22 research outputs found
The role of gender in bargaining: Evidence for selling seed to smallholders in Uganda
No full textIn rural societies with strong gender norms and customs, small informal agribusinesses may often be one of the few ways in which women can independently generate revenue. However, previous research has indicated that female run business may be perceived less favorably compared to their male counterparts. In this paper, we examine potential consequences of these biased perceptions on business transactions. In particular, we test whether the gender of the seller has an impact on buyers’ negotiation strategies and eventual outcomes in bilateral price negotiations. We use a lab-in-the-field experiment in eastern Uganda, where a representative sample of smallholder maize farmers are offered the opportunity to bargain over a bag of improved maize seed variety from a male or female seller. We find that buyers confronted with a female seller are less likely to accept the initial offer price and respond with a lower counter-bid price than farmers faced with a male seller. Negotiations take an average of one round longer when the seller is a woman and the transaction price is almost 9 percent lower. For comparison, we also look at the effect of the starting price on the same bargaining outcomes and find that the gender disadvantage is roughly equal to a 20 percent higher starting price.Non-PRIFPRI1; 3 Building Inclusive and Efficient Markets, Trade Systems, and Food Industry; G Cross-cutting gender themeInnovation Policy and Scaling (IPS); Transformation StrategiesCGIAR Gender Platfor
A field experiment on bargaining for seed reveals bias against women agripreneurs: Summary of findings and policy recommendations
No full textThis policy note summarizes results from a Lab-in-the-field experiment1 in eastern Uganda, where a representative sample of 760 smallholder maize farmers were given the opportunity to bargain over a bag of maize seed from either a male or female seller. Specifically, we test whether the gender of the seed seller impacts the seed buyer’s negotiation strategies and the eventual outcomes in bilateral price negotiations. The findings reveal that buyers confronted with a female seller were less likely to accept the seller’s initial offer price and responded with a lower counter price compared to farmers faced with a male seller. Negotiations, on average, took one additional round when the seller was a woman and resulted in a transaction price that was almost 9 percent lower. These results relate to previous research with agro-input dealers in Uganda which showed that female managed/owned agro-input shops are perceived less favorable in terms of quality of seed sold and price competitive ness. Policies and programs working to advance women’s empowerment through agribusiness need to recognize these gendered biases, and increase investment in public campaigns, extension and training to change attitudes towards women entrepreneurs.Non-PRIFPRI5; 3 Building Inclusive and Efficient Markets, Trade Systems, and Food Industry; 4 Transforming Agricultural and Rural Economies; G Cross-cutting gender themeInnovation Policy and Scaling (IPS); Transformation StrategiesCGIAR Gender Platfor
Seasonality and smallholder market participation in Malawi: A baseline report
No full textSmallholder farmers in low and middle income countries often sell the bulk of their marketable surplus immediately after the harvest, when prices are at their lowest. As part of a field experiment that tests the effectiveness of both income and expenditure planning to nudge farmers into delaying sales of cash crops, we collected detailed information about market participation from a sample of about 3,500 semi-subsistence farmers in Malawi. In this report, we use this data to describe the situation at baseline, before the intervention was implemented. The focus is on three crops that are (also) important to obtain cash. We provide a detailed account of sales transactions in 2021 and also inquire about price expectations in the near future. We also provide suggestive evidence that prices obtained in the past influence price expectations.Non-PR3 Building Inclusive and Efficient Markets, Trade Systems, and Food Industry; 4 Transforming Agricultural and Rural Economies; 5 Strengthening Institutions and Governance; IFPRI1; MaSSPDSG
The risk of demand shocks in dairy value chains in Uganda: Policy lessons from the COVID-19 crisis
No full textThis policy note summarizes results of a study on the impact of COVID-19 on dairy value chains in Uganda. We use a stack survey consisting of 1616 dairy farmers, 695 small-scale milk traders, and 93 milk collection centers (MCCs) that were surveyed in-person in late 2018 as the basis for follow-up telephone interviews in 2020 and 2021. We find that the COVID-19 crisis mainly affected the dairy value chain through a reduction in demand as international trade reduced and households reduced consumption of more expensive foods due to income losses. As a result, prices drastically reduced at multiple stages of the value chain, and the number of actors affected by the price decrease worsened as the pandemic persisted. In general, we see that while dairy business closures during COVID-19 are limited, the joint reduction in demand and price leads to widespread reductions in scale of operation, dairy revenues and household income, although these somewhat recover over time, especially among MCCs. In the long-run, policy efforts to increase and stabilize local and export demand for dairy products seems most promising. For example, the government may institute policies that promote consumption of dairy products in schools and homes through information campaigns or temporary dairy vouchers. Government should also make it a priority to keep international trade flowing.Non-PR3 Building Inclusive and Efficient Markets, Trade Systems, and Food Industry; 4 Transforming Agricultural and Rural EconomiesAFR; MTI
Informality and the impact of COVID-19 on maize value chains in Uganda: Key findings and policy implications
No full textThis policy note summarizes results of a study on the impact of COVID-19 on maize value chains in Uganda, which are characterized by a high degree of informality. We use a stack survey consisting of 1525 smallholder maize farmers, 341 informal traders, and 174 millers that were surveyed in-person in 2019 as the basis for follow-up telephone interviews in 2020 and 2021. We find that the impact of COVID-19 and associated measures manifests itself more downstream the value chain (at the level of the traders and particularly the millers). Closures and reductions in volumes passing through the chain seemed limited but worsen as the pandemic persists. Government measures such as a reduction of interest rates seemed to have brought some relief for traders and millers. However, all value chain actors report substantial reductions in maize revenues, household income and food security, as actors in informal value chains seem to rely on various activities to make ends meet. As a result, informal value chains such as maize in Uganda may be less able to adapt to common shocks in the long run. The appropriate policy response therefore would be to supplement some of the mitigating policies targeting businesses with more long run social protection policies to also benefit value chain actors upstream.Non-PR3 Building Inclusive and Efficient Markets, Trade Systems, and Food Industry; 4 Transforming Agricultural and Rural Economies; 5 Strengthening Institutions and GovernanceDSGD; AFR; PIMCGIAR Research Program on Policies, Institutions, and Markets (PIM
Miracle seeds: Biased expectations, complementary input use, and the dynamics of smallholder technology adoption
No full textTo fully benefit from new agricultural technologies like improved seed varieties, significant investment in complementary inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides, and practices such as systematic planting, irrigation, and weeding are also required. Farmers may fail to recognize the importance of these complements, leading to unsatisfactory crop yields and outputs and, eventually, dis-adoption of the variety. We provide a simple model of biased expectations, complementary input use and technology adoption and test its predictions using a field experiment among smallholder maize farmers in eastern Uganda. We find that pointing out the importance of complementary investments using a short, engaging video effectively deters some farmers from using commercial improved varieties. Consistent with the theoretical model, we find some evidence that this behavior change emanates from increased knowledge and expectations that are more in line with realized outcomes.Non-PRIFPRI1; CRP2; 4 Transforming Agricultural and Rural Economies; Capacity StrengtheningDevelopment Strategies and Governance (DSG); Transformation StrategiesCGIAR Research Program on Policies, Institutions, and Markets (PIM
Pathways to strengthen the quality of public service delivery in Uganda: Barazas as citizen advocacy forums
No full textStudies on governance show that the provision of information and the involvement of beneficiaries in project monitoring can significantly improve both the quantity and the quality of local public service delivery. Drawing on findings from a qualitative impact assessment of barazas, this policy note provides evidence on the impact pathways through which beneficiary involvement in project monitoring improves public service delivery.Non-PRIFPRI1; CRP2DSGD; PIMCGIAR Research Program on Policies, Institutions, and Markets (PIM
Impact of COVID-19 on food value chains in Uganda: Results of surveys of farmers, traders, and processors
No full textWe examined the impact of COVID-19 on food value chains in Uganda, using the case of dairy and maize value chains. These two are important value chains in Uganda (in terms of contribution to food and nutrition security and export earnings), yet distinct in terms of terms of market orientation, organization, degree of vertical coordination and institutional setup.Non-PRIFPRI1; 3 Building Inclusive and Efficient Markets, Trade Systems, and Food Industry; 4 Transforming Agricultural and Rural Economies; CRP2MTID; PIMCGIAR Research Program on Policies, Institutions, and Markets (PIM
A field experiment on bargaining for seed reveals bias against women agripreneurs: Summary of findings and policy recommendations
No full textThis policy note summarizes results from a Lab-in-the-field experiment1 in eastern Uganda, where a representative sample of 760 smallholder maize farmers were given the opportunity to bargain over a bag of maize seed from either a male or female seller. Specifically, we test whether the gender of the seed seller impacts the seed buyer’s negotiation strategies and the eventual outcomes in bilateral price negotiations. The findings reveal that buyers confronted with a female seller were less likely to accept the seller’s initial offer price and responded with a lower counter price compared to farmers faced with a male seller. Negotiations, on average, took one additional round when the seller was a woman and resulted in a transaction price that was almost 9 percent lower. These results relate to previous research with agro-input dealers in Uganda which showed that female managed/owned agro-input shops are perceived less favorable in terms of quality of seed sold and price competitive ness. Policies and programs working to advance women’s empowerment through agribusiness need to recognize these gendered biases, and increase investment in public campaigns, extension and training to change attitudes towards women entrepreneurs
The risk of demand shocks in dairy value chains in Uganda: Policy lessons from the COVID-19 crisis
No full textThis policy note summarizes results of a study on the impact of COVID-19 on dairy value chains in Uganda. We use a stack survey consisting of 1616 dairy farmers, 695 small-scale milk traders, and 93 milk collection centers (MCCs) that were surveyed in-person in late 2018 as the basis for follow-up telephone interviews in 2020 and 2021. We find that the COVID-19 crisis mainly affected the dairy value chain through a reduction in demand as international trade reduced and households reduced consumption of more expensive foods due to income losses. As a result, prices drastically reduced at multiple stages of the value chain, and the number of actors affected by the price decrease worsened as the pandemic persisted. In general, we see that while dairy business closures during COVID-19 are limited, the joint reduction in demand and price leads to widespread reductions in scale of operation, dairy revenues and household income, although these somewhat recover over time, especially among MCCs. In the long-run, policy efforts to increase and stabilize local and export demand for dairy products seems most promising. For example, the government may institute policies that promote consumption of dairy products in schools and homes through information campaigns or temporary dairy vouchers. Government should also make it a priority to keep international trade flowing
