This paper develops a model of differentiated consumers to examine the consumption effects of genetic modification (GM) under alternative labelling regimes and segregation enforcement scenarios. Analytical results show that if consumers perceive GM products as being different than their...

The identification of local soil variability caused by within-field differences of macronutrients and ecological features is of paramount importance for the effectiveness of precision agriculture. We present several spatial statistical and econometric techniques to capture local differences in...

During the past 40 years, the returns to agricultural R&D have been on average in the range of 40-60% (Alston, et al 2000, Evenson 2001). Many agricultural economists see this high average as convincing evidence that there is significant underinvestment in public agricultural R&D (Ruttan 1980,...

Unlike several other countries, where Bt cotton is being rapidly adopted, in Argentina technology diffusion has been rather slow. Based on recent survey data, it is shown that the technology significantly reduces insecticide applications and increases yields; however, these advantages are curbed...

In general, reported rates of return to agricultural R&D are high, but questions have been raised about upward biases in the evidence. Among the reasons for this bias, insufficient attention to attribution aspects-matching of research benefits and costs-is a pervasive problem, the magnitude of...

Through Monte Carlo simulation techniques, all possible scenarios are analyzed of the impact of the potential adoption of genetically modified herbicide tolerant sugar beets on the economics of Belgian sugar beet growers. The most likely gain for the average Belgian sugar beet grower amounts to...

For many years, the literature concerning agricultural knowledge transfer has emphasised the importance of using processes designed around the needs of the target population, rather than those of the providers. This paper reports on the AgriNet project in South West England, whose essential...

Modernization of food retailing in developing economies,focusing on the early stages of retail modernization in Vietnam is examined. This modernization represents innovation that is sought by the host country and that depends on knowledge transfer. Retail modernization has profound effects on...

This document contains the PowerPoint presentation given by the authors at the 2002 WCC-72 meetings, regarding vertical coordination and knowledge transfer in Brazilian poultry industry.

This article examines trade and intellectual property rights questions associated with agricultural biotechnology in the Western Hemisphere and goes on to chart a potential course through which they could be addressed by an agreement on a Free Trade Area of the Americas. Issues pertaining to...