The Impact of Biofuels Crop and Land Rental Markets on Farm Household Incomes: Evidence from South Africa

Consumer/Household Economics, Land Economics/Use,

Estimating Consumers' Willingness-To-Pay for Country-Of-Origin Labels in Fresh Apples and Tomatoes: A Double-Hurdle Probit Analysis of American Data Using Factor Scores

Data are collected from primary shoppers in Gainesville Florida, Atlanta Georgia and Lansing Michigan using a Vickrey (fifth-priced sealed bid) experimental auction and a survey questionnaire to provide a sample of 311 observations useable for analysis. The average willingness to pay (WTP) for country of origin labeling (COOL) "Grown in the U.S." in apples and tomatoes are calculated then tested for equivalence to assess if WTP is produce specific. A double-hurdle probit model is then estimated to ascertain the prominent determinants of WTP for COOL. Independent variables include demographics, food safety and factor scores derived from a factor analysis of food quality and food preference variables. Results show that on average consumers are willing to pay $0.49 and$0.48 for COOL in apples and tomatoes respectively with 79% of the consumers willing to pay more than $0.00 for apples labeled "Grown in the U.S." and 72% in the case of tomatoes. Premiums are found to be statistically equivalent suggesting that WTP for COOL is not produce specific. The double hurdle probit estimation finds most independent variables insignificant with the exception of the food quality factor scores and consumer trust levels for information they receive from U.S. government agencies. Location, age and income also turn out to be significant factors in the case of the truncated part of the estimation as do food quality and food safety concerns.Consumer/Household Economics,

When Buying Fresh Apples and Tomatoes Will Consumers Pay Extra to Have Country of Origin Labeling?

Consumer/Household Economics,

Participation of Smallholder Farmers in Biofuels Crop and Land Rental Markets: Evidence from South Africa

This study investigates smallholder farmer participation in biofuels-related crop and land rental markets and estimates whether participation is associated with farm income. Multinomial treatment-effects models are estimated using farm household data from 247 South African smallholder farmers. Results reveal, among other things, that receiving price information increases smallholders’ likelihood to participate in biofuels cropping markets by 18% and by 27% the likelihood to participate in biofuels land-rental markets. While not statistically significant, the mean income of smallholders growing biofuels crops is 33% higher than that of those renting land to biofuels firms and 16% higher than that of non-participants

Insights from trends and opportunities in rural Mozambique

PRIFPRI3; ISI; CRP2DSGD; PIMCGIAR Research Program on Policies, Institutions, and Markets (PIM

Evidence from South Africa

Non-PRIFPRI5DSG

IFAD RESEARCH SERIES 61 The narrative on rural youth and economic opportunities in Africa: facts, myths and gaps

A narrative on rural youth in Africa has continued to evolve in policy circles around the world. Much of it is driven by population statistics that point to an imminent youth bulge in Africa and concerns about economic stagnation for the continent. This paper reviews the narrative on rural youth and economic opportunities in Africa, using a set of policy documents from various African countries and regional and international organizations. Since large numbers of African rural youth are predicted to enter the agrifood system in the coming decades, there is a growing need for more investments in African agriculture to enhance the prospects of rural youth. While the evidence does show that African youth are indeed more educated than their parents and previous generations, several constraints on the level and quality of learning in rural Africa are raised