In this paper we analyse the technical efficiency of cotton farmers in the Punjab Province in Pakistan. Technical efficiency is measured relative to a stochastic frontier production function (SFPF). The estimated model includes a function in which technical efficiency is made an explicit...

Genetic diversity in agricultural systems relies on both the supply of diversity through varieties produced by breeding programs, and the demand for that diversity, through farmers' usage of varieties. Variety choice by farmers is demonstrated through the mix of varieties that is grown in a...

Many environmental policy issues involve conflicts between nature conservation and economic development. The economic rationale behind deciding among alternative options is predicated on some form of benefit-cost analysis (BCA). Key issues to date have been non-market valuation, the...

Improving the conservation status of remnant native vegetation on private property (RNV) has a number of economic benefits. RNV can contribute to on-farm productivity through provision of unimproved grazing, timber products and stock shelter. It may contribute to enhancing the productivity of...

The identification of economically sensitive traits is a critical step in the breeding process as it defines the direction of the breeding program. Quantifying how each trait affects the profitability of the production system further increases the efficiency of a breeding program. Production...

Acid and acidifying soils occur extensively in Australia. Currently, some 90 million hectares of agricultural land in Australia is considered to be acidic and around 35 million hectares are considered to be highly acidic which is both a serious agricultural and environmental problem. The nature,...

Increasing use of Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) in ex ante research evaluation has not been accompanied by consensus on the increased returns flowing from the evaluation effort. There are likely to be a wide range of views held by researchers, agricultural economists and research managers on how...

Sugar cane farms are the single biggest user of irrigation water in Queensland. Recent drought and unreliable rainfall patterns in areas traditionally reliant on rainfall for crop production has resulted in increasing interest in, and adoption of supplementary irrigation to help underpin...

In 1990 the Australian Government relaxed restrictions on the importation of pigmeat from Canada. In response to declining producer prices and their consequent effect on profitability, the Australian pig industry raised concerns with the Australian Government that the decline in producer price...

South Australia’s Minister for Primary Industries, Natural Resources and Regional Development in 1996 delegated to an industry based Apiary Task Force the role to develop and implement a cost effective disease control strategy. Underlying this broad term of reference was the need to increase...