The Role of Seedyam Procurement Arrangements for Yam Production Specialisation in the Smallholder Cropping System of Anambra State,Nigeria

Abstract: Seed yam constitutes a major input for the effective production of ware yam. This study was carried out to estimate the relative economic advantages of two alternative seed yam procurement arrangements to yam production specialisation in two geographically dispersed areas. The two arrangements are the seed yam credit in Anambra Local Government Area and the own stock supply of seedyam in the Abakaliki Local Government Area. Data were collected through structured personal interview schedules from 108 farming households. Results of the study indicated amongst other things that the quantity of seedyam, size of farm and cash return were greater in the credit than in the own stock seedyam arrangement. In addition, cash flow and risk incidence were more favourable in the credit arrangement. The study concluded by recommending the extension of some of the features of the credit system to other yam producing areas so as to improve the inherently low cash returns attributed to ware yam production. Résumé: L'igname de semence constitue un facteur déterminant pour une production rentable d'ignames de consommation courante. Cette étude a été faite en vue d'évaluer les avantages économiques comparatifs entre deux options d'arrangements relatifs à la spécialisation en production d'ignames dans deux régions géographiquement éloignées. Ces deux options concernent, l'une l'octroi de crédit pour l'acquisition d'ignames de semence dans la collectivité locale d'Anambra, et l'autre la fourniture du stock d'ignames de semence par les exploitants, dans la collectivité locale d'Abakaliki. Les données ont été collectées grâce à des interviews effectuées auprès de 108 exploitants agricoles. Les conclusions de l'étude indiquent, entre autres, que la quantité d'ignames de semence, la superficie de l'exploitation et les revenus en espèces étaient plus élevés dans l'option du crédit que dans l'option de la fourniture d'ignames de semence par les exploitants eux-mêmes. Par ailleurs, la trésorerie et le taux de risque se sont révelés plus intéressants dans l'option du crédit. L'étude a conclu en formulant une recommandation en faveur de l'extension de certaines clauses du système de crédit aux autres régions productrices d'ignames afin d'améliorer les faibles revenus qui caractérisent la production d'ignames de consommation courante.     

Price Transmission and Market Integration in Oyo State,Nigeria

Abstract: The paper tests the market integration of the main staple agricultural commodities in Oyo State. Monthly prices in covering a period of 8 years (1994–2001) were obtained from Oyo State Agricultural Development Programme (OYSADP) and analysed using the Ravallion Model. The study also calculated the Indices of Market Concentration (IMC) to measure the degree of spatial market integration. The IMCs for cassava, yam, white maize and yellow maize were 0.3074, 0.0814, 0.02712 and 0.1648 respectively. The IMCs imply high short‐run market integration between the reference and rural markets. The market integration indices confirm that price changes in the urban markets (Bodija and Ilora) translated to changes in the price of cassava, yam, maize, yellow maize in rural markets (Akanran, Towobowo, Anko, Irepodun, Oje, Kajola, Akala and Aberu). It is concluded that agricultural commodity arbitrage is working. The degree of market integration can be enhanced by the provision of not only transport infrastructure but by provision of adequate formal marketing information and standardization of weights and measures in the system.     

涉农龙头企业与农户最优合作数量的经济学分析

本文指出涉农龙头企业仅从规模经济、协调成本及信息通信技术等因素对农户合作数量进行决策会影响企业的长期稳定发展;同时认为非和约特征是企业与农户合作的一个典型特征,并综合协调成本及非和约投资等因素提出关于企业与农户最优合作数量的理论模型。在此基础上,结合实际提出企业与农户合作的新模式,并对新模式的内在机理进行了较为严格的理论分析。     

新制度经济学与品牌济学分析范式的比较研究

交易费用与选择成本是新制度经济学与品牌经济学分析范式的核心,为了清楚地区别二者,本文从分析的基本单位、分析范式的核心范畴、时代背景与理论背景、考察影响和制约人类行为的局限条件的视角、二者与资源配置的关系、理论的应用等七个方面对新制度经济学与品牌经济学进行了系统的比较研究。     

Rice in Indonesia: Price Policy and Comparative Advantage

Indonesia's remarkable success in increasing rice production has been achieved through deliberate government intervention. This paper highlights the price policy interventions in the Output and input markets for rice. Summary measures of these interventions are estimated and their impact on private profitability is determined. Economic profitability of paddy and rice production is also estimated for selected regions and these estimates are used to pinpoint comparative advantage across. regions.     

The External Debt Problem in Africa: A Comparative Study of Nigeria and Morocco

In this paper, the African external debt problem with particular reference to Nigeria and Morocco is extensively analysed, and statistical indicators show that it is severe and has adverse effects on investment. The analysis also finds that fiscal expenditure, balance of payments and global interest rate are the crucial factors in explaining the accumulation of external debt in the two countries. Although the problem tends to exhibit some differences in characteristics between the two countries, the fact remains that they both belong to the same category of highly indebted countries. It is therefore necessary they embark on a rapid programme of privatization aimed at reducing fiscal expenditure, and a sustained export promotion programme to improve balance of payments. At the same time, both countries should restructure and develop their capital markets to reduce exposure to the vagaries of global interest rate. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank could also assist by modifying the International debt relief programme (HIPC Initiative) to accommodate both countries. Cet article étudie en détail le problème de la dette extérieure de l’Afrique, en se centrant en particulier sur les exemples du Nigeria et du Maroc. Les indicateurs statistiques montrent que le problème est grave et a des effets négatifs sur l’investissement. L’analyse a également mis à jour le fait que les dépenses fiscales, la balance des paiements et le taux d’intérÁt global sont des facteurs essentiels dans l’accumulation de la dette extérieure dans ces deux pays. Si le problème présente des caractéristiques différentes dans les deux pays, le fait n’en demeure pas moins qu’ils appartiennent tous deux à la mÁme catégorie des pays très endettés. Il leur est donc nécessaire d’engager rapidement un programme de privatisation visant à réduire les dépenses fiscales, et un programme intensif de promotion des exportations pour améliorer la balance des paiements. Dans le mÁme temps, les deux pays doivent restructurer et développer leurs marchés financiers pour réduire leur exposition aux caprices des taux d’intérÁt mondiaux. Le Fonds monétaire international (FMI) et la Banque mondiale pourraient également les aider en modifiant le programme international d’allégement de dette (Initiative PPTE) de manière à ce qu’ils puissent en profiter.     

广西农户生产经营行为的实证分析与策略选择

农户生产经营行为与城乡二元结构变化有着重要的关联性,对农户生产经营行为进行实证分析具有重要的现实意义。探索农户生产经营行为的变动趋势、影响因素以及局限性等,有助于揭示农业生产发展及推进城乡一体化进程的一般规律性。     

The Technical and Price Efficiency of Fertiliser use in Irrigated Rice Production

Rapid growth in chemical fertiliser use has been key to Indonesia's rice production increase during the past two decades. Very high fertiliser application rates in the country's major irrigated rice areas prompt concerns about technical and economic inefficiency, as well as possible adverse environmental impacts, particularly since fertiliser subsidies constitute a significant financial burden to the government. A 1989 national farm cost survey shows that rates of nitrogen and phosphorus use in wide areas of Java and Bali, and in some parts of Sumatra, are often far higher than those recommended by agronomists both in Indonesia and in similar Asian countries. The analysis indicates that fertiliser rates presently exceed profit maximising levels on much of Java, leading to a net financial loss estimated at over $29 million annually. More intensive extension efforts and changes in pricing strategy are proposed to improve technical and economic efficiency.     

国内大城市生产效率的对比分析

随着经济全球化浪潮的席卷,国与国之间的竞争更多地表现为重大节点城市和大城市间的竞争,而城市的竞争力则更多地表现为生产效率.因此,国内外经济学界高度关注城市生产效率的研究.本文吸收了生产效率研究文献中的一些方法与经验,采用Malmquist效率指数分析方法对国内大城市生产效率进行了研究,发现在国内大城市生产效率普遍提高的过程中东北和中西部地区大城市生产效率正在加快提升,同时国内大城市的发展路径和发展阶段已呈现出多样性.最后,我们还利用面板数据模型对大城市生产效率的变化及其差异进行了分析.我们从中得到的启示就是国内大城市要不断提高自己的生产效率,就必须一方面持续加大科技创新力度,走科教兴国的道路,大力推动自主创新;另一方面不断坚持改革开放,积极鼓励民营经济发展,持续完善市场经济.     

九十年代农村居民收入 与消费结构的地区差异比较

本文回顾了改革开放以来，农村居民收入消费的变化情况，通过对江苏、安徽、甘肃三省九十年代农村居民收入与消费变化的对比，分析了我国东、中、西部农民的收入与消费的差距，特别是对三地农民的收入结构与消费结构做出了深入分析，并结合了我国当前的实际情况，给出了一些具体的政策建议。     

Technical Inefficiency and Production Risk in Rice Farming: Evidence from Central Luzon Philippines*

There have been many previous studies of technical inefficiency in rice production in the Philippines, but none has focused simultaneously on production risk and technical inefficiency at the farm level. Rice production is inherently risky because of the heterogeneous production environment. In this study, we analyze technical inefficiency in a rainfed lowland rice environment in Central Luzon using a stochastic frontier production function with a heteroskedastic error structure. An 8‐year panel dataset collected from 46 rainfed rice farmers was used to estimate flexible functional specifications. Over the whole period, the average technical efficiency was found to be 79 percent. Results indicate that there is a high degree of variability in technical efficiency estimates, which can be attributed to the instability of farming conditions in the rainfed lowland environment. Mean output was signifificantly influenced by area planted to rice, labor and the amount of fertilizer used. Consequently, these inputs were found to be risk‐increasing, whereas herbicide was found to be a risk‐reducing input.     

Productivity and Comparative Advantage in Rice Agriculture in South‐East Asia Since 1870*

Rice long dominated the agricultural economies of South‐East Asia. Given the economic predominance of agriculture, the development of rice production had a significant bearing on the economies in the region. This article explains why the countries of mainland South‐East Asia long dominated the international rice market. It quantifies labor productivity in rice production and argues that simple, low‐cost and labor‐extensive, but low‐yielding production technology allowed farmers in mainland South‐East Asia to achieve significantly higher levels of labor product‐ivity than in the more densely populated rice‐producing areas in South‐East Asia and Japan. High levels of labor productivity were a major source of comparative advantage in rice production for Burma, Thailand and Southern Vietnam.     

基于比较优势理论的西藏"三农"问题研究

“三农”问题是我国构建和谐社会的重点问题,同样,西藏“三农”问题的解决是构建和谐西藏的关键。本文在大卫.李嘉图的比较优势理论指导下,通过SWOT分析法分析了西藏“三农”自身存在的优势和劣势以及面临的外部机遇和威胁,并提出了相关对策,希望对西藏“三农”问题的解决有所裨益。