I extend my sincere appreciation to AGRODEP and IFPRI for having chosen me to participate in the training course on “ESTIMATION OF THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF HIGH FOOD PRICES USING MICRO DATA”. The training was very satisfying both theoretically and empirically, thanks to the great job done by Muguel Robles who endless made sure each and every individual understood from first principles the theoretical underpinnings associated with empirical estimations. It was worth attending. Not forgetting the AGRODEP staff for the excellent reception and interaction, I am grateful.
One important lesson I learnt is that research is not all about carrying out empirical estimations using STATA or any other statistical software but the understanding of the theory and reasons behind these estimations. This is important in understanding the right models to be estimated for a given data set as well as interpretation of the results attained thereafter. This study clearly brought out the application of microeconomics theory to the day to day problems faced by households and individuals. I also appreciate the guidance in understanding the Household survey questionnaires and data generated from such kind of surveys. The programming in STATA was wonderful as well as the simulation process. I am sure this will guide me in my future household survey studies. It is during this training that I also discovered that Agriculture is a key to many developing economies and is one of the activities that can be sustained in the long-term unlike other activities like mining that disappear with exhaustive extraction of the natural resources. This implied that if Agriculture is sustained, then economies are bound to survive in the long-term.
Regards
Susan Watundu
