Naranjilla cultivation is highly profitable in many parts of the Andean foothills in Colombia and Ecuador. Its susceptibility to soil-borne diseases, however, lowers its economic benefits, reduces sustainability of production and increases its contribution to environmental degradation. This paper presents an analysis of the potential market and non-market benefits of research that developed and tested the grafting of common naranjilla onto disease-resistant rootstock. Grafting reduces the need for pesticide application and increases the longevity and sustainability of the plant. An economic surplus approach, carefully calibrated to reflect the realities of naranjilla production, was employed to show the large benefits from such research. Environmental and health benefits are very close in magnitude to market-mediated surplus gains. The results show substantial potential benefits from an outreach program to diffuse the new technology.
This article assesses impacts of the Jepara Furniture Value Chain project, which was intended to address challenges faced by small-scale furniture producers in Jepara, Indonesia. The assessment focuses on effects of membership in the APKJ, an association started as part of the project. Propensity score matching was used to compare differences in outcome variables for association members and matched non-members. A limited, positive impact of APKJ membership was found. Members have improved their marketing behaviors in ways that will allow them to retain more value compared to non-members. APKJ members are also more likely to have obtained certificates of timber legality. Membership in the APKJ does not have a significant effect on firm profit and there is little evidence of an industry transformation. The paper also provides a critique of indiscriminate use of a value chain approach.
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