Resource information
Farming households that differ in their
ability, or willingness to take on risks are likely to make
different decisions when allocating resources, and effort
among income-producing activities, with consequences for
productivity. The authors measure voluntary, and involuntary
departures from efficiency for rice-producing households in
Bicol, Philippines. They take advantage of a panel of
household observations from 1978, 1983, and 1994. The
unusually long-time span of the panel provides ample
opportunities for the surveyed households to learn, and
apply successful available technologies. The authors find
evidence that diversification, and technology choices do
effect outcomes among farmers, although these effects are
not dominant. Accumulated wealth, past decisions to invest
in education, favorable market conditions, and propitious
weather are also important determinants of efficiency
outcomes among Bicol rice farmers.
