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• 1. [Article] Types of household composition that influence energy problem beliefs and home energy conservation behaviors according to resource constraints among western United States' renters

  The purpose of this study was to further the understanding of two types of renter households' energy problem belief and energy conservation behaviors. The theoretical framework for this study was Niemeyer's ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Types of household composition that influence energy problem beliefs and home energy conservation behaviors according to resource constraints among western United States' renters Author: Yoo, Kyung Sook The purpose of this study was to further the understanding of two types of renter households' energy problem belief and energy conservation behaviors. The theoretical framework for this study was Niemeyer's (1982) model of energy adjustment. Niemeyer found that resource constraints were the significant factors in the number of existing energy-saving features in the dwelling. The 1983 Western States regional data from the Western Regional Project W-159: "Consequences of Energy Conservation Policies for Western Region Households," were used for this study. Pearson correlations and analysis of covariance statistical tests provided a method for identifying differences between jointly-headed households' and female-headed households' energy problem "belief and home energy conservation behaviors. Frequency distributions were run on unweighted data in order to describe the respondents by demographic characteristics. The sample consisted mostly of jointly-headed households (64.1%). The mean age of jointly-headed households and female-headed households was 39.8 and 43.3 years respectively. Most jointly-headed households and female-headed households had "some college" education. The median income of jointly-headed households fell within the range from $20,000 to $25,000, compared to female-headed households which was within the $10,000 to $15,000 range. The majority of jointly-headed households (54.1%) had children, while the majority of female-headed households (77.8%) had no children. The jointly-headed households and female-headed households believed differently about the energy problem in the United States when controlled for age (p=.026), education (p=.003), and income (p=.046). This study also hypothesized that the type of renter household (jointly-headed vs female-headed) might make a difference in home energy conservation behaviors. Testing revealed a significant difference between jointly-headed and female-headed households on the mean number of home energy conservation behaviors reported, when controlled for age (p=.000), number of children (p=.019), and type of household (p=.000) These findings could contribute to the energy conservation research and programs developed by housing educators, researchers, and governmental housing planners. Title: Types of household composition that influence energy problem beliefs and home energy conservation behaviors according to resource constraints among western United States' renters Author: Yoo, Kyung Sook The purpose of this study was to further the understanding of two types of renter households' energy problem belief and energy conservation behaviors. The theoretical framework for this study was Niemeyer's (1982) model of energy adjustment. Niemeyer found that resource constraints were the significant factors in the number of existing energy-saving features in the dwelling. The 1983 Western States regional data from the Western Regional Project W-159: "Consequences of Energy Conservation Policies for Western Region Households," were used for this study. Pearson correlations and analysis of covariance statistical tests provided a method for identifying differences between jointly-headed households' and female-headed households' energy problem "belief and home energy conservation behaviors. Frequency distributions were run on unweighted data in order to describe the respondents by demographic characteristics. The sample consisted mostly of jointly-headed households (64.1%). The mean age of jointly-headed households and female-headed households was 39.8 and 43.3 years respectively. Most jointly-headed households and female-headed households had "some college" education. The median income of jointly-headed households fell within the range from $20,000 to $25,000, compared to female-headed households which was within the $10,000 to $15,000 range. The majority of jointly-headed households (54.1%) had children, while the majority of female-headed households (77.8%) had no children. The jointly-headed households and female-headed households believed differently about the energy problem in the United States when controlled for age (p=.026), education (p=.003), and income (p=.046). This study also hypothesized that the type of renter household (jointly-headed vs female-headed) might make a difference in home energy conservation behaviors. Testing revealed a significant difference between jointly-headed and female-headed households on the mean number of home energy conservation behaviors reported, when controlled for age (p=.000), number of children (p=.019), and type of household (p=.000) These findings could contribute to the energy conservation research and programs developed by housing educators, researchers, and governmental housing planners. Close

• 2. [Article] The Economics of Household Air Pollution

  Traditional energy technologies and consumer products contribute to household well-being in diverse ways but also often harm household air quality. We review the problem of household air pollution at a ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Economics of Household Air Pollution Author: Jeuland, Marc, Pattanayak, Subhrendu K., Bluffstone, Randall Year: 2015 Traditional energy technologies and consumer products contribute to household well-being in diverse ways but also often harm household air quality. We review the problem of household air pollution at a global scale, focusing particularly on the harmful effects of traditional cooking and heating. Drawing on the theory of household production, we illustrate the ambiguous relationship between household well-being and adoption of behaviors and technologies that reduce air pollution. We then review how the theory relates to the seemingly contradictory findings emerging from the literature on developing country household demand for clean fuels and stoves. In conclusion, we describe an economics research agenda to close the knowledge gaps so that policies and programs can be designed and evaluated to solve the global household air pollution problem. Title: The Economics of Household Air Pollution Author: Jeuland, Marc, Pattanayak, Subhrendu K., Bluffstone, Randall Year: 2015 Traditional energy technologies and consumer products contribute to household well-being in diverse ways but also often harm household air quality. We review the problem of household air pollution at a global scale, focusing particularly on the harmful effects of traditional cooking and heating. Drawing on the theory of household production, we illustrate the ambiguous relationship between household well-being and adoption of behaviors and technologies that reduce air pollution. We then review how the theory relates to the seemingly contradictory findings emerging from the literature on developing country household demand for clean fuels and stoves. In conclusion, we describe an economics research agenda to close the knowledge gaps so that policies and programs can be designed and evaluated to solve the global household air pollution problem. Close

• 3. [Article] Employment hours and household tasks : a longitudinal analysis

  The effect of changes in employment hours on changes in household task hours was studied. Data were used from the National Survey of Families and Households (NSFH) waves one and two. Wave one was a probability ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Employment hours and household tasks : a longitudinal analysis Author: Hawley, Jeffrey E. The effect of changes in employment hours on changes in household task hours was studied. Data were used from the National Survey of Families and Households (NSFH) waves one and two. Wave one was a probability sample of 13,017 age 19 and older in the United States who were interviewed in person in 1987-88. Wave two consisted of the original NSFH sample who were reinterviewed five years later in 1992-94. A subsample of 1233 men and women was created by selecting employed men and women who were continuously married to the same spouse, lived in the same household, and had a least one biological child under 18 living in the household at wave one and wave two. After controlling for age in years, education in years, race, wage rate, and age of youngest child, the subsample was used to determine if changes in employment hours caused changes in household task hours. Household task hours were categorized by feminine, masculine, and neutral, as well as total household task hours. Lag regression analysis without gender interaction effects found that a one hour increase in employment hours caused a sixteen minute decrease in total household tasks hours, a twelve minute decrease in feminine household task hours, and a two minute decrease in neutral household tasks among married men and women with children. Lag regression analysis with gender interaction effects found that a one hour increase in employment hours caused a sixteen minute decrease in total household tasks hours and a fourteen minute decrease for married women with children only. No statistically significant relationship between changes in employment hours and changes in any category of household tasks hours was found for married men with children when gender interactions were controlled. The results of this study supports the interaction of time availability and gender in explaining changes in household tasks hours. Title: Employment hours and household tasks : a longitudinal analysis Author: Hawley, Jeffrey E. The effect of changes in employment hours on changes in household task hours was studied. Data were used from the National Survey of Families and Households (NSFH) waves one and two. Wave one was a probability sample of 13,017 age 19 and older in the United States who were interviewed in person in 1987-88. Wave two consisted of the original NSFH sample who were reinterviewed five years later in 1992-94. A subsample of 1233 men and women was created by selecting employed men and women who were continuously married to the same spouse, lived in the same household, and had a least one biological child under 18 living in the household at wave one and wave two. After controlling for age in years, education in years, race, wage rate, and age of youngest child, the subsample was used to determine if changes in employment hours caused changes in household task hours. Household task hours were categorized by feminine, masculine, and neutral, as well as total household task hours. Lag regression analysis without gender interaction effects found that a one hour increase in employment hours caused a sixteen minute decrease in total household tasks hours, a twelve minute decrease in feminine household task hours, and a two minute decrease in neutral household tasks among married men and women with children. Lag regression analysis with gender interaction effects found that a one hour increase in employment hours caused a sixteen minute decrease in total household tasks hours and a fourteen minute decrease for married women with children only. No statistically significant relationship between changes in employment hours and changes in any category of household tasks hours was found for married men with children when gender interactions were controlled. The results of this study supports the interaction of time availability and gender in explaining changes in household tasks hours. Close

• 4. [Article] Food discards : nature, reasons for discard, and relationship to household variables

  A sample of 243 Willamette Valley households participated in personal interviews and kept 7-day records of all foods brought into the household but not consumed by human household members. Their reason ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Food discards : nature, reasons for discard, and relationship to household variables Author: VanDeRiet, Shirley J. A sample of 243 Willamette Valley households participated in personal interviews and kept 7-day records of all foods brought into the household but not consumed by human household members. Their reason for discarding the foods, the amounts of discard, and their assessment of the safety of the foods were compared to household characteristics. Age of the major food preparer and the presence of children had a marked effect upon the discard patterns of the household. Households with children younger than 10 years discarded an average of $3.60 (1185 g) in a 7 consecutive day period, households with children 10-18 years of age discarded an average of $4.36 (2743 g), and childless households discarded an average of $2.11 (1195 g). In a sample of 50 households, as the household refrigerator temperature (as determined during the personal interview) increased from 35°F (2°C) to 68°F (20°C), the amount of discards also increased (r [subscript cost] = .82, r [subscript g] = .80). Food which was being discarded due to poor quality or because it was judged unsafe to eat by the householder was collected daily over a 3-day period for a subsample of 50 of the households. These collected discards were evaluated by a trained panel for degree of off-color, off-odor, and off-texture compared to the normal product standards, and also were microbiologically analyzed. When the householder's estimate of amount of food discarded was converted from their household measures to grams using food composition tables, the householder's estimate was 97% of the actual grams of food as weighed in the laboratory. Both studies found consumer confusion between solely quality changes in a food and environmental conditions that allow the possibility of pathogen growth in foods. In 62% of the microbiologically analyzed foods, the householder did not make correct safety assessments. In 9% of the microbiologically analyzed foods, an assessment of safe was made by the householder for foods which were determined to be at risk. Uncoded dates on packaged foods were the basis for the householder's discard decision for 17% of the total foods appearing on the 7-day records. Householders often stated they felt it would be unsafe to consume this food. Educational programs which give the householder criteria for the evaluation of food safety are recommended. Title: Food discards : nature, reasons for discard, and relationship to household variables Author: VanDeRiet, Shirley J. A sample of 243 Willamette Valley households participated in personal interviews and kept 7-day records of all foods brought into the household but not consumed by human household members. Their reason for discarding the foods, the amounts of discard, and their assessment of the safety of the foods were compared to household characteristics. Age of the major food preparer and the presence of children had a marked effect upon the discard patterns of the household. Households with children younger than 10 years discarded an average of $3.60 (1185 g) in a 7 consecutive day period, households with children 10-18 years of age discarded an average of $4.36 (2743 g), and childless households discarded an average of $2.11 (1195 g). In a sample of 50 households, as the household refrigerator temperature (as determined during the personal interview) increased from 35°F (2°C) to 68°F (20°C), the amount of discards also increased (r [subscript cost] = .82, r [subscript g] = .80). Food which was being discarded due to poor quality or because it was judged unsafe to eat by the householder was collected daily over a 3-day period for a subsample of 50 of the households. These collected discards were evaluated by a trained panel for degree of off-color, off-odor, and off-texture compared to the normal product standards, and also were microbiologically analyzed. When the householder's estimate of amount of food discarded was converted from their household measures to grams using food composition tables, the householder's estimate was 97% of the actual grams of food as weighed in the laboratory. Both studies found consumer confusion between solely quality changes in a food and environmental conditions that allow the possibility of pathogen growth in foods. In 62% of the microbiologically analyzed foods, the householder did not make correct safety assessments. In 9% of the microbiologically analyzed foods, an assessment of safe was made by the householder for foods which were determined to be at risk. Uncoded dates on packaged foods were the basis for the householder's discard decision for 17% of the total foods appearing on the 7-day records. Householders often stated they felt it would be unsafe to consume this food. Educational programs which give the householder criteria for the evaluation of food safety are recommended. Close

• 5. [Article] Three essays on food security, food assistance, and migration

  This dissertation's three essays explore the determinants of food insecurity for rural farm households, the influence of rainfall variability and long-run changes in rainfall levels on the migration decisions ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Three essays on food security, food assistance, and migration Author: Lewin, Paul A. This dissertation's three essays explore the determinants of food insecurity for rural farm households, the influence of rainfall variability and long-run changes in rainfall levels on the migration decisions of working-age household heads, and the distributional impacts in core and periphery regions of food assistance to households in the hinterland. The first essay examines how socio-economic characteristics of households, local conditions, and public programs are associated with the probability that a farm household in rural Malawi is food insecure. The statistical analysis uses nationally representative data for 7,965 randomly-selected households interviewed during 2004/05 for the second Malawi Integrated Household Survey (IHS-2). Regressions are estimated separately for households in the north, center, and south of Malawi to account for spatial heterogeneity. Results of a Probit regression model reveal that households are less likely to be food insecure if they have more cultivated land per capita, receive agricultural field assistance, reside in a community with an irrigation scheme, and are headed by an individual with a high school degree. Factors that positively correlate with a household's food insecurity are number of household members and distance to markets. The second essay uses nationally representative data from Malawi's 2004/05 Integrated Household Survey (IHS-2) to examine whether rainfall conditions influence a rural worker’s decision to make a long-term move to an urban or another rural area. Results of a Full Information Maximum Likelihood regression model reveal that (1) rainfall shocks constrain migration, most likely by making it difficult for prospective migrants to cover costs of migration, (2) migrants choose to move to communities where rainfall variability is lower, and (3) rainfall shocks have larger negative effects on the earnings of recent migrants than on long-time residents’ earnings. The third essay examines how benefits from food assistance programs to needy households spillover between areas and among household income groups in the United States. We study the effect of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the Portland Oregon metro Core and its Periphery trade area, using a Multiregional Input- Output (MRIO) model based on a Social Accounting Matrix (SAM). The analysis captures direct, indirect and induced effects of SNAP on each region and spillover effects on the other region. SNAP benefits to the lower income household classes in each region are traced to their effects on the local economy in each region, and to the effects on household income by income class. The analysis finds that (1) the economic impact on the Portland Core from a given level of SNAP benefits to households in the Periphery is greater than the economic impact in the Periphery from the same level of SNAP benefits to households in the Core; (2) high-income households benefit more than low-income households from the indirect and induced economic impact of SNAP. Title: Three essays on food security, food assistance, and migration Author: Lewin, Paul A. This dissertation's three essays explore the determinants of food insecurity for rural farm households, the influence of rainfall variability and long-run changes in rainfall levels on the migration decisions of working-age household heads, and the distributional impacts in core and periphery regions of food assistance to households in the hinterland. The first essay examines how socio-economic characteristics of households, local conditions, and public programs are associated with the probability that a farm household in rural Malawi is food insecure. The statistical analysis uses nationally representative data for 7,965 randomly-selected households interviewed during 2004/05 for the second Malawi Integrated Household Survey (IHS-2). Regressions are estimated separately for households in the north, center, and south of Malawi to account for spatial heterogeneity. Results of a Probit regression model reveal that households are less likely to be food insecure if they have more cultivated land per capita, receive agricultural field assistance, reside in a community with an irrigation scheme, and are headed by an individual with a high school degree. Factors that positively correlate with a household's food insecurity are number of household members and distance to markets. The second essay uses nationally representative data from Malawi's 2004/05 Integrated Household Survey (IHS-2) to examine whether rainfall conditions influence a rural worker’s decision to make a long-term move to an urban or another rural area. Results of a Full Information Maximum Likelihood regression model reveal that (1) rainfall shocks constrain migration, most likely by making it difficult for prospective migrants to cover costs of migration, (2) migrants choose to move to communities where rainfall variability is lower, and (3) rainfall shocks have larger negative effects on the earnings of recent migrants than on long-time residents’ earnings. The third essay examines how benefits from food assistance programs to needy households spillover between areas and among household income groups in the United States. We study the effect of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the Portland Oregon metro Core and its Periphery trade area, using a Multiregional Input- Output (MRIO) model based on a Social Accounting Matrix (SAM). The analysis captures direct, indirect and induced effects of SNAP on each region and spillover effects on the other region. SNAP benefits to the lower income household classes in each region are traced to their effects on the local economy in each region, and to the effects on household income by income class. The analysis finds that (1) the economic impact on the Portland Core from a given level of SNAP benefits to households in the Periphery is greater than the economic impact in the Periphery from the same level of SNAP benefits to households in the Core; (2) high-income households benefit more than low-income households from the indirect and induced economic impact of SNAP. Close

• 6. [Article] A household production approach to modeling household recycling effort

  Household recycling is an important means by which social costs of solid waste disposal may be reduced. These costs include energy and resource costs of collection and disposal as well as environmental ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: A household production approach to modeling household recycling effort Author: Martini, Roger Household recycling is an important means by which social costs of solid waste disposal may be reduced. These costs include energy and resource costs of collection and disposal as well as environmental costs from emissions from landfills, incinerators, and collection vehicles. In this thesis, a household production model is used to represent the decision faced by the household in determining the level of effort to commit to recycling activities. The decision regarding the level of effort the household commits to recycling is hypothesized to be a function of economic variables such as the cost of solid waste disposal and expenditure on goods for both direct consumption and as inputs into production in the home, as well as of the demographic characteristics of the household. Two empirical models are developed, using data collected by the Portland Metro Association. The first of these models specifies a linear relationship between recycling behavior and the economic and demographic variables in the model. The second model is somewhat more complex, making use of the indirect utility function of the household. Redacted for Privacy The results of the empirical analysis show that the greater the price change associated with increasing solid waste disposal volume, the greater the probability that the household will devote more effort to recycling. As well, the age and education of the female head of the household and the presence of a child in the home also affect the households decision to recycle. Household recycling may be encouraged by municipal planners by using an escalating price structure for solid waste disposal. Additionally, recycling programs should emphasize convenience over other considerations such as variety of materials collected. Title: A household production approach to modeling household recycling effort Author: Martini, Roger Household recycling is an important means by which social costs of solid waste disposal may be reduced. These costs include energy and resource costs of collection and disposal as well as environmental costs from emissions from landfills, incinerators, and collection vehicles. In this thesis, a household production model is used to represent the decision faced by the household in determining the level of effort to commit to recycling activities. The decision regarding the level of effort the household commits to recycling is hypothesized to be a function of economic variables such as the cost of solid waste disposal and expenditure on goods for both direct consumption and as inputs into production in the home, as well as of the demographic characteristics of the household. Two empirical models are developed, using data collected by the Portland Metro Association. The first of these models specifies a linear relationship between recycling behavior and the economic and demographic variables in the model. The second model is somewhat more complex, making use of the indirect utility function of the household. Redacted for Privacy The results of the empirical analysis show that the greater the price change associated with increasing solid waste disposal volume, the greater the probability that the household will devote more effort to recycling. As well, the age and education of the female head of the household and the presence of a child in the home also affect the households decision to recycle. Household recycling may be encouraged by municipal planners by using an escalating price structure for solid waste disposal. Additionally, recycling programs should emphasize convenience over other considerations such as variety of materials collected. Close

• 7. [Article] Examining Agricultural Household Welfare through Output Marketing Choices and Land Market Efficiency : Evidence from Rural India

  Development research and policy aim to improve household welfare by improving access to assets and economic opportunities (Besley & Burgess 2000; Deininger et al. 2003). In rural and agrarian contexts, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Examining Agricultural Household Welfare through Output Marketing Choices and Land Market Efficiency : Evidence from Rural India Author: Dickson, Caleb Development research and policy aim to improve household welfare by improving access to assets and economic opportunities (Besley & Burgess 2000; Deininger et al. 2003). In rural and agrarian contexts, these goals may be achieved by well-functioning markets for outputs, inputs, off-farm work, and credit. The status of these markets impacts household welfare and resilience, as well as the equity and efficiency of resource use. Designing policies for improving household welfare requires an understanding of markets in rural areas. In particular, policymakers must understand how household and location characteristics impact household participation in markets and how participation impacts welfare. This dissertation contains three essays that address rural household welfare and the role of policy for Southern India. The first essay examines the selection and impact of agricultural marketing channels for farm households in rural villages of Andhra Pradesh, India. The evaluation of agricultural marketing channels in developing countries is becoming more relevant due to the growth of modern food retail (e.g. large grocery stores). This type of supply channel evolution is beginning in India as the supermarket, food processing, and food service sectors have grown rapidly in recent years. For the most part, this growth has not extended beyond the retail end of the supply channel: the traditional wholesale markets (also known as mandis) are still the most significant means for transferring food from rural to urban areas. As such, this paper analyzes current crop and milk marketing channels available to rural households in Andhra Pradesh. The goals of this analysis are to identify how household and location characteristics impact channel choice (ex-ante), if existing channels provide differential returns from one another, and which types of households benefit more or less within a channel (ex-post). The results indicate that household income is higher for households selling crops to brokers and selling milk to co-operatives. Moreover, channel choices and resulting impacts are affected by both transport and search costs. This analysis provides evidence that policy aimed at reducing transport and search costs directly associated with a channel can improve household welfare under current channel structures. Given the likely characteristics of emerging channels, similar policy is expected to improve farmer welfare in the future too. The second essay is an analysis of rural land leasing markets in multiple states across India. Land leasing markets are hypothesized to improve the efficiency of land allocation and provide welfare gains to participating households. However, in developing countries, these markets are commonly impacted by transactions costs, missing or incomplete non-land markets, and insecure property rights. This study assesses how Indian land markets perform in terms of equity and efficiency, identifies land market distortions, and examines how policy can address these distortions. Using a panel dataset of households from rural villages in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, this research contributes to previous work by developing conceptual and empirical analyses that are consistent with the specific structure of land leasing decisions in India and provide insights into functioning of land leasing markets. The results confirm that land markets improve factor ratios by transferring land from input-poor to input-rich smallholder households. However, land market functioning is found to be limited by the presence of transactions costs and missing or incomplete non-land markets. From a policy standpoint, the results suggest that, due to the linkages across markets (e.g. input markets), policies that promote rural market development are expected to have the greatest impact on land markets in the short run. The third essay continues to focus on land markets and, in particular, illustrates the role of land markets in household resilience. This study identifies household economic resilience as the ability of a household to avoid low values or loss of economic value in the presence of changing conditions over time. In much of the development literature, research aims to identify ways of improving the well-being of households in developing countries. Understanding resilience adds a new dimension to this by examining a household’s current state of well-being along with possible future states (better or worse) and what factors contribute to these. This is especially relevant for agricultural households that are subject to varying biophysical and economic conditions. Land markets can play a role in household resilience by allowing households to adjust their operated land area as conditions change. This type of adjustment can improve welfare by enabling households to pursue different activities (on or off-farm) with the goal of household income maximization. The relationship between land markets and resilience is examined empirically by predicting land market participation and resulting welfare outcomes under a variety of price and policy scenarios. The goal is to provide evidence that households use land markets to adjust to price changes and that policy addressing land market imperfections can increase that adjustment, in terms of land market participation and resulting welfare. This analysis utilizes estimates from econometric models of land leasing and household welfare, and it focuses on cereal price changes and a market development policy. The results support the hypothesis that land markets contribute to household resilience by enabling households to respond to changing conditions and improve their welfare. Moreover, the results indicate that policy aimed at land market distortions can further increase household resilience. Title: Examining Agricultural Household Welfare through Output Marketing Choices and Land Market Efficiency : Evidence from Rural India Author: Dickson, Caleb Development research and policy aim to improve household welfare by improving access to assets and economic opportunities (Besley & Burgess 2000; Deininger et al. 2003). In rural and agrarian contexts, these goals may be achieved by well-functioning markets for outputs, inputs, off-farm work, and credit. The status of these markets impacts household welfare and resilience, as well as the equity and efficiency of resource use. Designing policies for improving household welfare requires an understanding of markets in rural areas. In particular, policymakers must understand how household and location characteristics impact household participation in markets and how participation impacts welfare. This dissertation contains three essays that address rural household welfare and the role of policy for Southern India. The first essay examines the selection and impact of agricultural marketing channels for farm households in rural villages of Andhra Pradesh, India. The evaluation of agricultural marketing channels in developing countries is becoming more relevant due to the growth of modern food retail (e.g. large grocery stores). This type of supply channel evolution is beginning in India as the supermarket, food processing, and food service sectors have grown rapidly in recent years. For the most part, this growth has not extended beyond the retail end of the supply channel: the traditional wholesale markets (also known as mandis) are still the most significant means for transferring food from rural to urban areas. As such, this paper analyzes current crop and milk marketing channels available to rural households in Andhra Pradesh. The goals of this analysis are to identify how household and location characteristics impact channel choice (ex-ante), if existing channels provide differential returns from one another, and which types of households benefit more or less within a channel (ex-post). The results indicate that household income is higher for households selling crops to brokers and selling milk to co-operatives. Moreover, channel choices and resulting impacts are affected by both transport and search costs. This analysis provides evidence that policy aimed at reducing transport and search costs directly associated with a channel can improve household welfare under current channel structures. Given the likely characteristics of emerging channels, similar policy is expected to improve farmer welfare in the future too. The second essay is an analysis of rural land leasing markets in multiple states across India. Land leasing markets are hypothesized to improve the efficiency of land allocation and provide welfare gains to participating households. However, in developing countries, these markets are commonly impacted by transactions costs, missing or incomplete non-land markets, and insecure property rights. This study assesses how Indian land markets perform in terms of equity and efficiency, identifies land market distortions, and examines how policy can address these distortions. Using a panel dataset of households from rural villages in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, this research contributes to previous work by developing conceptual and empirical analyses that are consistent with the specific structure of land leasing decisions in India and provide insights into functioning of land leasing markets. The results confirm that land markets improve factor ratios by transferring land from input-poor to input-rich smallholder households. However, land market functioning is found to be limited by the presence of transactions costs and missing or incomplete non-land markets. From a policy standpoint, the results suggest that, due to the linkages across markets (e.g. input markets), policies that promote rural market development are expected to have the greatest impact on land markets in the short run. The third essay continues to focus on land markets and, in particular, illustrates the role of land markets in household resilience. This study identifies household economic resilience as the ability of a household to avoid low values or loss of economic value in the presence of changing conditions over time. In much of the development literature, research aims to identify ways of improving the well-being of households in developing countries. Understanding resilience adds a new dimension to this by examining a household’s current state of well-being along with possible future states (better or worse) and what factors contribute to these. This is especially relevant for agricultural households that are subject to varying biophysical and economic conditions. Land markets can play a role in household resilience by allowing households to adjust their operated land area as conditions change. This type of adjustment can improve welfare by enabling households to pursue different activities (on or off-farm) with the goal of household income maximization. The relationship between land markets and resilience is examined empirically by predicting land market participation and resulting welfare outcomes under a variety of price and policy scenarios. The goal is to provide evidence that households use land markets to adjust to price changes and that policy addressing land market imperfections can increase that adjustment, in terms of land market participation and resulting welfare. This analysis utilizes estimates from econometric models of land leasing and household welfare, and it focuses on cereal price changes and a market development policy. The results support the hypothesis that land markets contribute to household resilience by enabling households to respond to changing conditions and improve their welfare. Moreover, the results indicate that policy aimed at land market distortions can further increase household resilience. Close

• 8. [Article] Household Malaria Knowledge and its Association with Bednet Ownership in Settings without Large–scale Distribution Programs: Evidence from Rural Madagascar

  Background Insecticide–treated bednets are effective at preventing malaria. This study focuses on household–level factors that are associated with bednet ownership in a rural area of Madagascar which had ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Household Malaria Knowledge and its Association with Bednet Ownership in Settings without Large–scale Distribution Programs: Evidence from Rural Madagascar Author: Krezanoski, Paul J., Tsai, Alexander C., Hamer, Davidson H., Comfort, Alison B., Bangsberg, David Year: 2014 Background Insecticide–treated bednets are effective at preventing malaria. This study focuses on household–level factors that are associated with bednet ownership in a rural area of Madagascar which had not been a recipient of large–scale ITN distribution. Methods Data were gathered on individual and household characteristics, malaria knowledge, household assets and bednet ownership. Principal components analysis was used to construct both a wealth index based on household assets and a malaria knowledge index based on responses to questions about malaria. Bivariate and multivariate regressions were used to determine predictors of household bednet ownership and malaria knowledge. Results Forty–seven of 560 households (8.4%) owned a bednet. In multivariate analysis, higher level of malaria knowledge among household members was the only variable significantly associated with bednet ownership (odds ratio 3.72, P < 0.001). Among respondents, predictors of higher malaria knowledge included higher education levels, female sex and reporting fever as the most frequent or dangerous illness in the community. Household wealth was not a significant predictor of bednet ownership or respondent malaria knowledge. Conclusion In this setting of limited supply of affordable bednets, malaria knowledge was associated with an increased probability of household bednet ownership. Further studies should determine how such malaria knowledge evolves and if malaria–specific education programs could help overcome the barriers to bednet ownership among at–risk households living outside the reach of large–scale bednet distribution programs. Title: Household Malaria Knowledge and its Association with Bednet Ownership in Settings without Large–scale Distribution Programs: Evidence from Rural Madagascar Author: Krezanoski, Paul J., Tsai, Alexander C., Hamer, Davidson H., Comfort, Alison B., Bangsberg, David Year: 2014 Background Insecticide–treated bednets are effective at preventing malaria. This study focuses on household–level factors that are associated with bednet ownership in a rural area of Madagascar which had not been a recipient of large–scale ITN distribution. Methods Data were gathered on individual and household characteristics, malaria knowledge, household assets and bednet ownership. Principal components analysis was used to construct both a wealth index based on household assets and a malaria knowledge index based on responses to questions about malaria. Bivariate and multivariate regressions were used to determine predictors of household bednet ownership and malaria knowledge. Results Forty–seven of 560 households (8.4%) owned a bednet. In multivariate analysis, higher level of malaria knowledge among household members was the only variable significantly associated with bednet ownership (odds ratio 3.72, P < 0.001). Among respondents, predictors of higher malaria knowledge included higher education levels, female sex and reporting fever as the most frequent or dangerous illness in the community. Household wealth was not a significant predictor of bednet ownership or respondent malaria knowledge. Conclusion In this setting of limited supply of affordable bednets, malaria knowledge was associated with an increased probability of household bednet ownership. Further studies should determine how such malaria knowledge evolves and if malaria–specific education programs could help overcome the barriers to bednet ownership among at–risk households living outside the reach of large–scale bednet distribution programs. Close

• 9. [Article] Understanding Transportation in Urban China - Local Residents vs Migrant Workers

  With rapid urbanization in China and other developing economies around the world, it has become imperative to understand household transportation behavior and expenditures in these urban areas. The objective ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Understanding Transportation in Urban China - Local Residents vs Migrant Workers Author: Liu, Jenny H. Year: 2016 With rapid urbanization in China and other developing economies around the world, it has become imperative to understand household transportation behavior and expenditures in these urban areas. The objective of this study is to examine the differences in the determinants of household transportation expenditures within two very distinct populations in Chinese cities: local residents and migrant workers. In order to craft policies or strategies promoting sustainable transportation or livability, it is essential to understand whether the drivers that push the migrant population towards spending more on transportation or owning bikes or motorbikes are similar to drivers for the rest of the population. This is further complicated by the differential treatment of households within China’s hukou (household registration) system which determines eligibility to receive public benefits in housing or education. Because nearly 40% of the population in urban areas are migrants, it is particularly important to examine how the transportation choices and behavior of migrant households may diverge (or not) from the rest of the urban dwellers. Utilizing a unique dataset that surveys both types of households, we utilize descriptive statistics and regression models to analyze their transportation expenditures. We find that household income level and automobile ownership are the strongest predictors of household transportation expenditures. In addition, larger local resident households who are younger tend to spend more on transportation while migrant households generally spend less on transportation, particularly those with stronger social networks and those who do not hold urban hukou status. We conclude that significant differences do exist and may be exacerbated by inequitable access to public services, housing opportunities and other urban amenities in addition to major differences in household composition, preferences and levels of participation in the urban economic and social systems. Title: Understanding Transportation in Urban China - Local Residents vs Migrant Workers Author: Liu, Jenny H. Year: 2016 With rapid urbanization in China and other developing economies around the world, it has become imperative to understand household transportation behavior and expenditures in these urban areas. The objective of this study is to examine the differences in the determinants of household transportation expenditures within two very distinct populations in Chinese cities: local residents and migrant workers. In order to craft policies or strategies promoting sustainable transportation or livability, it is essential to understand whether the drivers that push the migrant population towards spending more on transportation or owning bikes or motorbikes are similar to drivers for the rest of the population. This is further complicated by the differential treatment of households within China’s hukou (household registration) system which determines eligibility to receive public benefits in housing or education. Because nearly 40% of the population in urban areas are migrants, it is particularly important to examine how the transportation choices and behavior of migrant households may diverge (or not) from the rest of the urban dwellers. Utilizing a unique dataset that surveys both types of households, we utilize descriptive statistics and regression models to analyze their transportation expenditures. We find that household income level and automobile ownership are the strongest predictors of household transportation expenditures. In addition, larger local resident households who are younger tend to spend more on transportation while migrant households generally spend less on transportation, particularly those with stronger social networks and those who do not hold urban hukou status. We conclude that significant differences do exist and may be exacerbated by inequitable access to public services, housing opportunities and other urban amenities in addition to major differences in household composition, preferences and levels of participation in the urban economic and social systems. Close

• 10. [Article] Socio Economic and Environmental Impact of Ogun River on Food Security in Ogun State, Nigeria

  presentation

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Socio Economic and Environmental Impact of Ogun River on Food Security in Ogun State, Nigeria Author: Ipinmoroti, Mabel, Obasa, Samuel, Taiwo, Iyabode, Ayanboye, Oluyemi, Shittu, Adebayo presentation Title: Socio Economic and Environmental Impact of Ogun River on Food Security in Ogun State, Nigeria Author: Ipinmoroti, Mabel, Obasa, Samuel, Taiwo, Iyabode, Ayanboye, Oluyemi, Shittu, Adebayo presentation Close