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Browsing by Author "Vitale, J."

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
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    Economic and environmental impact of improved sorghum and millet technology in Mali
    Eddleman, B.; Kergna, A.; Vitale, J.; McCarl, Bruce A.; Chen, Chi Chung; Dyke, P. (2001)
    To provide improved methods to assess the impact of introduction and use of technology, a suite of integrated interactive models was created for use in developing countries. The Agricultural Sector Model (ASM) was used to estimate the economic consequences of adopting a new sorghum production system derived from joint U.S. and Malian research under the INTSORMIL CRSP and ICRISAT. It assumed an adoption rate of between 20 and 30% among regions of Mali. Demand is based on estimates of population growth in the year 2015 (World Food Summit target date) for the various regions of Mali. The annual total national welfare associated with adoption of the technology was estimated to be FCFA 635 billion per year in the year 2015. The EPIC model was run with 20-year simulations. The model predicts a reduction in erosion using the new production system ranging 1-3% in the Segou region; 30-43% in Kayes. The reduction is attributed to faster development of canopy cover exhibited with the new system. This is due both to the improved germplasm and the increased use of fertilizer. These results suggest the economic benefits of the new production package are accompanied by positive environmental consequences through reduction in soil erosion.
  • New markets and technological change for the traditional cereals in semi-arid Sub-Saharan Africa: The Malian case
    Vitale, J.; Sanders, J. (Amsterdam ; New York: Elsevier, 2005)
    This paper addresses the need for development and research to be invested in semiarid regions of sub-Saharan Africa - not just in the high rainfall and irrigated regions, which have been the focus of efforts in the last three decades. The authors also describe the negative impact of the lack of policy regarding profitability of food crops. Good weather causes price collapse and bad weather creates crises that require food aid or subsidized food imports. The authors suggest the need for demand-side dissemination of improved technologies. To evaluate the effect of technological change and demand shifts for sorghum, the authors apply a sector model. The model simulates the impacts of policy combinations that cause farmers to receive higher prices after adopting higher-input technologies. The model also compares a policy focused on increasing yield and demand for sorghum in the semiarid region to policy strategies for high-rainfall zones.
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    Promoting more sustainable land use in the semi-arid tropics through improved market infrastructure: A Malian case study
    Vitale, J.; Woodward, R. (2001)
    This paper is concerned with the extent to which semi-arid regions should remain involved in food production. Current low-input farming practices in these drier areas have pushed cultivation onto the marginal lands, threatening the sustainability of their already fragile ecosystems. With higher productive zones available, such as the Sikasso region of Mali, increased food flows into the semi-arid areas could be used to relieve land pressure. Central to this question is the priority that farmers place on satisfying subsistence food needs with on-farm production, a strategy that avoids risk from high market prices should drought conditions ensue. To determine the feasibility of increased food flows, a farm model was developed that detailed the additional risk farmers would need to incur if they increased their reliance on food markets. The model included an environmental subcomponent (EPIC) to estimate the degradation costs from continued expansion onto marginal areas. Policies to improve market infrastructure resulted in a significant decrease in the use of marginal lands. The modeling activities suggest a reduced, but more sustainable, role for food production for the semi-arid areas.