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on Agricultural Economics |
| By: | Phoebe Koundouri; Mariatzela Chatzigiannakou; Konstantinos Dellis; Christopher Deranian; Stathis Devves; Hezal Sari |
| Abstract: | Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs) have become critical tools for analyzing the complex interactions within agriculture and food systems, offering valuable insights for evidence-based policymaking. This paper reviews twelve widely applied agriculture and food IAMs, categorizing them into four primary sub-groups: Food Security, Land Use, and Socio-economic Models; Hydrological and Water Resources Models; Land, Crop, and Food Production Models; and Food-Energy-Water Nexus Models. The review highlights their respective capabilities, including cost minimization, depth of the food-energy-water nexus analysis, integration with other domains and tools, and spatial and temporal resolution. A comparative assessment underscores each model's unique strengths, such as resource intensity accounting in FABLE, climate-focused numerical analysis in MAgPIE and IMPACT, and resource balance optimization in GCAM and WEAP. Synergies between IAMs and their integration with other domains, including energy and economic systems, are also explored, demonstrating their potential for producing holistic scenarios addressing climate adaptation, resource constraints, and dietary transitions. The findings emphasize the significant role IAMs play in advancing the EU�s sustainability agenda, including the Green Deal and Common Agricultural Policy. By fostering tailored projections and capacity-building potential, IAMs enable interactive engagement with diverse stakeholders and provide a framework for aligning national and international policies. These integrated approaches are crucial for crafting strategies that enhance food system resilience, optimize resource use, and support climate goals, positioning IAMs as indispensable instruments for shaping sustainable and equitable food systems worldwide. |
| Date: | 2024–12–11 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:aue:wpaper:2418 |
| By: | Ulimwengu, John M.; Gbossa, Nadine |
| Abstract: | This policy brief combines the results of a food system mapping exercise with an analysis of financial flows into Niger’s food system from 2019 to 2022 to inform policymaking for food system transformation. The food system mapping reveals several critical points of failure, from low agricultural productivity and inefficient supply chains to poor nutritional outcomes and environmental degradation. Analysis of domestic and international financial flows to the food system reveals that climate adaptation and nutrition are underfunded areas. Understanding these weaknesses can help policymakers and development partners take a more coordinated and strategic approach to addressing the challenges facing Niger’s food system and can inform more effective resource allocation, ensuring that resources support long-term food security and sustainability. |
| Keywords: | targeting; food systems; cartography; agricultural production; nutrition; economic policies; Africa; Sub-Saharan Africa; Western Africa; Niger |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:polbrf:159745 |
| By: | Pablo Delgado (Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain); Ángel L. González-Esteban (Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Spain); Elisa Botella-Rodríguez (Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain) |
| Abstract: | Since the mid-20th century, Spain’s meat sector has seen remarkable growth, evolving from a net importer to the world’s largest pork exporter by 2020. This work analyzes the drivers behind this transformation within the framework of food regime (FR) theories and the critical lens of food sovereignty movements. After outlining the FR and food sovereignty perspectives, we trace the development of Spain’s meat industry, examining the factors behind its domestic and international success. Additionally, we assess the impact on the feed grain sector within the broader context of global food system shifts, concluding with a summary of key insights. |
| Keywords: | meat sector, animal feed, food sovereignty, food regimes, agri-food trade |
| JEL: | Q13 Q17 Q18 N54 |
| Date: | 2024–11 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ahe:dtaehe:2407 |
| By: | Turner, Dylan; Baldwin, Katherine; Beckman, Jayson; Nava, Noé J.; Tsiboe, Francis; Vaiknoras, Kate |
| Abstract: | More frequent and severe weather events are projected with climate change. The U.S. Federal Government offers programs to help producers mitigate the financial impacts of these adverse events, the largest of which is the USDA, Federal Crop Insurance Program (FCIP). The potential impacts on FCIP outlays under future climate scenarios have been explored but most analyses have focused on impacts on field crops. A changing climate could also affect forage commodities and livestock producers. The Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage (PRF) insurance plan was designed to help producers mitigate financial losses associated with a lack of precipitation. Payments are triggered if precipitation is below a historical index. Payment amounts are determined by the decrease in precipitation, changes in biomass value, and participation in the program. This report provides projected changes to precipitation (using climate estimates), biomass (using a livestock rangeland model), and future participation in the program. Results show that net payments (defined as indemnities, plus premium subsidies, minus total premiums) are projected to range from an annual average of approximately $495 million per year to $2.63 billion per year between 2024 and 2050 compared to the average net payments of $603 million per year (in 2024 terms) observed in 2020–23. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Climate Change, Crop Production/Industries, Livestock Production/Industries, Public Economics, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, Risk and Uncertainty |
| Date: | 2024–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:uerseb:348571 |
| By: | Extension Service; Agricultural Adjustment Administration |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, International Relations/Trade, Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:usdami:348546 |
| By: | Ebata, Ayako; Belton, Ben |
| Abstract: | Academic and policy debates on agriculture emphasize a bimodal typology of ‘small-scale’ and ‘large-scale’ farms. In this article, we draw attention to the role and distinct characteristics of medium-scale monogastric livestock farms in the Global South, drawing on an empirically grounded typology of scale that incorporates three linked components: (1) Social and economic organization of production; (2) Technological choice and environmental impacts, and; (3) Food system linkages and spillovers. We review national livestock sector policy documents from three Asian countries - Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Vietnam - with reference to the typology, and compare assumptions embedded in the policies with the characteristics of farm scale revealed by the typology. Our analysis indicates that current policy goals are not well aligned with the characteristics of medium-scale livestock farming in the region. This disconnect presents a missed opportunity to enhance the livestock sector’s contributions to rural economies, nutrition security, food safety, and environmental performance. We conclude with examples of how policies could maintain and enhance medium-scale monogastriclivestock farms’ contributions to sustainable intensification, public health, and livelihoods. |
| Keywords: | agriculture; typology; farm size; livestock; policies; rural economics; nutrition security; food safety; sustainability; Bangladesh; Myanmar; Vietnam; Southern Asia |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:ifprwp:159541 |
| By: | Lim, Katherine; McFadden, Jonathan; Miller, Noah; Lacy, Katherine |
| Abstract: | American farms represent a diverse set of business operations and farm operators. This annual report describes the characteristics of U.S. farms and ranches with the most recent data from the Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS). Statistics for calendar year 2023 are presented using a farm classification developed by USDA, ERS to categorize farms into groups based on each farm’s annual gross cash farm income, the main occupation of the farm’s principal operator, and ownership (family versus nonfamily). This edition contains two new sections: (1) a section documenting farmers’ unpriced inventory held both on- and off-farm, and (2) a section outlining adoption rates for key precision agriculture technologies and the reasons provided by producers for their precision technology adoption decisions. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural Finance, Crop Production/Industries, Farm Management, Financial Economics, Livestock Production/Industries, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, Risk and Uncertainty |
| Date: | 2024–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:uersib:348572 |
| By: | Jeddi, Behzad; DePaula, Guilherme |
| Abstract: | This article examines the environmental impacts of agricultural intensification in Brazil, particularly the significant expansion of a double-cropping system involving soybeans and corn, which has transformed Brazil into the world’s leading exporter of corn. We use econometric models with instrumental variables to assess the impact of double-cropping on pesticide runoff and land-use change, focusing on regions near tropical forests. Our results indicate that double-cropping reduces pesticide runoff by acting as a cover crop that limits chemical leaching, although the effect size is small. In our analysis of land-use change, we observe notable regional variation. In traditional agricultural zones, double-cropping has minimal influence on cropland expansion due to high land-conversion costs. However, in frontier areas where land conversion barriers are lower, double-cropping significantly drives cropland expansion. We estimate that 44% of the cropland expansion in the frontier region would not have occurred without the practice of double-cropping. This finding suggests that the recent growth of second-crop corn for ethanol production may have more substantial environmental impacts than previously anticipated. |
| Date: | 2024–12–02 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:isu:genstf:202412021626120000 |
| By: | Nicholas Li (Department of Economics, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Canada); Bela Georgiev (Department of Economics, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Canada) |
| Abstract: | Traditional foods (often referred to as “country foods†) play a critical role in Indigenous culture, nutrition, food sovereignty and food security. Policies that prioritize store-bought food are often viewed as undermining these foods. We provide evidence that two recent policy reforms that subsidize store-bought food in the Northwest Territories do not appear to negatively impact traditional foods. Our analysis uses community surveys conducted in the Northwest Territories that measure the importance of consumption and production of traditional country food along several margins. Using a difference-in-difference methodology, we show that two transitions associated with the Nutrition North Canada subsidy program – the transition from Food Mail to Nutrition North in 2011- 2012 and the expansion of subsidy eligibility to new communities in 2016 – had a zero or positive impact on these outcomes. We use price and quantity data from multiple sources to provide evidence on mechanisms and find support for an interpretation based on country foods having a high income elasticity and low substitutability with store-bought meat and other foods. |
| Keywords: | Subsidies; Retail; Indigenous; Traditional; Food; Hunting; Harvesting; Canada; North; |
| JEL: | C54 H31 H53 H71 O10 |
| Date: | 2024–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rye:wpaper:wp094 |
| By: | Sagbo, N. Sheila; Traoré, Lacina; Fofana, Youssouf; Brüntrup, Michael |
| Abstract: | Limited access to financing is a major barrier to the development of the agricultural and food sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study, commissioned by the German Financial Cooperation (KfW Development Bank) in partnership with the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) assesses the impact of agricultural loans provided by the National Bank for Agricultural Development (BNDA) in Mali between 2012 and 2022. BNDA is the main provider of agricultural loans in Mali. Methodology-The study employs an adapted version of the quasi-experimental "pipeline" approach. It compares "experienced" (old) clients to "inexperienced" (new) BNDA clients, where experience is measured through a composed indicator of seniority, regularity, and intensity of credit use. A random sample of 1, 000 BNDA clients was selected from the regions of Koulikoro, Sikasso, and the district of Bamako, representing about 63% of BNDA's agricultural loans during the studied period. Propensity score matching techniques were used to compare various dimensions of wellbeing of experienced and inexperienced borrowers, alongside self-assessments of the loans' impact. Key findings-Recipients generally reported positive impacts from the loans, with 75% describing the credit's effect on their living conditions as positive and 6% as very positive. Key results of the analysis include: - Agricultural intensification and land use: The credit facilitated increased agricultural activity, particularly in high-potential areas such as Sikasso. In Koulikoro, loans led to expanded cultivated areas, whereas in Sikasso, they enabled intensification with a reduction in cultivated land area. Additionally, credit supported the development of diversified activities, particularly among women and in areas where agriculture is less profitable. - Income generation: On average, experienced borrowers generated an additional 17 FCFA of total income (agricultural and non-agricultural) for each FCFA borrowed, compared to new borrowers. Male clients exhibited more significant positive marginal effects than females. - Asset accumulation: While new clients tended to accumulate productive assets, experienced clients, especially those in village associations, were more likely to accumulate domestic goods. - Food security and nutrition: Credit moderately improved food security, particularly for village association members. It also enhanced dietary diversity, especially for women, with a roughly 8-point improvement in their dietary diversity score. - Women's empowerment: While the calculated positive effect on women's empowerment in agriculture was limited, 61% of female respondents reported that access to credit improved their status within the household. It's important to note that women were underrepresented in the sample (only 54 respondents), highlighting their limited involvement in agriculture in the region but also the limited significance of the findings for this group. In sum, BNDA agricultural loans had positive but moderate and variable effects depending on the region, type of client, and dimension studied. Village association members obtained better food security and nutritional diversity results than small and medium enterprises, which stand out for their higher incomes but lower marginal credit efficiency. Recommendations -1. Refine targeting: BNDA should refine its targeting strategy to better tailor its credit offerings to the specific needs of different client groups. 2. Promote value chains: Increased focus on financing agricultural processing, storage, and trade could enhance local value creation, support the development of agricultural value chains and encourage diversification. 3. Integrate advisory services: Coupling credit with advisory and training services could enhance technical innovation and improve credit use efficiency. 4. Private sector partnerships: Collaborating with private-sector entities and development projects would provide complementary support to clients, improving loan security and outcomes. 5. Support women: Expanding the proportion of female clients and developing credit products that cater specifically to their needs-along with targeted non-financial support-could amplify the positive impacts of the loans. |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:diedps:307124 |
| By: | Dolislager, Michael; Belton, Ben; Reardon, Thomas; Awokuse, Titus; Ignowski, Liz; Nejadhashemi, A. Pouyan; Saravi, Babak; Tschirley, David |
| Abstract: | on), influenced by four conditioners (time, income, non-farm employment, and space). We find that: (1) Diets are converging over time and space. food purchases, non-staples, and processed foods occupy high shares of food consumption value, irrespective of urban or rural location. Controlling for income, rural landless households and households in urban areas have very similar diets. Households in ‘peripheral’ and ‘non-peripheral’ rural areas experience similar levels of diet transformation. (2) Food purchases and processed food consumption are conditioned mainly by non-farm employment (NFE). (3) Diet diversification is positively associated with income, but not with NFE or land ownership. We characterize the spatial convergence of diets as an outcome of ‘time-space compression’ (the accelerating volume and velocity of economic and social transactions resulting from advances in transport and communications technology), and the distinct form of peri-urbanization under conditions of extremely high population density found in Bangladesh. |
| Keywords: | diet; rural urban relations; food systems; household surveys; food prices; food consumption; off-farm employment; economic geography; Southern Asia; Bangladesh |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:ifprwp:159534 |
| By: | Roman, Shahrear; Hadi; Wuepper, David |
| Abstract: | Mechanization is one of the key ingredients for achieving high agricultural productivity. Despite its importance, there is currently no globally comprehensive information about countries’ agricultural mechanization. Here, we propose and demonstrate a machine learning approach, relying on a large, novel training dataset, to not only produce an up-to-date and comprehensive dataset of countries’ average agricultural mechanization, but also a global gridded map at ~ 5km resolution. Comparing our results to previously available data we find major improvements in accuracy, completeness, timeliness etc., and we notice that several countries are by now much more mechanized than reported so far. When investigating the association between mechanization and crop yield gaps we find a strong and robust link: For each 10 percentage point increase in mechanization, the associated crop yield gap decreases by 4 – 5 percentage points. |
| Keywords: | Crop Production/Industries, Labor and Human Capital, Production Economics, Productivity Analysis, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies |
| Date: | 2024–12–04 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:ubfred:348369 |
| By: | Heidecke, Claudia; Clark, Harry; Verchot, Louis; Feike, Til; Grassnick, Nina; Reisinger, Andy; Ringler, Claudia; Runge, Tania; Zhang, Wei |
| Keywords: | Climate Change, Crop Production/Industries, Environmental Economics and Policy, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Food Security and Poverty, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies |
| Date: | 2024–10–21 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:jhimwp:348543 |
| By: | Bolotova, Yuliya V. |
| Abstract: | This research analyzes the U.S. fluid milk industry dynamics in light of a herd retirement (HR) program implemented by the Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) in the period of 2003 to 2010, which led to an antitrust lawsuit filed by buyers of fluid milk and other fresh milk products at the retail level against CWT dairy cooperatives and a large settlement. Presuming that they had a Capper-Volstead Act immunity, CWT cooperatives acted in a cartel-like manner to decrease milk supply to increase and stabilize milk prices received by dairy farmers. The HR program may have modestly increased seller market power of dairy farmers reflected in the increased farm sector shares in the retail fluid whole milk prices in the majority of the analyzed cities in the HR period. In contrast, seller market power of fluid milk retailers decreased in these cities, as reflected in the increased cost pass-throughs, decreased fixed absolute markups, and decreased farm-to-retail margins. The cost of milk used in fluid milk manufacturing increased at a higher rate than retail fluid whole milk prices in these cities and fluid milk retailers were able to pass only a portion of the farm milk price increase on their buyers. Nevertheless, in the HR period, buyers of fluid whole milk at the retail level paid higher prices in all analyzed cities, except for Cincinnati and Seattle. |
| Date: | 2024–12–18 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:isu:genstf:202412181834180000 |
| By: | ANTONIOLI Federico (European Commission - JRC); ISBASOIU Ancuta (European Commission - JRC); CIAIAN Pavel (European Commission - JRC); TUR CARDONA Juan (European Commission - JRC); FELLMANN Thomas (European Commission - JRC) |
| Abstract: | This report analyses the farm-level data collection practices of selected public and private sustainability-related certification schemes, with the aim of providing insights into synergies and gaps for the upcoming Farm Sustainability Data Network, which will collect data on environmental and social issues. The analysis is based on online surveys, semi-semi-structured interviews and desk research carried out between June and October 2023. Out of 188 common agricultural policy (CAP) interventions associated with certification schemes within the CAP strategic plans of the Member States, 25 relevant certification schemes were pre-selected for consideration in this report. A total of 10 respondents (i.e. certification agencies and, in some cases, responsible public authorities) participated, covering 16 certification schemes, resulting in response rates of 48 % for respondents and 64 % for certification schemes. Key findings relate to the monitoring practices of operators by certification agencies, data collection methods, data sources, data management practices, data exchange and costs incurred. Respondents rated the data collection process as somewhat costly for both certification agencies and farmers. The main challenges and burdens of the data collection process identified by the respondents are also outlined. The analysis indicates that, while data on environmental and social sustainability are available, considerable efforts are required to collect quantitative data and ensure that they are consistent, digitalised and accessible. The voluntary nature of participation in certification schemes limits the representativeness of the data collected and introduces selection bias. Furthermore, increasing farmers’ understanding of the purpose and benefits of data collection is crucial for motivating farmers. Providing incentives and collaborating with organisations that have direct contact with farmers can increase farmers’ willingness to participate. |
| Date: | 2024–09 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipt:iptwpa:jrc138225 |
| By: | Ghislain B. D. Aïhounton (Laboratory of Analysis and Research on Economic and Social Dynamics, University of Parakou, Benin; Department of Food and Resource Economics, University of Copenhagen); Arne Henningsen (Department of Food and Resource Economics, University of Copenhagen) |
| Abstract: | While price premiums incentivise farmers to engage in organic farming, these premiums are frequently insufficient to compensate for lower yields, resulting in no monetary benefits from adopting organic farming. This study goes beyond purely monetary outcomes and investigates how organic farming is related to both monetary and non-monetary outcomes, including farmers’ general life satisfaction or ‘happiness’. We use data collected from organic and conventional cotton growing households in Benin and employ Structural Equation Modelling in order to investigate the pathways through which organic farming is related to happiness. Our findings indicate that organic farming is positively associated with happiness through farmers’ improved (self-reported) health and increased satisfaction with their work as well as through a direct relationship between organic farming and happiness. While a negative association between organic farming and income exists, it only reduces the overall positive relationship between organic farming and happiness to a very limited extent. Thus, our results show that non-monetary outcomes may be important drivers of the adoption of sustainability standards as well as relevant measures of farmers’ welfare when evaluating policies and programmes. |
| Keywords: | organic farming, happiness, life satisfaction, non-monetary measures of wellbeing, income, farm households. |
| JEL: | D60 I31 O13 Q12 Q18 |
| Date: | 2024–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:foi:wpaper:2024_01 |
| By: | Ahmed, Akhter; Bakhtiar, M. Mehrab; Mahzab, Moogdho M. |
| Abstract: | The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) prepared this report to provide a comprehensive assessment of food security in Bangladesh, with a focus on the core dimensions of availability, access, and utilization. With support from Md. Al-Hasan, Sadat Anowar, Julie Ghostlaw, Mir Raihanul Islam, Razin Kabir, Md. Aminul Karim, Md. Aminul Islam Khandaker, Nabila Shaima, Raisa Shamma, and Sonjida Mesket Simi. |
| Keywords: | agriculture; food security; nutrition; gender equality; Asia; Southern Asia; Bangladesh |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:resrep:159466 |
| By: | Xinming Du; Lei Li; Eric Zou |
| Abstract: | This paper shows a cascading mechanism through which international trade-induced deforestation results in a decline of health outcomes in cities distant from where trade activities occur. We examine Brazil, which has ramped up agricultural export over the last two decades to meet rising global demand. Using a shift-share research design, we first show that export shocks cause substantial local agricultural expansion and a virtual one-for-one decline in forest cover. We then construct a dynamic area-of-effect model that predicts where atmospheric changes should be felt - due to loss of forests that would otherwise serve to filter out and absorb air pollutants as they travel - downwind of the deforestation areas. Leveraging quasi-random variation in these atmospheric connections, we establish a causal link between deforestation upstream and subsequent rises in air pollution and premature deaths downstream, with the mortality effects predominantly driven by cardiovascular and respiratory causes. Our estimates reveal a large telecoupled health externality of trade deforestation: over 700, 000 premature deaths in Brazil over the past two decades. This equates to $0.18 loss in statistical life value per $1 agricultural exports over the study period. |
| Date: | 2024–11 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2411.13516 |
| By: | Xiaojun Yu (School of Finance, Capital University of Economics and Business, Beijing, China.); Russell Smyth (Department of Economics, Monash University, Victoria, Australia.); Yao Yao (School of Economics and International Trade, Shanghai Lixin University of Accounting and Finance, Shanghai, China.); Quanda Zhang (Institute of Innovation, Science and Sustainability, Federation University Australia, Victoria, Australia & Department of Economics, Monash University, Victoria, Australia.) |
| Abstract: | We estimate the causal effect of climate change induced water stress on firm-level productivity in China. In contrast with most extant studies that have employed precipitation to proxy firm-level availability of water, we use local water runoff, which we argue is a more appropriate measure of water stress on firms. By matching a panel for half a million formal industrial firms with county-level data on water runoff, we find that shocks to local water runoff, defined as a standard deviation increase or decrease in local water runoff from its long-run average, exert asymmetric effects on firm productivity. A negative shock to water runoff reduces firm productivity by between 1.93 and 5.40 per cent, depending on the magnitude of the shock, while the effect of a positive shock to water runoff on firm productivity is insignificant. These results are robust to numerous sensitivity checks. We show that water runoff outperforms other proxies of water availability across different horserace specifications. We find that the main transmission mechanisms are the adverse effect of negative shocks to water runoff on constraining water inputs in production, disruptions to power generation and, to a lesser extent, higher financing cost. Our study sheds new light on how climate change can impede economic development. |
| Keywords: | Water stress, water runoff, climate change, firm performance, panel model |
| JEL: | L60 O44 O47 Q54 Q25 |
| Date: | 2024–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mos:moswps:2024-20 |
| By: | Rahman Md. Mostafizur (School of Economics and Management, Kochi University of Technology); Khatun Mst. Asma (Research Institute for Future Design, Kochi University of Technology); Moinul Islam (School of Economics and Management, Kochi University of Technology); Koji Kotani (School of Economics and Management, Kochi University of Technology) |
| Abstract: | Generativity, concern and commitment for the next generation, is established to be important for understanding people’s behaviors to SDGs. However, little is known about how generativity is related to sustainable food consumption intentions and behaviors. We consider the extended theory of planned behavior (TPB), investigating the question “how generativity matters for consumers’ intentions to purchase sustainable foods along with environmental concerns (EC)?†and the hypothesis “prosocial attitudes for future generations (PAF), one measure of generativity, is the key determinant.†We employ a field survey, collecting data on the intentions to purchase organic foods (INT), TPB constructs, i.e., attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral controls, PAF and EC with 300 household heads in Bangladesh. We confirm the significance of PAF and EC on top of TPB constructs by testing the causality through partial-least squares structural equation modeling, yielding two main results. First, not only PAF but also EC have substantial positive effects on consumer intentions to purchase organic foods. Second, the relations between PAF and INT as well as those between EC and INT are fully and partially mediated by attitudes, respectively. Thus, PAF and EC are established to be key determinants for favorable attitudes toward sustainable food-purchase intentions. Overall, the results demonstrate that enhancement of people’s orientations for future generations and environment is effective at shaping sustainable food cultures and practices, and to this end, some future-studies approaches shall be recommended. |
| Keywords: | Sustainable foods, Purchase intentions, Generitivity, Environmental concerns |
| Date: | 2024–11 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:kch:wpaper:sdes-2024-5 |
| By: | María-Isabel Ayuda (Departamento de Análisis Económico, Facultad de Economía y Empresa, Universidad de Zaragoza e IEDIS, Gran Vía 4, 50005 Zaragoza); Ernesto Clar (Departamento de Economía Aplicada, Facultad de Economía y Empresa, Universidad de Zaragoza e Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón (IA2), Spain); Teresa Leach (Independent Researcher); Vicente Pinilla (Departamento de Economía Aplicada, Facultad de Economía y Empresa, Universidad de Zaragoza e Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón (IA2), Spain); Raúl Serrano (Departamento de Economía Aplicada, Facultad de Economía y Empresa, Universidad de Zaragoza e Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón (IA2), Spain) |
| Abstract: | This essay analyzes the evolution of Spanish agri-food exports over the past 175 years. It also reflects on the factors that have determined their performance, as well as their possible impact on the agricultural sector. Until the Civil War, these exports accounted for a significant portion of total exports and had a notable influence on final agricultural production. Although during the second half of the 20th century they lost relative weight in total trade significantly, their growth was very rapid, and consequently, their impact on production was even greater. Among their contributions to economic growth, their relevance in balancing foreign accounts throughout most of the studied period stands out. Agri-food exports have contributed to economic development by improving the purchasing capacity of the economy and generating significant backward, forward, and final demand linkages. In short, they increased real income by improving resource allocation, as the comparative advantages of agriculture and the agri-food industry were leveraged, and productive factors were utilized more efficiently. |
| Keywords: | Spanish Agricultural History, Agri-Food Exports, Spanish Foreign Trade |
| JEL: | F14 N53 N54 Q17 |
| Date: | 2024–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ahe:dtaehe:2408 |
| By: | Khatun Mst Asma (Research Institute for Future Design, Kochi University of Technology, Japan); Md Rony Masud (College of Business, Rikkyo University, Japan); Koji Kotani (Research Institute for Future Design, Kochi University of Technology, Japan) |
| Abstract: | Agricultural financing is crucial for economic development and sustainability. However, little is known about how bankers are concerned about climate change as decision makers for agricultural financing as well as their concerns are related to the possible future performances. This study investigates a research question “how do bankers’ climate concerns and value orientation influence agricultural financing?†and the hypotheses “bankers’ climate concerns discourage agricultural financing, whereas their value orientations for future generations encourage it.†We conduct questionnaire surveys and collect data on concerns toward climate factors, prosocial attitude for future generations and sociodemographic information from 596 bankers at three areas in Bangladesh. The results reveal three main findings. First, bankers who have high climate concerns tend to be less optimistic about agricultural financing. Second, bankers who live in high climate-change areas tend to have more severe climate concerns and darker prospectives in agricultural financing than those in low climate-change areas. Third, bankers who have a high value orientation for future generations are likely to be positive over future agricultural financing. Overall, our findings suggest that agricultural financing shall be discouraged as climate change becomes severe, hitting low-land areas, such as Bangladesh, through the lens of bankers’ perceptions, unless the bankers possess high concerns for future generations. To counter such negative possibilities in agricultural financing, a new agricultural financing scheme, such as “agricultural green banking, †shall be necessary to implement. |
| Keywords: | Climate concerns, value orientation, agricultural financing, bankers, Bangladesh |
| Date: | 2024–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:kch:wpaper:sdes-2024-6 |
| By: | Paul M. Lohmann (University of Cambridge); Elisabeth Gsottbauer (Free University of Bozen-Bolzano); Christina Gravert (Department of Economics, University of Copenhagen); Lucia A. Reisch (Judge Business School, University of Cambridge,) |
| Abstract: | This paper explores the relationship between decision-making speed and the effectiveness of two nudges – carbon footprint labelling and menu repositioning – aimed at encouraging climate-friendly food choices. Building on Kahneman’s dual-process theory of decision-making, we examine whether these interventions are more effective in fast, intuitive (System 1) contexts compared to reflective, deliberate (System 2) ones. Using an incentivized online randomized controlled trial with a quasirepresentative sample of British consumers (N=3, 052) ordering meals through an experimental food-delivery platform, we introduced a time-pressure mechanism to capture both fast and slow decision-making processes. Our findings suggest that menu repositioning is an effective tool for promoting climate-friendly choices when decisions are made quickly, though the effect fades with extended deliberation. Carbon labels, in contrast, showed minimal impact overall but reduced emissions among highly educated, climate-conscious individuals under time pressure. The results imply that choice architects should apply both interventions in contexts where consumers make rapid decisions, such as digital platforms, to help mitigate climate externalities. |
| Keywords: | carbon-footprint labelling, choice architecture, food-delivery apps, low-carbon diets, dual-process models, system 1 |
| JEL: | C90 D04 I18 D90 Q18 Q50 |
| Date: | 2024–12–13 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:kud:kucebi:2419 |
| By: | Liping Gao; Hyeongwoo Kim; Jiquan Chen |
| Abstract: | This study proposes an alternative approach to examining the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC). Instead of using conventional pollution indicators, we employ gross primary production (GPP) data from the NASA-MODIS dataset as a proxy for environmental quality across 131 countries. By estimating the nonlinear relationship between environmental protection and economic development, we confirm the conventional EKC pattern only in wealthy nations, where environmental quality improves as economies achieve higher levels of prosperity. In less developed countries, however, environmental quality tends to deteriorate further as economic growth accelerates. These results suggest that the EKC may be a localized phenomenon, raising concerns about policy suggestions that prioritize economic growth over environmental protection in less developed regions. |
| Keywords: | Gross Primary Production; NASA-MODIS; Environmental Kuznets Curve; Nonlinearity; Income Groups |
| JEL: | Q0 Q5 O0 |
| Date: | 2024–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:abn:wpaper:auwp2024-08 |
| By: | Nicholas Li (Department of Economics, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Canada); Angela Daley (Department of Economics, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, USA); Barry Watson (Department of Economics, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada) |
| Abstract: | Cost of living is comparatively high in Northern Canada, which is a remote and sparsely populated region served by retail oligopolies (about 34 percent of communities feature a monopoly, while the rest feature a duopoly). Government transfers constitute a large share of household income in Northern communities, and child benefits are particularly important, with these programs having expanded in recent years (Universal Child Care Benefit in 2015 and Canada Child Benefit in 2016). We assess the extent to which increased child benefits are “captured†by higher prices. Using the Longitudinal Administrative Database and community-level data on prices and food shipments from Nutrition North Canada (2012-2019), we find that expanded child benefits are associated with higher prices (with an elasticity of 0.02), which for a family of four, offset about 24 percent of the increased purchasing power resulting from the expansion. Our results suggest that expanded child benefits increase food demand and that the main transmission mechanism leading to higher prices is markups, as our price effects hold conditional on the quantity of food shipped and are mostly driven by monopoly communities where about 61 percent of increased purchasing power is offset by higher food prices. Thus, Northern communities are not pure “pricetakers†and policies that increase cash assistance should consider the implications for local prices. |
| Keywords: | Northern Canada; Subsidies; Prices; Competition; Monopoly |
| JEL: | I18 J15 D42 |
| Date: | 2024–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rye:wpaper:wp093 |
| By: | Dario Bonciani; Riccardo Masolo (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore; Dipartimento di Economia e Finanza, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore); Sara Sarpietro |
| Abstract: | We show that food price changes have a persistent impact on UK consumers’ inflation expectations. Over 60% of households report that their inflation perceptions are heavily influenced by food prices and display a stronger association between their inflation expectations and perceptions. In other words, households emphasising the importance of food prices tend to have more backward-looking inflation expectations. We complement this finding with a Structural Vector Autoregression (SVAR) analysis, illustrating that food price shocks have a larger and more persistent effect on expectations compared to a “representative” inflation shock. Finally, we augment the canonical New-Keynesian model with behavioural expectations that capture our empirical findings and show that monetary policy should respond more aggressively to food price shocks. |
| Keywords: | Inflation Expectations, Inflation Perceptions, Monetary Policy. |
| JEL: | D10 D84 E31 E52 E58 E61 |
| Date: | 2024–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ctc:serie1:def135 |
| By: | Eoin McLaughlin (Heriot-Watt University); Paul Sharp (University of Southern Denmark, CAGE, CEPR); Christian Volmar Skovsgaard (University of Southern Denmark); Christian Vedel (University of Southern Denmark) |
| Abstract: | Agricultural cooperation is seen as a way to solve collective action problems and has been associated with high social capital and other beneficial impacts in the countryside beyond productivity increases. But what if it comes into conflict with existing private concerns? The Irish dairy cooperatives from the 1890s entered a contested market for milk, and soon became associated with various degrees of conflict: legal disputes and physical violence. We hypothesize that this led to poor social capital, manifesting in conflict during the Irish War of Independence. We analyze novel data on cooperative and private creameries, as well as measures of conflict. Our findings indicate a significant positive correlation between the presence of cooperatives and local conflict intensities, persisting even after controlling for various confounders. An instrumental variable approach based on prior specialization in dairying validates this. Cooperation might thus both reflect social capital but also have pernicious impacts on it. |
| Keywords: | Ireland, Cooperatives, Social Capital, Market Contestation |
| JEL: | N53 N54 Q13 Z13 |
| Date: | 2024–11 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hes:wpaper:0272 |
| By: | Petre Caraiani (Institute for Economic Forecasting, Romanian Academy; Bucharest University of Economics Studies); Carolyn Chisadza (Department of Economics, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa); Rangan Gupta (Department of Economics, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa) |
| Abstract: | This study updates the existing literature on the adverse effects of climate change on firms' performance by providing an alternative perspective that climate change can have potential growth benefits. We examine the effects of climate shocks on firms' investments. Using a spatial autoregressive model with United States (U.S.) firm-level data from 1985 to 2019, we find that increased frequency of climate shocks is positively associated with investments for firms, with larger spillover effects on neighbouring firms. These findings remain consistent for various robustness checks which include sub-sample analysis, different outcome variables and controlling for financial characteristics of the firms. The results highlight that contrary to current evidence, climate change can create incentives for firms to increase investments in adjusting their production processes to cleaner technologies. |
| Keywords: | Climate shocks, Corporate investments, Spatial econometrics, Production network structure |
| JEL: | C31 D24 D92 Q54 |
| Date: | 2024–11 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pre:wpaper:202448 |
| By: | Chad Fiechter; Binayak Kunwar; Guy Tchuente |
| Abstract: | This study examines the impact of monetary factors on the conversion of farmland to renewable energy generation, specifically solar and wind, in the context of expanding U.S. energy production. We propose a new econometric method that accounts for the diverse circumstances of landowners, including their unordered alternative land use options, non-monetary benefits from farming, and the influence of local regulations. We demonstrate that identifying the cross elasticity of landowners' farming income in relation to the conversion of farmland to renewable energy requires an understanding of their preferences. By utilizing county legislation that we assume to be shaped by land-use preferences, we estimate the cross-elasticities of farming income. Our findings indicate that monetary incentives may only influence landowners' decisions in areas with potential for future residential development, underscoring the importance of considering both preferences and regulatory contexts. |
| Date: | 2024–11 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2411.10600 |
| By: | Vaia Karapanou; Christiane Arndt-Bascle; Fatima Toktosunova |
| Abstract: | This document presents a comprehensive framework for solid regulatory governance of large-scale food fortification (LSFF), a key strategy to addressing micronutrient deficiencies. It identifies six core pillars that are critical for the effective design and implementation of LSFF initiatives across diverse country contexts: collecting data and scientific evidence to identify the problem and policy options, designing policies and regulations, ensuring adequate authorisation processes, implementing supervision and enforcement measures, building capacity for continuous improvement, and incentivising stakeholder performances. It builds on the recommendations and principles on regulatory policy developed by the OECD Regulatory Policy Committee (RPC) as well as case studies. The framework aims to assist policymakers and regulators in evaluating their legal frameworks and offers insights on how to improve regulatory practices and outcomes. It also explores how the implementation of each of these pillars could be assessed through the development of indicators and presents findings from selected pilot country studies. |
| Keywords: | Large-scale food fortification, Micronutrient deficiency, OECD, Regulatory governance |
| Date: | 2024–12–05 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:govaah:21-en |
| By: | Marco Hening-Tallarico; Pablo Olivares |
| Abstract: | The objective of the paper is to price weather derivative contracts based on temperature and precipitation as underlying climate variables. We use a neural network approach combined with time series forecast to value Pacific Rim index in Toronto and Chicago |
| Date: | 2024–11 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2411.12013 |
| By: | Le Moigne, Mathilde; Lepot, Simon; Ossa, Ralph; Ritel, Marcos; Simon, Dóra Zsuzsanna |
| Abstract: | We show that climate policy can unlock large environmental gains from trade by inducing economies to specialize according to their environmental comparative advantage. We make this point by exploring the effects of a carbon tax in a quantitative trade model. Our main result is that the environmental gains from trade account for over one-third of the total reduction in greenhouse gas emissions brought about by the carbon tax. This finding holds for a wide range of carbon tax rates and coverages. |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:wtowps:306822 |
| By: | Pongsak Luangaram; Yuthana Sethapramote; Kannika Thampanishvong; Gazi Salah Uddin |
| Abstract: | Understanding the impact of climate risks on financial stability is crucial for ensuring the resilience of banking sectors, particularly in economies exposed to climate change. This paper investigates how transition and physical risks influence systemic risk in Thailand’s banking sector. Transition risks are analyzed using the Fama-French multi-factor asset pricing model to estimate the risk premium of brown industries relative to green industries, termed Brown-minus-Green (BMG). Physical risks are assessed using the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), an indicator of flood and drought conditions. Systemic risk at the bank level is measured using conditional value-at-risk (CoVaR). Panel regressions are employed to examine the relationship between climate risks and systemic risk. The results reveal that transition risks, as captured by the BMG factor, significantly heighten systemic risk among Thai banks, emphasizing their critical role in financial vulnerabilities. Additionally, physical risks, particularly those associated with flood exposure, create substantial challenges for bank portfolios. These findings highlight the importance of integrating transition and physical risk indicators into regulatory monitoring frameworks to enhance financial stability. Furthermore, Thai commercial banks can apply these insights to conduct climate stress tests and develop strategies for managing climate-related risks more effectively. |
| Keywords: | climate risk; Systemic risk; Thailand; Banking sector; BMG; SPEI; CoVar |
| JEL: | C58 G12 G21 Q54 |
| Date: | 2024–11 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pui:dpaper:224 |
| By: | Bernhard Mayr |
| Abstract: | An increased frequency and intensity of climate-related natural catastrophes has created significant challenges for both the private and the public sector. Existing risk-sharing approaches are reaching their efficacy limits, pushing governments to take on an increasing share of the burden as private-sector solutions become less affordable or available. This paper outlines how adding a European loan-based backstop facility to the risk-sharing hierarchy can contribute to a more efficient solution and why it may enhance private insurers’ risk-taking capacity. We elaborate on the mechanics of such an approach and show how it could increase private sector insurance capacity without additionally burdening the public. |
| Date: | 2024–11–27 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:stm:dpaper:24 |
| By: | Harris, Nicholas |
| Abstract: | Literature attesting to the existence of a resource ‘curse’ implied that economic prospects for resource abundant nations were poor and out of their hands. Not only had resource abundance created difficult-tomanage structural conditions, but it had also corrupted institutions and, in turn, condemned nations to further negative management of resources in the future. A critical branch of literature rose in opposition, suggesting that the outcomes of resource abundant nations had not been predetermined by their resources, but had been contingent on active institutional management. Correct management could not only have mitigated the immediate structural and institutional impacts of the socalled ‘curse, ’ but it could also have prevented the degradation of these virtuous institutional behaviours themselves. This comment will add to the debate by demonstrating which theory applies better to the case of Chile during its nitrate era: which stated ‘curse’ effects struck Chile, and how culpable was institutional management in this process? I find that whilst there are definite ‘curse’ symptoms, institutional management played a larger role than ‘determinists’ would predict, supporting the ‘activist’ strand of argument. This is not to downplay, however, the pressures that resource abundance exerted, even in countries that had a claim to institutional exceptionality. |
| JEL: | O13 N56 |
| Date: | 2024–11–22 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ehl:wpaper:126154 |
| By: | Hung Tran |
| Abstract: | China and India have become powerful incumbents in the manufacturing-for-exports and services-for-exports sectors, respectively. This has made it difficult for Africa, as a latecomer, to employ similar growth models for its own development. Given current geopolitical tension, its own comparative advantages and urgent needs, modernizing agriculture should be the growth model for Africa. |
| Date: | 2024–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ocp:pbagri:pb_54-24 |