Subsidy Program Research Articles

Analisis Realiasi Penerimaan Program Bantuan Pemerintah terhadap Kemiskinan di Desa Lumban Tobing, Kecamatan Doloksanggul

Lumban Tobing Village, Doloksanggul District is located in North Sumatra Province which is the capital of Humbang Hasundutan Regency in Indonesia. The variations quality of life conditions in Lumbang Tobing Village causes variations in poverty conditions in this area. This research aims to determine the condition of poverty in Lumban Tobing Village and formulate a comprehensive poverty program hatching program in Lumban Tobing Village. The method used in this research is descriptive research using a qualitative approach. By using as many as 19 family cards, subjects or as many as 254 families receiving aid were recorded. Research conditions show that poverty conditions in Lumban Tobing Village vary due to different livelihoods, age levels of household heads and limited human resources. The method of poverty in question is the provision of subsidy program assistance in the form of BLT, BST, BPNT, PHK and basic food supplies.

Government fertilizer subsidies, input use, and income: The case of Senegal

Most Sub-Saharan countries implement input subsidy programs (ISPs) in an attempt to increase fertilizer use, crop yields and farmers’ income and to improve household food security. Senegal is no exception and has had an ISP in place for the last 15 years. This article assesses how access to subsidized fertilizer under the ISP is associated with changes in fertilizer and manure use and gross margin. Using household-level data from two agroecological zones, we employ an endogenous switching regression framework to control for the potential endogeneity of access to subsidized fertilizer. We find that access to subsidized fertilizer is associated with an increase in the total use of fertilizer of +39 % but also with a reduction in the use of commercial fertilizer of 18 %. Access to subsidized fertilizer is also associated with a reduction in the likelihood of using manure of 5 % and an increase in farmers’ total gross margin of 11 %. Results are heterogeneous across agroecological zones, with a strong crowding-out of commercial fertilizer where widely available to farmers. In this case, revising the design of the ISP could lead to improved efficiency.

The Impact of Government Subsidies on Entrepreneurial Activities

Purpose: The objective of this study was to look into the impact of government subsidies on entrepreneurial activities.
 Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library.
 Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to government subsidies and entrepreneurial activities. Preliminary empirical review revealed that that government subsidies played a crucial role in stimulating entrepreneurial activities by addressing barriers such as access to finance and technology. However, the effectiveness of subsidies varied depending on factors such as subsidy design and institutional context. While some subsidy programs showed positive outcomes in terms of promoting innovation and economic growth, others faced challenges such as bureaucratic inefficiencies. The study highlighted the importance of tailored subsidy design, transparency, and complementary policies for maximizing the impact of subsidies on entrepreneurship.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Resource Based theory, Agency theory and Institutional theory may be used to anchor future studies on the impact of government subsidies on entrepreneurial activities. The study made several recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of government subsidies in promoting entrepreneurship. These recommendations included tailoring subsidy programs to address specific needs, enhancing access to finance, strengthening entrepreneurial ecosystems, improving the regulatory environment, promoting inclusive entrepreneurship, and encouraging innovation and risk-taking. By implementing these recommendations, policymakers aimed to create a supportive environment for entrepreneurs to thrive, foster innovation, and drive economic growth and development.
 Keywords: Government Subsidies, Entrepreneurial Activities, Effectiveness, Tailoring Programs, Access to Finance, Entrepreneurial Ecosystems, Regulatory Environment, Inclusive Entrepreneurship

The subsidy program for diesel oil prices for fishing vessels and its impacts on the labor market and fish production in Brazil

The fishing industry worldwide has historically been leveraged by government subsidies. In Brazil, one of the main subsidies for this sector is the Subsidy Program for the Price of Diesel Oil for Fishing Vessels (PSPO). According to the ordinances published in the Federal Official Journal (DOU), the transfers allocated to this policy from 1997 to 2019 exceeded USD 483 million in subsidized oil. However, the economic, social, and environmental impacts of this type of subsidy are controversial. Regarding the effects on the labor market, there is limited evidence, particularly within the national literature, and the results do not indicate any influence of the program on the number of establishments or formal jobs in the fishing sector. Moreover, there is no indication of an impact on the increase in extractive fish production. These findings support the notion that these financial resources might be used to cover inherent costs of fishing activities, ensuring artificial profitability within a relatively stable production. This occurs in a renewable natural resource that displays signs of depletion.

The impact of smart input subsidy program on farm productivity: Evidence from Tanzania

Policymakers have a renewed interest in input subsidy programs in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the evidence of the program's impact is mixed. This paper uses the case of Tanzania's National Agricultural Input Voucher Scheme (NAIVS) to examine its effect on farm productivity. To account for the endogeneity problem arising from the non-random targeting of beneficiaries, this study employed a staggered difference-in-differences approach with a double robust estimator method on a three-wave panel survey. This approach is relevant because the treatment variable—NAIVS participation was gradually rolled out to households over multiple periods and groups. The results do not show evidence that the NAIVS program increased farm productivity. However, the group aggregate effects suggest that the group initially treated in 2010 experienced a positive and significant impact on maize production and income. This could indicate that during the early stages of the NAIVS program, extra effort was likely invested to ensure its effectiveness. Furthermore, the heterogeneous effect of farm size reveals that the NAIVS program increased the participation of beneficiary households with large-scale farms rather than small-scale farms. This suggests that the program did not effectively target resource-poor households. Finally, this paper calls for effective targeting and careful implementation of programs to improve farmer productivity.

Federal Business Subsidies: Explosive Growth Since 2014

Federal business subsidies have risen 140 per cent over the nine years ending in 2023–24, compared to 17 per cent over the previous nine years. New programs accounted for over half the growth. Clean economy measures, which rose $7 billion from 2014–15 to 2023–24, were the major contributor to growth in new programs. Even without the new climate change measures, business subsidies would have doubled over the period. Subsidies are likely to reach about $50 billion in 2027–28, which would represent 54 per cent of corporate income tax revenue, up from 42 per cent in 2014–15. Other key findings are: Small and medium-sized enterprises benefit disproportionately from subsidies. These firms account for about half of output in Canada but receive approximately two-thirds of business subsidies. Clean economy measures account for almost a fifth of business subsidies. The agri-food sector receives the second largest share, approximately 15 per cent, which is substantial relative to its four per cent output share. Business subsidies are concentrated in a small number of programs. In the current fiscal year, the top 10 programs (out of almost 150 programs) account for almost 60 per cent of subsidies, and the top 20 for almost 80 per cent. Spending programs account for a surprisingly small share of business subsidies — approximately 30 per cent in the current fiscal year. The tax system is the most important delivery mechanism (45 per cent), while government business enterprises and refundable tax credits account for just over 10 per cent each. What are taxpayers getting in return for the massive spending on subsidies? They are certainly getting more of the activities that are being subsidized and less of the activities that arenot. However, this change in the composition of economic activity won’t necessarily improve well-being because market prices generally allocate society’s scarce resources to their best uses. That is, if markets are functioning properly, subsidies harm rather than help economic performance. On the other hand, if subsidy programs address a market failure, the resulting reallocation of activity may be more efficient. Federal business subsidies that have the potential to improve economic performance, or more generally, to enhance well-being, because they address a market failure accounted for 64 per cent of business subsidies in 2023–24. However, measures accounting for about two-thirds of this spending fail a benefit-cost test — they are not successful in raising Canadians’ real income. These programs should be reviewed to determine if they can be restructured to deliver a positive net benefit. If not, they should be eliminated. Measures accounting for 36 per cent of total spending in 2023–24 are not intended to correct a market failure and are therefore transferring income from one group of Canadians to another while harming economic performance. These measures include general business subsidies and initiatives providing income support. These measures should be carefully reviewed to determine if their income redistribution effects can be justified in the context of the real income loss they cause. Since 2019–20, subsidies implemented to mitigate the impact of climate change and to creategood jobs by subsidizing high-productivity, high-wage industries have grown in importance andwill continue to do so. Climate change mitigation measures should only be implemented if they complement carbon pricing, the government’s main and most cost-effective instrument for reducing emissions. If they meet this minimum condition, climate change mitigation measures should be assessed based on their relative cost-effectiveness in reducing emissions. The proposition that subsidies intended to create good jobs are sound public policy is controversial. The impact of these measures should be tested against the data before additional funds are committed.

Subsidized gestational diabetes mellitus screening and management program in rural China: a pragmatic multicenter, randomized controlled trial

BackgroundThe increasing prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a major challenge, particularly in rural areas of China where control rates are suboptimal. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a GDM subsidy program in promoting GDM screening and management in these underserved regions.MethodsThis multicenter, randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted in obstetric clinics of six rural hospitals located in three provinces in China. Eligible participants were pregnant women in 24–28 weeks’ gestation, without overt diabetes, with a singleton pregnancy, access to a telephone, and provided informed consent. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the intervention or control groups using an internet-based, computer-generated randomization system. The intervention group received subsidized care for GDM, which included screening, blood glucose retesting, and lifestyle management, with financial assistance provided to health care providers. In contrast, the control group received usual care. The primary outcomes of this study were the combined maternal and neonatal complications associated with GDM, as defined by the occurrence of at least one pre-defined complication in either the mother or newborn. The secondary outcomes included the GDM screening rate, rates of glucose retesting for pregnant women diagnosed with GDM, dietary patterns, physical activity levels, gestational weight gain, and antenatal visit frequency for exploratory purposes. Primary and secondary outcomes were obtained for all participants with and without GDM. Binary outcomes were analyzed by the generalized linear model with a link of logistic, and odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported. Count outcomes were analyzed by Poisson regression, and incidence rate ratios with 95% CIs were reported.ResultsA total of 3294 pregnant women were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n = 1649) or the control group (n = 1645) between 15 September 2018 and 30 September 2019. The proportion of pregnant women in the intervention group who suffered from combined maternal and/or neonatal complications was lower than in the control group with adjusted OR = 0.86 (0.80 to 0.94, P = 0.001), and a more significant difference was observed in the GDM subgroup (adjusted OR = 0.66, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.95, P = 0.025). No predefined safety or adverse events of ketosis or ketoacidosis associated with GDM management were detected in this study. Both the intervention and control groups had high GDM screening rates (intervention: 97.2% [1602/1649]; control: 94.5% [1555/1645], P < 0.001). Moreover, The intervention group showed a healthier lifestyle, with lower energy intake and more walking minutes (P values < 0.05), and more frequent blood glucose testing (1.5 vs. 0.4 visits; P = 0.001) compared to the control group.ConclusionIn rural China, a GDM care program that provided incentives for both pregnant women and healthcare providers resulted in improved maternal and neonatal health outcomes. Public health subsidy programs in China should consider incorporating GDM screening and management to further enhance reproductive health.Trial registrationChina Clinical Trials Registry ChiCTR1800017488. https://www.chictr.org.cn/

Recovering farming supply chains from animal epidemics via government subsidies

In recent years, animal epidemics – such as African swine fever and bird flu – break out more frequently in both developed and developing economies, causing serious economic losses and animal product shortages. To restore animal product supply, many governments offer two agricultural subsidies to farms: (i) the culling compensating subsidy (CCS), which guarantees a floor price for culled animals, and (ii) the scaled construction subsidy (SCS), which supports large-scale farms to enhance their production capacities. We develop a three-stage Stackelberg game framework to capture the strategic interactions among the government, large- and small-scale farms. In particular, the two types of farms differ in their epidemic prevention and control capabilities and must operate under yield uncertainty. We study two cases regarding whether the government requires a minimum BS for the SCS. In each case, we analyze the equilibrium decisions of the profit-seeking farms and characterize the structure of the government’s optimal subsidy programs with an earmarked budget to maximize social welfare. Moreover, we identify the conditions under which the government should adopt the “SCS only strategy”, “CCS only strategy”, or offer the two subsidies simultaneously. Furthermore, we examine the effectiveness of the subsidy programs in terms of consumer surplus, farms payoffs, and social welfare. We show that in both cases, these programs can make the three stakeholders achieve a win–win–win situation by prioritizing a reasonable CCS according to the subsidy budget. We leverage our analyses to offer insights that can help generate policy recommendations for stakeholders in countries suffering from animal epidemics.

A Comparison of the Effectiveness of SMEs and Cooperative Subsidy and grant Programmes: Evidence from South Africa

A Comparison of the Effectiveness of SMEs and Cooperative Subsidy and grant Programmes: Evidence from South Africa

The political economy of financing climate policy — Evidence from the solar PV subsidy programs

We analyze the political impact of a generous solar panel subsidization program. Subsidies far exceeded their social benefit and were partly financed by new taxes on adopters and by electricity surcharges for all consumers. We use local panel data from Belgium and find a decrease in votes for government parties in municipalities with high adoption rates. This shows that the voters’ punishment for a costly policy exceeded the potential reward by adopters who received generous subsidies. Further analysis indicates that punishment mainly comes from non-adopters, who change their vote towards anti-establishment parties.

'Hospitals Are Medicine and More….' An Assessment of Subsidised Health Insurance Beneficiaries' Experience in Western Kenya

Financial protection remains an important hurdle to overcome if Universal Health Coverage is to be achieved in sub-Saharan Africa. An innovative model of subsidised health insurance to vulnerable households was implemented in one level four and two primary health care facilities in Western Kenya. The project aimed to determine whether reduced insurance costs, socioeconomic empowerment, and the availability of drugs would improve patients' experience and encourage them to co-pay. This was a secondary analysis of a mixed methods study with a cross-sectional household survey consisting of 18 semi-structured interviews conducted with NHIF subsidy program beneficiaries. Most beneficiaries accessed care as a result of the program. However, challenges of stockouts and inadequate healthcare workers persisted and discouraged some of them from going to the participating facilities. Community Health Promoters were very instrumental in enlightening the community on the cover and getting the sick beneficiaries to go to the hospital. The socioeconomic empowerment programme was beneficial but was mostly long-term and required financial input from the community members before they could sell the poultry or agricultural produce. Most community members were willing to pay after receiving health services using the cover. The study recommends contextualisation of socioeconomic empowerment programs, which are very important in enabling families to generate income to pay for health insurance. Additionally, improving the service delivery experience is important by reducing stockouts, having sufficient healthcare workers, and eliminating facility-related delays, which would improve the confidence of communities in public health facilities, thus retaining health insurance

Associations Between Annual Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy Loss and Prescription Drug Spending and Use

The Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy (LIS) program provides millions of beneficiaries with drug plan premium and cost-sharing assistance. The extent to which LIS recipients experience subsidy losses with annual redetermination cycles and the resulting associations with prescription drug affordability and use are unknown. To examine how frequently annual LIS benefits are lost among Medicare Part D beneficiaries and how this is associated with prescription drug use and out-of-pocket costs. In this cohort study of Medicare Part D beneficiaries from 2007 to 2018, annual changes in LIS recipients among those automatically deemed eligible (eg, due to dual eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid) and nondeemed beneficiaries who must apply for LIS benefits were analyzed using Medicare enrollment and Part D event data. Subsidy losses were classified in 4 groups: temporary losses (<1 year); extended losses (≥1 year); subsidy reductions (change to partial LIS); and disenrollment from Medicare Part D after subsidy loss. Temporary losses could more likely represent subsidy losses among eligible beneficiaries. Multinomial logit models were used to examine associations between beneficiary characteristics and subsidy loss; linear regression models were used to compare changes in prescription drug cost and use in the months after subsidy losses vs before. Analyses were conducted between November 2022 and November 2023. Subsidy loss at the beginning of each year among subsidy recipients in December of the prior year. The main outcomes were out-of-pocket costs and prescription drug fills overall and for 4 classes: antidiabetes, antilipid, antidepressant, and antipsychotic drugs. In 2008, 731 070 full LIS beneficiaries (17%) were not deemed automatically eligible (39% were aged <65 years; 59% were female). Nearly all beneficiaries deemed automatically eligible (≥99%) retained the subsidy annually from 2007 to 2018, compared with 78% to 84% of nondeemed beneficiaries. Among nondeemed beneficiaries, disabled individuals younger than 65 years and racial and ethnic minority groups were more likely to have temporary subsidy losses vs none. Temporary losses were associated with an average 700% increase in out-of-pocket drug costs (+$52.72/mo [95% CI, 52.52-52.92]) and 15% reductions in prescription fills (-0.58 fills/mo [95% CI, -0.59 to -0.57]) overall. Similar changes were found for antidiabetes, antilipid, antidepressant, and antipsychotic prescription drug classes. Beneficiaries who retained their subsidy had few changes. The conclusions of this cohort study suggest that efforts to help eligible beneficiaries retain Medicare Part D subsidies could improve drug affordability, treatment adherence, and reduce disparities in medication access.

Addressing Annual Losses in Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy Program

Addressing Annual Losses in Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy Program

Problems and Impacts of Taiwan’s Prosthesis Subsidy Policy: A User-Centered Perspective

義肢對於截肢者而言，是非常重要的生活輔具。隨著身心障礙者權益保障法令的進展，我國輔具政策於2012年產生重大轉變，強調從社會環境與結構理解身心障礙者個別化需求，為個人量身訂製適合的輔具服務。然而，從服務使用者經驗來看，卻與政策立意有許多斷裂、矛盾之處。為了解社會局所提供義肢費用補助制度的問題，以及伴隨這些制度缺失所產生的影響，本研究從下肢義肢使用者觀點出發，以質性研究方法，訪談八位曾申請社會局核發義肢補助費用的服務使用者、一位輔具評估人員以及兩位義肢公司業務員。研究發現我國社補義肢給付制度從提出申請、需求評估、到補助內容與核銷，皆有未盡完善之處，導致原本立意良善且支出龐大的福利服務未能充分發揮效能，且對服務使用者產生以下四種負面影響：（一）工作選擇與活動範圍受限；（二）有損身心健康與外在形象；（三）被迫成為非法福利盜竊者；（四）易淪為不平等權力關係下的受害者。最後，本研究針對以上問題，提出具體改進建議，以求輔具福利服務更貼近身障者需求。Prosthetic devices are pivotal in improving quality of life for individuals with amputations. Over the years, Taiwan has progressively developed policies surrounding persons with disabilities, including a notable change to assistive devices policy in 2012. This change, centered around a social model of disability, was made to prioritize the individual needs of those with disabilities and offer specialized assistive device services. However, despite good intentions and significant funding, this welfare policy is perceived by service users as problematic and at odds with its purported goals. Therefore, to better understand Taiwan&amp;rsquo;s prosthetic subsidy program, impacts, and defects, this study used qualitative research methods to examine the perspectives of lower limb prosthetic users through indepth interviews with eight prosthetic subsidy service users, one prostheses assessor, and two prostheses sales representatives. Findings from these interviews indicate systemic deficiencies throughout the subsidy application process, the needs assessment, the determining of subsidy scope, and reimbursement procedures. Such deficiencies were shown to negatively impact service users in four significant ways: 1. by imposing limitations at work and in daily activities; 2. by causing physical, mental, and cosmetic harm; 3. by pressuring users into committing welfare fraud; 4. by subjecting users to unequal power dynamics. Finally, this study offers user-centered policy recommendations to address the aforementioned issues and create services that effectively cater to the needs of people with disabilities.

Incentivizing compliance behaviors with investment goods in pandemic preparedness and resilience

ABSTARCT To understand non-compliance behaviors in investment goods in pandemic preparedness and resilience, we resort to a form of bounded rationality that people suffer from a lack of self-control due to “present bias”, and differ in their sophistication levels (the degree to which they are aware of such compliance barriers). We focus on (i) the manufacturer’s pricing strategy under an advance selling framework, and (ii) the subsidy policy to mitigate under-adoption, to generate operational insights. We show that subsidizing the manufacturer is more cost-effective than subsidizing consumers, because the latter subsidy will not fully trickle down to consumers when the manufacturering manipulates prices in response. In particular, when the subsidy program is budget-constrained, the manufacturer subsidy should be provided only in the spot period. In contrast, when the budget constraint is relaxed, subsidies in both periods should be provided. Surprisingly, such a subsidy program has non-monotone impacts on consumers’ adoption quantities. Intuitively, this is because the spot-period subsidy induces consumers’ non-compliance behaviors in the advance period. In response, the manufacturer/seller will shift to a pricing strategy that may further reduce the advance-selling quantity. This result provides a natural explanation to reconcile the mixed effects of adoption subsidies.

Constrained cooking energy choices in Tanzania: why urban dwellers cling on dirty even where clean energy alternatives are accessible?

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine households’ behavior towards dirty cooking energy utilisation in an environment where relatively higher accessibility to clean energy is noted. Although the low utilisation rate of clean energy can partly be attributed to utility gains anticipated in dirty energy mixes (DEMs) arising out of accessibility constraints, affordances and enablers, it is still unclear on the extend at which each of these contributes towards DEMs manifestation among the seemingly well-to-do households with higher levels of clean energy mixes (CEM) access. This study, therefore, hinges on scrutinising on this lower utilisation patterns despite a seemingly higher accessibility of CEMs, specifically liquified petroleum gases (LPG). Design/methodology/approach The study is based on a household’s survey that was carried out in 2018, reaching a sample of 393 households using questionnaires in four wards of the Kigamboni district in Tanzania. Subsequent analyses were descriptive as well as inferential based on binary logistic regression analysis where utilisation of DEMs was predicted for both the high and low social economic status (SES) households by incorporating accessibility constraints, affordances and enablers. Findings The results show, first, if one assumes energy stacking is not an issue, as households become more constrained towards CEMs utilisation, they shift towards DEMs suggesting that the overall effect is a substitution, and second, the complementarity effect ultimately outweighs the substitution effect as households do not shift from DEMs to CEMs rather stack multiple energy. DEMs flourish in this case study area because those with high income are among those in the lowest SES, and some of those with the highest SES are from among the lowest income category, and all of them end up with more DEMs because shifting towards CEMs require income to complement SES. Practical implications Policy-wise, removing hurdles in accessing CEMs such as LPG subsidy programme, gas stove provision to the poor, and enhanced LPG awareness will most likely benefits only those who do not stack energy in cooking while strategies targeting those at the lowest SES such as higher education attainment, empower women as a family decision maker, encourage co-occupancy to enlarge the household size and contain urban growth within certain perimeter will have a significant impact only if they raise both incomes and SES. Originality/value Despite of the dominance of DEMs for cooking such as charcoal and firewood in Tanzania, CEMs such as LPG, have emerged as complements or alternatives in the household energy basket. The utilisation of such CEMs is, however, still very low despite the accessibility, cost, environmental and health advantages they offer. Accessibility is not the only factor fuelling CEMs; a complementarity must exist between SES and income for the positive transition towards CEMs to be realised.

The Impact of Subsidized Fertilizer Usage on Farmer Welfare in West Java

This study aims to recognize the influence of subsidized fertilizer use on the overall well-being of farmers in West Java. A qualitative analysis was employed to examine the data, using descriptive methods such as interviews and field observations. This method describes and summarizes events related to fertilizer use, offering insights into the practical aspects of fertilizer usage. In addition to the qualitative methods, a quantitative analysis was conducted. Descriptive quantitative techniques were used to assess existing policies, distribution mechanisms, and implementation. This study focused on farmers engaged in the cultivation of rice, corn, and soybeans to evaluate the impact of fertilizer subsidies on the competitive power of these agricultural commodities. The research revealed a significant influence resulting from the use of subsidized fertilizers by farmers. The findings highlight the importance of subsidized fertilizers in improving the well-being of farmers and enhancing the competitiveness of agricultural commodities. When farmers used these subsidized fertilizers, their overall well-being improved. In addition, the use of subsidized fertilizers can enhance the competitive strength of food crops. To maximize benefits, it is essential to continuously improve the system. Repairing and refining the subsidy mechanisms will ensure that farmers experience optimal advantages from the use of subsidized fertilizers. The use of subsidized fertilizers plays a crucial role in enhancing the well-being of farmers in West Java and strengthening the competitiveness of agricultural commodities. Policymakers should continue to support and expand such subsidy programs. However, it is crucial to ensure that these subsidies reach the intended beneficiaries effectively. Therefore, policymakers should regularly review and revise the policies, distribution mechanisms, and implementation strategies associated with these subsidies.

Expanding access to high-quality early care and education for families with low income in Maryland through child care subsidy policies

Documenting how federal and state child care policies increase equitable access to high-quality early care and education (ECE) for families with low- and moderate-incomes remains a challenge in part due to overlaps in policy enactment. This study used an interrupted time series analysis (ITSA) to describe changes to providers’ participation in Maryland's child care subsidy program following implementation of a constellation of child care policies enacted between January 5, 2015, and March 2, 2020 (i.e., prior to the COVID-19 pandemic). Findings indicate a marked increase in the percentage of licensed family child care (FCC) and center-based providers serving children with a subsidy following increases in household income eligibility levels and provider reimbursement rates in 2018. Provider participation rates varied by neighborhood income level, with participation expanding more in neighborhoods with lower poverty density relative to their starting level in 2015. Changes in child participation rates by income eligibility mirrored changes in state subsidy policy: children residing in income-eligible households above 200 % federal poverty level represented 4.4 % of the child sample in 2018, 13 % in 2019, and 18 % in 2020. The proportion of children with a subsidy who used higher-rated ECE increased significantly between January 2018 and January 2020 for all racial/ethnic groups, income eligibility levels, and urbanicity categories. The majority (62 %) of children who stayed in the subsidy program between 2018 and 2019 stayed with their same provider, many of which obtained their first rating or increased their quality rating during this time frame in accordance with a new requirement for providers to participate in the state's quality rating system to receive a subsidy reimbursement. Implications for future research, policy, and practice are discussed.

Smallholder Farmers’ Seed Sources in Rwanda for Unsubsidized System: Case of Common Bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.)

This study was conducted in the Southern Province in four selected districts, namely Kamonyi, Muhanga, Ruhango, and Nyanza, of Rwanda, where bean seeds are not under the subsidy program, hence unclear seed sources and acquisition modalities. Therefore, this study was carried out to determine the bean seed sources and acquisition modalities used by farmer promoters in an unsubsidized system of bean seeds. Primary data were collected from 300 farmer promoters through a standard pretested questionnaire. Excel, SPSS, and GenStat computer packages were used to run data. The farmer promoters in the southern province source seed from both formal and informal seed supply systems. The most used variety is Shyushya, which is a variety from the informal seed system with 26.6%, followed by NUA and Mutike, both from the formal seed system with 14.2%, while the least was recorded in Kivuta, a variety from the informal seed system with 0.4%. Farmer promoters that used certified bean seed were 20.3%, while 60.3% used informal seeds. The acquisition modality that was mostly used for the formal seed was through donations with 43%, while credit paid back was the least to be used with 5.8%. The majority, 88.4% of farmers, adopted the formal seeds because of grain yield, while the minority, 1.7%, adopted them for better seed quality. The informal bean seeds are mostly acquired through cash mode of accession with 84.7%, while the least used acquisition modality is the seed exchange among the farmer promoters with 15.3%, and the reason for the use of own saved seeds was that they give yield with 28.8%, while the least was Most Known in the area with 2.8%. The study revealed that the certified bean seed business is possible as long as it provides seeds that give farmers more grain yield and farmers are willing to buy seeds as their informal seeds are acquired through cash. The breeding program should consider Shyushya, Mutike, and NUA attributes of preferences by farmers to develop a variety that responds to farmers’ needs.

Features of state financial regulation of investment activities of agro-industrial enterprises

The article describes the features of state financial regulation of investment activities of agro-industrial enterprises. The study reflects the key measures provided by the state to stimulate investment in agriculture. The instruments of financial regulation, such as tax incentives, subsidy and credit programs aimed at ensuring the sustainable development of the agricultural sector, are considered. The study also covers the effective use of financial resources, ensuring the availability of capital and supporting innovative projects in the rural economy. As a result of the work, key aspects of the successful state impact on investment processes in the agro-industrial complex are identified, a model of the agro-enterprise ecosystem is proposed, and recommendations on monitoring the financial stability of agro-industrial enterprises are provided.