5,772 research outputs found

    Hybrid linear programming to estimate CAP impacts of flatter rates and environmental top-ups

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    This paper examines evolutions of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) decoupling regime and their impacts on Greek arable agriculture. Policy analysis is performed by using mathematical programming tools. Taking into account increasing uncertainty, we assume that farmers perceive gross margin in intervals rather than as expected crisp values. A bottom-up hybrid model accommodates both profit maximizing and risk prudent attitudes in order to accurately assess farmers’ response. Marginal changes to crop plans are expected so that flatter single payment rates cause significant changes in incomes and subsidies. Nitrogen reduction incentives result in moderate changes putting their effectiveness in question.Interval Linear Programming, Min-Max Regret, Common Agricultural Policy, Arable cropping, Greece

    Integrated land use modelling of agri-environmental measures to maintain biodiversity at landscape level

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    Integrated land use models (ILM) are increasingly applied tools for the joint assessment of complex economic-environmental farming system interactions. We present an ILM that consists of the crop rotation model CropRota, the bio-physical process model EPIC, and the farm optimization model FAMOS[space]. The ILM is applied to analyze agri-environmental measures to maintain biodiversity in an Austrian landscape. We jointly consider the biodiversity effects of land use intensity (i.e. nitrogen application rates and mowing frequencies) and landscape development (e.g. provision of landscape elements) using a rich indicator set and region specific species-area relationships. The cost-effectiveness of agri-environmental measures in attaining alternative biodiversity targets is assessed by scenario analysis. The model results show the negative relationships between biodiversity maintenance and gross margins per ha. The absence of agri-environmental measures likely leads to a loss of semi-natural landscape elements such as orchard meadows and hedges as well as to farmland intensifications. The results are also relevant for external cost estimates. However, further methodologies need to be developed that can jointly and endogenously consider the complexities of the socio-economic land use system at farm and regional levels as well as the surrounding natural processes at sufficient detail for biodiversity assessments.Integrated farm land use modeling, biodiversity indicators, agri-environmental policy, landscape elements, Agricultural and Food Policy, Crop Production/Industries, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, Food Security and Poverty, Land Economics/Use, Production Economics,

    Mediterranean Desertification and the Economic System

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    This paper reviews the role of market, population growth, social issues, developmental policies, and other (minor) economic variables contributing to Mediterranean desertification. These variables were classified as describing the micro-economic and macro-economic factors suitable to assure a better comprehension of the environmental-economic nexus. Micro-economic factors like the higher prices and lower wages in the primary sector, as well as the reduction of off-farm employment reflect some potential causes of LD. It was also argued how technical change, agricultural input prices, and household income may affect land vulnerability but their contribution to this ecological problem is poorly known. On the contrary, the role of macroeconomic factors such as population density, poverty, and environmental policies, although more extensively studied on a qualitative base, was regarded as important but still relatively ambiguous, and needs further quantitative studies. Territorial disparities in land distribution, as well as increasing rural poverty and unsustainable management of soil and water were described as a consequence of the process triggering Mediterranean desertification. The effectiveness of policies aimed at mitigating LD and thus reducing desertification risk was finally discussed.Land degradation, desertification, economic system, micro-economic causes, macro-economic factors, Mediterranean basin

    Comparing farm and village-level determinants of millet diversity in marginal environments of India: the context of seed systems

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    "The purpose of the research paper is to characterize biological diversity related to millets in the semi-arid regions of India at various spatial scales of analysis (e.g., farm household versus community levels) and place that evidence in a broader seed systems (includes both formal and informal) context. An important finding of this research is that producer access to millet genetic resources is affected by the extent to which seed is traded via formal markets or through other social institutions, along with farm and household characteristics. Findings also underscore the need for an enhanced theoretical understanding of local seed markets in analyzing crop variety choices and the diversity of materials grown in less favored environments." Authors' AbstractCrop diversity, Seed systems, Biological diversity,

    The effect of environmental variability on livestock and land-use management: the Borana Plateau, Southern Ethiopia

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    The Borana people are the predominant ethnic group on the Borana Plateau in southern Ethiopia, who have recently increased their reliance on crops. Rainfall in the region averages between 353 mm to 873 mm; variability is high, with coefficients of variation ranging from .21 to .68. Anectdotal evidence implies that the vulnerability of pastoralist households to drought is increasing; stock levels increase dramatically during good rainfall years but plummet when rainfall is poor, indicating that the drought cycle is becoming more pronounced. In recent years, there has also been a dramatic increase in land allocated to crops, and land allocated to pastures that are either privatized or accessible to only a small sub-group of people. It is hypothesized that one of the key determinants of the productivity and sustainability of the systems is the ability of community members to cooperate over the use and maintenance of these resources. In this paper, we develop indicators of cooperation and examine factors affecting these indicators. We then use these indicators to determine the impact of cooperation on stock densities and land allocation patterns. Results indicate that cooperation is positively related to factors that increase the profitability of livestock, but negatively related to the total number of households, the use of community pastures by non-community members, and heterogeneity of wealth within the community.Ethiopia., Pastoral systems Environmental aspects Africa., Land use Ethiopia., Livestock., Crops.,

    Social Benefits of Niche Agricultural Products: The Case of Pasture-Based Beef in Appalachia Part 1: The Conceptual Framework

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    Niche agricultural products are growing in economic importance. This growth is driven mainly by the increased demand for more healthy, nutritious, fresh and locally grown food products. There is obviously a potential increase in private benefits to producers/landowners as a result of increased production of the underlying crops to satisfy this demand. What is less obvious is the potential to also generate increased social benefits, particularly as they relate to energy conservation, alternative energy or biogas development and carbon sequestration. In other words, calories and kilo-calories are becoming more linked. The objective of this analysis is to develop a conceptual framework to illustrate the linkages among production at the local level, farm-level profitability and regional economic and environmental benefits. Using an optimal control approach, we apply this framework to the case of pasture-based beef (PBB) in Appalachia. PBB is an alternative to conventional, grain-based beef production. The idea is to determine to what extent a transition to PBB would enhance farm-level profitability while enabling surrounding communities to benefit from higher quality food products, environmental improvement, economic development and, ultimately, quality of life. We expect the results to illustrate under what combination of market and policy outcomes it is optimal - from both private and social perspectives – for a given PBB farmer to switch between cattle farming, energy farming and carbon farming. This paper is the first in a three-part series, with subsequent papers devoted to: (a) integrating spatial effects into the model, and (b) model estimation and use in policy formulation. The overall effort is part of a larger, interdisciplinary multi-institutional research project funded by USDA, ARS, focusing on the development of sustainable PBB operations for Appalachia

    Jatropha Assessment. Agronomy, socio-economic issues, and ecology. Facts from literature.

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    Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) has been promoted as a potential renewable energy source for many of its advantageous properties in comparison to other biomass feedstock. This report summarises the agronomy, socio-economic issues, and ecology facts from literature on Jatropha. Such an overview is essential to formulate recommendations and policy guidelines to stimulate best project practices and also help to avoid the promotion of unviable or unsustainable practices

    Spatial Externalities in Agriculture: Empirical Analysis, Statistical Identification, and Policy Implications

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    Spatial externalities can affect economic welfare and landscape pattern by linking farm returns on adjoining parcels of land. While policy can be informed by research that documents spatial externalities, statistically quantifying the presence of externalities from landscape pattern is insufficient for policy guidance unless the underlying cause of the externality can be identified as positive or negative. This article provides a springboard for empirical research by examining the underlying structure, social-environmental interactions, and statistical identification strategies for the analysis and quantification of agricultural spatial externalities that are derived from observations of landscape change. The potential for original policy treatments of agricultural spatial externalities in development and environment outcomes are highlighted.

    Food supply chain network robustness : a literature review and research agenda

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    Today’s business environment is characterized by challenges of strong global competition where companies tend to achieve leanness and maximum responsiveness. However, lean supply chain networks (SCNs) become more vulnerable to all kind of disruptions. Food SCNs have to become robust, i.e. they should be able to continue to function in the event of disruption as well as in normal business environment. Current literature provides no explicit clarification related to robustness issue in food SCN context. This paper explores the meaning of SCN robustness and highlights further research direction
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