AgBioForum, vol. 14, no.3 (2011)Contents of volume 14, number 3.https://hdl.handle.net/10355/124582024-03-29T10:08:46Z2024-03-29T10:08:46ZBalancing Agricultural Development Resources : Are GM and Organic Agriculture in Opposition in Africa?Novy, AriLedermann, SamuelPray, Carl E. (Carl Esek)Nagarajan, Lathahttps://hdl.handle.net/10355/124592021-08-26T21:46:09Z2011-01-01T00:00:00ZBalancing Agricultural Development Resources : Are GM and Organic Agriculture in Opposition in Africa?
Novy, Ari; Ledermann, Samuel; Pray, Carl E. (Carl Esek); Nagarajan, Latha
Organic agriculture has been promoted vigorously by many civil and donor organizations engaged in agricultural development in Africa. Certified organic products are grown in more than half of African countries, targeted mainly towards export markets. In contrast, adoption of GM agriculture has been met with skepticism in much of Africa, with only three African countries approving GM crops for commercial planting. In this article, we empirically tested several factors that may explain African attitudes toward GM and organic agriculture.
2011-01-01T00:00:00ZBiofuel Policies and Carbon LeakageDrabik, DusanDe Gorter, Harryhttps://hdl.handle.net/10355/124602021-08-26T21:46:11Z2011-01-01T00:00:00ZBiofuel Policies and Carbon Leakage
Drabik, Dusan; De Gorter, Harry
Carbon leakage in the fuel market due to alternative biofuel policies is shown to have two components: a market leakage (or 'indirect output use change') effect and an emissions savings effect. We also distinguish between domestic and international leakage and show how omitting the former can bias leakage estimates. International leakage is always positive, but domestic leakage can be negative with a biofuel mandate. We show leakage due to a tax credit is greater than that of a mandate, while the combination of a mandate and subsidy generates greater leakage than a mandate alone. In general, one gasoline-equivalent gallon of corn ethanol is estimated to replace only 0.35 to 0.50 gallons of gasoline -- not one (1.00) gallon as assumed by life-cycle accounting. Taking this market leakage effect into account, we conclude that corn ethanol does not meet the US minimum carbon savings threshold, irrespective of whether the effect of indirect land use change is taken into account.
2011-01-01T00:00:00ZDeterminants of Adopting Imazapyr-Resistant Maize Technologies and its Impact on Household Income in Western KenyaMignouna, D.B.Manyong, V.M.Rusike, JosephMutabazi, K.D.S.Senkondo, Ephraim M. M.https://hdl.handle.net/10355/124612021-08-26T21:46:10Z2011-01-01T00:00:00ZDeterminants of Adopting Imazapyr-Resistant Maize Technologies and its Impact on Household Income in Western Kenya
Mignouna, D.B.; Manyong, V.M.; Rusike, Joseph; Mutabazi, K.D.S.; Senkondo, Ephraim M. M.
This study identifies the adoption determinants and causal impact of adoption of imazapyr-resistant maize (IRM) on income and poverty among maize farming households using a logistic model and Heckman selection-correction model. Results from a randomly selected sample of 600 households consisting of 169 adopters and 431 non-adopters reveal that combined specific household, farm, institutional, and technological factors influence the probability of adoption of the technology. The results also showed that adoption of IRM raises farm household income even after controlling for observable and unobservable household characteristics. Conclusions drawn from this study are that the use of IRM for Striga control is a reasonable policy instrument to raise small-farm income and reduce poverty among maize farming households.
2011-01-01T00:00:00ZAn Economic Evaluation of US Biofuel Expansion Using the Biofuel Breakeven Program with GHG AccountingRosburg, AliciaMiranowski, J. A.https://hdl.handle.net/10355/124622021-08-26T21:46:10Z2011-01-01T00:00:00ZAn Economic Evaluation of US Biofuel Expansion Using the Biofuel Breakeven Program with GHG Accounting
Rosburg, Alicia; Miranowski, J. A.
We present results from an application of the Biofuel Breakeven program (BioBreak) to 14 US cellulosic ethanol markets that vary by feedstock and location. BioBreak estimates the economic costs of cellulosic biofuel production for each market and identifies the necessary conditions to sustain long-run markets. Based on current market conditions, our results suggest that long-run cellulosic ethanol production is not sustainable without significant government intervention or high long-run oil prices ($135-170 per barrel). Using life-cycle analysis for cellulosic ethanol and conventional gasoline, we extend the BioBreak program results to derive an implicit value of reduced greenhouse gas emissions embodied in cellulosic ethanol. For the markets considered in our analysis, sustaining cellulosic ethanol production is equivalent to valuing the reduction in CO2 equivalents between $141 and $282 per metric ton.
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