Food security and sustainable agriculture

This paper presents the results of an empirical study of the Indian Poultry Industry which is specially focused on the social and environmental outcomes generated by the rapidly increasing scale of egg and broiler production in India. Among the effects of these rapid changes that occurred in the poultry industry include increased risk for animal health, changes in demand patters in terms of amount, quality, and food safety, higher prices for high value items; but there is also a threat to smallholders that they will be excluded from more demanding markets. There are important questions, which have arisen with the industrialization of poultry activity in India. Is the scaling up of production driving small producers to disadvantage on account of high transaction costs, policy distortions and environment externalities? Why do some poultry farms have higher incomes than others? Do large farms earn more profit per unit of output than small farms? What explains the differentials in efficiency? An attempt is made here to take stock of these changes and to assess their social and environmental outcomes particularly those that affect the welfare of poor. The paper starts by examining the state of the Indian Poultry Industry, then it goes in dealing with selected socio-economic, health, and environment changes that affect the competitiveness of livestock production including domestic institutional arrangement of food safety standards.

Warehouses are specialized storage facilities designed for scientific preservation, while receipt systems integrate credit with marketing to enhance marketing efficiency. Warehousing in India gained importance with the 1928 Royal Commission on Agriculture. Despite various interventions from the government, farmers struggle to access remunerative prices due to their reliance on traditional marketing channels. Understanding the key factors influencing farmers' choice between traditional and warehouse-based marketing is crucial for designing effective policies that enhance market participation. Electronic Negotiable Warehouse Receipts (e-NWRs) play a crucial role in improving market access and financial security for farmers. This study examined the factors affecting marketing channel choices among paddy farmers in Andhra Pradesh. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 240 farmers from Guntur and Krishna districts, including both e-NWR adopters and non-adopters. Logistic regression analysis was employed to determine key factors affecting the adoption of e-NWR. The results revealed that the education level of farmers, farm size, access to market information, and access to training significantly influenced warehouse market channel choice. Conversely, the age of the farmer and the distance to warehouses had a negative influence on the adoption of e-NWR. The findings emphasized the need for improved infrastructure, financial literacy, improved access to market information & training and awareness programs to promote e-NWR adoption and enhance farmers' market engagement. The study concluded that education, farm size, income, market information, and training encouraged adoption, while age and distance to warehouses posed challenges. Farmers with higher levels of education, larger farm sizes, and better access to market information and training were more likely to participate in warehouse-based markets. It was recommended that warehouse management should strengthen the market information systems and develop government-backed digital platforms to provide real-time price updates and establish training programs to enhance farmers' market awareness. Improving farm-to-market infrastructure and accessibility and promoting decentralized mini-warehouses closer to farming communities to enhance the adoption of e-NWR.

To achieve sustainable development for the world's population food security is one of the environmental existential challenges that must be addressed. This study examined the trend in agricultural land use change, in Lagos Metropolis between 1984 and 2024. Data used included Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper (TM) image of 1984, Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) image of 2013 and Landsat 9 (OLI) of 2024. The satellite images were processed using ArcGIS 10.5 and IDRISI Selva software. The processed images were classified using a combination of Normalized Difference Vegetation Indices (NDVI), visual interpretation and Maximum Likelihood Classification algorithm. An inventory of the extent of land use/land cover for each year and the rate of change were determined, the pattern of conversion of urban farmlands to other land uses was also examined, using the Land Use Change Modeller of the IDRISI software. Findings from the study indicated that farmlands in the study area declined by 13.03% between 1984 and 2013 and by 21.79% between 2013 and 2024. So also between 1984 and 2013 as much as 89.48% of farmlands were converted to other land uses, while only 10.52% remained unchanged and between 2013 and 2024 as much as 73.51% had been converted to other land uses, while 26.49 % remained unchanged. Furthermore, the NDVI results indicated a deterioration in the environmental condition of the urban farmlands. The study concluded that the present status of urban farming in Lagos Metropolis has far reaching implications for food security that needed to be addressed.

هدفت الدراسة إلى تحليل العوامل المؤثرة في الإنتاج الزراعي بالمشاريع الزراعية في ولاية نهر النيل؛ مراجعة تحليلية وثائقية للموسم الشتوي 2018/2019، باعتماد المنهج الوصفي التحليلي، واستخدام تحليل الوثائق والتقارير الرسمية المتعلقة بالإنتاج الزراعي خلال الموسم،  وشمل مجتمع الدراسة كافة المشاريع الزراعية بولاية نهر النيل، وتم اختيار عينة قصدية تمثلت في تقارير وإحصائيات المشاريع الزراعية، إضافة إلى بيانات من الجهات الحكومية المختصة للموسم (2018/2019)، وذلك لتوفرها، حيث تم تحليل الوثائق والتقارير الرسمية، باستخدام أدوات التحليل الإحصائي والمقارنة لمختلف العوامل المؤثرة في الإنتاج الزراعي، وأظهرت نتائج الدراسة أن ولاية نهر النيل تتميز بتنوع المشاريع الزراعية بين الصغيرة والكبيرة، بما في ذلك المشاريع الفردية والتعاونية والاستثمارية والحكومية، وأن التحول إلى نظم الري الحديثة يمكن أن يزيد من كفاءة استخدام المياه والإنتاجية، كما أكدت على تأثير العوامل الاقتصادية والاجتماعية في اعتماد الممارسات الزراعية المستدامة، حيث تسهم في تحسين صحة البيئة وزيادة ربحية المزارع. وبيّنت أن تسويق المنتجات يعد عاملاً رئيسيًا لتفعيل الإنتاج الزراعي. كما أن استخدام نظم الري الحديثة يُعد ضروريًا لزيادة كفاءة استخدام الموارد المائية النادرة، كما بينت النتائج وجود تحديات تواجه الإنتاج الزراعي في الولاية، أبرزها تغير المناخ والتكاليف العالية للري والبذور والأسمدة، مع الاعتماد الكبير على العمالة الأجنبية، كما أن نقص التمويل يشكل عائقًا كبيرًا أمام تحسين الإنتاجية، بناء على النتائج أوصى الباحثون بتحسين الظروف الزراعية في الولاية، والتحول من أنظمة الري التقليدية إلى التقنيات الحديثة، واستصلاح المزيد من الأراضي الزراعية لزيادة الإنتاج، مع تطوير برامج تدريبية لرفع الوعي بالممارسات الزراعية المستدامة بين المزارعين، كما تم تقديم مقترحات بدراسات مستقبلية في الموضوع.
الكلمات المفتاحية: العوامل المؤثرة، الأمن الغذائي المستدام، المشاريع الزراعية، الخصائص الاجتماعية والاقتصادية، جمهورية السودان.
///The study aimed to analyze the factors influencing agricultural production in agricultural projects in the River Nile State through a documentary analytical review of the winter season 2018/2019. The descriptive analytical method was adopted, utilizing document and official report analysis related to agricultural production during the season. The study population encompassed all agricultural projects in River Nile State, with a purposive sample selected from reports and statistics of agricultural projects, in addition to data from relevant government bodies for the 2018/2019 season due to its availability. Documents and official reports were analyzed using statistical analysis tools and comparative methods to assess the various factors affecting agricultural production. The results revealed that River Nile State features a diverse range of agricultural projects, including small and large-scale projects, such as individual, cooperative, investment, and government projects. The study emphasized that shifting to modern irrigation systems could enhance water efficiency and productivity. Additionally, economic and social factors significantly impact the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, improving environmental health and farm profitability. The marketing of products was identified as a key factor in boosting agricultural production. The results also highlighted challenges such as climate change, high costs of irrigation, seeds, and fertilizers, along with a heavy reliance on foreign labor. A lack of sufficient funding was a major barrier to improving productivity. Based on the findings, the researchers recommended improving agricultural conditions in the state, transitioning from traditional irrigation to modern technologies, and expanding arable land. Training programs to raise awareness of sustainable agricultural practices were also suggested, along with proposals for future studies.
Keywords: influencing factors, sustainable food security, agricultural projects, socio-economic characteristics, ALSudan.

One of the important objectives of reforms in Indian agricultural marketing was to stimulate competition in the local food marketing system dominated by the state-regulated APMC marketplaces. This study was taken up to understand the different kinds of marketplaces that were available to producers besides the APMCs. Based on survey conducted in one of the pioneering states that introduced reforms, it was found that APMC and farm-gate emerged as the dominant marketplace options. The factors influencing choice of marketplaces were identified using binary logistic regression. Perishability of the produce, and services such as grading, storage and transport provided by buyers were found to be significant determinants of marketplace choice. A post-hoc survey was conducted to gauge farmers’ expectations of services and facilities of a marketplace by presenting four scenarios. Even as farmers seem to expect a full-fledged APMC with wide-ranging facilities, warehousing seemed to be their ma...

Agriculture is the backbone of the Tanzania's economy regardless of its low productivity. Several efforts have been put in place to improve the situation including introduction of Education for Self-Reliance (ESR) policy to guide Tanzania education system to produce graduates who are competent in agricultural production and other hands on activities necessary for community development. Regardless of its contextual, theoretical and practical relevance, ESR policy overtime lost its position in the education circles. A Dialogue Conference was organised in Morogoro for exploring stakeholders' views on the need for revitalization of ESR in education for enhancing youth involvement in Agriculture. Data were collected by voice recording and note taking while thematic method was used for data analysis. Majority of the participants perceived the relevance of reconsidering ESR since it helps to inculcate positive attitude towards agriculture, equip students with hands-on skills, source of self-employment, self-reliance and improve classroom learning. Challenges of revitalization were also elicited, like teachers' lack of knowledge and skills on planning and utilizing experience developed through the ESR, shortage of teachers and inadequate resources for implementation. Voices of stakeholders favour rethinking of ESR and therefore appropriate strategies should be considered in the process of revitalising ESR taking into consideration the highlighted challenges.

The objective of this study was to know the existing buffalo milk trade and dairy products production status along with scope for buffalo milk product branding. Hence, a face-to-face interview with eighteen milk traders and processors were performed through simple random sampling method. Milk traders and processors were above 25 years old (94%) and above 5 years (89%) experienced in dairy business. The findings exposed that 11% of the participants were involved in milk collection and selling, 39% were directly involved in product manufacturing, and 50% were engaged in milk collection and processing. Among the manufactured dairy products, traditionally made fermented doi was the best - selling dairy product in the Bhola district. About 47% participants desired to incorporate fat-rich dairy products into their production processes. In general, milk traders sold the maximum amount of milk monthly to doi manufacturers (1453 L), followed by local customers (1175 L), sweetmeat manufacture...

This study aims to determine the input variables affecting broiler production, the level of technical efficiency achieved breeders and sources of technical inefficiency causes. This research was conducted in Malang East Java Indonesia with a sample of 55 broiler breeder with a pattern closed house system (CHS). The results showed that the variables affecting broiler production with patterns of closed house system is variable poultry (DOC), feed and medicine (drugs, vaccines and vitamins). The level of technical efficiency is achieved breeders ranged from 0.732 to 0.987 with an average of 0,929 broiler farms and businesses are located at the level of positive decreasing returns to scale. Variables business experience, number of dependents as the root cause of inefficiency.

Biodiversity conservation, particularly on communal and rural farmlands, is still of a great concern in South Africa. This worry is further worsened with the different threats, ranging from deforestation and habitat fragmentation, encroachment, pollution, invasion of alien species, wild fires, logging, to hunting that communities pose to biodiversities on their lands. Agriculture emerges the greatest factor posing the most threats to biodiversity. Using this framework of interconnectedness between biodiversity and agriculture, this paper presents a philosophical argument exploring the role that agricultural extension can play to realise the goals of biodiversity conservation on South African communal and farm lands. Drawing on relevant published works, this paper argues that extension is particularly well positioned to address biodiversity conservation concern through the instruments of social mobilization, education, indigenous knowledge facilitation, linkages and ongoing advisory ...

20 years into a post-apartheid South Africa, the National Development Plan (NDP) provides the contextual and institutional framework for all of governments activities. As a result, there is a call for extension to increasingly become associated with efficient and effective delivery of services in line with government policy to improve the quality of public services which are critical to achieving a transformed racially equitable public service. This article interrogates the issue of a gap between policy and implementation amongst Extension Workers by reflecting on the findings of research conducted as part of a doctoral study in Public Administration by the main author at the University of KwaZulu Natal. The article makes reference to the findings related to policy knowledge amongst Extension Workers and the challenges related to policy implementation in KwaZulu Natal, and seeks to use the findings of this research to present opportunities and challenges for the implementation of the NDP and concludes that whilst Extension Workers are now challenged to find a balance between their functionality within extension and as public servants, it is important for some consideration to be made by government and education institutions for the changing roles of Extension Workers.

The overall objective of this paper is to explore the role of Extension Workers in promoting food security within a good governance agenda. This paper views good food security governance as one of the benchmarks for government performance beyond 2015 and is used as a base for examining accountability and transparency measures amongst Extension Workers in the implementation of food security strategies. The authors present a theoretical framework for the interrogation of the role of Extension Workers in the maintenance of accountability and transparency in food security initiatives within South Africa, and conclude that accountability and performance ought to be incorporated into all phases of the project process. Further, the paper concludes that by so doing, Extension Workers will be able to contribute to the achievement of good food security governance.

The paper analyzes the impact of land fragmentation and ownership of resources on productivity and technical efficiency in rice production in Bangladesh using farm level survey data. Results reveal that land fragmentation has a significant detrimental effect on productivity and efficiency as expected. The elasticity estimates of land fragmentation reveal that a one percent increase in land fragmentation reduces rice output by 0.05 percent and efficiency by 0.03 percent. On the other hand, ownership of key resources (land, family labour, and draft animals) significantly increases efficiency. The mean elasticity estimates reveal that a one percent increase in family labour and owned draft animal improve technical efficiency by 0.04 and 0.03 percent, respectively. Also, a one percent increase in the adoption of modern technology improves efficiency by 0.04 percent. The mean technical efficiency in rice production is estimated at 0.91 indicating little scope to improve rice production per se using existing varieties. Policy implications include addressing structural causes of land fragmentation (e.g., law of inheritance and political economy of agrarian structure), building of physical capital (e.g., land and livestock resources), improvements in extension services and adoption of modern rice technology.

Urban farming, practiced by about 800 million people globally, has contributed significantly to food security and food safety. The practice has sustained livelihood of the urban and peri-urban low income dwellers in developing countries for many years. Its popularity among the urban low income is largely due to lack of formal jobs and as a means of adding up to household income. There is increasing need to sustainably manage urban farming in developing nations in recent times. Population increase due to rural-urban migration and natural, coupled with infrastructure developments are competing with urban farming for available space and scarce resources such as water for irrigation. Lack of reliable data on the extent of urban/peri-urban areas being used for farming has affected developing sustainable policies to manage urban farming in Accra. Using ground based survey methods to map the urban farmlands are inherently problematic and prohibitively expensive. This has influenced accurate assessment of the future role of urban farming in enhancing food security. Remote sensing, however, allows areas being used as urban farmlands to be rapidly established at relatively low cost. This paper will review advances in the use of remote sensing technology to develop an integrated monitoring technique for urban farmlands in Accra.

This study analyzes the effects of credit constraints on technical efficiency of Boro rice growers in the district of Pabna in Bangladesh. Using a simple random sampling technique, the data was collected from 570 Boro rice growers from the Pabna district of Bangladesh. Before conducting a field survey, a theoretical model was designed to identify credit-constrained and nonconstrained rice growers. We have analyzed the collected data in two phases: first, we investigated the technical efficiency of Boro rice growers using the stochastic frontier model (SFA); and second, we used an inefficiency effect model to estimate the influence of credit constraints on technical efficiency. Findings indicate that credit-constrained rice growers (CCRG) are 6.7% less technically efficient than credit non-constrained rice growers (CNRG). Findings further indicate that the education level of the household head, family size, certified seed, sowing time, access to extension services, off-farm income, and household savings have significant effects on the technical efficiency of both groups of rice growers. Furthermore, credit size has a significantly positive impact, whereas the interest rate imposed on the principal amount has a significantly negative impact.

Goal: The present study aimed to analyze how sustainability of suppliers affect the sustainability of a wholesaler-distributor located in the city of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Design / Methodology / Approach: A qualitative approach was chosen using the case study and content analysis as methodologies and the main instrument for data collection was the interview. Results: The results suggest a direct relationship between the sustainability of the focal company and that of supply chain members, so that the alignment of Triple Botton Line (TBL) practices along the chain is essential to emphasize the effects of these practices and for the company to be considered sustainable, as indicated by sustainable supply chain concepts. Limitations of the investigation: The main limitation was the use of a single case study, which does not allow the generalization of results to other companies. Practical implications: It was possible to analyze the relationship between the sustainable practices of suppliers and the focal company to confirm the need to align sustainable practices throughout the supply chain. The results suggest that companies could improve their performance in environmental, social and economic terms if they observe and evaluate the sustainability of their suppliers, reducing environmental risks and future losses. Originality / Value: In terms of literature, this is a topic that has not been explored yet in terms of the applicability of sustainability in the supply chain, especially in practical issues in the wholesale sector.

A field survey was conducted with a total of 540 dairy farmers interviewed personally to collect data on their socioeconomic condition and feeding management practices of dairy farmers from 6 Upazila under 3 divisions of Bangladesh. As result, a maximum of the respondents (43%) belonged to the secondary level of education whereas only (3%) of the illiterate farmer was involved with dairy farming. Farmers of patiya owned the highest amount of land (253.5 decimal/household) whereas the lessened in Munshiganj (76.4 dec). Intensive farming was preferred mostly by half of the respondents rather than extensive (34%) and mixed (8%) farming. Crossbred genotypes were preferred most (86%) to rear for dairying than deshi animals (14%). Each farm had 4.0 no's lactating cows irrespective of the area but the maximum was found in munshiganj (7.0 nos/ farm). The average daily milk production scenario was 9.15±4.54 liters for cross and 3.26±1.01 liters for deshi cows. Farmers preferred grass-based feeding systems for dairying supplemented with straw and concentrate. The study also revealed that the annual income from dairy businesses ranged between 305235 to 1223369 BDT in the areas considered under this study.

The paper analyzes the impact of land fragmentation and ownership of resources on productivity and technical efficiency in rice production in Bangladesh using farm level survey data. Results reveal that land fragmentation has a significant detrimental effect on productivity and efficiency as expected. The elasticity estimates of land fragmentation reveal that a one percent increase in land fragmentation reduces rice output by 0.05 percent and efficiency by 0.03 percent. On the other hand, ownership of key resources (land, family labour, and draft animals) significantly increases efficiency. The mean elasticity estimates reveal that a one percent increase in family labour and owned draft animal improve technical efficiency by 0.04 and 0.03 percent, respectively. Also, a one percent increase in the adoption of modern technology improves efficiency by 0.04 percent. The mean technical efficiency in rice production is estimated at 0.91 indicating little scope to improve rice production per se using existing varieties. Policy implications include addressing structural causes of land fragmentation (e.g., law of inheritance and political economy of agrarian structure), building of physical capital (e.g., land and livestock resources), improvements in extension services and adoption of modern rice technology.

The study analyzed the technical efficiency of poultry farm both broiler meat and layer egg production in Bangladesh from a sample of 200 poultry farmers selected from Savar and Dhamrai Upazilla under Dhaka and Bajitpur and Kuliarchar Upazilla under Kishorganje district. Stochastic parametric technique was used to analyze the technical efficiency of poultry farmers. Results showed that among different input factors, doc size and feed input played crucial role in broiler output. Estimated mean technical efficiencies were 56% for broiler and 67% for layer farm respectively. The difference in the level of technical efficiency postulates the existence of further opportunities for farmers to escalate their productivity and income through enhancements in their technical efficiency. Different observed socioeconomic variables, which encompassed farming experience, age, education, family size, training, credit, extension contact and regular medication, were found to be negative and significantly related to technical inefficiency.

Agriculture is a provincial (state) subject in India. Many Indian states have Agricultural Produce & Livestock Market Committee (APMC) markets in place as the first selling points for farmers for their agricultural produce since the early 1960s under the APMC Act of 1963. Although APMC markets were established with the good intention of facilitating fair market practices by introducing open outcry system of auctioning, they have become breeding grounds to exploit the farmers over the years. The problem is not APMC itself, but the state's failure to reform its APMCs, adopting technology and creating competition by encouraging private investment. Over the years, traders and commission agents have indulged in various malpractices such as collusion in bidding at lower price for the produce,

Indian agricultural marketing system is suffering from various problems viz. improper warehousing, lack of grading and packaging, inadequate transport facilities, presence of large number of middlemen, malpractices of traders, inadequate market information and insufficient funds etc. Long chain of middlemen decrease the producer’s share in consumer rupee and exploit the farmer. Though Agricultural Produce Marketing Committees (APMCs) under the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee Act, 1964 control and regulate buying and selling operations at all regulated agriculture marketing yards but there are lot of inefficiencies involved in practices of APMCs. However amended APMC Act prevents anticompetitive practices. There is no compulsion on the producer to sell their produce in APMC market yards, producer are quite free to sell directly to private companies or private market yards or farmers-consumer market under amended APMC Act. The present Study has analysed awareness and percepti...

The study was undertaken to investigate the living standard and cattle oriented marketing from few rural villages of Bera Upazila at Pabna district in Bangladesh. Data on social status, cattle farming and milk and live animal marketing were collected from those selected rural villages with a pretested survey questionnaire. It revealed that most of the farmers (73.70%) had single family and 100% farmers belong to kacha housing and Muslim religion. Education status was poor in the study areas, but 92.98% farmers were interested in training especially of livestock farming. Milk (32508 BDT) was the major source of income followed by live animal selling (16140 BDT) and agriculture (15219 BDT) as occupation. The milk selling placed were noted as local market (46%) followed by local buyer (42%) beside home consumption (12%) while for live animal selling 42% and 33% to Bepari and retailer, respectively. About 38% farmers sold their milk below 40 BDT per liter while 33% farmers sole their li...

The public extension service in the Eastern Cape Province is in vital need of revitalization if it is to transform the unproductive smallholder-agriculture sector into a more commercially-orientated sector. The research used a Logical Framework Analysis (LFA) enquiry to determine the problems smallholder farmers face as well as the causes and effects of their problems. The research participants stated that the main problem was ineffective farmer development. This was caused by, among others, poor farming systems and, lack of training, finances and support. This led to, among others, dependency, crime, unemployment and poverty. The participants said that they would like to become commercially productive. This would require, among others, access to training, finances and support, and improved farming systems. This would lead to reductions in crime, unemployment and poverty as well as them becoming independent and productive farmers. The smallholder farmers would not be able to solve t...

The study employs a stochastic frontier analysis to assess technical efficiency of potato and cheese production and determine socioeconomic factors that influence farmers' technical efficiency levels in mountainous Kazbegi district of Georgia. The study found improved feeding to be inversely related with technical inefficiency in cheese production. In potato production, the analysis revealed implementation of the plant protection measures and use of quality seeds to be significant aspects that influence technical efficiency of potato growers.

Ethiopia livestock master plan Roadmaps for growth and transformation. Ethiopia livestock master plan. ILRI Project Report. Nairobi, Kenya: International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). References  Farmers keeping only crossbreed cows have superior milk production frontier followed by those keeping both cow types  Farmers keeping only crossbred cows exhibit consistently highest mean Metatechnology TE  Lower mean meta-technology TE results under the fully-parametric method  Result from fully-parametric method is preferred for policy as it reduces the obvious measurement issues in LDC's data

This contribution deals primarily with a new concept derived from institutional economics, to improve animal health (eventually welfare, depending on the use of synonyms and actually measured as cow life expectancy, i.e. in figures: number of lactations). Based on consumer willingness to pay, it investigates a potential collaboration between a dairy industry whose aim is to diversify products and some farmers whose intention is to request compensation for a change of practices. For finding practical attributes for health, we have a focus on practices promoting numbers of lactations, currently at a low level in conventional farming. We distinguish farm types by strategies asking why most farms are primarily aiming at maximal efficiency (feeding concentrates for high milk yields and having no grazing). Vice versa: this has raised public concern because (with big herds, high milk yields and minimal lactations) farmers seem to stress animal welfare. We assume WTP exists for an improvement in animal health (though diffuse so far). I.e. on the one hand as a symptom of crisis, successes for gestation are low (almost half compared to those of farms "caring" for animals). On the other hand better practice can be financed if targeted by WTP. Further assumptions are: even the industry may admit problems with animal health, and within consumers" and citizens" circles, there is an increasing awareness and that WTP (finance) may enable private solutions. WTP could be used for those farmers doing better on animal welfare; but so far, markets have failed. We are confronted with different strategic behaviour of farmers (by sectors) whose commencing points (as observation and deliberation) must be a willingness to change practices. A starting point should be insight into behaviour(al) change and willingness to increase animal health (gestation), yet based on compensation. Compensation can be used to get more farmers interested in animal health, but it must be differentiated according to actions for improvement. In an institutional economics analysis of animal welfare, we will work out a concept of optimal compensation, preferably achieving cooperation between a dairy industry and willing farmers to lodge payments received from consumers. It means working on participation of actors in product diversification (milk identified by different sources) and transfer of money to those farmers who are actually working for animal health concerns. The paper further addresses selection of farms which manage to achieve set health goals and assure confirmation of achievements in increasing health. The goal is to increase the number of lactations. By utilizing contracted numbers of lactations as the basis for modelling a quantitative criterion which adequately shall reflect aspects of working for animal health (such as feeding practices, grazing, better husbandry (space and straw), caring (stress recovery), etc., is worked out and animal welfare shall improve.

When deciding to conduct research on chains and networks, a decision needs to be made about the unit of analysis that will be used for data collection. The present paper examines the validity of collecting data from one party in a chain or dyad. The research examines the differences in perception between dyadic pairs of buyers and sellers about the nature of their relationship and the inter-organisational information system. There were significant differences in perceptions about the nature of the inter-organisational information system in terms of some the types of information exchanged, the frequency of exchange of different types of information, whether information was exchanged as often as necessary, the direction information flowed and the richness of the communication media used to exchange information. Customers and suppliers did not have significant differences in perception of the informality of the information systems. There were differences in perceptions about the relati...

While the interest in Short Food Supply Chains (SFSCs) is growing, we still await management studies that explore the impact of stakeholders of SFSCs in substantial numbers. This article investigates the differences in the business models of SFSCs that may be attributed to the initiator-stakeholder, interacting with other stakeholders. Essential to business models are the value proposition, value creation and value capture, but it is the ambition of the initiator-stakeholder that starts a SFSC. Initiator-stakeholders of 57 SFSCs were interviewed on a combination of both multiple choice and open questions. The data converges on three categories of business models. First and foremost, a large majority of SFSCs is driven by the aim of the initiator-stakeholder to increase economic viability, uses the market as governance structure, resulting in profit margins likely to be above margins in conventional business. Two other categories of business models of SFSCs group around the theme of ...

Poultry production in Ghana has been constrained by several factors including high production cost and competition from imports. To be competitive and remain viable over the long haul, poultry agribusinesses would have to be efficient and profitable. The scale and size of agribusinesses play a role in their overall performance and sustainability. Given that the fact that commercial layer bird production in Ghana is dominated by small and medium scale enterprises, this paper sought to evaluate the financial viability and efficiency levels of these enterprises through a comparative analysis. The study was conducted in five districts of the Ashanti Region of Ghana, which has a large share of commercial layer bird production. A multi-stage technique was used to sample data from 100 layer bird farmers. The farm budgetary technique was used to ascertain the profitability of enterprise whiles a t-test was conducted to compare the efficiency measures of the categories of layer enterprises. ...

The present study was designed to perceive the general information, management system, cost-return and problems of rearing dairy cattle by a sole proprietorship small-scale dairy operation, LRL Khan Dairy Farm Ltd. of Rangamati Hill Tract. With this view, the experiential data were collected with the help of a structured pre-tested questionnaire prepared for the study through face to face interviewing and personal visit to a commercial small scale dairy farm. The Housing, feeding, breeding and other management system were investigated and cost-return of the farm was analyzed. The study revealed that the farm used an open-sided brick floor shed for housing the cattle. The main livestock feed was raw grass, untreated rice straw and concentrated feed. The average dry period, calving interval and services per conception of the cows were 97.3 days, 418 days and 2.97 respectively. The average milk production was 10 litre/cow/day. The highest cost of production was on feed cost which accounts for more than 63%. The gross return of the farm stood at BDT 1,053,000. The highest share of return (74.89%) was obtained from milk production followed by change in inventory (24.06%). The return on investment of the farm was about 34%. The main problems faced by the dairy owner were non-availability of veterinarians and AI services in the locality, shortage of medicine and vaccines in veterinary hospital and ineffectiveness of artificial insemination from the veterinary hospitals. In conclusion, it can be said that small-scale dairy would be a profitable business operation if the problem faced by the farmer can be mitigated.

The paper analyzes the impact of land fragmentation and ownership of resources on productivity and technical efficiency in rice production in Bangladesh using farm level survey data. Results reveal that land fragmentation has a significant detrimental effect on productivity and efficiency as expected. The elasticity estimates of land fragmentation reveal that a one percent increase in land fragmentation reduces rice output by 0.05 percent and efficiency by 0.03 percent. On the other hand, ownership of key resources (land, family labour, and draft animals) significantly increases efficiency. The mean elasticity estimates reveal that a one percent increase in family labour and owned draft animal improve technical efficiency by 0.04 and 0.03 percent, respectively. Also, a one percent increase in the adoption of modern technology improves efficiency by 0.04 percent. The mean technical efficiency in rice production is estimated at 0.91 indicating little scope to improve rice production per se using existing varieties. Policy implications include addressing structural causes of land fragmentation (e.g., law of inheritance and political economy of agrarian structure), building of physical capital (e.g., land and livestock resources), improvements in extension services and adoption of modern rice technology.

The paper analyzes the impact of land fragmentation and ownership of resources on productivity and technical efficiency in rice production in Bangladesh using farm level survey data. Results reveal that land fragmentation has a significant detrimental effect on productivity and efficiency as expected. The elasticity estimates of land fragmentation reveal that a one percent increase in land fragmentation reduces rice output by 0.05 percent and efficiency by 0.03 percent. On the other hand, ownership of key resources (land, family labour, and draft animals) significantly increases efficiency. The mean elasticity estimates reveal that a one percent increase in family labour and owned draft animal improve technical efficiency by 0.04 and 0.03 percent, respectively. Also, a one percent increase in the adoption of modern technology improves efficiency by 0.04 percent. The mean technical efficiency in rice production is estimated at 0.91 indicating little scope to improve rice production per se using existing varieties. Policy implications include addressing structural causes of land fragmentation (e.g., law of inheritance and political economy of agrarian structure), building of physical capital (e.g., land and livestock resources), improvements in extension services and adoption of modern rice technology.

This study aims to determine the input variables affecting broiler production, the level of technical efficiency achieved breeders and sources of technical inefficiency causes. This research was conducted in Malang East Java Indonesia with a sample of 55 broiler breeder with a pattern closed house system (CHS). The results showed that the variables affecting broiler production with patterns of closed house system is variable poultry (DOC), feed and medicine (drugs, vaccines and vitamins). The level of technical efficiency is achieved breeders ranged from 0.732 to 0.987 with an average of 0,929 broiler farms and businesses are located at the level of positive decreasing returns to scale. Variables business experience, number of dependents as the root cause of inefficiency.

This study aims to detect the area and the changes of Mangrove forest coverage in Ngurah Rai Grand Forest Park in Bali. This detection was managed automatically by using a particular application constructed by employing Matlab programming language. It is more rapid and effective rather than manual computation and direct field measurement. NDVI is the frequently used method in indentifying vegetation. The value of pixel of NDVI is obtained from a formula constituting two images of Landsat satellite. The pixel value of NDVI ranges between -1 to +1 in which the positive value indicates the vegetations and the negative value indicates non-vegetation objects. NDVI Threshold is a process of classifying objects based on the NDVI pixel value. NDVI Threshold is conducted by providing range of value towards NDVI pixel. Mangrove forest is included in the category of briny forest, the NDVI pixel value for this kind of forest ranges from 0.4 to 0.8. The result of NDVI Threshold is used to calcul...

Overall objective of the study was to analyze technical efficiency and its determinants among milk producers in cattle corridor parts of Kiboga district. Stochastic frontier approach was employed to analyze technical efficiency and Tobit model regression to establish determinants of technical efficiency. The study used cross sectional edited data of 190 randomly sampled respondents from the three sub counties of Dwaniro, Kapeke and Lwamata. Milk producers achieved average technical efficiency level of 68%. Average technical efficiency indicated that milk producers were operating below the production frontier and were not technically efficient but had potential to improve. Determinants of technical efficiency were herd size, improved cows, hired labour, land ownership, water source and extension services. Policies that will lead to increased investment in valley tanks, increased investment in cross/exotic cows and increased investment in provision of extension are recommended by the study.

The paper analyzes the impact of land fragmentation and ownership of resources on productivity and technical efficiency in rice production in Bangladesh using farm level survey data. Results reveal that land fragmentation has a significant detrimental effect on productivity and efficiency as expected. The elasticity estimates of land fragmentation reveal that a one percent increase in land fragmentation reduces rice output by 0.05 percent and efficiency by 0.03 percent. On the other hand, ownership of key resources (land, family labour, and draft animals) significantly increases efficiency. The mean elasticity estimates reveal that a one percent increase in family labour and owned draft animal improve technical efficiency by 0.04 and 0.03 percent, respectively. Also, a one percent increase in the adoption of modern technology improves efficiency by 0.04 percent. The mean technical efficiency in rice production is estimated at 0.91 indicating little scope to improve rice production per se using existing varieties. Policy implications include addressing structural causes of land fragmentation (e.g., law of inheritance and political economy of agrarian structure), building of physical capital (e.g., land and livestock resources), improvements in extension services and adoption of modern rice technology.

The paper analyzes the impact of land fragmentation and ownership of resources on productivity and technical efficiency in rice production in Bangladesh using farm level survey data. Results reveal that land fragmentation has a significant detrimental effect on productivity and efficiency as expected. The elasticity estimates of land fragmentation reveal that a one percent increase in land fragmentation reduces rice output by 0.05 percent and efficiency by 0.03 percent. On the other hand, ownership of key resources (land, family labour, and draft animals) significantly increases efficiency. The mean elasticity estimates reveal that a one percent increase in family labour and owned draft animal improve technical efficiency by 0.04 and 0.03 percent, respectively. Also, a one percent increase in the adoption of modern technology improves efficiency by 0.04 percent. The mean technical efficiency in rice production is estimated at 0.91 indicating little scope to improve rice production per se using existing varieties. Policy implications include addressing structural causes of land fragmentation (e.g., law of inheritance and political economy of agrarian structure), building of physical capital (e.g., land and livestock resources), improvements in extension services and adoption of modern rice technology.

The development of broiler chicken farms in Indonesia has taken two forms, namely non-contract and contract farming. This study aimed to compare the technical efficiency levels of production in these two types of farming in Banten Province, Indonesia. Data were collected randomly from 180 broiler chicken farmers, consisting of 103 non-contract and 77 contract farmers. The study used the stochastic frontier production function to meet its objectives. The results showed that non-contract broiler chicken farmers were less efficient in their production than those under contract. The mean technical efficiency of the production factor for non-contract broiler chicken farmers was 0.689, ranging from 0.339 to 0.996. On the contrary, broiler chicken farmers under contract had a higher mean efficiency value of 0.893, ranging from 0.638 to 0.988. Moreover, the type of input supplier had a significant positive effect on technical inefficiency in non-contract farms. Non-contract farmers who purchased their production needs from a poultry shop showed higher technical efficiency compared to those who used distributors. This research sheds light on the efficiency of broiler chicken farms, both non-contract and contract, enabling all stakeholders, including the government, to devise appropriate policies for the development of broiler chicken farming. The study provided valuable insights into the technical efficiency levels of broiler chicken farming in Indonesia, which can help farmers identify areas that need improvement and develop strategies to increase productivity and profitability.

The presented paper investigates the technical efficiency of small dairy farmers in India using the stochastic production frontier function approach. The study reveals that building the supply chain can increase the efficiency of dairy farmers, as the milk producers who are part of a cooperative supply chain experienced a higher technical efficiency as compared to those who do not follow the modern supply chain practices. The milk producers in the supply chain are found better crisis managers as their inefficiency is the least attributed to their own decisions. The possession of the crossbred livestock, schooling of the manager and the institutional finance have been found affecting the efficiency of the dairy farmers positively and significantly. The study recommends the expansion in the supply chain network of the cooperative milk societies for enhancing the efficiency and profitability of the dairy sector along with the provision of more crossbred livestock and an easy availabili...

Achieving high production with limited resources is a major challenge faced by poultry farmers in countries with developing economies, such as Pakistan. Optimization of the technical efficiency (TE) of poultry business operations is a promising strategy. A representative sample of 210 poultry farms in the province of Punjab in Pakistan was analyzed for TE. The studied sample comprised 105 layer chicken farms (battery cage system, egg production) and 105 broiler chicken farms (environmental control shed system, meat production). A Cobb–Douglas stochastic frontier production analysis approach with the inefficiency effect model was used to simultaneously estimate TE levels and identify factors that influence efficiency. The results indicated that flock size, labor, feed, and water consumption are positively related to egg production, whereas vaccination was found to be insignificant. For broiler businesses, flock size, feed, and water consumption were positively related to the output, ...

The health sector of Bangladesh achieved many of its goals. The sector, however, faces challenges. One major challenge is low efficiency. In a resourcepoor country, inefficiency leads to the waste of available resources widening the financing gap of the health sector. A technically efficient production unit produces a large amount of output with a given amount of inputs using a given state of technology. Technical efficiency of the district hospitals in Bangladesh is measured using the secondary source of data applying stochastic frontier analysis. Results show that the efficiency of some facilities is quite low and there is a mismatch of utilization rate and efficiency levels of the district hospitals. Measures like reducing absenteeism, increasing healthcare demand, and ensuring proper functioning of all inputs should be taken to enhance the efficiency and utilization of the district hospitals. Social Science Review, Vol. 37(2), Dec 2020 Page 145-159

Agriculture plays a vital role in India's economy. India is an agricultural country and one third population depends on the agricultural sector directly or indirectly and 70 percent people are living in the villages or rural area. Indian agriculture contribution to the national gross domestic product (GDP) is about 15 per cent. Agricultural marketing is mainly the buying and selling of agricultural products. In earlier days when the village economy was more or less self-sufficient the marketing of agricultural products presented no difficulty as the farmer sold his produce to the consumer on a cash or barter basis. 1 There are three marketing functions involved in this, i.e., assembling, preparation for consumption and distribution. Selling on any agricultural produce depends on some couple of factors like the demand of the product at that time, availability of storage etc. The products may be sold directly in the market or it may be stored locally for the time being. Moreover, it may be sold as it is gathered from the field or it may be cleaned, graded and processed by the farmer or the merchant of the village. Sometime processing is done because consumers want it, or sometimes to conserve the quality of that product. The task of distribution system is to match the supply with the existing demand by whole selling and retailing in various points of different markets like primary, secondary or terminal markets 2. Most of the agricultural products in India are sold by farmers in the private sector to money lenders (to whom the farmer may be indebted) or to village traders in Maharashtra. Products are sold in various ways. For example, it might be sold at a weekly village market in the farmer's village or in a neighboring village. If these outlets are not available, then produce might be sold at irregularly held markets in a nearby village or town, or in the mandi 3. In the earlier markets, there were some defects and malpractices use to be practiced to the disadvantage of producer-seller. This could be removed by the exercise of proper control over markets. This was done by the establishment of regulated markets in the country. Earlier markets used to be regulated either by local bodies or State legislation 4. The facilities created in market yards continue to be inadequate. In the tenth five year plan, regulated markets have been increased in India and Government of India has provided assistance for the creation of infrastructure facilities in the regulated markets. The overall position of types and number of agricultural markets are established for wholesale assembling Markets and Regulated Markets as on 31-3-2007 5 .

The study was conducted to explore the management and institutional factors associated with dairy farms profitability in Chittagong district. The aim of the study was to determine the role of dairy farming in improving their lives, identifications of the problems of dairy cow rising and to provide suggestions for their improvement. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the farmers during the months of August to September in 2015. From the regression analysis, three variables (two managements and one institutional factor) such as age of respondent, number of milking/dairy cows and search costs, were found to be significant and rest of the variables were insignificant but consistent with the expected signs. In addition to that, the highest ranked constraint of dairy farm operating and marketing was insufficient veterinary service and low price of milk.

The study was undertaken to investigate the living standard and cattle oriented marketing from few rural villages of Bera Upazila at Pabna district in Bangladesh. Data on social status, cattle farming and milk and live animal marketing were collected from those selected rural villages with a pretested survey questionnaire. It revealed that most of the farmers (73.70%) had single family and 100% farmers belong to kacha housing and Muslim religion. Education status was poor in the study areas, but 92.98% farmers were interested in training especially of livestock farming. Milk (32508 BDT) was the major source of income followed by live animal selling (16140 BDT) and agriculture (15219 BDT) as occupation. The milk selling placed were noted as local market (46%) followed by local buyer (42%) beside home consumption (12%) while for live animal selling 42% and 33% to Bepari and retailer, respectively. About 38% farmers sold their milk below 40 BDT per liter while 33% farmers sole their li...

Farmers are the primary producers of food and other agricultural goods play a crucial part in the agricultural sector. Farmers need fast and accurate information on a variety of farming-related issues including weather, markets, pests and diseases, farming techniques, and agricultural inputs, to make informed decisions. Farmers' information-seeking behaviour, however, differs based on several conditions. The proficiency in information-receiving behavior and its interpretation merit humongous importance for the triumph of entrepreneurial success far beyond subsistence farming. The study was conducted in the Nayagarh district of Odisha by selecting one hundred FPO member farmers following multistage and snowballing sampling techniques. A structured interview schedule was prepared and data were collected using the personal interview method. The study envisages that variables viz. age, crop yield, no. of male workers, marketed surplus, and materials possessed and training exposure have significant contributions to the functional contribution of information receiving behaviour of the farmers. The study suggests that improvement of farmers' network and extension agent farmers' relationship may be helpful for quick technology dissemination and overall improvement of the farming community.

The present study determines the profitability and technical, allocative and economic efficiency of commercial poultry farms. It is based on the data collected from 30 poultry farms of Gazipur district for the year 1995-96. Descriptive statistical measures as well as stochastic production frontier method were used for the analysis of data. The results of the study indicated that poultry farming was a profitable business and the large farms were the most profitable compared to the others. The estimated technical efficiency of the poultry farms was 0.92 and overall allocative efficiency was 0.69. The estimated economic efficiency of poultry farms was 0.62 indicating that there exists the potential to increase profit of the poultry farms with the available resources by increasing their efficiency. Major problems faced by the poultry farms (as reported by the farmers) were inadequate availability of feed and chicks, inadequate supply of vaccines, and high price of feed.

The paper analyzes the impact of land fragmentation and ownership of resources on productivity and technical efficiency in rice production in Bangladesh using farm level survey data. Results reveal that land fragmentation has a significant detrimental effect on productivity and efficiency as expected. The elasticity estimates of land fragmentation reveal that a one percent increase in land fragmentation reduces rice output by 0.05 percent and efficiency by 0.03 percent. On the other hand, ownership of key resources (land, family labour, and draft animals) significantly increases efficiency. The mean elasticity estimates reveal that a one percent increase in family labour and owned draft animal improve technical efficiency by 0.04 and 0.03 percent, respectively. Also, a one percent increase in the adoption of modern technology improves efficiency by 0.04 percent. The mean technical efficiency in rice production is estimated at 0.91 indicating little scope to improve rice production per se using existing varieties. Policy implications include addressing structural causes of land fragmentation (e.g., law of inheritance and political economy of agrarian structure), building of physical capital (e.g., land and livestock resources), improvements in extension services and adoption of modern rice technology.