Diversity, Disparity and Territorial Resilience in the Context of the Economic Crisis: An Analysis of Rural Areas in Southern Spain

This paper analyses territorial resilience in rural Andalusia, Spain, after the impact of the recent economic crisis and identifies the factors associated with the highest recovery rates in different contexts and territories. To this end, we developed a methodology that incorporates the heterogeneity and diversity of rural territories and uses composite indices calculated using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) in order to measure levels of resilience and identify the factors that impact recovery in rural counties. The results reveal how different aspects of economic, social, human, and natural capital promote resilient territorial dynamics in rural Andalusia. These results provide useful information for political decision-makers in the design of public policies, especially at a time like the present when the EU is immersed in debate on the reform of rural development policies for the next programming period beyond 2020

Effect of class size on student achievement in the COVID-19 "new normal"

The COVID-19 pandemic implied measures, such as school closures at the outbreak of the pandemic, that negatively affected children's human capital. However, in some places, the situation later brought a reduction in class sizes, in order to avoid the spread of SARS-Cov-2 at schools. We exploit this unexpected event to evaluate the effect on school performance of a sizable class size reduction implemented in Spain, when schools were reopened. We find a positive and significant effect of the class size reduction of 0.11 standard deviations on overall students performance. Given the situation and nature of our data, we interpret our estimates as a lower bound for the true effect of the reduction in class size. Our conclusion is that the reduction in class size served, on average, to at least compensate the other negative effects for learning. Our findings also point out at the importance of evaluating the quality of the new and unexperienced additional teachers that need to be hired when implementing a general reduction of class size.We are grateful to the Consejeria de Educación y Empleo of the regional Government of Extremadura (Spain) and the employees there that authorized and helped accessing the data. All remaining errors and responsibility for this work are our own. The fi rst author gratefully acknowledge research funding from the Agencia Estatal de Investigación del Gobierno de España, grant RTI2018-095231-B-I00, and Comunidad de Madrid (Spain), grant EPUC3M11 (V PRICIT). There is no other fi nantial sources nor potential con ict of interest to declare

Territorial Cohesión in Rural Areas: An Analysis of Determinants in the Post‐Economic Crisis Context

One of the main consequences of the impacts of the past economic and financial crisis, which began in 2007–2008, has been the increase in inequalities between countries, regions, and territories of the EU. In the rural sphere, these disparities are not only observed in an urban–rural dichotomy, but are also evident between rural–rural territories. In this context, it is relevant to develop research based on the concept of territorial cohesion aimed at overcoming the development challenges faced by different types of rural territories. This paper addresses the empirical analysis of territorial cohesion in the rural areas of Andalusia (Spain), one of the European regions most affected by the economic crisis. To this effect, a methodology was designed that measures the level of territorial cohesion of different types of rural territories and identifies the factors that influence this cohesion in each case. The results show that factors such as employment and innovation, economic diversification, availability of natural resources and environmental quality, or information and communication technologies (ICTs) contribute to territorial cohesion in rural areas

Valoración económica y financiera de los trasvases previstos en el Plan Hidrológico Nacional español

Con el fin de justificar el proyecto de trasvases del Ebro que vertebraba las prioridades del PHN, el anterior Gobierno elaboró y publicó dos trabajos: el primero, titulado “Documento de Análisis Económicos” (MIMAM-2000) recogía un Análisis Coste-Beneficio de dichos trasvases, mientras el segundo, titulado “Estudio sobre régimen de utilización y tarifas” (MIMAM-2003), se centraba en un Análisis Financiero. El presente trabajo recoge un estudio crítico de ambos documentos, con los resultados de los correspondientes análisis alternativos. Respecto al primero se desvelan graves errores en el cálculo de costes y una incorrecta metodología de estimación del valor de oportunidad del agua urbana, desembocando en un balance coste-beneficio negativo. En lo que se refiere al análisis financiero, se desvelan los trucos de “ingeniería financiera” usados por el anterior Gobierno, pero sobre todo se completa el cálculo de costes financieros que en el documento del Gobierno quedaba abortado. Desde el contraste de estos costes a cubrir por los usuarios y las estimaciones del propio Gobierno sobre la capacidad de pago de dichos usuarios se concluye que tras estos proyectos de trasvase subyacía una perspectiva de quiebra financiera inexorable y previsible.valoración económica y financiera, trasvases, Plan Hidrológico Nacional

An Analysis of the Impact of Forest Policy on Rural Areas of Chile

The relationship between the forest sector and the well-being of people that depend on it for their economic livelihoods in rural areas is of strong interest in forest policy. In this sense, Chile has developed a forest policy that has had positive impacts, particularly on economic and productive aspects, but also negative impacts, such as the reduction of natural forest area, biodiversity, and provision of ecosystem services, as well as the increase in social conflicts and land abandonment. However, there are few studies that have evaluated the impacts of forest policy on rural population and development of the territory. Therefore, the objective of this research is to evaluate the impacts of Chilean forest policy on rural communities, particularly in terms of demographic variables and indicators of community well-being. The study area corresponds to the Bio Bio and Ñuble Regions (Chile), and the analysis includes productive, demographic, socioeconomic, and educational characteristics of population. The results show that the forestry policy implemented was able to generate a significant increase in the proportion of forest area. However, when this increase is mainly of the type of exotic forest plantations, it is associated with a demographic and socio-economic detriment of the population in some counties of the study area

Sustainability evaluation of olive oil mills in Andalusia (Spain): a study based on composite indicators

In recent times, the need for food systems that, in addition to being economically viable and socially equitable, use environmentally friendly production processes has made sustainable production one of the olive oil sector's main concerns and priorities. In this context, evaluation of the economic, social and environmental performance of olive oil companies and the design of sustainable management alternatives have become fundamental activities for companies. Thus, this article's main objective is to measure the sustainability of a representative sample of olive mills located in Andalusia (Spain), the leading olive oil-producing region internationally, and to identify its determinants. First, based on data envelopment analysis, synthetic sustainability indices are constructed. Second, truncated regression analysis and bootstrapping techniques are used to identify the determinants of the sustainability of olive oil mills. The results show that factors such as company size, commitment to quality, and manager training and professionalisation are crucial elements for the sustainable development of olive oil mills. These results can be useful for company managers in the design of strategies aimed at improving company sustainability

An Analysis of Irrigation Organizations in Colombia through the Prism of Collective Action

The objective of this article is to deepen the knowledge of collective action in irrigation organizations in Colombia, by identifying the limitations of the members for their organizational work and the variables of context that determine collective behavior. Human and environmental factors have not been sufficiently considered in public irrigation policies, since, in the case of Colombia, these have focused almost exclusively on the physical infrastructure. The methodology develops a qualitative approach based on an ethnographic and quantitative study of the socioeconomic characteristics of irrigation users. The results allow us to affirm that the collective awareness of water is a common good. The vision of the associates about the associative work, the conformation and structuring of the organizations, the nature of the established agreements, and the socio-economic, environmental, and political environment of the organizations studied, are determining factors of their collective action and, therefore, should be taken into account in public policies of associative irrigation

The need for extra-agrarian peasant strategies as a means of survival in marginal rural communities in Mexico

The Mexican agrarian sector is currently facing a series of structural problems that have a direct impact on the potential of agricultural activities that provide rural families with food and economic livelihoods, particularly to those living in marginal rural commu- nities. A total of 132 interviews were conducted with farmers from marginal commu- nities in central Mexico. From the total, 64.2% had decreased their agricultural activity in order to engage in other activities and increase their income. Ninety-four percent (94.7%) of families spend between 50 and 100% of their income on food. The binomial logit model determined that there was a 95.4% probability of a family member securing employment outside the peasant production unit. Despite this, family income does not cover basic requirements satisfactorily. In the current context, peasants are subjected to food poverty and income instability. As a result, they look for livelihood options outside the agricultural activities that only allow them to subsist. It is highly probable that peasant families will continue to implement a variety of survival strategies with increasing frequency, to the detriment of Mexican family units and rural communities. Highlights The structural reforms conducted in the Mexican agrarian sector put at risk the life opportunities of small farmers. Peasants in marginal rural communities are forced to design survival strategies beyond agricultural activities. Factors related to the structure of the production unit, the characteristics of the head of the family, the production and destination of basic grains, and the government support payments, influence the probability of seeking employment outside the production unit. Complementary activities outside the peasant production unit do not enable small farmers to meet their food and other basic needs satisfactorily. It is necessary to advance in the design of more flexible and democratic public support schemes to address the specific problems presented by Mexican small farmers and peasants.The Mexican agrarian sector is currently facing a series of structural problems that have a direct impact on the potential of agricultural activities that provide rural families with food and economic livelihoods, particularly to those living in marginal rural commu- nities. A total of 132 interviews were conducted with farmers from marginal commu- nities in central Mexico. From the total, 64.2% had decreased their agricultural activity in order to engage in other activities and increase their income. Ninety-four percent (94.7%) of families spend between 50 and 100% of their income on food. The binomial logit model determined that there was a 95.4% probability of a family member securing employment outside the peasant production unit. Despite this, family income does not cover basic requirements satisfactorily. In the current context, peasants are subjected to food poverty and income instability. As a result, they look for livelihood options outside the agricultural activities that only allow them to subsist. It is highly probable that peasant families will continue to implement a variety of survival strategies with increasing frequency, to the detriment of Mexican family units and rural communities. Highlights The structural reforms conducted in the Mexican agrarian sector put at risk the life opportunities of small farmers. Peasants in marginal rural communities are forced to design survival strategies beyond agricultural activities. Factors related to the structure of the production unit, the characteristics of the head of the family, the production and destination of basic grains, and the government support payments, influence the probability of seeking employment outside the production unit. Complementary activities outside the peasant production unit do not enable small farmers to meet their food and other basic needs satisfactorily. It is necessary to advance in the design of more flexible and democratic public support schemes to address the specific problems presented by Mexican small farmers and peasants

¿La infraestructura vial colombiana impulsa la competitividad del país?

Durante los últimos 50 años la evolución de la infraestructura vial en Colombia, se ha dado de manera muy lenta por debajo del crecimiento que muestra el comercio internacional, los autores consultados al momento de desarrollar este ensayo dan un visión general de la inversión nacional en infraestructura vial mostrando que esta ha sido muy baja y mal enfocada ya que se ha dedicado mas al mantenimiento de la red existente y de vías alternas en lugar de invertir en ampliación de las vías primarias, en desarrollo de nuevos proyectos o en la integración de las redes fluviales, férreas y carreteables para lograr una optimización de la infraestructura existente, siendo el transporte de carga una herramienta esencial que ayude al mantenimiento de niveles óptimos de competitividad en el desarrollo de la cadena productiva, la poca y desacertada inversión en la infraestructura vial del país ha llevado a que en Colombia se presenten altos costos de transporte que afectan directamente en los precios de producción y costos de importación o exportación de las mercancíasDuring the last fifty years the Colombian highway network infrastructure has been developing very slowly, under the levels estimated by the international commerce. The authors on whom this investigation is based give a general vision of the governmental investment on the highway network infrastructure. They explained that it has been very poor because is only focused on the actual network and the alternate highways instead of being directed to the improvement and extension of the primary roads and the development of new projects such as the integration of the fluvial network and railways. These, along with the (transporte de carga) will help to achieve an optimization of the current infrastructure and to maintain optimums levels of competitiveness in the development of the national productivity. The low and unwise investment on the highway infrastructure of the country has produced high transportation costs which at the same time affect the production costs as well as the prices of imports and export

A Farmer’s Perspective on the Relevance of Grassland-Related Innovations in Mediterranean Dehesa Systems

Grasslands are of key importance for the provision of ecosystem services (ES). Suitable management is essential to guarantee their persistence and functionality. There is a growing interest in innovations such as new technologies aimed at facilitating and improving the management of grasslands while increasing their provision of ES. The uptake of innovations by farmers is a complex process, and relevant socio-economic or technological factors that are crucial to farmers are often overlooked. This information can be useful for increasing the adoption of these innovations through the design of public policies to facilitate them. This paper analyses the relevance of the main innovations that can be applied to the management of the grasslands of Dehesa farms for the farmers and the factors that might affect this relevance. Through questionaries, we gathered information on the relevance that farmers give to the selected innovations and analysed it by cumulative link models. The results show that innovations aimed at increasing the biomass production of grasslands and resilience such as the use of seed mixtures and the use of forage drought-resistant species are considered highly relevant by Dehesa farmers. However, high-tech innovations such as GPS collars were poorly rated which could denote low applicability to the context of Dehesas or the existence of barriers hindering the adoption but also a need for further development and better information on their potential. Characteristics of the farmer and farm such as age, education level, and stocking rate seem to be related to the relevance given to some of the innovations. These results provide insightful information for the implementation and research of relevant grassland-related innovations in the context of Mediterranean Dehesa/Montado systems, as well as for the design of policies supporting them