AJAD Volume 10 Issue No. 1 June 2013

This paper examines the rice yield gap between Myanmar and Vietnam, two countries that show a stark contrast in terms of rice production in the past two decades. It considers the impact on yield of price policies and public investments in production technology. While domestic rice prices were once controlled in both countries, no clear deterioration or improvement in terms of trade for rice producers were confirmed in the past two decades. Rather, the widening yield gap in this period might be attributable to differences in technological changes due to public investments. It is implied that Myanmar needs more effective public investments in agriculture to upgrade production technology. Furthermore, the experience of the two countries suggests that delegating the budget to local governments might raise the effectiveness of public investments.

Spiny lobster puerulus settlements have recently been found in bays in Lombok, Indonesia, leading to the development of lobster grow-out culture in adjacent areas. This research suggests that lobster farming in Indonesia is a viable alternative livelihood for Indonesian fishers. Currently, returns to investment are modest and largely dependent on the price and availability of lobster seed and credit. Farmers are harvesting the lobsters as soon as they reach marketable size (100 grams) to minimize potential mortality and generate income as soon as possible. This research suggests there are significant benefits from delaying harvest until the lobsters are larger (approximately 300 grams) to benefit from higher yields. The profitability of the industry is not expected to be significantly impacted by large increases in fuel prices, although a disease epidemic would be devastating. Feeds are dominantly low-value finfish, the majority of which is caught by the farmer. There are significant economic benefits to be realized from the use of pelleted diets (especially if they are functional feeds) and farmers indicated that they would be willing to try them if they were available. Early adoption of pellets by this nascent industry is likely to prevent significant negative environmental impacts as the industry develops.

Coffee leaf rust is a major disease affecting the production of Arabica coffee. This paper presents an estimation of socioeconomic and locational determinants of CLR management as they relate to the application of fungicides (Bordeaux mixture and systemic fungicides) in India. Using survey data from 575 growers (comprising 90% small and poor growers), estimates of binary logit models offer evidence on the significant impact of altitude, rainfall, age of household head, economic status, social caste, and size of bearing area of the Arabica coffee cultivation on CLR management. Given the socioeconomic and estate variables, the estimated probability of adoption is highest for Bordeaux mixture. These results offer new insights into CLR management practices beyond the known cultural and cultivation practices. They imply a need for public policy on recommended CLR management practices and subsidy for chemical inputs to improve production and productivity of small and poor Arabica coffee growers. Further, the framework and results are relevant and applicable to other Arabica coffee growing countries in Asia and Africa.

Social capital is a central requirement for a successful climate change adaptation, especially in Cambodia where formal institutions are still poorly developed. Collective action and not-for-profit bonding are important for climate change adaptation; however, these are not easily developed. This study examined the local institutions vital for the livelihoods of citizens who live in flood-prone Krapum Chhouk commune in rural Cambodia. Through observations and in-depth interviews with the local community, it investigated social capital in terms of the dynamics of relationships, relations of trust, and social norms and practices. This study found that most networks were profit-oriented. Traditional practices such as community assistance for either agricultural works or social welfare have been diluted, and relations of trust were an issue in some villages. The connections between local institutions were found to be lacking; cross-membership across institutions was limited. Overall, many indications of weakness were found in community institutions, which may have negative implications on addressing climate change.

Using primary data collected from 208 shrimp farming households in West Bengal, this study found that demographic and economic factors influence land-leasing decisions in both traditional and scientific shrimp farming. The Tobit model results indicate that the household’s land holding size is positively related with extent of leased in land in traditional shrimp farming; the relationship was negative in the case of scientific shrimp farming. This signifies that the market does not facilitate land leasing for traditional shrimp culture among households with small landholdings but does so in the case of scientific shrimp farming. Moreover, the household head’s age had a negative relationship with extent of land leased out in both traditional and scientific shrimp farming. This indicates that existing institutional arrangements in shrimp farming in West Bengal have not been successful in motivating young rural people to undertake shrimp farming themselves instead of leasing out land for shrimp culture. Aquaculture policies should address this matter.

The formulation of agricultural price policy is complicated by the multiplicity of functions that price performs. The objectives, thrust, and instruments of agricultural price policy in India have undergone conspicuous shifts during the past 50 years and so has the role and effectiveness of price policy as a tool to influence the agricultural economy. The country’s post-reform period witnessed higher emphasis and dependence on price policy compared with previous decades, where price policy aimed only at maintaining a balance between the interests of consumers and producers. It is in this context that the paper examines the effectiveness of procurement prices in getting sufficient income to the farmers. An in-depth analysis of costs and returns was conducted for wheat and paddy, the crops offered the highest protection by the state, to get idea of the profitability of Indian agriculture and gain insights into the workings of the price policy.