The economywide impacts and risks of Malawi’s farm input subsidy program

We estimate the impact of Malawi's Farm Input Subsidy Program using an economy‐wide approach. This approach yields benefit‐cost ratios about 60% higher than existing partial equilibrium studies, a result of our accounting for indirect benefits. Fertilizer response rates remain the determining parame...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Arndt, Channing, Pauw, Karl, Thurlow, James
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: Wiley 2016
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/148405
Descripción
Sumario:We estimate the impact of Malawi's Farm Input Subsidy Program using an economy‐wide approach. This approach yields benefit‐cost ratios about 60% higher than existing partial equilibrium studies, a result of our accounting for indirect benefits. Fertilizer response rates remain the determining parameter for benefit‐cost ratio levels. Even with lower‐end response rates, the program is pro‐poor and generates double‐dividends through higher and more drought‐resilient yields. Overall, for macro‐economically significant programs, our approach strongly complements survey‐based evaluations. For Malawi, our results buttress arguments for a focus on program improvements.