This thesis is an evaluation of the methods and assumptions employed by those groups responsible for preparation of the original benefit/cost data describing the Sefeed Rood project. Benefit/cost ratios reported by the French engineering firm, Cotha Sogreah, and Plan Organization in a joint study range from 2:1 to 2.6:1 (6 and 10). A priori these seem suspect since the dam plus necessary canals and diversion works are obviously large and costly and only primary benefits are considered. The question is whether the potential benefits are likely to ever yield a positive return on investment and, if so, how long a pay-off period will be required.

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This study analyzes the main factors that affect sugar imports to the United States from western hemisphere producing countries. Important variables such as Free Trade Agreements, production capacity levels and the quota imposed by the United States to the imported sugar will be analyzed under the scope of the gravity model. The estimation of the model is carried out using an OLS analysis. The variables used to create a reliable single-commodity gravity model are: sugar production indicators, distances between the involved countries, population, import quotas, and a set of dummy variables such as FTA (Free Trade Agreements) and border, that augment the model in order to identify and capture the effects of transactional costs and productivity on the sugar industry. The main focus is to assess the extent in which the variables affect sugar imports by the United States. The participation of the United States on international trade makes it essential identifying the FTAs in which they are involved. Some of the FTAs are the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), The Dominican Republic and Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), and individual FTAs. On the other hand, the major constraint to U.S. sugar imports are the tariff rate-quotas (TRQ), which are analyzed in order to determine the degree of the effect of this distortion on sugar trade. This research will demonstrate that although the existence of efficient sugar producers and, that FTAs suppose an increase of trade between countries, in the sugar industry, quotas have shown weighting more than any other factor in the U.S. sugar imports.

As national interests continue to encourage the development of advanced cellulosic biofuels, through legislation, research support and other means, a wide range of alternative agricultural crops are being evaluated in various regions of the country as potential feedstock material for biofuel processing facilities. Previous research has shown that both energy cane and sweet sorghum can be successfully grown in Louisiana. This study evaluated the economic feasibility of utilizing energy cane and sweet sorghum as biofuel feedstock crops. Economic analysis focused on two primary factors: estimation of feedstock cost and optimal location of processing facilities. Five cropping sequences were evaluated in the production of energy cane and sweet sorghum as feedstock crops. Production costs per acre were similar across the two crops and alternative cropping sequences. Estimated feedstock costs per dry ton were more variable for sweet sorghum, as compared with energy cane, due to the wider range of expected yields observed for sweet sorghum across alternative production periods. Transportation costs from field to processing facility along with the percent of idle land not enrolled in conservation programs were found to be two of the major factors which will influence optimal location of feedstock processing facilities.

This study examines the impacts RTAs have had in the Asia-Pacific region regarding agricultural trade flows in order to make a prediction on how the proposed TPP agreement will affect the region. The estimation was carried out using a Gravity Model framework to observe the trade creation and trade diversion effects of five existing RTAs in the Asia-Pacific region. These agreements include NAFTA, AFTA, MERCOSUR, APEC, and CER. It is expected that RTAs were to have a positive effect for trade creation and a negative trade diversion effect. The gravity model included export flows of agricultural commodities (defined as food and live animals) between countries in the Asia- Pacific region to one another as the dependent variable. The right hand side of the equation included the traditional variables in a gravity model: GDP of exporter (importer), population of exporter (importer), and the distance between exporter and importer. It also consisted of additional variables to capture trade effects due to exchange rates, common language between trading partners, shared border, whether a country is landlocked, and mutual membership in a RTA as our independent variables. Of the five agreements examined AFTA, CER, and MERCOSUR resulted in significant trade creation effects while APEC and NAFTA showed signs of possible trade diversion. It was also concluded that GDP and population had the expected positive signs and that distance also had the expected sign (negative). Also, sharing a common border or language did have an effect on bilateral trade. These results suggest that the TPP should expect a trade creation effect with possible trade diversion effects as well.

Cocoa is one of the commodities with great tradition and consumption around the world. The cocoa industry produces billions of dollars at the global level and contributes significantly to the employment of thousands of people in the countries that have acquired relevant consumption habits as well as in developing countries that produce cocoa. The Dominican Republic has been blessed and belongs to the latter group. It is the top ninth producing country worldwide and the second of the Americas. The DR has been exporting over 50,000 metric tons of cocoa per year for the past twelve years, which is destined to be used as raw material for industries in other countries. This has generated foreign exchange with a value of US$ 156,000,000 per year for the Dominican economy. In order for cocoa to reach the consumer of products like desserts, dressings, beauty products, etc., it has to go through several stages of the production process. The primary production of cocoa is just the beginning of this process, where the exports supply chain has its origin. There is not a very diverse cocoa consumption within the Dominican Republic. The local industry has been left behind, and it is characterized by the production of mostly chocolate tablets for the preparation of beverages. However the purpose of this study is not to determine what causes local consumption of cocoa to be so low in the Dominican Republic. More than 50% of the cocoa producers in the Dominican Republic have an average family income that is lower than US $2.00, which locates them below the line of poverty according by international organisms. The harvesting of cocoa is extremely important for the preservation and conservation of the environment in the Dominican Republic thanks to the forest cover and the water that originate from the plantations. This is why, although much has been done for the improvement of the industry over the past decades, it is still a necessity that the major stakeholders bring more assistance and investments to contribute to the development of the industry as a way of assuring the steady preservation of the island. The local supply chain in the Dominican Republic is composed of three major agents: producers, exporters, and industrials. These are responsible for the employment of thousands of workers that work either directly or indirectly with the main marketers of the cocoa beans. The Dominican cocoa industry pays no attention to the final cocoa product since it has specialized mostly in exporting raw beans. This means that it has been lacking the most important stage of the supply chain which is the industrialization and final marketing.

This study examines the preferences for cattle traits using mixed logit and latent class models. Choice experiment data from a 2013 mail survey of 1,052 U.S. grass-fed beef producers were used. The findings indicate that grass-fed beef producers generally preferred lower-priced, heavy animals that were small-to-medium framed and easy to handle for grass-finishing. Black animals that were retained from their own calves were preferred. Relative to intact males, steers and heifers were preferred. Except for the estimated parameter for the weight attribute, the standard deviations for the temperament, body frame, source, color, gender, and price attribute levels were significant at the P ≤ 0.05 levels, implying the presence of heterogeneity in the sample. It is important to understand the existing preference heterogeneity within the study population as it provides insights to cattle producers and cattle marketers on the value placed on cattle traits by different groups of grass-fed producers.

As part of ongoing efforts to assess ecosystem services provided by wetlands, this research focuses on estimating the private monetary value of wetland services to residential property owners in Louisiana and Alabama using a hedonic price model. Understanding that tradeoffs must be made with limited resources, valuing ecosystem services is important for policy and decision making purposes, such as determining how much public and private financial resources should be put towards wetland maintenance and restoration. Data on property transactions, wetland coverage, and built infrastructure were collected for the analysis. Based on theory and results from a Box-Cox model, the log-linear functional form was the best fit for the data. Marginal implicit prices of services from wetland ecosystems were estimated using proximity variables. Most wetland proximity variables were statistically significant and indicative of preferences for different wetland types. Based on coefficient estimates, freshwater ponds were the only preferred wetland ecosystems to live in closer proximity to in Louisiana, while freshwater emergent wetlands were the only preferred wetland ecosystems in Alabama. Homeowners preferred living further from rivers in both Louisiana and Alabama. Results are consistent with the wetland service valuation literature from across the United States which used the property-price hedonic approach.

Given the natural resource base of South Africa, livestock production is one of the most important farming practices in the country. Of the approximately 80 % of the land surface being utilised for agriculture, almost 70 % is mainly suitable for raising livestock. The South African red meat sector contributed 14.8 % to the total gross value of agricultural production during the 2008/2009 season with cattle being the main contributor at 10.1 % while sheep contributed 2.5 % during the same period (DAFF 2010). The long-term average contribution of the red meat industry to the total gross value of agriculture production (from 1996/1997 to 2008/2009) accounted for 13.2 % and that of beef 9.4 % and sheep 2.4 % during the same period (DAFF 2010). The South African primary red meat sub-sector is unique due to the dualistic nature of the countryâs agricultural situation. There is a clear distinction between the commercial (formal) sector of the industry and the non-commercial (informal) sector. Within the ambit of the above the South African red meat sector also has to compete at a global level. For the South African red meat industry to be on par and potentially become a leader (at least in the Southern African region) it is necessary to understand the red meat value chain in detail in a holistic manner to (i) guide decision making in the public and private sector domains, (ii) identify challenges that the industry faces that impedes on its efficient functioning and (iii) create a foundation for the better understanding of the dynamic forces within the industry to allow stakeholders to internalise it in order for them to position themselves so that they can increase their performance at each segment of the industry to the benefit of the entire industry. Merely providing a descriptive profile of a particular industry is not sufficient any more within a deregulated and liberalised environment. In order to make any normative judgments regarding the performance of an industry, an in depth value chain analysis is needed. This is what this study is set out to achieve for the large (cattle/beef) and small stock (sheep/mutton-lamb) subsectors. The broader industry was investigated through interviews with different stakeholders in the red meat value chain. The analysis on the value chain in general shows that the South African cattle and sheep industries have been growing in nominal terms when considering their contribution towards the total gross value of agricultural production. However, the percentage contribution towards total gross value of agricultural production in South Africa of these two sectors has remained relatively constant during the short term (cattle at 10 % and sheep at 2 %). Critical variables that affect the performance in the feedlot industry are weaner and feed prices, as well as the price they receive in the market. The performance at primary processor level is directly linked to the price of offal, which is highly variable on a geographical level as well as seasonal. The performance of the retail sector is highly dependent on their ability to cater for specific consumers in specific geographical areas, while seasonal demand also determines purchasing and pricing patterns. This variability in prices as well as the transmission thereof through the red meat value chain is a big concern in the industry. Price transmission was therefore investigated using time series data on primary producer- and derived retailer prices data from September 1999 to December 2008. The following methodological approaches were applied, namely the Engle and Granger cointegration test as well as threshold autoregressive models. The Granger causality test was applied to analyse causality. Asymmetry in price transmission (APT) was found in both the beef and lamb value chains, indicating inefficiencies within the chain. Causality in the case of beef ran both ways i.e. from producer level to retail level and vice versa depending on supply conditions while in the case of lamb a change in price at producer level âcausesâ changes at retail level. APT is not uncommon, especially in agricultural markets and a number of reasons can cause APT in a value chain, however, in the case of the South African red meat industry a few contributors to APT was identified namely; asymmetry in information flow, menu cost and inventory cost. The red meat value chain in the Free State province was investigated by using a value chain methodology that was derived from different approaches to value chain analysis. Primary data was captured by means of personal interviews. A total of 143 commercial producers were surveyed (i.e. 19 % of the total of 745 producers that made up the original producer database used). The analysis revealed the following important aspects, namely (i) 60 % of total income generated by commercial farmers is from livestock activities, (ii) productivity is high in the commercial sector with calving- and lambing percentages averaging 80 % and 93 % for the cattle and sheep sub-sectors respectively, while the smallholder sector only averaged 30 % and 13 % for cattle and sheep respectively, (iii) older animals within the commercial beef sub-sector are mainly marketed to primary processors while younger animals are marketed to the feedlot industry while the majority of animals in the sheep sub-sector are marketed to the primary processing industry, (iv) market access in the smallholder sector is still limited to regional auctions, the informal market and to lesser extent direct sales to abattoirs, and (v) the main constraining factors in the smallholder sector is the lack of proper infrastructure which makes managing practices difficult. One major concern within the industry is animal losses, i.e. 44 % of sheep losses in the FS was due to predation. The processor industry in the FS province is highly integrated, especially in terms of primary processors/abattoirs and butcheries. Abattoirs are an important marketing alternative, especially in the rural parts of the FS province. All the role-players in the FS cattle and sheep value chains identified the variability in live animal/meat prices as their main constraint. Increasing the productivity of the producers in the smallholder sector should be a major industry objective. This objective should start with the improvement of infrastructure, education of extension officers and simplified and easier access to credit. Given the methodology developed, and the results of the study, it is strongly suggested that the methodology be applied to the value chains of the remaining red meat producing regions in South Africa. This will provide a benchmarking platform for the red meat value chain in the country. This methodology should also be re-applied regularly (every 2 to 3 years) to keep the information up to date and to provide the means by which the industry can measure change in the industry. This will be critical from a private and public sector point of view.

Economic and domestic activities have been causing a profound deterioration of air quality in developed and developing countries. The health problems arising from air pollution, both indoor and outdoor, have become apparent which result in welfare losses in society such as increased workdays lost and high health cost. The empirical work on welfare losses as a result of air pollution in South Africa has focussed only on urban settlements, hence the need of this study. The main objective of this study was to explore the economic impact of air pollution in two townships of Mangaung metro municipality. The study was conducted in Phahameng and Rocklands areas. The sampling technique used was the stratified random sampling technique. Data was collected through a Contingent Valuation (CV) questionnaire. The 26 questions in the questionnaire were compiled through interaction with knowledgeable individuals and completed via face-to-face interviews. A total sample of 300 households was surveyed with 111 questionnaires administered in Phahameng and 189 in Rocklands. The mitigating cost and the number of workdays lost as a result of an episode of air pollution related illness was estimates from the survey. Mitigating cost is measured as the total cost incurred (include consultation fee, cost of medication, hospitalisation and transportation fees) as a result of treating the last episode (prior to interview) of air pollution related ailments. Workdays lost is measured as the number of days lost for the last episode (prior to interview) of ailment related to air pollution. For employed respondents, it is measured as number of days not able to go to place of work; for self-employed or unemployed respondents, it is measured as the number of days not able to perform daily routine or activities. For respondents that are studying, it is measured as days absent from school. The factors influencing these economic parameters (mitigating cost and workdays lost) were explored using Ordinary Least Square (OLS) Regression Model. The Contingent Valuation questions measured welfare losses by asking a hypothetical question regarding household willingness to pay for improved air quality.Willingness to pay for improved air quality was determined through a double bounded iterative bidding. Based on the pilot survey and evaluation of previous studies, a starting bid of R100 was chosen. The mean willingness to pay per household was estimated from the upper and lower bound amount given by each household respondent. Three steps were taken to evaluate the respondentsâ willingness to pay for improved air quality. Firstly, the Craggâs Model was used to determine if the choice to pay and the amount that will be paid for improved air quality is onedecision or two-decisions. A Probit Model was fitted to evaluate the factors that influence the willingness to pay decision (whether or not to pay). Lastly, a Truncated Regression Model was fitted to determine the factors that determine the amount that will be paid for improved air quality as indicated by those who are willing to pay. The empirical results revealed that the mean workdays lost and mitigating cost as a result of illness associated with air pollution in both study areas is 3.43days and R112.27 respectively. Health, duration of illness, age, district (Phahameng or Rocklands), mitigating cost and number of visits to see a doctor or to pharmacy for treatment were found to be the principal factor influencing workdays lost. High income level, duration of illness, district (Phahameng or Rocklands), ailment (episode of air pollution related ailment), workdays lost, treatment methods and unemployed were found to be the principal factors influencing mitigating cost. The mean willingness to pay per household for improved air quality on a monthly basis from both study areas is R110.59. The Craggâs Model showed that the choice to pay for improved air quality and the amount to be paid is two separate decisions and should thus be modelled as such. Results from the Probit Model shows that education and ailment (episode of air pollution related ailment) are the principal factors that influence the decision of whether or not to pay. The Truncated Regression Model indicated that the decision on how much to pay is determined by education and high income. The conclusion from the study is that the impact of air pollution should be seen beyond the adverse health effect it poses. Air pollution can be reduced by creating environmental awareness not only in the study areas but in South Africa.