Michela's blog

Fertilizer or cash? What is the best subsidy and for whom is it?

Michela — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 10:53:10 +0000

Why farmers prefer fertilizer over cash? Who are the farmers going for fertilizer, who the ones going for cash?

The study used different sets of choices as possible options to be picked by the farmers. Set A, for example, offered the possibility to choose either 50 dollars or 100kg fertilizer.

The study interviewed 808 households and led to results showing that, in most cases, one's preference would always anyway go for a subsidy, no matter in what form.

Result:

And still, the farmer would rather opt for cash depending on the expenses he has. Namely, school fees for children, health insurance, rent.

Implication for policy-makers:

One of the proposed conclusions on the solutions that may improve the support given to farmers focused on the distribution of fertilizer as a subsidy instead of mere money. In the long-term, this could in fact increase the benefits resulting from its usage.

Preparations finished, registration started successfully!

Michela — Sun, 18 Sep 2016 18:32:56 +0000

Today, September 18th, Tropentag 2016 received its first participants. Spring-smelling blooms have been put all around the University. The atmosphere is sparkling already.

The registration staff should better be sleeping tight tonight and be ready for tomorrow: Tropentag's guests will start arriving starting from 8 am!

We can't wait for the big start of Tropentag 2016!

Your Student Reporter Team

The Importance of a Cow

Michela — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 16:19:42 +0000

Who has attended the oral session "Cattle diseases in dairy herds in Tanzania” by Silvia Alonso, from the International Livestock Research Institute in Kenya, got maybe the testimony that taking a closer look at the livestock sector in Tanzania – but not only in Tanzania – can bring some evidence about its potential benefits and wide social impacts. Continue...

A bit of Berlin: Three Must-See Districts

Michela — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 13:06:23 +0000

Did you know that Berlin is eight times the size of Paris, that it has 150-plus museums and even more of contemporary art galleries, that the central Tiergarten comprises 520 acres, or did you know that here there is museum dedicated to the famous currywurst? Discover our top 3 districts...