108 research outputs found
Quantitative analysis of the impacts of Croatia's agricultural trade policy on the agri-food sector
No full textCroatia recently signed several trade liberalisation agreements. The cornerstones of its trade policy are WTO membership, the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU and Croatia's application of membership as well as bilateral free trade agreements within the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe. The objective of this paper is to quantify the impact of Croatia's agricultural trade policy on the agri-food sector. For the analysis, a partial equilibrium model based on 1999/2000 data is used. Trade between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Slovenia, the EU-15 and the rest of the world is modelled for 12 product groups. Three liberalisation scenarios are analysed for the years 2002 and 2005. The scenarios differ with regard to the tariff changes. In general, the model results indicate that reciprocal trade liberalisation is welfare improving for Croatia. The increase in consumer welfare is larger than the decline in farmers' profits and the loss of governmental tariff revenues. In conclusion, the continuation of trade liberalisation is to be recommended. However, trade policy alone will not solve the existing problems of the agri-food sector, and transitional compensation measures could be considered to avoid unacceptable hardship. The benefits of trade liberalisation are primarily to be seen in an improved access to international markets, which probably enables Croatian food processors to realise economies of scale. In addition, internationally binding commitments such as trade agreements are likely to foster the internal and international political credibility and reduce political risks. -- G E R M A N V E R S I O N: In den letzten Jahren hat Kroatien mehrere Handelsabkommen unterzeichnet. Die Hauptelemente der kroatischen Handelspolitik sind die Mitgliedschaft in der WTO, das Stabilisierungsund Assoziierungsabkommen mit der EU und der Antrag auf EU-Mitgliedschaft sowie die bilateralen Freihandelsabkommen innerhalb des Stabilitätspaktes für Südosteuropa. Ziel des vorliegenden Beitrages ist es, die Auswirkungen dieser Agrarhandelspolitik auf den kroatischen Agrar- und Ernährungssektor zu quantifizieren. Für die Analyse wird ein partielles Gleichgewichtsmodell verwendet, das auf Daten der Jahre 1999/2000 basiert. Für 12 Produktgruppen wird Kroatiens Handel mit Bosnien und Herzegowina, Ungarn, Slowenien, der EU-15 und dem Rest der Welt modelliert. Für die Jahre 2002 und 2005 werden drei Liberalisierungsszenarien untersucht, die sich bezüglich der Zolländerungen unterscheiden. Insgesamt zeigen die Modellergebnisse, das eine wechselseitige Handelsliberalisierung wohlfahrtssteigernde Effekte für Kroatien hat. Der Anstieg der Konsumentenwohlfahrt übersteigt den Einkommensrückgang der Landwirte und den Verlust an staatlichen Zolleinnahmen. Daher ist eine Fortsetzung der Handelsliberalisierung empfehlenswert. Allerdings kann die Handelspolitik alleine die existierenden Probleme im Agrar- und Ernährungssektor Kroatiens nicht lösen. Um unerwünschteHärten zu vermeiden, könnten für eine Übergangsphase Kompensationsmaßnahmen in Betracht gezogen werden. Der Nutzen einer Handelsliberalisierung ist vor allem in einem verbesserten Zugang zu internationalen Märkten zu sehen. Dies ermöglicht es kroatischen Verarbeitern wahrscheinlich, Skaleneffekte zu realisieren. Außerdem erhöhen international bindende Verpflichtungen wie Handelsabkommen die interne und internationale politische Glaubwürdigkeit und tragen damit dazu bei, politische Risiken zu reduzieren.Croatia,trade liberalisation,agri-food sector,partial equilibrium analysis,Kroatien,Handelsliberalisierung,Agrar- und Ernährungssektor,partielle Gleichgewichtsanalyse
Die Nutzung von Naturkapital zur wirtschaftlichen Entwicklung Namibias : eine bioökonomische Gleichgewichtsanalyse am Beispiel Fisch
No full textDie Klassifizierung maritimer Fischbestände als globale öffentliche Güter verpflichtet den Staat gegenüber der internationalen Staatengemeinschaft, die Verantwortung für die nachhaltige Nutzung der Naturressourcen innerhalb seiner Jurisdiktion zu übernehmen. Die effiziente Nutzung knapper biologischer Ressourcen impliziert die maximale und nachhaltige Abschöpfung von Ressourcenrenten. Die Arbeit quantifiziert die Ressourcenrenten der kommerziellen Fischerei in Namibia und erörtert Strategien einer nachhaltigen Entwicklung für das Land, welches gegenwärtig den letzten Rang auf der Skala der weltweiten Einkommensdisparität einnimmt. Hierzu wurde in Anlehnung an das UN System of Environmental and Economic Accounting (SEEA) eine Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) mit detaillierter Abbildung des Fischereisektors spezifiziert. Es wurde ein allgemeines Gleichgewichtsmodell entwickelt, das als Basis für wirtschaftsweite Analysen dient. Ein Schwerpunkt lag hier auf der Implementierung von flexiblen nicht-homothetischen Nachfragesystemen und der Ableitung theoretisch konsistenter Modellparameter. Parallel dazu wurden partiale bioökonomische Fischressourcen-Modelle erstellt. Bioökonomische Modelle eignen sich zur Analyse des Managements erneuerbarer Ressourcen. Spieltheoretische Analysen ergänzen den Methodenapparat. Es wurden mögliche Koalitionen für ein kooperatives Management von marinen Fischressourcen spieltheoretisch untersucht, um Empfehlungen für die Verhandlung von Nutzungsrechten abzuleiten. Sowohl die kommerzielle Fischerei als auch der Tourismussektor Namibias spiegeln die dualistische Struktur des Landes wieder. Beide Sektoren sind abhängig vom Naturkapital des Landes. Die Autorin geht der Frage nach, ob das vorhandene Naturkapital dazu beitragen kann, die soziale Disparität in Namibia nachhaltig zu verringern. Die Arbeit kommt zu dem Ergebnis, dass der Staat hohe Ressourcenrenten de facto wenigen etablierten Akteuren überlässt. Als Resultat fehlender Nachweispflichten können vertikal integrierte Unternehmen erzielte Renten kaschieren. Die Verhandlungen über Partnerschaftsabkommen sollten unter dem Aspekt der Abschöpfung einer maximalen Ressourcenrente, die allen Namibiern Nutzen stiftet, neu evaluiert werden. Spieltheoretische Analysen konnten das Potenzial für eine Win-Win Situation einer solchen Koalition asymmetrischer Spieler andeuten. Simulationen mit individuellen handelbaren Quoten (ITQs) zeigten die positiven Wohlfahrtseffekte von Nutzungsgebühren, da diese hohe private Diskontraten effizienter Unternehmen kompensieren und Quotenpreise eindämmen. Das Konzept des Community Based Natural Ressource Management (CBNRM) zeigt in Namibia erfolgversprechende Ansätze. Namibias Naturlandschaft bietet die Chance für eine breitere Aufstellung von CBNRM. Praktiker und Wissenschaftler favorisieren derzeit Hybrid-Governance Strukturen gegenüber staatlich kontrollierten Landmanagement Regimen. Ein diversifizierter naturbasierter Tourismus könnte auf die internationale Zahlungsbereitschaft für den Erhalt von Biodiversität treffen. Finanzmittel wären durch einen Transfer von Ressourcenrenten verfügbar. Mathematische Modelle sind wichtige Instrumente, um Verteilungswirkungen abzuschätzen. Darüber hinaus kann die Visualisierung in Form einer grünen SAM Entscheidungsträger ansprechen. Dieses Argument gilt auch für spieltheoretische Anwendungen. Die vorliegende Arbeit hat Schnittstellen erarbeitet, die spieltheoretische Überlegungen durch numerische Simulationen testen. Weiterer Forschungsbedarf besteht insbesondere bei der Verbesserung der methodischen Verknüpfung naturwissenschaftlicher Erkenntnisse mit ökonomischen Modellen.The use of natural capital for economic development in Namibia - a bioeconomic equilibrium analysis using the example of fisheries Marine fish resources are classified as global commons. Accordingly, national governments are committed to sustainably manage fish stocks living within the jurisdiction of their exclusive economic zone. Efficient use of scarce biological resources implies abstraction of maximum resource rents. The performed scientific work quantifies resource rents gained by commercial fisheries in Namibia and discusses strategies for sustainable development of the country that currently holds the lowest ranking in worldwide income disparity. For this purpose a hybrid social accounting matrix (SAM) is developed following the UN concept of integrated environmental and economic accounting (SEEA). On the basis of the created data framework the author developed an applied general equilibrium model with special focus on specifying flexible non-homothetic consumer and bilateral import demand systems. The author advanced a procedure for calibrating a set of parameters for the Normalized Quadratic-Quadratic Expenditure System (NQQES) that satisfy the requirements of economic theory. Parallel, partial bioeconomic fishery model are established for analyzing management regimes of renewable resources. The methodological concept is further supplemented by game theoretic applications. Recent research outcomes of coalition theory are tested with respect to evaluating the potential of cooperative management and to derive recommendations for negotiating the allocation of user rights. Until today the commercial fishery and the tourism sector respectively reflect the dualistic character of the country. Both sectors heavily depend on natural capital and its quality. The thesis is investigating whether existing natural resources, namely fish and wildlife might support development by simultaneously removing social injustice. It was found that in Namibia resource rents are still left to a few privileged established enterprises, and that the aim of black economic empowerment via reallocation of quotas is not reached. As a consequence of missing duties for financial record keeping and resulting transfer pricing enterprises can easily conceal realized profits. In addition the often outdated fishing fleet operates inefficiently. In terms of capturing maximum resource rents for the benefit of all Namibians, negotiations on economic partnership agreements with the EU should be reviewed. Game theoretic analysis indicates the potential of a win-win situation of a coalition between two asymmetric players. In case of establishing individual transferable quota regimes (ITQs), model simulations indicate the welfare improving effect of royalties. This is explained by the positive effect of user fees on controlling quota prices and countervailing high personal discount rates of cost efficient entrepreneurs, who are supposed to dissipate future revenues. In Namibia, the strategy of Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) reveals promising options. Namibia’s natural landscape provides the opportunity for an extension of CBNRM. The experience of academics as well as practitioners favor hybrid governance architecture opposed to land management regimes controlled by central government. Diversified nature-based tourism might fits in with the international willingness to pay for biodiversity conservation. Finance could be available by the transfer of resource rents. Mathematical planning tools are key instruments to assess impacts on the allocation of user rights and the distribution of benefits from natural capital. Furthermore, visualization via a green SAM might move decision-makers in the direction of sustainability. This argument also holds for game theoretic applications. More research is needed in the field of connecting different methods, particularly combining the models of natural science and economics
Properties of Flexible Functional Forms for Modeling Bilateral Export Supply and Import Demand in Multi-Country Agri-Food Models
No full textThis paper illustrates the opportunities of incorporating more advanced functional forms into multi-country trade policy models. It suggests the use of flexible forms such as the Symmetric Generalized McFadden Function (SGMF) or the Normalized Quadratic-Quadratic Expenditure System (NQQES). Particularly if issues namely trade in differentiated products, preferential trade and effects of standards and traceability on bilateral trade are considered the NQQES offers attractive properties since it allows estimating variety specific expenditure elasticities which might compensate for example increased certification costs. A second aim of the paper refers to the critique on the handling of model parameters in calibrated policy models. In general, employed elasticities violate the theoretical conditions. We describe the calibration procedure developed to obtain model parameters consistent with economic theory.bilateral trade modelling, flexible functions, calibration, International Relations/Trade, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, B41, C61, F13, Q18, Q17,
Agroforestry governance for operationalising the landscape approach: connecting conservation and farming actors
No full textThe expansion and intensification of agriculture as well as the associated land clearing are threatening both biodiversity and human wellbeing in tropical areas. Implementing agroforestry systems through a landscape approach has a strong potential for integrating nature conservation objectives into agricultural systems. A key challenge for implementing the landscape approach is that political processes and conservation initiatives operate in ‘silos’, being largely disconnected from farmers and local key agents responsible for tree governance. In this study we brought together different stakeholders in facilitated, structured focus discussions to analyse the role of actor groups in tree governance. We used social network analysis to quantitatively and qualitatively analyse agroforestry governance networks and actor interactions related to information exchange, finance flows, and regulation. The analyses were conducted at national, sub-national and local levels in four countries: Honduras, Peru, Indonesia, and Uganda. Using trees on farms as a boundary object enabled all participants to bridge common interests and illuminate some of the constraints and opportunities of local governance systems while overcoming institutional and ideological barriers. The quantitative results of the social network analysis identify a strong density of actor linkages. Despite this density, results indicate incoherent and fragmented actor networks undermining the support for agroforestry on all levels. Nevertheless, existing processes related to finance, information, and regulation can be better aligned to ensure an effective implementation and mainstreaming of agroforestry for biodiversity conservation. Building social capital among key actors on both national and local levels can reveal a strong potential for adaptive learning processes mainstreaming agroforestry as essential component of “good farming” and integrating incentive systems for a coherent and effective agroforestry governance. We conclude that redirecting both public and private funding towards continuous seed-funding for the facilitation of these integrated learning processes can transform landscape management and at the same time reduce transaction costs
Assessing natural resource management through integrated environmental and social-economic accounting: The case of a Namibian conservancy
No full textLocal natural resource management in its diverse manifestations holds core to its principles that the marginal and vulnerable households are empowered to manage valuable natural resources to improve social and economic equality and conserve biodiversity. Yet studies aiming to identify the impacts often show inconsistent results. Through constructing an integrated Environmental and Social Accounting Matrix (ESAM), we aim to assess how natural resources are used in different sectors and by different livelihoods, thus delivering different direct and indirect benefits to the community. The study was conducted in Namibia’s Sikunga Conservancy, which manages wildlife and fish resources in the Zambezi region. Our village-level ESAM shows an economic structure that strongly disadvantages remote households and identifies a small sector of the economy that benefits significantly from the use of natural resources. The ESAM approach is able to isolate undesirable socioeconomic developments such as unequal benefit sharing, which hinders community development. © 2016, © The Author(s) 2016
Social accounting matrix: A user manual for village economies
No full textThe application of Social Accounting Matrices (SAM) is well established at the national level and provides a comprehensive economic framework. The procedure for developing national SAMs is extensively documented in literature. However, it can also be constructed for smaller economies, such as a village. Studies dealing with village SAMs are rare. In addition, there are hardly any guidelines for design. This gap will be addressed in this paper, which provides a manual for the construction of a village SAM. Theoretical principles and data requirements are discussed. A hypothetical village SAM is constructed by using numerical examples. Subsequently, the SAM of a real-world village case study from Zambia is analyzed. It is demonstrated how macroeconomic indicators can be calculated and microeconomic information obtained. Furthermore, a village SAM provides the database for scientific modelling approaches which are presented. Village SAMs are thus a useful management tool and support policy planning at local and regional level
Design principles for protected area certificates: a case study on strategic investor groups
No full textFood Security, Energy Equity, and the Global Commons: a Computable Village Model applied to sub-Saharan Africa
No full textThis paper examines potential of contract farming as a rural development tool by revealing its effect on productivity and income of small holders in tea production in north-western Vietnam. In the present research, three economic analyses are applied. First, the technical efficiency of tea production is estimated by using stochastic frontier model. The results show that contract farming achieved significantly higher technical efficiency compared to non-contract farming. Second, logit model is investigated to determine the influential socio-economic characteristics of households for contract participation. The model indicates that social relationship of households, such as the membership in the communist party, play an important role in contract participation with 73% correct prediction. Finally, the impact of contract participation on income is estimated by applying Propensity Score Matching. A significant effect of contract participation on income by 8,000 VND daily per capita can be observed
Properties of Flexible Functional Forms for Modeling Bilateral Export Supply and Import Demand in Multi-Country Agri-Food Models
No full textThis paper illustrates the opportunities of incorporating more advanced functional forms into multi-country trade policy models. It suggests the use of flexible forms such as the Symmetric Generalized McFadden Function (SGMF) or the Normalized Quadratic-Quadratic Expenditure System (NQQES). Particularly if issues namely trade in differentiated products, preferential trade and effects of standards and traceability on bilateral trade are considered the NQQES offers attractive properties since it allows estimating variety specific expenditure elasticities which might compensate for example increased certification costs. A second aim of the paper refers to the critique on the handling of model parameters in calibrated policy models. In general, employed elasticities violate the theoretical conditions. We describe the calibration procedure developed to obtain model parameters consistent with economic theory
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