Roger W. Fox

Cotton (Gossypium) plant residue for industrial fuel.: An economic assessment

Abstract Decreasing fossil fuel supplies have prompted research into alternative sources of fuels worldwide, including the use of biomass and agricultural residues. This paper considers the use of cotton (Gossypium) plant residue as a supplemental fuel source for a power generating plant in Southern Arizona. Potential supply is estimated and market conditions are analyzed. Partial budgets are used to estimate break-even market price of residue as a basis for comparison with commonly used fossil fuels. Though one particular cotton plant residue harvesting method results in a lower market price for residue than coal, supply constraints and switching costs may deter adoption of residue-based fuel by the power plant.

Expanding the policy dimension of farming systems research

Abstract The contribution of economics to farming systems research (FSR) has usually been restricted to the microeconomic analysis of alternative agricultural production technologies. In the traditional approach to FSR, macroeconomic variables and government policies are treated as exogenous. This paper discusses one method for expanding the policy analysis dimension of FSR. The policy analysis matrix method allows for the explicit treatment of macroeconomic and sectoral policies, and it builds logically on the wealth of technical and microeconomic data traditionally utilized in FSR. Examples from Portuguese agriculture are used to illustrate the method.

Net energy analyses of ethanol production from sugarcane in Northeast Brazil

Abstract Net energy analyses of alcohol production from sugarcane production technologies based on intensive use of fertiliser (System I) and on improved cultural practices without chemical fertiliser (System II) were considered. The energy analysis considered the total system inputs. The results indicate that both systems are almost equally efficient in terms of energy ratio.

Potentials and pitfalls of product marketing through group action by small-scale farmers☆

Group action by small-scale farmers is frequently proposed as a means for improving their economic well-being. The economic arguments supporting group marketing activities by producers involve economies of scale, bargaining power and vertical integration. Political and social goals may also provide the motivation for group action amongst small-scale farmers. Nevertheless, the potentials for successful group marketing activities amongst poor, small-scale producers are limited. Numerous pitfalls exist that frustrate private and public efforts to involve poor farmers in marketing. In many situations general programmes to improve the markets for agricultural products, inputs and rural consumer goods may be more effective than the promotion of group action by small-scale farmers. However, equity considerations may motivate the governments of developing countries to use small farmer marketing groups as a means of transferring resources to poor farmers.

Economic feasibility of introducing pulsed‐flow aquaculture into the irrigation system of cotton farms in Arizona

Abstract The objective was to evaluate the economic feasibility of introducing fish culture into irrigated cotton production on farms in central Arizona. Water as a production variable was calculated only for the additional quantity required to keep water in the ditches during the growing season for fish. Raising tilapia in pulsed‐flow culture systems on Arizona cotton farms is economically feasible. Production function estimates indicate that profits can be increased through additional use of feed. At any ditch capacity, a density of six fish/m3 provided the optimal economic results, as the value of marginal product (VMP) equalled the price of fingerlings stocked/m3. This optimum fish production scenario would increase the net income for a typical irrigated cotton farm by 7 per cent. Increasing the initial size of the fingerlings improved the percentage of fish reaching marketable size and perhaps will increase economic returns, a question to be studied by future research.

Price spreads for California-Arizona navel oranges during and after the 1985 prorate suspension

In January 1985, rate-of-flow controls (“prorate”) for California-Arizona navel oranges were suspended for half the marketing season. This article compares the behavior of industry marketing margins during the deregulated period with that of regulated seasons in order to assess the impacts of the prorate suspension on the navel orange marketing system. Econometric results indicate that relative to subsequent regulated seasons, marketing margins contracted during the prorate suspension period. These results suggest that distributors did not exercise market power during the suspension period in order to maintain consumer prices at pre-suspension levels while depressing grower prices.

Estimating the Effects of the EEC Common Grain Policy

The EEC common grain policy is expected to alter world production and trade. In an investigation of the forthcoming changes, linear programming models were used to estimate production, trade, and resource use in 1970 for the major feed grain and wheat producing and trading nations of the world. Comparison of the estimates with the 1959–60 to 1961–62 base period indicates that EEC feed grain import requirements will increase substantially. Under the assumed conditions of the analysis, the United States will be the major beneficiary of the increased demand for feed grain. The prospects for wheat trade with the EEC, however, are less favorable. Except for quality hard wheat and durum wheat, United States and Canadian wheat exports to the EEC will be virtually eliminated by 1970. Nevertheless, the results indicate that gross revenue from United States wheat and feed grain exports to the EEC will be substantially greater in 1970 than during the base period. These results are considerably more optimistic than those reached by other researchers. Recent trends in production and trade tend to support the major findings of this sudy.

A social accounting approach to analyzing agribusiness competitiveness

The social accounting methodology compares budgets based on private costs and returns to budgets based on the social values of inputs and outputs. The differences between these two budgets indicate the taxes and subsidies associated with policies or market imperfections. This methodology has been extensively used in analyzing policies in less developed countries. This article demonstrates through examples the application of the methodology to the analysis of competitiveness and efficiency of agribusiness firms and sectors.

Developing centres of excellence in agricultural economics: The case of the University of Ceara, Brazil☆

Abstract The expansion and increased efficiency of agriculture in developing countries depends at least as much on the growth of the applied social sciences, especially agricultural economics, as it does on applied sciences and technology. Agricultural economists are needed not only, for example, for cost-benefit analyses of technical programmes of irrigation, but also as potential planners and administrators. This paper critically discusses an attempt to apply United States university teaching methods to the production of ‘indigenous’ agricultural economists in Northeast Brazil.

Discussion: Economic Policy and Agricultural Development Abroad

ucts have been oriented to consumers. The objective has been to make food available at lowest possible prices. Recently some countries have been formulating programs to assure farmers of minimum prices. The effects of general economic policies on these efforts, as well as the influence of these programs on industrial development, need studying. 2. Foreign private investment. Farm economists in neither the developing nor the developed countries have focused sufficiently on the effect of foreign investments on agricultural development. In this country we take for granted the role of a very viable agribusiness industry. In many of the developing countries the need for agricultural supporting industries is not recognized. Articles by farm economists focusing on these issues are conspicuously scarce. 3. Fiscal policy. A large number of less-developed countries depend heavily on export and import taxes for their government revenue. A long list of countries in which these impediments exist could be compiled. Only recently have some countries, such as Uruguay, Paraguay, India, and Thailand, begun to reduce these duties. The implications of these changes and further adjustments need analysis. There are many other general economic policies which merit our interests and efforts. Our response to these needs could substantially affect the attainment of increased economic growth of the developing countries.