Ag econ angst crisis revisited: a rejoinder

Poverty reduction has been an underlying goal of governments and the development community since the Second World War, but it was the 1973 Nairobi address of Robert S. McNamara, then President of the World Bank, that created a new commitment to directly address poverty reduction in the quest for development (McNamara 1973). More than half a century after the war and close to 30 years after Robert McNamara’s speech, poverty is still rampant in many parts of the globe. Reflections on why this scourge remains, and what we as agricultural economists can do about it, were the driving forces behind our paper with the late John L. Dillon entitled ‘Agricultural economists and world poverty: progress and prospects’ (Rola-Rubzen et al. 2001). The part of our paper that Johnson, Rossmiller and Sandiford-Rossmiller (JRS) have reacted to was deliberately provocative to stimulate thinking on ways to combat poverty. We are pleased that someone has taken the bait. As the two surviving authors, we find ourselves in agreement with much that JRS have written. However, in preparing this rejoinder we have sadly missed John Dillon, especially his broad international experience. We note that in several respects JRS amplify and support some of our points, as well as adding a new perspective of their own, dealing with the new institutional economics. We find it hard to work out just where they differ from us.Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

What attributes do consumers seek when buying vegetables: the case of East Timorese consumers

In recent years, there has been a change in consumer attitudes towards food in general, and vegetables, in particular. Recent health and food scares as well as the increasing concern over pesticide use and food safety have made consumers more selective and demanding in terms of the quality of food. This paper outlines the results of a study on the attributes consumers seek when buying high value vegetables (carrots, snow peas and cabbages) in Timor Leste. The study was conducted in Dili and Baucau, the two major districts in the country. The study found that when buying these high value vegetables, the attributes Timorese consumers seek are that the product is free from physical damage, is fresh, is free from pest and diseases, free from chemical residues and is competitively priced. Furthermore, consumers have a high expectation for producers to meet these attributes

Linking Farmers to Markets: the Case of Zero Star Uni Pessoal

This paper presents a case study of how linkages between horticulture farmers and markets are being developed in Timor Leste, focussing on the case of Zero Star Uni Pessoal. As an approach to poverty alleviation, an international aid agency initiated a private sector development program. Apart from helping farmers increase agricultural production, private sector involvement was encouraged. By strengthening the linkages between Zero Star and farmers, farmers benefited in terms of increasing incomes. Buyers also benefitted in terms of improvements in quantity and quality of the product, and therefore higher returns from trading

Agricultural economists and world poverty: progress and prospects

New development paradigms come and go, seemingly with increasing rapidity, yet poverty remains the scourge of the developing nations. As we enter the new millennium, we fear that still more development fads and fancies will emerge, to be taken up and then dropped by the development community. These swings in fashion bring with them the danger that the ‘basics’ of effective development strategies for poverty reduction will be neglected. In this article, we advance some personal and perhaps controversial views about the virtues of getting agriculture moving as a means of reducing poverty, and about the role that agricultural economists can and should play in that endeavour.Food Security and Poverty,

Review of farmers' markets

Purpose of review: The popularity of farmers’ markets is increasing, yet little is understood about their contribution in developing social or economic benefits for the farmers who use them. This paper reviews the literature on farmers’ markets and the contributions that they make, not only to the rural community but also the urban centres within which they operate, and the various challenges associated with their operation. Main findings: Although there are many advantages of farmers’ markets, the review identifies a clear gap in the research literature relating to the potential impact of farmers’ markets on urban areas and tourism. While most studies have been undertaken in developed countries, research in developing countries is equally if not more important, given the potential role of farmers’ markets in enhancing the economic wellbeing of smallholder producers. Directions for future research: Future research should guide policy makers by providing more evidence on the economic impact of farmers’ markets and the potential for tourism and urban development

Factors constraining extension workers effectiveness in improving horticultural production: a case study from West Timor, Indonesia

The Indonesian government and the government of Nusa Tenggara Timur recognise that horticulture is economically important and is expected to become the leading agribusiness sector to overcome poverty for farmers. Hence, in the last 20 years, the government of Nusa Tenggara Timur through various agribusiness projects has encouraged the planting of more than 18,490 hectares of vegetables and 82,010 hectares of fruit. The major producing areas of both are in the Kupang district and in the Timor Tengah Selatan. However, productivity is low. If production can be increased, on-farm income may also increase, but this is dependent upon Agricultural Extension Workers performing their roles more effectively. This study investigates the constraints that impede the ability of Agricultural Extension Workers to effectively perform their roles. The results suggest that while Agricultural Extension Workers are not performing their roles effectively there are a number of reasons for this, many of them beyond the control of Agricultural Extension Workers. While the Nusa Tenggara Timur province is supposedly following the Training and Visits model Agricultural Extension Workers receive very little training. Other major constraints identified include the constant restructuring of the Agricultural Department, poor remuneration, oppressive authority, inadequate infrastructure, unclear job direction, geographical condition, and bureaucracy. Unless these constraints are addressed, the system will remain unable to deliver the information and skills necessary for farmers to overcome poverty

Factors underpinning improved productivity in the WA wheat industry

Wheat yields in the Western Australian wheat industry have risen by about 3.9 percent per year over a period of 20 years. This has coincided with a decline in growing season rainfall over the grain belt. However, in the last few years yields have been highly variable because of fluctuations in rainfall and because two of the three driest years in the last 70 years have occurred during the last five years. Farm managers, consultants, researchers and research funders need to understand the key drivers of improvements in productivity. Researchers from the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia have conducted intensive research on wheat varieties and management practices needed to achieve high wheat yields. These have been combined into recommendations known as High Yield Packages (HYPs) for the regions of the state. The question addressed in this paper is which elements of these packages have been important and what other factors may have contributed to the improvements in productivity.Using graphical, statistical and regression analysis of benchmark data from PlanFarm Consulting group for 1995 to 2004, supported by in-depth qualitative analysis of 40 case study farmers, and a random telephone survey of 100 farmers, key factors associated with yield increases were investigated. The evidence suggests farmers have increased their water use efficiency since 1995 and that improvements in productivity are associated with nitrogen and phosphorous use, herbicide use, higher seeding rates and management performance. There is also qualitative evidence to suggest that the widespread adoption of one pass operations or no-tillage systems has been an important complementary factor