Canadian consumer acceptance of gene-edited versus genetically modified potatoes: A choice experiment approach

In 2016, second-generation genetically modified (GM) potatoes were approved for production and sale in Canada. In this study, we analyze how consumer acceptance of GM potatoes may be affected by various factors, including the trait introduced (i.e., the product benefits), the type of breeding technology used, and the developer of the potato using any technology. We conduct an online survey and use a stated choice experiment to collect data on consumer acceptance of GM and other potatoes in Canada. Random utility models are used to analyze the economic value consumers place on the various attributes of the potatoes. Our results show that consumers are willing to pay more for a health attribute (reduced acrylamide produced when potatoes are fried) and an environmental attribute. Respondents in general need to face discounted prices to buy potatoes created by either gene editing or GM (either transgenic or cisgenic/intragenic) technologies. However, consumers are in general more accepting of the gene editing technology than the GM technologies. Our results also show that government is the most preferred developer of the potatoes, regardless of technology. Results from this study can help guide public and private management of the introduction of new foods when the products are developed with unpopular technologies.     

Farmer organizations and maize productivity in rural Burkina Faso: The effects of the diversion strategy on cotton input loans

This study analyzes the impact of the diversion strategy of cotton inputs on maize productivity among farmer organization (FO) members in Burkina Faso, based on an endogenous treatment effect model. This impact is assessed by measuring the effects of the producers’ strategy of using part of their cotton inputs for growing other crops, such as maize. The data from a 2014 multisectoral survey in Burkina Faso were used. The main result is that maize productivity is 59.11% lower for FO members who divert their cotton inputs. We suggest the development of financing systems for cereals, similar to those in the cotton sector, and the establishment of monitoring the use of input credits.     

农户民间借贷需求影响因素的经验分析——基于河南省的调查

采用河南省农村的社会调查资料,运用Logit模型,对农户民间借贷需求影响因素进行了实证检验。结果表明:社会资本拥有量、家庭状况和信贷环境均是影响农户民间借贷需求的主要因素。尤其,具有一定社会地位的家庭、收入水平较高的家庭、负担水平较重的家庭以及所在村存在"高利贷"等因素对农户获得民间借贷的可能性具有非常显著的作用。     

我国农民合作经济组织生成机理探析

发展农民合作经济组织是解决我国三农问题的一条有效途径,对农民合作经济组织生成机理的深入分析和准确把握是推进我国农民合作经济组织进一步发展的关键。从我国整个农村社会系统出发,对我国农民合作经济组织生成的基本动因以及农民组建合作经济组织的潜在收益和合作成本进行深入剖析,力图把握我国农民合作经济组织生成的内部机理。     

农民收入水平对农村家庭能源消费结构影响的实证分析

本文依据调查资料,利用层次分析法实证分析了农民收入水平对农村家庭能源消费结构的影响,得出结论:农户的收入水平对农村家庭生活用能源种类的选择影响较大,因此不同收入水平的农户家庭能源消费的结构存在较大的差异;人均收入在4000元以下的农户,户用沼气的权系数最大,人均收入超过4000元的农户,液化气的权系数最大;农户的收入越高,对能源的舒适性、便利性、卫生特性的要求越高,农户的收入越低,对能源的经济性则考虑得越多;使用无成本、又便利的户用沼气非常适合在收入水平较低的农村地区推广。     

“非中介化”、农户货币偏好与农户信用重建研究

本文对农村金融中的常态“非中介化”和农户货币偏好规律进行了探讨,揭示伴随农户借贷行为而产生农户融资渠道的转变和货币偏好,这两种经济现象背后的实质是信用的核心———普适性信任在发生作用,提出通过建立农户贷款担保基金和强化农村合作经济组织建设,以重构农户信用。同时,通过完善农村信用社的经营机制和产权结构,优化对农户信用缺失约束的外部环境,以增强双方的信任度,从而达到消除农村金融中的常态“非中介化”等对农户收入增长的不利因素。     

“诺斯悖论”视野下的农民合作

在理解农民合作的内在机理中,政府的角色是不可或缺的,但政府的介入往往形成一个"悖论"。通过分析新中国成立以来农民的合作历史,展示了政府进退对农民合作的影响。结合目前农民合作的现状,分析由于政府缺位,制度资源供给不足,农民合作陷入困境。因此,由于农民自组织资源的局限性,政府介入农民合作是必要的,但要注意介入的尺度,要在公共决策与私人决策之间保持平衡。     

Stakeholder planning of the institutionalization of the volunteer farmer-trainer approach in dairy producer organizations in Kenya: key steps and supporting mechanisms*

The effectiveness of community-based extension approaches has been widely documented, however their sustainability remains weak. Institutionalization has been proposed as a way of achieving sustainability. This paper shares experiences of the learning and planning phase of the institutionalization of the volunteer farmer-trainer (VFT) approach in three dairy producer organizations (POs) in Kenya. The paper builds a detailed understanding of the key steps and social processes involved and the wider lessons that might be learned regarding institutionalization in the context of local institutions such POs. We draw on data from key informant interviews, focus groups discussions and workshops. The first phase of the process which spanned one year involved engagements with stakeholders at different levels; from VFTs, dairy cooperative management, government extension and local NGOs. The process involved awareness creation, joint learning at the individual, group and organization level, a strengths-weaknesses-opportunities-threats (SWOT) analysis of producer organizations and identifying opportunities for harnessing resources for support functions. We highlight the important supporting social and institutional processes that are required for this to happen. These include getting acceptance and support from key stakeholders, developing a shared understanding, stakeholder ownership of the process, commitment from top leadership of POs and institutional structures to support the process. For the process to be actualized, we discuss mechanisms that need to be put in place.     

Youth engagement in agricultural policy processes in Malawi

This study assesses the nature of networking between youth and agricultural policy-makers – given youth disillustionment with agricultural livelihoods. Using the Malawi case, a mixed-methods approach shows, first, that local government departments which are mandated to work on youth issues are the main hubs of information for youth in agriculture. The Ministry of Agriculture plays a secondary role. Second, the study shows that youth in agriculture have little or no direct interactions with each other. Therefore, youth remain on the periphery of agricultural policy-making and their role in shaping agricultural policy dialogue is negligible. This is attributable to both lack of a deliberate government policy to include the youth and lack of a unified youth platform. The onus is therefore on the youth to ensure that they are effectively engaged in agricultural policy dialogue. The study concludes with policy recommendations relevant for countries with a ‘youth/agriculture’ problem like Malawi.     

北京农民收入变化特点与促进增收的政策建议

党的十八大报告提出,到2020年我国城乡居民人均收入要比2010年翻一番,农民收入翻番是实现这一目标的重要组成部分。北京市2010年农民人均纯收入约1.3万元,如何在高起点上完成2.6万元翻番任务是目前亟待解决的问题。本文通过定量分析法、研讨法、文献法,梳理北京市"八五"以来的农民增收政策,得出在增收政策力度增大的情况下,农民收入的四个明显特征。一是收入水平增加明显,1995~2014年收入增长6.3倍。二是结构变化明显,工资性收入的增收贡献率与人均纯收入的增长存在显著的正相关关系;转移性收入在收入构成中的比重不断增加。三是区域差异明显,地区之间不平衡;城市发展新区增速略高于其它两个功能区;城乡居民收入差距持续扩大。四是内部差距明显,农民内部收入差距逐年拉大,收入分配不平等程度高于城镇。分析影响农民收入增长的因素时,得出农民存在自身素质局限性、收入来源狭窄性及收入支出失衡性的现实问题及社会保障、土地、财政、公共服务方面的制度问题。最后提出以加强政策可持续性、增强政策针对性、增进制度创新性为切入点,建立合理、有效、配套的农民增收政策体系,完成新形势下的收入倍增目标。