scholarly journals Farmers’ Willingness to Pay for New Storage Technologies for Maize in Northern and Central Benin

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 2925 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelyne Gbénou-Sissinto ◽  
Ygué Adegbola ◽  
Gauthier Biaou ◽  
Roch Zossou
Keyword(s):  
Latent Class ◽  
Heterogeneous Preferences ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Access To Credit ◽  
Large Farmer ◽  
Storage Technologies ◽  
Production Areas ◽  
Storage Structures ◽  
Local Materials ◽  
Heterogeneity Of Preferences

The aim of this study is to identify the attributes of storage structures sought by maize producers based on a choice experiment. The experimental processes took place in the maize production areas of northern and central Benin. The sample consisted of 365 maize farmers (80.55% male and 19.45% female) randomly selected from 40 villages. Data were collected and analyzed using a latent class logit model to study the heterogeneous preferences of the key attributes of storage structures. The results show that men and women are eager to change their current practices and to adopt new storage technologies. The study identifies four potential producer segments, including three large-farmer segments that have access to credit and are particularly attracted to structures related to metal silos. Of those three segments, two are also attracted to improved traditional silos. Another segment of poor farmers, who do not have access to credit, prefer to have a very efficient structure (loss rate of less than 5%) that is designed with local materials. This study suggests that knowledge of the heterogeneity of preferences, as well as the preferred attributes, is important for the development and dissemination of better technologies by agribusiness firms, institutions and policymakers.

scholarly journals Factors influencing adoption of improved technology among maize farmers in Ekiti State Nigeria

Agrosearch ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 102-112
Author(s):  
C.J. Okonji ◽  
O.T. Awolu
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Educational Status ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Single Digit ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
High Interest Rate ◽  
Access To Credit ◽  
Maize Seeds ◽  
Production Areas ◽  
Improved Technology

This study was conducted to investigate the factors determining the adoption of improved maize technologies among farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria. A two-stage sampling technique was used in selecting the respondents for the study. Primary data were collected with the use of a semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and regression model were used for the analysis. The majority of maize producers in the study area were married, fairly educated and of middle age. The results further showed that the maize farmers were faced with a series of problems such as inadequate credit, bad road network, high-interest rate and lack of collateral. Meanwhile, the adoption of improved maize technology by the farmers was significantly influenced by the use of manure, appropriate planting techniques, use of herbicide, extension visit, and educational status of the farmers. To boost maize production in the study area, the study recommends the provision of single digit loan interest and with facilities, subsidies on farm inputs, construction of roads to production areas, provision of improved maize seeds while farmers should collect a certificate of occupancy on their farmlands to enhance the chances of increasing their access to credit facilities.

scholarly journals Effects of Ad-hoc Data Truncation and Homogeneous Preferences on Recreational Demand and Values: An Application to the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Kavita Sardana ◽  
John C. Bergstrom ◽  
J. M. Bowker
Keyword(s):  
Latent Class ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Cost Model ◽  
Consumer Surplus ◽  
Poisson Model ◽  
Travel Cost ◽  
National Forests ◽  
Heterogeneous Preferences ◽  
George Washington ◽  
Travel Cost Model

Abstract We estimate a travel cost model for the George Washington & Jefferson National Forests using an On-Site Latent Class Poisson Model. We show that the constraints of ad-hoc truncation and homogenous preferences significantly impact consumer surplus estimates derived from the on-site travel cost model. By relaxing the constraints, we show that more than one class of visitors with unique preferences exists in the population. The resulting demand functions, price responsive behaviors, and consumer surplus estimates reflect differences across these classes of visitors. With heterogeneous preferences, a group of ‘local residents’ exists with a probability of 8% and, on average take 113 visits.

scholarly journals Postharvest Handling and Prevalence of Aflatoxin Contamination in Nepalese Maize Produce

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 11-19
Author(s):  
Prashanta Pokhrel
Keyword(s):  
Aflatoxin Contamination ◽  
Traditional Practices ◽  
Insect Infestation ◽  
Summer Maize ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Governmental Body ◽  
Postharvest Handling ◽  
The Government ◽  
Storage Structures ◽  
High Possibility

In Nepal maize is produced and consumed in significant amount. Summer maize contributes about seventy percent of the total maize production but has high possibility of fungal infection before and during harvest. Traditional practices of post harvest operations and outdoor storage structures are supportive for insect infestation, mold growth and development of mycotoxins. Several studies have shown that the incidence of afl atoxin contamination in maize is high and average prevalence is about 50%. Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC), a governmental body reports that about 20% of the maize samples contain aflatoxin greater than the ML (20ppb) as set by the government. On the basis of available data, a simple deterministic exposure assessment for total afl atoxin via maize shows that the situation is alarming and needs immediate attention. In Nepal aflatoxin concern in maize demands a need to further investigation and a risk assessment for revealing the existing situation. This review aims to fi nd out the current situation of aflatoxin contamination in maize produce of Nepal and provide possible ways to reduce the contamination.

scholarly journals Consumers’ Trade-Off between Nutrition and Health Claims under Regulation 1924/2006: Insights from a Choice Experiment Analysis

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2881 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosaria Viscecchia ◽  
Giuseppe Nocella ◽  
Biagia De Devitiis ◽  
Francesco Bimbo ◽  
Domenico Carlucci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Choice Experiment ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Health Claims ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Health Claim ◽  
Nutrition Claims ◽  
Marketing Segmentation ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Heterogeneity Of Preferences

The aim of this paper is to investigate consumers’ preferences and willingness to pay (WTP) for functional mozzarella cheese whose health benefits (reduced fat and enrichment in omega-3) are communicated by using nutrition claims (article 8) and health claims (articles 13 and 14) of the EU Regulation 1924/2006. In order to achieve the stated objective a choice survey was developed and administered to a sample of Italian respondents. The product attributes and attribute levels included in the choice experiment were obtained from in-depth interviews conducted with stakeholders working on the development of this new product in the Italian region of Puglia. Results show that many participants were not aware of functional food. Marketing segmentation performed via latent class analysis indicates that the development of this hypothetical product should be based on the addition of naturally enriched omega-3. In terms of health communication under Regulation 1924/2006, heterogeneity of preferences of the nine identified segments reveals that respondents have a clear preference for products from the Puglia region, for the combined nutrition claim over single nutrition claims and for the reduction of disease health claim (article 14) over the health claim (article 13). In monetary terms, willingness to pay for health claims is higher than nutrition claims.

scholarly journals Spread and impact of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith) in maize production areas of Kenya

2020 ◽  
Vol 292 ◽  
pp. 106804 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugo De Groote ◽  
Simon C. Kimenju ◽  
Bernard Munyua ◽  
Sebastian Palmas ◽  
Menale Kassie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Production Areas

scholarly journals Risk Adjusted Production Efficiency of Maize Farmers in Ethiopia: Implication for Improved Maize Varieties Adoption

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (9) ◽  
pp. 1099
Author(s):  
Sisay Diriba Lemessa ◽  
Molla Alemayehu Yismawu ◽  
Megersa Debela Daksa ◽  
Mulugeta Damie Watabaji
Keyword(s):  
Technical Efficiency ◽  
Production Efficiency ◽  
Stochastic Frontier ◽  
Returns To Scale ◽  
Stochastic Frontier Approach ◽  
Technical Inefficiency ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Production Risk ◽  
Access To Credit ◽  
Maize Varieties

This study analyzes the technical efficiency and production risk of 862 maize farmers in major maize producing regions of Ethiopia. It employs the stochastic frontier approach (SFA) to estimate the level of technical efficiencies of stallholder farmers. The stochastic frontier approach (SFA) uses flexible risk properties to account for production risk. Thus, maize production variability is assessed from two perspectives, the production risk and the technical efficiency. The study also attempts to determine the socio-economic and farm characteristics that influence technical efficiency of maize production in the study area. The findings of the study showed the existence of both production risk and technical inefficiency in maize production process. Input variables (amounts per hectare) such as fertilizer and labor positively influence maize output. The findings also show that farms in the study area exhibit decreasing returns to scale. Fertilizer and ox plough days reduce output risk while labor and improved seed increase output risk. The mean technical efficiency for maize farms is 48 percent. This study concludes that production risk and technical inefficiency prevents the maize farmers from realizing their frontier output. The best factors that improve the efficiency of the maize farmers in the study area include: frequency of extension contact, access to credit and use of intercropping. It was also realized that altitude and terracing in maize farms had influence on farmer efficiency.

scholarly journals Socio-economic analysis of open pollinated improved and hybrid maize production in Sindhupalchok district of Nepal

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 130-139
Author(s):  
Grace Tiwari ◽  
Chandan K.C. ◽  
Praseed Thapa ◽  
Astha Shrestha
Keyword(s):  
Household Head ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
T Test ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Access To Credit ◽  
Maize Productivity ◽  
Maize Varieties ◽  
Hybrid Maize ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Level Training

The study was conducted from April to June, 2020 for comparative analysis of socioeconomic factors and profitability between Open Pollinated Improved (OPI) varieties and Hybrid varieties on maize production in Sindhupalchok district of Nepal. A structured questionnaire was administered to 80 randomly selected households i.e. 48 HHs cultivated OPI and 32 HHs cultivated hybrid maize varieties.  Descriptive statistics, unpaired t-test, multiple linear regressions and indexing were used for data analysis using statistical tools- SPSS version 25 and MS-Excel. Linear regression model revealed that area under maize (5% level), education (5% level), age of household head (1% level), training (1% level), access to credit (5% level) and choice of seed (1 % level) significantly influenced maize production. In addition, unpaired t-test revealed that the productivity of hybrid maize varieties was significantly higher (1% level) than OPI varieties. Fall Armyworm infestation was found to more severe in OPI varieties (5% level) than hybrid. Furthermore, B: C ratio of hybrid varieties (1.59) indicated hybrid maize to be more profitable than OPI (1% level). However, the total cost of cultivation along with the cost of seed per hectare of OPI was found to be lower than hybrid varieties (1% level) thereby significantly increasing the area under maize production for OPI varieties (1% level).  Indexing identified- lack of availability of quality seeds and fertilizers (I= 0.78) as the major problem associated with maize production. Ensuring access to quality seeds and fertilizer at subsidy, mechanization and efficient extension services focused on development of affordable hybrid maize varieties or high yielding OPI and its adoption among the farmers in order to increase maize productivity is recommended.

scholarly journals Évaluation Du Niveau D’efficacité Technique Des Systèmes De Production A Base De Maïs Au Bénin

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (27) ◽  
pp. 276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toléba Séidou Mamam ◽  
Biaou Gauthier ◽  
Zannou Afio ◽  
Saïdou Aliou
Keyword(s):  
Technical Efficiency ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Stochastic Frontier ◽  
Truncated Regression ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Access To Credit ◽  
High Productivity ◽  
Technical Performance ◽  
Second Stage ◽  
Main Production

This study estimates the technical efficiency of a sample of 411 maïzicoles farms in the main production areas in Benin. The study proposed an evaluation of the technical performance of these farms and identified factors of inefficiency by using the model of the production stochastic frontier Cobb-Douglas to assess the levels of efficiencies of systems production involved in the first step. A truncated regression was used in the second stage in order to establish a relationship between the indices of technical efficiency and some exogenous variables or attributes. The results of the first step shows that the index of technical efficiency varies from 37.37 to 96.22% for all systems, and that of the average technical efficiency is 80.35%. The maximum value of technical efficiency of at least 92.75% obtained shows that there are very efficient producers in the study sample as being close to the production frontier. These producers who obtain such a high productivity can be referred to generally improve the productivity of maize production systems in Benin. The results of the second stage indicate that the variables such as access to fertilizers and herbicides, the use of animal traction and tractor, technical guidance and access to credit influence significantly (p <0.05 to p <0.001) the technical efficiency of maize farms surveyed.

scholarly journals Heterogeneity in consumer preferences for ready-to-eat pomegranate: an empirical study in Italy

2020 ◽  
Vol 122 (12) ◽  
pp. 3869-3884
Author(s):  
Alice Stiletto ◽  
Elisa Giampietri ◽  
Samuele Trestini
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Consumer Preferences ◽  
Heterogeneous Preferences ◽  
Time Saving ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Italian Origin ◽  
Consumer Test ◽  
Positive Effect

PurposeThe present study aims at analysing consumer preferences for the pomegranate fruit, focussing on the effect of ready-to-eat format (i.e. packaged arils) on the purchasing choice, together with several products’ attributes as the origin, the packaging typology and the price.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents a choice experiment (CE) among 626 Italian consumers from Veneto region through an online survey. The study estimates both a conditional logit (CL) and a latent class logit model (LCM).FindingsBy segmenting the sample based on the heterogeneous preferences of consumers, it can distinguish “eco-friendly consumers”, “time-saving lovers”, “nationalists” and “price sensitive” subjects. Interestingly, the marginal willingness to pay for ready-to-eat arils is positive for the “time-saving lovers” that are mainly young consumers. The Italian origin has always a positive effect on the choice, whereas a negative effect is found for the price. Finally, the eco-friendly package has both a negative and a positive effect.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample of this study is not representative of the population and the CE has a hypothetical nature. It follows that further research will link the economic analysis to a consumer test on a more representative sample.Practical implicationsThis study can be useful for the pomegranate producers and the industry because it provides original evidence that could drive their business and marketing strategies, for instance, the preference for ready-to-eat arils.Originality/valueThis study is one of the first seeking to determine the factors that affect consumers' preferences for pomegranate arils.

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