University of Minnesota, Duluth
AgEcon Search: Research in Agricultural and Applied EconomicsNot a member yet
212667 research outputs found
Sort by
Consumer knowledge and how potatoes are presented in the market in the State of São Paulo.
Potatoes are one of the most consumed foods in the world and have high nutritional importance due to their versatility and composition. Furthermore, they are a practical and inexpensive food, which can be consumed in various ways: baked, boiled, and fried. Despite all this importance, a significant drop in per capita consumption of fresh potatoes has been observed in Brazil. This decline may be related to consumers' misconceptions about potatoes. The objective of this study was to evaluate consumer knowledge about potatoes and how this product is offered. 215 people were interviewed and 15 establishments were visited. It was found that many consumers are aware of the differences between the aptitudes of the cultivars. However, when asked which cultivars they knew, many were unable to provide correct information. In the establishments, it was observed that, in most cases, the way fresh potatoes are offered is outdated, failing to provide information about cultivar names or aptitudes, further confusing the consumer
Economic viability of a veterinary clinic in the interior of São Paulo.
Domestic animals are assuming great importance in people's lives, increasingly being considered family members. With the growing number of these animals in Brazilian homes, specialized professionals and clinics are needed to meet the demand for animal care and well-being. Given these facts, the objective of this work was to determine the costs and analyze the economic viability of establishing a complete veterinary clinic, similar to a veterinary hospital, that performs everything from basic to complex procedures in one location, in the city of São João da Boa Vista, São Paulo. For this analysis, the necessary investments for the clinic's installation were surveyed, as well as the fixed and variable costs, and the revenue obtained from services. A cash flow was developed, considering a 5-year project lifespan, and an economic viability analysis was performed using the indicators Net Present Value [NPV], Internal Rate of Return [IRR], simple and discounted payback, in addition to sensitivity analysis to assess the effect of variations in investment, revenue, and interest rate on the NPV. The results showed that the veterinary clinic installation project is economically viable, presenting an NPV of R$ 152,049.33, an IRR of 12.68%, a simple payback period of 4.13 years, and a discounted payback period of 4.38 years. The NPV proved to be quite sensitive to changes in revenue, followed by investment, the increase of which negatively affected the NPV. Less sensitivity was observed in relation to changes in the interest rate
Economic feasibility of implementing a capacitor bank in a grain storage unit.
Grain storage units have high electricity consumption, and the increase in electricity prices has raised their operating costs. These expenses can be reduced by correcting the power factor through the installation of capacitor banks. This study analyzed the economic feasibility of implementing this type of equipment in a grain storage unit located in Brasília, Federal District. The cost of implementing the capacitor bank was compared with the savings resulting from the reduction in monthly reactive energy consumption costs. The calculations consider bank financing of the total value at an interest rate of 8.5% per year. The minimum attractive rate is 4.46% per semester [as]. The economic indicators used were: Net Present Value [NPV], Internal Rate of Return [IRR], and Payback. The investment considered was R 7,228.63, an IRR of 9.34% per semester, and a payback period of three years and four months. Based on these results, the investment is attractive and economically viable
Economic viability of eucalyptus production in the furniture manufacturing hub of Marco - Ceará
The economic viability of forestry projects is strongly affected by the time horizon, production costs, timber price, site productivity, and discount rate. This study analyzed the economic viability of eucalyptus timber production for the furniture manufacturing hub of Marco-Ceará, under two scenarios: with and without financing. For the project analysis, the AEC 1528 clone was used, considering a productivity of 146.6, 376.4, and 316.1 m³ ha⁻¹ at 7 , 14, and 21 years, respectively, simulated using the SISEucalipto software. The timber, cut and stacked on the property, was destined for the furniture and ceramics industries in the region, according to the timber assortment by diameter class. From the cash flow, which covered the activities from planting to harvesting, profitability and risk indicators were obtained. A sensitivity analysis was also conducted, evaluating the behavior of the net present value as a function of variations in the initial investment, interest rate, harvesting cost, and timber prices. Economic indicators in the scenario without financing indicated that the project should be accepted, possessing good profitability. When financing was incorporated into the project, using the ABC Florestas program credit line, an increase in its indicators was observed when compared to the scenario without financing. Eucalyptus production in the furniture manufacturing hub of Marco-CE proved economically viable in both scenarios evaluated. The sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the project has a low risk, despite the long time horizon
Reggio Emilia Pedagogy in Brazil and the Political Pedagogical Project
Considering the complexity and uniqueness of the concepts implied by a given pedagogical approach, its importance and relevance to understanding the teaching process, and its potential contributions to educational discussion, this study aimed to analyze and identify the main perceptions of teachers and administrators regarding the implementation of the Reggio Emilia pedagogical approach in the Political-Pedagogical Project of a private Brazilian educational institution. The methodology employed involved a literature review, along with the application of questionnaires to teachers (pedagogues); specialist teachers (Arts, Physical Education, Body Expression, Music); pedagogical administrators (coordinators); and administrative administrators. In addition, direct observations of the school environment were conducted at the research site. Based on the responses obtained, it was found that although the Reggio Emilia approach, in its original assumptions, advocated for an education based on a collective spirit of collaboration between the school community, families, and students, the analysis of the Brazilian case revealed that decisions and actions for the implementation of the Reggio Emilia approach did not occur collectively, but rather in a centralized manner, centered on pedagogical and administrative managers, without the participation of the school community. This fact stands out as one of the main causes of the difficulty in effectively implementing the Reggio Emilia approach in the institution studied and in establishing a Political-Pedagogical Project with a differentiated educational approach
EL IMPACTO DEL FINANCIAMIENTO AL INVERTIR EN REHABILITACIÓN DE AGOSTADEROS, SOBRE LA RENTABILIDAD DE LOS RANCHOS GANADEROS EN SONORA, MÉXICO
In the state of Sonora, as in other states of the Mexican Republic, most of the cattle ranches present profitability problems according to the management conditions with which they are currently exploited, since the natural resources they have been exploited in an irrational way, so it is necessary to carry out works to help mitigate and restore the conditions of the pasture. In support of this study, an economic analysis was carried out to evaluate the profitability of a ranch with deteriorated pastures, to determine, from a financial point of view, the profitability of carrying out water catchment and restoration works with the planting of herbaceous and shrub species”, through long-term financing schemes. A 1,000 ha ranch will be considered, in which the pasture will be improved annually by planting 200 ha, with resources financed in a 14-year projection, the calculations were made with real costs. The results obtained show that the profitability of the rehabilitated ranch with financing was very low during the first six years due to the financial burden generated by the staggered financing granted during the first years, until the investment of the water catchment works, the planting of forage species and livestock was paid, and it was not until the tenth year when it reached the stabilization point. The average annual economic yield at the point of stability fluctuated from 4,601 pesos per hectare. From the financial point of view, it is certainly a strong investment and of slow recovery, but throughout the useful life of the project it presents very favorable financial indicators, since according to the results obtained in the final balances of the financial projection once the program for the financial analysis was run, the TIR for this project was 17.22% and the value for the VAN was $ 12'463,028 pesos
Socio-economic resilience vs vulnerability: spatial modelling under sustainable development conditions (the case of Ukraine’s regions)
Purpose. The study aims to assess the degree of resilience of territories (on the example of Ukrainian regions) in the face of shocks and to identify the relationship in the system “economic losses during the shock – vulnerability and recovery period – recovery speed – safety margin”. Methodology / approach. The methodology for analysing socio-economic resilience is based on a comprehensive spatial and temporal approach with indicative assessments (indicators of vulnerability, recovery, safety margin, degree of resistance, degree of recovery, and degree of adaptation). The methodology is based on the decomposition of the resilience of the socio-economic system into regional labour markets, social sphere, demographic situation, and development of economic systems. The information and analytical basis of the study consists of data from the regions of Ukraine for the period 2010–2021, with 2014 and 2021 selected as reference points for assessing resilience and vulnerability indicators. Results. The study finds that the shocks (the military-political crisis of 2014–2015, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the full-scale war) have caused significant changes in the labour market and in the socio-demographic sphere, leading to a critical weakening of their resilience due to large-scale and dynamic migration processes, an acute shortage of workers, and a demographic crisis. The socio-economic system suffered significant losses in the face of shocks, with a recovery period of 3–4 years, indicating a high degree of vulnerability of Ukraine’s regional socio-economic systems to shocks. Originality / scientific novelty. The study provides a novel conceptual and methodological framework for assessing socio-economic resilience, integrating spatial and temporal dimensions with indicative assessments of vulnerability, recovery, and adaptive capacity. Unlike previous studies, this research develops a comprehensive model that decomposes resilience across key socio-economic subsystems, including labour markets, social and demographic structures, and economic development. The findings contribute to the scientific discourse by identifying critical linkages between economic losses, recovery speed, and resilience capacity, offering new insights into regional disparities and the long-term socio-economic adaptation of Ukraine’s regions to crises. Practical value / implications. The theoretical value of the research results lies in the development of a methodological and conceptual model of the resilience of the country’s territories in the context of global and local crises, which reflects the ability of socio-economic systems to adapt to and recover from shocks. The results are of practical importance for the planning of measures for the rapid recovery of the economy of Ukrainian regions and the strengthening of their socio-economic stability in the post-war period
Manpower Economic Utilization Indexes by Counties, 1970: Standard Federal Region IX
The indexes reflect economic utilization of labor for each county in the Nation at one point in time, 1970, for the rural and urban population, by sex and race. These indexes are the ratio of a group's actual median income to its warranted earning capacity. The warranted earning capacity is an expected income measure for a population group in a county (given the characteristics of age, education, work experience, labor force participation, and occupational distribution of the workers) compared with a national level population group with the same characteristics. In addition to the indexes of economic utilization, the report contains indexes of characteristics influencing earning capacity (age, educational attainment, work experience, employment status, labor force status, and occupational structure); data on employment, industry, occupation, and per capita income; and purchasing power adjustment factors
Agricultural Economics Literature (Volume 8)
Issue features include: Signed Reviews – Descriptive Notes and Abstracts – Selected List of Recent Reviews – Bibliographies – German Agricultural Legislation – State Publications – U. S. Department of Agriculture Publications, Economic in Nature – New Periodicals – Periodical Articles – Notes. Book reviews included: The Economics of Imperfect Competition (Joan Robinson) --- La Véritable Importance des Mouvements de Prix (René Carmille) --- The American Farmer and the Export Market (A. A. Dowell and O. B. Jesness) --- Qualitative Credit Control (W. E. Dunkman) --- America’s Capacity to Produce (Edwin G. Nourse and Associates) --- Le Problème Mondial du Blé (Paul de Hevesy) --- America’s Capacity to Consume (Maurice Leven, H. G. Moulton, and Clark Warburton) --- Die Flucht aus der Landwirtschaft (Peter Quante) --- La Politique Agraire du Gouvernement Soviétique (V. Stcherbagne) --- Reshaping Agriculture (O. W. Willcox)
Price relationships along the Czech beer value chain
Purpose. The purpose of this study is to determine the dynamics of price transmission within the Czech beer value chain, examining how producer, wholesale, retail, and export prices interact over time. The study focuses on identifying the primary drivers of price formation and determine the extent to which price shocks are absorbed or passed through different stages of the supply chain. Methodology / approach. This study uses the Johansen cointegration technique and a Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) to investigate both long-term and short-term price relationships across the Czech beer value chain. Using monthly data from January 2012 to December 2024, the analysis begins with unit root testing via the Augmented Dickey-Fuller method. Upon confirmation of non-stationarity, cointegration analysis identifies the presence of stable long-term relationships. Then, the VECM framework is applied to assess the elasticity of price transmission and the speed of adjustment to deviations from equilibrium. Results. VECM results indicate that wholesale prices have the strongest influence on the equilibrium of the value chain, serving as the central driver of price formation. In contrast, retail and producer prices adjust only slowly to deviations from this equilibrium, and export prices show a divergent trend, likely shaped by global market conditions. The short-run coefficients are statistically insignificant, suggesting that price adjustments are mainly determined by long-term dynamics. Overall, the price transmission process is sluggish, with limited responsiveness to short-term shocks. While producers traditionally set baseline prices, the Czech beer market shows signs of downstream influence. Originality / scientific novelty. This study provides the first comprehensive analysis of vertical price transmission in the Czech beer value chain, addressing a critical gap in agri-food economics literature, given the significant economic impact of the beer industry. The methodological application of cointegration and VECM offers new insight into pricing dynamics in transition economies. The methodology establishes a new framework for analysing price dynamics in transitional economies with strong cultural product associations. Practical value / implications. The slow pace of price adjustment signals potential vulnerabilities in the supply chain, suggesting that both producers and regulators should be prepared for delayed impacts from policy changes, such as VAT reforms or input cost shocks. This means that what happens in the Czech market (like tax changes or local consumption shifts) does not always allow us to predict what will happen with export prices