Technology adoption and the multiple dimensions of food security: The case of maize in Tanzania

The paper analyses the impact of agricultural technologies on the four pillars of food security for maize farmers in Tanzania. Relying on matching techniques, we use a nationally representative dataset collected over the period 2010/2011 to estimate the causal effects of using improved seeds and inorganic fertilizers on food availability, access, utilization, and stability. Overall, the technologies have a positive and significant impact on food security, but substantial differences between the pillars are observed. Improved seeds show a stronger effect on food availability and access, while - in terms of utilization - both technologies increase the diet diversity and only improved seeds reduce the dependence on staple food. Finally, improved seeds reduce the household vulnerability while inorganic fertilizers guarantee higher resilience. The study supports the idea that the relationship between agricultural technologies and food security is a complex phenomenon, which cannot be limited to the use of welfare indexes as proxy for food security

GM-free private standards, public regulation of GM products and mass media

The paper analyses the factors inducing retailers to adopt GM-free private standards, using information of 44 retailers operating in 54 countries. Retailers are distinguished between those not using genetically modified (GM) ingredients and those using ingredients which are potentially GM in their private label products. Results from a binary response model show that many of the drivers highlighted in the empirical literature, such as historical factors, communication infrastructure and sectorial conditions, affect the likelihood of adopting GM-free private standards. Moreover, we test additional hypotheses from the political economy of standards formation and of mass media. Key results show that a higher share of government-oriented public media reduces the probability of adopting GM-free private standards, while different GMO public standards between home and operating countries increase this probability

Does Common Agricultural Policy Reduce Farm Labour Migration? A Panel Data Analysis Across EU Regions

This paper deals with the determinants of labour out-migration from agriculture across 153 EU regions over the 1990-2008 period. The central aim is to shed light on the role played by CAP payments on this important adjustment process. Using static and dynamic panel data methods, we show that standard neo-classic drivers, like the relative income and the relative labour share, represented significant determinants of the inter-sectoral migration of the agricultural labour. Overall, CAP payments have contributed significantly to job creation in agriculture, although the magnitude of the economic effect is quite small. Moreover, Pillar I subsidies have exerted an effect from three to five times stronger than Pillar II payments.Out-farm Migration, CAP Payments, Labour Markets, Panel Data Analysis, Agricultural and Food Policy, Labor and Human Capital, Q12, Q18, O13, J21, J43, J60,

The role of mass media and lobbies in the formulation of GMO regulations

Mass media are intermediaries between citizens and governments in the formulation of national GMO regulation, and are used by different interest groups in an attempt to influence consumer attitudes and policy outcome. The channels through which mass media influence the public perception towards GM crops and food and the achievement of a political equilibrium to formulate GMO regulations are discussed based on social science and political economy literature. Correlation between indicators of regulation quality, mass media and the restrictiveness of GMO regulations are also shown, distinguishing between developed and less developed countries. Finally, recommendations for communication strategies are derived, taking into account the challenges of modern media and the regulation of new plant breeding techniques

Proceedings of a Workshop on "Nanotechnology for the agricultural sector: from research to the field"

Innovation is at the centre of the EU's growth strategy for the coming decade (EU2020). New technologies and their adoption by EU farmers are essential in maintaining European agriculture competitive in a global world. Within this context, nanotechnology represents an innovative technology with great potentials in many areas of applications as diverse as medicine, biotechnology, electronics, materials science and energy technologies. Furthermore, nanotechnology is showing a great potential in the agricultural sector, in particular for the development of more precise and effective methods for disease diagnosis and treatment in crop plants. The purpose of the workshop "Workshop on nanotechnology for the agricultural sector: from research to the field", held at JRC-IPTS (Seville) on 21st and 22nd November 2013, is to review the state-of-the-art of R&D of nanotechnology for the agricultural sector and to analyse possible markets and commercial pipeline of products. The scope is on nanotech-based products with applications in crop production (e.g. applications in plant protection products, fertilisation, soil structure, nano-sensors for biotic and abiotic stresses). This workshop brought together leading scientists, key stakeholders and experts, in order to promote the presentation of research and industry results and the discussion of experiences.JRC.J.4-Agriculture and Life Sciences in the Econom

Proceedings of a workshop on "Wheat productivity in the EU: determinants and challenges for food security and for climate change"

The Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (IPTS) of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) is starting a new research line with the aim to describe the current situation and analyze the elements affecting wheat yields and wheat farming productivity. To scope the issue, the JRC organised a workshop on "Wheat productivity in the EU: determinants and challenges for food security and for climate change" in Seville on 22nd and 23rd November 2012. This JRC Scientific and Policy Report provides the proceedings of the workshop, that covered the following topics: Session 1: Wheat productivity trends in Europe and world-wide Session 2: Innovation in production factors affecting wheat productivity Session 3: Policies and regulations affecting wheat productivity Session 4: Outlook on wheat productivityJRC.J.4-Agriculture and Life Sciences in the Econom

Agricultural Nanotechnologies: What are the current possibilities?

Nanotechnology is recognised by the European Commission as one of its six "Key Enabling Technologies" that contribute to sustainable competitiveness and growth in several industrial sectors. The current challenges of sustainability, food security and climate change are engaging researchers in exploring the field of nanotechnology as new source of key improvements for the agricultural sector. However, concrete contributions are still uncertain. Despite the numerous potential advantages of nanotechnology and the growing trends in publications and patents, agricultural applications have not yet made it to the market. Several factors could explain the scarcity of commercial applications. On the one hand, industry experts stress that agricultural nanotechnology does not demonstrate a sufficient economic return to counterbalance the high initial production investments. On the other hand, new nanotech regulation in the EU might create regulatory uncertainty for products already on the market and affect public perception. However, recent studies demonstrate that public opinion is not negative towards nanotechnology and that the introduction on the market of nanotech products with clear benefits will likely drive consumer acceptance of more sensitive applications. The rapid progress of nanotechnology in other key industries may over time be transferred to agricultural applications as well, and facilitate their development

Does the Common Agricultural Policy Reduce Farm Labour Migration? Panel data analysis across EU regions. Factor Markets Working Paper No. 28, July 2012

This paper deals with the determinants of labour out-migration from agriculture across 149 EU regions over the 1990–2008 period. The central aim is to shed light on the role played by payments from the common agricultural policy (CAP) on this important adjustment process. Using static and dynamic panel data estimators, we show that standard neoclassical drivers, like relative income and the relative labour share, represent significant determinants of the intersectoral migration of agricultural labour. Overall, CAP payments contributed significantly to job creation in agriculture, although the magnitude of the economic effect was rather moderate. We also find that pillar I subsidies exerted an effect approximately two times greater than that of pillar II payments

Proceedings of a workshop on "Markets for non-Genetically Modified Identity Preserved crops and derived products" organised by the JRC

The Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (IPTS) of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) is currently undertaking research activities in order to describe the current situation and functioning of the markets for non Genetically Modified Identity Preserved crops and derived products. For this purpose, JRC-IPTS organized an International Workshop on "Markets for non-GM Identity Preserved crops and derived products" in Seville on 21&22 June 2012. This workshop brought together key stakeholders in the supply chain, as well as leading scientists and experts active in the field of non-GM IP markets. This JRC Scientific and Policy Report provides the proceedings of the June 2012 workshop, that covered the following topics: Session 1: Situation and availability of non-GM Identity Preserved crops on world markets Session 2: Non-GM IP crops for the EU feed and livestock sector Session 3: EU demand for food products from non-GM IP crops and derived ingredients Session 4: Case studies of the use of non-GM IP crops or derived product for animal or biofuel productionJRC.J.4-Agriculture and Life Sciences in the Econom