This simulation study explored the agricultural household effects of changes in the price of inorganic nitrogen fertilizer for farmers in central Malawi. We selected the Dedza district to conduct this study, which is a district reliant on maize production for household livelihoods. This study used data from a household survey to develop and calibrate an agricultural household model for a representative household. The survey focused on socio-economic and agronomic factors. This included plot-level agronomic details for crop inputs and yields. Using our dynamic model, we found a negative association between fertilizer prices and fertilizer use, maize area, and income. Removing fertilizer prices led to an increased use of nitrogen fertilizer at the household scale from 16.8 kg to 49.6 kg and this helped increase household income by 52%. We calculated an average own-price elasticity of fertilizer demand of − 0.92. Although higher fertilizer prices increased legume acreage, which had potential environmental benefits, household income fell. Our benefit-cost ratio calculations suggest that government actions that deliver changes in fertilizer prices are relatively cost effective. Our study highlights the reliance of households on maize production and consumption for their livelihood, and the effects that changes in fertilizer prices can have upon them.
Agricultural household effects of fertilizer price changes for smallholder farmers in central Malawi
Résumé
en
This simulation study explored the agricultural household effects of changes in the price of inorganic nitrogen fertilizer for farmers in central Malawi. We selected the Dedza district to conduct this study, which is a district reliant on maize production for household livelihoods. This study used data from a household survey to develop and calibrate an agricultural household model for a representative household. The survey focused on socio-economic and agronomic factors. This included plot-level agronomic details for crop inputs and yields. Using our dynamic model, we found a negative association between fertilizer prices and fertilizer use, maize area, and income. Removing fertilizer prices led to an increased use of nitrogen fertilizer at the household scale from 16.8 kg to 49.6 kg and this helped increase household income by 52%. We calculated an average own-price elasticity of fertilizer demand of − 0.92. Although higher fertilizer prices increased legume acreage, which had potential environmental benefits, household income fell. Our benefit-cost ratio calculations suggest that government actions that deliver changes in fertilizer prices are relatively cost effective. Our study highlights the reliance of households on maize production and consumption for their livelihood, and the effects that changes in fertilizer prices can have upon them.
Auteur(s)
Adam M. Komarek1
, Sophie Drogue2, 3
, R. Chenoune4
, James Hawkins1
, Siwa Msangi1
, Hatem Belhouchette4, 5
, Guillermo Flichman1, 4
1
IFPRI -
International Food Policy Research Institute [Washington]
( 69448 )
- INTERNATIONAL FOOD POLICY RESEARCH INSTITUTE 2033 K Street, NW Washington, DC 20006-1002
- États-Unis
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research [CGIAR] ( 300980 )
2
INRA -
Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique
( 92114 )
- France
3
UMR MOISA -
Marchés, Organisations, Institutions et Stratégies d'Acteurs
( 28445 )
- 2 Place Pierre Viala 34 060 Montpellier Cedex 1
- France
Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement UMR 99 ( 11574 )
;
Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique UMR 1110 ( 92114 )
;
Centre international d'études supérieures en sciences agronomiques UMR_A 1110 ( 92699 )
;
Centre International de Hautes Etudes Agronomiques Méditerranéennes - Institut Agronomique Méditerranéen de Montpellier ( 455595 )
;
Centre International de Hautes Études Agronomiques Méditerranéennes ( 302069 )
;
Institut national d’études supérieures agronomiques de Montpellier ( 474617 )
4
CIHEAM-IAMM -
Centre International de Hautes Etudes Agronomiques Méditerranéennes - Institut Agronomique Méditerranéen de Montpellier
( 455595 )
- 3191 route de Mende, CS43999, 34093 Montpellier cedex 5
- France
Centre International de Hautes Études Agronomiques Méditerranéennes ( 302069 )
5
UMR SYSTEM -
Fonctionnement et conduite des systèmes de culture tropicaux et méditerranéens
( 16794 )
- Montpellier SupAgro, 2 Place Viala, Bât. 27, 34060 Montpellier Cedex 2 - France
- France
Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement UMR66 ( 11574 )
;
Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique UMR1123 ( 92114 )
;
Centre international d'études supérieures en sciences agronomiques UMR1230 ( 92699 )
;
Centre International de Hautes Etudes Agronomiques Méditerranéennes - Institut Agronomique Méditerranéen de Montpellier ( 455595 )
;
Centre International de Hautes Études Agronomiques Méditerranéennes ( 302069 )
;
Institut national d’études supérieures agronomiques de Montpellier ( 474617 )
Vulgarisation
Non
Comité de lecture
Oui
Page/Identifiant
168-178
Volume
154
Langue du document
Anglais
Nom de la revue
Agricultural Systems
(ISSN : 0308-521X)
Publié par Elsevier Masson
Revue non référencée dans Sherpa-Romeo
PETITE EXPLOITATION AGRICOLE, SYSTEME DE CULTURE, PRIX, ENGRAIS AZOTE, MODELE BIOECONOMIQUE, UTILISATION DES TERRES, MENAGE AGRICOLE, MOYEN DE PRODUCTION AGRICOLE, RENDEMENT DES CULTURES, MAIS, ENQUETE
Adam M. Komarek, Sophie Drogue, R. Chenoune, James Hawkins, Siwa Msangi, et al.. Agricultural household effects of fertilizer price changes for smallholder farmers in central Malawi. Agricultural Systems, 2017, 154, pp.168-178. ⟨10.1016/j.agsy.2017.03.016⟩. ⟨hal-01519139⟩