ABSTRACT This study presents a preliminary analysis of the productivity performance of a small group of mixed winter rainfall farms over the past decade. Results indicate that there has been no technical progress in the sector over the past decade and group members are falling further behind their own benchmark as time passes. Relative rankings have remained stable, with most of the group riding the

ABSTRACT This paper emphasises the impact of the ongoing liberalisation of agricultural policies and trade in agricultural commodities on spatial price transmission in agricultural markets. Based on a literature review covering a broad range of topics, the article derives four main conclusions. First, more market-oriented agricultural policies and trade liberalization improve horizontal price transmission

ABSTRACT Cattle production in Namibia has been widely analysed. However, farm business performance is still partially understood. This paper provides a scenario of volatility in gross margin in the cattle farming enterprise, as a result of weather cycles. The impact of drought on biomass cattle production augmented by other factors are compound to the hypothesis for profit maximisation. The paper follows

Using plot-level data from Ethiopia, this study aims to examine the determinants and impact of alternative teff production technologies on the productivity and profitability of smallholder teff producers. The study employed a multinomial endogenous switching regression (MESR) model that accounts for selection bias due to observable and unobservable factors. The authors’ results show that technology

Post-1994, the South African government has favoured cooperatives over other types of corporate entities in its rural development programmes. An improved understanding of the key drivers underpinning the performance of cooperatives is important for informing government programmes and policies that target cooperatives. This study examined the financial efficiency, and its determinants, of 387 agricultural

Input subsidy programs (ISPs) are an important agricultural development strategy in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Past studies have focused on the impact of ISPs on crop production, food security and poverty. Little attention has been devoted to assessing their impact on crop diversification, which is a strategy for managing production risk and improving soil fertility under cereal-based smallholder production

This paper examines the nature of interconnectedness between the returns of the price of oil and foreign exchange on selected agricultural commodity prices. To do this, the authors leverage the novel methodology of a spillover index developed by Diebold and Yilmaz (2012) that reports predictive directional measurement of volatility spillovers. International Journal of Forecasting 28, no. 1: 57–66)

While previous studies recognise the importance of social capital for cooperatives’ social and economic outcomes, there are no empirical studies on the determinants of farmers’ social capital in cooperatives. This paper investigates the determinants of social capital using data from farmers in dairy cooperatives in Ethiopia. First, principal component analyses (PCAs) are performed on the data set of

ABSTRACT This paper uses a translog cost function approach to study the farm-level demand for poultry feed in Kenya. The study estimates the demand elasticities of the three common types of poultry feed; mixed feed, grain, and leafy vegetables. The estimated model was used to obtain estimates of Marshallian demand elasticities for poultry feed in Kenya for male-headed and female-headed households.

This paper examines the extent to which household assets ownership vary along the urban-rural continuum, and assess the influence of these assets on household food accessibility. A cross-sectional research design using a stratified random sample of 279 households was sampled along the urban-rural continuum in Morogoro and Iringa, Tanzania. The results show that household assets ownership varies significantly

While previous studies recognise the importance of trust in cooperatives, there are very few empirical studies on the role trust plays in market participation in dairy cooperatives. This paper investigates the effect of trust on farmers’ milk market participation using data from dairy cooperatives in Ethiopia. First, a principal component analysis was performed on the data set of trust indicators to

ABSTRACT This paper proposes an alternative typology of contract farming arrangements (CFA) based on transaction cost theory. To construct the typology, we first surveyed managers of agribusiness firms and contracted farmers in Zimbabwe to understand the provisions in their contracts, the motivations for their inclusion and the level of transaction attributes, particularly the sub-categories of asset

Attaining food and income security is a persistent challenge among small holder farmers of Southern Africa. Improved sorghum varieties are widely regarded as a panacea to extreme poverty. The paper uses endogenous switching regression to determine impacts of improved sorghum varieties intensification on household welfare. Household dietary diversity score and household food insecurity access score

Product certification such as organic and fairtrade, leads to a price premium for producers in the majority of cases and thus, also encourages them to increase supplied quantities in order to boost revenue, as empirically evidenced by several studies. Theoretically, this might be a plausible business strategy. The market for certified products is, however, a small one, and producers are not able to

With increasing population and demand for food, reducing food loss and waste is one of the greatest challenges worldwide. Current estimates point to over 1 billion tons of food lost and wasted worldwide, though nearly 10 percent of the global population is suffering from undernourishment and food insecurity. In Mozambique, about one-quarter of the population suffers from undernourishment and food insecurity

Beef consumers now have the power in the market. Consumers are extensively exposed to advertisements, but the human brain can only process a limited amount of this information. Thus, products must be differentiated in order to stand out in the market place. Branding provides one manner in which products can be differentiated. This study investigated red meat consumers’ attention towards beef brand

Social capital (SC) is an umbrella concept combining attributes of multiple latent factors that are not directly observable, making it difficult to measure and express as a single variable. Despite its multidimensional nature, the bulk of empirical studies continue to construct and use unidimensional indicators of SC, generating notable disparities in results derived from the use of these alternative

This study considered the efficiency with which food safety information is received and retained by low-income consumers in South Africa. Primary data from 110 low-income, urban, food consumers around Gauteng were collected and analysed with a willingness to pay (WTP) experiment and a proportional odds model. The study found that initially, 47% of the respondents claimed to know what Listeriosis is

The outbreak of devastating storage pests has rendered smallholder farmers' traditional storage practices ineffective. This study used single bound dichotomous choice contingent valuation to examine factors determining smallholder farmers' willingness to pay (WTP) for a metal silo, a new and improved storage technology in Zimbabwe. Data were collected using structured questionnaires from 249 randomly

The large difference between the producer price of a beef carcass and the retail prices of individual beef cuts has raised concerns among producers. These concerns are caused by the possibility of asymmetry in the market. This study examines the price transmission mechanisms in the beef market by comparing the weekly producer carcass price with a weekly calculated retail carcass price, instead of average

(2019). Agri-food trade and non-tariff measures. Agrekon: Vol. 58, Agri-food trade and non-tariff measures, pp. 387-388.

Using market access to achieve developmental aims has long been held as a key tenet of global development policy. Using a case study approach based on interviews along and across the beef value chain between Namibia, Botswana, and Norway, this article addresses the question of whether market access to high-value markets for livestock products has developmental benefits. The costs and benefits of using

Data collected during a multi-year study of farming in the district is updated to compile a land register. It identifies 30% of farmland by farm size and type and provides estimates of financial performance in each class. Three redistribution scenarios are considered – proportional redistribution, targeting large bona fide operations and targeting lifestyle land. The basic premise is still willing

The aggregate distortions to the incentives of South African agricultural producers have been estimated, but these measures have not been disaggregated to reveal individual agents’ incentives in a vertical value chain. In order to do this, the aggregate distortion estimates were first updated to account for the past decade, and then the wheat value chain was disaggregated for the marketing years starting

The link between the empowerment of women in agriculture and food security, was investigated in Limpopo Province. Data were collected in three irrigation scheme communities. Respondents were largely food secure, however, empowerment in agriculture and food and nutrition security were moderately associated. This was partly attributed to the importance crop diversification and markets for accessing other

Rural people seek diverse opportunities to increase and stabilise their welfare. An understanding of factors that influence livelihood strategies adopted across rural households can further improve policy-making. This study identifies livelihood strategies adopted by smallholder farmers and the factors influencing the choice of their strategy. A structured questionnaire was administered to 400 randomly

Though consumer studies have received significant attention in the field of marketing management, research on consumer attitude towards food supply technologies is needed. This paper investigates the relationship between consumer attitude and preference towards the usage of a ‘milk ATM’ as the point of sale. Based on data obtained from 296 consumers (convenient sampling), PLS-SEM was used to analyse

In 1999 the European Union imposed a moratorium on imports of agricultural products produced using biotechnology based on transgenics. In 2003 the moratorium was replaced by a strict, costly and politicised regime for regulatory approval which is impossible for African exporters to satisfy. Further, co-mingling of unapproved GMOs with conventional crops has meant refusal of shipments. The EU NTBs have

This study examines women’s empowerment and its determinants for smallholder rice farming households in Kilombero, Tanzania. The Women Empowerment in Agriculture Index (WEAI) is adopted and for the study site, the overall WEAI was 0.54 with a 5 Domains Empowerment sub-index value of 0.50 and the Gender Parity sub-index of 0.86. Key domains contributing to women’s disempowerment are workload, resource

Vegetable farming is the main source of livelihood for smallholder farmers in Eswatini. However, the production and marketing challenges they faced inhibits the farmers from benefiting fully, which calls for relational transactions to enhance exchange efficiency. Therefore, this study aims to determine the nature of relationship constructs between vegetable farmers selling to formal and informal channels

Robinia pseudoacacia L. (black locust) is an invasive deciduous, broad-leaved tree that has the potential to be widely distributed across South Africa. It has invaded all nine South African provinces. The potential economic impact of R. pseudoacacia on agricultural production stems from the tree’s ability to reduce the carrying capacity for livestock. This study estimated the potential economic implications

In this paper tariff rate quota (TRQ) fruit products are analysed as representative sectors in a Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) static model to establish impacts on trade and welfare. Simulations are carried out to remove EU tariffs on fruit products, non-tariff measures (NTMs) and other influential factors accounting for the unfilled portion of the TRQs.

Are small farms more productive? With this question in mind, this study revisits the farm size–productivity relationship and explores potential explanations using a unique plot-level data from predominantly wheat producers in Ethiopia. Overall, we find that small plots are more productive than large plots. We next test the conventional explanations hypothesised in the literature – labour market imperfection

In this article, we used a hybrid latent class model and choice experimental data to examine the choices of consumers regarding water and carbon footprint attributes. The findings indicate that a significant proportion of middle- to upper-class consumers are generally willing to pay higher premiums for a reduction in both water usage and carbon emission in agricultural production, displayed through

Non-tariff measures (NTMs) such as technical barriers to trade (TBT) and sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPMs) have become new trade barriers, which is contrary to these measures’ original intention to correct market failure and adverse selection of free markets and to protect the people, animals, plants and the environment in importing countries. For different African agri-food exporters, the

(2019). Measuring and Explaining Productivity Growth in South African Agriculture. Agrekon: Vol. 58, No. 1, pp. 1-2.

(2019). Recalibrating South African agricultural growth: Frikkie Liebenberg in Memoriam. Agrekon: Vol. 58, No. 1, pp. 3-6.

Cultivar choice is an important production decision by which producers aim to achieve highest returns with the lowest risk, for yield optimisation. Cultivar testing through evaluation trials provides information on selected cultivar characteristics and performance under different conditions, which farmers use to minimise risk elements associated with limited cultivar performance information. In South

The paper contributes to the scant literature on vertical price transmission between farmers and retailers in the white teff market in Ethiopia, investigating the features of this phenomenon across the most important production regions. Using Vector Error Correction and Threshold Vector Error Correction models, our study complements the traditional investigations of linear vertical integration with

The paper is based on a study that sought to understand the nature of the interaction between small-scale farmers and government in the Eastern Cape from a variety of different perspectives. The study involved a sample survey of farmers, and in-depth interviews with farmers, extension officers and other government staff, and leaders of farmer associations. This particular paper explores two themes

Financial statements are prepared and presented to reflect an organisation’s financial position and financial performance and to provide useful information for decision-making (IASB, 2018a). The underlying accounting policies and related notes on biological assets must be presented in such a way that users can understand the transactions and valuation considerations that affect their performance (IASB

This paper quality adjusts machinery inputs for South African agriculture. It does this by treating different qualities of machinery as separate inputs. Thus, quality adjustment becomes quantity adjustment when there is sufficient disaggregation. This matters because many mechanical and chemical inputs have been transformed by technological progress. If this is not taken into account, the inputs are

In the literature, there are limited studies on how socio-psychological factors affect farmers' attitudes towards risks. Therefore, this paper looks into this issue in Ethiopia for better understanding of how socio-psychological issues influence farmers' risk attitudes. The study uses data from a cross-sectional survey and a generalised ordered logistic regression is used to analyse the data. The findings

The introduction of EU mandates for biofuel use in the transport sector initially led to high expectations that African countries would benefit from biofuel exports to the EU. This market opportunity has not been realised, however, due to regulatory requirements for the production of biofuels that act as non-tariff barriers to the acceptance of African biofuels in the EU. This benefits producers of

In developing countries, where few incentives exist for private sector investment in research, public investment in agricultural research and development (R&D) is critical for technological change that stimulates agricultural development, food security and poverty alleviation. This article analyses trends for key indicators in agricultural R&D in South Africa, building on the work of Liebenberg et

In light of rising levels of youth unemployment in South Africa, now at 50 per cent, research was undertaken to better understand the paradox of young people turning away from agricultural employment in spite of such high levels of unemployment in the country. The research brings to light new evidence of youth perspectives on contemporary attitudes, experiences and expectations of work in the agricultural

The national beef cattle improvement scheme was introduced by the South African government with the objective of improving the biological and ecological efficiency of beef production through genetic improvement and enhanced cattle management practices. This has been achieved through various structural and technological changes targeted at increasing beef production and promoting sustainable production

The increasing interest of policymakers and academics on non-tariff measures (NTMs) has stimulated a growing literature on their effects on the agri-food trade of African countries. The empirical evidence, however, is ambiguous: some studies suggest that NTMs are trade barriers and others suggest they have a catalyst role for trade. Understanding the drivers of these contrasting effects, and the prevailing

Wheat is South Africa’s second most important grain crop and is produced in winter rainfall, summer rainfall, and irrigation regions. Despite being a net importer of wheat, the country has stringent wheat quality requirements as per the Agricultural Products Act (Act No. 119 of 1990). This paper investigates the effects of the quality requirements in different regions and the wheat industry as whole

This study compares long established and more recently developed wine regions in South Africa. Deterministic efficiency frontiers produce measures of technical efficiency and technical change over time and the results for scale efficiency for each farm and each year show why the farm size results in previous studies are somewhat weak and contradictory. The scale efficiencies are very close to unity

Livestock disease outbreaks in Africa threaten improved animal and human health, increased productivity, and sustainable agricultural livelihoods. Investment into research and development of livestock vaccines has potential to generate new technologies that can benefit the livestock sector and result in control of diseases such as Rift Valley fever (RVF) and lumpy skin disease (LSD). Veterinary research

(2018). Rising absolutely, declining relatively: agriculture, climate change, and job creation in Africa. Agrekon: Vol. 57, No. 3-4, pp. 181-197.

Using a new compilation of agricultural data, we find that South Africa increased its total maize production from 328,000 tons in 1904 to 1.68 million tons in 1935, and 12.2 million tons centred on 2015. This 6.1-fold increase in overall maize production since 1935 occurred against a 35.7 per cent reduction in the area planted, made possible by an 8.6-fold increase in average maize yields. While commercial

The spread of invasive alien plant species (IAPs) contributes to the management complexity experienced in primary agriculture and increases the costs of maintaining the land in its productive state. Equally important to the clearing of IAPs are the land use options post-clearing. This study was conducted on private farms at the Mokolo River catchment to determine the most viable agricultural land use

This paper explores the factors influencing aspirations of smallholders to expand irrigation farming activities. It demonstrates the importance of aspirations to informing agricultural policies and understanding the behaviour of farmers and their vision regarding their farms. The Heckman two-step regression model was used to determine factors affecting aspirations/willingness of farmers to expand in

Combining new longitudinal and geo-referenced road map data with household panel survey data targeting rural smallholder farmers in South-Western Kenya, we implement a fixed effect (FE) estimation with other controls to assess the causal impact of the change in road access from 2004 to 2012 on the change in farming practices such as hybrid seed adoption, fertiliser intensification, high value crops

Kenya, like most countries in the East Africa Region, has continued to be beleaguered by unabated high and volatile food prices. The government, in an effort to counter these challenges, has instituted various policies aimed at reversing the situation. This paper is aimed at examining spatial maize market integration in the presence of non-constant transaction costs and policies implemented. Findings

The study deployed the experimental and behavioural economics toolkit to determine how risk aversion attitude, time preference and poverty status influenced farmers’ marketing channel preferences between the state-owned Grain Marketing Board (GMB) and the private buyer market. Following maize market deregulation and subsequent entry of private buyers in the Zimbabwean grain sector, marginalised poor

The computable general equilibrium (CGE) model is often used to analyse the effects of policy changes because of its ability to capture multi-sectoral inter-linkages within the economy. The results of a CGE analysis largely depend on the database, policy shock and elasticities. Trade elasticities, such as the Armington elasticities, play a central role in CGE models to determine the demand substitution

It is well accepted that biological innovations, particularly varietal improvements, have greatly contributed to agricultural yield and output growth in the past. At the same time, public funding for breeding programmes such as at the Agricultural Research Council in South Africa has dwindled. In an effort to confirm the importance of continued funding of varietal improvement programmes, this paper