Agricultural Policy Issues Research Articles

Agroecology Issues in Agricultural Policy and Allied Science Policies in Tanzania

Agroecology Issues in Agricultural Policy and Allied Science Policies in Tanzania

Who (actually) gets the farm? Intergenerational farm succession in the United States

AbstractFarm succession is a central issue in agricultural policy. Yet although many studies explore succession planning, little is known about how farms are actually transferred. We provide the first population‐level evidence on intergenerational farm succession by linking US census records for millions of farmers' children in 1900 and 1910 to identify which children own and operate the family farm up to 40 years later. We first show that daughters are rarely successors. Using a within‐family identification strategy, we find that first‐born sons are slightly more likely than their younger brothers to be successors while their parents are working aged. However, birth order is not predictive of who receives the farm when parents are older or deceased. For later farm transfers, sons who were previously tenant farmers are much more likely than their brothers to be successors, possibly because they are better prepared. Fewer than one‐fifth of farmers transfer their farm to any son. Our study relies on rich historical data because current policy prevents the necessary data linkages for studying intergenerational farm succession. Providing a secure system for researchers to link modern agricultural data to population microdata, similar to what has been achieved with other data sources, would yield crucial insights into long‐term agricultural policy issues in the US.

‘Because it matters’

AbstractBasic economic logic, which often simplifies assessments and explanations of agricultural policy issues, is vitally important in communicating with policy‐makers. Resources are limited, and there is a premium on getting decisions at least approximately right first time. Examples from southern Africa illustrate the importance of parity pricing, and its links to household food security (Lesotho), price risk, the emergence of an agricultural futures market, and its central role in allocating scarce agricultural resources (South Africa). Insights derived from an appreciation of parity pricing are relevant in other national contexts and also help explain how international grain markets operate. The parity pricing concept provides a framework for sense‐checking complicated debates relating to two issues that have been prominent in recent years; first, whether and to what extent speculation in futures markets has been a driver of agricultural price spikes, and second, how far indirect land use change (ILUC), triggered by the use of agricultural feedstocks to produce renewable energy, is a material issue. These issues are likely to be of heightened importance in the face of climate change. Each emphasises that agricultural economics matters, and that it matters that we get the economics right.

Meat or mitigation? That's the question: Storylines in the Norwegian agricultural policy discourse on meat reduction

Ruminant meat (beef and lamb) is recognised as the food with the largest environmental impact in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. Yet reducing meat consumption and production is controversial. Resistance to change has been linked to policy lock-ins and asymmetries in power favouring the agri-food industry. At the same time, agricultural policy has been described as moving towards a post-exceptional, less compartmentalized field where food production is balanced against issues like climate and animal welfare. In this article, we explore how the discourse on meat reduction and greenhouse gas emissions are related to various other agricultural policy issues, using Norway as a case. Investigating the stakeholder submissions to the Norwegian government's ambitious proposal to reduce meat consumption and production in Climate Cure 2030, we identify three storylines in the discursive landscape. The first storyline is ‘It is time to increase production – not reduce it’ which we see as an exceptionalist storyline where arguments for the unique position of the sector contributing to national goals of food security and value creation should prevail. Another dominant storyline is ‘In our country, animal farming is sustainable’, which has typical post-exceptionalist features where nonproducer concerns, such as biodiversity and cultural landscapes, are seen as a net positive result of the grazing animals in Norway. The third storyline ‘The voices of consumers, animals and nature need to be included in policy networks’ also has strong post-exceptionalist viewpoints, but it calls for a radical restructuring of the sector, therefore, we see this as a radical post-exceptionalism. Our findings find little support for radical change, and for now, meat beats mitigation.

External validity of economic experiments on Agri‐environmental scheme design

AbstractThe use of laboratory experiments to study issues in agricultural policy has grown in prominence within the fields of agricultural and environmental economics. Such experiments are often conducted with university students and framed in an abstract manner. This raises questions about whether the findings of these experiments provide reliable insights on the behaviour of actual agents in real settings. We contribute to this methodological debate by analysing the impacts of sample population and framing on behaviour in the experiment and on two policy effects: the direction and the magnitude of the policy impact. We also examine the channels through which differences in results may occur. For this, we test if behaviour is correlated with a set of covariates collected from our samples, including socio‐demographics, social and risk preferences. Our main finding is that the type of subject significantly affects the magnitude of the policy impact. The two populations differ substantially in the representation of key characteristics and preferences, which in consequence affects behaviour in the experiment. We find no significant impact of framing on behaviour.

Europeans’ Attitudes Toward the Goals of Agricultural Policy: A Case of Rural–Urban Divide?

Is there a rural–urban divide in citizens’ views on European Union agricultural policy? We argue that the place of residence influences a person’s attitude toward agricultural policy issues. More precisely, we postulate that rural populations are less likely to view environmental and climate action, and sustainable food production as key objectives of agricultural policy; instead, we hypothesize they are more likely to indicate job growth in rural areas and ensuring a fair standard of living for farmers as key objectives. We analyze data from a Special Eurobarometer survey fielded in 2020 for 24,328 individuals living in 27 European Union member states. Multilevel mixed-effect logit models reveal the place of residence (urban–peri-urban–rural) as a significant predictor of the respondents’ attitudes for almost all dimensions of agricultural policy. The differences are most striking for environmental and climate-related aspects of agricultural policy, as well as for its goal of generating economic growth and jobs in rural areas. From this, we conclude there is a rural–urban divide concerning agricultural policy, which policymakers should be aware of and attempt to address.

Agrarian Reforms and Food Policy Process in Tajikistan

This paper documents the food and agricultural policy process in the context of agrarian reforms in Tajikistan. It uses the case study of Tajikistan and applies a recently developed conceptual framework for understanding the drivers of policy change. It undertakes a historical review of agrarian reforms and appraises current policy challenges within the food and agricultural sector. Using specific tools to study power relations, financing, and information flows in the policy process, it maps institutional architecture and key stakeholders in the pre- and post-soviet era. Information gathered through focused group discussions, key informant interviews, and recent field research on food and agricultural policy issues is used to analyze factors that drive different stages of the policy making process. We find that understanding the political economy and policy process interface in Tajikistan is key for designing and implementing successful policy interventions. While progress has been made, agrarian reforms towards improving land tenure rights, strengthening WUAs, providing crop insurance against drought, are the necessary steps in a larger policy discussion. Ensuring the effectiveness of land reforms, building agricultural extension system, and supporting agricultural research systems are examples of some key initiatives that the government should focus on. Investments in transportation, storage, credit facilities, and markets involving private sector will speed up the reform process.

The integration of environmental objectives in the common agricultural policy\u2014partisan politics in the European Parliament

This study examines the policy preferences of political groups in the 8th European Parliament regarding the design of agricultural policy and the integration of environmental goals therein. Due to the high degree of Europeanization of the Common Agricultural Policy, the analysis of party positions at the EU level is particularly interesting. To what extent are the positions of political groups changing against the background of the increasing public awareness for environmental and animal welfare issues in agricultural policy? By means of a discourse network analysis of the plenary debates on selected policy proposals during the 8th term of the European Parliament, the positions of the political groups in agricultural policymaking are explored. The comparative analysis clearly reveals differences in problem perceptions and preferred policy solutions between the different political groups. Substantive differences are apparent between the EPP on the one side and the Greens/EFA and the GUE/NGL on the other side. EPP members still mostly represent traditional agricultural goals such as food security and income support for farmers, whereas the Greens/EFA and the GUE/NGL deputies promote a change towards a more environmentally and animal welfare friendly agricultural policy. At the same time, the analysis reveals a broad consensus across political groups regarding the general need to increasingly integrate sustainability concerns in the design of the future Common Agricultural Policy.

座長解題(資材価格高止まり・農産物価格低迷下の農業市場と政策課題,2010年度大会シンポジウム報告)

座長解題(資材価格高止まり・農産物価格低迷下の農業市場と政策課題,2010年度大会シンポジウム報告)

農業廃プラをめぐる回収と再生利用の現状と課題(資材価格高止まり・農産物価格低迷下の農業市場と政策課題,2010年度大会シンポジウム報告)

農業廃プラをめぐる回収と再生利用の現状と課題(資材価格高止まり・農産物価格低迷下の農業市場と政策課題,2010年度大会シンポジウム報告)

韓国における種苗産業の変貌と苗生産 : 対日本輸出との関連から(資材価格高止まり・農産物価格低迷下の農業市場と政策課題,2010年度大会シンポジウム報告)

韓国における種苗産業の変貌と苗生産 : 対日本輸出との関連から(資材価格高止まり・農産物価格低迷下の農業市場と政策課題,2010年度大会シンポジウム報告)

農業資材産業における多国籍アグリビジネスのグローバル戦略(資材価格高止まり・農産物価格低迷下の農業市場と政策課題,2010年度大会シンポジウム報告)

農業資材産業における多国籍アグリビジネスのグローバル戦略(資材価格高止まり・農産物価格低迷下の農業市場と政策課題,2010年度大会シンポジウム報告)

肥料原料を取りまく情勢とホクレンの対応(コメント)(資材価格高止まり・農産物価格低迷下の農業市場と政策課題,2010年度大会シンポジウム報告)

肥料原料を取りまく情勢とホクレンの対応(コメント)(資材価格高止まり・農産物価格低迷下の農業市場と政策課題,2010年度大会シンポジウム報告)

農業資材市場と静脈産業(資材価格高止まり・農産物価格低迷下の農業市場と政策課題,2010年度大会シンポジウム報告)

農業資材市場と静脈産業(資材価格高止まり・農産物価格低迷下の農業市場と政策課題,2010年度大会シンポジウム報告)

Agricultural Policy Processes and the Youth in Malawi

Evidence exists which shows growing disillusionment with and disinterest in agricultural-based livelihoods among the youth in Africa south of the Sahara. This disillusionment raises concerns for the future of agriculture for the developing world as it can lead to higher rural urban migration, unemployment and lowered agricultural productivity. The engagement of youth in agricultural policy formulation processes is seen as one avenue for motivating youth engagement in agriculture. This research seeks to develop a contextual understanding of the level of engagement of youth in agriculture thus providing evidence which can be used to stimulate youth involvement in the sector. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study analyzes the determinants of the engagement by southern African youth in agricultural policy processes using Malawi as a case study. Factor analytic results show that four interlinked latent factors determine youth engagement in agricultural policy processes: political patronage, availability of social amenities, access to information and educational services, and physical accessibility of the community. Results of a social network analysis demonstrate that government departments at the local level that are mandated to work on youth issues are the main hubs of information for youth in agriculture, with the Ministry of Agriculture playing a secondary role. Furthermore, the results show that youth in agriculture have little or no direct interactions with each other; and where interactions do exist, they are weak. Therefore, youth remain on the periphery of agricultural policymaking networks, and their role in shaping agricultural policy dialogues is negligible. This is attributable not only to lack of a deliberate government policy to include the youth but also lack of a unified youth platform. Conclusions are that in southern Africa the onus is on the youth to ensure that they are effectively engaged in agricultural policy dialogue. The creation of unified youth platforms for engaging with agricultural policymakers is essential for improving youth engagement in the policy process. Without such platforms, the voice of the youth on agricultural policy issues will remain barely audible among the cacophony of voices of other agricultural stakeholders.

Expert opinion‐based relative landscape isolation maps for badgers across England and Wales

Landscape epidemiological studies often produce maps that visualise spatial variation in disease incidence or prevalence. Within England and Wales a component of the spatial variation in the incidence of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is endemic infection in the European badger (Meles meles) population. This reservoir of infection presents a major obstacle to control and eradication of the disease in cattle, which is currently one of the major issues in agricultural policy in England and Wales. Previous bTB maps have considered the distribution and abundance of badgers, but there is recognition in epidemiology that other landscape characteristics that may relate to disease risk need to be considered. Landscape isolation is particularly relevant for management of disease in wildlife hosts, and especially for bTB in badgers, as the potential for badgers to disperse into and out of areas under management affects the success of culling, and possibly also the success of vaccination. To map the relative levels of landscape isolation for badgers, we used expert opinion of landscape obstacles to dispersal to apply a continuous surface catchment area approach, which is based on the concept of landscape connectivity and the technique of least‐cost modelling. Our results indicate that some parts of the landscape are relatively more or less isolated than others. This finding is directly relevant in the context of potential bTB management strategies, and we hope this will encourage collation of data designed to quantify the degree of landscape isolation for wildlife disease hosts, and encourage its consideration when formulating and assessing disease management strategies.

Should the United States eliminate unilateral sanctions prohibiting food trade

This paper investigates sanctions from the point-of-view of the agricultural sector. Specifically the paper examines whether the US should eliminate unilateral sanctions prohibiting food trade with certain other countries. The model assumes that farm operators maximize an inter-temporal profit function. The paper concludes that taking a broad view of agricultural policy issues may be challenging if the perceived benefits seem distant. Nevertheless taken in their entirety the results suggest that agricultural producers in New Jersey perceive positive benefits from removal of sanctions prohibiting food trade.

Impact of integrated pest management on food and horticultural crops in Africa

AbstractIn sustainable agricultural development, integrated pest management (IPM) can play a key role in the reduction of crop losses, thereby increasing productivity while minimizing environmental contamination and health hazards. In recent years, agricultural research and development partners have pioneered outstanding contributions in IPM, notably in varietal resistance against pests, biological control of alien invasive species, substitution of inorganic pesticides with biopesticides, new export market opportunities, and new tools in biotechnology. Success stories are not limited to these areas, but are also found in the areas of human capital development, information management, and participatory approaches. The potential of IPM to contribute to poverty alleviation and food security is, however, poorly realized in Africa due to a myriad of factors, including inadequate deployment of high‐yielding crop varieties, harmful pesticide regimes, political instability, conflicts in social values and civil wars, inappropriate agricultural policies, biased global trade policies, lack of market information, and poor rural infrastructures. Few African countries have adopted IPM as the official national crop protection policy and there is no framework for resource allocation to support widespread promotion of research and training in IPM. This calls for reshaping and revisiting a number of policies related to food production and agricultural development, in order to encourage partnership and participation in the identification, analysis, advocacy, and follow‐up of agricultural policy issues as well as public awareness of the effect of pests and diseases on food security and the environment.

Enlargement and Agricultural Policy Issues on the EU Agenda - Prospects of the Coming Danish Presidency

The author gives a brief overview of the institutional and financial criteria of EU enlargement, covered by the Treaty of Nice and Agenda 2000. He presents the Danish point of view for the purpose of the coming Danish presidency of the EU in the second half of 2002. Within the financial negotiations the author puts special emphasis on agricultural financing and the reforming of the CAP. He stresses that neither co-financing, nor “re-nationalisation” of agricultural development is a liable alternative, the Danish point supports common financing. Particular importance is attached to the problem of food safety after enlargement, the sustainability of which is considered a top priority. The author sees a realistic balance of the candidates' and the members' interests, and hope to welcome the most developed candidate countries in the community the soonest possible.

Dynamic Perspectives on Agricultural Policy Issues

Among the innovators, Fred Waugh was one of the most prolific. He made pioneering contributions in linear programming, statistics and econometrics, demand analysis, the welfare effects of price risk, and the analysis and explanation of commodity cycles. As a research leader, mentor and teacher at the USDA, he left his mark on the work of later generations of researchers. I find myself no exception, as will become clear from what I have to say in this paper. Even though I never met him in person, my work has been influenced by what he wrote and by what his students wrote and taught. Among the many topics that interested Waugh were the dynamics of free market behavior and the implications for policy formation. In this paper I consider models of markets in which the dynamics run in two directions, forward from current conditions to expectations of future prices, and back from price expectations to current decisions. Both types of linkages can be crucial in competitive models of agricultural production, in which land has a prominent role as the quintessential fixed asset. A central challenge of market analysis from Waugh's time till now has been to infer from market observations whether markets are behav-