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By developing meta-frontier efficiency and structural equation models, the paper examines whether farm economic viability is positively associated with technical efficiency in a highly food insecure context, such as that of rural Sierra Leone. The findings show that technical efficiency can be a sufficient but not necessary condition in determining economic viability of smallholder farming. It is possible to breach reproductive thresholds at the cost of reduced technical efficiency, when the crop diversification strategy of smallholders includes market-oriented high-value crops. This calls for a dual policy approach that addresses farmers’ internal needs for self-consumption (increasing efficiency of food crop production) while encouraging market-oriented cash crop production (diversification assisted through the reduction of associated transaction costs and the establishment of accessible commercialization channels of export related crops and/or high-value crops). The work also calls out for a move-up or move-out strategy for small holders to create viable farming systems in developing world.
Silvia Saravia-Matus; T. Amjath-Babu; Sreejith Aravindakshan; Stefan Sieber; Jimmy Saravia; Sergio Gomez Y Paloma. Can Enhancing Efficiency Promote the Economic Viability of Smallholder Farmers? A Case of Sierra Leone. Sustainability 2021, 13, 4235 .
AMA StyleSilvia Saravia-Matus, T. Amjath-Babu, Sreejith Aravindakshan, Stefan Sieber, Jimmy Saravia, Sergio Gomez Y Paloma. Can Enhancing Efficiency Promote the Economic Viability of Smallholder Farmers? A Case of Sierra Leone. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (8):4235.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSilvia Saravia-Matus; T. Amjath-Babu; Sreejith Aravindakshan; Stefan Sieber; Jimmy Saravia; Sergio Gomez Y Paloma. 2021. "Can Enhancing Efficiency Promote the Economic Viability of Smallholder Farmers? A Case of Sierra Leone." Sustainability 13, no. 8: 4235.
Sustainable intensification (SI) is envisioned as an effective strategy for developing countries to increase farm productivity while reducing negative environmental and social externalities. The development of regionally appropriate SI options however requires accounting for the knowledge and preferences of key stakeholders. In Bangladesh, the Government has requested international donors to support the development of dry season rice expansion in the coastal region. Policies however tend to be made without adequate study of farmers' preferences and ambitions; this can render crop intensification efforts ineffective. Understanding farmers' preferences for alternative crops and crop management practices are therefore crucial for success where agricultural development investments aim at incorporating the principles of SI. Using coastal Bangladesh as a case study– we aim to (1) quantify farmers' preferences for alternative irrigated crop and crop management options in comparison to the status quo (land fallowing), (2) analyze whether farmers' preferences are conditioned by concerns regarding the cost and availability of irrigation and fertilizer inputs in comparison to expected net revenues, (3) understand how the heterogeneity in preferences can be attributed to farmer and/or farm characteristics, institutional, and biophysical factors, (4) determine how much farmers' are willing to invest in different crops and crop management options – including those reliant and not reliant on irrigation. Taking 300 farmers in two diverse coastal environments, a choice experiment (CE) was employed to explore the heterogeneity in farmers' preferences for different dry “rabi” season intensification options (‘boro’ rice, maize, wheat and mungbean) against the status quo (dry season land fallowing after harvest of the monsoon season rice crop). Analyses included random parameter logit modeling followed by willingness-to-invest and profit simulations. Analyses revealed strong farmer preferences against rice and in favor of irrigated maize, and also in favor of rainfed or partially irrigated mungbean as an alternative to land fallowing. Irrespective of their location and environmental conditions, respondents had largely a negative preference for irrigation and fertilizer use due to high investment costs and associated production risks in the dry season. Nonetheless, a significant positive effect on their willingness-to-intensify cropping was observed where farmers felt it feasible to provide in-field drainage to limit waterlogging risks. The study signifies the importance of accounting for farmers' preferences while developing context-specific SI policies. Improving agronomic investments, tenure security, market, credit and extension support are likely prerequisites, alongside targeted diffusion of stress-tolerant mungbean and maize varieties for SI in coastal Bangladesh.
Sreejith Aravindakshan; Timothy J. Krupnik; T.S. Amjath-Babu; Stijn Speelman; Juan Tur-Cardona; Pablo Tittonell; Jeroen C.J. Groot. Quantifying farmers' preferences for cropping systems intensification: A choice experiment approach applied in coastal Bangladesh's risk prone farming systems. Agricultural Systems 2021, 189, 103069 .
AMA StyleSreejith Aravindakshan, Timothy J. Krupnik, T.S. Amjath-Babu, Stijn Speelman, Juan Tur-Cardona, Pablo Tittonell, Jeroen C.J. Groot. Quantifying farmers' preferences for cropping systems intensification: A choice experiment approach applied in coastal Bangladesh's risk prone farming systems. Agricultural Systems. 2021; 189 ():103069.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSreejith Aravindakshan; Timothy J. Krupnik; T.S. Amjath-Babu; Stijn Speelman; Juan Tur-Cardona; Pablo Tittonell; Jeroen C.J. Groot. 2021. "Quantifying farmers' preferences for cropping systems intensification: A choice experiment approach applied in coastal Bangladesh's risk prone farming systems." Agricultural Systems 189, no. : 103069.
In the context of developing countries, early evidence suggests that the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on food production systems is complex, heterogenous, and dynamic. As such, robust monitoring of the impact of the health crisis and containment measures across agricultural value chains will likely prove vitally important. With Bangladesh as a case study, we discuss the building blocks of a comprehensive monitoring system for prioritizing and designing interventions that respond to food system disruptions from COVID-19 and preemptively avoid further cascading negative effects. We also highlight the need for parallel research that identifies pathways for enhancing information flow, analysis, and action to improve the efficiency and reliability of input and output value chains. In aggregate, this preliminary work highlights the building blocks of resilient food systems to external shocks such as COVID-19 pandemic in the context of developing nations. In doing so, we call attention to the importance of ‘infection safe’ agricultural input and output distribution logistics, extended social safety nets, adequate credit facilities, and innovative labor management tools alongside, appropriate farm mechanization. In addition, digital extension services, circular nutrient flows, enhanced storage facilities, as well as innovative and robust marketing mechanisms are required. These should be considered in parallel with effective international trade management policies and institutions as crucial supportive measures.
T. S. Amjath-Babu; Timothy J. Krupnik; Shakuntala H. Thilsted; Andrew J. McDonald. Key indicators for monitoring food system disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic: Insights from Bangladesh towards effective response. Food Security 2020, 12, 761 -768.
AMA StyleT. S. Amjath-Babu, Timothy J. Krupnik, Shakuntala H. Thilsted, Andrew J. McDonald. Key indicators for monitoring food system disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic: Insights from Bangladesh towards effective response. Food Security. 2020; 12 (4):761-768.
Chicago/Turabian StyleT. S. Amjath-Babu; Timothy J. Krupnik; Shakuntala H. Thilsted; Andrew J. McDonald. 2020. "Key indicators for monitoring food system disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic: Insights from Bangladesh towards effective response." Food Security 12, no. 4: 761-768.
The low agricultural productivity of key crops and food insecurity continue to be key issues in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and Tanzania. The growing population, depleting resources, and changing climate further amplify these issues. Globally, many agricultural technologies (AgTs) are available as pathways for improved agricultural productivity and food security, however, they have had relatively little success in SSA and Tanzania. This is because the uptake of AgTs is a complex process, which is highly localized, involving multiple actors, stages, and spatial and time dimensions. Smallholder farmers often experience issues of sustainability, constraints for adoption, and scaling-up throughout the uptake process of AgTs, all of which vary by region. This indicates a need for a systematic and simultaneous understanding of sustainability, constraints for adoption, and scaling-up of AgTs to better guide agricultural strategy and policy interventions in SSA and Tanzania. Moreover, in order to understand the local settings better, a consideration of the perceptions of the farmers themselves, who are the primary actors in the uptake process of AgTs, is key. Acknowledging this, the study takes on a case study approach, using the scaling-up assessment (ScalA) method and three focus group discussions with a total of 44 smallholder farmers to systematically and simultaneously assess the sustainability, constraints for adoption, and scaling-up of three AgTs (use of fertilizers, improved seeds, and small-scale irrigation) in Tanzania. The study finds that the farmers perceive all three AgTs to be sustainable for the study region. Adoption rates are perceived to be medium for use of fertilizers, high for improved seeds, and low for small-scale irrigation. The most significant constraints for adoption experienced by the farmers are lack of technical physical inputs, marketing facilities, and know-how. Scaling-up is perceived to be well fulfilled for use of fertilizers and improved seeds, but only partially fulfilled for small-scale irrigation, which is the most limited of the three AgTs. The most significant constraints for scaling-up experienced by farmers are a lack of confidence in the added value of the AgTs beyond project activities, marketing facilities, and technical physical inputs. The overall success potential is high for the use of fertilizers and improved seeds, and the average for small-scale irrigation. The farmers’ perceptions partially indicate why the bundle of AgTs is lacking in the study region and provide a basis for discussing targeted agricultural and policy interventions in Tanzania.
Srijna Jha; Harald Kaechele; Marcos Lana; T.S Amjath-Babu; Stefan Sieber. Exploring Farmers’ Perceptions of Agricultural Technologies: A Case Study from Tanzania. Sustainability 2020, 12, 998 .
AMA StyleSrijna Jha, Harald Kaechele, Marcos Lana, T.S Amjath-Babu, Stefan Sieber. Exploring Farmers’ Perceptions of Agricultural Technologies: A Case Study from Tanzania. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (3):998.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSrijna Jha; Harald Kaechele; Marcos Lana; T.S Amjath-Babu; Stefan Sieber. 2020. "Exploring Farmers’ Perceptions of Agricultural Technologies: A Case Study from Tanzania." Sustainability 12, no. 3: 998.
Coastal systems are facing natural and human-driven change coupled with a rising population. With increasing shifts in socioecological conditions during the past several decades, it is important to understand how socioecological drivers at different hierarchical levels: -micro, -meso, and -macro affect coastal farming systems, which play a crucial role in the livelihoods of coastal dwellers. Mixed rice-livestock-aquaculture farming in Southern Bangladesh exemplifies the rapid change occurring in many of the world's coastal farming systems in response to these drivers. We used panel data observations from the above study area and modeled trajectories of farm typologies, and the impact of multi-level socioecological drivers by a novel approach. Our approach integrates: (1) a well-articulated conceptual frame of change observed using (2) a temporal view of the potential drivers, change process and farm type outcomes, with the twenty years panel data of 502 households that is analyzed by means of (3) multivariate statistics in conjunction with panel data models that operationalize the conceptual frame. Our approach allows (a) estimating dynamic effects over time that typically cannot be estimated in a cross-sectional data set, (b) distinguishing between time-invariant fixed and time dependent random effects of multi-level socioecological drivers, and (c) controlling for omitted variables to a certain extent. Considering farming systems both within and outside of polder embankment systems intended to protect against oceanic water intrusion, we found a gradual shift from heterogeneous, rice-livestock farm types to more homogenous farms with less livestock and more off-farm activities. Micro-level factors including farm plot fragmentation, farmers' experience in cropping, machinery, salinity and soil fertility were influencing changes in farming systems. Meso-level factors including markets, road infrastructure, labor availability, access to extension and land tenure also affect the trajectory of farming systems change. Among macro-level drivers, increasing population density positively and significantly influenced cropping intensity among farms outside polder systems. Within polders, a positive but non-significant trend was observed for the influence of population density on cropping intensity. Our data also indicate negative and significant influence of cyclonic storms on cropping intensity over time in both areas. Our results underscore the importance of accounting for multiple levels of socioecological drivers of change when developing appropriate policy options for sustainable development in South Asia's coastal farming systems.
Sreejith Aravindakshan; Timothy J. Krupnik; Jeroen C.J. Groot; Erika N. Speelman; T.S. Amjath- Babu; Pablo Tittonell. Multi-level socioecological drivers of agrarian change: Longitudinal evidence from mixed rice-livestock-aquaculture farming systems of Bangladesh. Agricultural Systems 2019, 177, 102695 .
AMA StyleSreejith Aravindakshan, Timothy J. Krupnik, Jeroen C.J. Groot, Erika N. Speelman, T.S. Amjath- Babu, Pablo Tittonell. Multi-level socioecological drivers of agrarian change: Longitudinal evidence from mixed rice-livestock-aquaculture farming systems of Bangladesh. Agricultural Systems. 2019; 177 ():102695.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSreejith Aravindakshan; Timothy J. Krupnik; Jeroen C.J. Groot; Erika N. Speelman; T.S. Amjath- Babu; Pablo Tittonell. 2019. "Multi-level socioecological drivers of agrarian change: Longitudinal evidence from mixed rice-livestock-aquaculture farming systems of Bangladesh." Agricultural Systems 177, no. : 102695.
Various measures are adopted by flood-prone households for the mitigation of flood risk along with various post-flood coping strategies. We analyze the role of various ex ante household-level flood mitigation strategies in influencing riverine flood damages. The study also presents an account on the linkages of various ex post coping strategies and flood damages experienced in a flood event in Pakistan. For achieving a uniform flood damage indicator, polychoric principle component analysis (PCA) is employed to construct a composite flood damage index considering various aspects of economic, social, and psychological impacts of a flood event. The adjusted flood damage index is regressed on various socioeconomic features and ex ante mitigation actions to know their effect on the former. Results indicate that distance from river, elevating house, and pre-shifting investigating about flooding problem help in significantly reducing the overall flood damages. Likewise, group-based actions like voting political candidates based on their flood-control promises, organizing grass-root group meetings, and raising voices through memos/petitions are found to significantly reduce flood-related damages while leaving house premises before flooding is found to increase the overall flood damage. Post-flood coping strategies comprise of social and financial support along with some livelihood diversification and disinvestment strategies such as selling livestock, jewelry, and withdrawing children from schools. Borrowing money, reducing food consumption, and agricultural diversification are more prevalent strategies among low and medium damage groups while consuming savings is more conspicuous among high damage group. The study concludes with the emphasis on policy interventions for effective early warning, location-specific flood intensity information, and proper streamlining of planning process and compensation system.
Azhar Abbas; T. S. Amjath-Babu; Harald Kächele; Muhammad Usman; M. Amjed Iqbal; Muhammad Arshad; M. Adnan Shahid; Klaus Müller. Sustainable survival under climatic extremes: linking flood risk mitigation and coping with flood damages in rural Pakistan. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 2018, 25, 32491 -32505.
AMA StyleAzhar Abbas, T. S. Amjath-Babu, Harald Kächele, Muhammad Usman, M. Amjed Iqbal, Muhammad Arshad, M. Adnan Shahid, Klaus Müller. Sustainable survival under climatic extremes: linking flood risk mitigation and coping with flood damages in rural Pakistan. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2018; 25 (32):32491-32505.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAzhar Abbas; T. S. Amjath-Babu; Harald Kächele; Muhammad Usman; M. Amjed Iqbal; Muhammad Arshad; M. Adnan Shahid; Klaus Müller. 2018. "Sustainable survival under climatic extremes: linking flood risk mitigation and coping with flood damages in rural Pakistan." Environmental Science and Pollution Research 25, no. 32: 32491-32505.
Stefan Sieber; Frieder Graef; T. S. Amjath-Babu; Khamaldin Daud Mutabazi; Siza D. Tumbo; Anja Faße; Sergio Gomez Y Paloma; Constance Rybak; Marcos Alberto Lana; Hycenth Tim Ndah; Götz Uckert; Johannes Schuler; Ulrike Grote. Trans-SEC’s food security research in Tanzania: from constraints to adoption for out- and upscaling of agricultural innovations. Food Security 2018, 10, 775 -783.
AMA StyleStefan Sieber, Frieder Graef, T. S. Amjath-Babu, Khamaldin Daud Mutabazi, Siza D. Tumbo, Anja Faße, Sergio Gomez Y Paloma, Constance Rybak, Marcos Alberto Lana, Hycenth Tim Ndah, Götz Uckert, Johannes Schuler, Ulrike Grote. Trans-SEC’s food security research in Tanzania: from constraints to adoption for out- and upscaling of agricultural innovations. Food Security. 2018; 10 (4):775-783.
Chicago/Turabian StyleStefan Sieber; Frieder Graef; T. S. Amjath-Babu; Khamaldin Daud Mutabazi; Siza D. Tumbo; Anja Faße; Sergio Gomez Y Paloma; Constance Rybak; Marcos Alberto Lana; Hycenth Tim Ndah; Götz Uckert; Johannes Schuler; Ulrike Grote. 2018. "Trans-SEC’s food security research in Tanzania: from constraints to adoption for out- and upscaling of agricultural innovations." Food Security 10, no. 4: 775-783.
In Germany, Farm Management Systems (FMS) have been introduced as a support to farmers' compliance with environmental and other regulations, aiming at the increase of farm level performance and sustainable farming practices. Different kinds of FMS were developed and promulgated with various approaches, determined by each federal state's agricultural advisory system. Knowledge on the FMS′ uptake and effectiveness has been lacking so far. The overall aim of this paper is to provide an analysis of the implementation process and selected outcomes of the policy-driven instrumental innovation of FMS. In particular, the objectives are i) to reveal how and with what success the introduction of FMS has been realised in Germany and ii) to analyse and discuss the FMS′ adoption in the federal state of Brandenburg. For the first part of the study, we elaborate a situational analysis of the policy implementation through a desk study and expert interviews. In the second part, selected results from a farmers' survey in Brandenburg are presented and a switching regression model is developed to assess the factors responsible for the uptake of FMS and to understand the role of FMS in improving the confidence in complying with Cross Compliance regulations. We found a high degree of diversity among FMS developed in the different federal states. FMS adoption rates varied, but were generally low. Institutional environment seems to have a significant influence as the same FMS had very different adoption rates among federal states. For Brandenburg, our findings show that farmers' confidence to face CC check was increased by the adoption of FMS. However, counterfactual scenario analysis proved that especially farmers who did not adopt FMS would have benefitted most if they had adopted the tool. Our study shows that there is a need for systems supporting farmers in dealing with bureaucratic requirements. Future FMS should be easy to understand, adaptable to individual farmers' needs and be available at low costs. Furthermore, there is a need to design FMS in a participatory way that integrates farmers' expectations.
Ulrike Knuth; T.S. Amjath-Babu; Andrea Knierim. Adoption of Farm Management Systems for Cross Compliance – An empirical case in Germany. Journal of Environmental Management 2018, 220, 109 -117.
AMA StyleUlrike Knuth, T.S. Amjath-Babu, Andrea Knierim. Adoption of Farm Management Systems for Cross Compliance – An empirical case in Germany. Journal of Environmental Management. 2018; 220 ():109-117.
Chicago/Turabian StyleUlrike Knuth; T.S. Amjath-Babu; Andrea Knierim. 2018. "Adoption of Farm Management Systems for Cross Compliance – An empirical case in Germany." Journal of Environmental Management 220, no. : 109-117.
The Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted under the Paris Agreement propose a country’s contribution to global mitigation efforts and domestic adaptation initiatives. This paper provides a systematic analysis of NDCs submitted by South Asian nations, in order to assess how far their commitments might deliver meaningful contributions to the global 2°C target and to sustainable broad-based adaptation benefits. Though agriculture-related emissions are prominent in emission profiles of South Asian countries, their emission reduction commitments are less likely to include agriculture, partly because of a concern over food security. We find that income-enhancing mitigation technologies that do not jeopardize food security may significantly augment the region’s mitigation potential. In the case of adaptation, analysis shows that the greatest effort will be directed towards protecting the cornerstones of the ‘green revolution’ for ensuring food security. Development of efficient and climate-resilient agricultural value chains and integrated farming bodies will be important to ensuring adaptation investment. Potentially useful models of landscape level climate resilience actions and ecosystem-based adaptation are also presented, along with estimates of the aggregate costs of agricultural adaptation. Countries in the region propose different mixes of domestic and foreign, and public and private, adaptation finance to meet the substantial gaps. Key policy insights
T. S. Amjath-Babu; Pramod K. Aggarwal; Sonja Vermeulen. Climate action for food security in South Asia? Analyzing the role of agriculture in nationally determined contributions to the Paris agreement. Climate Policy 2018, 19, 283 -298.
AMA StyleT. S. Amjath-Babu, Pramod K. Aggarwal, Sonja Vermeulen. Climate action for food security in South Asia? Analyzing the role of agriculture in nationally determined contributions to the Paris agreement. Climate Policy. 2018; 19 (3):283-298.
Chicago/Turabian StyleT. S. Amjath-Babu; Pramod K. Aggarwal; Sonja Vermeulen. 2018. "Climate action for food security in South Asia? Analyzing the role of agriculture in nationally determined contributions to the Paris agreement." Climate Policy 19, no. 3: 283-298.
Payments for ecosystem services (PES) are often used as a tool for arresting land degradation and desertification. Nevertheless, deeper investigation of farm household systems (FHSs) changes during PES projects is rather limited. It is important to understand how various FHSs evolve with the divergent resource allocation strategies aiming at livelihood security in response to the PES scheme. Taking the Grain for Green Project (GGP) in China as an example, the intended and unintended consequences of a PES scheme on land management and conservation are analysed. Using principal component analysis and cluster analysis, FHSs types are identified, while composite indices regarding environmental, economic and food security are created to assess the livelihood security of each type. This is followed by a cost‐benefit analysis that investigates the multidimensional costs and benefits of FHSs types, as well as a regression analysis to explore the determinants of the livelihood security. The results show that seven distinct FHSs types evolved under the GGP PES scheme, with significant differences in livelihood security components. The strategy of setting aside the optimal share of land for ecosystem services, such as erosion reduction, and then compensating the economic loss with permanent and market‐oriented farming activities (greenhouse horticulture and orchards) can establish a positive link between economic development and environmental protection. Findings indicate that careful consideration of market, institutional, and policy interventions for supporting FHSs reorganisation under PES schemes are needed to align the environmental goals with food and economic security goals of farm households, ensuring sustainability of the benefits while limiting the unintended consequences.
Qirui Li; T. S. Amjath Babu; Stefan Sieber; Peter Zander. Assessing divergent consequences of payments for ecosystem services on rural livelihoods: A case‐study in China's Loess Hills. Land Degradation & Development 2018, 29, 3549 -3570.
AMA StyleQirui Li, T. S. Amjath Babu, Stefan Sieber, Peter Zander. Assessing divergent consequences of payments for ecosystem services on rural livelihoods: A case‐study in China's Loess Hills. Land Degradation & Development. 2018; 29 (10):3549-3570.
Chicago/Turabian StyleQirui Li; T. S. Amjath Babu; Stefan Sieber; Peter Zander. 2018. "Assessing divergent consequences of payments for ecosystem services on rural livelihoods: A case‐study in China's Loess Hills." Land Degradation & Development 29, no. 10: 3549-3570.
South Asia is the world’s most poverty-dense region, where climate change and climate variability are expected to result in increased heat stress and erratic precipitation patterns that affect agricultural productivity. Considerable evidence has been generated on the effects of these stresses on crop yield, though previous research has not yet examined their influence on the economic efficiency of cereal producers. Surveying 240 farmers across eight of Pakistan’s twelve agro-ecological zones, we examined the impact of temperature and precipitation anomalies – as indicators of climatic variability – and the number of days when temperature exceeds crop specific heat stress thresholds on the economic efficiency of rice and wheat production. To this end, we employed first-stage stochastic production frontier (SPF) models and second-stage ordinary least square (OLS) and quantile regression models. Both OLS and quantile regressions indicated that terminal heat >34 °C has a significant negative impact on wheat production economic efficiency. Small positive deviation (0.54 °C ± 0.16 SD) of the wheat season’s mean temperature from the medium-term historical mean also significantly and negatively affected economic efficiency across all regression models. Heat stress >35.5 °C during rice flowering in the monsoon also had a significant and negative impact. A slight positive deviation in temperature averaging 0.38 °C (±0.11 SD) above the medium-term mean also had significant negative effects across all regressions. Cumulative precipitation conversely had significant yet contrary effects, by offsetting farmers’ investment in supplementary irrigation and increasing economic efficiency. Our results highlight the fact that indicators of climatic variability and heat stress negatively affect the economic efficiency of both rice and wheat producing farmers. Farmers’ education and access to financial and extension services were however both positively associated with economic efficiency. Our findings point to the importance of developing interlinked agronomic, economic and socio-ecological policy strategies to adapt and increase the resilience of Pakistan’s cereal systems to climatic variability.
Muhammad Arshad; T.S. Amjath-Babu; Sreejith Aravindakshan; Timothy J. Krupnik; Verena Toussaint; Harald Kächele; Klaus Müller. Climatic variability and thermal stress in Pakistan’s rice and wheat systems: A stochastic frontier and quantile regression analysis of economic efficiency. Ecological Indicators 2018, 89, 496 -506.
AMA StyleMuhammad Arshad, T.S. Amjath-Babu, Sreejith Aravindakshan, Timothy J. Krupnik, Verena Toussaint, Harald Kächele, Klaus Müller. Climatic variability and thermal stress in Pakistan’s rice and wheat systems: A stochastic frontier and quantile regression analysis of economic efficiency. Ecological Indicators. 2018; 89 ():496-506.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMuhammad Arshad; T.S. Amjath-Babu; Sreejith Aravindakshan; Timothy J. Krupnik; Verena Toussaint; Harald Kächele; Klaus Müller. 2018. "Climatic variability and thermal stress in Pakistan’s rice and wheat systems: A stochastic frontier and quantile regression analysis of economic efficiency." Ecological Indicators 89, no. : 496-506.
Conservation tillage (CT) options are among the most rapidly spreading land preparation and crop establishment techniques globally. In South Asia, CT has spread dramatically over the last decade, a result of strong policy support and increasing availability of appropriate machinery. Although many studies have analyzed the yield and profitability of CT systems, the technical efficiency impacts accrued by farmers utilizing CT have received considerably less attention. Employing a DEA framework, we isolated bias-corrected meta-frontier technical efficiencies and meta-technology ratios of three CT options adopted by wheat farmers in Bangladesh, including bed planting (BP), power tiller operated seeding (PTOS), and strip tillage (ST), compared to a control group of farmers practicing traditional tillage (TT). Endogenous switching regression was subsequently employed to overcome potential self-selection bias in the choice of CT, in order to robustly estimate efficiency factors. Among the tillage options studied, PTOS was the most technically efficient, with an average meta-technology ratio of 0.90, followed by BP (0.88), ST (0.83), and TT (0.67). The average predicted meta-frontier technical efficiency for the CT non-adopters under a counterfactual scenario (0.80) was significantly greater (P = 0.00) than current TE scores (0.65), indicating the potential for sizeable profitability increases with CT adoption. Conversely, the counterfactual TE of non-adopters was 23% greater than their DEA efficiency, also indicating efficiency gains from CT adoption. Our results provide backing for agricultural development programs in South Asia that aim to increase smallholder farmers’ income through the application of CT as a pathway towards poverty reduction.
Sreejith Aravindakshan; Frederick Rossi; T. S. Amjath-Babu; Prakashan Chellattan Veettil; Timothy J. Krupnik. Application of a bias-corrected meta-frontier approach and an endogenous switching regression to analyze the technical efficiency of conservation tillage for wheat in South Asia. Journal of Productivity Analysis 2018, 49, 153 -171.
AMA StyleSreejith Aravindakshan, Frederick Rossi, T. S. Amjath-Babu, Prakashan Chellattan Veettil, Timothy J. Krupnik. Application of a bias-corrected meta-frontier approach and an endogenous switching regression to analyze the technical efficiency of conservation tillage for wheat in South Asia. Journal of Productivity Analysis. 2018; 49 (2-3):153-171.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSreejith Aravindakshan; Frederick Rossi; T. S. Amjath-Babu; Prakashan Chellattan Veettil; Timothy J. Krupnik. 2018. "Application of a bias-corrected meta-frontier approach and an endogenous switching regression to analyze the technical efficiency of conservation tillage for wheat in South Asia." Journal of Productivity Analysis 49, no. 2-3: 153-171.
Stefan Sieber; T.S. Amjath-Babu; Pytrik Reidsma; Hannes Koenig; Annette Piorr; Irina Bezlepkina; Klaus Mueller. Sustainability impact assessment tools for land use policy advice: A comparative analysis of five research approaches. Land Use Policy 2018, 71, 75 -85.
AMA StyleStefan Sieber, T.S. Amjath-Babu, Pytrik Reidsma, Hannes Koenig, Annette Piorr, Irina Bezlepkina, Klaus Mueller. Sustainability impact assessment tools for land use policy advice: A comparative analysis of five research approaches. Land Use Policy. 2018; 71 ():75-85.
Chicago/Turabian StyleStefan Sieber; T.S. Amjath-Babu; Pytrik Reidsma; Hannes Koenig; Annette Piorr; Irina Bezlepkina; Klaus Mueller. 2018. "Sustainability impact assessment tools for land use policy advice: A comparative analysis of five research approaches." Land Use Policy 71, no. : 75-85.
To improve food security, many countries adopt protectionist measures and block actions that are needed to improve the competitiveness and efficiency of domestic food commodity production. This article evaluates the policy of imposing an import tariff in order to improve the domestic production of sunflower oil in Tanzania. Promoting domestic production of edible oil in Tanzania through reduction in production costs and increase in productivity efficiency could lead to a stable and sustainable supply of edible oil at affordable prices to consumers. Annual edible oil demand currently is around 400,000 t, a figure that is increasing at a rate of 3% annually. Tanzania imports 60% of its edible oil needs, consuming much of its scarce foreign currency reserves. There is growing interest and efforts by the government and other stakeholders to improve the competitiveness of domestic sources of edible oils in order to substitute for imports. Tanzania, in line with its edible oil strategy 2016–2020, has imposed a 10% tariff on imported edible oils as an import substitution trade policy. There is a strong need for evidence-based assessment of this policy intervention, with this paper evaluating it, using the Policy Analysis Matrix (PAM) approach. Three central issues – competitiveness, efficiency, and policy transfers – are analyzed here. Results show that domestic edible oil producers have a comparative advantage but taxes on tradable inputs render domestic edible oil producers uncompetitive. Therefore, there is a need for Tanzania to protect domestic edible oil producers by reducing taxes on tradable inputs, as this will enable an increase in the domestic production of edible oils, which consequently would save the country the foreign currency that is spent on edible oil imports. Tanzania needs to adopt policies that can improve the competitiveness and efficiency of agriculture rather than increased protectionism.
Charles Peter Mgeni; Stefan Sieber; T. S. Amjath-Babu; Khamaldin Daud Mutabazi. Can protectionism improve food security? Evidence from an imposed tariff on imported edible oil in Tanzania. Food Security 2018, 10, 799 -806.
AMA StyleCharles Peter Mgeni, Stefan Sieber, T. S. Amjath-Babu, Khamaldin Daud Mutabazi. Can protectionism improve food security? Evidence from an imposed tariff on imported edible oil in Tanzania. Food Security. 2018; 10 (4):799-806.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCharles Peter Mgeni; Stefan Sieber; T. S. Amjath-Babu; Khamaldin Daud Mutabazi. 2018. "Can protectionism improve food security? Evidence from an imposed tariff on imported edible oil in Tanzania." Food Security 10, no. 4: 799-806.
Stefan Sieber; Frieder Graef; T.S. Amjath-Babu; Khamaldin D. Mutabazi; Siza D. Tumbo; Anja Faße; Sergio Gomez Y Paloma; Constance Rybak; Marcos Lana; Tim Hycenth Ndah; Götz Uckert; Johannes Schuler; Ulrike Grote. Trans-SEC’s food security research in Tanzania: principles, research models and assumptions. Food Security 2017, 9, 1147 -1155.
AMA StyleStefan Sieber, Frieder Graef, T.S. Amjath-Babu, Khamaldin D. Mutabazi, Siza D. Tumbo, Anja Faße, Sergio Gomez Y Paloma, Constance Rybak, Marcos Lana, Tim Hycenth Ndah, Götz Uckert, Johannes Schuler, Ulrike Grote. Trans-SEC’s food security research in Tanzania: principles, research models and assumptions. Food Security. 2017; 9 (6):1147-1155.
Chicago/Turabian StyleStefan Sieber; Frieder Graef; T.S. Amjath-Babu; Khamaldin D. Mutabazi; Siza D. Tumbo; Anja Faße; Sergio Gomez Y Paloma; Constance Rybak; Marcos Lana; Tim Hycenth Ndah; Götz Uckert; Johannes Schuler; Ulrike Grote. 2017. "Trans-SEC’s food security research in Tanzania: principles, research models and assumptions." Food Security 9, no. 6: 1147-1155.
Stefan Sieber; Frieder Graef; T.S. Amjath-Babu; Khamaldin D. Mutabazi; Siza D. Tumbo; Anja Faße; Sergio Gomez Y Paloma; Constance Rybak; Marcos Lana; Tim Hycenth Ndah; Götz Uckert; Johannes Schuler; Ulrike Grote. Introduction to a Special Issue: Regional Food and Nutritional Security in Tanzania – Methods, Tools and Applications. Food Security 2017, 9, 1143 -1145.
AMA StyleStefan Sieber, Frieder Graef, T.S. Amjath-Babu, Khamaldin D. Mutabazi, Siza D. Tumbo, Anja Faße, Sergio Gomez Y Paloma, Constance Rybak, Marcos Lana, Tim Hycenth Ndah, Götz Uckert, Johannes Schuler, Ulrike Grote. Introduction to a Special Issue: Regional Food and Nutritional Security in Tanzania – Methods, Tools and Applications. Food Security. 2017; 9 (6):1143-1145.
Chicago/Turabian StyleStefan Sieber; Frieder Graef; T.S. Amjath-Babu; Khamaldin D. Mutabazi; Siza D. Tumbo; Anja Faße; Sergio Gomez Y Paloma; Constance Rybak; Marcos Lana; Tim Hycenth Ndah; Götz Uckert; Johannes Schuler; Ulrike Grote. 2017. "Introduction to a Special Issue: Regional Food and Nutritional Security in Tanzania – Methods, Tools and Applications." Food Security 9, no. 6: 1143-1145.
Qirui Li; T.S. Amjath-Babu; Peter Zander. Role of capitals and capabilities in ensuring economic resilience of land conservation efforts: A case study of the grain for green project in China’s Loess Hills. Ecological Indicators 2016, 71, 636 -644.
AMA StyleQirui Li, T.S. Amjath-Babu, Peter Zander. Role of capitals and capabilities in ensuring economic resilience of land conservation efforts: A case study of the grain for green project in China’s Loess Hills. Ecological Indicators. 2016; 71 ():636-644.
Chicago/Turabian StyleQirui Li; T.S. Amjath-Babu; Peter Zander. 2016. "Role of capitals and capabilities in ensuring economic resilience of land conservation efforts: A case study of the grain for green project in China’s Loess Hills." Ecological Indicators 71, no. : 636-644.
Many studies have examined the impact of climatic variability on agricultural productivity, although an understanding of these effects on farmland values and their relationship to farmers’ decisions to adapt and modify their land-use practices remains nascent in developing nations. We estimated the impacts of the deviation in our study year's (2012) temperature and precipitation patterns from medium-term (1980–2011) climatic patterns on farmland values in Pakistan. This was accomplished by employing a modified form of a Ricardian regression model. We also examined farmers’ perceptions of climate change during this period, as well as their perceptions of climate change impacts on farm productivity, in addition to past and anticipated farm adaptation strategies. Our results indicate that positive temperature deviation from the medium-term mean – indicative of climatic change – affects farmland values in Pakistan. Deviation in annual cumulative precipitation conversely appears to have no significant impact. Estimates of the marginal impact of temperature deviation suggested a slight but negative linear relationship with farmland values. The location of farms in areas where farmers can avail financial or extension services conversely had a positive impact on farmland values, as did the availability of irrigation facilities. Our analysis of farmers’ perceptions of climate change and their consequent adaptation behavior indicated a relatively high degree of awareness of climatic variability that influenced a number of proactive and future anticipated farm adaptation strategies. Examples included increased use of irrigation and farm enterprise diversification, as well as land-use change, including shifting from agriculture into alternative land uses. National policy in Pakistan underscores the importance of maintaining a productive rural agricultural sector. Our findings consequently highlight the importance of appropriate adaptation strategies to maintain both farm productivity and farmland values in much of Pakistan. The implications of increased extension and financial services to enhance farmers’ potential for climate change adaptation are discussed.
Muhammad Arshad; Harald Kächele; Timothy J. Krupnik; T. S. Amjath-Babu; Sreejith Aravindakshan; Azhar Abbas; Yasir Mehmood; Klaus Müller. Climate variability, farmland value, and farmers’ perceptions of climate change: implications for adaptation in rural Pakistan. International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology 2016, 24, 532 -544.
AMA StyleMuhammad Arshad, Harald Kächele, Timothy J. Krupnik, T. S. Amjath-Babu, Sreejith Aravindakshan, Azhar Abbas, Yasir Mehmood, Klaus Müller. Climate variability, farmland value, and farmers’ perceptions of climate change: implications for adaptation in rural Pakistan. International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology. 2016; 24 (6):532-544.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMuhammad Arshad; Harald Kächele; Timothy J. Krupnik; T. S. Amjath-Babu; Sreejith Aravindakshan; Azhar Abbas; Yasir Mehmood; Klaus Müller. 2016. "Climate variability, farmland value, and farmers’ perceptions of climate change: implications for adaptation in rural Pakistan." International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology 24, no. 6: 532-544.
Several studies estimate the immediate impact of climate change on agricultural societies in terms of changes in crop yields or farm income, though few studies concentrate on the immediate secondary consequences of climate change. This synthetic analysis uses a set of indicators to assess the repercussions of predicted income reductions resulting from climate change on food consumption, nutrition, health expenditure, education, and recreation in Zimbabwe, Cameroon, South Africa and Ethiopia. We also assess the potential decline in human development potential among smallholder dryland farmers in these sub-Saharan African countries. In contrast to previous efforts, the current study directly integrates the uncertainties in estimations of income changes and secondary consequences through a weighting scheme. The results reveal moderate to high levels of secondary impacts which could lead to increased vulnerability to diseases, susceptibility to nutritional disorders, deprivation of educational opportunities, and ultimately to a reduction in human and societal development potential among the considered nations. The article concludes by proposing a portfolio of policy options for ameliorating the secondary impacts of climate change in these sub-Saharan African countries.
T.S. Amjath-Babu; Timothy J. Krupnik; Sreejith Aravindakshan; Muhammad Arshad; Harald Kaechele. Climate change and indicators of probable shifts in the consumption portfolios of dryland farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa: Implications for policy. Ecological Indicators 2016, 67, 830 -838.
AMA StyleT.S. Amjath-Babu, Timothy J. Krupnik, Sreejith Aravindakshan, Muhammad Arshad, Harald Kaechele. Climate change and indicators of probable shifts in the consumption portfolios of dryland farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa: Implications for policy. Ecological Indicators. 2016; 67 ():830-838.
Chicago/Turabian StyleT.S. Amjath-Babu; Timothy J. Krupnik; Sreejith Aravindakshan; Muhammad Arshad; Harald Kaechele. 2016. "Climate change and indicators of probable shifts in the consumption portfolios of dryland farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa: Implications for policy." Ecological Indicators 67, no. : 830-838.
This article analyzes agricultural sustainability in the context of land degradation, rural poverty and social inequality, taking China’s Loess Hills as an example. The analysis attempts to understand the multi-dimensionality of sustainability at the farm level and its relationship with physical-socio-economic-infrastructural-technological framework conditions in the context of the land set-aside program viz. the Grain for Green Project (GGP). We developed composite indices of sustainability and its environmental, economic and social dimensions using a principal component analysis (PCA)-based weighting scheme. Regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between the estimated sustainability indicators and the variables representing framework conditions of knowledge, demographics, resource endowment and production techniques. The stated analysis was conducted on a dataset collected by means of household surveys in 2014 in valleys and flood plain areas in Yanhe Township. Findings reveal hidden correlations among the indicators of environmental, economic, and social pillars of sustainability. The ratio of land under the conservation program to actual farmland emerged as a key determinant of overall agricultural sustainability and its social dimension, which reaches the maximum when the ratio is around 0.56 and 0.64, respectively. The results also show that there is need to balance off-farm and on-farm income diversification as well as highlight the role of women in ensuring the sustainability of farming households. The core achievement of the article is the definition of the thresholds for the land set-aside program and the identification of major determinants of agricultural sustainability in the rural Chinese context in particular and in rural farming communities in general.
Qirui Li; T. S. Amjath-Babu; Peter Zander; Zhen Liu; Klaus Müller. Sustainability of Smallholder Agriculture in Semi-Arid Areas under Land Set-aside Programs: A Case Study from China’s Loess Plateau. Sustainability 2016, 8, 395 .
AMA StyleQirui Li, T. S. Amjath-Babu, Peter Zander, Zhen Liu, Klaus Müller. Sustainability of Smallholder Agriculture in Semi-Arid Areas under Land Set-aside Programs: A Case Study from China’s Loess Plateau. Sustainability. 2016; 8 (4):395.
Chicago/Turabian StyleQirui Li; T. S. Amjath-Babu; Peter Zander; Zhen Liu; Klaus Müller. 2016. "Sustainability of Smallholder Agriculture in Semi-Arid Areas under Land Set-aside Programs: A Case Study from China’s Loess Plateau." Sustainability 8, no. 4: 395.