Research

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15 pages, 288 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Can Direct Marketing Increase Fishery Profitability and Environmental Quality? Empirical Evidence of Aquaculture Farm Households in Taiwan

by Tzong-Haw Lee, Song-Yue Liu, Chiou-Lien Huang, Hung-Hao Chang and Jiun-Hao Wang

Agriculture 2023, 13(6), 1270; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13061270 - 20 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1066

Abstract

Marketing strategies play a significant role in determining farm income. Although direct marketing has been proposed as an innovative way to improve producers’ economic welfare, little is known about producers’ adoption of direct marketing among aquaculture farms. This study examines the adoption of [...] Read more.

Marketing strategies play a significant role in determining farm income. Although direct marketing has been proposed as an innovative way to improve producers’ economic welfare, little is known about producers’ adoption of direct marketing among aquaculture farms. This study examines the adoption of wholesaler markets, individual wholesalers or shippers, and direct marketing among aquaculture farms. In addition, we quantify the effects of the use of different marketing channels on fishery revenues, profits, and production inputs. A sample of 25,180 aquaculture family farms in Taiwan was drawn from the fishery census survey. After estimating the simultaneous equation system model, we find that the use of multiple marketing channels generates the highest fishery revenues, which highlights the importance of marketing channel diversity on selling fishery products. Moreover, we find a positive effect of direct marketing on fishery revenues and profits. We also find that the use of direct marketing can reduce the use of groundwater in aquaculture production. Since the decrease in groundwater use can mitigate the severity of land subsidence, this paper provides evidence that direct marketing can possibly provide a win-win strategy to improve fishery producers’ revenues and environmental quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Food Consumption, Public Policy, and Farm Household Economics)

19 pages, 440 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Digital Revolution and Employment Choice of Rural Labor Force: Evidence from the Perspective of Digital Skills

by Xiumei Wang, Yongjian Huang, Yingying Zhao and Jingxuan Feng

Agriculture 2023, 13(6), 1260; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13061260 - 18 Jun 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1571

Abstract

The practical implementation of the employment promotion effect of the digital economy is closely linked to rural laborers’ digital skills (DS). Therefore, this study uses the Mprobit model to empirically test the impact of DS on rural labor employment choices. The results show [...] Read more.

The practical implementation of the employment promotion effect of the digital economy is closely linked to rural laborers’ digital skills (DS). Therefore, this study uses the Mprobit model to empirically test the impact of DS on rural labor employment choices. The results show that: (1) the acquisition of DS by the rural labor force significantly increases the rate of off-farm employment and entrepreneurship but has no significant effect on farm employment, with work skills having the most significant positive impact on the rural labor force off-farm employment and online business skills having the most significant positive impact on rural labor force entrepreneurship. (2) The mechanism test reveals that DS influences the employment choices of the rural labor force by alleviating the information access constraint and financing constraints faced by rural labor. (3) Heterogeneity analysis shows that males and rural laborers in rich regions can benefit from entrepreneurship. In contrast, females and low-skilled and rural laborers in middle and poor regions can benefit more from off-farm employment. Our findings provide empirical evidence on effectively cultivating DS to increase the diversity of employment choices for the rural workforce and highlight the importance of improving DS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Food Consumption, Public Policy, and Farm Household Economics)

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14 pages, 1355 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Government Food Policy on Farm Efficiency of Beneficiary Small-Scale Farmers in Indonesia

by Meidiana Purnamasari, Wen-Chi Huang and Bambang Priyanto

Agriculture 2023, 13(6), 1257; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13061257 - 16 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1683

Abstract

Enhancing self-sufficiency and national food security have been strategic policy goals of the Indonesian government. From 2015 to 2019, a food policy program called Upsus Pajale had been implemented to provide input subsidies and extension assistants to farmers for three strategic commodities: rice, [...] Read more.

Enhancing self-sufficiency and national food security have been strategic policy goals of the Indonesian government. From 2015 to 2019, a food policy program called Upsus Pajale had been implemented to provide input subsidies and extension assistants to farmers for three strategic commodities: rice, maize, and soybeans, to accelerate productivity and increase production. The study was done by interviewing 374 beneficiary farmers. The objectives were to explore production efficiency and the farmers’ perspectives on the policy programs. By conducting stochastic frontier production function estimation, the results show that the mean efficiency level was 0.866. This study revealed that land size, seed cost, and labor cost were found to be important determinants of technical efficiency. In addition, the results of the inefficiency model indicated that age and farmers’ associations had a significant and positive effect on efficiency scores, whereas education had a negative effect. Contrarily, none of the policy program instruments appear to be essential determinants of efficiency. Furthermore, the research found that farmers prioritized their habits and profitability when deciding which crop to cultivate and that pests were their main concerns. Hence, the government should focus on enhancing research and development for improved seedling pest management control and encourage the establishment of farmers’ association to share experience and transfer information and technology for farmers to improve their efficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Food Consumption, Public Policy, and Farm Household Economics)

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17 pages, 623 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Insecticide Use by Small-Scale Ugandan Cassava Growers: An Economic Analysis

by Irene Bayiyana, Anton Bua, Alfred Ozimati, Johnny Mugisha, John Colvin and Christopher Abu Omongo

Agriculture 2023, 13(5), 1043; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13051043 - 11 May 2023

Viewed by 1579

Abstract

Cassava is the second most important source of calories in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is subject to economically important yield losses from viral diseases, including cassava brown streak disease and cassava mosaic disease. These diseases are vectored by cassava whitefly, so improved approaches for [...] Read more.

Cassava is the second most important source of calories in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is subject to economically important yield losses from viral diseases, including cassava brown streak disease and cassava mosaic disease. These diseases are vectored by cassava whitefly, so improved approaches for whitefly and disease control are needed to enable smallholder farmers to protect their cassava crops. To investigate the economic viability of insecticide applications against whitefly, the effect of four insecticide application regimes on three cassava genotypes (NASE 3, NASE 12, MKUMBA) and a local landrace were evaluated, for different farmer groups. Data were collected from researcher–farmer managed fields and descriptive statistics were analyzed. Insecticide and personal protective equipment were the major costs for those farmers that applied insecticide and the dipping treatment had a marginal rate of return of 1.66 (166%), demonstrating that this option was the most profitable and effective. While insecticide users incurred more production costs, they also accrued more profit than non-insecticide users, especially if insecticide was applied at early stages of cassava growth. There is a clear need, therefore, to strengthen the commercialization of cassava crop through plant protection measures such as judicious insecticide application on susceptible varieties, so as to increase yield and crop quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Food Consumption, Public Policy, and Farm Household Economics)

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19 pages, 2169 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) on the Productivity and Well-Being of Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO)-Certified Independent Smallholders in Malaysia

by Nurul Atiqah binti Mohd Suib, Norlida Hanim Mohd Salleh, Md Shafiin Shukor, Norshamliza Chamhuri, Shahida Shahimi, Kamalrudin Mohamed Salleh and Khairuman Hashim

Agriculture 2023, 13(5), 990; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13050990 - 29 Apr 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3054

Abstract

Good agricultural practice (GAP) helps increase productivity by producing fresh fruit bunches (FFBs), and selling FFBs will increase Independent Smallholders’ (ISH) income. However, although GAP promotes increased productivity, the effectiveness of GAP in delivering the well-being of the ISH in oil palm production [...] Read more.

Good agricultural practice (GAP) helps increase productivity by producing fresh fruit bunches (FFBs), and selling FFBs will increase Independent Smallholders’ (ISH) income. However, although GAP promotes increased productivity, the effectiveness of GAP in delivering the well-being of the ISH in oil palm production areas remains to be determined. To that end, this study (i) measures the smallholder’s well-being index, (ii) compares the well-being index by states in Malaysia, and (iii) maps the relationship between GAP implementation, productivity, and well-being. The study selected respondents using purposive sampling (PS). PS identifies and selects individuals with Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification and knowledge and experience of GAP. As a result, the research interviewed 564 ISHs with MSPO certification from 162 Sustainable Palm Oil Clusters (SPOC). The study used Principal Components Analysis (PCA) and the Structural Equation Model (SEM) framework to achieve the objectives. The study found that the average ISH well-being index was 0.62, and ISHs in Sabah had the highest well-being, with 0.73 compared to other states. The study also found that GAP influences productivity and is positively and significantly related to well-being. Therefore, it indicates to ISHs and the government the importance of GAP implementation to increase ISHs’ productivity and well-being. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Food Consumption, Public Policy, and Farm Household Economics)

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14 pages, 1491 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Using Genetic Programming to Identify Characteristics of Brazilian Regions in Relation to Rural Credit Allocation

by Adolfo Vicente Araújo, Caroline Mota and Sajid Siraj

Agriculture 2023, 13(5), 935; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13050935 - 24 Apr 2023

Viewed by 1206

Abstract

Rural credit policies have a strong impact on food production and food security. The attribution of credit policies to agricultural production is one of the main problems preventing the guarantee of agricultural expansion. In this work, we conduct family typology analysis applied to [...] Read more.

Rural credit policies have a strong impact on food production and food security. The attribution of credit policies to agricultural production is one of the main problems preventing the guarantee of agricultural expansion. In this work, we conduct family typology analysis applied to a set of research data to characterize different regions. Through genetic programming, a model was developed using user-defined terms to identify the importance and priority of each criterion used for each region. Access to credit results in economic growth and provides greater income for family farmers, as observed by the results obtained in the model for the Sul region. The Nordeste region indicates that the cost criterion is relevant, and according to previous studies, the Nordeste region has the highest number of family farming households and is also the region with the lowest economic growth. An important aspect discovered by this research is that the allocation of rural credit is not ideal. Another important aspect of the research is the challenge of capturing the degree of diversity across different regions, and the typology is limited in its ability to accurately represent all variations. Therefore, it was possible to characterize how credit is distributed across the country and the main factors that can influence access to credit. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Food Consumption, Public Policy, and Farm Household Economics)

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16 pages, 3197 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Research on Consumer Perception Regarding Wine Products and Wine Tourism in the Republic of Moldova

by Viorica Guțan, Larisa Șavga, Constanta Laura Zugravu, Diana Bucur and Gheorghe Adrian Zugravu

Agriculture 2023, 13(3), 729; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13030729 - 22 Mar 2023

Viewed by 1819

Abstract

Traditions of vine cultivation and wine production have been formed in Moldova over centuries. According to folk traditions, wine is an integral part of any event organized by the locals. Wine tourism is a particularly significant sector for the country’s economy. Although it [...] Read more.

Traditions of vine cultivation and wine production have been formed in Moldova over centuries. According to folk traditions, wine is an integral part of any event organized by the locals. Wine tourism is a particularly significant sector for the country’s economy. Although it only emerged at the end of the 20th century, it is growing in importance every year. To contribute to this area of scientific discourse, a study on consumers’ perception of wine products and wine tourism in the Republic of Moldova was conducted. The main respondents who participated in the survey were citizens of the country, but respondents from Romania and Ukraine also participated. The results obtained indicate that wine products are consumed by the majority of the respondents participating in the survey and that wine tourism has continuity in its development and is of clear interest among citizens. The diversity of the tourist offers of the wineries and the recreational areas in which they are located are of course of particular importance when selecting a wine tour. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Food Consumption, Public Policy, and Farm Household Economics)

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17 pages, 2432 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Business Policy and Competitiveness of Farmers’ Organizations—Empirical Evidence from Taiwan

by Shu-Yi Chi, Tsorng-Chyi Hwang and Li-Hsien Chien

Agriculture 2023, 13(3), 593; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13030593 - 28 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1242

Abstract

Sustainable competitiveness is at the core of effective organizational management. However, the interpretation of the concept of competitiveness is quite divided, especially for organizations that are positioned as social enterprises and must bear profits and losses. In this context, we used the PLS-SEM [...] Read more.

Sustainable competitiveness is at the core of effective organizational management. However, the interpretation of the concept of competitiveness is quite divided, especially for organizations that are positioned as social enterprises and must bear profits and losses. In this context, we used the PLS-SEM method to discuss the impact of business policies on organizational resource management and select the Taiwanese farmers’ associations for analysis. According to the resource-dependent model, we selected the corresponding variables from the existing operational competition indicators to represent the four major business sectors of these associations. The main contribution of this study is that through expert opinion, the evaluation indicators of the existing business performance competition can be integrated to define the competitiveness of farmers’ associations. We also used the fuzzy C-means method cluster analysis to effectively divide 279 farmers’ associations into six groups according to “population, land, and industry”. It is possible to evaluate the competitiveness of the departments and business policies of the farmers’ associations in different groups according to the performance of their departments. Presenting the differences in business policies will help the government implement effective counseling services between regions. Competitiveness based on the performance of the main functions significantly affects the business execution, asset allocation, marketing, and sales activities of the farmers’ associations. This article clearly points out that an organization may achieve a competitive business objective by taking stock of its own operating and financial conditions. This is also true for non-profit social enterprises. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Food Consumption, Public Policy, and Farm Household Economics)

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16 pages, 3558 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Factors Affecting Vegetable Price Fluctuation: A Case Study of South Korea

by Yiyang Qiao, Minseong Kang and Byeong-il Ahn

Agriculture 2023, 13(3), 577; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13030577 - 27 Feb 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 5663

Abstract

The fluctuation of vegetable prices in recent years underscores the need to identify contributing factors and develop effective policies. In order to examine the factors affecting the fluctuation of vegetable prices, this paper uses a structural model constructed by demand, supply, import, and [...] Read more.

The fluctuation of vegetable prices in recent years underscores the need to identify contributing factors and develop effective policies. In order to examine the factors affecting the fluctuation of vegetable prices, this paper uses a structural model constructed by demand, supply, import, and export functions to decompose price variance, and also performs a numerical simulation to generalize the results. We studied the Korean vegetable market, and selected cabbage, radish, dried red pepper, garlic, and onion as research objects. The results indicates that variability of domestic production is the primary factor that influences price fluctuations in the Korean vegetable market. In contrast, our analysis revealed that demand, import, and export had a limited impact on price fluctuations in the Korean vegetable market, except for dried red pepper and onion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Food Consumption, Public Policy, and Farm Household Economics)

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22 pages, 3531 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Economic Value, Farmers Perception, and Strategic Development of Sorghum in Central Java and Yogyakarta, Indonesia

by Sugeng Widodo, Joko Triastono, Dewi Sahara, Arlyna Budi Pustika, Kristamtini, Heni Purwaningsih, Forita Dyah Arianti, Raden Heru Praptana, Anggi Sahru Romdon, Sutardi, Setyorini Widyayanti, Andi Yulyani Fadwiwati and Muslimin

Agriculture 2023, 13(3), 516; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13030516 - 21 Feb 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2164

Abstract

Sorghum is an important food crop commodity in the midst of climate change conditions and the threat of a global food crisis. Sorghum, which has an adaptive advantage to all land conditions, is suitable for use as a food substitute for rice and [...] Read more.

Sorghum is an important food crop commodity in the midst of climate change conditions and the threat of a global food crisis. Sorghum, which has an adaptive advantage to all land conditions, is suitable for use as a food substitute for rice and wheat. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the economic value, farmers’ perceptions, and specific strategies for developing sorghum in Central Java and Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The research was conducted in Wonogiri Regency, Central Java, and Gunungkidul Regency, Yogyakarta from September to November 2022. The research was carried out through the observation of 120 respondents with indicators of farming characteristics and farmers’ perceptions of sorghum development, as well as focus group discussions (FGD) and depth interviews with indicators of internal and external factors for sorghum development. The analysis used is benefit cost (BC) to evaluate the economic value of sorghum farming, the Likert scale to determine farmers’ perceptions of sorghum, and Strength Weak Opportunity Threat (SWOT) to determine specific strategies for developing sorghum. The results showed that sorghum farming is feasible to develop in Wonogiri Central Java and Gunungkidul Yogyakarta because it provides a profit value greater than production costs with a BCR value of >1. The perception of farmers in Central Java regarding the development of sorghum is included in the very good category with an average value of 3.31, and the perception of farmers in Yogyakarta is included in the good category with an average value of 2.55. The operational policy strategy for developing sorghum in Wonogiri Central Java and Gunungkidul Yogyakarta is an expansion strategy (S-O). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Food Consumption, Public Policy, and Farm Household Economics)

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15 pages, 2022 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Agricultural Transformation in the Rural Farmer Communities of Stung Chrey Bak, Kampong Chhnang Province, Cambodia

by Ham Kimkong, Buapun Promphakping, Harri Hudson and Samantha C. J. Day

Agriculture 2023, 13(2), 308; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13020308 - 28 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2768

Abstract

This paper examines the processes of agricultural transformation and their impacts within six rice farming communities in Cambodia. For this, we explored four drivers of agricultural transformation: (1) market integration, (2) modern technologies, (3) household assets, and (4) institutional-policy processes. The paper employs [...] Read more.

This paper examines the processes of agricultural transformation and their impacts within six rice farming communities in Cambodia. For this, we explored four drivers of agricultural transformation: (1) market integration, (2) modern technologies, (3) household assets, and (4) institutional-policy processes. The paper employs qualitative methods, using document analysis on the policy literature and datasets, field observations, focus groups, and key informant interviews in six rice farming communities in the Stung Chrey Bak Commune, Kampong Chhnang Province. Herein, we analyze the processes of agricultural transformation that shape farmer livelihoods and contribute to the literature regarding the dynamic and uneven politics of implementing the green revolution. Our findings show that agricultural transformation in the six rice farming communities has had mixed results. While the transitions have improved household income, they have also led to insecurity, with potential impacts on the long-term sustainability of the rice-production sector. These include higher input costs, fluctuating rice revenues, and environmental impacts from increased chemical use. We show that greater support is needed in these farming communities in order to achieve sustainable rice production going forward, particularly in light of climate change, indebtedness, and the migration of young labor to off-farm employment, leading to aging farmer populations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Food Consumption, Public Policy, and Farm Household Economics)

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12 pages, 559 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Does COVID-19 Affect Farmland Prices? How and Why?

by Brian Lee, Po-Yuan Cheng, Lih-Chyun Sun, Yi-Ting Hsieh and Hung-Hao Chang

Agriculture 2022, 12(12), 2163; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12122163 - 15 Dec 2022

Viewed by 1414

Abstract

COVID-19 has profoundly impacted the global economy, particularly the agricultural sector. However, relatively little attention has been paid to the relationship between COVID-19 and the farmland market. A few descriptive studies have speculated about the impact of COVID-19 on farmland prices but presented [...] Read more.

COVID-19 has profoundly impacted the global economy, particularly the agricultural sector. However, relatively little attention has been paid to the relationship between COVID-19 and the farmland market. A few descriptive studies have speculated about the impact of COVID-19 on farmland prices but presented no quantitative evidence. This study provides quantitative evidence on the causal effect of COVID-19 on farmland prices using the difference-in-differences method with population-based data on farmland transactions in Taiwan. While prior descriptive studies argued that increased farmland prices associated with COVID-19 were largely driven by macroeconomic conditions, we found that the onset of COVID-19 increased farmland prices by 5.1%, even after controlling for macroeconomic conditions and parcel-level farmland characteristics. Furthermore, we found that government payments are likely responsible for these increases in farmland prices. Financial assistance easing the economic burdens of the agricultural sector can also stabilize farmland prices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Food Consumption, Public Policy, and Farm Household Economics)

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15 pages, 295 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Does Digital Finance Increase Relatively Large-Scale Farmers’ Agricultural Income through the Allocation of Production Factors? Evidence from China

by Kun Song, Yu Tang, Dungang Zang, Hua Guo and Wenting Kong

Agriculture 2022, 12(11), 1915; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12111915 - 14 Nov 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2054

Abstract

The inclusiveness of digital finance brings new opportunities for the development of agriculture, rural areas, and farmers. The purpose of this paper is to clarify how digital finance influences relatively large-scale farmers’ agricultural income. Based on survey data from rural China, this paper [...] Read more.

The inclusiveness of digital finance brings new opportunities for the development of agriculture, rural areas, and farmers. The purpose of this paper is to clarify how digital finance influences relatively large-scale farmers’ agricultural income. Based on survey data from rural China, this paper systematically investigates the impact of digital finance on relatively large-scale farmers’ agricultural income using the Multiple Intermediary Effect Model. The findings of this study reveal that digital finance has a substantial positive influence on relatively large-scale farmers’ agricultural income, and this effect still exists after considering endogeneity and a series of robustness tests. Further mechanism analyses suggest that agricultural capital, agricultural land, and agricultural workforce play a partial mediating role between digital finance and agricultural income. The development of digital finance has a positive impact on improving agricultural capital investment and land transfer, while it has a negative impact on agricultural workforce. Moreover, the results of the grouping estimation show that digital finance has more significant effects on agricultural income for economic crops and farmers who received agricultural skills training and agricultural services. These results provide a micro explanation to promote relatively large-scale farmers’ agricultural income with the accelerated popularization of digital finance, urgently needed for most emerging countries seeking high-quality rural development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Food Consumption, Public Policy, and Farm Household Economics)

21 pages, 1776 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Government Agricultural Development Support on Agricultural Income, Production and Food Security of Beneficiary Small-Scale Farmers in South Africa

by Mahlako Nthabeleng Mokgomo, Clarietta Chagwiza and Phathutshedzo Fancy Tshilowa

Agriculture 2022, 12(11), 1760; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12111760 - 25 Oct 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 5597

Abstract

Enormous Literature indicates that agriculture remains a source of livelihood for about 86% of rural people and generates job opportunities for approximately 1.3 billion small-scale farmers and landless workers. Over the past couple of years, the South African government has been offering varied [...] Read more.

Enormous Literature indicates that agriculture remains a source of livelihood for about 86% of rural people and generates job opportunities for approximately 1.3 billion small-scale farmers and landless workers. Over the past couple of years, the South African government has been offering varied support to households that are engaged in small-scale farming to improve their livelihoods, income and food security. Although the various rounds of the General Households Survey (GHS) gathered information on the type of agricultural support received by the farmers about their food production, agricultural income and food security status, there is still limited pragmatic evidence on the extent to which programme is yielding the intended results. The main aim of the study was to use GHS data spanning the period 2013 to 2016 to assess how government agricultural development support influences the livelihoods of small-scale farmers in South Africa. Using both descriptive analyses with Propensity Score Matching (PSM) and Logistics estimations, the result of the study indicates that the proportion of households who have access to the agricultural development support have decreased marginally by two percent from 16% in 2013 to 14% in 2016. The study also reveals that agriculture development assistance given by the South African government is effective in reducing food insecurity, improving agricultural production and income of the beneficiary small-scale farmers. Following the observed marked gender, racial and geographical differences in households’ access to the agricultural development support, the Ministry of Agriculture and its allied ministries and departments responsible for the implementation of the agricultural development support programmes must streamline policies to account for the lack of support to farmers in general. Addressing such differences is necessary to ensure that the programme achieves its intended overall objectives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Food Consumption, Public Policy, and Farm Household Economics)

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17 pages, 317 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on Environmental Governance, Local Government Competition, and Agricultural Carbon Emissions under the Goal of Carbon Peak

by Yingya Yang, Yun Tian, Xuhui Peng, Minhao Yin, Wei Wang and Haiwen Yang

Agriculture 2022, 12(10), 1703; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12101703 - 15 Oct 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1409

Abstract

By introducing network game theory, this paper analyzes the internal relationship and interaction mechanism among environmental governance, local government competition, and agricultural carbon peak level. On the basis of theoretical analysis, a spatial panel model is constructed using panel data from 30 provincial-level [...] Read more.

By introducing network game theory, this paper analyzes the internal relationship and interaction mechanism among environmental governance, local government competition, and agricultural carbon peak level. On the basis of theoretical analysis, a spatial panel model is constructed using panel data from 30 provincial-level regions in China for empirical analysis. The research finds that local governments have positive competition with respect to the agricultural carbon peak, they adopt complementary carbon peak competition strategies, and they are more inclined to take geographical distance to adjacent regions as the yardstick in the competition with respect to the agricultural carbon peak strategy. That is, when the carbon peak level of surrounding provinces increases, the carbon peak level of the region will also increase. Thus, there is a phenomenon of mutual imitation and convergence between neighboring provinces. Environmental governance has a significant positive direct effect and a positive spatial spillover effect. From the perspective of coefficient, its direct effect is significantly greater than the spatial spillover effect. Therefore, more attention should be paid to local environmental governance to promote the improvement of the agricultural carbon peak level. Furthermore, the agricultural industrial structure, fiscal decentralization, agricultural public investment, regional industrial structure, and the proportion of the rural population have significant spatial spillover effects. The agricultural industrial structure and fiscal decentralization are significantly positively correlated with the peak level of agricultural carbon while the proportion of the rural population is significantly negatively correlated with the peak level of agricultural carbon. The research results have important theoretical value for expanding the research in the field of agricultural carbon emissions and provide important practical reference for China to successfully achieve the goal of agricultural carbon peak and promote the high-quality development of agriculture Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Food Consumption, Public Policy, and Farm Household Economics)

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Jump to: Research

24 pages, 1580 KiB

Open AccessReview

Exploring the Hype of Blockchain Adoption in Agri-Food Supply Chain: A Systematic Literature Review

by Lovina Yogarajan, Mohammad Masukujjaman, Mohd Helmi Ali, Norlin Khalid, Lokhman Hakim Osman and Syed Shah Alam

Agriculture 2023, 13(6), 1173; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13061173 - 31 May 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2482

Abstract

This study examines the effect of blockchain adoption on the agri-food supply chain. A systematic literature review approach was used to analyze and synthesize the findings from the existing literature, focusing on fundamental research themes, research gaps, and the direction of future research [...] Read more.

This study examines the effect of blockchain adoption on the agri-food supply chain. A systematic literature review approach was used to analyze and synthesize the findings from the existing literature, focusing on fundamental research themes, research gaps, and the direction of future research on the impact of blockchain adoption in the agri-food supply chain. Twenty-seven full-length articles were considered and thematically analyzed in this study. The authors identified eight themes from the literature, including factors responsible for blockchain adoption and new research areas such as digitalization and the impact after adoption. These themes shed light on the agri-food supply chain practices following the adoption of blockchain technology. Moreover, this study provides a foundation for strategic and policy initiatives in the agri-food industry involving blockchain technology. The findings indicate that critical factors driving blockchain technology adoption in the agri-food industry include ensuring food traceability and transparency, food safety and security, food supply and logistics, food integrity, environmental awareness, and reducing food waste. Additionally, this study highlights the importance of guidelines and policy-level involvement after adopting blockchain technology, particularly in facilitating accurate quantification and promoting digitalization to address challenges and streamline processes. The study concludes by suggesting future research avenues for blockchain technology in the supply chain domain. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Food Consumption, Public Policy, and Farm Household Economics)

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