Showing papers in "The research reports in 2000"

Urban livelihoods and food and nutrition security in Greater Accra, Ghana

Abstract: Published in collaboration with the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and WHO

Rice market liberalization and poverty in Viet Nam

Abstract: Market liberalization, though an important element in economic reforms in developing countries in the past two decades, has been accused of harming the poor through higher food prices, layoffs in formerly state-owned enterprises, and the erosion of social safety net programs Since the 1980s Viet Nam has relaxed a number of government controls over rice production and marketing, stimulating large increases in rice production Yet the government retains control over rice exports and internal rice trade Rice Market Liberalization and Poverty in Viet Nam, Research Report 114, analyzes whether further loosening of state controls in Viet Nam's rice markets would help or hurt the poor and draws lessons for other countries

Wheat policy reform in Egypt: adjustment of local markets and options for future reforms.

Abstract: Many developing countries are in transition from a state-dominated to a more market-oriented economy Because agriculture is of primary importance in most developing countries,the state is usually heavily involved in both input and output markets and in controlling prices and trade However, concerns that market liberalization will result in higher consumer food prices and hurt the poor means that many countries, such as Egypt, have, at best, undertaken only partial agricultural sector reforms It has been argued that such concerns are unwarranted and that further market liberalization is not only needed, but achievable without increasing impoverishment IFPRI Research Report 115 sheds light on these critical issues through an analysis of wheat policy reform in Egypt

A Preliminary Economic Assessment of Roundup Ready Soybeans in Mississippi

Abstract: The advent of genetically altered seed has had a revolutionary effect on the cotton, soybean, and corn seed industries. The basic premise for the use of these seed are to reduce costs through lower applications of chemicals and savings on trips through the field, thus, lowering production costs. Seed companies, however, charge a premium and a fee for use of the seed. This paper compares the costs associated with conventional and roundup ready soybeans. Data were collected from the ACost of Production@ survey of Mississippi producers that is administered by Mississippi State University through the National Agricultural Statistics Service. The survey is a random sample of producers fields that allows for a derivation of the cost of production for each field. The study suggests that while costs reductions can be achieved, the cost savings are offset by the technology fees. The study is based on limited data and points to the need for continued research on the long-run profitability of genetically altered seed to the soybean producers of Mississippi.

Financial Management and Ratio Analysis For Cooperative Enterprises

Abstract: This study discusses differences in financial management and goals between the investor-oriented firms and cooperatives. It briefly reviews what bankers look for when appraising potential borrowers. A summary of standard financial ratios used to analyze a variety of business structures is included, along with other modified ratios to address deficiencies evident in standard ratios.

Eastern Enlargement of the European Union - Transition in applicant countries and evaluation of the economic prospects with a dynamic CGE-model

Abstract: In this study the economic implications of eastward enlargement are analyzed using a multi-regional, dynamic general equilibrium model. EU's eastern enlargement is, in one respect, conventional regional integration where new entrants joins a customs union. In the common trade policy an important aspect is the specific features of the common agricultural policies of the EU. Enlargements also entails the adoption of common market institutions and legislation for the new entrants. This aspect of integration consolidates the reforms that has been taken place in the former planned economies in Central and Eastern Europe. Membership in EU provides also unconditional access to European common markets. These facts are expected to increase the business confidence in the area and lower the required rate of return on investments, which will stimulate growth in the new members.

Operationalisation of Marginal Cost Pricing within Urban Transport

Abstract: Charges and taxes for transport have traditionally had little connection to costs, instead being part of broader fiscal policies of raising revenue or directly promoting other goals, industrial, social and environmental. The gap between the costs and actual charges is particularly evident in urban road transport where current pricing mechanisms typically make little or no attempt to reflect concentrations of transport activity in time and space and hence of transport induced costs. Economic theory shows that, under the market approach, marginal cost pricing is a condition for economic efficiency. Still, a huge gap exists between the lessons of economic theory and the possibilities of current technology on one hand, and the achievements in implementing marginal cost pricing thus far in practice on the other. In relation to the broader socio-economic context of marginal social cost pricing, determined by various technological, institutional, legal and political constraints, this report highlights three important aspects or distinctions: the distinction between policy situations with different coverage, the distinction between first-best and second-best situations, and the need for policy packaging.

Economic and Equity Effects of Marginal Cost Pricing in Transport

Abstract: Marginal cost transport pricing - if implemented in European cities - may give rise to substantial welfare benefits for the urban populations. Depending on the local conditions and on the policy instruments used, annual welfare gains may typically amount to 100-400 euros per capita, as measured by the willingness-to-pay within the affected urban population. These welfare gains have been estimated by means of transport models applied to the cities of Edinburgh, Helsinki, and Oslo. Real-world instruments considered include cordon toll rates, parking charges, fuel tax, vehicle tax, distance based charges, and public transport fares and level-of-service. Not all of these instruments are currently available to local urban authorities - some belong at the national level government. Thus the study distinguishes between second-best policies "under current institutions", and those which are practicable only "after institutional reform". In the latter variant, it is assumed that local authorities are allowed access to certain instruments that are not presently at their disposal, or that national authorities accept to tune the level of certain instruments so as to maximise the welfare of the urban population.

Alternative Cotton Production Systems

Abstract: Mississippi cotton farmers are adjusting to the current problem of low cotton price and high cotton production cost by modifying the way(s) they have traditionally grown cotton. This paper compares seven alternative production systems to the costs and returns associated with the conventional or traditional system labeled "solid cotton, 8 -row equipment." Systems that combine wider equipment (less labor and machinery time per acre) with reduced tillage technology appear to offer opportunities to increase returns. Specific adjustments on individual farms will probably be dominated by the distribution of soil types.

Cattle producer attitudes towards alternative production and marketing practices

Abstract: This paper reports the results of a comprehensive survey of Mississippi beef cattle producers regarding their current production and marketing practice s and their attitudes toward and willingness to employ alternative production and marketing practices.

Selecting Instruments for a Greenhouse Gas Reduction Policy in Finland

Abstract: This report discusses the pro's and con's of different types of policy instruments for climate policy in Finland in relation to a systematic selection and evaluation of these instruments given the dual objectives of effective emission reduction and lowest possible economic cost. It is stressed that embedding of the evaluation process and the consideration of instrument packages next to single instruments are important ingredients. It can be expected that eventually not one but a few different policy packages achieve sufficiently high overall ratings. This will require a pondering of trade-offs in the framework of a tractable evaluation system, requiring the application of multi-criteria analysis (MCA).

Mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic alliances in agricultural cooperatives.

Abstract: A recent merger "wave" has occurred within the economy, including the agricultural sector. Some research has been conducted on publicly traded companies, but there is little information available on merger activity within agricultural cooperatives. This paper presents the results of a recent survey of agricultural cooperatives and attempts to identify major trends in merger activity within cooperatives.

Costs, yields, and net returns, commercial ultra-narrow row cotton production, Mississippi, 1999.

Abstract: An analysis of a 1999 sample of 13 no-till producers indicates that over a reasonable range of cotton lint prices, ultra narrow cotton production may result in larger net returns per acre than conventional production practices. The largest percentage cost reduction is in fixed expenses. In general, total direct expenses per acre are also reduced, although UNRC usually results in higher seed and chemical expenses. UNRC has a lower total cost per pound compared to conventional cotton.

Welfare Differentials and Inequality in the Finnish Labour Market over the 1990s Recession

Abstract: Using a large panel of Finnish males, we study how the recession of the early 1990s hit different worker groups and affected inequality in the labour market. Despite large employment losses the cross-section dispersion of earnings is found be almost constant, while differences in layoff and hiring rates between groups have been changing over the early 1990s. To bring these divergent patterns together, we analyse the evolution of inequality in the cross-section distributions of life-time employment values derived from a search model. We show that the recession caused welfare losses in all worker groups and increased inequality. Compared to the figures reported for the U.S., the average levels of inequality based on life-time welfare measures are found to be very close to each others in both countries, even though wage inequality is much lower in Finland.

Dynamic Explanations of Industry Structure and Performance

Abstract: Examines the exercise of market power in vertical channels. Reviews the development of food systems over the past century. Presents neoclassical models arising from the work of Adam Smith, George Stigler, Harold Demsetz and John Spengler that are in juxtaposition to the more commonly advanced agency theoretic explanation of vertical organization and performance. Develops a structural model of price transmission in a channel that has differentiated product oligopolies at two stages. Increasing concentration at successive stages creates a problem of double marginalization. Vertical trading partners reduce it by avoiding vertical Nash (arms length) pricing via the use of trade promotions and other coordination methods such as private label. Finally, the rise in retail‐buyer concentration (six supermarket chains now control 52.6 percent of supermarket sales in the USA) portends a possible shift to the European model in which food retailers develop and promote their own brands.

Farmer Cooperatives' Financial Profile, 1997

Abstract: This study is based on a survey of the financial characteristics of U.S. farmer cooper-a tives at the end of their 1997 fiscal years. Useful financial information is provided to cooperative managers, directors, educators, and others interested in cooperatives' financial performance and practices. Specifically, this report analyzes the distribution of net income and losses, per-unit capital retain deductions, financial structure c, omposition of equity capital, and sources of borrowed capital. Financial ratio analysis is co-n ducted to analyze the general financial condition of cooperatives. Cooperatives are classified by principal product or service, asset size, and geographical location. A comparison is also made with data from prior financial profile studies which have been co-n ducted periodically over the past 45 years.

Våld mot invandrarkvinnor. Kvinnors berättelser och socialtjänstens strategier.

Abstract: In recent years domestic violence has become an issue of major importance in Sweden. This is a fact to be observed in mass media but also in changes made in legislation. As concern and attention raises, new victim groups are "discovered". Among these we find women who have come to Sweden as refugees, through their marriage to Swedish men, or when reunited with a husband who arrived earlier. These women are often believed to be in greater danger to be fysically abused by their husbands and to have greater difficulties to coop with the situation than for example Swedish women. This due to the fact that they may have language problems, a lack of knowledge of the Swedish society, but also because of their cultural heritage. The empirical material in this study consists of cases of violence against women, collected from the special unit of social services to which immigrants are referred. Interviews were also made with a selected number of immigrant women and social workers. The study aims at analysing several aspects of the women´s lifes, not only the violence they experience from their partners. Such aspects are the exile situation and the cultural background of the families,but also value conflicts experienced in cultural norms, gender perspectives and human rights. Interviews with social workers focus om what actions they took in order to help the battered women, how they perceive these women, and problems when helping them.

Costs, yields, and net returns, commercial no-till cotton production, Mississippi, 1999.

Abstract: An analysis of a 1999 sample of ten no-till producers indicates that over a reasonable range of cotton lint prices, no-till cotton production may result in larger net returns per acre than conventional tillage. However, the authors caution that additional analysis based on a larger sample of commercial no-till growers on better cotton soils is needed.

Share, Price and Category Expenditure-- Geographic Market Effects and Private Labels

Abstract: Focusing on the interaction between national brands and private labels, this paper has two main empirical contributions: i) a simultaneous system of demand (share), price and expenditure equations is estimated, and ii) differences in the structure of the local geographic market are incorporated into the analysis. The former represents an important step in understanding the complete nature of private label and national brand interaction, while the latter is important for understanding the impact of the local retail environment on market behavior. IRI scanner data from 1991 and 1992 are used to estimate the three-equation system across 135 food product categories and 59 geographic markets. The results suggest that concentration at both the manufacturer and retailer level can significantly affect private label and national brand price. However, while increased retailer concentration is associated with higher national brand and private label prices, higher manufacturer concentration is associated with higher national brand but lower private label prices. Increases in national brand advertising has the effect of raising national brand price and share, but lowering private label price and share. This is consistent with previous research and suggests that advertising and local market conditions play a significant role in the ability of national brands to price at a premium over private labels. Finally, marketing decision variables such as display activity and private label distribution can have an important impact on total category expenditure.

Acceptability of Urban Transport Pricing

Abstract: Several studies all over the world have considered transport pricing measures as promising attempts to solve urgent traffic problems in urban areas. An important precondition for the successful implementation of pricing measures is public and political acceptability. However, empirical findings show that the acceptability of such measures is rather low. The general objectives of this report are to assess acceptability of various urban transport pricing measures and policy packages, to analyse the reasons for the lacking acceptability and how this may be improved where appropriate. The relevant policy packages were derived from AFFORD Deliverable 1 (Milne, Niskanen and Verhoef, 2000). A public acceptability questionnaire survey was carried out in Athens, Como, Dresden and Oslo. The political acceptability survey was carried out as a phone interview with politicians in Como and Dresden.

Contracting In Agriculture: A Primer For Farm Lenders

Abstract: Contracting in agriculture has increased over the past several decades. This activity has heightened concerns about concentration, market power, and farmer welfare. The purpose of this paper is to describe some of the underlying motivations for contracting and to highlight some of the trade-offs made when making contracting decisions. These illustrations are intended to inform readers of the economic conditions for contracting, not provide empirical evidence of their implications, costs, or benefits.

Mexican Representative Hog Farms 1995-2004 Economic Outlook: Preliminary Study

Abstract: The farm-level financial outlook for representative Mexican hog operations is projected in this report. The primary objective of this analysis is to determine the economic viability of Mexican hog farms by region and production system over the 1995-2004 planning horizon. The Agricultural and Food Policy Center’s (AFPC) whole farm simulation model (FLIPSIM) and FAPRI’s sector level price projections were used. The FLIPSIM model incorporates historical production, economic and financial data to project future economic and financial performance of representative agricultural firms over a given planning horizon (Richardson and Nixon, 1985).

Driving Forces and Success Factors for Mergers, Acquisitions, Joint Ventures, and Strategic Alliances Among Local Cooperatives

Abstract: The trend toward greater consolidation in agricultural production and in agribusiness is creating the conditions that squeeze local farm supply and grain marketing cooperatives from three directions. As farms become larger and fewer in number, each individual farmer-customer is more critical, making relationships and services offered more important than ever before. At the same time that each customer has a greater impact on the cooperative’s bottom line, the competition is also consolidating, creating a fiercer “survival of the fittest” marketplace. On the other side of the local cooperatives’ business, suppliers and grain marketing firms are also fewer and larger, limiting choice and bargaining power for local cooperatives. In response, local cooperatives are engaging in a variety in business arrangements, including strategic alliances, joint ventures, mergers, and acquisitions. This paper has two objectives. The first is to examine the driving forces that motivate local cooperatives to get involved in strategic alliances, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions. The second is to examine the relative importance of factors in the success of these new business arrangements.

Marketing practices and market channel utilization by Mississippi soybean producers.

Abstract: This paper examines current marketing practices by Mississippi soybean producers as well as willingness to participate in a marketing cooperative and willingness to plant Identity Preserved soybeans. In general, most Mississippi soybean producers utilize cash sales at harvest or forward contracting as primary marketing tools. Use of futures and options is found to increase with farm size. Willingness to participate in a marketing cooperative (pool) is found to be effected by use of cash sales at harvest as a primary marketing tool, money spent on gathering marketing information, previous experience with marketing pools, and age of the respondent. Willingness to plant Identity Preserved soybeans is directly related to offered premiums.