A Multi-Criteria Approach for Irrigation Water Management

The major implications that the European Union (EU) Water Framework Directive (WFD) may have in irrigated agriculture were analysed using alternative water policy measures. The consequences of policy change were evaluated in a case study (Baixo Alentejo, Portugal), using a Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) model that simulates farmers’ preferred behaviour. The study compares the effects of water pricing (volumetric and flat tariffs) and consumption quotas, in farmer’s income, water agency revenues, agricultural employment and water demand for irrigation. Model results indicate that the adjustments in farmer’s responses are dependent on the policy strategy enforced and on the policy level.Water Framework Directive, Flat Pricing, Volumetric Pricing, Multi- Objective Programming, Water Management, Portugal,

ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY AND ECONOMIES OF SCALE IN SWINE PRODUCTION: THE CASE OF SANTA CATARINA

Com base em estudo feito pelo Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Suínos e Aves,  da EMBRAPA, com a colaboração da EMATER-SC, procurou-se verificar a relação entre as dimensões dos plantéis das empresas suinícolas de Santa Catarina e os seus custos de produção. A análise indicou que propriedades relativamente pequenas podem conseguir economia de custos, apesar das poucas dimensões do seu criatório. Examinaram-se algumas causas de ineficiência. Entre as causas de eficiência econômica destacam-se: a alocação de mão-de-obra, a produtividade média do capital reprodutor (as porcas) e a utilização das infra-estruturas necessárias.Based on a study conducted by the Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Suínos e Aves of EMBRAPA with cooperation of EMATER-SC a sample of swine production farms, the relationship between size and costs is examined. The analysis indicates that relatively small farms can achieve the cost savings associated with size. Some sources of inefficiency are examined. It was found that allocation of labor, the average productivity of the fixed factor, sows, and the use of production infrastructures are the most important contributors to economic efficiency

A Multi-Criteria Approach for Irrigation Water Management

The major implications that the European Union (EU) Water Framework Directive (WFD) may have in irrigated agriculture were analysed using alternative water policy measures. The consequences of policy change were evaluated in a case study (Baixo Alentejo, Portugal), using a Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) model that simulates farmers’ preferred behaviour. The study compares the effects of water pricing (volumetric and flat tariffs) and consumption quotas, in farmer’s income, water agency revenues, agricultural employment and water demand for irrigation. Model results indicate that the adjustments in farmer’s responses are dependent on the policy strategy enforced and on the policy level