Narrow Results

In this paper, we investigate global connectedness and networks of agricultural production on continental and subregional levels. Using per capita agricultural production indices (API) from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, we applied the spillover index method and network analysis. Continental-level analysis shows that global agricultural production is mainly connected to production in Europe and Asia. The subregional analysis also confirms that most subregions are connected to Europe and Asia regarding agricultural production. Agricultural production shocks occurring in Western Asia, Western Europe, Southern Europe, Southeast Asia and Eastern Asia regions have highly spread to other regions. This study demonstrates that worldwide agricultural production is highly interconnected and integrated. Based on these results, our study showed that global agricultural production has been converging. The findings of this study can be used by policymakers as well as national or international institutions shaping and regulating national and regional agricultural and economic policies.

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Climate change becomes a serious threat to all humanity and in particular developing countries where people are more vulnerable because they depend on agriculture for their livelihood. In this study, we analyzed the effects of climatic variables on maize, rice and sorghum yields for 76 of the 77 municipalities in Benin over the period from 1995 to 2019. Using a production function, we specified a panel data model. Estimation of the pooled model and the fixed effect model showed that both precipitation and temperature variation were negatively correlated with production for the full sample and in northern and southern Benin, indicating the robustness of the results. Policies to promote adaptation strategies by facilitating farmers’ access to adaptation strategies need to be strengthened.

This study examines the impacts of temperature and precipitation on crop yield in Palestine. With GLS analysis and Hausman test, the research delves into how weather factors relate to crop yield in different regions and for various crops (tomato, grapes and olives). These findings have significant implications for agricultural practices and climate change adaptation strategies. The study reveals that temperature has a positive correlation with tomato crop yield up to a threshold of 21^∘C, while olives respond negatively to higher temperatures.

This paper constructs theoretical and empirical models to investigate, under the influences of China’s hukou policy, the relationship between spikes in temperatures and temporary migrations of Chinese rural residents. Applying weather data from both the provincial and county levels, the paper first demonstrates the negative impacts of extremely high temperatures on agricultural production. Then, using a fixed effect model, and applying an individual-level panel dataset, which includes information from more than 30,000 Chinese rural residents, the paper shows that the likelihood of a rural resident’s future choice to work outside his or her village increases when crop yields decrease. This result confirms the hypothesis built in the paper’s utility maximization theoretical model of an individual rural resident. To mitigate the risks brought about by disaster-induced agricultural production decreases, the paper proposes reforms of, and improvements in existing agricultural policy insurance services.

We estimate the effect of changes in water deliveries from large projects on agricultural production. We estimate a region-scale, multi-output production model of the San Joaquin Valley of California using observed historical data. The model incorporates seven crop outputs and the labor input as functions of project water supply, groundwater pumping price, other surface water sources, wages, and crop prices. We find that: (1) reduced irrigation water supply reduces the demand for farm labor and the production of some crops, (2) regional production mix tends to shift towards cotton when water supply is high and (3) some structural change has occurred over the course of our 22 year study period, with production of annual crops becoming more sensitive to changes in project water supply and labor becoming less sensitive to local surface water conditions.

Post-Harvest Losses (PHL) in Accra’s markets present a complex issue with significant ramifications for the agricultural industry in the city. The reasons for PHL are investigated in this chapter, with particular attention paid to the intricate interactions between consumer preferences, import dependence, and inefficiencies in local agricultural production and distribution. The analysis reveals a complex network of factors that contribute to PHL in Accra, such as the importation of large quantities of commodities, the length of supply chains associated with imports, and consumer prejudice in favour of imported produce, which reduces local demand and increases PHL when unsold. PHL is heavily influenced by the timing of sales, with early-morning vendors experiencing better sales. The analysis highlights the necessity of implementing concerted measures to tackle inefficiencies, decrease reliance on imports, and modify consumer attitudes. Additionally, it suggests creative storage techniques and micro agro-processing facilities as entrepreneurial alternatives.