From: Drivers of rice production: evidence from five Sub-Saharan African countries
Variable groups | Variables | Assumption for inclusion |
---|---|---|
Controls | Age of farm under present management in 2002 (logged) | Production is expected to be curvilinear with respect to agea |
Descendant households | Descendant households are expected to invest in higher production than their predecessors | |
Area | Area under rice, ha logged | Growth in production is assumed to be largely extensive. Due to diminishing returns, the correlation is expected to be curvilinear |
Improved variety | Used improved variety in 2002 | Use of improved variety is expected to increase production, since improved varieties are higher yielding than traditional varieties |
Used improved variety in 2008 | ||
Used improved variety at both considered time points | ||
Stopped using improved variety between the two considered time points | ||
Started using improved variety between the two considered time points | ||
Land type | Used lowland at both considered time points | Use of lowland is expected to positively affect production, since yields are expected to increase |
Stopped using lowland between the two considered time points | ||
Started using lowland between the two considered time points | ||
Fertilizer | Used fertilizer at both considered time points | Use of seed fertilizer technology is expected to positively affect production by increasing yields |
Decreased or stopped using fertilizer between the two considered time points | ||
Started or increased using fertilizer between the two considered time points | ||
Tractor ploughing | Used tractor plough at both considered time points | Use of tractor ploughing is expected to positively affect production by facilitating an area expansion (extensive growth) |
Stopped using tractor plough between the two considered time points | ||
Started using tractor plough between the two considered time points | ||
Commercialization | Sold rice at both considered time points | Sale of rice is expected to positively affect production, since the availability of market outlets is expected to encourage surplus production |
Stopped or decreased selling rice between the two considered time points | ||
Started or increased selling rice between the two considered time points | ||
Policy | Government expenditure on agriculture and rural development during the period (lagged and logged) | Increasing government expenditure is expected to positively affect production by providing an enabling environment |
Import of rice in relation to gross domestic production during the period (lagged and logged) | Increased import dependence is expected to negatively affect domestic production, since imported rice will drive down local market prices and thereby undermine production incentives | |
Gross domestic product (GDP) per capita during the period (lagged and logged) | We assume a high elasticity of rice production to economic growth | |
Distributional dimensions | Proxy for village elite membership | Smallholder-friendly development would decrease the importance of elite membership |
Gender of farm manager in 2002 | Discrimination of women is expected to negatively affect production | |
Weather | Drought in E and S. Africa in 2002, village dummy | Control for and estimate of the effects of drought |
Floods in W. Africa in 2008, village dummy | Control for and estimate of the effects of flood |