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Assessing the development impacts of bio-innovations The case of genetically modified maize and cassava in Tanzania

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  • Benfica, Rui
  • Zambrano, Patricia
  • Chambers, Judith
  • Falck-Zepeda, Jose

Abstract

Tanzania’s agriculture is characterized by low productivity due to unpredictable rainfall and the prevalence of pests and diseases. Genetically modified (GM) maize offering protection against drought and insects are being developed. Likewise, GM varieties resistant to cassava brown streak disease were developed. Building on prior crop-based analyses, we use the Rural Investment and Policy Analysis (RIAPA) CGE model to assess the impacts of the adoption of those GM crops. GM maize and cassava have positive effects on the economy, the Agri-Food System (AFS), and poverty. Given its stronger linkages in the AFS, the effects of the GM maize are stronger, especially in higher adoption and high yield scenarios. Likewise, the effects on the poorest and rural households are greater. The high variation across scenarios, and the significant effect of the high adoption/high yield scenarios, suggests a high return to investments and policies that realize these adoption rates and yield potential.

Suggested Citation

  • Benfica, Rui & Zambrano, Patricia & Chambers, Judith & Falck-Zepeda, Jose, 2024. "Assessing the development impacts of bio-innovations The case of genetically modified maize and cassava in Tanzania," IAAE 2024 Conference, August 2-7, 2024, New Delhi, India 344284, International Association of Agricultural Economists (IAAE).
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:cfcp15:344284
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.344284
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    1. Benfica, Rui & Cunguara, Benedito & Thurlow, James, 2019. "Linking agricultural investments to growth and poverty: An economywide approach applied to Mozambique," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 91-100.
    2. Zambrano, Patricia & Paul, Namita & Chambers, Judith A. & Falck-Zepeda, José B. & Hanson, Hillary, 2019. "bEcon 4 Africa: An overview of the literature on the economic assessment of GE crops in the continent, 1996-2016," IFPRI discussion papers 1841, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    3. Sulser, Timothy & Wiebe, Keith D. & Dunston, Shahnila & Cenacchi, Nicola & Nin-Pratt, Alejandro & Mason-D’Croz, Daniel & Robertson, Richard D. & Willenbockel, Dirk & Rosegrant, Mark W., 2021. "Climate change and hunger: Estimating costs of adaptation in the agrifood system," Food policy reports 9780896294165, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    4. Aragie, Emerta & Xinshen Diao & Spielman, David J. & Thurlow, James & Mugabo, Serge & Rosenbach, Gracie & Benimana, Gilberthe Uwera, 2022. "Public investment prioritization for Rwanda’s inclusive agricultural transformation: Evidence from rural investment and policy analysis modeling," Rwanda SSP working papers 3, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
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    Keywords

    Food Security and Poverty; Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies;

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