Technical Efficiency of Resource-Conserving Technologies in Rice -Wheat Systems: The Case of Bihar and Eastern Uttar Pradesh in India

This study has evaluated the technical efficiency of farmers engaged in rice-wheat cropping systems in North-eastern India, who are using Resource-Conserving Technologies (RCTs) such as Zero Tillage (ZT) and Direct Seeded Rice (DSR). These technology promotions are being carried out under the intervention of the Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia (CSISA) project, primarily funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The resource-conserving technologies are being promoted as part of conservation agriculture supported by the project. The data used in this study have been derived from the socioeconomic surveys conducted in Eastern Uttar-Pradesh and Bihar in North-eastern India during the kharif season of 2009 and rabi season of 2010. A stochastic frontier analysis was carried out to investigate and compare the determinants of technical efficiency among the farmers receiving intervention and those who are not. The study has revealed that farmers receiving CSISA intervention have realized higher levels of technical efficiency. Additionally, farmers who are receiving subsidies and farmers who are planting more diversified crops have higher levels of technical efficiency.Conservation agriculture, Direct seeded rice, India, Resource-conserving technology, Technical efficiency, Stochastic frontier, Zero tillage, Agricultural and Food Policy, O30, Q18, O22,

Economic Analysis of Farm Household Perceptions and Preferences for Salinity Intrusion Risk Reduction in the Mekong River Delta

As a result of three prime compounding factors, sea water is intruding into the Mekong River Delta (MRD). Declining flows, as a result of increasing upstream water use, are a primary cause of sea water intrusion. Climate change-induced sea level rise is a secondary cause. Finally, increased water use due to an expansion in the number of farmers planting three, rather than two, rice crops per year have generally extended the total area of salinity intrusion in the MRD. Adverse impacts of this increased salinity on rice and other forms of agricultural production are now occurring, and are expected to get worse; with severe consequences for local farmers and rural incomes. To address the issue of MRD salinity intrusion various mitigation and adaptation strategies have been proposed. Chief among these strategies is the construction of earthen and concrete sea-dikes along the MRD coast to protect farmland from flooding, and to prevent further salinity intrusion. It has been estimated that, based on the total MRD coastal region length involved, it would require an investment of between US$1.7 and US$4.1 billion to construct concrete sea-dike walls to a height of between two and four meters, respectively. Although the benefit of concrete sea-dikes is significantly higher than their cost, Vietnam like other developing countries is limited in its capacity to fund projects of this nature. Hence, there is a degree of uncertainty for policy-makers as to how best to proceed. It is possible that Vietnam could access international funding to support its strategic construction plans, especially as the need for much of the damage that would be prevented has been caused by others. But if this were achieved, there would be repayment issues for the loans, as well as the ongoing costs of sea-dike maintenance and operation. In this context, it is possible that affected farmers as beneficiaries of a MRD sea-dike construction program, might provide part or all of the necessary funds. This thesis therefore seeks to explore MRD farmer perceptions of salinity intrusion impacts, and their willingness to contribute to the cost of building and maintaining the sea-dikes necessary to protect their livelihoods. The project collected primary data from a sample of 441 farm households, stratified by salinity intrusion impact level. The results provide an in-depth economic analysis aimed at contributing to the research literature, and practical policy advice for consideration by the Vietnamese, other developing country governments, and the broader international community. Two broad research questions were examined in this study: (1) whether or not community-based governance arrangements designed to mitigate salinity intrusion impacts may succeed in developing countries, and in terms of methodology, (2) can inferred valuation (IV) approaches to the estimation of willingness to pay be used to reduce payment-bias impacts commonly associated with conventional Contingent Valuation Methodology estimates of value. The results of the farm households’ perception analysis in Chapter 2 reveal that farm households are aware of the salinity intrusion risk, and have already implemented some adaptation strategies. The analysis offers an understanding of how MRD farm households respond to salinity risk, and farmer perceptions of the effectiveness of any private and public responses. Facing the dilemma of changing traditional paddy-rice farming to aquaculture, livestock and/or other off-farm activities, MRD farm households are seeking more detailed salinity impact risk information from local and central authorities. Notably, additional to impacts on physical health, this analysis found evidence of adverse impacts of salinity intrusion on farmers’ mental health. Chapter 2 also finds that farmers have a strong preference for the construction of infrastructure in order to mitigate salinity intrusion impacts, which allow them to maintain rice farming. These results indicate farm households’ choices are consistent with other climate change perception studies in the literature. Building upon the data collected, this study goes on to recommend some specific local policy proposals to mitigate salinity intrusion risk mitigation, and improve planning arrangements. In summary, local authorities and policymakers are advised to recognize the benefits of making greater investments in awareness programs as they consider how best to construct sea-dikes and the associated hard infrastructure necessary to reduce the adverse effects of salinity intrusion. When making these recommendations, pragmatically it is assumed that the international community and upstream water users in the Mekong River will never be made to pay for the full cost of building the concrete sea-dikes needed to maintain rice production in the MRD; even though they have caused most, if not all, of the need for it. Chapter 3 in this thesis employs a referendum Contingent Valuation Methodology (CVM) approach to estimate farm household willingness to pay for sea-dike salinity intrusion risk mitigation including ongoing operation and maintenance. Interviewee responses indicate that farm households are willing to contribute sufficient funds to reduce any deficit associated with international loans, as well as ongoing annual maintenance and operational costs. Interestingly, and consistent with other studies, our results show that farmers are willing to make a significant cash contribution – even in areas that are unlikely to be affected by salinity intrusion in the next 15 years. Chapter 4 then explores the use of an inferred valuation (IV) method, which can be employed to potentially provide robust estimates of willingness to pay than a conventional CVM. In WTP estimation research, social desirability bias, hypothetical bias, and large private gains can result in over-estimates of willingness to pay. It is reasoned that before settling on a final program, policy-makers would be well-advised to check the robustness of farmer willingness to pay estimates. I therefore use several mechanisms to address hypothetical bias impacts, and explore whether any overestimation has occurred. It is found that the determinants of WTP are broadly consistent across different valuation approaches. However, the IV estimates of willingness to pay were found to be as much as 17 percent lower than the conventional CVM estimations; although it must be noted that these values still account for a very small proportion of annual farm income. Moreover, in real dollar term any disparity may not significantly alter the actual contribution levels by MRD farmers. This may have important implications for the financial viability of salinity mitigation project funding, and any future loan repayment/operational maintenance cost-recovery requirements. Overall, the findings from this thesis confirm that MRD farm households are aware of salinity intrusion threats, and that they are willing to pay for reduced salinity intrusion risks. Significantly, it is found that community financial contributions towards salinity intrusion mitigation projects could be used to overcome any public funding deficit. In passing, I observe that this result could be generally applicable to other developing countries. Chapter 4 also finds that, to mitigate any bias arising from the estimation of stated values for non-market goods, the use of IV methods offers a valuable alternative estimation approach and, arguably, more reliable approach than conventional CVM. Further, involving cheap talk script and provision point mechanism (PPM) payment vehicles as ex-ante instruments also offer effective means to mitigate bias. Future researchers may like to extend from this study in the following ways. Firstly, the survey could be expanded to include all adult members of a household, rather than focusing only on the farm households’ head. More in-depth householder perception analysis would then be possible, as well as the capacity to focus on gender issues. Secondly, it might be useful to expand the survey to other areas of Vietnam where salinity intrusion impacts are also being experienced. Finally, if the policy recommendations for contributions to a mitigation fund are accepted, then it would be important to determine the extent of the gap between stated intentions and the actual contribution households are willing to pay as the program is implemented.Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, The Centre for Global Food and Resources, 201

Vertical and Horizontal Coordination in Developing Countries' Agriculture: Evidence from Vietnam and Implications

Despite policy reforms and the integration of various linkages in rice production by the Vietnamese government, small-scale farmers' (small farmers’) access to the market is limited. A value chain link is a powerful tool for improving small farmers' market access and competitiveness. The benefits of horizontal and vertical coordination on farm household performance were investigated using a dataset of 160 farmers. Twenty-two stakeholders were also directly interviewed to analyze the value chain and farmers' access to markets in the Mekong River Delta, where 75% of people live in rural areas and contribute to 90% Vietnam's total rice production. According to our findings, farmers' profits are higher than in the past and total chain economic value is more efficient when farmers participate in vertical or horizontal coordination. Logit regression revealed that the determinants of farmers' decision to participate in cooperatives are training and expected benefits obtained from cooperatives. As a result, collective actions, such as contracting firms and cooperative engagement, are required to assist farmers in accessing the market. The findings also show that participation in value chain links, coordination, and integration benefits food companies significantly. However, financial assistance and insurance are required to adequately cover farmers' production costs and secure contract firms. Furthermore, a written contract should be made to strengthen the value chain. Cooperatives or farmers' organizations can be used as intermediaries to improve vertical and horizontal coordination by establishing links between small farmers and other market stakeholders

Vertical and Horizontal Coordination in Developing Countries' Agriculture: Evidence from Vietnam and Implications

Despite policy reforms and the integration of various linkages in rice production by the Vietnamese government, small-scale farmers' (small farmers’) access to the market is limited. A value chain link is a powerful tool for improving small farmers' market access and competitiveness. The benefits of horizontal and vertical coordination on farm household performance were investigated using a dataset of 160 farmers. Twenty-two stakeholders were also directly interviewed to analyze the value chain and farmers' access to markets in the Mekong River Delta, where 75% of people live in rural areas and contribute to 90% Vietnam's total rice production. According to our findings, farmers' profits are higher than in the past and total chain economic value is more efficient when farmers participate in vertical or horizontal coordination. Logit regression revealed that the determinants of farmers' decision to participate in cooperatives are training and expected benefits obtained from cooperatives. As a result, collective actions, such as contracting firms and cooperative engagement, are required to assist farmers in accessing the market. The findings also show that participation in value chain links, coordination, and integration benefits food companies significantly. However, financial assistance and insurance are required to adequately cover farmers' production costs and secure contract firms. Furthermore, a written contract should be made to strengthen the value chain. Cooperatives or farmers' organizations can be used as intermediaries to improve vertical and horizontal coordination by establishing links between small farmers and other market stakeholders

NGHIÊN CỨU GIẢI PHÁP PHÁT TRIỂN CHUỖI GIÁ TRỊ MÍT TẠI TỈNH HẬU GIANG

The study aims to analyze the current production and consumption linkages and the value chain of jackfruit in Hau Giang province and propose recommendations in order to upgrade the chain. This study employed the value chain linkage approach of GTZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit – Germany) based on data directly collected from 160 jackfruit farmers and 18 stakeholders in the chain. Results reveal that the jackfruit value chain currently has 14 market channels (classified by 4 grades of jackfruit based on quality). In which, there are two main export channels for grade 1 and 2 jackfruits. While domestic consumption channels are mainly for grade 3 and 4 jackfruits but are quite complicated. In addition, added value and net added value for grades 3 and 4 are also lower than for export channels. Farmers in the two export channels receive the highest profits, but the lowest in the two domestic consumption channels. The proposed jackfruit value chain upgrade scheme is based on the three most effective channels. This is one of the first studies to research Jackfruit in detail and fully calculate initial investment costs and depreciation for perennial. The proposed solutions are expected to contribute to the correct literature on the implementation of the Government's orientation on diversified agricultural development in the Mekong River Delta.Nghiên cứu nhằm phân tích thực trạng sản xuất, tiêu thụ và chuỗi giá trị mít tại tỉnh Hậu Giang và đề xuất các giải pháp nâng cấp chuỗi. Nghiên cứu sử dụng phương pháp liên kết chuỗi giá trị của cơ quan hợp tác kỹ thuật của Cộng hòa Liên bang Đức (GTZ - Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit) dựa trên số liệu thu thập trực tiếp gồm 160 hộ trồng mít và 18 tác nhân trong chuỗi. Kết quả nghiên cứu xác định chuỗi giá trị mít có 14 kênh thị trường (phân theo 4 loại). Trong đó hai kênh chủ yếu để xuất khẩu cho loại 1 và 2, các kênh tiêu thụ nội địa chủ yếu cho mít loại 3, 4, nhưng khá phức tạp, giá trị gia tăng và giá trị gia tăng thuần đối với loại 3 và 4 cũng thấp hơn so với kênh xuất khẩu. Nông dân trong hai kênh xuất khẩu có lợi nhuận cao nhất, nhưng lại thấp nhất trong hai kênh nội địa. Sơ đồ nâng cấp chuỗi giá trị mít được đề xuất dựa trên 3 kênh hiệu quả nhất. Nghiên cứu về khía cạnh chuỗi đối với sản phẩm mít tại khu vực đồng bằng sông Cửu Long (ĐBSCL) hiện nay còn khá hạn chế, ngoài ra, nghiên cứu này còn thực hiện tính toán đầy đủ chi phí đầu tư ban đầu và khấu hao cho cây lâu năm. Các giải pháp đề xuất được kỳ vọng góp phần thúc đẩy thực hiện đúng định hướng của Chính phủ về phát triển nông nghiệp đa dạng tại ĐBSCL

Households participation in waste management program in Mekong River Delta Vietnam: Parametric and non-parametric approaches

Purpose: This study aims to estimate households' willingness to pay (WTP) in the Mekong River Delta for the improvement of solid waste (SW) management and identify factors influencing willingness to pay for the improvement program. Then, based on the results, this research proposed some policy implications for better SW management. Research methodology: The research employed both Contingent Valuation Methodology - CVM employed parametric and non-parametric approaches to estimate WTP and Logit model to identify the determinants of WTP. Results: The results from a random survey of 400 observations from 3 main cities in the Mekong River Delta (MRD)   indicate that households’ willingness to pay level is from 86,000 Vietnamese Dong (VND) to 110,000 VND/month/household for the non-parametric and parametric approach, respectively (US$1 was equal to 22,890 VND on June 30th, 2021). The results also determine the factors influencing the decision to pay for the program, including bid level, households who have already classified waste, households who intend to support the program, and households’ income. Limitations: In future research, survey areas should be expanded to other developing countries in order to compare and provide a base for proposing better waste management programs in developing countries. Contribution: Future studies should apply both approaches to check the consistency of willingness to pay value elicited. Besides, in order to encourage households to participate in the waste classification program, the authorities need to raise awareness and encourage higher-income households to participate in advance

Improving the farmers’ perception on quality management systems

In order to ensure and improve quality in the agro-food sector, quality systems have to undergo constant change: simple end of the pipe monitoring is being replaced by management-oriented regimes (Enneking et al., 2007). Increasing, farmers, too, are required to implement quality systems. A variety of quality assurance systems has been developed for use at the primary production level over the last few years. They differ widely, however, with respect to their requirement levels, regional scope of application, degree of integration into the supply chain or their institutional supports. The aim of this study is to ascertain specific factors that influencing the acceptance of quality management systems at the Pangasius farm level

Cost-Benefit Analysis and Model Preference of Public Transportation in Can Tho City, Vietnam

Bus rapid transit (BRT) systems are cost-effective and efficient transport systems in high-density urban centers. Given the high level of traffic congestion and air pollution in Vietnam, the introduction of BRT is significant due to the ever-growing number of motor vehicles in the country. In this study, we look at the economic viability of BRT in the city of Can Tho. The study adds to the literature on a developing country’s content by calculating the costs and benefits of BRT. A feature of the study is the calculation of the benefits by estimating motorists’ willingness to pay for the shift from motor vehicles to BRT. The results show that the benefits of reducing accident risk, reducing pollution emissions, and avoiding other adverse effects are adequate to offset the costs. Due to its adaptability, BRT is an excellent candidate for consideration in a wide variety of other conventional vehicles. When the local government lacks the financial resources necessary to execute BRT, the choice to invest in BRT may be anchored on the public’s willingness to pay. Therefore, if government implementation seems unfeasible, private partners may engage in its development. This research contributes to the growing literature on implementing BRT projects and the WTP approach by examining the project’s benefits and costs and addressing potential needs

Technical Efficiency of Resource Conserving Technologies in Rice Wheat Systems: Case of Bihar and Eastern Uttar Pradesh in India

This study aimed to evaluate the technical efficiency of farmers engaged in rice-wheat cropping systems in India using Resource Conserving Technologies (RCTs) such as zero-tillage and direct seeding, under the intervention of the Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia (CSISA) project primarily funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The goal of the project is to alleviate hunger and malnutrition as well as increase income and food security for poor farmers living in South Asia. The Resource Conserving Technologies (RCTs) are being promoted as part of conservation agriculture supported by the project. These technologies are designed to reduce the strain agricultural production has on two critical natural resources: water and soil. The RCT technologies are being promoted by the CSISA project in several locations in India, and the main ones are direct seeded rice, reduced-tillage, and zero-tillage. The farmers participating in the study are part of the CSISA project and are located in Eastern Uttar-Pradesh and Bihar in Northeastern India. The data used in this study was derived from a socio-economic survey conducted in these two regions during the Kharif season of 2009 and Rabi season of 2010. A Stochastic frontier Analysis, using the Cobb-Douglas or Translog function form, was performed to investigate and compare the determinants of technical efficiency among farmers receiving intervention and those who are not. Farmers receiving intervention from the CSISA project tend to be more technically efficient than those without intervention

Technical Efficiency of Resource Conserving Technologies in Rice Wheat Systems: Case of Bihar and Eastern Uttar Pradesh in India

This study aimed to evaluate the technical efficiency of farmers engaged in rice-wheat cropping systems in India using Resource Conserving Technologies (RCTs) such as zero-tillage and direct seeding, under the intervention of the Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia (CSISA) project primarily funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The goal of the project is to alleviate hunger and malnutrition as well as increase income and food security for poor farmers living in South Asia. The Resource Conserving Technologies (RCTs) are being promoted as part of conservation agriculture supported by the project. These technologies are designed to reduce the strain agricultural production has on two critical natural resources: water and soil. The RCT technologies are being promoted by the CSISA project in several locations in India, and the main ones are direct seeded rice, reduced-tillage, and zero-tillage. The farmers participating in the study are part of the CSISA project and are located in Eastern Uttar-Pradesh and Bihar in Northeastern India. The data used in this study was derived from a socio-economic survey conducted in these two regions during the Kharif season of 2009 and Rabi season of 2010. A Stochastic frontier Analysis, using the Cobb-Douglas or Translog function form, was performed to investigate and compare the determinants of technical efficiency among farmers receiving intervention and those who are not. Farmers receiving intervention from the CSISA project tend to be more technically efficient than those without intervention.Agricultural and Food Policy, Crop Production/Industries, Food Security and Poverty, International Development, Production Economics, Productivity Analysis,