Search

Investments are the development core of every economic operator and the driving force for national economic development. While finding the optimal investment point is extremely difficult, every operator may seek to attain a level of fixed assets which allows them to maintain an increase in production and keep their income flowing. The difficulties in finding this optimum may lead to overinvestment. Hence, this paper estimates the parameters of the production function at various investment levels. Its purpose is to identify the relationship between the investment levels, the use of productive inputs, and growth or decline in production (output) levels. This study used microdata for 3273 Polish farms, as retrieved from the FADN (Farm Accountancy Data Network). The differences found at various farm investment levels allow for highlighting some problematic areas, e.g., in the context of excessive capital use relative to yearly increments in production values. The proposed method of analyzing overinvestment based on the production function can be extended to other countries. According to this paper, farms that invested too little or too much in relation to their production potential showed the worst economic performances, including the greatest declines in production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The Australian alpaca industry is known for fibre production. Despite the growth of alpaca numbers since their introduction in the 1980s, little is known about their distribution or on-farm management practices in Australia. This study used an online survey to gain insight into the current demographics, animal management practices and key knowledge gaps. Of the 88 respondents, the majority were located in the high-rainfall areas of the east coast of Australia, which could be due to consistent year-round pasture availability and market access opportunities. Of the two alpaca breeds, the Huacaya accounted for 93% of the animal numbers reported in this survey. Twelve key pasture species were identified, with Kikuyu the most common, followed by Subterranean Clover and Phalaris, likely due to the high concentration of respondents in suitable high-rainfall environments. Pasture species were not identified by 25% of respondents. The off-label use of veterinary chemicals for disease and parasite control resulted in a variation in dosage rates and administration frequency, raising concerns for effective management. These results highlight important knowledge gaps in nutritional and health management practices that require further research and practical industry recommendations to improve alpaca health and productivity. The Australian alpaca industry has continued to grow since the introduction of alpacas in the 1980s. Little is known about the geographical distribution of alpacas or on-farm management practices. This study aimed to address this and identify key producer knowledge through an online survey. The survey consisted of 25 questions grouped into 3 areas: demographics, farm production and alpaca nutrition. The highest concentration of alpaca producers was along the east coast of Australia, primarily in high-rainfall zones, which could be attributed to more consistent year-round pasture availability and market access opportunities. The Huacaya breed accounted for 93% of the animal numbers reported in this survey. Respondents identified 12 key pasture species being grazed, with Kikuyu being the most common, followed by Subterranean Clover and Phalaris, likely due to the majority of respondents being located in suitable high-rainfall environments. Pasture species were not identified by 25% of respondents. There are no registered anthelmintics or vaccinations for alpacas, resulting in a variation in dosage rates and administration frequency, raising concerns for effective disease and parasite management. This survey has identified key knowledge gaps in alpaca management practices in Australia that will be further investigated to provide industry recommendations to improve alpaca production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the impact of sludge manure adoption on household farm production, focusing on matooke (bananas), maize, beans, sweet potatoes, coffee and cassava. We employ a propensity score matching methodology and estimate the average treatment effect on the treated (ATT), and we report the results from the nearest neighbor algorithm and test for robustness using the kernel algorithm. The study uses household survey data collected from the central districts of Uganda between January and February 2023. Our key findings indicate increased and significant yields of bananas, maize, coffee and cassava. These results are similar to those of different estimation algorithms. From a policy perspective, our results suggest that the design of agricultural productivity enhancing programmes, especially for farm households, requires leveraging organic technologies to promote agricultural production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trade-off studies effectively compare rational decisions when choosing alternatives. This study utilizes a Bayesian belief network (BBN) model to analyse land use tillage practices for flood management, considering climate, soilscape, slope, and farming systems. The BBN comprises three sub-models using soil samples, farm surveys, synthetic datasets, and literature review data. In one scenario, conventional tillage on a 3° slope increased the net value of crop yield (50.85 %) and positive farm effects (49.64 %) but increased surface runoff (66.24 %) and reduced flood alleviation benefits (58.56 %). On the other hand, conservational tillage on a 3 ° slope yielded lower crop yield increase (14.11 %) and farm production effects (13.80 %) but reduced surface runoff (51.05 %) and increased flood alleviation benefits (45.06 %). Similarly, conventional tillage on a 12 ° slope showed similar crop yield and farm production effects, with slightly higher surface runoff (66.88 %) and reduced flood alleviation benefits (59.13 %). Conversely, adopting conservational tillage on a 12 slope resulted same extent of reduction in crop yield increase band (14.11 %) and farm production effects (13.80 %) but effectively reduced surface runoff (50.42 %) and improved flood alleviation benefits (44.49 %). Therefore, a trade-off between farm production and flood alleviation was identified when tillage preference was applied as a natural flood management strategy. Results showed this trend was particularly pronounced amongst soils on slopes. The model can help users in informed decisions on tillage for sustainable farming, with the potential for improvement through additional variables and farm-specific data.

This study examines the impact of E‐Verify adoption on the total number of farm workers, total acres of operated farmland, and farm wages. This article finds that states with a high E‐Verify enforcement level experiences a decrease in the total number of farm workers and the total acres of operated farmland, suggesting that farms reduced their production scales after E‐Verify. However, this study finds no E‐Verify impact on farm weekly wages. This result could be a result of crop mix shift. States that adopt more stringent immigration policies should prepare the farm sector for a variety of negative shocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Farmland was regarded as the most important asset used to enhance agricultural productivity in developing countries to improve the livelihoods of restitution farm beneficiaries. Most, unfortunately, recent reports show decreased agricultural productivity in most developing countries. In South Africa, the Land restitution program was introduced to restore land to people dispossessed by apartheid government after 1913. However, production in the restitution farms has declined. This study aimed to address the non-performance of the restitution farms in Waterberg District and evaluate their production performance. A questionnaire was administered to gather quantitative data on the farms’ production and the benefits accrued from the farms. Data was captured using Geographic Information System (GIS), and then a remote sensing analysis method was used to map restitution farms to illustrate farms performance. Statistical Package for the Social Scientists (SPSS) version 25 was used to compute statistics on-farm production. About 83% of beneficiaries have not benefitted from the 32 farms, while 61.6% did not have markets, and 64% reported a lack of farms income. Generally, lack of farm production impeded beneficiaries from receiving benefits and employment. The study recommended that private organizations and sector departments work together to assist beneficiaries with capacity building, marketing of farm produce, and funds to improve production.

The aim of the study was to assess the cost effectiveness of farms in Poland compared to the European Union, depending on the type of farming. The value and cost structure of the studied farms were determined and the cost-production relation was assessed. The research covered farms participating in the FADN (Farm Accountancy Data Network) European system for collecting accountancy data from farms. As a part of the main objective, an analysis of the structure and dynamics of costs of the researched farms and the cost-production relationship were assessed. The research period covered the years 2013-2018. On the basis of the conducted research, a high cost burden on production was found both in Poland and the entire EU. In the cost structure, direct costs had the largest share, which were particularly important in farms focused on animal production. There was a differentiation in both the cost structure and cost effectiveness depending on the type of farming. The highest production costs were characteristic for farms of the agricultural type – other grazing livestock, and the lowest for farms specialized in horticultural crops and breeding milk cows. In 2018, compared to 2013, there was an increase in the cost effectiveness of Polish farm production, while a slight decrease in the EU average. The increase in costs and the increase in the cost effectiveness of Polish farm production testifies to a general increase in the prices of production factors used in agricultural production and a decrease in cost competitiveness on the European market.

The 2009 land reform in China marks a move toward a more flexible land tenure system in rural areas. This study evaluates the effect of this reform on rental market participation and household welfare in rural China. Using a four‐period nationally representative household‐level panel data during 2010–2016, we find that the 2009 land reform increased rental market participation by 6.6 to 7.0 percentage points on average. The effect varies significantly with village and household characteristics. The welfare impact of rental market participation on rural households depends on the type of participation. Specifically, the households renting in land witness an increase in their aggregated income by 10.7% on average through the expansion of farm production, which is accompanied by an increase in aggregated expenditure by approximately 11.2%. Those leasing out their land lose the portion of income on the farm but the aggregated household income is on average statistically unchanged, possibly due to a higher off‐farm income and the inflow of land rental income. Along with the statistically unchanged aggregated expenditure, the households leasing out land experience no significant welfare changes after the 2009 land reform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study unravels the implications of outmigration for farm labour availability, managerial feminization, women's agency, and farm production. Findings suggest that migration contributes to increased off-farm income, with higher income from international migration. While men's labour contribution declines in migrant households, women's labour increases in the majority of production stages. Women's salaried work declines while their unpaid work increases. Both farm labour and management are feminized. Through two-stage least squares, results indicate a negative association between increased women's work burden and rice yield. Farm inputs and hiring labour contribute to higher yield, but remittances are not generally used for this purpose. This paper provides insights on agricultural feminization as a result of migration and underscores its nexus to farm production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Striking a balance between human survival heightened by mass unemployment and the environment is crucial to the sustainability of the natural resources. The role of petty trader is important in ensuring that the excess supply during harvest is processed into the forms (roasted maize, yam, plantain, meat and chicken) appreciated by consumers instead of being a loss to farmer. While average daily income of 2670.79 Nigerian naira (₦) was assured, substantial quantity of charcoal (46786.3 kg) was utilized per week by petty traders. This is equivalent of 20.6 hectares of wood. The per capita charcoal utilization per week for suya, roasted yam and plantain sellers were 178.7 kg, 85.2 kg and 145.8 kg, respectively. These were obtained from clearing 0.8 ha (suya), 0.4 ha (roasted yam) and 0.6 ha (plantain) of wood. Age of respondents, experience in petty trading and hours of trading per day have a positive influence on the quantity of charcoal utilized per day, while frequency of purchase (charcoal) and rainy season have a negative relationship with quantity of charcoal used per day. Considering the appreciable quantity of charcoal utilization among petty traders and its negative effect on the environment, government should go beyond collecting taxes from charcoal producers. Also, the need for control over exploitation of trees and mobilization of staff of the Ministry of Forestry for prompt tree planting are required.

Copyright of Annals of the Polish Association of Agricultural & Agribusiness Economists is the property of Polish Association of Agricultural & Agribusiness Economists and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The paper provides a short overview of Brazilian aquaculture production and some of the influences affecting its development. Data on total and species‐specific production are provided along with the locations, numbers of producers, their market contributions and influences. The focus is on some of the key groups, not all, especially tilapia, tambaqui, shrimp, prawn and mollusc farming. The wider influences on production including markets, management practices, technology, resources and research and also consumer and global influences are briefly mentioned to locate the developments in a wider context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review discusses the results of previous and current research on breeding for disease resistance in aquaculture with special reference to shrimp and tilapia breeding programs in Egypt. Disease prevention strategies such as elimination, eradication, and cultural control proved to be ineffective, costly, and unsustainable. Selective breeding offers a long-term sustainable disease control by improving genetics of disease resistance. Disease resistance has proved to be heritable trait; there are a number of applied breeding programs designed in several countries to select for improved disease resistance. Thus, Egypt has designed and implemented two breeding programs for genetic improvement of disease resistance in Indian white shrimp (Fenneropenaeus indicus) and red tilapia in late 2014 and early 2015, respectively. The objectives were to genetically improve disease resistance in red tilapia and develop a microsatellite-based genotyping system for F. indicus resistant to diseases for commercial aquaculture in Egypt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to describe labor sex division in the field of farm production within the rural area in the east of the province of Mendoza, mainly focusing on women's labor. To accomplish this task, we designed a case study methodology strategy. The place for the study constitutes a non-irrigated area in the north-east region, which is composed of domestic groups historically devoted to extensive cattle raising. This article has been organized as follows: First, we state some general theoretical considerations related to gender, work and farming systems, together with some historical background. Then, we move to the local scale, and make a synthesis of the characteristics of labor sex division within the area under study, making an emphasis on the livestock production. Finally, we show the active key role women play in the cattle raising industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture provides food, fibre and other resources for people throughout the world, but clearing of native vegetation for agriculture has led to profound losses of biodiversity and changes to ecosystem function. There is growing recognition of the need to retain and restore (semi)natural vegetation in farmland for biodiversity conservation. However, managing such vegetation is complicated by trade-offs between different objectives, and knowledge to guide management is dispersed across multiple fields. We integrate knowledge on the benefits and disbenefits of (semi)natural vegetation on farms for achieving six objectives, including biodiversity, farm production, carbon stocks, soil health, local water cycle, and amenity/human wellbeing. Drawing on scientific literature from temperate southern Australia as a case study region, we develop a conceptual model of the relationships between these objectives and seven common types of native and restored vegetation on farms. From 224 peer-reviewed empirical studies, we identified 19 'causal pathways' by which (semi)natural vegetation provides benefits or disbenefits for the identified objectives. More pathways result in benefits than disbenefits , and generally there is greater support for the benefits provided by native than restored vegetation. Nonetheless, farm-level restoration (revegetation) contributes towards reversing the negative consequences of vegetation loss but this process takes time. Various 'moderating factors' serve to alter the outcome of most pathways. For example, restoration age affects the benefits that revegetation provides for biodiversity, carbon stores, soil health and water cycling. Many moderating factors are related to management practices (e.g. stock grazing, use of fertilisers), highlighting opportunities to enhance the benefits of (semi)natural vegetation in farmland. Relatively little is known about the value of (semi)natural vegetation for amenity/human wellbeing, or the outcomes resulting from natural regeneration. The conceptual model and causal pathways identified here contribute towards a more comprehensive understanding of the diverse benefits of (semi)natural vegetation on farms, which is essential for effective management and the sustainability of agricultural landscapes worldwide. [Display omitted] • Maintaining native vegetation on farms is crucial and involves trade-offs; knowledge to guide management spans disciplines • We synthesize knowledge of the outcomes of vegetation on farms for six objectives (e.g. biodiversity, production, carbon) • Vegetation provides benefits and disbenefits for objectives via many causal pathways; interactions alter most outcomes • Vegetation benefits all objectives, native vegetation especially: disbenefits are fewer and may be offset by benefits • An integrated understanding of the diverse co-benefits of vegetation on farms underpins sustainable agriculture [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most policies designed to reduce land fragmentation involve land consolidation. However, research examining the relationship between agricultural zoning and land fragmentation has not yet been explored. This paper considers the causal impact of an anti-land fragmentation policy on farmland use and farm production inputs relevant to environmental quality using a population-based census survey of farm households in Taiwan. Using the regression discontinuity method, we found that the anti-land fragmentation policy reduced the proportion of farmland used in farm production and environmental conservation by 2.4% and 2.6%, respectively. The policy also impacted the proportion of farmland using fertilizers, irrigation systems, and underground water. Our results show that anti-land fragmentation policies must be carefully designed to avoid negatively impacting farmland use and the environment.

Although a considerable body of literature has examined the determinants of farm production, little is known about the role of the farmers' pension program. This study contributes to this knowledge gap by assessing the impact of the farmers' pension payments on farm production and the labour allocation using the Old Age Farmers' Pension program in Taiwan as a case study. In particular, this study quantified the effect of pension payments on the labour allocation of the farm operator and other family members, hired labourers, as well as on the farm production. A unique sample of 465 dairy farms was drawn from the Agricultural Census survey in Taiwan in 2010. The data set was compiled using the national administrative profile of the pension program in Taiwan in order to access an objective pension status for all recipients of the payments. By estimating an endogenous treatment effect model, it was found that the pension payments decreased the amount of the on-farm work of the farm operator. In contrast, it increased the on-farm labour use of the family members. Moreover, the availability of the pension program decreased the size of farm operation and the farm productivity.

Graphical abstract Highlights • Ghana has experienced substantial agricultural transformation. • Agricultural transformation has contributed to improved food and nutrition security. • Farm production diversity matters for household dietary diversity, as well as household income. • The direct, own-consumption effect drives the production diversity – dietary diversity linkage. Abstract Africa south of the Sahara experienced an acceleration of economic growth in recent years that was accompanied by structural changes in national economies. Some African countries, such as Ghana, managed to utilize rapid growth for poverty reduction and improving food and nutrition security. Transformation of agriculture appears to have played an important role in this context. However, the linkages between agricultural transformation and food and nutrition security at the household level are not well understood. This article examines the linkage between farm production diversity and household dietary diversity in rural Ghana and how that linkage changed between 2005–06 and 2012–13. The empirical analysis employs a regression model that controls for region- and time-fixed effects. The estimation results suggest that farm production diversification, as well as household income growth, continues to be strongly associated with increased household dietary diversity. The analysis further explores the mechanism that underlies this production-consumption linkage by systematically modifying the basic model specification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Undernutrition and low dietary diversity remain big problems in many developing countries. A large proportion of the people affected are smallholder farmers. Hence, it is often assumed that further diversifying small-farm production would be a good strategy to improve nutrition, but the evidence is mixed. We systematically review studies that have analyzed associations between production diversity, dietary diversity, and nutrition in smallholder households and provide a meta-analysis of estimated effects. We identified 45 original studies reporting results from 26 countries and using various indicators of diets and nutrition. While in the majority of these studies positive results are highlighted, less than 20% of the studies report consistently positive and significant associations between production diversity and dietary diversity and/or nutrition. Around 60% report positive associations only for certain subsamples or indicators, the rest found no significant associations at all. The average marginal effect of production diversity on dietary diversity is positive but small. The mean effect of 0.062 implies that farms would have to produce 16 additional crop or livestock species to increase dietary diversity by one food group. The mean effect is somewhat larger in Sub-Saharan Africa than in other regions, but even in Africa farms would have to produce around 9 additional species to increase dietary diversity by one food group. While results may look differently under very specific conditions, there is little evidence to support the assumption that increasing farm production diversity is a highly effective strategy to improve smallholder diets and nutrition in most or all situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

European funds are a breath of oxygen for Romania in its attempt to obtain similar results to EU Member States. This paper aims to analyse and highlight at the same time, the importance of implementing European funds on farm management for Romanian agriculture. In an attempt to demonstrate and analyse the positive impact of the funds on farms and on their management public and official data were used. The scientific study outlines how the absorption of EU funds influences farm productivity and how European measures have influenced farmers managerial decisions. The paper refers to the management system applied in farms in Romania and how it has changed when European funds were introduced. A secondary outcome of this article is benchmarking the agricultural sector on Romania's position in the rankings compared with other European Union member states.

Modern farming in Korea has followed two divergent paths since the partition of the peninsula. Both countries substantially raised agricultural production in the 1970s, but policy decisions in North Korea created a situation in which the farm sector stagnated and ultimately failed when faced with changes in the 1990s. In addition to reviewing the technical and policy changes since the start of the food crisis, this paper examines the likely consequences of reunification on the North Korean farm sector. Structural changes would include the dominance of a market economy, dissolution of cooperative and state farms, and the need to recapitalize the entire farm economy. Organizational changes regarding land tenure, operation and management of formerly collective resources, and new roles for former North Korean agricultural guidance and research organizations would be challenging. Rural residents would face personal challenges of adapting to the requirements and thinking patterns of a market economy, coupled with the loss of close technical direction by the North Korean planning system. Although there are opportunities for enhanced farm productivity and economic well being at the household level, smoothly adapting to reunification would greatly depend on planning, policies and resources set in place for such an event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a panel of nearly 3000 agricultural households in Tanzania and Mozambique from 2016–2018, this paper investigates the associations of nutritional outcomes and agricultural management practices under drought risk. We show drought has significant consequences on two nutritional outcomes in particular: food security and dietary diversity. Importantly, these consequences are evident even for households using improved management practices, such as improved seed, chemical fertilizer, and production diversity. This finding has important implications in the context of how policy makers use the tools at their disposal – including both promotion of improved agricultural management practices and direct transfers – to prevent costly coping strategies that reduce future resilience. • Dietary diversity and food security capture different nutritional outcomes • Drought has serious consequences on both dietary diversity and food security • Best management practices (BMPs) are associated with improved nutritional outcomes • The positive associations of BMPs do not fully offset drought's consequences [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

European funds are a breath of oxygen for Romania in its attempt to obtain similar results to EU Member States. This paper aims to analyse and highlight at the same time, the importance of implementing European funds on farm management for Romanian agriculture. In an attempt to demonstrate and analyse the positive impact of the funds on farms and on their management public and official data were used . The scientific study outlines how the absorption of EU funds influences farm productivity and how European measures have influenced farmers managerial decisions. The paper refers to the management system applied in farms in Romania and how it has changed when European funds were introduced. A secondary outcome of this article is benchmarking the agricultural sector on Romania's position in the rankings compared with other European Union member states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]