University of Minnesota, Duluth
AgEcon Search: Research in Agricultural and Applied EconomicsNot a member yet
212667 research outputs found
Sort by
IEEPA Fertilizer Tariffs: Revenue, Relief, and Pass-Through
No full textThe January 2026 NDSU Agricultural Trade Monitor examines how IEEPA fertilizer tariffs affected U.S. agricultural input markets through revenue generation, trade adjustment, and price pass-through, while also assessing broader trade and logistics developments. IEEPA tariffs collected an estimated 110 million from fertilizers, a modest share relative to overall production costs. Despite exemptions, seasonal timing, and trade diversion toward tariff-exempt suppliers, fertilizer imports, particularly DAP and MAP, declined sharply, while nitrogen products accounted for most tariff revenue. Fertilizer prices rose substantially during the tariff period, with U.S.-Canada price differentials exceeding $170/MT and pass-through rates surpassing 100 percent, indicating that market uncertainty and supply chain disruptions amplified costs beyond the tariff itself. Following the November tariff rollback, wholesale fertilizer prices adjusted rapidly, but retail prices have remained sticky, leaving farmers with elevated costs into early 2026. Beyond input markets, the late-2025 Mississippi River lows produced limited disruptions, with barge rates, grain movements, and basis spreads showing no severe transportation stress. Chinese soybean buying also remains on pace to meet the 12 MMT purchase commitment despite U.S. soybeans trading at a significant premium to Brazilian supplies, supporting cautious optimism amid ongoing adjustment frictions and policy uncertainty
What Ending Prevented Planting Buy-Ups Means for Farmers’ Insurance Costs
No full textThe scheduled elimination of the Prevented Planting (PP) buy-up option in 2027 represents a significant shift in U.S. crop insurance policy, altering how producers manage planting-season risk. This brief examines how farmers are likely to adjust their insurance choices following the loss of this targeted risk management tool, particularly in the context of expanded premium subsidies under the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB). Using counterfactual simulations based on Risk Management Agency data, the analysis evaluates changes in producer-paid premiums when farmers substitute higher coverage levels for the eliminated PP buy-up, holding insured acres, insurance plans, and unit structures constant. Results indicate that replacing a 5 percent PP buy-up through higher coverage levels would require substantial increases in producer-paid premiums across major crops, ranging from 14 to 29 percent nationally. Although enhanced subsidies under OBBB partially offset these increases, the relief is uneven across states and producers, depending on prevailing unit structures and historical coverage choices. Producers concentrated at high coverage levels are likely to experience higher out-of-pocket costs despite greater federal support. Overall, the findings suggest that while OBBB broadens subsidy access, it does not fully compensate for the loss of a targeted planting-season risk tool and may weaken incentives for maintaining strong insurance protection for some producers
Public Information and the Preservation of Democracy
No full textThe author of this article is a seasoned newspaperman who had charge of information for the Agricultural Adjustment Administration throughout the most difficult period of the farm crisis. He then "graduated" into newspaper work again. Thus, he deals with agricultural information services as both an insider and an outsider. In this article he draws a distinction between "promotional campaigns" connected with a specific action program and the publication of other information, scientific and factual. Conceding that the promotional campaigns are necessary, he argues that special care must be taken to keep them democratic; and he outlines certain safeguards so that they will not be even remotely suggestive of the methods of dictatorship. The objective of these safeguards is to prevent any stifling of opposing ideas; for "competition of ideas is the life of democracy." The bedrock foundations of the Department of Agriculture are democratic freedom of inquiry, freedom of thought, and freedom of education
Effect of the Hunger Safety Net Programme on Household Food Insecurity: Lessons from Marsabit County, Kenya
No full textThis study assessed the effects of the Hunger Safety Net Programme in reducing household food insecurity in Marsabit, County, Kenya. Worldwide, social safety programmes have largely been implemented in the drylands targeting vulnerable households. However, poverty and food insecurity remain high, especially in arid and semi-arid lands. The study employed a survey research design. Data was collected between October 2023 and December 2023 targeting 334 households who had graduated from the Hunger Safety Net Programme in Marsabit County, Kenya. The findings indicate that 10.8% of the respondents were food secure, 3.3% were mildly food insecure, 2.7% were moderately food insecure and 83.2% were severely food insecure. Simple regression analysis indicates that cash transfer amount, adequacy of cash transfer, and duration of support had a statistically significant (p<0.05) effect on food insecurity. Multiple linear regression further reveals that households whose main livelihood was business, b=-0.171, p=0.007, casual labour, b=-0.119, p=0.036, and remittances, b=-0.140, p=0.039 were significantly associated with a lower likelihood of food insecurity. The study concludes that despite a slight improvement in households on their food security through Hunger Safety Net Programme support, the majority were still food insecure. The study suggests an increment of the cash transfer amount, a longer duration of beneficiaries in the programme, and the introduction of conditional seed capital to the beneficiary to start income-generating activities to enhance food insecurity
Factors Influencing Maize Value Addition in the Northwest Region of Cameroon
No full textAims: To determine the factors influencing maize value addition in the North West Region of Cameroon, and to identify the constraints associated with participation in maize value addition.
Study Design: In this study, we used the Cross-sectional survey design.
Place and Duration of Study: Five subdivisions in Mezam, North West Region of Cameroon, between 2023 and 2024.
Methodology: Empirical data was collected from 500 maize entrepreneurs through purposive, stratified random and the snow ball sampling techniques and analysed using the binomial logistic regression model and descriptive statistics.
Results: The binomial logistic regression analysis showed that income, and good storage facility had a significant positive effect on maize value addition while gender and access to extension services, had a significant negative effect on maize value addition in the Northwest region of Cameroon. However, lack of processing infrastructure and equipment, insufficient finances, Insufficient technical knowledge and skills were identified as the primary constraints impeding participation in maize value addition.
Conclusion: The findings highlight important recommendations for enhancing maize value addition in the North West Region of Cameroon. First, it is important for the Government and NGOs to empower both men and women in maize value addition. Second, enhancing financial support for low and middle-income entrepreneurs is very crucial. Additionally, improving extension services to address the specific needs of maize processors is vital and lastly investing in better storage facilities will help minimize losses and facilitate timely processing, ultimately increasing participation in maize value addition for entrepreneurs
Problems Faced by the Farmers Using Recommended Farming Technologies in Northern Char Areas of Bangladesh
No full textThe strategy for using machineries in farm land in different regions will be different depending on the conditions and resources of that region. The study was conducted on northern char farmers under Nilphamary and Kurigram District of Bangladesh. This paper was carried out to study the socio-economic profile of the northern char farmers’ and their problems faced during the use of recommended technology. Random sampling procedure was used to determine the sample size of 150. The data were analyzed by correlation analysis and rank order of PFI technique. Findings illustrated that majority of the respondents (75%) had moderate to low problem facing in that area regarding the use of technology. The findings of this study also indicated that among ten major problems against technology using ‘lack of legal support in case of using technology,’ was considered 1st ranked problem. ‘Lack of special support in any sort of adverse situation, ‘was 2nd ranked problem and ‘Lack of legal soil testing support to identify field problem for using machinery was 3rd ranked problem. Government support with proper monitoring team should be necessary for applying machineries in farmers field properly
A Review on Agro-Tourism: Way to Sustainable Development
No full textAgro-tourism is an upcoming trend in the tourism industry. It serves as an opportunity for socio-economic development of farmers along with environmental conservation. It is a sustainable source of recreation for 36.00 per cent of the urban population. It is well-suited to the carrying capacity of the nature. Agro-tourism plays a vital role in educating the public about agriculture, creating rural employment, and sharing agricultural heritage. It can be a potential alternative source of income generation for the rural population. However, challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, limited promotional knowledge, and lack of coordination between sectors hinder its growth. Despite these barriers, many farmers show willingness and a favourable attitude toward agro-tourism, which offers unique tourist experiences and boosts rural livelihoods, highlighting the need for targeted support and collaboration to realize its potential
Impact of Integrated Management Practices on Virus Disease Management in Papaya (Carica papaya l.) at Farmer’s Field Level
No full textPapaya is susceptible to various virus diseases, among these leaf curl and papaya ring spot are major virus diseases in papaya. A total 15 front line demonstrations for virus disease management in papaya were conducted for three years from 2021-2022 to 2023-2024 at farmer’s field, Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh. The higher incidence of papaya ring spot virus disease was observed during 2022-23 (50.2%) followed by 2021-22 (43.6%) in farmer practice over the demonstration. In 2023-2024, recorded low virus incidence in both farmer and demonstration plot because of unfavorable environmental condition to virus vectors population due to the farmers were planted in August first fortnight. At last stage of harvesting i.e. in May the higher virus disease incidence was observed due to farmers are not followed management practices. The yield and fruit quality was increased in demonstration plot than farmer practice because following and timely application of integrated management practice. An average 13.53% yield was increased in demonstration plot over farmers practice. The average cost of production was less in demonstration (Rs.2,61,800/-) over the farmers practice (Rs.2,76,047/-), gross and net returns were high in demonstration than farmers practice. The higher B:C ration was observed in demonstration plot (3.28) and in farmer’s practice it was recorded 2.86. by adopting of demonstration technology the virus diseases were controlled effectively and also yield & gross returns were increased
Hedonic Price Analysis of Beef Cattle Attributes in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
No full textThe study examined the effects of beef cattle attributes on its price in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. Primary data collected from a sample of 100 cattle buyers, chosen through convenience sampling, were utilized for the study. . Frequencies, percentages and hedonic pricing model were used to analyze the data. The most preferred cattle attributes were good body conformation (91%), young adult age (87%), bull (82%), big body size (72%), large faced cattle (68%) and brown skin colour (59%).Cattle buyers would willingly pay over ₦30,000 for attributes such as big body size (₦63,270),medium body size (₦42,180), brown skin colour (₦33,393), and would discount over ₦30,000 for attributes such as Mbororo breed (₦40,423) and calf age (₦40,423). The study concludes that cattle buyers would willingly pay the highest premium price for big body size and discount the largest amount for Mbororo breed. It was recommended for producers and breeders to promote attributes that consumers show preference for and that influence willingness to pay which would improve cattle demand and increase sales
Relationship between Profile of Ornamental Nursery Owners and Their Entrepreneurial Behaviour: An Ex-Post-Facto Research Study
No full textFocus of the Study/Aims/Objectives: The study investigates the relationship between the profile of ornamental nursery owners and their entrepreneurial behaviour.
Research Design: The ex-post facto research design was used.
Sample Size and Sampling Techniques: The present study was conducted during the year 2022-23 in four talukas of the Navsari district of South Gujarat namely Khergam, Chikhli, Gandevi and Vansda. A sample size of 100 respondents was obtained by random selection of 25 respondents from each selected taluka. The data were collected through personal interview method.
Instrument for Data Collection: The data were collected using interview schedule.
Validity & Reliability: The appropriate techniques and scales were used for the measurement of all the variables included in the study.
Method of Data Analysis: Correlation co-efficient, stepwise multiple regression and path coefficient analysis were used to identify and analyse the relationship among variables.
Findings: The correlation co-efficient revealed a negative and significant association between age and entrepreneurial behaviour. Conversely, education, landholding, annual income, social participation, mass media exposure, material possession and extension contact showed positive and significant relations with entrepreneurial behaviour. While, family size, occupation and farming experience exhibited non-significant correlations. Further, stepwise multiple regression analysis highlighted that education, social participation and mass media exposure collectively accounted for 48.80 per cent variation in the entrepreneurial behaviour of ornamental nursery owners. Additionally, path analysis highlighted that education, followed by social participation had the highest positive and significant direct effect on entrepreneurial behaviour. Mass media exposure, followed by material possession exerted the highest positive indirect effect. In contrast, farming experience, followed by age had the highest negative total indirect effect on entrepreneurial behaviour. Moreover, the study further revealed that mass media exposure, followed by material possession had an indirect effect on entrepreneurial behaviour through education and mass media exposure, respectively.
Conclusion: Education followed by social participation and mass media exposure have highest contribution in development of entrepreneurial behaviour.
Recommendation/Implication: Education, social participation and mass media exposures’ influence must be taken into consideration for entrepreneurial behaviour development programmes/trainings/projects