兼松セミナー

15:30 ～ 17:00

論題

Price Support and Farm Incomes: Comparative Study of Rice Growing Regions in Southern India and Mekong-Delta Vietnam (co-authored with Takashi Kurosaki)

報告者

Deepak JOHNSON（日本学術振興会外国人特別研究員／一橋大学経済研究所）

概要

Drawing on the broad literature on agricultural development and particularly on the contribution of price and non-price factors, this study compares productivity and farm incomes from rice cultivation in two rice-growing regions in Asia: Kerala in southern India and the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. The two study regions are associated with similar agroclimatic conditions, land distribution, and historical importance of rice production. They differ, however, in terms of public policy and forms of public support for rice growing. Using a case study approach comprising detailed household level data, we compare the best-performing villages within these regions to quantify how various interventions have contributed to the current levels of incomes from rice cultivation.

Our analysis of costs and returns showed that crop incomes in Kerala were enhanced substantially by price support offered by the Government of India and Government of Kerala. In Vietnam, there was no direct price support. Public support came from investment in irrigation, introduction of improved varieties, and support from agricultural extension. A lesson from the comparative study is that investment in national agricultural research and extension services needs to be stepped up in India to enhance productivity, especially if there is a cap on price support.