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Access to credit and mechanisation service expenditure: An analysis considering access, sources, purposes and amounts of credit
No full textThis study estimates the impact of access to credit on mechanisation service expenditure by considering farmers' binary credit access decisions and distinguishing between formal and informal credit access. We employ a conditional mixed process model to address selection bias issues and use open-access data from the Rural Development Institute at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (Beijing, China) through the 2020 China Rural Revitalization Survey. The theoretical analyses suggest that relaxing credit constraints enables farmers to achieve higher net returns by increasing all variable inputs, including farm machines, until they achieve the expected optimal level. The empirical results reveal that access to credit significantly increases mechanisation service expenditure by 115.5 yuan/mu, and the impact is larger on farmers cultivating small- and medium-sized farms and those residing in the less developed central and western regions. Access to formal and informal credit affects mechanisation service expenditure differently. Specifically, accessing credit from formal sources (e.g., banks) significantly increases mechanisation service expenditure by 44.7 yuan/mu, while accessing credit from informal sources (e.g., friends and relatives) has no statistically significant effect on mechanisation service expenditure. Moreover, credit primarily intended for financing agricultural production significantly increases mechanisation service expenditure by 83.5 yuan/mu, whereas credit used mainly for non-agricultural purposes significantly reduces such expenditure by 25.5 yuan/mu. These findings are further verified by estimating the effects of loan amounts on mechanisation service expenditure. Finally, we also investigate the nexus between mechanisation service adoption and farm performance, revealing that mechanisation service adoption increases crop yield by 12.6% and commercialisation by 77.4%, respectively
Exploring consumption preference and behaviour of New Zealand banana consumers
Get PDFThis work develops understanding of how NZ consumers’ banana choices are influenced by product characteristics including locally grown, nutritional content, environmental footprint, and price. Understanding consumer preferences is critical for constructing industry strategies, by gauging how much value consumers place on certain product attributes, growers can make more informed decisions.
• Preferences for the types of attributes considered here are not readily observable from market prices, and so the economic non-market valuation method of Discrete Choice Experiments (DCE) was used.
• This report describes the application of a DCE survey of Auckland banana consumers that is designed to examine consumer Willingness-to-Pay (WTP) for banana attributes relevant to NZ grown bananas.
• This involved an online survey of Auckland residents in October 2024. The survey process achieved 500 responses with good representation of key population demographics.
• Results indicate that many Auckland banana consumers have significant positive preferences for the types of attributes that could be representative of New Zealand grown bananas.
• The report explores differences in consumer behaviours between the main banana variety (Cavendish) and the largest alternative variety (Misi Luki) available in the Auckland region. As well as consumer willingness-to-pay values, this report details findings on:
o Purchase frequency (Cavendish, Misi Luki, Blossoms)
o Usual expenditure across (Cavendish, Misi Luki, Blossoms)
o Retail channel use across (Cavendish, Misi Luki, Blossoms)
o Factors important in purchase decisions
o Willingness-to-try banana different varieties
o Profiling high willingness-to-pay consumers
• Consumption frequency is high. A third of consumers consume bananas daily, and a further 41% 2-3 times a week.
• Bananas are a morning food. Most consumers eat bananas for breakfast (41%) or in mid-morning (23%).
• Bananas are eaten whole. The vast majority of consumers usually eat bananas on their own-whole (77%).
• Purchase frequency is high. 25% of consumers buy Cavendish bananas 2-3 times a week, and 53% weekly.
• Supermarkets dominate retail channel. Over half of consumers always buy Cavendish through supermarkets (55%), while independent grocers and fruit & vege shops attract around 20-25% of consumers often.
• Average kg/week of Cavendish purchased is 1.49kg. Which is a bunch of around 6-7 bananas.
• Average Cavendish price usually paid is 3.40/kg.
• Banana Blossoms in demand. 15% of consumers purchase fresh blossoms at least monthly, and 12% buy canned blossoms. With retail use for both types being highly varied and evenly distributed across channels. Consumers usually pay an average of /kg) shown in the table below indicate that Segment 2 consumers have significantly higher WTP compared with the other consumers in the sample.
• Focusing on the high WTP consumers in Segment 2, we can see that Organic Production is valued highest, followed by NZ Grown.
• Compared to their counterparts, consumers in Segment 2 are more likely to:
o be female, Māori, single, younger, have household income of 100,000;
o have higher purchase frequency of banana as well as other fruits;
o purchase from independent grocers for both Cavendish and Misi Luki;
o consume chopped into pieces, or in a fruit salad;
o usually pay more per kg on average for Cavendish and Misi Luki;
o be more willing to try Rajapuri variety;
o be more environmentally and socially concerned;
o buy Organic bananas;
o consider NZ grown to be important
Consumer preferences in key New Zealand export markets for Māori cultural attributes in agri-foods - The role of ethnocentrism and neophobia
Get PDFThe development of international markets for indigenous cultural attributes is an emerging area in New Zealand's agri-food sector with many Māori agribusinesses becoming national leaders among the country’s high-quality producers and processors. Within this context, consideration of consumers’ ethnocentrism and food neophobia are important as indicators of openness to novel ethnic foods. Together, these constructs show how cultural attitudes and food-related fears can influence consumer behaviour. While limited research exists on Māori indigenous cultural attributes in food markets, understanding how ethnocentrism and food neophobia influence consumer preferences for these attributes in food products can support market development for Māori agribusinesses in Aotearoa. This presentation details a study employing choice experiments in four key New Zealand agri-food export markets. Respondents agri-food choices are analysed to identify how willingness to pay for a Māori cultural attribute is influenced by cultural attitudes and food-related fears. Results suggest that neophobia may present a more widespread barrier to acceptance of cultural attributes of agri-foods. The proportion of neophobic consumers is generally much higher than that of ethnocentric consumers, and neophobia has a consistently negative effect on willingness to pay across all countrie
Developmental expression patterns of gonadal hormone receptors in arcuate kisspeptin and GABA neurons of the postnatal female mouse
No full textThe arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARC) is central in the neuronal regulation of fertility and reproduction through translating gonadal steroid hormone cues into the GnRH signaling pathway in the brain. Evidence suggests that circulating gonadal steroids play an important role in modulating female reproduction via kisspeptin and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons in the ARC in both development and adulthood. However, the temporal onset of these ARC neurons' sensitivity to gonadal steroids is unknown. Using RNAscope® in situ hybridization, we localized androgen receptor (Ar), estrogen receptor alpha (Esr1), and progesterone receptor (Pgr) expression in ARC kisspeptin or GABA neurons of female mice at postnatal day (P)4, P8, P12, P20, and P60. A probe that binds to kiss1 mRNA or vGat mRNA was used to produce signal in kisspeptin or GABA neurons, respectively. In adult, we identified that the vast majority of kisspeptin neurons coexpressed Esr1 (95%) and Pgr (93%), while a smaller proportion coexpressed Ar (66%). Similar proportions of Ar- or Esr1-positive kisspeptin neurons were seen from P4, suggesting that kisspeptin neurons develop adult-like sensitivity to androgen and estrogen in early postnatal life. In contrast, the proportion of Pgr-positive kisspeptin cells in early life was significantly lower than in adulthood, suggesting that progesterone sensitivity develops over time in the ARC kisspeptin population. ARC GABA neurons also colocalized with Ar (70%), Esr1 (64%), or Pgr (85%) in adulthood. GABA neurons continuously expressed Esr1 or Pgr from the postnatal stages to adulthood, while the proportion of Ar-positive GABA neurons gradually increased from P4 (24%) to P20 (59%). These results suggest that while ARC GABA neurons can respond to circulating estrogen and progesterone from early postnatal ages, this same population may become more sensitive to androgens during later postnatal life. Our findings identified the expression patterns of Ar, Esr1, and Pgr by ARC kisspeptin and GABA neurons during early postnatal life. These data provide the understanding for the hormone sensitivity of these populations during early postnatal life, the critical time for the formation and regulation of female reproductive physiology.Esr1 (95%) and Pgr (93%), while a smaller proportion coexpressed Ar (66%). Similar proportions of Ar- or Esr1-positive kisspeptin neurons were seen from P4, suggesting that kisspeptin neurons develop adult-like sensitivity to androgen and estrogen in early postnatal life. In contrast, the proportion of Pgr-positive kisspeptin cells in early life was significantly lower than in adulthood, suggesting that progesterone sensitivity develops over time in the ARC kisspeptin population. ARC GABA neurons also colocalized with Ar (70%), Esr1 (64%), or Pgr (85%) in adulthood. GABA neurons continuously expressed Esr1 or Pgr from the postnatal stages to adulthood, while the proportion of Ar-positive GABA neurons gradually increased from P4 (24%) to P20 (59%). These results suggest that while ARC GABA neurons can respond to circulating estrogen and progesterone from early postnatal ages, this same population may become more sensitive to androgens during later postnatal life. Our findings identified the expression patterns of Ar, Esr1, and Pgr by ARC kisspeptin and GABA neurons during early postnatal life. These data provide the understanding for the hormone sensitivity of these populations during early postnatal life, the critical time for the formation and regulation of female reproductive physiolog
A hybrid feature selection framework: Balancing information preservation and multicollinearity in biological datasets
No full textThis study introduces a hybrid feature selection framework that combines mutual information (MI) analysis with iterative variance inflation factor (VIF) filtering to address the competing demands of predictive performance and multicollinearity management in a biological dataset. Testing on Solanum callus induction data (1,081 observations, 16 features), the hybrid approach achieved superior performance with R²=0.86, outperforming VIF filtering alone by 16% and mutual information methods alone by 8%. The framework's key advantage is preserving biologically relevant features with strong predictive value (like relative humidity with MI=0.66) that VIF filtering would eliminate due to multicollinearity, while still maintaining statistical independence. This may address an important matter in biological machine learning, where both predictive accuracy and interpretability are essential
Foreword: The role of agricultural trade in countering the effects of extreme weather
Get PDFThe phenomenon of anthropogenic climate change is now well-established, with global temperatures in 2024 having already exceeded the Paris Agreement target ceiling of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels (Copernicus 2025) and extreme weather events (EWEs) an increasing occurrence. EWEs—including flooding, extreme heat, drought and wildfires—have profound implications for agriculture (Burke et al. 2015; IPCC 2023; Tebaldi and Lobell 2018; Zhao et al. 2017)
Supplementation of Aotearoa New Zealand hemp seed protein improves arterial health indices in adults with increased cardiovascular risk
No full textThe consumption of hemp derived protein has shown potential to improve cardiovascular disease risk factors For example, Samsamikor et al. showed the efficacy of hemp seed protein in ameliorating high blood pressure in adults with hypertension. However, hemp seed protein consumption on arterial stiffening has not, to our knowledge, been investigated in humans. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of New Zealand hemp seed protein on blood pressure and measures of arterial stiffness in adults. Inclusion criteria were one or more risk factor for cardiovascular disease; a waist circumference greater than 102 cm (male) or 88 cm (female), fasting triglycerides ≥150mg/dL, high density lipoprotein cholesterol <40mg/dL (male) or <50mg/dL (female), SBP ≥130 mmHg and/or DBP ≥85 mmHg, fasting glucose greater than 110 mg/dL. A randomised control trial was conducted with 33 participants for 16 weeks in which the experimental group consumed 28 g of hemp seed protein extract for 5 days each week while 15 participants acted as a control group instructed to keep their regular daily diet over the experimental period. Blood pressure and arterial stiffness were measured at weeks 1, 8 and 16 using a SphygmoCor Excel device. A linear mixed model was used to analyse the repeated measures for affect differences between weeks, featuring Welches T-Test for uneven variance and an ANOVA test for p-values of the fixed effects. The model included a covariate analysis of the baseline measurement and used Tukey post hoc analysis for pairwise comparisons within and between the experimental and control groups. Results showed that compared to the control group, the experimental group decreased central systolic blood pressure -5.1 ± 2.4 mmHg (mean ± SE, 95% CI [-9.8, -0.3], p <0.05), mean arterial pressure -6.0 ± 2.3 mmHg (95% CI [-10.5, -1.5], p <0.05) ), augmentation index at 75 bpm -11.8 ± 1.8 mmHg (95% CI [-15.8, -7.9], p <0.05) augmented pressure -4.1 ± 0.6 mmHg (95% CI [-5.3, -3.0], p <0.05), and reflection magnitude -7.2 ± 1.7% (95% CI [-10.6, -3.8], p <0.05). However, no significant changes were observed in brachial blood pressures. These results suggest that hemp seed protein improves central arterial health in at risk adults after 16 weeks of supplementation
Opportunity lost: Addressing DEI in academic conference design practices
No full textPurpose - Attending academic conferences is important for career progression. However, conferences can be experienced as exclusionary by historically marginalised groups. Non-attendance through exclusionary event design thus has far-reaching consequences, which is a social and structural justice issue. This research therefore aims to shine a light on event design in academic conferences, and its relationship to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
Design/methodology/approach - Through empirical study, we address the question “Are academic conferences communicating a commitment to DEI for delegates from historically marginalised groups, and if so, how?”. Using a content protocol (Loh et al., 2022) and signalling theory (Bradley et al., 2023), we analyse the publicly available conference materials of 70 tourism, leisure, events and hospitality academic conferences planned or convened between 2023 and 2025 to assess DEI discourses and practices for evidence of conference design that fosters inclusivity, belongingness and therefore addresses justice.
Findings - References to one or more elements of DEI were found in the discourses of around one quarter of the conferences. However, for BIPOC [1], precarious academics, those from the LGBTQIA+ or disability communities, those with caring responsibilities, those on low or no incomes or with visa requirements, and to a large degree still for women, there were few signs within conference design practices that could be construed as conveying a welcoming culture. We therefore argue that academic conferences within the fields of tourism, leisure, events and hospitality are perpetuating inequity, exclusion and injustice through failing to give full consideration to whom their event design practices are inviting to participate. This is an opportunity lost, and we provide a checklist for conference organisers to help them communicate that historically marginalised academics are welcome and belong at their event.
Originality/value - We believe this is the first study to take a DEI lens to an examination of academic conferences, and apply a content protocol and signalling theory as analytic tools in the process
Climate governance and carbon transparency: Evidence from nonfinancial firms
No full textPurpose: The Asia-Pacific region faces high stakeholder pressures because of its significant carbon emissions and vulnerability to climate change impacts. In this context, integrating climate concerns into corporate governance has the potential to enhance corporate sustainability commitment and address climate concerns from various stakeholder groups. This study examines the determinants of corporate carbon transparency from the perspective of climate governance among Asia-Pacific nonfinancial firms as well as the role of stakeholder pressures in shaping this relationship.
Design/methodology/approach: Based on a sample of 5,391 firm-year observations from 2016 to 2021, this study uses an ordinal logistic model to analyze how climate governance affects firm carbon transparency, measured by the Carbon Disclosure Project score. This study also uses a lead-lag approach and Heckman’s two-stage method to mitigate potential endogeneity concerns.
Findings: Climate governance has a significant positive impact on the level of carbon transparency. Specifically, climate governance mechanisms, including the existence of a sustainability committee, climate risk awareness and environmental, social and governance-related incentives, can promote the level of carbon transparency in Asia-Pacific non-financial firms. Further analysis reveals that stakeholder pressures influence this relationship, with a stronger positive effect observed for firms listed on foreign exchanges and those operating in countries with civil law systems. Originality/value: This study contributes to the growing body of research on how climate governance may encourage more transparent carbon disclosure in Asia-Pacific nonfinancial firms. These insights can help investors, managers and policymakers promote a more sustainable and environmentally responsible business landscape in the region
On the fractal dimension of ecotones among African vascular plants
No full textEcotones are transition zones of plant species compositional turnover, with inherent fractal characteristics corresponding to the shape of boundaries between adjacent bioregions. We characterize present-day ecotones of vascular plants across mainland sub-Saharan Africa and investigate environmental factors associated with their shapes. Specifically, we explore, (1) whether a fractal dimension is appropriate for characterizing the spatial patterns of ecotones, and (2) how the fractal dimensions of present-day ecotones may vary along latitudes and reflect other environmental contrasts between adjacent bioregions. Distributions of 23,189 vascular plant species were partitioned into bioregions across mainland sub-Saharan Africa according to the nonmetric multidimensional scaling (MDS) of Jaccard dissimilarity at 20 km resolution. The optimal number of clusters was determined using K-medoids and Clustering Large Applications (CLARA) algorithms, with the clustering validity evaluated using the silhouette coefficient. The present-day ecotones were then extracted as boundaries between adjacent bioregions, and their spatial patterns measured by the box-counting fractal dimension. Using generalized additive models (GAMs), we explained the variation of the fractal dimensions of present-day ecotones by the absolute differences in mean annual precipitation, mean annual temperature, bulk density, soil clay content, soil sand content, soil organic carbon, soil pH, topographic roughness, fire frequency, human footprint, geographic extent, and latitude, separately, between two adjacent bioregions. The MDS performed reasonably well (stress = 0.057), while CLARA succeeded in partitioning seven geographically distinct clusters (0.49 silhouette coefficient), from which 11 ecotones were identified, with eight characterized as true fractals but having low fractal dimensions (range: from 1.018 to 1.154). The GAM identified the difference in mean annual precipitation as significant (P = 0.02) for explaining the variation of the fractal dimensions of present-day ecotones with the difference in soil organic carbon near-significant (P = 0.07). The fractal dimensions also showed a moderate correlation with the difference in human footprint between adjacent bioregions (Spearman’s rho = 0.619), albeit not significant (P = 0.11). Overall, by spatially characterizing the present-day ecotones between different bioregions, we showed that the fractal dimension is an appropriate method for shape quantification and characterization of ecotones. We further highlighted key environmental factors that could explain the formation of present-day ecotones and thus the compositional turnover of vascular plant species across sub-Saharan Africa