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Is technology change good for cotton farmers? A local-economy analysis from the Tanzania Lake Zone

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Listed:
  • Anubhab Gupta
  • Justin Kagin
  • J Edward Taylor
  • Mateusz Filipski
  • Lindi Hlanze
  • James Foster

Abstract

Technological change holds the potential to increase crop output as well as incomes of farmers and the communities in which they live. We carry out a local economy-wide impact evaluation of productivity-enhancing technological change amongst small-scale cotton producers in Tanzania’s Lake Zone. Our analysis reveals that demand constraints shift benefits from farmers to downstream processors, while limiting positive spillovers within local economies. Excess cotton gin capacity does the opposite. Interventions to ensure markets for increased output should complement strategies to raise productivity if a project’s goal is to improve welfare in farm households and the communities in which they live.

Suggested Citation

  • Anubhab Gupta & Justin Kagin & J Edward Taylor & Mateusz Filipski & Lindi Hlanze & James Foster, 2018. "Is technology change good for cotton farmers? A local-economy analysis from the Tanzania Lake Zone," European Review of Agricultural Economics, Oxford University Press and the European Agricultural and Applied Economics Publications Foundation, vol. 45(1), pages 27-56.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:erevae:v:45:y:2018:i:1:p:27-56.
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