Household Level Spillover Effects from Biofuels

Abstract

Standard-Nutzungsbedingungen:Die Dokumente auf EconStor dürfen zu eigenen wissenschaftlichen Zwecken und zum Privatgebrauch gespeichert und kopiert werden.Sie dürfen die Dokumente nicht für öffentliche oder kommerzielle Zwecke vervielfältigen, öffentlich ausstellen, öffentlich zugänglich machen, vertreiben oder anderweitig nutzen.Sofern die Verfasser die Dokumente unter Open-Content-Lizenzen (insbesondere CC-Lizenzen) zur Verfügung gestellt haben sollten, gelten abweichend von diesen Nutzungsbedingungen die in der dort genannten Lizenz gewährten Nutzungsrechte. Terms of use: Documents in AbstractThe indirect effects of biofuels are mostly considered negative. In this paper, we argue that there may be a positive indirect effect of biofuels on food security and poverty. Our analysis shows that the introduction of castor production for biofuel in a poor country as Ethiopia can significantly improve food productivity of rural households who produce raw material for biofuel production. This spillover seems particularly linked to enhanced access to inputs and technical assistance which were provided as part of biofuel feedstock production contracts. Our results thus help nuancing the view that biofuels necessarily harm smallholders' food security.

Economics and politics of food standards, trade, and development#

“…24 These studies find that technology (and management) transfer through value chains generates significant productivity increases both for the product itself and for other production activities at the farm level. For example, Minten et al (2009) and Riera and Swinnen (2016) also find that the better technology 22 For example, Minten et al (2009) show that in Madagascar most fresh fruit and vegetable production for exports is on very small farms, often on a contract-basis with the agrifood industry, and with important positive effects on farmers' productivity. Similar results are found by studies in Asia (Gulati et al, 2007), in Eastern Europe Dries et al, 2009), and in China (Wang et al, 2014).…”

“…23 For a formal model of the distributional and growth effects of technology transfer through value chains, see Kuijpers and Swinnen (2016). 24 Similarly, Negash and Swinnen (2013) and Riera and Swinnen (2016) find positive effects on food security of smallholder biofuel value chains in Ethiopia because of (a) enhanced cash income during lean periods and (b) spillover effects on increased food crop productivity through fertilizer access from value chain contracts. and management practices related to contract-farming spill over to other crops, generating large productivity increases in rice production, and further improving the food security situation of rural households.…”

Exploring opportunities for rural livelihoods and food security in Central Mozambique

“…Arndt et al (Arndt et al, 2008) linked participation in outgrower schemes to technology spill-overs and increased production. (Riera and Swinnen, 2014) reported that food productivity increased due to technology spill-overs and technical assistance for smallholder farmers in Ethiopia involved with castor production for biofuel.…”