bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Measuring the impacts of agricultural research on poverty reduction
Authors: Alwang Jeffrey , Siegel Paul B. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractPolicymakers are increasingly calling upon agricultural research managers to consider poverty reduction objectives when making resource allocations. The authors present a simple method to measure the impact of agricultural research on the poor. This method has the advantage that it presents the results in a manner consistent with commonly used measures of poverty. This consistency and focus should facilitate and enhance dialogue between policymakers and research managers when deciding on resource allocations and assessing impacts on poverty reduction. An illustrative application is presented using data from Malawi.
Productivity growth in Indian agriculture: is there evidence of convergence across states?
Authors: Mukherjee Anit N. , Kuroda Yoshimi 
Published: August 2005

AbstractThis paper explores the question of convergence in total factor productivity (TFP) in agriculture across fourteen major agricultural states of India. Using a Törnqvist–Theil index for TFP growth for the period 1973–1993, we find no evidence to support convergence to a single TFP level (σ‐convergence). After grouping the various states on the basis of their productivity performance, we find that the high‐performing states show a gradual movement towards the trend, whereas the low‐performing states generally show more volatility. Testing for long‐run convergence in levels of agricultural productivity, we find evidence of conditional beta‐convergence after controlling for state‐specific factors and idiosyncratic year‐specific volatility. The results are robust to alternative specifications of tests of unit root in panel data developed recently.
Biotechnology as an alternative to chemical pesticides: a case study of Bt cotton in China
Authors: Huang Jikun , Hu Ruifa , Pray Carl , Qiao Fangbin , Rozelle Scott 
Published: August 2005

AbstractThe overall goal of this study is to determine the extent by which genetically engineered (GE) crops in China can lead to reductions of pesticide use, the nature and source of the reductions, and whether or not there are any non‐pecuniary externalities. One of the first studies of the effect of plant biotechnology on poor farmers, the study is based on a data set collected by the authors in 2000 in North China. The paper's descriptive, budget and multivariate analysis find that Bt cotton significantly reduces the number of sprayings, the quantity of pesticides used and the level of pesticide expenditures. All Bt cotton varieties—both those produced by foreign life science companies and those created by China's research system are equally effective. In addition to these input‐reducing effects, the paper also demonstrates that such reductions in pesticides also likely lead to labour savings, more efficient overall production, as well as positive health and environmental impacts.
Evaluation of drought management in irrigated areas
Authors: Iglesias Eva , Garrido Alberto , Gómez‐Ramos Almudena 
Published: August 2005

AbstractThis paper focuses on the economic consequences of droughts for the irrigation sector. We develop a dynamic‐recursive mathematical programming farm model that assumes imperfect mobility of capital and labour as well as rational expectations about future water availability. The model is calibrated to 12 representative farms belonging to three irrigation communities of the Guadalquivir Basin (south Spain) and used to simulate the 1991–1997 period, which included 3 years of intense drought. Results indicate that the drought imposed significant costs on farmers, but show also that water managers partly exacerbated these costs by allocating excessive amounts of water to irrigators in the abundant years. The model is also used to evaluate the benefits of a perfect water supply forecast and to simulate the economic gains of a voluntary water banking scheme. Results show that the benefits resulting from the perfect forecast of water supply 1 year ahead would represent a relative gain of 5%. However, a voluntary banking system would allow farmers to increase their benefits by 32–82% depending on the supply system.
The economic impact of productivity maintenance research: breeding for leaf rust resistance in modern wheat⋆
Authors: Marasas C.N. , Smale M. , Singh R.P. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractThis paper reports the results of a study undertaken to estimate the economic impact in developing countries of efforts by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) to breed leaf rust resistant spring bread wheat varieties since 1973. The challenge in estimating these benefits lies in the pathogen's ability to mutate to new races, which may infect previously resistant varieties. Genetic resistance, rather than fungicide application, is the principal means of controlling leaf rust in developing countries. Whereas productivity enhancement is often estimated in terms of yield gains and increased supply, productivity maintenance is measured in terms of the yield losses avoided by the research investment. The internal rate of return on CIMMYT's research investment was estimated at 41%. When discounted by 5%, the net present value was US$ 5.36 billion in 1990 dollars, and the benefit‐cost ratio was 27:l. These findings emphasise the economic importance of maintenance research in crop breeding programs.
Variety characteristics and maize adoption in Honduras
Authors: Hintze L.H. , Renkow M. , Sain G. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractThis paper summarises research into factors contributing to low levels of adoption of improved maize varieties in Honduras. Empirical analysis was based on an agricultural household model which explicitly incorporates variety characteristics into the household's optimisation process. We considered a multitude of production and consumption characteristics valued by farmers, as well as an array of household socioeconomic characteristics and measures of village‐specific marketing costs. Empirical results indicated that marketing costs and production characteristics are important explanators of variety choice, whereas consumption characteristics are not, and that information deficits may be an important limiting factor to adoption of improved varieties.
The roles of public sector versus private sector in R&D and technology generation: the case of maize in Asia
Authors: Gerpacio R.V. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractThis paper reports the findings of a study whose objectives were to compare and contrast the public and private sectors in Asia in terms of their (1) estimated level of investment in maize breeding research; (2) germplasm outputs; and (3) nature and extent of roles played in the maize seed industry. Since the 1960s, yield gains, rather than area expansion, have fuelled increases in maize production in Asia. Yield gains, in turn, have been due to the shift in maize cultivation from mostly open‐pollinated varieties (OPVs) to mostly hybrids. This transition also shifted the locus of modern maize breeding research from government research organisations to private national and multinational seed companies. In countries where both the public and private sectors participated in maize research, private sector research investment far exceeded that of the public sector. With more aggressive marketing programmes, the private sector captured 89% of the Asian maize seed market in the late 1990s. National public seed research agencies (including universities and cooperatives) developed and produced more maize OPVs than hybrids, mass‐produced and distributed seed cheaply, addressed location‐specific production problems, and provided agricultural extension services. The private seed companies developed, produced, sold and promoted their own proprietary hybrids. The reluctance of the private sector, however, to address the needs of marginal maize farmers should encourage the public sector to continue playing an active role in maize research and development (R&D), seed production and modern maize technology dissemination, especially with adequate support from appropriate government policies.
The economic impact of bean disease resistance research in Honduras
Authors: Mather D.L. , Bernsten R. , Rosas J.C. , Ruano A. Viana , Escoto D. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractThis paper presents evidence of recent adoption rates of disease resistant bean varieties (RVs), the farm‐level benefits of RV adoption, and the ex post rate of return to disease resistant bean research in Honduras. Results from a farm‐level survey in 2001 in the two principal bean‐producing regions of the country show that 41–46% of bean farmers (depending upon the season) have adopted an RV, and that adoption is neutral with respect to farm‐size and market orientation. An expected utility framework was used to estimate the farm‐level benefits of RV adoption, using a combination of experimental trial and farm‐level survey data. Adopters gain the equivalent of 7–16% (depending on the variety) in bean income from the yield loss averted through RV use. The ex post rate of return to disease resistant bean research in Honduras from 1984 to 2010 is 41.2%.
Does agricultural extension pay?
Authors: Marsh Sally P. , Pannell David J. , Lindner Robert K. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractCompared to studies evaluating the benefits from agricultural research, there are relatively few empirical studies of the net economic benefits of agricultural extension, and even fewer that consider both public and private sector extension effort. In this study we examine regional differences in the adoption of lupins in Western Australia (WA) in order to estimate the net economic benefits of public and private sector extension. Impacts of extension and other variables on adoption were analysed for 40 shires using multivariate regression analysis. The results suggest that both public and private extension activities influenced farmer uptake of lupins, particularly by bringing forward the start time of the diffusion curve. Economic benefits of extension, based on the statistical analysis, were combined with costs of extension estimated from public sector records and surveys of private sector extension agents and used to estimate the net present value of extension investments by the public and private sectors in the study area.
Off‐farm labour allocation decisions in small‐scale rural households in Zimbabwe
Authors: Matshe Innocent , Young Trevor 
Published: August 2005

AbstractThe double hurdle model is used to analyse the off‐farm labour decisions of small‐scale agricultural household members in the Shamva District of Zimbabwe. The approach permits the joint modelling of the decision to participate in the labour market and the decision regarding the amount of time allocated to work. Results indicate that a number of variables (notably, gender, education and assets) indeed have effects which are qualitatively and quantitatively different in terms of participation and hours worked. Overall, the empirical analysis confirms the importance of individual characteristics (such as gender and education) and household/farm characteristics (e.g. land area accessible to the household, productive assets, remittances and the agricultural terms of trade) in influencing the labour market decisions of rural household members.
The adoption of intensive monocrop horticulture in southern Cameroon
Authors: Gockowski James , Ndoumbé Michel 
Published: August 2005

AbstractResults from a 1997 survey of 208 households in the humid forest zone of southern Cameroon indicate that African policy makers seeking to intensify agricultural production should focus attention on the horticultural sub‐sector. The survey, which gathered information on horticultural production practices, found that the average expenditure on agro‐chemical inputs by horticultural producers using monocrop production systems was 190US$/ha, which greatly exceeds the FAO reported national average expenditure of 6.50 US$/ha. A logit model of monocrop adoption indicated that the size of land holding per household had a negative effect on adoption, congruent with population‐driven technical change and that increases in unit transportation costs significantly decreased the probability of adoption. These findings suggest that policy makers should target horticultural intensification in areas of higher population density and promote investment in rural roads. The age of the household head had a significant negative and elastic effect on adoption, which in combination with an increase in the cohort of younger farmers in the rural population induced by macro‐economic events contributed to the spread of intensified horticulture. In the study area, roughly two‐thirds of rural households also produce cocoa and the quantity of cocoa produced was positively associated with adoption of intensive horticultural systems suggesting that export crop promotion indirectly facilitated diversification of agriculture. Women's participation in intensive monocrop production was limited and efforts to promote their greater involvement are recommended.
Technical efficiency and farm size: a conditional analysis
Authors: Alvarez Antonio , Arias Carlos 
Published: August 2005

AbstractThe relationship between technical efficiency and size might be affected by farm heterogeneity. We analyse this relationship conditional on a set of control variables. These control variables are chosen using a production model where technical efficiency is introduced as a parameter. As a result, technical efficiency affects both the input demand and the output supply of a profit maximising producer. The empirical application explores these issues using panel data of dairy farms in Spain.
Productivity growth, catching‐up and uncertainty in China's meat trade
Authors: Nin Alejandro , Hertel Thomas W. , Foster Kenneth , Rae Allan 
Published: August 2005

AbstractThe potential role of China as a major importer of agricultural products, and the likely impact on world markets has been a topic of considerable debate over the past decade. In this paper, we focus specifically on the livestock sector and develop a detailed analysis of productivity growth in China's pig and poultry production along with projections of China's likely meat trade in the year 2010. We use a general equilibrium model which permits us to explore the sensitivity of our projections to macro‐economic uncertainty as well as uncertainty in livestock productivity growth rates. Our analysis shows that China's net trade position is very sensitive to both of these factors. With high livestock productivity growth and a slow‐down in the rest of the economy, China could be a substantial competitor in export markets by 2010. On the other hand, slow productivity growth in livestock production, coupled with a rapidly growing macro‐economy could transform China into a major market for future meat exports.
A cross‐section analysis of household demand for food and nutrients in Tanzania
Authors: Abdulai Awudu , Aubert Dominique 
Published: August 2005

AbstractUndernutrition and malnutrition are still problems of unacceptable proportions in many developing countries. However, the debate on the roles of income and other socio‐economic variables such as women's education and household size on food and nutrient demand continues. This study examines the demand for food and nutrients amongst households in Tanzania, using recent survey data. A quadratic almost ideal demand system (QUAIDS) is employed to estimate price and expenditure elasticities, as well as the impact of socio‐economic variables on food demand patterns. A moment‐based instrumental variable approach is then used to analyse the determinants of nutrient demand. The results show that income and other socio‐economic variables exert significant effects on the demand for food and nutrients. The estimated expenditure elasticities for the nutrients range from 0.307 for iron to 1.26 for Vitamin B12. The elasticities are higher for those micronutrients that are consumed through animal products and lower for those micronutrients that are mainly obtained through staple foods. These results reflect the higher expenditure elasticities for meat, fish, eggs, milk, and milk products, as well as fruits and vegetables, relative to cereal s and pulses, reinforcing the assertion that the demand for Vitamins A and B12, as well as calcium and zinc will increase with rising income.
Postpartum depression without delivering a child?
Authors: Manfredi G. , Lazanio S. , Kotzalidis G. D. , Ruberto A. , Girardi P. , Tatarelli R. 
Published: August 2005

Objective:  Depression in people related to delivering women is documented in their mates, but only anecdotal in other family members. We describe a case of depression in a woman who had previously experienced postpartum depression after the birth of her nephew.Method:  A clinical description of the case.Results:  A 53‐year‐old woman, hysterectomized at age 47 years, was admitted for attempted suicide. She developed major depressive episode 1 month after her daughter had delivered a son. She had a past history of two postpartum depressive episodes clinically identical to the current episode. The episode resolved after 5 weeks. At 1‐year follow‐up, the patient is still asymptomatic.Conclusion:  Psychological and cultural factors were at play in this case more than hormonal and biopsychosocial ones.
Neuropsychiatric disturbances in Parkinson's disease clusters in five groups with different prevalence of dementia
Authors: Bronnick K. , Aarsland D. , Larsen J. P. 
Published: August 2005

Objective:  To investigate the inter‐relationship of neuropsychiatric disturbances in Parkinson's disease (PD) by cluster analysis and describe the properties of the clusters.Method:  A total of 139 patients were assessed using the neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI). A cluster‐analysis was used to investigate the inter‐relationship of NPI items. The clusters were profiled regarding dementia (PDD) and major depression.Results:  A total of 39 patients showed no neuropsychiatric symptoms. The remaining 100 patients (43% PDD) were divided in to five clusters. The largest group (42, 31% PDD) showed symptoms of mild depression, followed by a group (29, 79.3% PDD) with hallucinations and mild other symptoms. The third group (14, 7.1% PDD) had sleep disturbances exclusively. The fourth group (8, 25% PDD) showed apathy, anxiety and depression. The smallest group (7, 57.1% PDD) had high scores on several NPI items.Conclusion:  Our PD sample can be divided in to clusters based on the NPI, with different prevalence of dementia and depression.
Psychological aftermath of the Lviv air show disaster: a prospective controlled study
Authors: Bromet E. J. , Havenaar J. M. , Gluzman S. F. , Tintle N. L. 
Published: August 2005

Objective:  To investigate the psychological aftermath of an air show disaster using prospectively obtained epidemiologic data.Method:  Participants in a recently completed epidemiologic mental health survey in Lviv (disaster site) and controls from western Ukraine were interviewed shortly before and 6 months after a gruesome air show disaster.Results:  The Lviv group reported more psychopathology and post‐traumatic stress symptom severity, but less anomie than controls. Somatization symptoms were similar in the two groups. Predisaster mental health and postdisaster threat were the strongest risk factors while demographic characteristics, emotional support, and repeated television viewing of the event were only weakly associated with postdisaster mental health.Conclusion:  This is the first prospective study to find a significantly higher rate of disorder as well as post‐traumatic stress disorder symptomatology after a disaster. The risk factor findings suggest avenues for targeting postdisaster interventions.
A randomized comparison of group cognitive‐behavioural therapy and group psychoeducation in acute patients with schizophrenia: outcome at 24 months
Authors: Bechdolf A. , Köhn D. , Knost B. , Pukrop R. , Klosterkötter J. 
Published: August 2005

Objective:  We compared the effects of a brief group cognitive‐behavioural therapy (CBT) and a group psychoeducational (PE) programme in acute patients with schizophrenia 2 years after treatment. At 6‐month follow‐up, the CBT group had shown significantly less re‐hospitalization rates and on a descriptive level higher compliance with medication.Method:  Eighty‐eight in‐patients with acute schizophrenia were randomized to receive a therapy envelope of 8 weeks including either 16 sessions of CBT or eight sessions of PE.Results:  From the initial sample, 43 patients (48.9%) completed the 24‐month follow‐up. There were no significant group differences regarding re‐admission, symptoms or compliance with medication. However, on a descriptive level patients who received CBT on average experienced 21.8% less re‐hospitalizations, 71 days less in hospital and higher compliance ratings at the 24‐month follow‐up.Conclusion:  The significant advantages of CBT at short‐term follow‐up were lost at long‐term follow‐up. However, on a descriptive level some advantages for CBT remained after 2 years.
Lipid peroxidation: a possible role in the induction and progression of chronic periodontitis
Authors: Tsai C. C. , Chen H. S. , Chen S. L. , Ho Y. P. , Ho K. Y. , Wu Y. M. , Hung C. C. 
Published: August 2005

Objectives:  Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are implicated in the destruction of the periodontium during inflammatory periodontal diseases. The imbalance in oxidant/antioxidant activity may be a key factor in the damaging effects of ROS. This study aimed to determine the lipid peroxidation levels in gingival crevicular fluid and saliva, and glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in saliva in patients with chronic periodontitis.Methods:  Gingival crevicular fluid and saliva were collected from 13 patients and 9 healthy control subjects during the preliminary study, and from 21 patients during the subsequent study. Lipid peroxidation level, GSH level and GPx activity were determined by spectrophotometric assay.Results:  The preliminary study found that when comparing patients to healthy controls, the gingival crevicular fluid samples produced the following results, respectively: higher lipid peroxidation concentration (µm) (by sites: 167.55 vs. 53.71, p < 0.0001; by subjects: 151.99 vs. 50.66, p < 0.005) and total amount (pmol) (by sites: 93.02 vs. 8.47, p < 0.0001, by subjects: 80.44 vs. 7.84, p < 0.0005). In saliva samples, lower GSH concentration (µm) (373.04 vs. 606.67, p < 0.05), higher lipid peroxidation concentration (µm) (0.66 vs. 0.13, p < 0.0005), and no difference in GPx activity were found in patients than in those of healthy controls. The subsequent study showed statistically significant (p < 0.05) improvement of clinical periodontal parameters (plaque index, gingival index, probing attachment level, probing pocket depth and gingival crevicular fluid volume), decreases in gingival crevicular fluid lipid peroxidation levels (concentration and total amount) at the sites after the completion of phase 1 periodontal treatment. Similarly, the periodontal treatment resulted in a significant decrease of lipid peroxidation concentrations (p < 0.05), increase in GSH concentration (p < 0.001), and no change in GPx activity in saliva samples.Conclusion:  The increased levels of lipid peroxidation may play a role in the inflammation and destruction of the periodontium in periodontitis.