University of Minnesota, Duluth
AgEcon Search: Research in Agricultural and Applied EconomicsNot a member yet
212667 research outputs found
Sort by
Assessment of the carbon footprint of agriculture in Bulgaria: factors, dynamics and policies for emission reduction
No full textPurpose. The present study assesses the carbon footprint of agriculture in Bulgaria through empirical analysis of its structure, dynamics and key determinants. The focus is on identifying the main sources of agricultural emissions, tracking their changes over time and measuring the influence of production intensity and energy consumption on the sector’s emission burden. Methodology / approach. The study applies quantitative analysis to Eurostat data using two time windows. The period 2014–2023 is used for comparative analysis of emission structure by sources (H1) and for trend analysis of the share of agricultural emissions through the Mann-Kendall test (H3). The longer period 2000–2023 is employed for multiple regression analysis of factors affecting emission intensity (H2). Results. The analysis shows that the carbon footprint of Bulgarian agriculture is primarily determined by emissions from enteric fermentation and the use of mineral (including nitrogen) fertilisers, which establishes them as the leading sources of greenhouse gases in the sector. The regression model for the period 2000–2023 finds that production intensity exerts a substantial and statistically significant positive influence on total agricultural emissions – higher yields per hectare, greater use of nitrogen fertilisers and higher energy consumption are associated with increased emissions. Despite the overall decline in national emissions in Bulgaria, agriculture’s share in them does not demonstrate a sustained downward trend over the last decade but increases, which indicates the sector’s relative emission resilience and the limited effect of policies for reduction to date. Originality / scientific novelty. The novelty is expressed in the fact that the study unites in a single framework the three key dimensions of agrarian emissions – structure, dynamics and determinants – and applies them consistently to Bulgarian agriculture. This study offers the first long-term quantitative assessment of Bulgarian agriculture’s carbon footprint based on current harmonised Eurostat data up to 2023. The agrarian emission profile is examined both at national level and in comparative perspective against EU-27 average values. In contrast with the prevailing studies on the carbon footprint of agriculture in the EU, which are predominantly descriptive or focus on individual Western European countries, the present study offers a first integrated view towards a post-socialist agrarian economy and outlines empirically grounded directions for decarbonisation of the sector. Practical value / implications. The findings support the formulation of more targeted policies for agricultural decarbonisation in Bulgaria by directing attention to the most emission-intensive activities – mineral fertilisation and livestock farming. The study emphasises the need for incentives for sustainable nutrient management, increased energy efficiency and accelerated adoption of low-carbon technologies. The practical value of the results is directly linked to the implementation of the European Green Deal objectives in the national agricultural context
Nutrition-Sensitive Value-Chain Development In Ghana: Evidence From The Field
No full textIncreasing the accessibility of nourishing food options is important to tackle micronutrient deficiencies in Ghana. Using a value chain approach that prioritizes nutrition, a Nutrition-Sensitive Value Chain approach, the study aimed to select appropriate value chains based on their economic value, income generation, nutritional significance and potential for high postharvest losses and food waste in Ghana. We employed key informant interviews and commodity scoring methods to select suitable commodity value chains that met all set criteria. Initially, 40 commodities were shortlisted among the five food groups for this study. Subsequently, 27 crops were selected for value chain interventions. Mango, cashew, oil palm, banana/plantain, shea and pineapple were selected as tree crops. Cowpea, groundnut, soybeans and bambara beans were selected as legumes, while maize, rice, sorghum, millet and fonio were selected as cereals. Cabbage, ginger, onion, shallot, eggplant, chilli pepper, okra and tomato were selected in the fruit category. Finally, yam, cassava and sweet potatoes were selected as the roots and tubers. It is recommended that experiments be developed and executed to introduce foods to infants that consist of a balanced mix of locally accessible options. Furthermore, it is important to pursue the creation and promotion of supplements and snack options specifically designed for school children, as well as efforts to implement programs that focus on nutrition and effective communication strategies to encourage behavioral change. Finally, efforts must be directed towards minimizing food waste and improving food safety measures
Determinants Of Livelihood Diversification In An Integrated Agricultural And Non-Agricultural Livelihood System In Ghana
No full textThe diversification of livelihoods by households has been widely acknowledged as a way to overcome food insecurity and poverty challenges in developing countries. Diversification of livelihoods helps spread the risk among multiple livelihood earning activities to provide households with a range of their food needs all year round. By examining the integrated livelihood systems of 405 rural farm households in the Upper East Region of Ghana, empirical evidence is provided in this study using the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework to advance arguments in the literature for the creation of sustainable strategies that improve diversified livelihood systems. The mean diversification indices estimated were 0.45 for agricultural diversification systems, 0.32 for non-agricultural diversification systems and 0.59 for integrated agricultural and nonagricultural diversification systems. With the use of the Cragg two-step regression model, we demonstrate that the decision to diversify and the extent of diversification of rural livelihoods are distinct decisions and are influenced by distinct sets of factors. Similarly, for the three categories of livelihood diversification studied, the effect of these factors also differed. The results emphasize the significance of access to good road network, credit and market information in encouraging rural farm households to diversify their livelihoods. In the short term, improving access to credit and market information through community-based initiatives can provide immediate support to rural households. Communities should also organize local markets and cooperatives to strengthen their economic resilience. While government and stakeholders should focus on long-term infrastructure projects, these community actions can complement such efforts and contribute to achieving global and regional goals targeting food insecurity and poverty eradication
Prevented Planting Buy-Up Elimination and What the Evidence Indicates about Adoption, Actuarial Performance, and Pre-Planting Risk Management Options for Farmers
No full textThis white paper synthesizes a series of Agricultural Risk Policy Center (ARPC) analyses on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency’s Expanding Access to Risk Protection (EARP) rule, finalized in November 2025, which eliminates the remaining 5% prevented planting (PP) buy-up option beginning with the 2027 crop year. Using policy and claim-level evidence from 2011–2024 for major commodities, the results show no indication that PP buy-up coverage compromised actuarial performance: loss ratios for the buy-up component and base-only coverage are similar and below unity, implying premiums were broadly sufficient to cover indemnities. The analysis also documents that buy-up-related indemnities are geographically concentrated, with the largest at-risk amounts in corn and soybeans in the Upper Midwest and rice in Arkansas and California. Eliminating the buy-up generates meaningful uncompensated losses for indemnified producers, approximately 14–21 per soybean acre absent ad-hoc relief, with recent disaster programs providing only partial and uncertain offsets. Finally, we show that replacing lost PP protection through higher overall coverage is costly and often infeasible near the 85% coverage ceiling, reducing producer flexibility and increasing exposure to planting-season risk. The structure and wording closely follow the logic and framing of the original ARPC analyses; to improve readability, underlying analyses are not cited repeatedly, and the paper should be interpreted as a synthesis of existing ARPC research rather than a standalone original empirical study
Effectiveness of Training Farmers on Sugarcane Gleaning during Loading in Reducing Post-Harvest Loss among Smallholder Farmers in Awendo Sub-County, Kenya
No full textPost-harvest sugarcane loss (PHSL) experienced in the sugarcane production process reduces incomes of smallholder farmers worldwide who invest their limited resources. As a result, Sony Sugar Company instituted infield practices in 2011 to reduce PHSL within its cane catchment areas. Training of farmers on sugarcane gleaning forms part of the company’s quasi-public extension (QPE) service to reduce PHSL. However, limited information is available on its effectiveness. In order to fill this gap, this study sought to examine effectiveness of training of farmers on sugarcane gleaning during loading in reducing PHSL among smallholder farmers in Awendo Sub-County. The study was guided by Theory of Change (ToC) using descriptive survey design. A sample of 105 contracted smallholder farmers were obtained from accessible population of 2,403 farmers distributed proportionately across North-East, Central, South and West Sakwa wards. The sample was increased by 40% to 147 taking cognizance that questionnaire was to be used to collect data. Cronbach’s Alpha Coefficients for questionnaires were 0.749 for smallholder farmers’ and 0.711 for other stakeholders. Only 132 smallholder farmers’ questionnaires were valid giving 89.8% response rate. Descriptive statistics and spearman’s correlation were used to analyze data using SPSS version 21. Positive relationships were realized between PHSL and training farmers on sugarcane gleaning (r (130) = .142, p > .05.). This study recommends that farmers or their agents should enhance their participation on sugarcane gleaning and attend aligned trainings by the company. Sony Sugar Company should enhance training of farmers on sugarcane gleaning during loading. County and National governments should formulate sound policies to safe guard farmers
Factors Influencing the Adoption of Sustainable Onion Seed Production Practices by Smallholder Producers in Karatu District, Tanzania
No full textThis study investigated the factors influencing adoption of onion seed production practices by smallholder producers for enhanced sustainable seed production in Mang’ola,Karatu district Tanzania. The study employed a cross-sectional design, utilizing quantitative and qualitative data collected from 86 onion seed producers through questionnaires, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. Findings through Binary Logistic Regression revealed that socio-economic factors such as education level and access to agricultural extension services statistically influenced smallholder producers’ use of sustainable onion seed production practices. In addition, Kandall's Correlation Coefficient indicated an association of socio-economic characteristics of respondents, such as age, marital status, education level, and farm size, having statistical influence on onion seed production per acre. Notably, married farmers and those with larger landholdings tend to produce higher yields. Gender disparities are evident, with male farmers dominating higher production categories, indicating unequal access to resources. The study recommends, improving access to education opportunities, and strengthening agricultural extension services for enhancing use of sustainable onion seed production practices
Influence of Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) on Agricultural Career Choice among Students in Southwestern Nigerian Polytechnics
No full textThe transition from education to career is a critical phase for students, and practical training programs can play a significant role in shaping career choices. This study examines influence of Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) on agricultural career choice among students in Southwestern Nigerian polytechnics. Data were collected from respondents using structured questionnaires and the study explored students' socioeconomic characteristics, areas of SIWES engagement, and influencing factors during SIWES towards students choosing agriculture as a career. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 325 respondents, and data were analyzed with descriptive (frequency count, percentage, mean and standard deviation) and inferential (factor analysis and analysis of variance) statistics at a 5% significance level. The mean age of respondents was 20.67 years, with females made up 53.8 percent of participants. Majority of the respondents were Christians (52.0%) and enrolled in Agricultural Technology (65.5%). Parental sponsorship was high (90.2%), but 69.8 percent received no incentives. Most (89.5%) of the respondents were willing to pursue a career in agriculture, with 56.0% interested in animal husbandry. The factors influencing students’ agricultural career choices during the SIWES programme showed that enterprise professionalism had the strongest impact, while employability status had the least. Principal Component Analysis revealed two major components accounting for over 78% of the variance, highlighting key influencers such as organizational ethics, entrepreneurial culture, and preference for outdoor work. The one-way ANOVA result (F = 4.297, p = 0.005) indicates a significant difference in factors influencing agricultural career choice among students across Southwestern Nigeria polytechnics. The study concluded that SIWES plays a critical role in shaping students' agricultural career choices, especially when well-structured and relevant to students’ academic disciplines. The study recommends institutions should collaborate with professional agricultural organizations to enhance the quality of SIWES placements
Assessing the Bio-Pesticide Market in Khordha District of Odisha, India: A Study on Market Intermediaries' Attitudes and Behaviors
No full textAims: This research analyses and explores the market status of bio-pesticides, attitudes and behaviour of intermediaries, the responsible factors and constraints in Khordha district of Odisha to deliver meaningful insights for the all the stakeholders involved.
Study Design: A descriptive and exploratory research design was utilized in this study.
Place and Duration of Study: This research, conducted in the crop year 2023–24, was confined to the Khordha district of Odisha.
Methodology: This research is based on descriptive and exploratory research design. The primary data was collected for the crop year 2023–24, using experts’ advice based structured schedules via snowball sampling (n=27), complemented by secondary data. Snowball sampling was used for its cost-effectiveness and this method leveraged existing social networks of the researcher. The sample was limited to 27 in number because of time-constraints and availability of the intermediaries during the data collection process. Based on the literature review and suitability of the data, statistical tools and techniques such as One-way ANOVA, Chi-square, Multiple Linear Regression, and Logistic Regression, etc. were analysed using MS Office and IBM SPSS software.
Results: This research revealed annual turnover of bio-pesticide to be positively influenced by number of villages served and number of dealerships of bio-pesticide based companies, while credit period for farmers (days) had a negative impact (F(14,12)=5.393, P=.01, R2=0.937). Among the dealers and retailers, DAESI (Diploma in Agricultural Extension Services for Input Dealers) certification was founf to be the significant and influencing factor in selling bio-pesticides (coefficient 4.252, Pseudo R2=0.673). Dealers and retailers largely preferred national level tours (59 percent), and 52 percent favoured doing business with local companies. They valued working with business-oriented company representatives (63 percent). Their preferred method of business transaction with farmers was cash (56 percent), and 81 percent of the respondents had plan for business expansion. As of promotion, posters/banners (96.30 percent) and farmer meetings (92.59 percent) were the most preferred tools among the dealers and retailers. Major constraints in pesticide business included high transportation costs (mean score: 3.41), lack of farmer knowledge (mean score: 3.22), and High cost of labour (mean score: 3.15).
Conclusion: To promote sustainable agriculture, stakeholders should consider expanding awareness initiatives to educate farmers, retailers and dealers about the benefits of bio-pesticides. Bio-pesticide companies can play a vital role by boosting promotional efforts about the advantages of using bio-pesticides. Moreover, companies should prioritize ethical sales and distribution practices. This study also lays the groundwork for further in-depth research into bio-pesticide sales and marketing strategies, offering opportunities for future exploration and development
Impact of Rearing Systems on the Carcass Characteristics and Composition of Meat of Nellore Brown Lambs
No full textTo know the carcass quality and proximate composition of Nellore brown lambs under three systems of rearing i.e. intensive, semi-intensiveand extensive system.36 Nellore brown lambs of 3 months age from Livestock Research Station, Mamnoor, Warangal district were randomly allotted to three rearing systems i.e. Intensive (G1), Semi-intensive (G2) and Extensive (G3) system of each 12 animals. The mean dressing percent of lambs on pre slaughter and empty body weight was 52.23 ± 0.56, 47.29 ± 0.33 and 44.13 ± 1.27; 62.63 ± 0.66, 59.19 ± 0.29and 56.57 ± 0.88, respectively in G1, G2 and G3 groups. The dressing percentage of the lambs had significant (p < 0.05) effect between G1 and G3 group and had no significant (p < 0.05) effect between G2 and G3 group. The mean weight (kg) of skin was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in G3 (2.07 ± 0.03) group than G1 (1.76 ± 0.06) and G2 (1.73 ± 0.05) group. The total non- edible offals weight (kg) was higher in G3 than G1 and G3 group and had no significant (p < 0.05) effect between the three groups of the study
Students’ Perceptions of Agricultural Studies in Higher Education
No full textAgriculture is a prominent subject in Bangladesh. This study examines the perception of selected university students on agricultural studies in Bangladesh. Mixed methods approach used to collect data from 100 randomly selected students. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics. Findings revealed that, most of the students came from urban areas. It was observed that, while students opined that agricultural studies have wide career prospects and understandable, but many expressed highly dissatisfaction regarding the practical book writing. Students expressed that career flexibility and personal choice influenced them to consider studying agriculture while parents background had lower impact. Students also expressed that if they were taught properly, all students could learn agricultural topics more effectively. Open form of question revealed that students were mainly concerned about the education system of agriculture in higher education being highly theoretical rather than practical and tiring practical work. So, the study emphasized the need for curriculum development and effective teaching strategies for better student participation in agricultural studies