Microcredit has expanded rapidly since its beginnings in the last 1970s, but whether and how much it reduces poverty is the subject of intense debate. Generally it depends on how the program is implemented and the set of policies that regulate it. In this spirit, microcredit impacts in the...

We introduce a fast and inexpensive method to rule out potential barriers to adopting a technology. We use this method to asses the role of exogeneous contract enforcement as a barrier to market for Kenya's French Bean export market. We survey 240 farmers in Kirinyaga County, Kenya who were...

The cacao industry has played an important role in terms of export earnings and employment opportunities in Indonesia since 1980s. It is the main source of income for more than one million smallholder farmers in Indonesia, who are considered poor. Most planted areas of cacao are in Eastern...

This research determines significant characteristics that can be used to identify developing countries which are likely to receive foreign direct investment into their food retailing industry. It also tests the likelihood that a real option value exists for the investment and that there is a...

Replaced with revised version of paper 07/16/04.

We develop a model of sorting and matching between borrowers and lenders across formal and informal credit markets in a developing country context. We highlight the role of risk both on credit access and sectoral choice. We examine how activity and sectoral choice vary across agents with...

This working paper provides a more in-depth study focused on specific areas in Luang Prabang and Vientiane provinces as a continuation of the first phase study, which was a review of the history of production, marketing,consumption and policy related to secondary crops and non-secondary crops...

This is a practical handbook for scientists, analysts, and students working on the definition and implementation of policy changes that contribute to real economic and social agriculture-based development, with a special focus on commodity systems. The objective is to promote efficient and...