Date of Graduation
5-2021
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Agricultural Economics (MS)
Degree Level
Graduate
Department
Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness
Advisor/Mentor
Lawton Lanier Nalley
Committee Member
Petronella Chaminuka
Second Committee Member
Marty D. Matlock
Third Committee Member
Marijke D'Haese
Keywords
Food security, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Maize, Profitability, South Africa
Abstract
White maize in South Africa is the only staple crop produced on a widespread commercial basis for direct human consumption using genetically modified (GM) cultivars. Using a combined economic and environmental approach, we estimate the total welfare benefits attributable to GM white maize in South Africa for 2001-2018 are $694.7 million. Food security benefits attributable to GM white maize in South Africa also manifest through an average of 4.6 million additional white maize rations annually. To achieve these additional annual rations using conventional hybrid maize, the additional land required would range from 1,088 hectares in 2001 to 217,788 hectares in 2014. Results indicate that GM maize reduces environmental damage by $0.34 per hectare or $291,721 annually, compared to conventional hybrid white maize.
Citation
Ala-Kokko, K. (2021). Economic and Ecosystem Impacts of GM Maize in South Africa. Graduate Theses and Dissertations Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/3991
Included in
Agricultural Economics Commons, Bioresource and Agricultural Engineering Commons, Sustainability Commons