MANAGING AGRICULTURAL OPERATIONS OVERSEAS: LESSONS FROM THE PAST

The prospect of trade liberalization at both the regional and global level opens up the possibility of increased agricultural investment in developing countries. Such opportunities can be very appealing to developed-country producers who face high domestic costs, particularly for land and labor. Further, foreign investment could be an extremely positive development in terms of using developed country technical knowledge to increase global food production. However putting this experience into practice overseas has not always been successful in the past. The history of expatriate investment in developing country agriculture does not offer many encouraging examples. Often overlooked in the literature of both agricultural economics and management, private investment in large-scale agricultural production, mostly undertaken by agribusinesses, has a poor record. Five case studies examined in this paper offer examples of what goes wrong which such investments. Based on the experience of these operations, it is the thesis of this paper that the main adaptation that these projects might have made is in the role of management.International Relations/Trade,

THE DEMAND FOR PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS: LAND TITLING, CREDIT, AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY IN MEXICO

Land titles can increase agricultural productivity by increasing access to collateralized credit. However, increased credit use depends on the assumption that farmers face asset-based credit rationing. This assumption is tested using data from Mexico's voluntary land titling program. The results do not support the existence of widespread credit rationing.Land Economics/Use,

THE DIFFUSION OF LIVESTOCK BREEDING TECHNOLOGY IN THE U.S.: OBSERVATIONS ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TECHNICAL CHANGE AND INDUSTRY STRUCTURE

Livestock Production/Industries, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

Consumer preferences for table cassava characteristics in Pernambuco, Brazil

Cassava is a major source of carbohydrate for populations in the tropics; however, there is little information about the preferences of consumers toward the quality characteristics of this crop. This paper analyzes the demand for different cassava attributes, and applies the hedonic price method to estimate the values that consumers give to implicit attributes of cassava. The results show that ease of peeling, time of cooking and texture of cassava are the most important characteristics consumers consider when purchasing and consuming cassava. Cassava varieties, root size, ease of peeling and location of the market are relevant attributes in price determination.Cassava, Consumer preferences, Hedonic price, Northeast of Brazil, Consumer/Household Economics,

WHY ARE FARMS SO SMALL?

Farm Management,

Sustaining inclusive collective action that links across economic and ecological scales in upper watersheds

The Sustaining inclusive Collective Action that Links across Economic and Ecological Scales in upper watersheds (Scales) project fits mainly in People and Water in Catchments Theme (Theme 2) of the CPWF. Its goal is to contribute to poverty alleviation in the upper watersheds of the tropics through improved collective action for watershed resource management within and across social-spatial scales. Scales worked though an integrated program of collaborative action research, development, and capacity building in key catchments of the Nile and Andes basins, as well as through synthesis and dissemination of lessons and approaches across basins, and conceptual modeling and analysis. The project was led by the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), and involved 9 partner organization

Livestock and the MDGs

Livestock development is helping developing countries to meet all eight of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. But, inappropriately managed, livestock enterprises can also harm environments, spread infectious diseases and endanger public health through unsafe foods. We can ensure that we make full use of livestock development to reach these major development goals by advocating policies, strategies and technologies that serve to enhance benefits livestock can provide poor communities

Charles Grace Oral History Interview: Polar Bear Oral History Project

Records of an oral history project done with veterans of the American Expeditionary Force, North Russia, 1918-1919 (“Polar Bears”). The collection also contains general background materials pertaining to the Polar Bears. Includes interview transcripts, cassette tapes, articles, bibliographies, diaries, clippings, photographs, microfilm and a book. Accession No.: H88-0239.5 Provenance: Polar Bear Oral History Project Donor: Hope College History Department Photographs: 24 images Processed by: Craig Wright, February 1991 Catherine Jung, April 200

CPA Exam: Correlative Study of Preparation Activities and Exam Results

CPA exam candidate pass rates remain at 50-60% (AICPA 2019b). The purpose of this study was to determine whether there was an association between candidate preparation and exam results. This study investigated inspiration for becoming a CPA, work experience, education, study preparation and earning 150 credit-hours in relation to exam results. The scope was the State of Minnesota. The findings validated the flexibility in work experience and educational requirement guidelines from the AICPA and the State of Minnesota (AICPA 2020; MNBOA 2020). The findings showed 57% indicated CPA inspiration occurred during undergraduate studies while only 20.7% attributed it to faculty. A stronger relationship was found with exam results for those studying full-time while not working, using diverse study tools, and obtaining a higher level of education