The Adoption of Genetically Modified Cotton and Poverty Reduction in Pakistan

This article employs a propensity score‐matching approach to examine the direct effects of adoption of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton on yields, pesticide demand, household income and poverty, using cross‐sectional data from a survey of farmers in the Punjab province of Pakistan. Generally, the findings reveal that adoption of the new technology exerts a positive and significant impact on cotton yields, household income and poverty reduction, and a negative effect on the use of pesticides. The positive and significant impact of the technology on yields and household income is consistent with the potential role of new agricultural technology in directly reducing rural poverty through increased farm household income.     

转基因作物经济研究综述

转基因作物经济研究，从属于应用经济学范畴，是近些年经济学研究的一个热点。本文首次对转基因作物经济研究的内容、方法和结果进行探讨总结，并在此基础上展望了这个领域进一步可能研究的方向。     

Consumer Perception of Genetically Modified Food: Empirical Evidence From India

Although the advent of genetically modified (GM) foods changed the agricultural scenario in developed countries, existing research confirms that consumer perception about the consumption of the same is often distorted. GM foods entered the Indian market amid widespread controversies and criticisms. There exists a host of studies that tried to establish the factors that shape favorable consumer perception toward GM foods indeed, but evidence from developing countries like India is still missing. The article undertakes an exploratory investigation of the factors that shape consumer perception about the consumption of GM foods in India and subsequently confirms the same with the aid of a measurement model. The study provides important implications for managers in directing efforts toward influencing consumer perception and instigating positive attitudes toward GM foods so that the benefits of their use can be extended to the masses in relatively nascent markets.     

Genetically Modified Crops, Corporate Pricing Strategies, and Farmers' Adoption: The Case of Bt Cotton in Argentina

This article analyzes adoption and impacts of Bt cotton in Argentina against the background of monopoly pricing. Based on survey data, it is shown that the technology significantly reduces insecticide applications and increases yields; however, these advantages are curbed by the high price charged for genetically modified seeds. Using the contingent valuation method, it is shown that farmers' average willingness to pay is less than half the actual technology price. A lower price would not only increase benefits for growers, but could also multiply company profits, thus, resulting in a Pareto improvement. Implications of the sub-optimal pricing strategy are discussed.     

Political reservation and female empowerment: evidence from Maharashtra,India

This paper studies the impact of political reservation for women on political participation and empowerment of women living in areas where gender quotas are mandated. Following the 1992 passage of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment in India, one-third of village government head positions are reserved for women. Utilizing the random allocation of reserved seats and a unique individual level data-set which captures a large set of measures on political participation of women, we find that women residing in areas with a female village government head show significantly higher levels of political participation and empowerment. Overall, the observed effect can be entirely attributed to improved outcomes of women from a lower socio-economic strata, while no effect is found for economically better-off women. The results suggest that the imposed gender quotas are an effective means of overcoming inequalities and contributed to giving disadvantaged women more voice and opportunity for political empowerment. We further investigate the role that the level of women’s political participation plays on the type and quality of public services delivered. Our results indicate that the level of women’s political participation and empowerment is an important channel through which public service delivery is influenced.     

农户、政府及转基因农产品——对我国农民转基因作物种植意向的分析

在过去的十多年里 ,农业转基因技术已经取得了举世瞩目的成绩。 2 0 0 0年 ,美国、阿根廷、加拿大和中国种植的转基因作物占全球转基因作物种植总面积的 99% ,依次居于前四位。值得注意的是 ,这 4个国家中 2个是发达国家 (美国和加拿大 )、2个是发展中国家 (阿根廷和中国 )。由于一些发展中国家已经种植了大面积的转基因作物 ,并且还呈现出不断增长的趋势 ,因此 ,对这些国家农民的种植意向进行考察就具有极其重大的现实意义。正是基于这一认识 ,笔者对我国农民转基因作物的种植意向做了问卷分析 ,以期得出有益于政府制定适当的产业政策的结…     

Economic Effects of the Consumer‐oriented Genetically Modified Products in Markets with a Labelling Regime

This paper builds on the literature on the economic effects of the second‐generation, consumer‐oriented genetically modified products (GMPs). It analyses the market and welfare impacts of the introduction of these new products in markets, like the EU, that mandate the segregation and labelling of the first‐generation, producer‐oriented GMPs. Developing an empirically relevant model of heterogeneous consumers and producers, the study determines the effects of the consumer‐oriented GMPs on the markets of conventional, GM and organic products, and the welfare of consumers and agricultural producers. Analytical results indicate that the market effects of the new GMPs are case specific and depend on: (i) the consumer valuation of the quality‐enhancing attribute of the new GMP; (ii) the level of consumer aversion to GMOs; (iii) the strength of consumer preference for organic products; and (iv) the production costs and marketing margins in the different supply channels. The policy on the labelling of the first‐generation GMPs does not affect the impacts of the second‐generation GMPs on the quantities and market shares of the different products. However, it does affect their price effects and welfare implications. The introduction of consumer‐oriented GMPs under a mandatory labelling regime can result in losses for some GM consumers and all producers of the conventional product.     

Merchants of knowledge: Petty retail and differentiation without consolidation among farmers in Maharashtra,India

This article focuses on the intermediary figure of the village‐level petty retailer of chemical inputs, providing an account of the everyday relationships of farmers with transnational and domestic agribusiness capital. Retailers are figures from whom farmers purchase seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals. The article traces the rise of village‐level retailers in western Maharashtra, India, since the 1990s, and finds that Maratha (a dominant landholding cultivator caste) households have ventured into retailing. Further, farmers depend on retailers for credit, technical knowledge, and for the sale of their harvest. By analysing the pressures and risks of petty retail, visible in interactions with farmers, the article argues that even as retailing provides avenues for upward mobility to petty agricultural commodity producers, the trade is too volatile for the gains to sustain. Thus, the entry of Marathas into petty retail is akin to an attempt at class differentiation but without consolidation.     

Potatoes,Petty Commodity Producers and Livelihoods: Contract farming and agrarian change in Maharashtra,India

This paper explores the implications of contract farming for patterns of agrarian change in India. The paper draws on a detailed analysis of primary qualitative data from a case study of potato contract farming in the state of Maharashtra. It argues that debates on contract farming are often ideological in nature, leading to overly simplified narratives of “win–win” or “win–lose.” Instead, by combining the strengths of agrarian political economy and rural livelihood analysis, the paper offers a concrete exploration of the intersections between contract farming, livelihoods, and agrarian change. It finds that contract farming activities in the case study villages are focused on a group of petty commodity producers. However, rather than sparking dynamic new processes of accumulation among contract farmers or leading to new forms of exploitation, the paper argues that contract farming is contributing to processes of agrarian change “already under way.” These processes are intimately connected to livelihood diversification and the struggles of new classes of fragmented labour.     

Consumer Attitudes to Genetically Modified Food in Norway

There is a lack of public acceptance of genetically modified (GM) food products in Europe. Using a dichotomous choice contingent valuation methodology, we find that, on average, survey respondents with a positive attitude toward the use of biotechnology in food production, higher educated, younger, and male need less of a discount to choose to purchase bread made with GM wheat. Further, we estimate confidence intervals for the mean discount required for consumers to choose GM bread. The 95% confidence interval for the mean discount required for the respondents to choose the GM bread is a 37% to 63% discount relative to conventional bread.     

Grading, Minimum Quality Standards, and the Labeling of Genetically Modified Products

We relate the labeling of genetically modified (GM) products to the theory of grading and minimum quality standards. The model represents three stages in the supply chain, assumes a vertical product differentiation framework, allows for the accidental commingling of non-GM products, and treats regulation as a purity threshold for non-GM products. We find that a non-GM purity level that is too strict leads to the disappearance of the non-GM product, and that some quality standard benefits farmers. Indeed, the standard that is optimal from the perspective of producers is stricter than what is optimal for consumers and for societal welfare.     

Consumer Demand for Genetically Modified Rice in Urban China

We investigate consumer demand for genetically modified (GM) rice in urban China, using a relatively large survey of urban consumers in 2013 and the contingent valuation method. Our results show that respondents discount their WTP for first, second and third generation of GM rice by 31%, 34% and 36%, respectively, compared with non‐GM rice, indicating substantial aversion to GM rice by Chinese consumers. The level of consumers’ subjective knowledge of GM rice has a significantly negative impact on their WTP for GM rice, implying that GM rice in China has become a ‘special food’ with an unreliable image.     

Policies and Attitudes toward Genetically Modified foods in Norway

Policies and Attitudes toward Genetically Modified Foods in Norway Norwegian food and agricultural policies have up to now prevented the introduction and commercialization of GM foods. This may be considered just an imitation of EU neighbours. On the other hand, based on results from our study, the application of the precautionary principle to GM foods is well justified in Norway since consumers currently do not feel comfortable with these products. Our analysis is based on data from a survey of 400 food shoppers in the Oslo‐region of Norway conducted in January 2002. Of consumers surveyed, eighty‐six per cent of consumers thought labeling of GM foods was very important. Consumers in the sample were on average only willing to purchase GM bread with an approximately 50 per cent discount compared to non‐GM bread, indicating that there is strong scepticism toward GM foods in Norway. When comparing the consumers who were the most willing to purchase GM bread with the consumers who were the least willing to purchase GM bread, we found that the latter group was significantly older, had more women, higher incomes and lower formal education. The strict Norwegian GM food policies are consistent with the consumer consensus against the inclusion of GM foods in the Norwegian market. Les aliments génétiquement modifiés en Norvège:politiques mises en oeuvre et attitudes des consommateurs Jusqu'ici, les politiques agrtcoles et alimentaires en Norvège ont toujours prohibé l' importation et la commercialisation d'aliments génétiquement modifyés. On pourrait l' interpréter comme une simple imitation de ce qui se passe dans l' UE voisine. Pourtant, les résultats présentés ici montrent que l'application du principe de précaution aux aliments génétiquement modifyés est justifyée en Norvège par le fait que les consommateurs ne se sentent pas confortables avec ces produits. Ceci ressort d'une enquête effectuée en Janvier 2002 auprès de 400 acheteurs de produits alimentaires dans la règion d'Oslo. 86% des répondants estiment que l'étiquetage des produits génétiquement modifyés est ‘très important’. En moyenne, les consommateurs de l'échantillon exigent un baisse de 50% du prix du ‘pain OGM’ par rapport au pain ‘non OGM’ pour accepter d'acheter le premier. Cela témoigne d'un fort scepticisme vis‐à‐vis des OGM en Norvège. Quand on oppose le groupe des consommateurs les ‘plus favorables’ aux OGM au groupe des ‘moins favorables’ on trouve que le second est composé de gens plus vieux, qu'il est plus féminin, bénéficie de revenus plus élevés et d'un niveau d'éducation plus faible. La politique anti‐OGM suivie en Norvége est done en accord avec l'opinion publique, qui rejette l'idée d'introduire ces produits sur les marchés norvégiens. Politikmaßnahmen und Einstellungen zu genetisch veränderten Le bensmitteln in Norwegen Die norwegische Agrar‐ und Ernährungspolitik hat bislang die Einführung und Vermarktung von genetisch veränderten Lebensmittein erfolgreich verhindert. Dies könnte lediglich als Nachahmung der EU‐Nachbarn aufgefasst werden. Unseren Forschungsergebnissen zu Folge wird das Sicherheitsprinzip auf genetisch veränderte Lebensmittel in Norwegen jedoch aus gutem Grund angewendet, da die Verbraucher diesen Produkten zur Zeit nicht genug Vertrauen entgegen bringen. Unsere Analyse gründet sich auf Umfragedaten von 400 Lebensmittelkäufern aus der Region um Oslo/Norwegen imjanuar2002. 86 Prozent der Befragten hielten es fur sehr wichtig, genetisch veranderte Lebensmittel zu kennzeichnen. Die Verbraucher in dieser Stichprobe waren im Durchschnitt nur dann bereit, genetisch verändertes Brot zu kaufen, wenn es im Vergleich zu genetisch nicht verandertem Brot einen Preisnachlass von zirka 50 Prozent gäbe. Darin zeigt sich eine starke Skepsis der Norweger gegenüber genetisch veränderten Lebensmittein. Beim Vergleich der Verbraucher, weiche die starkste Bereitschaft zeigten, genetisch verändertes Brot zu kaufen, mit den Verbrauchern, weiche die schwächste Bereitschaft zeigten, genetisch verändertes Brot zu kaufen, ergab sich, dass die zweite Gruppe ein signifikant höheres Alter, einen höheren Frauenanteil, höhere Einkommen und eine geringere Schulbildung aufwies. Die strikten norwegischen Politikmaßnahmen im Hinblick auf genetisch veränderte Lebensmittel entsprechen dem Wunsch der Verbraucher, genetisch veränderte Lebensmittel auf dem norwegischen Markt nicht zuzulassen.     

A Methodology for Farm-Level Economic Analysis of Soil Erosion Effects Under Alternative Crop Rotational Systems in Ontario

Multiperiod linear programming techniques are used to evaluate comparative profitabilities and soil erosion rates for corn grown monoculturally and in rotation with a) soybeans, b) soybeans and oats, c) barley, and d) alfalfa on moderately sloping land with medium loam soils in southern Ontario. Attention is focussed on the case of a highly leveraged recent entrant to farming with heavy debt servicing needs and potential cash flow constraints. Monocultural corn was found to be more profitable than any of the rotational systems, with corn-soybeans rotations the next most profitable and corn-barley rotations the least profitable. Corn-soybeans caused the highest soil erosion, followed by continuous corn, with corn-alfalfa rotations causing the least. Les techniques de programmation linéaire multipériode sont utilisées pour évaluer et comparer les niveaux de profit et les taux d' érosion de sols agricoles moyennement argileux pour des systèmes de production de grandees cultyres localiées dans le sud de l' ontario et produisant, soit du mais en régime de monoculture, soit du mais en rotation avec: a) du soja, b) soja et avoine, c) orge. et d) de la luzerne plantée sur des terrains à pentes modérées. L' analyse developpée dans cet article met l' accent sur des agriculteurs récemment installés, disposant de beaucoup d' actifs, mais également, ayant des besoins énormes d' emprunts et, par conséquent, soumis à des contraintes potentielles sur leurs cash-flows. Les résultats obtenus montrent que le système de production, mais-monoculture, est le plus viable de tous les systèmes etudies. Parmi les systemes de production reposant sur une rotation culturale, il s' avère que celui combinant maïs et soja vienne en seconde position, tandis que un régime cultural fondé sur une rotation maïs et orge donne les pires resultats. Pour ce qui concerne des taux d' erosion des sols, la rotation maïs-soja cause les plus gros dommages. ensuite suivie par le système de production, maïs-monoculture. Finalement, les taux d' erosion les plus faibles ont été obtenus pour la rotation culturale, maïs-luzerne.     

Factors Influencing Urban Consumers' Acceptance of Genetically Modified Foods

Linkages between consumer beliefs and attitudes regarding the risks and benefits of genetically modified foods and consumer purchase intentions for these foods are examined. Factors that hinder consumer purchases of genetically modified foods are also tested. Results show that purchase intentions for consumers willing to buy genetically modified crops and meats are primarily affected by their belief that these foods are safe. On the other hand, intentions of consumers who decide not to buy genetically modified foods are affected by ethical concerns and the belief that the production of genetically modified foods is harmful to wildlife and the environment.     

消费者对转基因食品的认知情况及潜在态度初探——南京市消费者的个案调查

2 0世纪末 ,转基因技术飞速发展 ,取得了举世瞩目的成就。在转基因技术飞速发展的同时 ,国际上关于转基因食品安全性的争论也愈演愈烈。然而在这场争论中最终起决定作用的是消费者的态度。本文通过社会实验的方式模拟真实的市场情景 ,以探测消费者的潜在购买意愿及其影响因素。     

Environmental Injustice in Argentina: Struggles against Genetically Modified Soy

This paper explores the unequal distribution of the environmental and social costs and benefits of the genetically modified (GM) soy model in Argentina and its impact on grievance formation and the emergence of contestation. In the 1990s, Argentina transitioned into a neoliberal agro‐industrial model based on producing GM soy for export. Though celebrated as a success, the expansion of GM soy monocultures has brought widespread socio‐ecological disruption. Various social actors have started to mobilize against the resulting environmental injustice. I focus on the peasant–indigenous movement in the north of the country, which is struggling for land rights, and the movements against agrochemical spraying in the central Pampas region. These groups, which are relatively powerless to control resources where they live, and that experience little or no benefit from GM soy production, nevertheless bear most of its social and ecological costs. These struggles link environmental and social well‐being, becoming struggles for ecological sustainability as well as social justice and equity.