Papers by Guido Van Huylenbroeck
In the hard rock areas of India, overdraft of groundwater has led to negative externalities, incr... more In the hard rock areas of India, overdraft of groundwater has led to negative externalities, increases costs of groundwater irrigation and causes welfare losses. Groundwater markets are slowly emerging as niche markets to improve water distribution and to mitigate water scarcity by stimulating more efficient use. A sample containing water sellers, water buyers and control farmers was collected to test
This paper assesses the economic value of changes in the attributes of farmers’ irrigation w... more This paper assesses the economic value of changes in the attributes of farmers’ irrigation water property rights in Tunisia. Changes on attributes generated by the transfer process of the property rights from the collective to the individual level in addition to changes in “constitutional†attributes were integrated into three scenarios. The valuation was conducted using the Contingent Valuation Method through the elicitation of individuals’ willingness to pay. Results show positive willingness to pay values for all scenarios. However, farmers of the studied region are shown willing to pay more for changes in the constitutional attributes. Furthermore their willingness to pay appears to be most affected by their perceptions concerning the organization and the functioning of the water users’ association to which they belong and by their productivity.
Outlook on Agriculture, 2009
The potential of keeping livestock as a poverty reduction strategy cannot be fully exploited in r... more The potential of keeping livestock as a poverty reduction strategy cannot be fully exploited in rural Africa because of the low levels of market participation that characterize mixed and grassland-based farming systems dominating much of Africa. In a set of three former British colonies (Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya), an analysis was conducted to assess differences in institutional development, policy incentives and levels of livestock market participation. Livestock market participation has historically been higher in Kenya and Tanzania than in Uganda. National documents and official reports were subjected to qualitative content analysis. The findings suggest that Kenya has developed an institutional environment that is more conducive to the market participation of traditional cattle keepers than Tanzania and Uganda. The insights obtained from this study are important in redirecting governments, donors and multilateral development agencies from predominantly input-driven livestock development interventions to increased emphasis on institutional and policy support.
New biotechnology, Jan 25, 2015
The use of genetically modified (GM) crops and their applications is partially suppressed in Euro... more The use of genetically modified (GM) crops and their applications is partially suppressed in European Union (EU) agriculture, even if one would expect otherwise given their complementarity with the neoliberal and industrialised EU agricultural regime in place. By applying a qualitative content analysis, this paper analyses how food manufacturers and retailers (referred to as gatekeepers in the food industry) explain and defend the exclusion of GM-labelled food products on the EU market. The study design places emphasis on the role of perceptions in the strategic behaviour of gatekeepers and on the role of interaction in this regard, as we assume that the way in which gatekeepers perceive the 'rules of the game' for commercialising GM crop applications on the EU food market will be influenced by their interaction with other agribusiness actors. In a first stage, the analysis determines thematic congruence in the (types of) perceptions that explain an agribusiness actor's ...
ABSTRACT The BELSPO funded project 'MERINOVA' deals with risks associated with ex... more ABSTRACT The BELSPO funded project 'MERINOVA' deals with risks associated with extreme weather phenomena and with risks of biological origin such as pests and diseases. The major objectives of the proposed project are to characterise extreme meteorological events, assess the impact on Belgian agro-ecosystems, characterise their vulnerability and resilience to these events, and explore innovative adaptation options to agricultural risk management. The project comprises of five major parts that reflect the chain of risks: (i) Hazard: Assessing the likely frequency and magnitude of extreme meteorological events by means of probability density functions; (ii) Impact: Analysing the potential bio-physical and socio-economic impact of extreme weather events on agro-ecosystems in Belgium using process-based modelling techniques commensurate with the regional scale; (iii) Vulnerability: Identifying the most vulnerable agro-ecosystems using fuzzy multi-criteria and spatial analysis; (iv) Risk Management: Uncovering innovative risk management and adaptation options using actor-network theory and fuzzy cognitive mapping techniques; and, (v) Communication: Communicating to research, policy and practitioner communities using web-based techniques. The different tasks of the MERINOVA project require expertise in several scientific disciplines: meteorology, statistics, spatial database management, agronomy, bio-physical impact modelling, socio-economic modelling, actor-network theory, fuzzy cognitive mapping techniques. These expertises are shared by the four scientific partners who each lead one work package. The MERINOVA project will concentrate on promoting a robust and flexible framework by demonstrating its performance across Belgian agro-ecosystems, and by ensuring its relevance to policy makers and practitioners. Impacts developed from physically based models will not only provide information on the state of the damage at any given time, but also assist in understanding the links between different factors causing damage and determining bio-physical vulnerability. Socio-economic impacts will enlarge the basis for vulnerability mapping, risk management and adaptation options. A strong expert and end-user network will be established to help disseminating and exploiting project results to meet user needs.
Society & Natural Resources, 2013
ABSTRACT Peasant communities in the Inter-Andean valleys in Bolivia increasingly face water short... more ABSTRACT Peasant communities in the Inter-Andean valleys in Bolivia increasingly face water shortages. Because they depend largely on agriculture, this puts their livelihood security at risk. While the debate over water access mostly focuses on the conflicts between industries or cities and traditional users, there has been little attention for inequality in access caused by traditional common property management. In the light of the trend toward legal recognition of traditional rights, this is remarkable. This case study therefore investigates the access under traditional common property management for 65 communities in the Abanico Punata, Bolivia. We show that there are large differences in access to water both between and within the studied communities. Access to capital and labor and community membership were shown to shape access patterns within the communities, while between communities historical claims and biophysical factors seem to matter.
Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2011
... it has been recognized that the interrelationships among the capital accumulation, environmen... more ... it has been recognized that the interrelationships among the capital accumulation, environmental pollutions and ... 32]), but there is a void in literature examining relationship between income, energy ... the MathML source is a lagged first difference to accommodate serial correlation. ...
NJAS - Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences, 2014
ABSTRACT In the European Union (EU), genetically modified (GM) crops are regarded as a socially-s... more ABSTRACT In the European Union (EU), genetically modified (GM) crops are regarded as a socially-sensitive technology. At present, GM crops are rarely cultivated in the EU and non-genetically modified ingredients dominate the EU market. However, most consumers are unaware of the fact that many genetically modified ingredients (GMI) are present in EU supermarkets in spite of this virtual ban on GM. For example, eggs, meat or milk derived from GM-fed animals are marketed without a GM label. Moreover, the EU political landscape has failed to create a stable and predictable environment in which to either implement or reject GM crops and their applications. As such, the present non-GM crop regime in the EU presents a tricky and challenging environment for agribusiness companies to determine their GM business policy. Few academic studies have analysed this industry perspective on the current EU non-GM crop regime. In this paper, we therefore analyse which discourses influence the GM business policy of agribusiness companies that are active on the EU market and how these discourses influence the decision-making process of several agricultural industry sectors on whether to include or exclude GMIs in products for the EU market. The paper outlines three discourses that shape the discursive space of GM crop applications in the EU from an industry perspective, (i) GMIs as an agricultural payoff; (ii) GMIs as a marketing threat; and (iii) non-GM crops as a preset end goal. The paper also discusses how these discourses influence the GM business decision-making process for several agricultural industry sectors, these being the agricultural biotech industry, the compound feed industry, the food manufacturing and marketing industries, the potato industry and the organic farming sector. Accordingly, our research classifies the present non-GM crop regime in the EU as a “wicked problem”, due to the high level of conflict, discord and complexity involved. Wicked problems cannot be solved, but only managed. Therefore, this paper proposes a different type of solution to break the impasse, either in favour of or against GM crop applications, by demanding multi-level stakeholder engagement instead of the current supply-chain-focused mode-of-action in industry. Nevertheless, it is necessary to adapt our knowledge about governing the particular dynamics of wicked problems, and this presents a highly complex - albeit interesting - challenge for future research.
Journal of Rural Studies, 2005
... Interview data enabled the construction of an extensive database of over 200 different variab... more ... Interview data enabled the construction of an extensive database of over 200 different variables based on the questionnaire. ... However, despite this favourable situation, most of these households had also developed a set of (largely successful) survival strategies. ...
Journal of International Food & Agribusiness Marketing, 2001
Recent developments at the consumer and at the farm level have resulted in a renewed interest in ... more Recent developments at the consumer and at the farm level have resulted in a renewed interest in short market channels for fresh food. This paper focuses on consumer valuation of purchasing fresh food from short channels in general and on differences between two distinct types of short channel initiatives, i.e., farmers' markets and food teams as examples of supply- and demand-side driven initiatives respectively. The research methodology builds on the Means-End-Chain theory. Data are collected through laddering interviews with 100 respondents. The general hierarchical value map largely supports classical theories of value structures. “Security” is the predominant value type with “Health” as the major value. Further, a distinct “Hedonism” and “Universalism” cluster are discovered, with the first being built on the attribute “Freshness,” the consequence “Taste” and the value “Pleasure,” and the latter including environmental, animal welfare and regional development concerns. Specific motivation structures dealing with farmers' markets versus food teams are reported. Recommendations pertain to organizational and marketing issues, more specifically product positioning, innovation and communication based on the revealed Means-End-Chains or motivational structures.
Journal of Environmental Management, 2011
In the hard rock areas of India, overdraft of groundwater has led to negative externalities, incr... more In the hard rock areas of India, overdraft of groundwater has led to negative externalities, increases costs of groundwater irrigation and causes welfare losses. Groundwater markets are slowly emerging as niche markets to improve water distribution and to mitigate water scarcity by stimulating more efficient use. A sample containing water sellers, water buyers and control farmers was collected to test the hypothesis of more efficient water use. The effect of groundwater market introduction on the efficiency of water use is studied using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). The calculated subvector efficiencies for water use show that water buyers use water most efficient. But also water sellers are more efficient in their water use than the control group. Differences in average efficiency between these groups are shown to be significant using a Kruskal-Wallis test. This finding confirms that groundwater markets can add to improving efficiency of water use.
Journal of Dairy Science, 2014
The impact of gastrointestinal (GI) nematode infections in dairy farming has traditionally been a... more The impact of gastrointestinal (GI) nematode infections in dairy farming has traditionally been assessed using partial productivity indicators. But such approaches ignore the impact of infection on the performance of the whole farm. In this study, efficiency analysis was used to study the association of the GI nematode Ostertagia ostertagi on the technical efficiency of dairy farms. Five years of accountancy data were linked to GI nematode infection data gained from a longitudinal parasitic monitoring campaign. The level of exposure to GI nematodes was based on bulk-tank milk ELISA tests, which measure the antibodies to O. ostertagi and was expressed as an optical density ratio (ODR). Two unbalanced data panels were created for the period 2006 to 2010. The first data panel contained 198 observations from the Belgian Farm Accountancy Data Network (Brussels, Belgium) and the second contained 622 observations from the Boerenbond Flemish farmers' union (Leuven, Belgium) accountancy system (Tiber Farm Accounting System). We used the stochastic frontier analysis approach and defined inefficiency effect models specified with the Cobb-Douglas and transcendental logarithmic (Translog) functional form. To assess the efficiency scores, milk production was considered as the main output variable. Six input variables were used: concentrates, roughage, pasture, number of dairy cows, animal health costs, and labor. The ODR of each individual farm served as an explanatory variable of inefficiency. An increase in the level of exposure to GI nematodes was associated with a decrease in technical efficiency. Exposure to GI nematodes constrains the productivity of pasture, health, and labor but does not cause inefficiency in the use of concentrates, roughage, and dairy cows. Lowering the level of infection in the interquartile range (0.271 ODR) was associated with an average milk production increase of 27, 19, and 9L/cow per year for Farm Accountancy Data Network farms and 63, 49, and 23L/cow per year for Tiber Farm Accounting System farms in the low- (0-90), medium- (90-95), and high- (95-99) efficiency score groups, respectively. The potential milk increase associated with reducing the level of infection was higher for highly efficient farms (6.7% of the total possible milk increase when becoming fully technically efficient) than for less efficient farms (3.8% of the total possible milk increase when becoming fully technically efficient).
Biomass and Bioenergy, 2009
Fuel efficiency Consumer perceptions Food vs. fuel tradeoff a b s t r a c t With an outlook for h... more Fuel efficiency Consumer perceptions Food vs. fuel tradeoff a b s t r a c t With an outlook for higher global energy prices and concomitant increase of agricultural resources for the pursuit of fuel, consumers are expected to seek more fuel-economic transportation alternatives. This paper examines factors that influence the importance consumers place on fuel economy, with attention given to differences between American and European consumers. In a survey conducted simultaneously in the United States (U.S.) and Belgium in the fall of 2006, respondents in both countries ranked fuel economy high among characteristics considered when purchasing a new vehicle. Overall, respondents in the U.S. placed greater emphasis on fuel economy as a new-vehicle characteristic. Respondents' budgetary concerns carried a large weight when purchasing a new vehicle as reflected in their consideration of a fuel's relative price (e.g. gasoline vs. diesel vs. biofuel)
Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining, 2011
Despite the growing interest in biorenewable energy at society, policy, and industry level, many ... more Despite the growing interest in biorenewable energy at society, policy, and industry level, many people still know very little about alternatives to fossil fuels, particularly biofuels. This perspective assesses and discusses the needs of citizens and future consumers for more information on biofuels. Using empirical data collected from a sample (n = 260) of fuel consumers in Flanders, Belgium, this perspective fi rst demonstrates that information insuffi ciency (the gap between consumers' need for information and their perceived knowledge) is a good predictor of information-seeking behavior, specifi cally in the case of biofuels. Secondly, it shows that women, older, and less educated people report higher levels of information insuffi ciency. This means that they have a higher a priori interest in receiving more information about biofuels, in comparison to men, younger, and more highly educated population groups, for whom greater efforts may be required to ensure that communications reach them effectively. Additionally, information insuffi ciency (and thus also biofuel information-seeking behavior) increases in line with a stronger belief that biofuels are environmentally friendly, and with weaker beliefs that biofuels will have a positive impact on the local economy and can decrease foreign energy dependency. Furthermore, outcome relevant involvement (i.e. the perceived importance of the impact of biofuels on one's own life) increases information insuffi ciency, whereas impression relevant involvement (i.e. the importance of perceived approval by peers) and value relevant involvement (i.e. the role of personal values) are not signifi cant. Based on these insights, and considering the wider societal context of biofuels and the limitations of the empirical data, conclusions are drawn with respect to who is (and who is not) open to receiving information about biofuels, as well as about the specifi c themes and benefi ts such information campaigns should highlight to stand the greatest chance of success in the marketplace.
Positive mathematical programming (PMP) has renewed the interest in mathematical modelling of agr... more Positive mathematical programming (PMP) has renewed the interest in mathematical modelling of agricultural and environmental policies. This chapter explains first the main advantages and disadvantages of the PMP approach, followed by a presentation of an individual farm-based sector model, called SEPALE. The farm-based approach allows the introduction of differences in individual farm structures in the PMP modelling framework. Furthermore, a
Van Huylenbroeck, Guido, Walter Steurbaut, M Mormont, and L Pussemier. 2006. “Sustainability of C... more Van Huylenbroeck, Guido, Walter Steurbaut, M Mormont, and L Pussemier. 2006. “Sustainability of Certified Production Systems : the Case of Labels in the Food Sector : Final Report”. Brussels, Belgium: Belgian Science Policy. ... Van Huylenbroeck, G., Steurbaut, W., Mormont, M., & Pussemier, L. (2006). Sustainability of certified production systems : the case of labels in the food sector : final report. Brussels, Belgium: Belgian Science Policy. ... Van Huylenbroeck G, Steurbaut W, Mormont M, Pussemier L. Sustainability of certified production systems : ...
Agricultural Systems, 2014
ABSTRACT This paper gives an overview on the traditional Jatropha curcas L. (physic nut) producti... more ABSTRACT This paper gives an overview on the traditional Jatropha curcas L. (physic nut) production practices as a multipurpose vegetable resource in the Totonacapan, Mexico, and the social acceptability of changes involved both in its agronomic management and use, promotion by the Mexican Energy Ministry through a special program, which, in the case for J.curcas L., includes, exclusively, toxic genotypes. In this region, there is important infra-specific genetic diversity for non-toxic genotypes, which have been used by the local indigenous population for centuries, mainly for human consumption (roasted seeds). In contrast with other studies about the industrial-scale productivity of physic nut as a monoculture for biodiesel yield, this research assessed the several functions of this species within local, traditional agroecosystems and as part of the family’s diet. In order to evaluate the pertinence of its diffusion in relation with the Totonac economy, the feasibility of implementing the official program was critically assessed, by using a binary logistic mathematical model for the “farmers’ willingness to adopt it. The results show the following barriers to agricultural adoption: (1) a low financial capacity of farmers; (2) the current price instability of J. curcas seeds; (3) the Totonac familys’ need to cultivate all the plant species involved in their agroecosystems for economic and cultural reasons. Nevertheless, J. curcas remains as a very important plant resource for the local people, with several important contributions to farmers’ livelihoods, and multiple roles (economic, ecological and cultural) that add resilience to the Totonac’s traditional agroecosystems. The monoculture of J.curcas established only for biodiesel production in different regions of Mexico, has not led to a significant increase in the income of local farmers, because government policies have been ineffective in recognizing the several functions of this species in the local agroecosystems from the peasant’ perspective. This critical situation could be repeated in the Totonacapan, negatively affecting, not only the local non-toxic genotypes, but also this ancestral culture and consequently the Totonac’s economy.
International Forestry Review, 2013
ABSTRACT Considerable efforts are being deployed to reduce illegal forestry activities in the Con... more ABSTRACT Considerable efforts are being deployed to reduce illegal forestry activities in the Congo basin forests, but these efforts seem to be concentrated on illegal timber logging and wildlife poaching to the neglect of other illegal forest activities such as Non Timber Forests Products (NTFP) harvesting and trade. This paper applies a choice experiment approach to evaluate policy options that are hypothesised to provide incentives for small scale forest actors to comply with the forestry law governing trade in NTFP in Cameroon. Data was collected from 70 traders. Based on willingness to pay measures, it was revealed that the options most preferred by the sampled traders included a decentralisation of the application process to obtain permits and a reduction in the volume of paper work involved in the process. The authors conclude that acknowledging the preferences of small scale actors can be relevant in reducing illegality in the forestry sector.
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Papers by Guido Van Huylenbroeck