average yield and on the quality of rice processed. • Adoption of modern technology does not only improve rice yield; it also significantly lowers the overall cost of production. • Improvement in rice yield and reduction in input cost tend to occur irrespective of the type of agroecological zone. • Disparities in the price of domestic rice across Nigeria tend to be a function of the quality of rice sold which is largely determined by the type of processing technology employed. |
| Keywords: | Food Security and Poverty, International Development |
| Date: | 2018–11–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:miffpb:303577&r=all |
| By: | Lenis Saweda O. Liverpool-Tasie; Awa Sanou; Justice A. Tambo |
| Abstract: | KEY FINDINGS -The poultry sub-sector in Nigeria is experiencing rapid growth and transformation. -However, heat stress associated with climate change is a challenge to poultry farmers due to its negative effect on chicken growth and productivity Small poultry farmers tend to invest in traditional strategies such as stocking local breeds -Medium and large poultry farmers adopt modern technologies such as air and water ventilation and bulbs that emit less heat -Farmers who have experienced heat related losses are more likely to adopt modern practices (water ventilation, pay for litter spreading, buy medicines and vitamins or use energy efficient bulb) and more likely to adopt multiple adaptation strategies. |
| Keywords: | Food Security and Poverty, International Development |
| Date: | 2018–09–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:miffpb:303572&r=all |
| By: | Justin du Toit; Flora J. Nankhuni; Joseph S. Kanyamuka |
| Abstract: | KEY FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS -The study found that the market for black tea is oversupplied at a global level, putting downward pressure on real tea prices in Malawi; -There is no clear way for the tea industry in Malawi to improve its competitiveness. Development of the smallholder grower sector is limited by scarcity of land in the production hub (Thyolo and Mulanje). Increasing productivity of the smallholder sector is one way of expanding the tea industry. Large estates are mainly constrained by large tracts of their estates having old tea plantations that are low yielding. Uprooting of these plantations for new higher yielding plants is limited by competition from Macadamia as a more profitable substitute and heavy investment requirements. -Smallholder growers in Malawi make a significantly lower margin than estates; To enable expansion and improvement in competitiveness, public investment should focus on unlocking ‘bottlenecks’ caused by issues around seedling supply, costs of and access to finance, a lack of extension services, and land tenure security for both smallholders and large estates; -Opportunities for the integration of smallholders into the tea industry value chain through ownership and participation in tea processing should be identified and viable options should be pursued; -To encourage increased private investment, an assessment of production suitability at country-level for all tea varieties is required to identify new areas for expansion and investment. |
| Keywords: | Food Security and Poverty, International Development |
| Date: | 2018–10–25 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:miffpb:303575&r=all |
| By: | Board for International Food and Agricultural Development (BIFAD); International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI); Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) |
| Abstract: | Foreign agricultural assistance supports growth in household incomes abroad, increasing demand for U.S. agricultural and manufactured exports with broad impacts on economic growth and employment. Research supported by U.S. foreign agricultural assistance has produced new wheat technologies now widely adopted by American farmers. Many American producers of sorghum now plant improved varieties developed through a sorghum research program sponsored by USAID. USAID-sponsored research on beans generates innovations that benefit U.S. producers and consumers of beans. |
| Keywords: | UNITED STATES; USA; NORTH AMERICA; AMERICAS; youth; governance; migration |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:othbrf:1125105921&r=all |
| By: | Cisneros Tersitsch, Marco Elías; Kis-Katos, Krisztina; Nuryartono, Nunung |
| Abstract: | This paper studies the interactions between political and economic incentives to foster forest conversion in Indonesian districts. Using a district-level panel data set from 2001 to 2016, we analyze variation in remotely sensed forest loss and forest fires as well as measures of land use licensing. We link these outcomes to economic incentives to expand oil palm cultivation areas as well as political incentives arising before idiosyncratically-timed local mayoral elections. Empirical results document substantial increases in deforestation and forest fires in the year prior to local elections. Additionally, oil palm plays a crucial role in driving deforestation dynamics. Variations in global market prices of palm oil are closely linked to deforestation in areas which are geo-climatically best suited for growing oil palm and they amplify the importance of the political cycle. We thus find clear evidence for economic and political incentives reinforcing each other as drivers of forest loss and land conversion for oil palm cultivation. |
| Keywords: | democratization,decentralization,elections,deforestation,forest conservation,demand shocks,palm oil,concessions,Indonesia,Price Transmission Analysis,VECM,Tripartite Rubber Council,Indonesia,Thailand,Malaysia,Policy Interventions |
| Date: | 2020 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:crc990:31&r=all |
| By: | Todd Benson; Zephania Nyirenda; Flora Nankhuni; Mywish Maredia |
| Abstract: | KEY FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS -A survey of 55 participants in national-level policy processes around agriculture and food security in Malawi was implemented in 2015 (baseline) and in 2017/18 (endline) to examine the quality of these processes and the institutions involved. -The 2015 baseline survey analysis showed that assessments of the quality of these processes were positive, even if improvements were still needed. -However, contrary to expectations, the endline survey of 2017/18 showed increased pessimism among respondents as to the quality of the processes and the institutions involved in them. -This result was unexpected, as policy developments around agriculture and food security between 2015 and 2017/18 were positive—several important agricultural policy achievements had been realized. -However, Malawi also experienced recurrent widespread food insecurity crises over this period. -Consequently, there is a disconnect between the reasonably high quality of the policies and strategies developed through these processes and the results obtained. Respondents to the endline survey were more skeptical than anticipated of the quality of these policy processes. -Better quality policy processes are not sufficient for achieving better outcomes in Malawi’s agricultural sector and food security for Malawi’s citizens. -Effective implementation of the policies developed through these processes is the most important proof of their quality and value. Policy implementation remains inadequate and a continuing challenge. |
| Keywords: | Food Security and Poverty, International Development |
| Date: | 2018–11–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:miffpb:303576&r=all |
| By: | Malafry, Laurence; Soares Brinca, Pedro |
| Abstract: | Policy makers concerned with setting optimal values for carbon instruments to address climate change externalities often employ integrated assessment models (IAMs). While these models differ on their assumptions of climate damage impacts, discounting and technology, they conform on their assumption of complete markets and a representative household. In the face of global inequality and significant vulnerability of asset poor households, we relax the complete markets assumption and introduce a realistic degree of global household inequality. A simple experiment of introducing a range of global carbon taxes shows a household’s position on the global wealth distribution predicts the identity of their most-preferred carbon price. Specifically, poor agents prefer strong public action against climate change to mitigate the risk for which they are implicitly more vulnerable. This preference exists even without progressive redistribution of the revenue. We find that, parallel to the literature on macroeconomic policy and incomplete markets, the carbon tax can partially fill the role of insurance by reducing the volatility of future welfare. It is this role that drives the wedge between rich and poor households’ policy preferences, where rich households’ preferences closely mimic the representative agent. Estimates of the optimal carbon tax and the welfare gains of mitigation strategies may be underestimated if this channel is not taken into account. |
| Keywords: | Climate change, Inequality, Risk, Optimal carbon policy |
| JEL: | H23 H31 Q54 Q58 |
| Date: | 2020–05–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:100201&r=all |
| By: | Hiroyuki Takeshima; Abdullahi Mohammed Nasir |
| Abstract: | Key Findings -Crop varietal development in Nigeria is primarily conducted by the public sector. Consequently, most improved crop varieties have been released by a relatively small number of institutes. -Crop productivity in Nigeria can be significantly increased by expanding support for crop varietal development in a manner that increases the similarity in agroecological conditions between the locations where crop breeding is conducted and the areas where farmers produce those crops. -Diversity in the locations of research institutes conducting crop breeding and varietal development matters for overall crop productivity and technical efficiency in Nigeria. |
| Keywords: | Food Security and Poverty, International Development |
| Date: | 2019–02–22 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:miffpb:303581&r=all |
| By: | Moraka N Makhura; Olayinka O Adegbite; Elizabeth Mkandawire; Nic JJ Olivier; Florah Nankuni; Christone J Nyondo; Sheryl Hendriks |
| Abstract: | Key Findings -The dominance of traditional food systems may not be able to sustainably address the food and nutrition needs of an increasing Malawian population. -Due to the multifaceted nature of food systems, not only food and nutrition policies and or agricultural policies influence food systems. Other relevant sectoral policies can also have a significant positive or negative influence on food systems. -Although some policies may be considered indirectly linked to FSN or may not have FSN as one of its policy goals, they could inadvertently constitute a driving force to transforming the food system. -Most policies in Malawi addressed food availability but less focus on accessibility and affordability which has implications on achieving FSN. -Policy coherence and multi-sectoral policy approaches to transforming food systems are crucial in achieving sustainable food systems outcomes (FSN, socioeconomic and environmental outcomes). |
| Keywords: | Food Security and Poverty, International Development |
| Date: | 2019–02–26 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:miffpb:303582&r=all |
| By: | Toth, Russell |
| Abstract: | This note discusses the significant risks facing microfinance institutions (MFI) in Myanmar in the wake of the COVID-19 health and economic crisis and the implications for poverty and food insecurity of a serious negative shock to the MFI sector. The note is based on a desk review of the early policy responses in Myanmar, of best practices identified by international and local experts, and online discussions with leaders of MFIs operating in Myanmar. The objective is to make policymakers aware of the crucial role MFIs play in a wide range of economic activities in Myanmar, including food production, processing, trade, and marketing. A serious disruption to the MFI sector has the potential to: • Exacerbate food insecurity through damaging economic resilience in the short-to-medium term, • Lower agricultural output in the critical upcoming monsoon production season, and • Harm the potential for microfinance to contribute to economic recovery. |
| Keywords: | MYANMAR, BURMA, SOUTHEAST ASIA, ASIA, microfinance, Coronavirus, coronavirus disease, Coronavirinae, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, economic crises, food security, resilience, economic recovery, poverty, Covid-19, |
| Date: | 2020 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:myanpn:3&r=all |
| By: | Saweda Liverpool-Tasie; Thomas Reardon; Awa Sanou; Wale Ogunleye; Iredele Ogunbayo; Bolarin T. Omonona |
| Abstract: | HIGHLIGHTS -The urban food security of Nigeria (and of million rural maize farmers and consumers) is conditioned, mediated, determined by traders. -The north-south long supply chain of maize is crucial to the country’s food security and its performance is in the hands of traders and conditioned by the quality of infrastructure and services. -Contrary to traditional views, traders rely on a well-developed third party logistics service sector market, and a warehouse rental market -Extremely little (less than 1%) waste/loss of maize in the supply chain which mainly consists of handling of bags of maize -Trader credit (advances) to farmers is near absent. -Traders and the trade and logistic segments of the maize value chain warrant more attention by researchers and policy makers. |
| Keywords: | Food Security and Poverty, International Development |
| Date: | 2019–01–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:miffpb:303560&r=all |
| By: | Hambulo Ngoma; Amare Teklay Hailu; Stephen Kabwe; Arild Angelson |
| Abstract: | Key Findings -167,000 – 300,000 hectares of forest are lost every year in Zambia, and different polices are in place or have been proposed to contain forest loss. But, there is limited evidence on the effectiveness of these policies. -We conducted framed field experiments with actual forest users to test ex-ante the impacts of community forest management, command and control, and payments for environmental services on forest conservation in Zambia. -Relative to open access, community forest management and payments for environmental services to individuals led to more forest conservation, implying that both monetary and non-monetary motives matter for forest conservation. -Forest reliance, measured by whether the participants sold any forest product in the month preceding the survey, significantly increased harvest in the experiment. -Female participants had significantly higher harvest rates than males. This result runs counter to assertions suggesting that females are more pro-conservation. -These results imply that better conservation outcomes might be achieved by some combinations of community forest management and individual payments for environmental services, provided the transaction costs can be kept at acceptable levels. -Thus, Zambia’s community forestry management will need to provide individual households with clear material benefits in order to compensate for the loss from reduced forest use. |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy, Food Security and Poverty, International Development |
| Date: | 2019–05–28 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:miffpb:303610&r=all |
| By: | Nic Olivier; Elizabeth Mkandawire; Sheryl Hendriks |
| Abstract: | Key Points to Consider: It is essential that NAIPs: -Align to the SDGs, Agenda 2063, the Malabo Declaration and the long term national vision and medium term growth and development plan to ensure coherence in development efforts. -Malabo CAADP NAIPs seek to move beyond production to encompass inclusive economic growth, poverty reduction and the creation of employment through agricultural transformation agendas to achieve food security and nutrition for all. -Food security should be adequately conceptualized, including all four elements namely availability, access, nutrition and stability/resilience. Programs based only on production activities will not achieve the Malabo targets. -Strong and streamlined coordination structures are essential for effective coordination of comprehensive programs for food security and nutrition. Key messages regarding the zero draft of the Ugandan Agriculture Sector Strategic Plan 2015/16 – 2019/20 -The ASSP is reportedly the operationalization strategy for the National Agriculture Policy (NAP) and as it stands does not cover all the elements necessary for a NAIP. -A disconnect in the positioning of food security and nutrition exists across the Constitution, the Vision 2040, the NDP II, the NAP and the ASSP. -Coordination structures are unclear. |
| Keywords: | Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Food Security and Poverty, International Development |
| Date: | 2019–03–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:miffpb:303585&r=all |
| By: | Olivier Ecker; Adam Kennedy |
| Abstract: | Key Policy Recommendations -Published child undernutrition rates for Nigeria, particularly at subnational levels, should be interpreted cautiously because of the poor quality of the underlying anthropometric data that are currently available. -Priority should be given to the collection of high-quality data, necessary for effective policy and program design and implementation. -It is fundamental that, in future surveys, measurement and standardization protocols for anthropometry and other nutrition and dietary variables are followed strictly, and survey design and implementation comply with international standards. -The decline in real income that farm households experienced during Nigeria’s recent economic recession was associated with reduced household dietary diversity highlighting the importance of household income growth, as well as the important role of social protection programs to mitigate the impact of income shocks on food and nutrition security. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Consumer/Household Economics, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Food Security and Poverty, International Development |
| Date: | 2019–09–18 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:miffpb:303612&r=all |
| By: | Ya?ar Selman Gültekin (Duzce University); ismail baysal (Duzce University) |
| Abstract: | The Gallipoli Peninsula Historical National Park is located on the European side of the Dardanelles Strait, which separates Asia and Europe. In this study, Gallipoli National Park Forest fires from 1983 to 2018 are listed. As a part of method human based forest fires and human neglect based forest fires were evaluated. It was determined that the fires in Gallipoli forests were generally caused by the visitors during the tourism activities in summer times or as a result of the agricultural activities of the local people. Damages caused by forest fires to Gallipoli Historical National Park and their causes were evaluated from socio-economic perspective. In this context, the importance of the area in terms of tourism sector and and the life quality of local people were examined.In this study, the conditions affecting the forest fire hazard, especially the vegetation status of the area, were evaluated. Suggestions were made to improve environmental awareness for the tourists visiting the area and local people. |
| Keywords: | Human Impact, Forest Fire, Sustainable Forest Management, Socioeconomic Perspective, Gallipoli |
| Date: | 2020–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sek:iacpro:10012567&r=all |
| By: | Jason Snyder; Thomas Jayne; Jordan Chamberlin; Paul Samboko; Nicole Mason |
| Abstract: | Key Findings -There is very little micro-level empirical literature estimating farm to non-farm labor linkages from agricultural productivity growth in Africa. Our study helps to fill this gap in Zambia. -We find that a doubling of district level crop productivity is positively associated with a 14%- 17% increase in non-farm labor activity among rural farm households in Zambia. -This impact is even more pronounced for changes in small farm district productivity (<2 hectares), causing a 24%-31% increase non-farm labor activity among rural small farm households. -There is also some evidence, although it is less robust, that increases in productivity among relatively lower productivity farms (relative to each district), also increases non-farm labor activity. -Overall, these results align with the structural transformation hypothesis with regards to labor linkages, and can be used to help justify support for improvements in small-farm crop productivity. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Consumer/Household Economics, Food Security and Poverty, International Development |
| Date: | 2019–12–19 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:miffpb:303619&r=all |
| By: | Researchers of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI); Michigan State University |
| Abstract: | The recent sudden imposition of a stringent 21-day lockdown in India in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected the food security of many vulnerable Indians. These impacts highlight the many challenges that this kind of anti-COVID intervention can pose in other settings where the labor force is mostly informally employed with poor job security and low wages, and where the agri-food systems is similarly informal with widespread use of open-air markets. Myanmar is such a setting. India’s chastening experience with food security during its lockdown suggests the following actions would be imperative for maintaining food security in Myanmar: • Allow the free movement of all goods. A stable and reliable agri-food system requires free movements of a wide range of food products (including micronutrient-rich fruits, vegetables and animal-sourced foods) as well as essential non-food goods. • Monitor food markets and agricultural value chains as closely as possible to address problems when they do arise. • Reduce risk of COVID-19 contagion by improving hygiene in Myanmar’s food markets. • Issue clear directives to police, military, and local authorities not to impede the movement of goods. The Government of Myanmar should learn from the mistakes made in India and other developing countries. We must recognize that basic food and nutrition security must be maintained at all times through this complex health and socioeconomic crisis. |
| Keywords: | MYANMAR, BURMA, SOUTHEAST ASIA, ASIA, INDIA, SOUTH ASIA, food security, nutrition, Coronavirus, coronavirus disease, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, agrifood systems, infant mortality, health, movement restrictions, lockdown, Covid-19, |
| Date: | 2020 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:myanpn:1&r=all |
| By: | MIHAI, Florin Constantin; Grozavu, Adrian |
| Abstract: | The exposure of rural communities to illegal waste dumping practices associated with the lack of or poor waste collection schemes prior to the closure of rural dumpsites under EU regulations and the role of collection efficiency afterward in reducing this critical environmental threat constitutes a key issue in rural Romania. The present study reveals huge amounts of household uncollected waste released into the natural environment outside the official statistics of rural dumpsites. Despite the expansion of waste collection coverage towards rural areas since 2010, the problem of illegal dumping practice is difficult to solve. The improvement of collection efficiency, better law enforcement, and surveillance of environmental authorities coupled with educational and environmental awareness are necessary steps to combat this bad practice. A circular economy paradigm must be enacted in rural regions through separate collection schemes and to improve cost-efficient alternatives, such as home composting, and traditional and creative reuse practices, particularly in less developed regions. |
| Date: | 2019–12–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:socarx:mjk7g&r=all |
| By: | Hiroyuki Takeshima; Adam Kennedy |
| Abstract: | Key Policy Recommendations -Rural wages are increasing due to non-farm job growth, food prices remain high, and complementary technologies are being used that should support a growing demand for mechanization, though it is currently limited. -Investments in R&D can support farm intensification and improve demand for mechanization as will research on implements and machinery best suited for local use. -Reducing transaction costs can make machines more readily available, but there are still market inefficiencies that should be addressed through targeted investments beyond subsidies. -Supporting better business models that improve the efficiency of tractor hire services can help address farmer demand while stimulating private sector investment in the sector to address access in underserved areas. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Consumer/Household Economics, Food Security and Poverty, International Development |
| Date: | 2019–09–18 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:miffpb:303614&r=all |
| By: | Awa Sanou; Lenis O. Liverpool-Tasie; Caputo Vincenzia; John Kerr |
| Abstract: | Key Findings -Maize traders respond to attributes their buyers care about and will pay a price premium for. -Wholesalers who sell to buyers (other large traders, large feed mills, food companies) who know or care about aflatoxin exhibit the highest mean WTP for aflatoxin safe certification. -Traders who sell to consumers consistently have a low WTP for aflatoxin certification; consistent with the fact that they don’t know about aflatoxins. -Traders selling to consumers exhibit the highest WTP for low moisture content, an attribute they are familiar with, but it is an incomplete measure of aflatoxin contamination. -Nigerian traders trust reputable domestic organizations over foreign ones for aflatoxin certification. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Consumer/Household Economics, Demand and Price Analysis, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Food Security and Poverty, International Development |
| Date: | 2019–05–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:miffpb:303608&r=all |
| By: | Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA); International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) |
| Abstract: | Rice is an important staple in Ghana and is cultivated across all agroecological zones. Paddy rice output grew at around 10 percent per annum between 2008 and 2019, with an especially sharp increase of 25 percent in 2019. However, domestic production continues to fall short of demand with the import share of rice consumed remaining above 50 percent (MoFA 2018). This reflects a growing preference for rice among Ghanaian households, especially as consumers become wealthier and more urbanized. The large dependence on rice imports heightens concerns around foreign exchange imbalances and vulnerability to international rice price shocks. Hence, the National Rice Development Strategy of 2009 and the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) campaign launched in 2017 not only prioritize rice but set ambitious expansion targets for domestic rice production (MOFA 2017a). Policy objectives include substituting rice imports and producing a higher-quality product that is more acceptable to Ghanaian consumers and can compete with imported rice. |
| Keywords: | GHANA; WEST AFRICA; AFRICA SOUTH OF SAHARA; AFRICA; food production; food prices; food consumption; trade; international trade; domestic trade; rice; markets; price trends |
| Date: | 2020 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:othbrf:1152139658&r=all |
| By: | Kanika Mahajan (Ashoka University); Shekhar Tomar (Indian School of Business) |
| Abstract: | This paper looks at the disruption in food supply chains due to COVID-19 induced economic shutdown in India. We use a novel dataset from one of the largest online grocery retailers to look at the impact on product availability and prices in three major cities. We find that product availability fell by 10 percent for vegetables, fruits, and edible oils, while there was a minimal impact on their prices. The fall in availability is mostly on account of products, which were listed less frequently on the website in the pre-lockdown period. Additionally, the fall in availability was smaller for products that are manufactured near the retail centers. These findings suggest that supply chain disruptions are the main driver behind the observed fall in product availability. |
| Keywords: | COVID-19, Supply chain shocks, Prices, Online retail |
| Date: | 2020–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ash:wpaper:28&r=all |
| By: | Nicole M. Mason; Auckland Kuteya; Danielle Resnick; Vincenzina Caputo; Mywish Maredia; Robert Shupp; Hambulo Ngoma |
| Abstract: | Key Findings -Results from an open-ended question on nationally-representative surveys in 2015 and 2019 indicate that smallholder farmers’ top priorities for additional government spending in general (not limited to the agricultural sector) are health care, roads and bridges, education, water and sanitation, and the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP). -Results from a smaller survey in 13 districts in 2017 using a method (“best-worst scaling” (BWS)) that requires respondents to consider tradeoffs between different options and that focused on 10 specific agricultural sector policy options indicate that smallholder farmers would most like to see additional government spending be devoted to FISP or the Food Reserve Agency (FRA). -In contrast, results from a similar BWS survey in 2019 with other agricultural sector stakeholders (representing research organizations, NGOs, government, private sector groups, and donors) indicate that these stakeholders view FRA and FISP as the lowest priorities for additional government spending. Instead, these stakeholders favor increased expenditures on public goods such as extension, rural infrastructure, and crop research and development, which have been shown to have high returns to agricultural growth and poverty reduction. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Food Security and Poverty, International Development |
| Date: | 2019–12–18 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:miffpb:303618&r=all |
| By: | Balaraba Abubakar Sule |
| Abstract: | Key Findings 1. Improvement in storage facilities and transportation services is essential to reducing market glut and post-harvest losses. 2. Knowledge gap on essential post-harvest practices by farmers have been identified to accentuate losses. 3. The Rudu storage structure requires simple adjustments in its design to improve its efficiency. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Consumer/Household Economics, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Food Security and Poverty, International Development, Productivity Analysis |
| Date: | 2019–05–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:miffpb:303594&r=all |
| By: | Diao, Xinshen; Li, Ruoxin |
| Abstract: | This paper analyzes the implication of economic structural change and dietary transformation on changing patterns of agri-food trade among 17 Asian development countries. Sub-regional trade in Central, South, and Southeast Asia is the focus of the paper, along with trade with other partners outside the sub-regions. The paper finds that Asian markets for total agri-food exports and exports of nutritious foods are generally more important than the markets outside of Asia and for many of them, the importance of Asian markets increases over time. While net exporters and importers co-exist in each sub-region, with a few exceptions, sub-regional trade is often less important. Many small countries trade only with one or two large neighbors and less so with each other. The dietary transformation impacts trade in nutritious foods in diverse ways. With income growth, increased domestic demand for nutritious foods seem to lead to more imports of these foods. While many South and Southeast Asian countries have a comparative advantage in exports of some nutritious food products, growth in these exports can be negatively affected by rising domestic demand. Although nutritious food exports continue to play important roles in total agri-food exports, export growth of nutritious food is often slower than overall growth of agri-food exports. The dietary transformation also seems to lead to increases in demand for processed foods which many Asian countries meet through imports, often, accounting for a large component of total agri-food imports. On the other hand, processed foods generally account for a small portion of agri-food exports. However, there are a few countries where processed food export growth is rapid. In these cases, the sub-regional market is expanding, but with few exceptions, it is still less important than trade with countries outside the sub-regions. The paper also finds that agri-food exports and imports are highly concentrated, and a small group of commodities dominate most countries export and import portfolios and remain unchanged over time. The main markets for these important commodities are generally not in the sub-regions and this mismatch between demand and supply of agri-food commodities within sub-region is a natural barrier for promoting regional trade. The modified trade complementary index developed in this paper is based on Michaely (1996) and shows that trade complementarity measures are positively correlated with actual bilateral trade. Small countries tend to enjoy higher levels of complementarity with one or two large trading partners than with other small countries in the same sub-region. This implies that small countries could be better off from bilateral trade arrangements with large partners compared to a regional trade agreement within the sub-region. Because the sub-regional market is oftentimes not large enough to meet large countries’ import demand or consume their export supply, regional trade agreements within sub-regions may be less likely to serve their needs for trade expansion than negotiating with large trading partners outside the sub-regions. While many Asian developing countries’ governments have been pushing for trade diversification and want to reduce export dependencies concentrated on one or two large trading partners, this paper shows the challenges to achieve this policy goal. For small countries, focusing on bilateral trade arrangements with their dominant trading partners seems to be a more practical and effective strategy than regional trade agreements within sub-regions. Long-term trade arrangements, consistent trade policies, and various preferential trade arrangements should be pursued by small countries with their larger trading partners to promote agri-food exports. |
| Keywords: | BANGLADESH; SOUTH ASIA; ASIA; INDIA; SRI LANKA; NEPAL; PAKISTAN; INDONESIA; SOUTHEAST ASIA; SOUTH EAST ASIA; CAMBODIA; LAO PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC; INDOCHINA; MYANMAR; BURMA; MALAYSIA; PHILIPPINES; THAILAND; VIET NAM; VIETNAM; KAZAKHSTAN; KYRGYZSTAN; TAJIKISTAN; UZBEKISTAN; CENTRAL ASIA; agrifood sector; trade; exports; diet; nutrition; economic growth; imports; processed foods; trends; agri-food; agri-food trade; nutritious foods; nutritious food exports; agri-food export commodities; export commodities |
| Date: | 2020 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:ifprid:1921&r=all |
| By: | Philip Hegarty James |
| Abstract: | Key Findings -The farmers in the study area are aware of soil degradation. -Improper cultivation practices were identified by the farmers as the most dominant cause of soil degradation in the study area. -Flooding is identified as the most dominant cause of soil degradation in Lau and Karim Lamido local government areas because of their proximity to the River Benue. |
| Keywords: | Demand and Price Analysis, Food Security and Poverty, International Development |
| Date: | 2019–04–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:miffpb:303590&r=all |
| By: | Matthew Kotchen; Kathleen Segerson |
| Abstract: | Policies to address environmental and natural resource management are often implemented at the group level. The defining feature of such policies is that penalties or rewards are based on group rather than individual performance, or rights are allocated to a group rather than to individuals. This article discusses how group-level policies have been applied and studied across a variety of contexts in the literature on environmental and natural resource management. The aim is to identify common theoretical and empirical insights and lessons learned about the design and implementation of these instruments. A general finding is that group-level policies are most likely to be effective when rewards and/or penalties are designed to provide strong incentives for groups to meet targets in a cost-effective way. Moreover, to the extent that this requires coordination within the group, the effectiveness of policies will depend on whether the group has or can create its own institutions or mechanisms to facilitate and enforce that coordination. |
| JEL: | H2 Q2 Q3 Q5 |
| Date: | 2020–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:27142&r=all |
| By: | Hephzibah Onyeje Obekpa; Miichael Olabisi |
| Abstract: | Key Findings -Households’ dietary diversity is lower for households that produce a greater share of their own food, compared to households that buy all their food, especially for rural dwellers. -The least food groups produced and consumed by households are eggs, milk, fish & sea products, sweets and fruits which are vital sources of important micro-nutrients needed by the body. -Households produce a set of food items that is too narrow to make their diets diverse. |
| Keywords: | Consumer/Household Economics, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Food Security and Poverty, International Development |
| Date: | 2019–03–28 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:miffpb:303588&r=all |
| By: | Balsalobre-Lorente, Daniel; Driha, Oana M.; Shahbaz, Muhammad; Sinha, Avik |
| Abstract: | This paper focuses on long-term evidence on economic growth, international tourism, globalization, energy consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in OECD countries for the period of 1994-2014. The empirical analysis reveals that climate change is magnified by energy use, tourism and economic growth. An inverted U-shaped relationship is also found between international tourism and CO2 emissions. The contribution of international tourism to climate change in the early stages of development is thus diminished by globalization in the later stages. In other words, globalization appears to reduce carbon emissions from international tourism. The empirical results provide additional arguments for shaping regulatory frameworks aimed at reversing the current energy mix in OECD countries by facilitating energy efficiency and promoting renewable sources. |
| Keywords: | Tourism; Globalization; CO2 Emissions; Economic Growth; Energy |
| JEL: | Q5 Q53 |
| Date: | 2020 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:100092&r=all |
| By: | Hosaena Ghebru; Adam Kennedy |
| Abstract: | Key Policy Recommendations -Bundle new systems for formalizing land rights with administrative and institutional reform packages to ensure sustainability. -Enhance the human and capital resource capacity of all ministries and agencies involved in land administration services, including at the local level. -Promote transparency through innovations with GIS and land digitization that also improve efficiency and reduce potential errors. -Support existing customary tenure arrangements that function well, especially in rural areas with lower land values. |
| Keywords: | Food Security and Poverty, International Development |
| Date: | 2019–09–18 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:miffpb:303611&r=all |
| By: | Lenis Liverpool-Tasie; Nikita Saha Turna; Oluwatoyin Ademola Adewale Obadina; Felicia Wu |
| Abstract: | Key Findings -People in Nigeria are at risk of exposure to mycotoxins(aflatoxins and fumonisins) which both have potentialrisk to human and animal health -We find evidence that many maize products (51.7% ofour samples) had total aflatoxin levels above theregulatory limits in Nigeria while 12.93% of the samplescontained total fumonisin levels higher than the UnitedStates regulatory limit -Aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination in maizeproducts extend beyond production to storage and finalfood products -Adequately addressing the mycotoxin challenge requiresconsideration of the entire maize value chain |
| Keywords: | Food Security and Poverty, International Development |
| Date: | 2018–09–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:miffpb:303573&r=all |
| By: | Aimable Nsabimana; Justice Tei Mensah |
| Abstract: | In this paper, we examine the relationship between childhood exposure to adverse weather shocks and nutritional and health outcomes of children in Tanzania. Using household panel data matched with spatially disaggregated data on weather shocks, we exploit the plausibly exogenous variations in the exposure to weather shocks to estimate the relationship. Our results reveal a positive association between exposure to dry weather shocks and stunting among children. The effects are profound in the first 12 months after childbirth. |
| Keywords: | Child nutrition, Tanzania, Weather shock |
| Date: | 2020 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2020-57&r=all |
| By: | Erik Ens; Craig Johnston |
| Abstract: | This paper adapts climate-economy models that have been applied in other contexts for use in climate-related scenario analysis. We consider illustrative scenarios for the global economy that could generate economic and financial risks. Our results suggest there are significant economic risks from climate change and the move to a low-carbon economy. |
| Keywords: | Climate change; Economic models; Financial stability; International topics |
| JEL: | C6 C68 D5 D58 E5 E50 O4 O44 P1 P18 Q4 Q5 Q54 Q55 |
| Date: | 2020–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bca:bocadp:20-3&r=all |
| By: | Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA); International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) |
| Abstract: | Maize is a widely consumed and cultivated staple crop in Ghana. It accounts for more than one-quarter of calories consumed, about double that of the second crop, cassava (GSS 2018). About three-quarters of maize consumption is from own production, suggesting maize has limited appeal as a cash crop (Gage et al. 2012). This is set to change as Ghana’s Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) initiative, launched in 2017, prioritizes maize seed and fertilizer distribution and encourages market participation by smallholders (MoFA 2019). Already average maize output over the period 2017 to 2019 has been 40 percent higher than the average output achieved between 2013 and 2016 (MoFA 2020a). Government attributes this dramatic production response to PFJ. It is uncertain whether the maize market in Ghana can absorb increased this increased maize output without significant impacts on market prices or the profitability of maize cultivation. |
| Keywords: | GHANA; WEST AFRICA; AFRICA SOUTH OF SAHARA; AFRICA; food production; food prices; food consumption; trade; international trade; domestic trade; maize; markets; price trends |
| Date: | 2020 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:othbrf:1152139478&r=all |
| By: | World Bank Group |
| Keywords: | Agriculture - Agricultural Sector Economics Agriculture - Agricultural Trade Agriculture - Crops & Crop Management Systems International Economics and Trade - Export Competitiveness Transport - Transport and Trade Logistics |
| Date: | 2019–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:33703&r=all |
| By: | Kikulwe, Enoch Mutebi; Falck-Zepeda, José Benjamin; Oloka, Herbert Kefa; Chambers, Judith A.; Komen, John; Zambrano, Patricia; Wood-Sichra, Ulrike; Hanson, Hillary |
| Abstract: | The Government of Uganda has implemented programs and policies to improve the agricultural sector’s recent underperformance. Uganda’s two main food security crops, bananas and cassava, have been critically affected by two diseases: Banana Xanthomonas Wilt (BXW) and Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD). The effectiveness of agronomic and cultural practices to control these diseases has been limited, requiring better alternatives. The Ugandan R&D sector in collaboration with international partners have developed genetically engineered innovations that can control both diseases. To examine the potential benefits to consumers and producers from the adoption of genetically engineered banana and cassava with resistance to BXW and CBSD, we use a set of economic impact assessment methods. These include an economic surplus model implemented via IFPRI’s DREAMpy framework, a real options model and a limited gender assessment. Results from the economic surplus approach suggest that the adoption of both technologies can benefit Uganda. These results were confirmed for the case of bananas and partially for the case of cassava using the real options and the gender assessment performed. Results from this assessment are predicated on Uganda maintaining an enabling environment that will ensure the deployment and use of both innovations. Looking forward, continuing to improve enabling environment for innovation in Uganda will require addressing current R&D, regulatory, technology deployment and product stewardship processes constraints. |
| Keywords: | UGANDA; EAST AFRICA; AFRICA SOUTH OF SAHARA; AFRICA; bananas; cassava; ex ante impact assessment; genetically modified organisms; crop losses; plant diseases; Cassava Brown Streak Disease; Banana Xanthomonas Wilt |
| Date: | 2020 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:ifprid:1927&r=all |
| By: | Yoshida, Jun; Kono, Tatsuhito |
| Abstract: | Biologically important but dangerous wildlife creatures encroach into cities, which causes human-wildlife conflicts. To explore the effect of the encroachment of wildlife into cities on equilibrium land use and its efficiency, we develop an equilibrium theory of land used for humans and wildlife by combining an ecosystem model with urban economics model. Humans choose their housing location and size in response to the risk of encountering wildlife in cities, and animals optimize their food intake by spreading out in response to heterogeneous feeding grounds in both urban areas and natural habitats, which determines the spatial heterogeneous distribution of both agents. We first prove the existence and uniqueness of the spatial equilibrium in a linear city adjacent to natural habitats. Next, our theory provides new insights for the wildlife conservation: (i) this spatial heterogeneity generates inefficient predator-prey interactions, leading to an inefficient steady state population equilibrium of animals; (ii) With the spatial inefficiency, the equilibrium city size is not always too big. We numerically demonstrate how both the equilibrium and the optimal solution are affected by the scale of conflicts and the value of wildlife. |
| Keywords: | Land use, location-dependent externality, human-wildlife conflicts, biodiversity |
| JEL: | Q28 R11 R14 |
| Date: | 2020–05–17 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:100447&r=all |
| By: | Sule, B. A.; Crawford, E.; Coker, A. A. A |
| Abstract: | Key Findings -Production systems are competitive given current market prices and policy transfers. -Government policy incentives for small-scale rice farmers lead to inefficient use of scarce resources. -Trade policies increase the price of rice to consumers as well as producers. -Rice production in the study area is currently economically profitable without government incentives. -Competitiveness is driven by productivity hence policies that encourage adoption of improved technology would help sustain the competitiveness of rice production |
| Keywords: | Food Security and Poverty, International Development, Productivity Analysis |
| Date: | 2019–12–18 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:miffpb:303617&r=all |
| By: | Chen, Yiqun; Rajabifard, Abbas; Sabri, Soheil; Xie, Yuke; Zhang, Yibo |
| Abstract: | One of the ubiquitous human behaviours observed in natural disasters and humanitarian crisis is irrational stockpiling (also known as hoarding or panic buying). Limited, distorted and exaggerated information during crisis disturbs people’s judgement and results in aberrant actions which can be explained with economics and psychology theories. The objective of this paper is to examine the perplexing stockpiling phenomena during disasters like COVID-19 pandemic and discuss its immediate and long-term impact on economy, society and local communities. |
| Date: | 2020–05–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:socarx:udzah&r=all |
| By: | Chukwudi Charles Olumba |
| Abstract: | Key Findings 1. Since the year 2014, Africa has been experiencing declining economic growth. 2. The size of agricultural land area remains almost unchanged in the last decade when compared to the steady rate of agricultural land expansion over the last century. 3. In terms of the gross value of production, Africa recorded the highest production in the year 2013 after which the value declined by about 30% in the year 2016. 4. The study found a statistically significant influence of the agricultural sector in enhancing economic growth in Africa. 5. The study succeeded in providing empirical evidence that the growth in agricultural output which had positive impact on economic growth was due to the expansion of the land area used for agriculture. 6. Domestic credit provided by financial sector and inflation rate play significant role in explaining Africa’s. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, Food Security and Poverty, International Development |
| Date: | 2019–04–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:miffpb:303592&r=all |
| By: | Frank Wijen (Rotterdam School of Management - Erasmus University Rotterdam); Mireille Chiroleu-Assouline (PJSE - Paris Jourdan Sciences Economiques - UP1 - Université Panthéon-Sorbonne - ENS Paris - École normale supérieure - Paris - INRA - Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, PSE - Paris School of Economics, UP1 - Université Paris 1, Panthéon-Sorbonne - UP1 - Université Panthéon-Sorbonne - Pres Hesam) |
| Abstract: | Voluntary standards certifying environmental qualities of labeled products have proliferated across sectors and countries. Effectuating these standards requires the collaboration among and between creators (typically firms and nongovernmental organizations) and adopters (firms across a particular supply chain). However, the need to collaborate does not rule out the presence of controversy. Drawing on the case of the Marine Stewardship Council, a leading seafood standard to conserve the world's threatened marine fauna, we analyze how this controversy, from economic and sociologic vantage points, impacts a sustainability transition. In essence, interest divergence drives controversy over standard design, which spurs controversy over standard effectiveness and prompts the proliferation of competing standards. Controversy is magnified by the opacity or nontransparency of the fields which such standards seek to govern. We conclude that, while interest divergence and field opacity entail inherent controversy over voluntary environmental standards, the impact of this controversy on sustainability transitions is typically predominantly positive. |
| Keywords: | label,environmental governance,controversy,conflict,Marine Stewardship Council,nongovernmental organization,self-regulation,standard,competition,certification |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:pseptp:halshs-02071504&r=all |
| By: | Moraka N Makhura; Olayinka O Adegbite; Elizabeth Mkandawire; Nic Olivier; Flora Nankhuni; Christone Nyondo; Sheryl Hendriks |
| Abstract: | Key Findings -Financing systems polices are crucial in Malawi’s development agenda which have serious implications on the accomplishment or failure to achieve policy goals. -Though finance constitute an important component of food systems, finance policies in Malawi are less sensitive to food systems policies compared to the high level sensitiveness of food systems polices to financing systems and funding mechanisms. -While most policies in Malawi identified stakeholders and roles, very few indicated the funding mechanisms to achieve policy targets, incorporated a budget plan, share of funds to be provided by stakeholders nor identified the investment gap. -The potentials of MSPs in financing food systems to achieve important outcomes such as FNS are yet to be fully tapped in Malawi. |
| Keywords: | Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Food Security and Poverty, International Development |
| Date: | 2019–02–27 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:miffpb:303584&r=all |
| By: | Arthur Lewbel (Boston College); Lars Nesheim (CeMMAP) |
| Abstract: | We propose a demand model where consumers simultaneously choose a few different goods from a large menu of available goods, and choose how much to consume of each good. The model nests multinomial discrete choice and continuous demand systems as special cases. Goods can be substitutes or complements. Random coefficients are employed to capture the wide variation in the composition of consumption baskets. Non-negativity constraints produce corners that account for different consumers purchasing different numbers of types of goods. We show semiparametric identification of the model. We apply the model to the demand for fruit in the United Kingdom. We estimate the model’s parameters using UK scanner data for 2008 from the Kantar World Panel. Using our parameter estimates, we estimate a matrix of demand elasticities for 27 categories of fruit and analyze a range of tax and policy change scenarios. |
| Keywords: | sparse demand, discrete choice, continuous choice, complements, complementarity, substitutes, demand estimation, scanner data, fruit, quadratic utility |
| JEL: | C13 C34 D12 L40 L66 |
| Date: | 2019–11–15 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:boc:bocoec:1005&r=all |
| By: | Hephzibah Onyeje Obekpa |
| Abstract: | Key Findings -Farmers should have access to improved varieties of seed that have longer shelf life than local varieties. -To reduce post-harvest loses considerably, logistic control activities as well as the support of extension agents and private tomato processing firms must come into action -Quality control practices must be adhered to in order to reduce loss due to deterioration and spoilage. |
| Keywords: | Community/Rural/Urban Development, Crop Production/Industries, Food Security and Poverty, International Development, Productivity Analysis |
| Date: | 2019–05–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:miffpb:303597&r=all |
| By: | Blessing Agada |
| Abstract: | KEY FINDINGS: -Landscape positions dictates fertilizer need. Distinct features in terms of slope, water holding capacity and inherent soil fertility determine the amount and type of fertilizer to be used (ICRISAT, 2017). This needs to be understood and appreciated by farmers, extension agents and those involved in the design and implementation of farmer productivity programs, particularly those involving fertilizer. -Soil rooting depth is critical. Having 10 -20 cm topsoil loss could decrease yield of corn even with added inorganic fertilizer. Complete total crop failure could occur (see figure 1) where, with increasing depth of soil loss, yields declined drastically even with added fertilizer at recommended rate for the area. -Limitations within a soil profile will reduce its effective rooting depth affecting anchorage, growth and development. (Agada 2018 unpublished Ph.D. Dissertation). -Rainfall characteristics such as high rainfall amounts, intensity and drop size will lead to loss of soil nutrients (weather added as organic or inorganic amendments) and loss of soil particles (Obi and Salako 1995; Agada et al, 2016) furthering the vicious cycle of erosion. Thus with varied environmental conditions across the country, real-time nutrient management strategies are necessary (Theriault et al, 2018). -There is an urgent need to educate farmers on fertilizer management practice. This involves information on fertilizer placement and timing, soil depth, soil types, slope positions and other agronomic/ management practices. With increased variation in climate, changing, or modifying hitherto farmer knowledge of certain agronomic practices in order to improve agricultural productivity is key (Delgado et al, 2011). |
| Keywords: | Food Security and Poverty, International Development |
| Date: | 2018–09–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:miffpb:303574&r=all |
| By: | Razak, Muhammad Rais Rahmat |
| Abstract: | The empowered community is a strong capital in developing the national economy; the government, as the manager of the State, should maximize the village-owned enterprises (called Bumdes), especially the farming community in the villages. This paper aims to find out the role of the Bumdes in empowering the farming community. The results showed that the role of Bumdes was not good enough and had a direct influence on the weakness of community empowerment activities in the village |
| Date: | 2020–04–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:osfxxx:5ycva&r=all |
| By: | Hephizibah Onyeje Obekpa |
| Abstract: | Key Findings -Agricultural subsectors outputs can reduce the rate of malnutrition in Nigeria by 35 percent. -Foreign direct investment had a negative effect on output. An increase in labor in all agricultural subsectors will bring about a positive effect on the yield of all the subsectors. -Government’s public spending and foreign direct investment will boost the output of the livestock sector in Nigeria. |
| Keywords: | Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Food Security and Poverty, International Development |
| Date: | 2019–04–25 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:miffpb:303591&r=all |
| By: | Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA); International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) |
| Abstract: | Tomatoes are a key component in the diets of Ghanaian households. Approximately 440,000 tons of tomato are consumed annually, equivalent to 40 percent of household vegetable expenditure (Van Asselt et al. 2018). Despite government support for the sector, national production has not increased much in the last decade, resulting in domestic supply falling far short of demand. While UN Comtrade (2019) trade statistics for 2007 to 2017 indicate that the country imported only around 8,000 tons of tomato annually, mainly from neighboring Burkina Faso, Van Asselt et al. (2018) put this figure at closer to 100,000 tons or one-quarter of domestic supply. Evidently, large quantities of tomato enter the country informally, making it difficult to estimate actual supply and demand patterns and devise appropriate marketing policies. The perishability of tomato is a major challenge and imparts significant risk on producers and traders. As such, post-harvest handling, transport, storage, and processing losses have been estimated at between 20 and 65 percent of production (Vowotor et al. 2012). |
| Keywords: | GHANA; WEST AFRICA; AFRICA SOUTH OF SAHARA; AFRICA; food production; food prices; food consumption; trade; international trade; domestic trade; tomatoes; markets; price trends |
| Date: | 2020 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:othbrf:1152139477&r=all |
| By: | Yirga, Chilot; Nin-Pratt, Alejandro; Zambrano, Patricia; Wood-Sichra, Ulrike; Habte, Endeshaw; Kato, Edward; Komen, John; Falck-Zepeda, José Benjamin; Chambers, Judith A. |
| Abstract: | Ethiopian economy has grown at an average rate that surpasses that of almost any other economy in the region over the last two decades. At the center of this development is the high priority placed on accelerating agricultural growth and achieving food security and poverty alleviation. Over the years, maize has become a main food security crop, widely produced and consumed by smallholder farmers, second only to teff in terms of area. Despite the sustained growth of maize production over the years, its yields continue to be lower than the world’s average. Of the many abiotic and biotic constraints that maize faces, insect attacks and droughts are two critical ones. The genetically modified TELA maize can help address these constraints. This paper estimates the economic benefits of adopting this new technology and the opportunity cost that Ethiopia will incur if its adoption is delayed. The analysis is conducted using an economic surplus partial equilibrium model run with the newly developed DREAMpy software, data drawn from the Ethiopia Socioeconomic Survey, Wave 3 2015-2016, econometric estimations using these survey data, and other local data and sources. The estimations show that if the drought tolerant and insect resistant TELA maize is planted in 2023 the net present-value of benefits for producers and consumers would be around $850 million. Producers from the mid-altitude maize zone will be the main beneficiaries, given the targeted area of TELA maize. Consumers from all areas will benefit from the projected reduction in price. If the adoption of this new technology is delayed by 5 years, the estimated net present value of benefits will fall by 30 percent. These costs underscore the importance of having a regulatory system that is efficient, predictable, and transparent and ensures that the projected economic benefits are realized. |
| Keywords: | ETHIOPIA; EAST AFRICA; AFRICA SOUTH OF SAHARA; AFRICA; maize; drought tolerance; pest resistance; assessment; ex ante impact assessment; models; genetically modified organisms; crops; TELA maize; DREAMpy; Economic surplus model |
| Date: | 2020 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:ifprid:1926&r=all |
| By: | Sawosri, Arieska Wening; Mußhoff, Oliver |
| Abstract: | This cross-country study compares risk and time preferences of farmers from two lower-middle income countries, India and Indonesia. Current literature mainly focuses on a single country context; however, this study involves more than one country. Hence, we could investigate whether the individual preferences of farmers from two countries with similar income level are the same. The preferences are key for the policymakers to make informed policy decisions regarding investments and acceptance of development programs. Our study involved 1,528 farmers. The risk and time preferences were elicited using incentivised experiments and simultaneously estimated following the joint-estimation-method by Andersen et al. (2008). Results show that the farmers in India show a higher level of risk aversion and lower discount rates, even though very high discount rates were encountered in both countries. As a result, policymakers should consider implementing policies to deal with high discount rates causing poverty and lack of investment. |
| Keywords: | Cross-country dataset,lower-middle income countries,risk preferences,smallholder farmers,time preferences |
| Date: | 2020 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:crc990:32&r=all |
| By: | Flora J. Nankhuni; Nathalie M. Me-Nsope |
| Abstract: | KEY FINDINGS -Pigeon pea production and yields have increased steadily over the years, making it the most important legume crop accounting for 35% of total legume production in Malawi, in 2016/17. -It is mostly grown in the Southern region of Malawi while crop suitability maps indicate that the Central and Northern regions are relatively more suitable. -The crop is grown on small pieces of land (on average 0.5 ha/household) and is mostly intercropped with maize. -Some of the constraints include: limited access by farmers to improved seed varieties partly due to limited availability of the seeds and limited access to financial resources to enable the farmers purchase the seeds; limited access to extension by farmers; pest and disease attacks that are not managed; low farm gate prices, and limited access to markets. -India is the largest importer of pigeon pea from Malawi. However, data is not available to show how much of the crop crosses Zambia, Tanzania and/or Mozambique borders through informal trade. -In 2016/17 prices of pigeon pea plummeted (from a high of Mk 1,000/kg (>$1) in some markets to as low as ~Mk 100/kg in some markets in 2018. This is partly due to a ban on imports into India. Despite this, pigeon pea hactarege is estimated to decrease by only 9.2% and production by 10.8% in 2017/18 season. -To strengthen the pigeon pea value chain, Malawi needs to invest in the seed and extension systems, strengthen farmer organizations, secure the India market through diplomacy, diversify the export market and create demand within the country. |
| Keywords: | Food Security and Poverty, International Development |
| Date: | 2018–06–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:miffpb:303566&r=all |