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Barriers and opportunities for choosing a channel model for the Brazilian fertilizer agribusiness.
No full textGiven the size of Brazilian agribusiness and the opportunity generated by bringing the agricultural input industry closer to the field, this article, based on available literature, investigated the motivations and difficulties encountered by stakeholders regarding their market access strategy, hypothesizing the construction of a volume-variety matrix of channels as a method capable of providing inputs to supply chain experts and other strategic areas. This article suggests that the omni-channel model tends to generate significant competitive advantages for the chain. Furthermore, the individual contribution of each channel model ("single-", "dual-", "multi-", "cross-", and "omni-") to upstream and downstream business operations was evaluated, generating different insights and opportunities for process improvement, such as the inclusion of online sales platforms and the integration and collection of data between sales and distribution channels, for the benefit of the customer. However, the choice of model requires reflection on the part of the experts regarding the intended outcome of the implementation or the reasons for the change or migration of the model. Finally, the article proposed, as a strategy, the use of qualitative case study research as a scientific methodology for validating the results and deepening the study
The Brazilian agribusiness of ornamental horticulture: a comparison between the agricultural censuses (2006 and 2017)
No full textSales figures for ornamental horticulture highlight the variation in this important sector of Brazilian agribusiness. The objective of this article was to evaluate the performance of sales revenue collected by Brazilian producers between 2006 and 2017, both in Brazil and in the ten largest federative units by sales value in 2017, focusing on each of the seven product groups of ornamental horticulture. Data were collected from agricultural censuses of these two years, tabulated, filtered, and processed using Microsoft Excel. The results showed that overall sales revenue collected by producers for ornamental horticulture has increased, but some of its seven product groups have experienced declines. Regarding the federative units, there was variation in the revenue collected by ornamental horticulture and in each of its products. It was concluded, therefore, that ornamental horticulturalists demonstrate growth potential, and that understanding the dynamics of this agribusiness sector and strengthening key points were essential for its leverage, for the growth of ornamental horticulture, and for the increases in the Brazilian economy
Florida's Production of Agricultural Perishables in Relation to the Development of Air Freight
No full textExcerpts: A very substantial part of the winter and spring supply of fruits and vegetables for the northeastern United States originates in Florida. Normally this is transported by rail, truck, and boat. Before the war affected transportation, about 3 days were required to transport fruits and vegetables by refrigerator car or truck from Miami to New York City. If, in the future, air transportation is used, only about 8 hours would be needed for this transport. The commodities could be harvested in the morning, precooled and packed in the afternoon, transported to New York City overnight, and sold in retail stores the next day—only 24 hours after harvesting. Important factors in the successful movement of agricultural perishables by air freight are the supply of products, their areas of production, and their seasonality of production. Other factors, such as relative net costs of air shipment and competing transportation, the price of the commodity relative to its weight and volume, and the extent of the increase in the demand for the products that will be caused by air transportation, also are important in determining the quantity of agricultural commodities which may move as air cargo
Recirculation-Aeration: Bibliography for Aquaculture
No full textExcerpts from the Preface: Recirculation - Aeration Bibliography for Aquaculture contains literature citations through 1992 related to water recirculation and aeration in aquaculture. The focus is on filtration, aeration, and circulation techniques in various aquaculture situations. We attempt to provide broad exposure to water quality, organics removal, invertebrate and algal culture systems, diseases and sterilization, and economics. References on partial recycled systems utilizing wastewater treatment processes, and relevant sanitary engineering are also included. This compilation is an indirect result of our research efforts in Oklahoma to develop alternative production technologies for catfish. Citations are divided into 19 sections by subject. Within each section, the citations are arranged alphabetically by author surname. Individual citations may appear under multiple subject categories
Characteristics of U.S. Orange Consumption
No full textU.S. per capita consumption of oranges has grown slowly since the 1960s, although the orange remains the number one fruit consumed (total fresh and processed uses). Consumption patterns appear to vary by demographic and economic characteristics. Northeast consumers show the strongest preference for orange juice, and those in the West for fresh oranges compared with consumers elsewhere. Consumers in the Midwest and the South consume less of all orange products. Hispanics and people of "other" races (including Asians) have the highest orange consumption of all racial/ethnic groups. Consumers classified as high-income favor orange juice, while those in the low-income group have the highest per capita consumption of orange drink. Males consume a greater share of all orange products than females
Fruit and Vegetable Backgrounder
No full textThe U.S. fruit and vegetable industry accounts for nearly a third of U.S. crop cash receipts and a fifth of U.S. agricultural exports. A variety of challenges face this complex and diverse industry in both domestic and international markets, ranging from immigration reform and its effect on labor availability to international competitiveness. The national debate on diet and health frequently focuses on the nutritional role of fruit and vegetables, and a continued emphasis on the benefits of eating produce may provide opportunities to the industry. In the domestic market, Americans are eating more fruit and vegetables than they did 20 years ago, but consumption remains below recommended levels. In terms of per capita consumption expressed on a fresh-weight basis, the top five vegetables are potatoes, tomatoes, lettuce, sweet corn, and onions while the top five fruit include oranges, grapes (including wine grapes), apples, bananas, and pineapples. The industry also faces a variety of trade-related issues, including competition with imports. During 2002-04, imports accounted for 21 percent of domestic consumption of all fresh and processed fruit and vegetables, up from 16 percent during 1992-94
Integrated pest management strategies of four major pests of tea for sustainable tea production in Bangladesh
No full textThis study evaluated integrated pest management (IPM) components for controlling four major tea pests (tea mosquito bug, red spider mite, thrips, and looper caterpillar) in Bangladesh through multi-location field and laboratory experiments. The study was conducted at the main farm of Bangladesh Tea Research Institute (BTRI), Srimangal, Moulvibazar, and BTRI Sub Station, Panchagarh, during April 2017 to September 2018. The experiments were set up following a completely randomized design (CRD) in laboratory conditions and a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in field conditions with three replications. Data were collected at 24, 48, and 72 hours after treatment (HAT) at laboratory conditions and 7 days intervals at field conditions following respective methods. The results revealed that under cultural control measures, light pruning (LP) significantly reduced the infestation of pests of tea other than skiff pruning. Seven days of regular plucking rounds reduced the incidence of Helopeltis and other foliar pests of tea. Weeding significantly reduced the infestation of red spider mite in tea. Under mechanical control measures, solar power light traps and yellow sticky traps captured a greater number of thrips, jassids, aphids, moths of the looper caterpillar, and other flying insects in the tea ecosystem. Among the botanical extracts, fresh leaves, succulent stems, and seeds of Bishkatali, Bhat, Burweed, Garlic, Lantana, Mahogani, and Tobacco demonstrated strong insecticidal properties. The host plant resistance trials revealed that clones BT1, BT2, and BT15 were less susceptible to Helopeltis; BT5, BT6, and BT17 showed relatively high resistance to red spider mite, while BT3, BT4, BT8, BT9, BT12, BT13, BT14, BT15, BT18, BT19, and BT20 were less infested by thrips. The bio-control agent, Bracon hebetor, as a larval parasitoid, effectively suppressed looper caterpillar populations. Microbial pesticides Metarhizium anisopliae and Pseudomonas fluorescens significantly reduced red spider mite population, while Bacillus thuringiensis significantly reduced looper caterpillar population. These findings collectively support a robust, eco-friendly IPM framework for sustainable tea cultivation in Bangladesh, reducing pesticide dependency, lowering production costs, and promoting environmental safety
Consumer intentions to purchase organic pasta with blockchain-based traceability
No full textThe increasing complexity of global food supply chains has heightened consumer concerns about food safety, quality and authenticity, and triggered a growing demand for transparency-enhancing technologies such as blockchain. This study examines the factors influencing consumers’ intention to purchase organic pasta with blockchain-based traceability using an extended Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) framework. In addition to the traditional TPB constructs, the study incorporates trust in quality certifications and attitudes towards blockchain technology to provide a comprehensive analysis of decision-making processes. The data was collected via an online survey of 190 Italian respondents and analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The results show that subjective norms, perceived behavioural control and attitudes towards technology significantly influence purchase intentions, while trust in quality certifications and attitudes towards the traceability of blockchain do not significantly influence purchase intention.. These findings suggest that while blockchain technology is recognised for its potential to improve transparency, its practical benefits are not yet fully understood or appreciated by consumers. This study contributes to the literature on consumer behaviour in the agri-food sector and provides practical insights for policy makers and marketers to promote blockchain-based traceability systems
Organic Aquaculture
No full textExcerpts: Diminishing fishery harvests, wild fish food-safety issues, environmental concerns, increased fish consumption, and the increasing market share of organic foods have combined to focus attention on “organic aquaculture.” Consumer demand may well drive the organic production of finfish, shellfish, and other aquatic species into the mainstream during the next decade. This publication briefly identifies and describes the important issues pertaining to organic aquaculture with regard to production technology, standards and laws, environmental and economic sustainability, research and development, and markets and trade. Presently, there are many contradictions and unresolved questions facing the organic aquaculture production and market sector. The authors have worked to present a snapshot of the situation today with the intention of providing an unbiased and neutral contribution to the dialog of discovery on this issue