Poverty analysis using small area estimation: an application to conservation agriculture in Uganda |
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Authors: | Jarrad Farris Catherine Larochelle Jeffrey Alwang George W Norton Caleb King |
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Institution: | 1. Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA;2. Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA |
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Abstract: | This article demonstrates the utility of small area estimation of poverty (SAEp) methods for researchers wishing to conduct a detailed welfare analysis as part of a larger survey of a small geographic area. This study applies SAEp methods as part of an impact assessment of a conservation agriculture production system in Eastern Uganda. Using SAEp, we estimate Foster–Greer–Thorbecke rural poverty indices, estimate the effects of per‐acre farm profit increases to poor households on the indices, and compare the findings to estimates of net returns from a field‐level evaluation of conservation agriculture for maize farmers. Results suggest that increasing the farm profits of the bottom 30% of households by $1.60 per‐acre per‐season would reduce rural poverty incidence by 1 percentage point. Available data on the net returns to conservation agriculture indicate that even these modest increases are achievable for few adopting households. |
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Keywords: | I30 I32 O12 O13 O33 Conservation agriculture Small‐area estimation of poverty Technical change Uganda Producer welfare |
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