Adjustment and poverty in Mexican agriculture : how farmers'wealth affects supply response

The authors report the results of a study of Mexican farm households using 1991 survey data and a smaller resurvey of some of the same households in 1993. One study goal was to empirically examine the relationship between assets and the output supply function. Using a production model focusing on capital as a productive input, they found that both the supply level and the responsiveness (elasticities) to changing input and output prices tend to depend on the farmer's net assets and on how productive assets are used. Regression analysis using data from the surveys shows that farmers who use productive assets such as machinery tend to be positively responsive to price changes, while those with no access to such assets are not. Another study goal was to monitor the condition of Mexican farmers in a rapidly changing policy environment. The 1991 survey data suggest that farmers with more limited use of capital inputs (low-CI) to grow principally corn and to grow fewer crops, on average, than the others. They aso had more problems getting credit and were less likely to use purchased inputs, such as seeds, fertilizer, and pesticides, or to use a tractor to prepare the soil. They tended to be less well-educated, and their land tended to be of lower quality. Results from the panel data showed conditions generally improving for the average farmer in the sample area between 1991 and 1993, during a period when agricultural reforms were implemented. Cropping patterns were more diversified, the average size of landholdings increased, the average farmer received more credit (in real terms), more farm households earned income from off-farm work, and more farmers used purchased inputs. Asset ownership and educational attainment also improved modestly. The very small low-CI group in this sample fared as well as, or better than, the other goroups. True, their level of educational achievement fell, and fewer of them had off-farm income than in 1991. But their use of credit, irrigation, machinery, and purchased inputs increased more than for other groups. The limited data are not proof of a causal link, but the fact that the goals are being met should at least ensure that adverse conditions are not undermining reform. Farmers that lacked access to productive assets did not respond as well to incentives or take advantage of the opportunities presented by reform and may need assistance, particularly to get access to credit markets. There may be a good argument for decoupling income supports from pricesupports for farmers, since income payments that are independent of the vagaries of production could provide a more stable signal of creditworthiness than price supports do. Possibly reorienting research and extension services more to the needs of low-CI producers could also improve the efficiency with which the sector ajdusts to new incentives. Hypotheses and tentative conclusions from this study will be explored further when more data are collected in 1995.Economic Theory&Research,Environmental Economics&Policies,Agricultural Research,Crops&Crop Management Systems,Water Conservation,Crops&Crop Management Systems,Environmental Economics&Policies,Agricultural Research,Economic Theory&Research,Agricultural Knowledge&Information Systems

The Effect of Social Media Usage on Course Achievement and Behavior

This study investigated the effects of social media usage as a classroom management tool on students’ achievement and their behavior in class. Groups were determined by choosing random samples of different classes. The treatment group included the social media application “whatsapp” which all students and the instructor were asked to join that enabled constant communication and announcements related to class. The control group consisted of the same number of classes taught by the same instructors without using the social media application of “whatsapp.” The control group received communication from the instructor through traditional use of blackboard and email communication. Results of the study showed no statistically significant differences between the treatment and the control groups with regards to course achievement, however, the results did indicate that students in the treatment groups had notably less class absences and missed assignments, which indicated better class behavior. Further, findings related to gender differences and class type are discussed as well as implications of the findings on future research and current classroom management processes. Keywords: Classroom management, Social media in education, classroom behavior, whatsapp

Bridging the Climate Information Gap: A Framework for Engaging Knowledge Brokers and Decision Makers in State Climate Assessments

Large-scale analyses like the National Climate Assessment (NCA) contain a wealth of information critical to national and regional responses to climate change but tend to be insufficiently detailed for action at state or local levels. Many states now engage in assessment processes to meet information needs for local authorities. The goals of state climate assessments (SCAs) should be to provide relevant, actionable information to state and local authorities, and to generate primary sources, build networks and inform stakeholders. To communicate local climate impacts to decision makers, SCAs should express credibility, salience and legitimacy. They can provide information (e.g., case studies, data sets) and connect stakeholders to the NCA and its process. Based on our experience in the Vermont Climate Assessment (VCA), we present a framework to engage decision makers in SCAs using a fluid network of scientific experts and knowledge brokers to conduct subject area prioritization, data analysis and writing. The VCA addressed economic, environmental and social impacts of climate change at local scales to increase resiliency and manage risk. Knowledge brokers communicated VCA findings through their own stakeholder networks. We include a qualitative impact evaluation, and believe our framework for interaction among scientists, knowledge brokers and stakeholders to be an effective structure for SCAs and a transformative experience for students

Importance of Best Guesses in Emergency Situations

During emergency situations, such as natural disasters or the current pandemic, there may not be immediate access to research-based information or information may be nonexistent or conflicting. In such scenarios, Extension personnel may be required to make best guesses based on “what is known so far.” Depending on the urgency of the situation, Extension personnel should draw on opinions and expertise from diverse networks of people and resources before making a best guess. When making a best guess, the Extension professional should follow up to determine whether any information disseminated and recommendations made were correct or not. In either case, the result should be made known

Early Adoption Dynamics Of Private Sustainability Governance Initiatives: A Case Study Of The Marine Cultured-Pearl Industry

We are witnessing a time of unprecedented human impact on the natural environment. Coral reefs, one of the most biologically diverse and productive ecosystems, are at the forefront of enduring these human impacts. Despite widespread recognition of coral reef degradation, counter measures have not reached a scale to offset the threat. The magnitude of this and other environmental issues call for a deeper understanding of the role the private sector can play in sustainable development. In response to environmental pressures and the shortcomings of global-scale governance, private sustainability governance initiatives have developed. In the last decade, these initiatives have flourished, resulting in a diversity of formats including third-party certification, consumer product transparency systems, and industry roundtables. In many industries, these programs compete to define the transformation and evolution of sustainability governance in an industry. This dissertation draws on a case study of the marine cultured-pearl industry to highlight the early adoption dynamics of private sustainability governance initiatives. The marine cultured-pearl industry provides an illuminating case study for the adoption of private governance, based on the potential strength of the positive environmental impact and farm presence in ecologically vulnerable coral reef areas. Yet despite these strengths, no formal sustainability initiatives have developed. This research project explores the early adoption of private governance initiatives through a mixed-methodological, case-study approach. The first study, a quantitative survey of US jewelry consumers, examines the impacts of environmental messages on perceptions of luxury value. The second study assesses the effect of networked legitimacy on producer perceptions in private governance initiatives. The final study investigates the impact of value chain structure on competing private governance initiatives. The research results provide evidence of a strong business case for the development of industry-wide sustainability initiatives and highlights distinctions between the rival private governance initiatives. The US jewelry consumer research shows that consumer messages featuring sustainability standards to protect coral reefs outperform third-party certification on luxury attributes. The marine cultured-pearl producer research highlights the legitimacy advantages of consumer product transparency when compared to third-party certifications. The value chain research indicates that, when compared to third-party certifications, consumer product transparency systems have characteristics that provide an advantage in addressing producer upgrading opportunities. Results from each of the three studies highlight the potential advantages of consumer product transparency systems over third-party certification initiatives in this and other settings. These results helped inform participatory action research to assess alternative pathways for private sustainability governance

Agricultural Development and Value Chain Enhancement Activity II in Ghana: Climate change mitigation co-benefits from sustainable intensification of maize, soybean, and rice

An analysis of the potential climate change mitigation impact of the project entitled Agricultural Development and Value Chain Enhancement Activity II (ADVANCE II) in Ghana shows that an approximate reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of 100% will be possible. When project targets are achieved, ADVANCE II will transform the project area from a low net source of GHG emissions to roughly carbon neutrality. * ADVANCE II is estimated to achieve moderate GHG mitigation benefits that are driven by soil management improvements (-9,223 tCO2e/yr), crop residue burning reductions (-4,249 tCO2e/yr), and alternate wetting and drying (AWD) of irrigated rice (-858 tCO2e/yr). The moderate increase in fertilizer and pesticide use supported by the project leads to small increases in GHG emissions (1,244 tCO2e/yr and 2,514 tCO2e/yr respectively). ADVANCE II provides important benefits for low emission development (LED) by significantly reducing the crop GHG emission intensity (GHG emissions per unit of production). This is achieved mainly through strong growth in agricultural productivity and reductions in postharvest losses

Resilience and Economic Growth in Arid Lands - Accelerated Growth in Kenya: Mitigation co-benefits of herd size and feed quality management

The agricultural development project Resilience and Economic Growth in Arid Lands – Accelerated Growth (REGAL-AG) has promoted improved livestock management that resulted in a decrease in net emissions of 10%. Since emissions from livestock account for the majority of Kenya’s agricultural emissions (95%), reduction of emissions in the livestock sector has high potential impact. REGAL-AG’s interventions have sought to improve links between livestock producers and buyers, to boost producer access to critical inputs, and to increase availability of timely market information, which resulted in a decrease in slaughter age for all livestock types. REGAL- AG anticipated that these dynamics, coupled with the program outreach activities, could result in a 10% decrease in herd size, which drives the greater share of emission reductions. Increases in productivity (50–67%) and decreases in absolute emissions (-10%) that resulted from REGAL-AG’s interventions decreased the emission intensity 33-40% (emissions per unit production) for all livestock types

Chanje Lavi Plantè in Haiti: Hillside soil conservation as a measure to increase yields and sequester carbon in Haiti

Analysis of the potential mitigation impacts of the agricultural development project Chanje Lavi Plantè in Haiti indicated that large amounts of carbon sequestration could be achieved through reforestation and perennial crop expansion. The project’s strategy for watershed and landscape restoration links investments in profitable orchard systems with hillside stabilization. Reforestation of watersheds (–478,828 tCO2e/yr) and perennial crop expansion (– 230,854 tCO2e/yr), drive 98% of the project’s sizable climate change mitigation co-benefits that are foreseen under successful project implementation. Chanje Lavi Plantè’s reduction in postharvest loss contribute to the reduced GHG emission intensity of cropping systems (GHG emissions per unit of production). Interventions are estimated to reduce postharvest loss substantially in these value chains: plantain (– 53%), maize (–47%), rice (–44%), beans (–50%) and mango (–35%). The investments made by the project in irrigation infrastructure, terracing, and forest plantations aim to increase financial revenues of beneficiaries and reinforce the lasting provision of ecosystem services

Rwanda Dairy Competitiveness Program II: Efficiency gains in dairy production systems decrease GHG emission intensity

The Rwanda Dairy Competitiveness Program II (RDCP) was estimated to have resulted in a strong decrease in the GHG emissions intensity of milk production, defined as the GHG emissions per unit (liter) of milk produced. Extensive cattle production systems reduced their GHG emission intensity by an estimated - 4.11 tCO2e per 1000 l of milk (-60%), while intensive production systems reduced their intensity by an estimated -1.7 tCO2e/1000 l (- 47%). The decrease in GHG emission intensity is evidence that RDCP made the value chain more efficient and sustainable in climate change mitigation terms. RDCP’s productivity-oriented interventions increased livestock herd size and cow weight. As a consequence, total annual GHG emissions in the project area increased by an estimated 18,980 tCO2e due to increased herd size and 34,904 tCO2e due to increased cow weight, when compared to business-as-usual practices. This represents a 12 percent increase in GHG emissions. The increase in milk output was proportionally much larger than the associated increase in GHG emissions. This increase in the efficiency of dairy production systems was the basis for a transformation to more sustainable production patterns in intensive and extensive dairy systems

Considering Vermont\u27s Future in a Changing Climate: The First Vermont Climate Assessment

The Vermont Climate Assessment (VCA) paints a vivid picture of a changing climate in Vermont and calls for immediate strategic planning to sustain the social, economic and environmental fabric of our state. The VCA is the first state-scale climate assessment in the country and speaks directly to the impacts of climate change as they pertain to our rural towns, cities and communities, including impacts on Vermont tourism and recreation, agriculture, natural resources and energy