How does the Adoption of Modern Variety increase Productivity and Income?: A Case of the Rice Sector in Tanzania
Although high yielding modern rice varieties (MVs) have been gradually disseminating over Sub-Saharan Africa, little is known on how the adoption of MVs influences agriculture productivity and household income. To fill this research gap, we analyze two kinds of data sets in Tanzania: a national representative cross section data and a two-year panel data of irrigated farmers in one district. The most important finding is strong complementary relationship between MVs and water control; high yield is achieved when MVs are grown with improved bund in paddy fields in irrigated area. We also find that the use of chemical fertilizer and the practice of transplanting in rows increase yield and income of both the adopters and non-adopters of MVs in the irrigated area. In rain-fed area, we observe limited impact of MVs. These findings suggest that introducing MVs as a package of technologies including other agronomic practices is effective in order to fully achieve their potential. In the long run, development of irrigation would be important to realize a rice Green Revolution in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The Impact of Agricultural Technology Adoption on Poverty: The case of NERICA rice varieties in Benin
This study examines the relationship between agricultural technology adoption and poverty with a focus on New Rice varieties for Africa (NERICA). The NERICAs are a group of rice varieties developed by the Africa Rice Centre during the 1990s, resulting from the inter-specific crosses between the Oryza sativa high yielding rice species from Asia and the locally adapted and multiple-stress resistant Oryza glaberrima African rice species. They are believed to provide great hope for African agriculture. Introduced in Benin in 1998, there has been no published analysis on the impact of their adoption by farmers. The paper uses the counterfactual outcomes framework of modern evaluation theory to estimate the Local Average Treatment Effect (LATE) of NERICA adoption on household expenditure among 268 households from rural Benin. Results indicate that the adoption of NERICA varieties has a positive and significant impact on household expenditure. Furthermore, the impact is higher among female-headed households (161.75 FCFA/day) than male-headed households (128.34 FCFA/day). The findings suggest that there is a scope for reducing poverty through the accelerated adoption of NERICA varieties by farmers.
Fiscal Transparency in EU Accession Countries Progress and Future Challenges
This paper discusses the findings of fiscal transparency reports on standards and codes (ROSCs) for most EU accession candidate countries. Emphasis is given to the need to establish effective and accountable medium-term budget frameworks to establish policy credibility and anchor adjustment programs to meet EU fiscal goals. Adoption of budgeting and accounting standards consistent with the IMF Government Finance Statistics Manual 2001 framework will also help link budget decisions to EU standards of fiscal reporting. More consistent and comprehensive coverage of off-budget activities is needed for assessing fiscal risk and sustainability. Finally, local government issues need to be addressed by many of these countries since EU fiscal goals are set with reference to general government. Progress in all of these areas can be monitored by keeping fiscal ROSC assessments up to date.