Farm Entrepreneurship and Agribusiness Management

A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Agricultural Economics, Policies and Rural Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 February 2024) | Viewed by 11036

Special Issue Editor

School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Earley Gate, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6EU, UK
Interests: efficiency and productivity analysis; farm business management; farm entrepreneruship; sustainable entreprenerurship in agricultural systems; agri-business management; commercialisation of innovation; co-production methods; sustainable intensification of farming systems; agricultural economics; environmental economics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Farm entrepreneurship and agribusiness management are related concepts that involve applying business skills and knowledge to the agricultural sector. Farm entrepreneurship can play a role in agricultural sustainability through the development of innovative solutions that improve the environmental and social impacts of food production and consumption. Farm entrepreneurs can also benefit from government policies and programs that support sustainable farming practices, such as the Environmental Land Management schemes in the UK or the Rural Development Programmes of the EU member states that are offering funding opportunities to farmers and are designed for boosting innovation in Europe.

The scope of this Special Issue is to address the main challenges faced by farm entrepreneurs in the UK and Europe and to identify successful strategies that would lead to effective and efficient agribusiness management practices. Manuscripts addressing challenges related to the following areas are welcome:

  • Climate change and how farm-based innovation and entrepreneurship contributes to climate change mitigation;
  • Trade wars and market fluctuations which create uncertainty and instability around farmers’ incomes;
  • Lack of marketing channels and networks which makes it difficult for farm entrepreneurs to reach customers, promote their products and compete with larger enterprises;
  • Lack of access to technology and equipment which limits the efficiency, productivity and innovation of farm entrepreneurs, especially in rural areas;
  • Depletion of natural resources and environmental degradation, which result from unsustainable agricultural practices and pose long-term threats to food security and biodiversity.

In addition to the above, manuscripts discussing the farm management competencies needed for farm entrepreneurship and innovation will also be considered. These manuscripts will contribute to the development of a framework for sustainable entrepreneurship for agriculture in the UK and Europe.

The submitted manuscripts to this Special Issue will be cutting-edge research addressing the challenges identified above and will relate to topics in farm entrepreneurship and agribusiness management:

  • Technologies that enable social business creation, such as customer relationship management systems, new communication channels, virtual reality technologies for remote operations and the Internet of Things (IoT), which can help farm entrepreneurs lower their costs, improve efficiency and reach new markets.
  • Entrepreneurship strategies for farmers in different contexts, such as diversification of agricultural and non-agricultural businesses, innovation of market channels, and how these channels are influenced by factors such as country, type of product and size.
  • Inclusive and sustainable entrepreneurship and innovation, which involves engaging with diverse stakeholders to challenge and empower individuals and communities to create social and environmental value through entrepreneurial activities.

This Special Issue invites all types of articles, applying qualitative, quantitative or mixed methodologies, as well as empirical primary research and reviews, along with commentaries.

Dr. Yiorgos Gadanakis
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agriculture is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • farm entrepreneurship
  • agribusiness management
  • sustainable entrepreneurship
  • inclusive entrepreneurship
  • productivity and innovation of farm entrepreneurs
  • sustainable intensification of farming systems
  • farm entrepreneurship and diversification
  • commercialisation of innovation in agricultural systems
  • food innovation and technology adoption in agriculture
  • farm management competencies
  • farm entrepreneurship skills

Published Papers (8 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

23 pages, 1299 KiB  
Article
Linking Entrepreneurship to Productivity: Using a Composite Indicator for Farm-Level Innovation in UK Agriculture with Secondary Data
by Yiorgos Gadanakis, Jorge Campos-González and Philip Jones
Agriculture 2024, 14(3), 409; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14030409 - 03 Mar 2024
Viewed by 641
Abstract
In agriculture, the intricate relationship between innovation, productivity, and entrepreneurship is underexplored. Despite the widely recognized role of innovation in driving productivity, concrete indicators and comprehensive farm-level studies are lacking. This research aims to unravel this complexity by exploring the impact of innovation, [...] Read more.
In agriculture, the intricate relationship between innovation, productivity, and entrepreneurship is underexplored. Despite the widely recognized role of innovation in driving productivity, concrete indicators and comprehensive farm-level studies are lacking. This research aims to unravel this complexity by exploring the impact of innovation, specifically in agricultural entrepreneurship, on transformative changes in farm productivity. The work presented in this manuscript explores how farm-level data derived from the Farm Business Survey (FBS) for the period between 2003 and 2014 is used to identify innovators and to assesses changes in productivity, technical efficiency, and economic efficiency. Therefore, it aims to contribute to comprehensively exploring the role of innovation, particularly within the context of entrepreneurship in agriculture, and its influence on driving transformative changes in farm productivity. Results reveal significant productivity variation and a moderate overall improvement. Furthermore, investment in human resources, particularly managerial input, significantly enhances farm productivity across various models, indicating experienced managers utilize technology effectively. Notably, management and human capital innovation drive positive productivity changes in the UK cereal sector for the period 2003–2014, surpassing technological advancements. Efficient farmers leverage experience to benefit from operational scale changes, emphasizing the importance of accumulated knowledge. Hence, policy interventions should recognize these nuances; while promoting vocational training aids technology adoption, it may not spur management innovation. Thus, strategies must balance various aspects to effectively foster innovation in agriculture, considering both technological and managerial advancements for sustained productivity growth. The study advocates for a departure from the ‘bigger is better’ mentality, proposing educational programs and support services to encourage informed decision-making. This forward-looking approach aims to inform future policies and enhance understanding of the intricate dynamics between agricultural innovation, productivity, and entrepreneurship. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Farm Entrepreneurship and Agribusiness Management)
Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 2359 KiB  
Article
Determinants of Financial Security of European Union Farms—A Factor Analysis Model Approach
by Ewa Szafraniec-Siluta, Agnieszka Strzelecka, Roman Ardan and Danuta Zawadzka
Agriculture 2024, 14(1), 119; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14010119 - 12 Jan 2024
Viewed by 682
Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess the level of financial security of farms and identify its determinants based on factor analysis. The data used in this research were obtained from the European FADN (Farm Accountancy Data Network). Factor analysis (FA) was [...] Read more.
The objective of this study was to assess the level of financial security of farms and identify its determinants based on factor analysis. The data used in this research were obtained from the European FADN (Farm Accountancy Data Network). Factor analysis (FA) was employed to reduce the number of variables that potentially determine the financial security of farms. The results indicate that the surveyed entities maintained financial security between 2014 and 2021. This study suggests that it is necessary to examine these factors separately for farms engaged in crop farming and animal production. The results obtained for all farms were less satisfactory than those that took into account the specifics of agricultural production. This study addresses a gap in the literature by including highly correlated variables in the analysis of the determinants of financial security. Factor analysis is used to reduce the number of variables without losing important information. Firstly, seventeen variables related to the financial security of all farms were assigned to six factors. These were income and self-financing of operations; area and subsidies; long-term investments and financial decisions consequences; economic size, taxes, and non-breeding livestocks; investment activity; and inputs, stock, short-term loans, and labor. Then, the determinants of the financial security of farms were examined, taking into account the specialization of activities. For crop-producing farms, six factors were identified, including three that were identical to those for all farms: income and self-financing of operations; long-term investment and financial decisions consequences; and investment activity. In addition, the following items were specified: area, subsidies, non-breeding livestocks, and taxes; economic size, inputs, and labor; and stock and short-term loans. The correlated variables in the case of livestock production combined into factors in a different way. In this case, four factors were distinguished: economic size, non-breeding livestocks, income, and self-financing of operations; operational activities of animal production; long-term investment and financial decisions consequences; and investment activity. Financial security is a complex matter that can be affected by a range of factors related to agricultural activities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Farm Entrepreneurship and Agribusiness Management)
Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 702 KiB  
Article
Educator–Learner Homophily Effect on Participants’ Adoption of Agribusiness Recordkeeping Practices
by Michael Moscarelli, Gary Wingenbach and Robert Strong
Agriculture 2023, 13(12), 2180; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13122180 - 22 Nov 2023
Viewed by 1009
Abstract
Homophily is the tendency of individuals to be attracted to and associate with people who share similar sociodemographic, behavioral, and intrapersonal characteristics. Homophily plays a significant role when introducing innovations to create behavioral change. Understanding the educator–learner homophily effect is important to introduce [...] Read more.
Homophily is the tendency of individuals to be attracted to and associate with people who share similar sociodemographic, behavioral, and intrapersonal characteristics. Homophily plays a significant role when introducing innovations to create behavioral change. Understanding the educator–learner homophily effect is important to introduce and diffuse innovations efficiently and effectively. A quasi-experimental design was used to test the effect of educator–learner homophily on technology adoption in agriculture. Researchers showed one of four instructional videos about agribusiness recordkeeping practices to 238 Guatemalan female farmers. After the video instruction, the participants were given agribusiness logbooks to track farm sales and expenses. Initially, literate participants were more than four times as likely to adopt agribusiness recordkeeping practices than illiterate participants. Logistic regression determined the effects of the trainer’s gender and nationality on the participants’ likelihoods of adopting agribusiness recordkeeping practices at 6- and 21-weeks post-training. The 21-week logistic regression model was statistically significant; participants who received training from a female instructor were 0.441 times less likely to adopt and maintain agribusiness recordkeeping practices over the long-term. Nationality was not associated with the likelihood of adopting recordkeeping as an agribusiness practice. Program administrators should consider trainers’ perceived credibility and participants’ cultural norms when planning agribusiness management training programs with topics having limited immediate benefit. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Farm Entrepreneurship and Agribusiness Management)
Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 1294 KiB  
Article
Intelligent Hog Farming Adoption Choices Using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology Model: Perspectives from China’s New Agricultural Managers
by Jiannan Wang, Shaoning Zhang and Lezhu Zhang
Agriculture 2023, 13(11), 2067; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13112067 - 27 Oct 2023
Viewed by 1066
Abstract
This research delves into the intricacies of decision-making processes underpinning the willingness to upgrade technology within the burgeoning domain of intelligent pig farming in China, employing the UTAUT model to scrutinize how various determinants sway upgrade willingness and the ensuing behavioral modification. By [...] Read more.
This research delves into the intricacies of decision-making processes underpinning the willingness to upgrade technology within the burgeoning domain of intelligent pig farming in China, employing the UTAUT model to scrutinize how various determinants sway upgrade willingness and the ensuing behavioral modification. By applying the UTAUT model to intelligent pig farming, the inquiry evaluates the impact of performance expectations, effort expectations, social influence, and contributory factors on upgrade willingness and behavior, with data amassed from assorted novel agricultural management entities in China. The findings unveil that performance and effort expectations, social influence, and contributory factors have a favorable influence on upgrade willingness, while contributory factors, alongside the augmentation of upgrade willingness, positively affect upgraded behavior. This inquiry underscores the multifaceted interaction of factors guiding technological upgrade verdicts in intelligent pig farming, furnishing invaluable insights for comprehending technology adoption in agriculture. It lays a groundwork for devising strategies to spur technological advancements, harboring potential for wider applications across varied agricultural vistas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Farm Entrepreneurship and Agribusiness Management)
Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 466 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Research and Development Investment on Total Factor Productivity of Animal Husbandry Enterprises: Evidence from Listed Companies in China
by Zhaohui Yan, Mingli Wang, Yumeng Sun and Zihui Nan
Agriculture 2023, 13(9), 1846; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13091846 - 21 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1067
Abstract
Improving the total factor productivity (TFP) of animal husbandry enterprises is the key to promoting the sustainable development of animal husbandry. Technological progress is an important driving force for improving the TFP of animal husbandry enterprises, and research and development (R&D) investment determines [...] Read more.
Improving the total factor productivity (TFP) of animal husbandry enterprises is the key to promoting the sustainable development of animal husbandry. Technological progress is an important driving force for improving the TFP of animal husbandry enterprises, and research and development (R&D) investment determines the speed of technological progress. Based on the data of Chinese animal husbandry enterprises listed on Shanghai and Shenzhen A-shares in China between 2009 and 2022, this article empirically analyzes the impact of R&D investment on the TFP of animal husbandry enterprises and the moderating role of executive incentives in it and discusses the heterogeneity of this impact, using the fixed-effects model. It is found that R&D investment has a significant positive impact on the TFP of animal husbandry enterprises, and the TFP of animal husbandry enterprises increased by 0.00105 for every 1% increase in R&D investment. Equity incentives for executives positively moderated the relationship between R&D investment and the TFP of animal husbandry enterprises, while executive compensation incentives negatively moderated the relationship. Heterogeneity analysis shows that R&D investment has a significant effect on the TFP of non-state-owned animal husbandry enterprises, but has no significant impact on the TFP of state-owned animal husbandry enterprises. The impact of R&D investment on TFP showed a significant promotion in the livestock and poultry breeding and meat product processing industries, but not in the feed production, dairy product processing and animal health industries. R&D investment has a significant effect on the TFP of animal husbandry enterprises in Eastern China and Central China, but has no significant impact on the TFP of animal husbandry enterprises in Western China. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Farm Entrepreneurship and Agribusiness Management)
Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 568 KiB  
Article
Influencing Mechanism of Rural Households’ Livelihood Capital on Entrepreneurial Behavior: Evidence from the CFPS
by Fang Wang, Jingyi Mao, Yafu Liu and Qihua Cai
Agriculture 2023, 13(9), 1766; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13091766 - 06 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1015
Abstract
The livelihood capital of rural households is an essential basis for their selection of livelihood strategy. This paper uses rural household data from the 2018 CFPS to construct a “hexagonal” framework for the analysis of livelihood capital. Natural capital, material capital, financial capital, [...] Read more.
The livelihood capital of rural households is an essential basis for their selection of livelihood strategy. This paper uses rural household data from the 2018 CFPS to construct a “hexagonal” framework for the analysis of livelihood capital. Natural capital, material capital, financial capital, social capital, human capital, psychological capital, and total livelihood capital are measured using entropy weight method. The paper uses logit and tobit models to analyze how livelihood capital affects rural households’ entrepreneurship. Finally, the heterogeneous impact of livelihood capital on rural households’ entrepreneurial behavior is discussed from the view of household head gender, household education level, and regional differences. The results show that rural households’ livelihood capital distribution in each dimension is uneven and the difference is great. Rural households’ capital of livelihood and finance have positive effects on their entrepreneurial behavior. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the increase in livelihood capital impacts entrepreneurship in female-headed households more positively and significantly. Livelihood capital can significantly promote the entrepreneurial behavior of rural households with lower education levels. The impact of livelihood capital on rural household entrepreneurship presents a decreasing distribution pattern from east to the middle to west. The results of the robustness test show that the conclusion of the positive impact of livelihood capital on rural household entrepreneurship is reliable. The main conclusions provide guidance and a foundation for further optimizing rural household entrepreneurship policies and promoting rural household entrepreneurship. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Farm Entrepreneurship and Agribusiness Management)
Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 2961 KiB  
Article
National Agricultural Science and Technology Parks in China: Distribution Characteristics, Innovation Efficiency, and Influencing Factors
by Shanwei Li, Yongchang Wu, Qi Yu and Xueyuan Chen
Agriculture 2023, 13(7), 1459; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13071459 - 24 Jul 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1689
Abstract
This study aims to analyze the spatial distribution characteristics and innovation efficiency of national agricultural science and technology parks (NASTPs) and identify the main influencing factors on the parks’ innovation and development. The goal is to optimize the allocation of science and technology [...] Read more.
This study aims to analyze the spatial distribution characteristics and innovation efficiency of national agricultural science and technology parks (NASTPs) and identify the main influencing factors on the parks’ innovation and development. The goal is to optimize the allocation of science and technology innovation resources in these parks, promote national agricultural science and technology innovation, and enhance the quality of agricultural development. To achieve this, the paper employs spatial analysis methods and a three-stage DEA-Tobit model to conduct both macro and micro-level analyses. The research findings are as follows: (1) Distribution characteristics: NASTPs tend to exhibit a uniform distribution at the national scale, but at the provincial level, their distribution appears clustered and uneven. Specifically, three high-density areas and two sub-high-density areas have emerged on the eastern side of the Hu line, displaying a decreasing trend from east to west. (2) Innovation efficiency: By excluding the influence of environmental factors and random interference, the lack of scale efficiency (SE) emerges as the primary reason for the generally low innovation efficiency of NASTPs. (3) Environmental factors: Science and technology training exhibits a negative correlation with innovation efficiency in NASTPs. Leading enterprises, income level, innovation support, and demonstration and promotion show positive correlations with IE in NASTPs. To promote national agricultural science and technology innovation and enhance the quality of agricultural development, it is recommended, based on a central-level development perspective, to focus on the layout of the northeast and northwest regions. At the local level, expanding the scale of key enterprise inputs and increasing the demonstration and promotion of scientific and technological achievements are recommended. Additionally, at the NASTPs level, guiding the construction of a national agricultural high-tech industry demonstration zone is advised. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Farm Entrepreneurship and Agribusiness Management)
Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 1556 KiB  
Article
Farming under Urban Pressure: Business Models and Success Factors of Peri-Urban Farms
by Wojciech Sroka, Piotr Sulewski, Jaroslaw Mikolajczyk and Karol Król
Agriculture 2023, 13(6), 1216; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13061216 - 08 Jun 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1924
Abstract
This study aims to identify the success factors and main barriers and threats to developing peri-urban farms implementing various business models. For that purpose, a survey was conducted among a group of Polish farms located in the areas surrounding the largest Polish cities. [...] Read more.
This study aims to identify the success factors and main barriers and threats to developing peri-urban farms implementing various business models. For that purpose, a survey was conducted among a group of Polish farms located in the areas surrounding the largest Polish cities. Farms achieving economic success and implementing different business models were selected. The analyses were based on the concept of the business model developed by Osterwalder. The research shows that in recent years (due to the COVID-19 pandemic, among other things), there has been a considerable convergence in employed business solutions. The convergence process is particularly evident in the customer side of business models, i.e., customer relationships and channels. According to the respondents, the success of peri-urban farms is determined mainly by three groups of factors: (1) motivation, diligence, and creativity, (2) the high quality of products and services, and (3) the cultivation of deep bonds with customers. Thus, success comes from within the enterprise (relational capital), but the customer (service-dominant logic) is central to business model development. Farm managers indicated relatively few problems and barriers in their farms’ development process. However, urban pressure (an external factor independent from farm managers) was considered the most important factor. The research enabled the presentation of the best business solutions and formulation of a few recommendations for peri-urban farming development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Farm Entrepreneurship and Agribusiness Management)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop