Horticulture Economics

Since 1990, Dr. Benedict C. Posadas has consistently developed and maintained the Mississippi State University, Coastal Research and Extension Center’s economic research and extension programs with an emphasis on the following major areas. 

The current R and E projects conducted by Dr. Posadas are best described at https://www.msstate.edu/our-people/2019/12/ben-posadas

A video presentation of Dr. Posadas' 2020 MSU-CREC marine fisheries economic research and extension projects can be viewed at https://youtu.be/KT48H9vvdh4

Video presentations on horticulture economics research and extension can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB0D9oT09EZKX2GIKJiBgg5Wnr5jpcDw0

HORTICULTURE ECONOMICS 

Economic Impacts of Horticulture Research and Consumer Preferences for Horticulture Products , 2017-2022: 

  • This project will assess the economic impacts of the research and extension program on ornamental horticulture, vegetables, fruits, and nuts at the Mississippi State University (MSU) - Coastal Research and Extension Center (CREC).
  • Dr. Posadas is working with several horticulturists at CREC and USDA. This work is supported in part by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Hatch project under accession number 232036.
  • The specific objectives are as follows: develop a systematic methodology in assessing the economic impact of the research and extension program, and evaluate consumer preferences of flowers, such as poinsettias..
  • In addition, Dr. Posadas started developing the theoretical framework for the analysis of the economic impacts of plant pests and diseases on the ornamental horticulture industry.
  • Also, Dr. Posadas also serves as a member of the thesis and dissertation committees of graduate students. He guides them in the application of economic analysis in their research projects which cover horticulture technology, small-scale vegetable production, and consumer preferences of flowers, such as poinsettias.

Economic Contributions of the Mississippi Green Industry, 1999-2023

  • The environmental horticulture industry, or green industry, is comprised of the wholesale nursery, greenhouse, and turfgrass sod producers, landscape design, construction and maintenance firms, and wholesale and retail distribution firms such as garden centers, home stores, mass merchandisers with lawn/garden departments, brokers and re-wholesale distribution centers, and allied trades suppliers of inputs to the industry.  
  • The total output or sales contributions of the entire green industry complex to the economy of Mississippi reached $2.486 billion in 2018. http://coastal.msstate.edu/economic-contributions-mississippi-green-indu...
  • https://coastal.msstate.edu/sites/coastal.msstate.edu/files/2021_econ_contributions_in_2018.jpg