Diversification into Horticulture and Poverty Reduction: A Research Agenda

Weinberger, K.; Lumpkin, Thomas A.

doi:10.1016/j.worlddev.2007.05.002

Cited by 295 publications

(225 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Finally, in the short run, farmers appeared to be more output inefficient (REVI) than they were input inefficient (INIE). Output inefficiency was mainly due to low yields, implying that a major effort has to be undertaken to increase yield levels and/or postharvest facilities that help to conserve yield (Weinberger and Lumpkin 2007). The input inefficiency demonstrated that the observed variable inputs (seed and fertilizers) were not used at the optimal level showing that access to good quality seeds and fertilizers was a severe constraint for most farms (Cox and Wohlgenant 1986).…”

Section: Inefficiency Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Also, the production of vegetables has higher labor requirements than the production of staple crops or grains. Weinberger and Lumpkin (2007) found that vegetable production required twice as much, sometimes up to four times as much labor as the production of cereal crops. Therefore, a negative relationship was expected between technical or scale inefficiency scores and availability of family labor.…”

Section: Second Stage Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Productivity performance in the agricultural sector is thus critical to improvement in overall economic well-being and can offer good opportunities for food security and poverty reduction. One of the major concerns relates to greater and more effective utilization of lowlands for agricultural production in Sub Saharan African regions (Gockowski and Ndoumbe 2004;Erenstein 2006;Erenstein et al 2006;Weinberger and Lumpkin 2007;Barrett et al 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Lowland farming system inefficiency in Benin (West Africa): directional distance function and truncated bootstrap approach

Singbo

Lansink

2010

Food Sec.

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This paper uses a directional distance function and a single truncated bootstrap approach to investigate inefficiency of lowland farming systems in the Benin Republic. First, we employed a dual approach to estimate and decompose short-run profit inefficiency of each farming system into pure technical, allocative and scale inefficiency and also into input and output inefficiency. Second, an econometric analysis of factors affecting the inefficiency was generated using a single truncated bootstrap procedure to improve inefficiency analysis statistically and obtain consistent estimates. In the short run, scale, allocative and output inefficiency were found to be the main sources of inefficiency. Based on inefficiency results, the inefficiency of lowland farming systems is the most diverse. Compared to a vegetable farming system, technical inefficiency is significantly higher if farmers switch to a rice farming system. Scale, allocative, output, and input inefficiency are significantly lower with an integrated ricevegetable farming system and there was high prevalence of increasing returns to scale in the integrated rice-vegetable farming system. Water control and lowland farming systems are complements and play a significant role in the level of inefficiency. Input inefficiency shows the difficulty that the producers face in adjusting the quality and quantity of seeds and fertilizers. The paper provides empirical support for efforts to promote an integrated rice-vegetable farming system in West Africa lowlands to increase food security.

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Section: Inefficiency Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Second Stage Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Lowland farming system inefficiency in Benin (West Africa): directional distance function and truncated bootstrap approach

Singbo

Lansink

2010

Food Sec.

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“…Dependency theorists also contend that comparative advantage in the agricultural sectors has not been fully realized because of high trade barriers including dynamic standards imposed by developed nations. Poverty effects under can be expected to be particularly large, if small farmers are not disadvantaged compared to large farmers when diversifying into horticultural production (Weinberger & Lumpkin, 2007).…”

Section: Theoretical Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Micro-level Distributional Effects of Horticultural Export Value Chains Among Smallholders in Southern Ghana

2011

CBR

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Increasing foreign exchange problems and deteriorating prices of traditional exports have led policy makers and donor agencies to seek diversification in export crop production. In Ghana, crops such as pineapples and mangoes appear promising because of their high labour intensity and expanding demand for fruits in Europe.Notwithstanding, there is a possible trade-off between export and food crop production because of the possibility of resource re-allocation. So far the major concern of government has been the growth in export earnings while the micro-level distributional effects remain under-investigated. The study focused on a household survey undertaken in the forest and coastal-savannah transition zones, where the farming system has undergone transition from an established food-crop farming for urban markets to an intensive production of horticultural products for export.Logistic regression and Gini coefficient approaches were used to estimate the determinants of household food availability and income distribution respectively. Though, households engaged in export horticulture appear better-off than those that do not, the sole adoption of either staple or export crop is not sufficient for improving food availability. Consequently, linkages which allow simultaneous and reliably access to equitable distribution of resources and services are critical for household survival in competitive global food markets.

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“…In some cases, VCD responds to a need to reinvigorate development processes that led to the formulation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which view increased income as a precursor to livelihood security and a decent standard of living. The rapid growth in demand for agrifood products in which smallholders are considered to have a comparative advantage -for example, specialty crops like coffee and horticulture that require high labour inputs -has been considered an opportunity to combine economic growth and poverty-reduction goals (Bacon, 2005;Weinberger and Lumpkin, 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Guides for value chain development: a comparative review

Donovan¹,

Franzel

Cunha

et al. 2015

Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies

148

143

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Purpose – In recent years, governments, donors, and NGOs have increasingly embraced value chain development (VCD) for stimulating economic growth and combating rural poverty. In line with the rise in interest, there has been a proliferation of guides for VCD. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a review of 11 guides for value chain along six different dimensions, ranging from objectives and value chain definitions to monitoring impact. The paper concludes with suggestions for the use of guides based on local needs and context, and recommendations for future guide development. Design/methodology/approach – The review compares the concepts and methods endorsed and it assesses the strengths and limitations of the guides for steering development practice. Findings – Overall, the guides provide a useful framework for understanding markets and engaging with chain stakeholders, with a strong emphasis on strengthening institutions and achieving sustainability of interventions. However, the guides often lack discussions on the conditions necessary at different levels for VCD to advance development objectives and achieve that sustainability. The guides are designed to be implemented largely independently of the specific context, in which the chain is situated, despite the major implications context has for the design of interventions and overall success of the chain. Attention to mutual learning, whether related to tool design or the outcomes and impacts of VCD interventions, is limited. Research limitations/implications – More critical reflection and debate is needed on the design of guides for VCD. The authors suggest three areas for this reflection and debate: concepts, methods, and tools for addressing the needs of the poor in value chains; tools for addressing variations in the context; and mechanisms for mutual learning on the design and implementation of VCD. Originality/value – The paper concludes with various recommendations for guide authors and donors that support VCD.

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Diversification into Horticulture and Poverty Reduction: A Research Agenda

Cited by 295 publications

References 31 publications

Lowland farming system inefficiency in Benin (West Africa): directional distance function and truncated bootstrap approach

Lowland farming system inefficiency in Benin (West Africa): directional distance function and truncated bootstrap approach

The Micro-level Distributional Effects of Horticultural Export Value Chains Among Smallholders in Southern Ghana

Guides for value chain development: a comparative review

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