This study links intertemporal optimization to a biophysical crop growth model finding that agricultural intensification does not dramatically degrade soils in southern Mali. Productivity growth can be sustained through adoption of new techniques, particularly with policy reforms to reduce...

This paper quantifies the potential impact of European Union enlargement and the consequences of ignoring the non-agricultural component of this integration. We find that agriculture-focused studies offer sound estimates of agriculture-specific production and trade changes, but the estimates of...

Will nitrogen soil testing improve groundwater quality enough to decrease the demand for direct regulation? This question is addressed using a dynamic simulation model of irrigated agriculture in eastern Oregon. Results indicate that soil testing reduces applied nitrogen, increases farm profits...

An approach is presented to address three questions: (a) what is considered as valued nature at the farm level, (b) how can nature management be integrated in farming practice, i.e. operational and behavioral acceptability, and (c) where should nature management be implemented, i.e. the optimal...

A partial-observability model finds evidence of racial discrimination by retailers of consumer durables in apartheid South Africa. In particular, black households are 13 percentage points more likely to demand a hire/purchase loan but not to have one supplied than are other households, all else...

This paper presents a methodology for incorporating environmental and social equity objectives in an economic analysis of watershed management. Empirical results indicate that restricting agricultural pollution notably increases farm costs. The equity objective also adversely affects economic...

In the policy arena, there is a demand for "trade distortion indicators", but many of the traditional indices are difficult to compute and interpret. Recent developments in the literature have led to a new indicator: the Trade Restrictiveness Index (TRI). This paper analyzes some problems...

Income tax incentives directly affect the economic feasibility of proposals for tax-deferred risk management accounts. Data indicate that despite clear financial advantages from tax deferment and reduced income variability, income targeting may preclude many farmers from contributing enough...

A simulation of U.S. corn production compares four environmental policies for controlling agricultural nitrate pollution. Public uncertainty about key economic parameters are considered. Results indicate that policy choice is sensitive to commodity programs and the public information structure....