The Impact of the International Agricultural Research Centers: Measurement, Quantification and Interpretation

Issues in Agriculture no. 6 from the series "Issues in Agriculture" published by the CGIAR Secretariat

Characteristics and economic viability of milk production in the smallholder farming systems in The Gambia

Domestic milk production has been for a long time hindered by many factors including lack of interest from decision makers, distorted economic policy and biotechnical constraints. For the last 20 years, many developing countries have been attempting to develop the domestic milk production sector. However, research on the basic realities and the viability status of enterprises within this sector remain largely unproved in many developing countries. This study focuses on the characteristic of smallholder milk producers in The Gambia. Data were collected from 90 smallholder farm households to characterise milk producers and evaluate the profitability and viability status of this activity. Based on current typology of farms and gross margin analyses at farm level, the study identified two resource-based types of smallholder farms. The current milk production system is surely viable. Constraints to increased productivity include lack of improved technology at farm level and weak institutional support. Despite the low viability status, it is shown that milk production generates reliable incomes, which could be a departure for most farmers to intensify farming systems, particularly in areas where no loan schemes exist for purchasing agricultural inputs

Prospective analysis for community participation in trypanosomosis control in The Gambia

The shift towards community participation in the eradication of trypanosomosis calls for investigation the underlying incentive structure for individuals in the community to cooperate in the provision of various control methods. Survey data were used to assess patterns of the community's demand for insecticide pour-ons and trypanocidal drugs and factors affecting individual demand in The Gambia. The results show that insecticide pour-on is strongly preferred. Similarly, farmers revealed a preference for community-based provision scheme. Factors affecting an individual farmer's decision to invest in either pour-on or trypanocidal drugs were highlighted. While there are many factors associated with farmer's decisions to invest in trypanosomosis control methods and to participate in collective actions, the results indicate that farmers are ready to anticipate complete privatization of veterinary services through community-based schemes

Transaction costs and the marketable surplus of milk in smallholder farming systems of The Gambia

The neoclassical economic paradigm views market linkages as efficient mechanisms for trading. However, the validity of this position is questionable, as markets frequently do not possess the structural conditions necessary for perfect competition. In subsistence-farming systems, factors that prevent greater participation of smallholders in markets can be found from the production level to the access to markets themselves. This study investigates the transaction-cost factors operating in smallholder dairy farms in The Gambia. The results indicate that access to market at the farm gate, the number of local cows and the distance to the nearest city increase the likelihood of market participation by producers and the marketing of surpluses of dairy products. Increases in home consumption lead to decreases in sales and of farmers' participation in milk marketing. To achieve pro-poor rural growth, it is therefore essential to address explicitly the low productivity of dairy cattle, low capital endowments and market accessibility for smallholder farmers

Ex-ante economic impact of the biotechnological research on cassava brown streak disease in eastern and southern Africa

Cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) is a major threat to cassava production in eastern and southern Africa. While the conventional breeding approach is being used to address the problem, biotechnology can also be an option. This paper presents results from an ex-ante assessment of returns to biotechnological research to control CBSD in three countries of eastern and southern Africa (Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania) worse affected by the virus. Returns to research can yield benefits as high as US$ 260 million at 10% discount rate over a projected period of 25 years. Mozambique share of the benefits was the biggest because of its largest share in the cassava producing area. Among the parameters used in the surplus economic model for data analysis, the maximum adoption rate has most influence on the results. The other main challenge consists in collecting accurate data to run such analyses. Despite these challenges, biotechnology should be considered as an option in the control of CBSD or other biotic stresses on agricultural commodities in Africa

Targeting agricultural research based on potential impacts on poverty reduction: strategic program priorities by agroecological zone in Nigeria

Growing concern for poverty in the face of declining agricultural research budgets has increasingly required formal priority setting of public agricultural research in developing countries to ensure that scarce research resources are allocated in ways that will have the greatest impact on the poor. This paper assessed the potential impacts of alternative commodity research programs on poverty reduction in three agro-ecological zones of Nigeria and identified strategic agricultural research priorities in the three zones. The paper discusses the poverty reduction-based priorities and their role in facilitating dialogue between research managers and policymakers aimed at sharpening the focus of agricultural research to achieve poverty reduction objectives in Nigeria

Setting strategic agricultural research priorities based on potential impacts on poverty reduction: the case of Nigeria

Declining agricultural research budgets coupled with worsening poverty have increasingly required formal priority setting of public agricultural research in developing countries to ensure that scarce research resources are allocated in ways that will have the greatest impact on the poor. This paper assessed the potential impacts of alternative commodity research programs on poverty reduction and identified strategic agricultural research priorities in three agroecological zones of Nigeria. The paper discusses the poverty reduction-based priorities and their role in sharpening the focus of agricultural research to achieve poverty reduction objectives in Nigeria