Journal of Agricultural Economics 

About: Journal of Agricultural Economics is an academic journal published by Wiley-Blackwell. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Agriculture & Agricultural productivity. It has an ISSN identifier of 0021-857X. Over the lifetime, 2013 publications have been published receiving 57217 citations. The journal is also known as: JAE.

The Determinants of Rural Livelihood Diversification in Developing Countries

Abstract: The diversity of rural livelihoods in low income developing countries is receiving increased attention in discussions about rural poverty reduction. This paper explores just one facet of livelihood diversity, namely the reasons for households to adopt multiple livelihood strategies. The distinction is made between diversification of necessity and diversification by choice. Six determinants of diversification are considered in the light of that distinction, and these are seasonality, risk, labour markets, credit markets, asset strategies, and coping strategies. The paper concludes that under the precarious conditions that characterise rural survival in many low income countries, diversification has positive attributes for livelihood security that outweigh negative connotations it may possess. Policy should facilitate rather than inhibit diversity. Diverse rural livelihoods are less vulnerable than undiversified ones.

Asymmetric Price Transmission: A Survey

Abstract: Asymmetric price transmission has been the subject of considerable attention in agricultural economics. It is not only important because it may point to gaps in economic theory, but also because its presence is often considered for policy purposes to be evidence of market failure. In this paper we survey the literature on asymmetric price transmission. A wide variety of often conflicting theories of, and empirical tests for, asymmetry co-exist in this literature. We classify the different types and causes of asymmetric price transmission and describe the econometric techniques used to quantify it. We also briefly review the results of empirical applications. Outstanding methodological problems and suggestions for future research are discussed. Our main conclusion is that the existing literature is far from being unified or conclusive, and that it has often been largely method-driven, with little attention devoted to theoretical underpinnings and the plausible interpretation of results. Hence, much interesting theoretical and empirical work remains to be done.

How to Understand High Food Prices

Abstract: Agricultural price booms are better explained by common factors than by market-specific factors such as supply shocks. A capital asset pricing model-type model shows why one should expect this and Granger causality analysis establishes the role of demand growth, monetary expansion and exchange rate movements in explaining price movements over the period since 1971. The demand for grains and oilseeds as biofuel feedstocks has been cited as the main cause of the price rise, but there is little direct evidence for this contention. Instead, index-based investment in agricultural futures markets is seen as the major channel through which macroeconomic and monetary factors generated the 2007–2008 food price rises.

Goals and values of farmers

Abstract: Economic theory treats motivation as a parameter, explaining variation in economic behaviour in terms of availability of resources. This theory does not provide a wholly convincing account of farmers' actions. It is suggested that a better understanding of motivation, taken in conjunction with information already available on material resources and constraints, could lead to a more adequate explanation and prediction of farmers' economic behaviour. This paper explores the subject of goals and values in the farming occupation as one facet of motivation. Values may refer to instrumental, social, expressive or intrinsic aspects of farming and it is their ordering relative to one another which influences farmers' decisions in situations of choice. Pilot studies suggest that farmers have a predominantly intrinsic orientation to work, valuing the way of life, independence and performance of work tasks above expressive, instrumental or social aspects of their occupation. Comparing value orientations of larger with smaller farmers illustrates some implications and possible uses of this approach. Resume BUTS ET VALEURS DANS L'ACTIVITE DE L'EXPLOITANT AGRICOLE Lu theorie economique traite la motivation comme un parametre, expliquant la variation dans le comportement de l'economie en termes de disponibilite des ressources. Cette theorie ne fournit pas une information entierement convaincante sur l'activite des exploitants agricoles, Une meilleure comprehension de la motivation, utilisee en conjonction avec les donnees deja disponibles sur les ressources et contraintes materielles, pourrait conduire, selon l'argument developpe, a des explications et previsions plus rigoureuses sur le comportement economique des agriculteurs. L'auteur analyse le theme des buts et valeurs dans le metier d'exploitant agricole comme un des aspects de la motivation. Les valeurs peuvent se referer a des aspects professionnels, sociaux, expressifs ou intrinseques de l'exploitation agricole et c'est l'ordre dans lequel elles sont placees relativement les unes aux autres qui influence les decisions des agriculteurs dans les situations de choix. Les etudes pilotes convergent vers la conclusion selon laquelle les exploitants agricoles ont une orientation intrinseque predominante vers le travail, placant le style de vie, l'independance et la qualite des tâches qu'ils accomplissent au-dessus des aspects expressifs, contributifs ou sociaux de leur profession. La comparaison des orientations de valeur entre grands et petits exploitants permet de souligner certaines des implications et des utilisations possibles de cette optique. Zusammenfassung ZIELE UND WERTE DER FARMER Die wirtschaftliche Theorie behandelt die Motivation als einen Parameter, der die Veranderung im wirtschaftlichen Verhalten in Form von verfugbaren Ressourcen erklart. Diese Theorie liefert keine ganz uberzeugende Darstellung der Handlungen von Farmem. Es wird vorgeschlagen, doss ein besseres Verstandnis der Motivation, zusammen mit der Information, die schon uber Materialressourcen und uber die notwendigen Folgerungen bestehen, zu einer angemesseren Erklarung und Vorhersage der wirtschaftlichen Verhaltensweise von Farmern fuhren konnte. Dieser Artikel erforscht das Thema der Ziele und Werte in der Farmtatigkeit als einen Teil der Motivation. Werte konnen sich auf instrumental, soziale, aussere oder innere Aspekte des Farmens beziehen, und es ist ihre Anordung zueinander, die die Entscheidungen der Farmer in einer Entscheidungssituation beeinflussen. Grundstudien lassen den Schluss zu, dass Farmer eine hauptsachlich innere Ausrichtung auf ihre Arbeit haben, wobei sie den Lebensstil, die Unabhangigkeit und die Ausfuhrung ihrer Arbeitsaufgaben hoher einschatzen als ausserliche, instrumental oder soziale Aspekte ihrer Beschaftigung. Der Vergleich der Wertorientierung zwischen grossen und kleinen Farmern veranschaulicht einige Folgerungen und mogliche Anwendungen dieses Ansatzes.

Adoption of multiple sustainable agricultural practices in rural Ethiopia

Abstract: The adoption and diffusion of sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs) has become an important issue in the development-policy agenda for sub-Saharan Africa, especially as a way to tackle land degradation, low agricultural productivity and poverty. However, the adoption rates of SAPs remain below expected levels. This study analyses the factors that facilitate or impede the probability and level of adoption of interrelated SAPs, using recent data from multiple plot-level observations in rural Ethiopia. Multivariate and ordered probit models are applied to the modelling of adoption decisions by farm households facing multiple SAPs, which can be adopted in various combinations. The results show that there is a significant correlation between SAPs, suggesting that adoptions of SAPs are interrelated. The analysis further shows that both the probability and the extent of adoption of SAPs are influenced by many factors: a household’s trust in government support, credit constraints, spouse education, rainfall and plot-level disturbances, household wealth, social capital and networks, labour availability, plot and market access. These results imply that policy-makers and development practitioners should seek to strengthen local institutions and service providers, maintain or increase household asset bases and establish and strengthen social protection schemes in order to improve the adoption of SAPs.