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Sunday, 26 March 2017

Priorities and Preconditions for Successful Investment in Smallholder Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa

Author
Colin Poulton, Andrew Dorward (andrew.dorward@soas.ac.uk), A. Jowett, C. Peacockand Ian Urey

Abstract: In the past couple of years, there has been resurgence in interest in smallholder agriculture as a potential driver for growth and poverty reduction in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, there remains considerable skepticism as to whether public investment in smallholder agriculture will lead to the desired growth and poverty reduction, given a general pessimism about "absorptive capacity" for (public) investment in Africa, the perception of failure of past agricultural investment and the observation that current conditions are unconducive to agricultural growth in Africa. This paper combines experiences of two UK-based NGOs dedicated to promoting smallholder agriculture and strengthening rural livelihoods in Africa with insights from academic literature on African agriculture and rural markets to set out an agenda for investment in smallholder agriculture in Africa. It identifies priorities for public investment, but also key issues related to "absorptive capacity" that need to be addressed if such investment is to succeed in generating agricultural growth and poverty reduction. Particular emphasis is placed on: a) investment in human and organisational capacity of smallholder farmers; b) investment in coordinated service provision to equip producers to respond to evolving market opportunities; c) the process of developing and implementing credible agricultural development strategies at both national and local level, and; d) reform of Ministries of Agriculture to support this process.
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The Food Security Equation: What is the Role of Gender and Social Amenities in this Paradigm? A Focus on Rural Households in Yala division, Siaya district, Kenya

Author
Willis Oluoch-Kosura, David Jakinda Otieno and Paswel Phiri Marenya

Abstract: Food security remains a key challenge to the development efforts of most poor nations. This study investigated the significance of gender (denoted by number of male, female and children in a household) and social amenities in the food security equation. Frequency of food-related illnesses in a household was used as proxy for food security situation, while the entitlement/food utilization side of the equation was represented by the number of male and female children in the household, main source of domestic water, distance to nearest health center, means of transport accessible, household sanitation and level of awareness on basic food preparation and handling methods. Both descriptive and econometric models were used for analysis of primary data from a random sample of 100 farm-households in Yala division, Siaya district of Kenya. This study was conducted in February 2004. Results of this study indicated that majority (74%) of the rural households were experiencing poor food utilization, and were thus generally food insecure. The study also revealed that gender and social amenities were significant in the food security equation. Specifically, there was high correlation between food-related illnesses and use of untapped water, more male children than females in a household, long distance to health centers, lack of quick means of transport, unsafe food disposal and poor food storage habits. In order to improve the food utilization and thereby security for the rural farm-households, the study recommends improvement in the provision of social amenities for both male and female household members equitably.
Keywords: Food Security and Poverty (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2004
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Expanding the Frontiers of Agricultural Economics to Meet the Future Challenges of Agricultural Development

Author

Abstract: In this paper I challenge the theoretical building blocks of agricultural economics and then provide some indication of how the discipline has rectified some of its shortcomings. The introduction of the New Institutional Economics into our discipline has been a major improvement. I have then argued that the challenges facing our profession are so huge that we need to think about further adaptation by making more use of other social sciences such as sociology and anthropology. This could help us understand the major complexities of dealing with the challenge of black economic empowerment in agriculture. This will however, also be necessary for us to adjust our research paradigm. This argument is well articulated by Doyer and Van Rooyen (2001) when they motivated a research method to study agribusiness supply chains. The challenges highlighted that for agricultural economic analysis to capture complex business reality and decisions to explain and predict the institutional and governance structures and optimal resource allocation behaviour of firms, approaches to research that combines positivist and constructivist are the most sensible. The combination of these approaches enables a holistic approach to the research problem. Positivism's strong explanatory and prediction capabilities are combined with the strong understanding and reconstructive capabilities of the constructivist approach. Throughout this process, qualitative and quantitative data can be used in combination. Since our research work also needs to focus more on structural and institutional issues it seems quite evident that we have to adopt a more eclectic research approach making much more use of case studies. The skills from the other social sciences will desperately be required here to advance our discipline into previously untreated terrain. This is necessary to make sure we make the important contribution to the task of building Africa's Agriculture.
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Household Water Coping Behaviour and Costs in the Volta Basin of Ghana

Author
Yaw Bonsu Osei-Asare

Abstract: Ghana is abundant in water resources but frequently experiences seasonal and periodic water scarcities. Households therefore adopt coping strategies and various activities to ensure continuous flow of adequate safe water at the household level. These strategies involve opportunity costs and some amount of financial outlay. Using revealed preference data for 20 randomly selected rural communities in the Volta basin of Ghana this paper employs the coping costs approach to derive the costs of coping with water insecurity. Explicit costs in the form of investments in water storage facilities and costs of water treatment are estimated. Implicit costs (opportunity cost of time) associated with water collection, which varies by season and ecological zone, is valued using the average basic hourly wage of rural women engaged in agriculture. The results of the study show that costs of coping with water insecurity are higher in the dry season and for forest ecology households. The often-stated claim that rural households cannot and should not pay for the full cost of water delivery is not supported by this study. The paper concludes that rural consumers are paying at least as much as their urban consumers for unimproved water. Hence, this paper is of the view that rural consumers have the ability to pay for improved water but may not be willing to do so probably due to their perceptions and attitudes concerning the public good nature and benefits of improved water supply.
Keywords: Resource /Energy Economics and Policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2004
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Competitive Strategy through Innovative Partnerships at the Regional Level: The Case of Tomatoes and Soybean Value Chains in Northern Togo

Author
A. Maatman, Abdou Konlambigue and T. Yatombo

Abstract: Agricultural intensification is widely seen as a condition sine-qua-non for overall economic growth and food security in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Though attention is shifting from technology development to more market-oriented approaches, the best examples of agricultural intensification seem to happen relatively independent of interventions from the development circuit. This paper argues that agricultural intensification and market development may be stimulated through grassroots and regional-level efforts when care is taken not to substitute for responsibilities that belong to farmers, traders, and other stakeholders themselves. An approach is required that carefully addresses the factors influencing the competitiveness of agricultural enterprises. A major role of facilitating institutions may be to develop efficient relationships between farmers - and their complex multi-purpose farming systems and traders and processors - engaged in commodity specific trade and processing market segments. Finally, competitiveness is not something to win for today it crucially depends on innovation and continuous learning. The paper present cases from Northern Togo, where effective linkages have been established between farmers, traders, processors and rural bankers and NGOs. The paper concentrate on three cases: tomato production and marketing, soy bean processing, and the development of credit structures and interlocked contracts for input provisioning. The article is based on qualitative data interviews with the major stakeholders, and accounts in progress reports from the NGOs and farmer organizations. In conclusion, it gives some observations on the major lessons learnt, and the contribution that social scientists can make to strengthen dialogue between theory and practice.
Keywords: Agribusiness (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2004
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The Welfare Impacts of Domestic and International Agricultural Efficiency Gains A South African Case Study

Author

Abstract: A large proportion of the on-going reductions in global food prices are attributable to the efficiency gains associated with various green revolutions. Unfortunately the welfare gains associated with such productivity growth are unevenly distributed, with many African states reaping relatively few benefits. One possible reason for this is the failure of African agriculture to retain its relative competitiveness in global agricultural and food markets, and hence, the welfare gains associated with reductions in consumer prices are largely offset by the welfare losses associated with reductions in producer prices. The analyses reported in this paper explore how changes in domestic and international agricultural efficiency will impact upon the welfare of households and the profitability of agricultural and food industries in South Africa. The results are generated from a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model for South Africa with highly disaggregated food and agricultural sectors. The scenarios reported focus on three dimensions of domestic technology change; changes in the efficiencies with which intermediate inputs, primary inputs and land are used, and one international dimension; changes in the world prices of agricultural and food products. The results indicate that both domestic and international efficiency gains have positive net welfare effects for South Africa. In the case of domestic efficiency gains the net benefit is marginally greater, mainly because of the smaller negative welfare consequences for domestic producers. This can be explained by domestic producers increased penetration of export markets, which offsets the negative welfare effects associated with a reduction in producer prices. The paper concludes with an assessment of the differential impacts upon the agronomic regions of South Africa and the different household types. These results suggest that while the distribution of the consumer benefits is biased towards poorer households, the distribution of the producer benefits is biased towards relatively richer agricultural areas.
Keywords: Productivity Analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2004
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Socioeconomic Analysis of the Roles of Agriculture in Morocco

Author
Mohamed Moussoui

Abstract: The study conducted in morocco, within FAO/ROA project, showed that agriculture, while being affected by exogenous natural conditions and macroeconomic factors, contributes significantly to environmental amenities, poverty alleviation, social viability and national culture. The analysis of environmental roles showed an asymmetry of information in favor of negative externalities. However, agriculture provides positive externalities as demonstrated through the economic evaluation of three cases concerning landscape beautification, agro tourism and animal biodiversity conservation. Poverty has been exacerbated in depth, volume and severity and remains a rural phenomenon with a visible concentration in areas characterized by limited land endowments, low productivity activities and weak levels of economic development. Tough referred to as a national sovereignty attribute, food security has clearly deteriorated, during the 1994-2000 period, as evidenced by staple food availability, access and stability. Despite this evolution, agriculture still contributes to social viability in terms of spatial distribution of the population, the regulation of migratory flows as well as in terms of the preservation of community solidarity and the formation of social capital. Focus group interviews showed, in particular, that agriculture and rurality are closely related and that both have been subject to transformations which have affected people perceptions of agriculture contributions to society. The analysis, also, revealed the existence of linkages among externalities associated with the different roles of agriculture. Existing synergies or conflicts are crucial to the level of agriculture performance. This complex implies adoption of a holistic approach in designing integrate policy alternative. The latter should combine agricultural and non-agricultural sector policies and macroeconomic policies. Therefore, implementation of new options, in the absence of adequate and functional institutions, requires government intervention in order to prevent increasing uncontrolled market liberalization that may be detrimental to the stability the whole national country.
Keywords: International Development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2005
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Soil Fertility Management Choice in the Maize-Based Smallholder Farming System in Malawi

Author
Peter Wobst, Hardwick Tchale and Klaus Frohberg

Abstract: The paper analyses the factors that affect smallholder farmers choice of soil fertility management options in Malawi using a two-stage maximum likelihood estimation procedure. Using results from the Double-Hurdle model, the paper estimates the probabilities and intensities of fertilizer application conditional on choice of inorganic fertilizer. The findings indicate that relative wealthy indicators, human capital, credit and market access, food security index and land pressure are the main factors that greatly influence farmers choice and intensity of input investment. Although there is a high and positive correlation between probability of adoption and intensity of application, factors that influence adoption are not necessarily the same as those that influence the intensity of application, conditional on adoption. The paper concludes with policy and research implications aimed at informing the debate on enhancing sustainable soil fertility management among smallholder farmers in Malawi.
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Consumers' Perceptions and Willingness to Pay for Organic Vegetable in Benin and Ghana

Author

Theodore Nouhoheflin, Ousmane Coulibaly, Andy J. Cherry, Ramatu M. Al-Hassan and Patrice Ygue Adegbola


Abstract: Vegetable plays important roles in the socio-economic development in West Africa. It contributes to insuring food security, provides raw materials for local industries, generates foreign exchange and provides employment and incomes for most of the population. However some health hazards are caused by the misuse of chemical on vegetable. This study is undertaken within the framework of the research project: Public-private partnerships for development and implementation of entomopathogenic viruses as biopesticides for key lepidopteran pests in Ghana and Benin. It assesses the potential market of organic vegetables and analyse consumers awareness and perceptions of chemical pesticide residues in vegetables and assess the premium levels that consumers are willing to pay for chemical free vegetables. Data were collected through a formal questionnaire on consumers perceptions of produce quality problems, their level of awareness of heavy chemical pesticide use on vegetable and their willingness to pay for a vegetable if it is chemical free. A Hedonic-pricing model was used to identify the key factors most likely to affect consumers willingness to pay for bio-vegetables. The results show that consumers are aware of the heavy use of chemicals on vegetables. The level of awareness of health hazard linked to chemical pesticides among consumers is more widely spread. The characteristics that consumers are looking for in assessing the quality of vegetable are: damage free, freshness, size, bright colour and hardness. Consumers are willing to pay more than 50% as price premium for chemical free vegetable. The most likely factors influencing consumers willingness to pay for chemical free vegetable are the socio-professional category acting as a proxy for income level, the awareness of chemical residue, the availability, the label and the taste. In conclusion, this study showed that there is a consistent potential demand for organic vegetables if they meet characteristics above mentioned.
Keywords: Consumer/Household Economics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2005
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Economics of Insecticide use and Potential for Bt Maize Varieties in the Control of Stalkborer in Kenya

Author
Obae Mose, Martins Odendo, James Okuro Ouma, George Owuor, M. Lutta, Ndung'U, J. and M.C. Mutoko

Abstract: Maize is the staple food crop and source of income for majority of the Kenyan population and many sub-Saharan African countries. The increasing Kenyan population demands an increase in maize production if intermittent food deficits have to be averted. Since the introduction of improved maize varieties in mid-1960, the start of Green Revolution period, maize yields increased drastically up to 1970s and started declining from 1980s to-date. The key contributory factors are nutrient mining, sub-optimal input use and insect pest damage. Of the insect pests, stalk borer is of economic importance. Currently, KARI and CIMMYT are developing maize varieties that are tolerant to stalk borer damage. In order to evaluate the potential impact of these interventions economics of stalk borer control at farm level was evaluated. Surveys complemented with on-farm trials were executed in six major maize growing zones of Kenya. Farmers were randomly selected and a sample-frame established after which a total of 1854 households were randomly selected using random sampling technique. Each household was interviewed using structured questionnaire. Data on method of stalk borer control and the type insecticides used was collected. Partial budget and economic surplus models were used. The results indicated that very few farmers control stalk borer in maize despite significant stalk borer losses of about 15%. Therefore if Bt maize is introduced in Kenya it is likely to reduce these losses. This will benefit many hungry and poor Kenyans with improved household food supply and on farm incomes, in line with Government policy of food security and poverty eradication.
Keywords: Crop Production/Industries (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2004
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Advantages and Disadvantages of Fasting for Runners

Author BY   ANDREA CESPEDES  Food is fuel, especially for serious runners who need a lot of energy. It may seem counterintuiti...