1. Patrick Kormawa (WARDA, Cotonou) and Tunji Akande (NISER, Ibadan)
THE CONFIGURATION OF COMPARATIVE ADVANTATE IN RICE PRODUCTION IN WEST AFRICA
Patrick Kormawa (WARDA, Cotonou) and Tunji Akande (NISER, Ibadan)
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2. INTRODUCTION
Agriculture is the heart of West African economy – 70% of population live on it
Instrumental value of agriculture at independence :
Employment
Income
Import substitution
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3. New functions of agriculture
Food
Fibre
Income
Employment
Export earnings through value added activities
Poverty alleviation
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4. Food is a problem in West Africa
Supply and demand gaps in food exist
Food prices are high
Imports are inevitable
Food-related infant ailments are rive
Poor nutrition leads to poor productivity
Food security is illusory
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5. Rice has now become prominent in West African economy and society
Demand for rice is growing at about 5% per annum; faster than for any other grain
Rice imports is growing at 8% per annum
Rice is now food for both rich and poor
Increasing demand due to
Urbanisation
Changing life style
Changing work patterns
Rice availability and prices impact on the welfare of the poor.
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6. Objective of the paper
This paper reviews studies which assessed comparative advantage in the production of rice in West Africa. The ultimate intention is to provide a guide to how rice expansion programme can be effectively coordinated in the region to achieve the desired self-sufficiency status, as well as promote intra-regional trade.
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7. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
The major theoretical and analytical models contained in the literature and studies conducted on comparative advantage are as follows:
Linear Programming model
Non-linear Activity (Programming) model
Leontief Input-Output model
Regression model
Simulation-based model
Domestic Resource Cost model
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8. DOMESTIC RESOURCE COST
Domestic Resource Cost (DRC) has been extensively used in the past 25 years in West Africa.
Typically, the DRC establishes empirically the existence or non-existence of comparative advantage in the production of tradable commodities like rice among producing regions from the perspective of trade in the world commodity system.
The model also measures the pattern of efficiency imposed upon the production system by the prevailing trade policy regime.
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9. Incentives and Protection
Government policies can serve as incentives or disincentives to local rice producers. The structure of incentives to producers in each country is measured using the concepts of net private profitability (NPP), and the effective protection coefficient (EPC). The net private profitability makes use of gross margin analysis
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10. III. REVIEW OF SELECTED STUDIES
THE STUDIES CONDUCTED IN THE s
PEARSON et al (1981)
ONYENWEAKU (1980)
AKINYOSOYE (1988)
WORLD BANK (1986)
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11. II. STUDIES CONDUCTED IN THE1990s
A. AKANDE
B. RANDOLPH et al
These studies and others not currently available for review were based on DRC methodology which measures social profitability.
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12. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS – FINDING 1
Not all countries producing rice in West Africa are doing so at socially profitable levels. That is, not all the countries demonstrate the capacity to produce rice at an economically competitive level.
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13. The countries that have demonstrated the possibility of translating their natural resources to a comparative advantage production status are:
Sierra Leone
Mali
Niger
Nigeria
Burkina Faso
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14. Finding 2
Not all techniques of production can lead to comparative advantage. However there is overwhelming evidence from the studies reviewed indicating that small scale farms which generally use simple tools and equipment in addition to manual labour are economically competitive, whereas large-scale fully-mechanised production practices are not.
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15. Finding 3
Yield levels and production costs strongly influence comparative advantage, irrespective of the techniques of production or regions where the farmer is located.
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16. CHALLENGES
The present patterns of comparative advantage have thrown up certain planning and policy issues:
First, economic integration envisioned for West Africa must be made practical through taking an advantage of agricultural production in selected areas in the region, which have demonstrated comparative advantage.
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17. The challenge for planning is obvious
The challenge for planning is obvious. No one is sure of how much land any of the prospective countries can further devote to rice cultivation.
The capability of supplying other required inputs including capital is also yet to be explored.
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18. Breeding programmes to produce high-yielding varieties,
Policy must focus on:
Breeding programmes to produce high-yielding varieties,
Effective adoption strategies,
Improved farm management practices by rice producers,
Efficient milling and improved market infrastructure
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19. FURTHER WORKS NEEDED
There are still gaps in information on comparative advantage in the region
Resources will be sought to pursue this issue
Target is to have comparative advantage maps of West Africa for planning purposes
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20. THANK YOU
MERCI !
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