Gender Issues in Microfinance and Repayment Performance: The Case of a Nicaraguan Microfinance Institution.

Conventional wisdom and increasing empirical evidence in microfinance hold that women are better risks than men. In the present work, a logit model controlling for a range of borrower and loan characteristics was carried out to assess the validity of this statement by comparing repayment rates. The study includes a sample of loans disbursed by a Nicaraguan microfinance institution during the years 2003-2004, a period characterized by high oil prices. A dichotomous dependent variable is created, taking the value of 1 if the credit turned out to be of the best quality i.e. an “A” credit by Nicaraguan regulations, and 0 otherwise. The dependent variable is regressed on variables summarizing the characteristics of the borrower and the loan to investigate the impact of gender on repayment performance. The results provide significant evidence that female client’s repayment performance is in fact better than that of male’s at the conventional levels of statistical significance. However, the results also show that the perceived difference in gender risk is lower than what popular wisdom would suggest when borrower characteristics and other exogenous economic variables are taken into account. With the present sample, we conclude that other characteristics of the borrower as well as changes in the economic environment can have a similar or larger impact on risk than gender when it comes to repayment performance. As a result of some spot observations conducted on Managua, capital city of Nicaragua, a preliminary list of mollusks and birds was published. The list was made up of 18 species, 12 families and three orders of mollusks as well as 41 species, 23 families and 9 orders of birds. These values are consistent with total species numbers estimated by experts on these taxa for the country. This was the first inventory from these taxa associated to the city of Managua, where previous data on trees already existed. These results are analyzed in the light of existing literature on the subject

A Bayesian Total Factor Productivity Analysis of Tropical Agricultural Systems in Central-Western Africa And South-East Asia

This paper computes and analyses total factor productivity (TFP) growth rates for tropical agricultural systems in Central-Western Africa and South-East Asia. Two regions that despite sharing common agro-ecological conditions, have pursued different adoption rates of green revolution technology and have reported dissimilar yields per hectare. A panel data set is constructed for the period 1987-2007 from the FAOSTAT database. A Bayesian stochastic frontier model with country specific temporal variation in technical efficiency is estimated. Technical efficiency estimates reveal that there is substantial room for improvement in both continental sub-sets and that TFP estimates show on average larger rates of growth for South-East Asian countries as compared to Central-Western African countries. Results indicate that TFP is mostly driven by technical change and countries such as Benin, and Gambia display catch-up.Bayesian Inference, Stochastic Production Frontier, Time Varying Technical Inefficiency, Total Factor Productivity Growth, Tropical Agricultural Systems, Farm Management, Productivity Analysis, C15, D24, O47,

(Semi)Subsistence Agricultural Systems in Sierra Leone: Present and Future Challenges

Abstract: The Government of Sierra Leone has recently published its National Sustainable Agriculture Development Plan (NSADP) 2010-2030 which contemplates the gradual erradication of shifting cultivation practices and the active promotion of vertically integrated processing and commercialisation chains for selected staple (rice and cassava) and export crops (cocoa and coffee). The aim of this article is to examine the implications of the changing agricultural policy for (semi)subsistance farmers who represent about two-thirds of the Sierra Leonean population. For this purpose farm typologies are introduced according to the diversity of cultivated crops. The analysis focuses on smallholders' food security, employment opportunities and access to inputs and natural resource. For this purpose, socio-economic data from a 2009 survey to 600 farm-households under the two main production systems of Sierra Leone are used. Results illustrate the potential impact on rural livelihoods during the implementation of the NSADP (including land leasing processes) and the challenges related to the transition period required to effectively replace shifting cultivation with permanent agricultural systems.JRC.J.4 - Agriculture and Life Sciences in the Econom

A Bayesian Total Factor Productivity Analysis of Tropical Agricultural Systems in Central-Western Africa And South-East Asia

This paper computes and analyses total factor productivity (TFP) growth rates for tropical agricultural systems in Central-Western Africa and South-East Asia. Two regions that despite sharing common agro-ecological conditions, have pursued different adoption rates of green revolution technology and have reported dissimilar yields per hectare. A panel data set is constructed for the period 1987-2007 from the FAOSTAT database. A Bayesian stochastic frontier model with country specific temporal variation in technical efficiency is estimated. Technical efficiency estimates reveal that there is substantial room for improvement in both continental sub-sets and that TFP estimates show on average larger rates of growth for South-East Asian countries as compared to Central-Western African countries. Results indicate that TFP is mostly driven by technical change and countries such as Benin, and Gambia display catch-up. Keywords: Bayesian Inference, Stochastic Production Frontier, Time Varying Technical Inefficiency, Total Factor Productivity Growth, Tropical Agricultural Systems JEL Classification: C15, D24, O47JRC.J.4-Agriculture and Life Sciences in the Econom

An Overview of (International) Large-Scale Land Transactions (LSLT) in the context of Food Security

The present report provides an overview of the scale, speed, drivers, key players and main expected consequences in terms of food security of the recent wave of (international) large-scale land transactions (LSLT´s) which has taken place at world level in the past years. This task is particularly challenging because a universal definition of what constitutes a ¨large¨ land investment as well as the potential advantages and disadvantages to all involved parties at different levels are not straightforward. Moreover, large-scale land transactions usually present different traits depending on the region in which they take place. Similarly, there is a wide range of investors with what appears to be (at first glance) rather different objectives. An added difficulty is related to the availability of reliable data (IFPRI, 2009). In order to overcome these obstacles, three basic steps were taken: i) Assess whether and how the wave of land deals is a new phenomenon, provide a working definition in order to identify actors and motives in both global and regional scenarios, ii) Understand why this new wave of LSLT´s emerged and establish a connection to food security challenges iii) Reflect on the theoretical and empirical consequences of LSLT´s at productivity, environmental and social level.JRC.J.4-Agriculture and Life Sciences in the Econom

Facilitating an area-based development approach in rural regions in the Western Balkans

The present report covers an exercise where a defined development approach (ABD) has been tested in a rural cross border case study area in the Western Balkans. The aim is to draw lessons both for continuing implementation of the ABD in this particular area and more generally initiating it in the Western Balkans. Concretely, the UNDP Area-Based Development (ABD) approach is targeting specific geographical areas characterised by a particular complex development problem (setting it apart from surrounding areas), through an integrated (multi-sector), inclusive (community versus particular groups or individuals), participatory (bottom-up) and flexible (responsive to changes) approach. This approach has been implemented in the pilot case of the Drina valley – Tara Mountain area (Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia. As a result of 6 months of interaction among stakeholders, 4 priority development themes were identified in tourism, rural development (with a special focus on agriculture), SME and entrepreneurship and environmental protection. This pilot case allowed drawing relevant lessons for the implementation of ABD to what concerns the area delineation process, the bottom-up process, the top-down accompanying framework and the institutional / legal framework. Lastly, 7 other rural cross border areas within the Western Balkans region have been identified as potential ABD target areas .JRC.J.4-Agriculture and Life Sciences in the Econom

Diagnóstico de la prestación de los servicios de agua potable y saneamiento en El Salvador, México y Panamá

La región de América Latina y el Caribe, se enfrenta a un gran desafío, cuando del cumplimiento del ODS 6 se trata, si se toma en cuenta que aún debe garantizarse una provisión segura de agua potable y saneamiento al 24% y al 65,9% de la población respectivamente. Con este reto en mente, el presente documento examina la prestación de servicios de agua potable y alcantarillado en El Salvador, Panamá y México, incluyendo los marcos normativos e institucionales, políticas públicas relacionadas con género, discapacidad, agua y saneamiento, inversión en el sector, cobertura del servicio y tarifas aplicadas.Resumen .-- Introducción .-- I. México .-- II. El Salvador .-- III. Panamá .-- IV. Conclusiones

Rural poverty reduction and food security: The case of smallholders in Sierra Leone

Sierra Leones ranks amongst the poorest countries in the world in terms of per capita GDP, due to several factors. Concerning the agricultural sector and more specifically smallholders, which constitute the big majority of farmers, inadequate tools, land preparation, infrastructure and limited access to markets and inputs, adding to very low labour productivity, cause that smallholders operate far below their productive potential, with crop production remaining primarily driven by (semi)subsistence households generating very little income. Consequently, Sierra Leone's subsistence farming system is characterised by a highly inefficient input/output mixes as well as high pre harvest and post harvest losses. Farmers lack access to yield-increasing inputs (such as improved tools) and face limited ability to invest in economic activities not only due to credit shortage but also to village-level institutional arrangements which do not support using land as collateral for loans. Lastly, reduced cash-income keeps smallholders particularly vulnerable to remain in the poverty-trap. The present report analyses the results of a survey of 604 smallholders in 5 districts in the Northern and Eastern regions of Sierra Leone carried out in 2009 when the EU STABEX-funded projects were concluding. The purpose is on the one hand, to improve knowledge and understanding of the agri-economic and social conditions of rural areas in Sierra Leone, and on the other hand to provide a general assessment of aid programmes financed in this area by the 8th European Development Fund. For this reason, the regions selected for the survey were those representatives of the main agricultural areas of the country where support was provided: the Northern region largely dominated by rice farmers, and the Eastern region where rice farmers are also engaged in coffee and cocoa production under agro-forestry plots. While rice (main staple food) production is expected to comply with food security objectives, coffee and cocoa (main export commodities) are high value export commodities which push economic growth. Consequently, both types of crops are considered relevant in contributing to the country's development. The results of the economic analysis indicate that rice production, which largely covers own household consumption, is far below its potential due to high losses, low productivity and labour-intensity of farming, particularly in the Northern region. On the other hand, coffee and cocoa production in the Eastern region was found to be economically profitable, generating income for most of those smallholders who cultivate those crops. Regarding farm households' characteristics and income, strong regional differences between the poorer North and relatively wealthier East were observed and reflected throughout all factors analysed: yields, household size, sources of farming income, magnitude of losses and productivity. Households in the Eastern region who produce coffee and cocoa, also dispose on average of more family labour, more land and higher income compared to households in the Northern Region. Rice was recognized as being an imperative component for food security while the high market value of coffee and cocoa confirmed both commodities as important sources of income and foreign currency. Qualitative data from the survey indicated that the STABEX aid programmes were perceived as adequate in terms of their technical nature as well as regarding infrastructure and organizational improvements. However, the amount of aid was deemed altogether insufficient considering the number of households requiring assistance. In this sense, the responses to perceived adequacy do not evaluate the measure itself, but rather the amount provided in relation to local needs as understood by the recipients. Based on this analysis a set of recommendations for the policy are drawn.JRC.J.4-Agriculture and Life Sciences in the Econom

Aprovechamiento energético del metano en el tratamiento de aguas residuales: casos de estudio en El Salvador, México y Panamá

El presente documento identifica recomendaciones para replicar y ampliar el análisis del potencial de metano en PTAR de mediana y pequeña capacidad; Además, propone estrategias para impulsar opciones de financiamiento climático. Para ello, es fundamental considerar como criterio central la postulación de proyectos con la generación del mayor impacto posible en términos de reducción de emisiones, así como el potencial de obtener consecuentes beneficios económicos, sociales y de salud. También se resalta la necesidad de fortalecer las capacidades técnicas, operativas, políticas y prospectivas de las instituciones que operan en el sector de agua y saneamiento. En consecuencia, el desafío presente es potenciar a un sector con cada vez mayores capacidades institucionales, para implementar no solo la gestión circular del agua en la región, sino también saber enfrentar los desafíos de los procesos de innovación presente, impulsados por la inteligencia artificial y las soluciones basadas en big data, cuestiones que, entre otras, permitirán potenciar actividades y proyectos que contribuyen derechamente al cumplimiento del ODS 6.Resumen .-- Introducción .-- I. Aprovechamiento de metano y cogeneración de energía eléctrica: Un enfoque de economía circular en el tratamiento de aguas residuales .-- II. Viabilidad económica, ambiental y social del aprovechamiento de metano en PTAR con capacidades menores a 500 l/s: Casos de estudio en El Salvador, México y Panamá .-- III. Conclusiones

Necesidades de inversión en agua potable y saneamiento en América Latina y el Caribe: efectos en el empleo verde y el valor agregado bruto

Este documento tiene dos objetivos: i) calcular las inversiones requeridas para universalizar la cobertura de los servicios de agua potable y saneamiento (APS) gestionados de manera segura en América Latina y el Caribe en el período 2020-2030; y ii) estimar los efectos que tendrían dichas inversiones en la generación de empleos verdes y en el valor agregado bruto. Para ello, se revisan distintas metodologías de estimación de requerimientos de inversión y se propone una metodología para la región. Por criterios de disponibilidad estadística, se utilizan datos de diez países: Argentina, Brasil, Chile, Colombia, México, Perú, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras y República Dominicana, los cuales representan el 86% del PIB de la región y el 80% de su población. A pesar de que existen limitaciones de información para realizar estimaciones robustas, los resultados indican que para universalizar los servicios de APS, en promedio los países deberían invertir anualmente el 1,38% de su producto interno bruto (PIB), generando un efecto directo en la generación de 3,8 millones de empleos verdes y el incremento del valor agregado bruto en 1,56%. Sin embargo, el esfuerzo que deben hacer los países es heterogéneo pues, entre más rezagado en cobertura y menor capacidad económica tenga un país, mayores serán sus requerimientos de inversión.Resumen .-- Introducción ,-- I. Revisión metodológica: requerimientos de inversión en el sector de agua potable y saneamiento a nivel global y regional .-- II. Propuesta metodológica: requerimientos de inversión en agua potable y saneamiento gestionados de forma segura para América Latina y el Caribe .-- III. Resultados de requerimientos de inversión en América Latina y el Caribe .-- IV. Resultados del impacto de la inversión en el empleo verde y el valor agregado bruto en América Latina y el Caribe .-- V. Conclusiones y recomendaciones