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.
Yield and income effects of rice varieties with tolerance of multiple abiotic stresses: the case of green super rice (GSR) and flooding in the Philippines
With the increasing frequency of extreme climatic events, the new challenge is to develop rice varieties that are tolerant of drought, water submergence, and salinity. There are now new high-yielding green super rice (GSR) cultivars developed at the International Rice Research Institute with increased tolerance to multiple abiotic stresses. But a clear understanding of the economic benefits of these varieties under farmers’ production environments is not yet fully understood. In this article, we assess the yield and income effects of GSR rice varieties using a two-year panel data from one province. We use matched samples from a propensity score matching method and a fixed-effects model within a difference-in-difference (DID) framework to estimate the yield effects. The income effects were evaluated using the parameter estimates from the yield/production function model. The results of the ordinary least squares and DID fixed-effects regressions reveal significant and positive effects of GSR varieties on yield. The most important finding is that the benefits from these varieties are strongly felt when there is flooding. This evidence was not as robust when matched samples were used. However, it is clear that the yield benefits from GSR varieties could improve rice food security and help alleviate poverty in the country.
The History of the Idea of Europe
General Preface to "What is Europe?" Introduction 1: Europe to 1914: The making of an idea 2: Europe 1914-1945: the nation supreme 3: Europe since 1945: crisis to renewal