Daniel B. Taylor

Widespread adoption of non-conventional agriculture: Profitability and impacts

Conventional agriculture is increasingly criticized as being too concentrated in ownership; too reliant on technology, petroleum-based inputs, and credit; too specialized and ecologically unsound; and too dependent on government subsidies. Alternative agriculture is offered by many as an alternative, and we discuss the possible impacts of its widespread adoption on farm income, yields, regions, labor, trade, environmental quality, and farm structure. The profitability of alternative agriculture is also examined - in so doing, a distinction is made between the adoption of low-input practices and a more holistic alternative agricultural system.

CHANCE CONSTRAINED PROGRAMMING MODELS FOR RISK-BASED ECONOMIC AND POLICY ANALYSIS OF SOIL CONSERVATION

The random nature of soil loss under alternative land-use practices should be an important consideration of soil conservation planning and analysis under risk. Chance constrained programming models can provide information on the trade-offs among pre-determined tolerance levels of soil loss, probability levels of satisfying the tolerance levels, and economic profits or losses resulting from soil conservation to soil conservation policy makers. When using chance constrained programming models, the distribution of factors being constrained must be evaluated. If random variables follow a log-normal distribution, the normality assumption, which is generally used in the chance constrained programming models, can bias the results.

Choice of utility function form: its effect on classification of risk preferences and the prediction of farmer decisions

Zuhair, S.M.M., Taylor, D.B. and Kramer, R.A., 1992. Choice of utility function form: its effect on classification of risk preferences and the prediction of farmer decisions. Agric. Econ., 6: 333-344. In applications of expected utility analysis, researchers are confronted with a choice among several utility functional forms. Subjective utility values and probability distributions for price and yield were elicited from Sri Lankan producers of minor export crops. Exponential quadratic and cubic utility functions were estimated. The choice of functional form was found to affect both the classification of risk attitudes and the prediction of harvesting strategy. The exponential function was the best predictor of harvesting strategy because it was the best predictor of mature harvesting. All three functions were equally poor predictors of premature harvesting.

Farm Level Dynamic Analysis Of Soil Conservation: An Application To The Piedmont Area Of Virginia

A conceptual optimal control theory model which considers farm level decision making with respect to soil management is developed. A simplified version of the theoretical model is applied to the Piedmont area of Virginia. The model includes the productivity impacts of both soil erosion and technological progress. Both the theoretical model and its empirical application are improvements over previous efforts. Results suggest that farmers in the study area can achieve substantial reductions in soil erosion by adopting alternative farming practices.

A STOCHASTIC PROGRAMMING ANALYSIS OF THE FARM LEVEL IMPLICATIONS OF SOIL EROSION CONTROL

This paper analyzes the effects of uncertain soil loss in farm planning models. A disaggregated approach was used because of an interest in examining the impact of probabilistic soil loss constraints on farm level decision-making. A stochastic programming model was used to consider different levels of probability of soil loss. Traditional methods of analysis are shown to consistently overestimate net returns.

Integrating long-run biological and economic considerations into Striga management programs

Abstract A framework for integrating biological and economic considerations into long-run Striga management decisions is developed. At the center of this approach is a dynamic optimization model comprised of two components: a biological component modeling Striga population dynamics, and an economic component representing the production opportunity set, resource constraints, and price parameters farmers face. The models potential to inform economic and policy decisions related to Striga control at household and regional levels is discussed.

A multi-objective dynamic programming model for evaluation of agricultural management systems in Richmond County, Virginia☆

Abstract A multi-objective dynamic programming model, coupled with the CREAMS simulation model, was developed to empirically evaluate the economic and environmental impacts of 14 agricultural management systems in Richmond County, Virginia. The results of the model suggest that an improvement in economic and environmental benefits can be achieved through use of a mixture of legume and non-legume cover crops in Richmond County. The results also indicate that there is no possibility of achieving a 40% reduction of nitrogen loading required as by Chesapeake Bay Agreement by employing the 14 agricultural management systems analyzed in this study.

A Bio-Economic Model of Long-Run Striga Control with an Application to Subsistence Farming in Mali

A bio-economic model of Striga control is developed and applied to Malis Mourdiah Zone. Various constraints are added, and optimal production practices identified based on Striga infestation levels, rainfall levels, and economic parameters. Model optimization suggests efforts to suppress Striga with nitrogen applications are both expensive and risky. The efficacy of hand-pulling Striga in reducing the Striga seedbank depends on Striga infestation levels and climatic conditions, as does the profitability of hiring labour to expand cultivated acreage. Under all climatic conditions and infestation levels considered, millet in a pure stand generated greater expected net returns than a millet - groundnut or millet - cowpea association. Under conditions of low rainfall, the model suggests planting millet at a density of 0.5 hills m−2. With average or higher rainfall, the model suggests planting millet at a density of 3.5 hills m−2. Estimates of Striga-induced net revenue losses also vary with climatic conditions, ranging from 6% to 85%. Model results are encouraged to be used as a guide in the design and evaluation of research and extension programmes aimed at identifying long-run Striga control strategies and promoting their adoption.

Bridging the Information Gap with Cost-Effective Dissemination Strategies: The Case of Integrated Pest Management in Bangladesh

Cost-effective extension strategies are needed to promote widespread adoption of agricultural technologies in developing countries. Integrated pest management (IPM) practices, for example, can offer economic, health, and environmental benefits but remain largely underused. This study evaluates the current IPM dissemination program implemented by the Bangladesh Department of Agricultural Extension and uses a linear programming model to examine alternative strategies to improve IPM adoption. Results suggest that technology transfer programs may increase their impact by reallocating funding from intensive but costly interpersonal communication methods (i.e., farmer field schools) to less intensive methods (i.e., mass media and field days) that reach broader audiences.

FARM-LEVEL ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE IN ECUADOR

SUMMARY Farm households in the Andean region of South America face serious livelihood challenges, including a poor natural resource base and declining agricultural yields. Conservation agriculture has been identified as a potential solution to environmental degradation and the associated poverty and food insecurity in the region. This study analyses the potential economic impact of conservation agriculture in two subwatersheds in central Ecuador utilizing a linear programming model and data from experiments in farmer fields. The model found that specific cover crops, crop rotations and reduced tillage designed to reduce soil erosion and increase soil organic matter can lead to increased incomes for farm households in a time period of as short as two years. It appears that conservation agriculture practices have the potential to improve the livelihoods of the rural poor in Ecuador because conservation agriculture activities entered the revenue-maximizing model solution for both sub-watersheds.