1. Working Papers

1.1. PHD works

• Chapter 1: Job Market Paper: Costly Regulation, Minimal Results: The European Union Deforestation Regulation Effect on Global Soy Trade (with Dr. Villoria) [PDF] (Under R&R)

Abstract:The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) seeks to reduce deforestation by restricting soy imports. The main concern is that trade restrictions can shift deforestation-embodied trade to unregulated markets. To shed light on this issue, we employ a gravity model, treating the EUDR compliance costs as trade costs for exports to the EU. We find that the stricter EU trade restrictions on tropical soy producers reallocate soy exports toward non-EU markets, mainly China. If tropical countries do not comply with the EUDR, the EU consumer prices rise even more, while tropical countries see minimal terms-of-trade losses. Our analysis indicates that the EUDR is likely to be ineffective in reducing deforestation directly linked to soy production.

• Chapter 2: Foreign Demand, Export Sales and Deforestation: A Commodity-level Analysis (With Dr. Villoria)

Abstract: Our study quantifies how strongly international demand for agricultural commodities causes deforestation across regions, filling an important empirical gap of commodity-level deforestation study. Using a global country-commodity-year panel (138 countries, 18 commodity groups, 2001-2022), we estimate elasticities of commodity-level deforestation with respect to two representations of international demand: a shift-share style foreign demand and export sales. The main challenge is simultaneity: demand, exports, and deforestation are jointly determined. We address this by constructing a foreign‑demand variable that leverages plausibly exogenous demand of product in destination markets. We find that the stronger international demand causes significantly higher deforestation. The effects are largest for land‑intensive perennial commodities, such as rubber, palm, cocoa, nuts, and coffee. Other important commodity groups are soybeans, cattle, and sugar crops. We found that most of the effects are concentrated in South America, Southeast Asia, and to some extent in Africa. Back‑of‑the‑envelope calculations suggest that increases in international demand account for approximately 28 to 41 million hectares of agricultural expansion into forests between 2001 and 2022, which is 25 to 37% of forest-to-agriculture conversion. Our elasticities can serve as behavioral parameters for modelers who want to connect trade models with deforestation outcome to conduct policy experiments of trade-linked environmental regulations or policies.

• Chapter 3: Foreign Market Demand (Accessibility), Agricultural Rental Values, and Deforestation in Brazil (with Dr. Villoria)

1.2. Other Projects

-The effect of remittances on agricultural productivity of Nepal (With Santosh Bhandari)

-How WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) affects agricultural trade?

-Understanding the factors affecting farm land prices in Brazil

2. Pre-doctoral

What motivates producers and consumers towards organic vegetables? A case of Nepal DOI

Organic agriculture is an emerging intervention in the farming system of Nepal, largely influenced by sharp demand in the national and regional markets, anticipated brisk economic growth, and growing concern of sustainability. The paper examined the determining and motivational factors affecting the decision of conventional producers and consumers towards organic vegetables. The very likely determining factors of willingness to pay and willingness to accept for consumers and producers, respectively, were identified using probit model. Findings revealed that education, landholding size, experience, information obtained from training and mobile/internet, and perception on organic productivity were significant determining factors for willingness to adopt organic farming at producers level. Similarly, age, education level, per capita income, perception on taste and nutrition of organic vegetables, and attitudes toward environment and pesticide residues were significantly influential to consumers willingness to pay a premium price for organic vegetables. Therefore, policymakers should consider the cost-saving strategies and information extension to encourage organic conversion at the producers level. At consumers level, nutrition and residual labeling and certification along with nudging strategies should be adopted to encourage and build confidence on organic vegetables.

Profitability, productivity and resource use efficiency of banana production DOI

Competitiveness of banana value chain along Hetauda-Dumkibas road corridor, Nepal DOI

Economic and social upgrading in agriculture sector: a case of South Asia DOI

Where is Nepal in food system transition? DOI

Conceptualizing the nexus of migration and food security during COVID-19 DOI