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Blacks have been systematically under‐represented in the Agricultural Economics profession, representing only 7% of agricultural economists in academia and between 5% and 10% in the private and public sectors, respectively. Although different policies and funding strategies have been implemented to increase the representation of minorities in the profession, these numbers have not shown significant improvements over time. This paper provides an overview of the history, role, and struggles of 1890 Land‐Grant Historically Black Colleges and Universities in general, and in particular, their agricultural economics and business (AEB) Programs. Recommendations and thoughts on how to increase diversity in AEB programs are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we discuss the reasons why agricultural and applied economics and similar departments are often stand‐alone academic units. The factors that affect and shape the relationship of agricultural and applied economics faculty and departments with those from general economics departments are discussed. We present case studies of three universities having different relationships with general economics faculty at their respective universities: a merged unit, an unmerged unit, and a never‐merged unit. We conclude with rationale for the existence and future trajectory of agricultural economics and related academic units at Land Grant Universities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to discuss the challenges in attracting and securing adequate budgets for departments of agricultural and applied economics, while recognizing that the institutional and political contexts matter. Agricultural and applied economics departments that operate with an entrepreneurial mindset, that maintain and grow their student numbers, and that have a vibrant demand for their extension and research activities will thrive. The good news is we often have considerable control over the factors that contribute to our longer‐term success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taking six representative futures in the international energy and agricultural markets as the research objects, we use multifractal analysis methods to study the fluctuation characteristics, market risks and cross-correlations within and between these markets before and after the outbreak of the Russia–Ukraine conflict in this paper. The empirical results show that both the auto-correlations and cross-correlations have obvious multifractal features. It is confirmed that the multifractal strength and market risks of the international energy markets have weakened, while those of the international agricultural markets have enhanced after the Russia–Ukraine conflict broke out. In addition, the Russia–Ukraine conflict has intensified the strength of the multifractality and the degree of fluctuation complexity between these two classes of international markets. Further, the intrinsic multifractal natures of cross-correlations are tested, and the apparent and intrinsic multifractality before and after the conflict are revealed. Finally, some policy suggestions are put forward based on the empirical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews the institutional reforms in agricultural commodity markets in India and examines their implications for spatial efficiency in supply chains of the markets. In order to remove inefficiencies in the traditional supply chain, the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) Act was revised, and a Model APMC Act 2003 was introduced with the provisions for establishing private markets/yards, direct purchase centres, farmers markets for direct sale, contract farming and promotion of public–private partnership in the management and development of agricultural markets. Initiative has been taken to set up a National Agricultural Market as an all-India electronic trading portal to develop a 'common national market' for agricultural commodities. The institutional reforms in agricultural marketing system since the early 1990s appear to have contributed towards improving the spatial efficiency in rice and wheat markets. The finding of an increase in the extent of spatial integration of markets after the reforms and the tendency of the prices to move towards a common stochastic trend lend support to the idea of setting up a 'common national market' for agricultural commodities. Further reforms in the marketing system with better infrastructure facilities would strengthen market integration and improve efficiency in the supply chains. JEL classification: O13, Q13, Q18. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has become a new trend for the future development of Chinese agriculture to accelerate the transformation from increasing production to improving quality and realizing green growth. This paper uses the sequential DEA to measure the agricultural green total factor productivity (GTFP) of 306 Chinese cities from 1996 to 2017, then tests its convergence. The results show that the average growth rate of Chinese agricultural GTFP is 0.58%; the main driving force coming from technical progress. The convergence of agricultural GTFP has dual characteristics of stages and regions, and the significant σ convergence only exists in the central region during 1996–2003. There is significant β convergence at the national level, in the eastern and central regions, and neither convergence nor divergence in the western region. However, during 2004–2017, only the eastern region had β convergence. Finally, the conditional convergence speed is higher than the absolute convergence, and the eastern region is higher than the central. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are primary producers of subsistence food and significant contributors to the agricultural economy. Gender Based Violence (GBV) adversely impacts their capacity to contribute and sustain their families and undermines social, economic, and human capital. Addressing GBV, therefore, is critical to creating safe and inclusive environments for women as primary producers to participate fully in rural communities. The aim of this scoping review is to explore the existing evidence on GBV in the context of women primary producers in LMICs to inform research gaps and priorities. Methods: A scoping review was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, Ebscohost and Google Scholar using keywords related to GBV and women producers in LMICs. Peer-reviewed journal articles published between January 2012 and June 2022 were included in the review. Duplicates were removed, titles and abstracts were screened, and characteristics and main results of included studies were recorded in a data charting form. A total of 579 records were identified, of which 49 studies were eligible for inclusion in this study. Results: Five major themes were identified from our analysis: (1) extent and nature of GBV, (2) the impact of GBV on agricultural/primary production livelihood activities, (3) sociocultural beliefs, practices, and attitudes, (4) aggravating or protective factors, and (5) GBV interventions. Addressing GBV in agriculture requires inclusive research approaches and targeted interventions to empower women producers, promote gender equality, enhance agricultural productivity, and contribute to broader societal development. Despite attempts by researchers to delve into this issue, the pervasive under-reporting of GBV remains a challenge. The true extent and nature of GBV perpetrated against women is far from fully understood in this context. Conclusion: Despite the significant challenges posed by GBV to the health, economy and livelihoods of women primary producers in LMICs, there is a paucity in the current state of knowledge. To make meaningful progress, more research is required to understand the relationship between GBV and agricultural settings, and to gain nuanced insight into the nature and impact of GBV on women primary producers in different regions and contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement is an important free trade agreement in the Asia Pacific region. The implementation of RCEP is greatly significant for ensuring the effective supply of agricultural products to member states. On the basis of the analysis of the agricultural product trade structure among China, Australia and New Zealand since 2000, we summarise in this article the potential consequences of tariff reduction for the agricultural products among the three countries under the RCEP framework. The Global Trade Analysis Project model has been used to analyse the effects of RCEP on the macroeconomic indicators, agricultural products trade and domestic agricultural output of the three countries. The research findings indicate that agricultural product trade among the three countries has grown rapidly since 2000. The results of the Global Trade Analysis Project simulations revealed that implementing RCEP will foster macroeconomic growth in the three countries. China's imports of beef and dairy products and wheat from Australia and New Zealand will substantially increase, and China's domestic production of this agricultural sector will decrease. Furthermore, India's potential participation in RCEP will further affect China's imports and exports of grain. These findings could guide the policymakers in the three countries in designing future agricultural production and trade strategies according to the different scenarios of international trade among the three countries and considering the potential of India joining. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the volatility connectedness and dynamic time–frequency relationship between Bitcoin (BTC) and 15 major agricultural commodity markets during the COVID‐19 and 2022 Russia–Ukraine war periods. We employ the TVP‐VAR‐based extended joint connectedness method, minimum connectedness investment portfolio, and wavelet coherence (WC) method. The results indicate that the sudden outbreaks of the two crises brought about increased volatility connectedness between BTC and agricultural commodity markets. Throughout the entire sample period, BTC remained a net transmitter of volatility. Moreover, in terms of the total connectedness index (TCI), the overall volatility correlation surged rapidly after the outbreak of COVID‐19 and the 2022 Russia–Ukraine war. The portfolio results demonstrated that BTC exhibited a low correlation with the agricultural commodity markets, suggesting diversification potential. Additionally, only Feeder Cattle served as an effective hedging asset for BTC throughout all periods. The WC analysis confirmed that during the COVID‐19 period and the 2022 Russia–Ukraine war, most of the linkages were primarily concentrated at medium‐ to long‐term frequencies. Our analysis will contribute to a deeper understanding of the interconnection between these markets, enabling market participants to consider risk mitigation measures and support portfolio diversification when formulating policies and regulations involving relevant markets in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the dynamic linkages between agricultural and energy markets, with a focus on an econometric analysis of multivariate stochastic dynamics based on the joint distribution of state variables. The analysis relies on a quantile approach followed by the evaluation of a copula. Applied to nonlinear price dynamics, the approach is flexible and supports a general evaluation of impulse response functions representing how prices adjust over time and across markets in response to a given shock. The analysis allows for arbitrary distribution functions; it captures own‐price and cross‐price dynamics that can depend on the nature of shocks; and it also allows current changes to affect all moments of the future price distributions. The usefulness of the approach is illustrated in an econometric investigation of dynamic linkages in US corn, ethanol, and crude oil markets. We show how price adjustments can vary across quantiles, reflecting different speeds of adjustments depending on market conditions. We find evidence of nonlinear dynamics specific to the tails of the price distributions. We uncover evidence of positive contemporaneous codependence, especially tail dependence. We show how price shocks affect mean, variance, skewness as well as kurtosis of future price distributions. These results stress the importance of going beyond a standard mean‐variance analysis. They also shed new light on the deep linkages existing in the food‐fuel nexus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent research challenges the belief that indigenous hunter-gatherers in western Europe gradually adopted agriculture. Instead, evidence suggests that the earliest farmers in Europe were immigrants from Asia Minor who brought a fully functioning agricultural economy. A study in Atlantic France reveals that hunter-gatherers and farmers lived separately, with no signs of adoption or intermarriage. This research questions the assumption that hunter-gatherer societies naturally progress towards agriculture and provides insights into the social organization and settlement patterns of forager societies in coastal Europe. The given text also references a book and an article that discuss the distribution of prehistoric Aboriginal burial grounds in southeastern Australia, making it a valuable resource for research on this topic. [Extracted from the article]

Wetland reclamation was an intrinsic part of nineteenth-century global agricultural transformations. In Swedish research, reclamation has mainly been situated in larger general processes of population rise, commercialization and societal/technological development. The intersection of reclamation, physical environments and local economies has seldom been studied in detail. This paper conducts a local analysis of nineteenth-century wetland reclamation in two parishes in Sweden, Knätte and Mörlunda, through combining a study of specific reclamation processes with an analysis of local agrarian-economic development. The results show that these processes varied depending on specific historical-geographical circumstances. In Knätte, reclamation was not primarily related to population rise, but to increasing commercialization during the period. The case in Mörlunda instead shows how reclamation was first a response to increasing population but later developed into a project of agricultural market adaptation. In both cases, the physical environment led to varying degrees of geographic constraint in the process. In combination, these results point to the importance of detailed case studies in nuancing our understanding of nineteenth-century wetland reclamation both in Sweden and internationally. • Local factors are important for nuancing general trends in wetland reclamation. • In Sweden, population rise and commercialization are considered primary drivers. • The active drivers vary between the compared cases, depending on context. • Reclamation was primarily a part of local agrarian developments. • Wider relations of the local economy, for example through trade, also impacted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As governments encourage circular economy (CE) initiatives, markets for waste recirculation are taking shape. But implementation is in its infancy and material circuits are emergent. Early food waste CEs shaped by commercial players emphasise capital investment, routinised forms of waged labour, processing sites distant from food waste sources, and transactional relationships. Less well understood is the potential for vernacular circularity beyond market-based, transactional frames. This paper reports from a collaborative research exercise with a non-profit community farm in nonmetropolitan Australia, seeking to connect with cafés to access food waste for composting. Cafés are a nexus of production and consumption, ubiquitous in the contemporary multicultural Australian context, and therefore ideal for grassroots CEs. Ten local cafes participated, reviewing existing food waste practices, motivations for circularity, and contextual factors including the regional setting. We found that food waste circularity emerges via divergent pathways related to enterprise type and scale, environmental values of actors, place embeddedness, and local relationships. These pathways reflect the place-based attributes and diverse sustainability values of residents and businesses in the coastal, industrial city of Wollongong, where the study is based. Contrasting distant, transactional circuits, are more-than-transactional food waste pathways, developed by microscale actors shaping vernacular material flows and "hacking" public provision of Food Organic and Garden Organic (FOGO) waste services to mobilise environmental values and community relationships. Overlooked by "big policy" more-than-transactional relationships bind producers, intermediaries and consumers in closer loops and, in so doing, enrich place and facilitate an ethic of care for soil and land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing nations typically prioritize economic growth. Thus, industrial technological progress frequently leads to production expansion and subsequent environmental degradation. This paper, however, proposes that in a dual agricultural economy, the progress in industrial production technology does not necessarily degrade the environment when considering technology spillover. Utilizing a general equilibrium model, we conclude that, at the beginning of modern agricultural development, increasing technology spillover rate adversely affects the environment and social welfare. Yet, after the popularization of modern agriculture, increasing this rate can enhance environmental and welfare conditions. Under specific conditions, industrial technological progress might promote environmental and welfare benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review paper provides an in-depth analysis of × Tritordeum [(Ascherson et Graebner)], a novel cereal crop with promising agronomic, nutritional, and economic potential. Through a comprehensive examination of the crop's agronomic characteristics and management requirements, we highlight its adaptability to Mediterranean climates, resilience under changing environmental conditions, and potential applications in the food industry, such as breadmaking and pasta production. We also discuss the role of digital agriculture technologies in optimizing tritordeum cultivation and their potential impact on agricultural practices. Furthermore, we assess the opportunities and challenges associated with tritordeum's integration into the agricultural economy and production systems, emphasizing its potential to contribute to a more sustainable and health-conscious food system. By offering a holistic understanding of tritordeum's attributes, this review serves as a valuable resource for researchers, agronomists, food manufacturers, and policymakers interested in exploring the potential of this innovative cereal grain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drip irrigation can be a transformational technology for smallholders in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, the diffusion and adoption of drip irrigation remain limited due to the existence of key barriers, and use of drip irrigation has largely been confined to donor- and government-supported irrigation projects. This paper therefore investigates actions to overcome key barriers, with a focus on the role of donors in these efforts. Based on documentary analysis of, respectively, policy reports and the OECD's database of bilateral aid, we construct a framework for measures that enable the diffusion and adoption of drip irrigation and then assess how bilateral aid organizations have taken part in these measures. Focusing on bilateral aid in the period 2013–2019, we show how a large share of projects, through support for smallholder irrigation schemes, have focused on increasing farmers' technical skills and linking them with agricultural markets, as well as enhancing extension services and providing capacity-building for public institutions. However, these projects have paid less attention to improving the supply chains for irrigation equipment and farm inputs such as seeds and fertilizers. We therefore recommend that future donor interventions into drip irrigation apply system-oriented perspectives which consider markets conditions for finance and for agricultural inputs and outputs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we reconsider the rationale used to justify a complaint filed by the U.S. Department of Justice regarding the acquisition of a cottonseed company by an agricultural biotechnology company. With the benefit of hindsight, we show that the competitive assessment overlooked significant market developments that were altering the competitive position of the firms under investigation. This review is intended to raise awareness of the complexities of enforcing antitrust policy in a dynamic environment, with a special emphasis on agricultural markets. We argue that antitrust analysis should incorporate a process view of competition to better account for present market dynamics and the everchanging competitive environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Access to an agricultural market information system (AMIS) is essential to reduce farmers' risk from market speculation related to information asymmetry. However, AMIS's sustainability depends on the users' needs and willingness to pay (WTP) for market information. This paper explores the WTP for market information among market‐oriented farmers, as well as its determinants. Data were collected through a structured survey with 479 farmers. A contingent dichotomous choice dual boundary estimation is used to measure WTP and a logistic regression is used to ascertain the main determinants of the stated WTP. Experienced losses, access to market information, use of non‐virtual means of information, and degree of farm specialization are the main determinants of the WTP. These findings are useful for establishing a feasible AMIS, and designing its services according to the characteristics, needs, capacities and preferences of the identified potential users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Once one of the few self‐sufficient food countries in the world, Turkey has become dependent on imports to feed its population. Food prices have climbed to among the highest in the world, severely threatening the food security of the country. Most researchers generally attributed the high prices to the increased input costs of agriculture. Although the role of input prices cannot be denied, this paper focuses on a neglected problem that can account for food price inflation: the attitudes and behaviours of farming communities towards agriculture. Through fuzzy cognitive map methodology, known to be very effective in understanding complex networks of problems, we identify and map the relationships among the factors affecting the agriculture system, develop interview and literature‐driven scenarios, and test these scenarios to demonstrate their role in explaining the relationship between attitudes and behaviours of farming communities and food prices in Turkey. Our findings provide recommendations to policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid development of modern cold chain logistics technology has greatly expanded the sales market of agricultural products in rural areas. However, due to the uncertainty of agricultural product harvesting, relying on the experience values provided by farmers for vehicle scheduling can easily lead to low utilization of vehicle capacity during the pickup process and generate more transportation cost. Therefore, this article adopts a non-linear improved grey prediction method based on data transformation to estimate the pickup demand of fresh agricultural products, and then establishes a mathematical model that considers the fixed vehicle usage cost, the damage cost caused by non-linear fresh fruit and vegetable transportation damage and decay rate, the cooling cost generated by refrigerated transportation, and the time window penalty cost. In order to solve the model, a hybrid simulated annealing algorithm integrating genetic operators was designed to solve this problem. This hybrid algorithm combines local search strategies such as the selection operator without repeated strings and the crossover operator that preserves the best substring to improve the algorithm's solving performance. Numerical experiments were conducted through a set of benchmark examples, and the results showed that the proposed algorithm can adapt to problem instances of different scales. In 50 customer examples, the difference between the algorithm and the standard value in this paper is 2.30%, which is 7.29% higher than C&S. Finally, the effectiveness of the grey prediction freight path optimization model was verified through a practical case simulation analysis, achieving a logistics cost savings of 9.73%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 55th session of the UN Statistical Commission recently took place, with representatives from 129 countries and various agencies in attendance. Important decisions were made regarding inclusivity, methodological enhancements, and the establishment of working groups for new statistical standards. The session also celebrated the 30th anniversary of the UN Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics. However, controversy arose over the establishment of an Independent Advisory Board on the FPOS, with some countries opposing external oversight. The session covered topics such as sustainable development, environmental-economic accounting, food security, and tourism statistics. Concerns were raised about the lack of a monitoring mechanism for political interference in statistical production. The SJIAOS includes an interview with the director of the UN Statistics Division and a special section on agricultural statistics. Other papers cover topics such as machine learning algorithms in agricultural surveys, household consumption surveys for food security analysis, and methodologies for identifying small-scale food producers in Italy. The document also summarizes articles in the Statistical Journal of the IAOS, which discuss a new methodology for data collection, surveys conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, time series analysis, and the importance of data utilization. [Extracted from the article]

This paper proposes a conceptual and empirical framework to develop rural transformation strategies tailored to the agroecological potential and market access of rural areas in Pakistan. Such a framework allows to move away from stereotypical countrywide policies as in use in Pakistan and many other countries. Using publicly available geospatial measures of vegetation greenness and an urban gravity model to proxy the agricultural market demand, we classify Pakistan's rural districts into categories with similar comparative advantages and describe dominant livelihood activities. The framework recommends market-based approaches to support commercial agriculture or non-agriculture business development in well-connected areas and where households have accumulated human and physical capital. In areas with less developed agricultural potential or market access, households will benefit from area-based and community-driven development, skill development, and labor programs. Since data collection is often challenging in rural areas, statistical agencies can use such an empirical framework to advise policymakers on prioritizing public investments and tailoring rural transformation pathways. In addition, statistical agencies can also extend the framework at different levels of resolution, from national to local level, and complement it with primary data sources to validate the usefulness of the approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural production is highly dependent on weather conditions such as temperature, light, water and heat. The huge loss caused by extreme disaster weather makes the global insurance and reinsurance market overwhelmed, and seriously affects the enthusiasm of agricultural investment and the development of agricultural economy. With unique topography and vast territory, China is vulnerable to complex and diverse climate disasters. In recent years, the annual average economic loss caused by extreme weather disasters has reached about 200-300 billion yuan, among which floods caused by extreme heavy rainfall are the main agricultural disasters in China. In order to enhance the "farmer - insurance company - government" interest association to resist the risk of flood disaster caused by extreme heavy rainfall, financial hedging derivatives of weather disaster risk have gradually become a new hedging tool besides traditional insurance and reinsurance. This paper takes Shenyang, the main grain producing area in northeast China, as the sample of the study area, and uses the SARIMA model to obtain the distribution characteristics of seasonal rainfall time series. Different seasonal rainfall index option products (call option and put option contracts) are designed respectively, and the final option pricing is obtained by Monte Carlo stochastic simulation. The seasonal rainfall call option and put option contracts have opened up a new hedging model of agricultural extreme weather catastrophe outside the insurance and reinsurance market, which has enriched the varieties of weather financial derivatives market in China, reduced the severe impact of extreme weather disasters on agriculture, and enhanced the ability of agricultural stakeholders to resist the risk of extreme weather disasters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the research is to determine the specific capital costs of carrying out agricultural work with the farmers'own agricultural machines compared to the costs of agricultural services. A stratified sample based on economic size was used, consisting of 60 farms specialised in large crops from the NE and SE development regions of Romania. The novelty elements of this research consist in the fact that the analysis of the efficiency of the use of agricultural machinery uses a shadow cost--the opportunity cost--to determine the specific income of the use of agricultural machinery. The results show that small farms spend more than twice as much to carry out agricultural work with their own agricultural machinery. The average expenses per ha specific to the agricultural works carried out by farmers with their own agricultural machines recorded an average of 376.3 euro/ha for farms with a size smaller than 100 thousand SO and 186.5 euro/ha for farms with a size greater than 700 thousand SO. For a representativeness level of 69.3%, farms with a size smaller than approx. 578 thousand SO register losses if they carry out agricultural work with their own agricultural machines. This threshold can be appreciated on an area of approx. 854 ha cultivated with grain corn, common wheat, and rapeseed in equal proportions. Using the rationales and cost analysis models presented can help farmers make rational investments and strengthen informed demand in the agricultural services market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determining the market value for agricultural and livestock buildings involves considering various factors related to the structures, their functionality, and the overall agricultural market. The current trends and demand in the agricultural sector can influence property values. The geographical location of the property plays a significant role in determining its market value. The size and capacity of the buildings are also crucial factors. The impact of environmental factors, such as soil quality and climate conditions, on the property's productivity can influence its market value. The purpose of this work is to highlight the criteria that influence the market value for such a specialized property. In this study, nine plots of land, along with the agricultural and industrial buildings situated on them, located in Călărași County, Romania were the subject of valuation. For this, The Cost Approach was used. Also, within this method, a special importance is given to the estimation of the land's market value, in this regard The Direct Comparison Method was utilized. In conclusion, it was observed that the largest percentage of the market value of the subject property comes from the buildings situated on the land plots and not from the free land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the short‐term market reaction of four agricultural commodities to the Russian–Ukraine war and various stages of the Black Sea Grain Initiative Agreement. Using an event study, the results show a positive abnormal return for the agricultural grain markets with the outbreak of the war and the nonrenewal of the Black Sea Grain Agreement. These two events by causing supply‐side constraints, led to an increase in the price of grains. The results also show negative and statistically significant abnormal returns around the signing of the Black Sea Grain Agreement, its implementation through the departure of the first ship loaded with Ukrainian grain after the beginning of the war and the successive extensions of the agreement. These disruptions not only affect Ukraine and Russia but also have critical implications for world food security. Policy implications of our findings are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a conceptual and empirical framework to develop rural transformation strategies tailored to the agroecological potential and market access of rural areas in Pakistan. Such a framework allows to move away from stereotypical countrywide policies as in use in Pakistan and many other countries. Using publicly available geospatial measures of vegetation greenness and an urban gravity model to proxy the agricultural market demand, we classify Pakistan's rural districts into categories with similar comparative advantages and describe dominant livelihood activities. The framework recommends market-based approaches to support commercial agriculture or non-agriculture business development in well-connected areas and where households have accumulated human and physical capital. In areas with less developed agricultural potential or market access, households will benefit from area-based and community-driven development, skill development, and labor programs. Since data collection is often challenging in rural areas, statistical agencies can use such an empirical framework to advise policymakers on prioritizing public investments and tailoring rural transformation pathways. In addition, statistical agencies can also extend the framework at different levels of resolution, from national to local level, and complement it with primary data sources to validate the usefulness of the approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the effectiveness of climate pledges and eco-taxation as strategies for mitigating climate change within a networked agricultural supply chain organisation. We utilise variational inequality techniques within a multicriteria decision-making framework and validate our theoretical findings through numerical simulations using a machine learning augmented algorithm. By employing this approach, we position the Agricultural Sector Roadmap, aimed at capping global warming at 1.5°C, within the wider agricultural sector's climate action framework. Our results demonstrate that environmental taxation emerges as the most effective approach for addressing climate change. Eco-taxation leads to a 57.87 per cent reduction in global emissions, whereas climate pledges only account for a 20.59 per cent reduction at the same level of production. Furthermore, eco-taxation results in a 45.68 per cent greater reduction in emission intensity compared to climate pledges. In contrast to climate commitments, an eco-fiscal policy is capable of achieving the objectives established by the European Union. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our paper assesses the technical and economic effects of adopting environmental standards aimed at favouring biodiversity on wheat production. We consider two standards with different levels of environmental stringency. We use data on French wheat production at the plot level from the period 2014–2020. We implement an endogenous switching regression model taking into account two sources of endogeneity, environmental standards adoption and inputs quantity use. Our results indicate that adopting the more stringent standard slightly decreases wheat yield and quality. In contrast, it induces a low increase in wheat price. The price premium of the more stringent environmental standard merely compensates for the negative effect of the standard's adoption on quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines how India's national lockdown (March 25-May 31, 2020), in response to the spread of Covid-19, affected the on-farm family labor supply of 351 farm households in the rural-urban interface of Bangalore. We combine face-to-face survey data collected just before the start of the lockdown with phone survey data collected during the last 2 weeks of the lockdown. We find that 66% of farm households reduced their daily on-farm family labor supply during the lockdown, by on average almost 40% compared with prelockdown levels. Changes in on-farm family labor supply differed by key pre-Covid-19 household characteristics. Farm households that were engaged in crop marketing decreased their on-farm family labor supply by an average of 3-4 h/day. In turn, farm households that relied on off-farm income increased their on-farm family labor supply by on average 3-4 h/day [EconLit Citations: J22, J43, Q12, Q13, Q54]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background--At present, the academic research on new quality productive forces is mainly concentrated in two aspects; first, it studies the philosophical connotation, contents and characteristics, evolution paths and directions, generation logic, core elements and formation mechanism of new quality productive forces from the theoretical perspective; Second, it studies the application of new quality productive forces in tourism industry, agricultural economy, emerging industrialization, new digital economy and modern industrial system from the perspective of practice. However, few studies have been made on the realization paths of new quality productive forces in forestry development. Developing new quality productive forces in forestry is an important direction to promote the upgrading and development of forestry industry. (2) Methods--Based on the research methods and policy texts of Marxist political economy theory, this paper discussed the related issues of the transformation from traditional productive forces in forestry to new quality productive forces in forestry from three aspects; selection basis, realistic requirements and realization paths. (3) Results--The selection basis of new quality productive forces in forestry mainly includes theoretical basis, policy basis and economic basis. There are three realistic requirements for the transformation of new quality productive forces in forestry; first, improve the quality of forestry workers, which is the realistic requirement for the comprehensive development of forestry. Second, improve the technical content of means of labor in forestry, which is the realistic requirement of the innovative development of forestry. Third, expand the subjects of labor in forestry, which is the realistic requirement of diversified development of forestry. The new quality productive forces in forestry is the result of innovating the three elements and improving the combination of the three elements of productive forces in forestry. At present, the forestry development in China belongs to the transformation stage, and the realization paths of transformation needs to be solved. (4) Conclusions and Discussions--According to the underlying logic of the "U-2L" coordinate sys tem, the coordinate diagram of the transformation paths of new quality productive forces in forestry can be constructed. From the horizontal axis, the right axis represents the level of upgrading of the forestry supply chain, and the left axis represents the level of upgrading of the forestry industry chain. The key to promote the transformation of new quality productive forces in forestry is to promote the optimization and upgrading of forestry industry chain and supply chain. From the vertical axis, the upper axis represents the degree of innovation of the emerging industry in forestry, and the lower axis represents the degree of penetration of future technologies in forestry. The key point to promote the transformation of new quality productive forces in forestry is to cultivate emerging industry and future industry in forestry actively. From the oblique axis, the driving force of digital technology innovation is the core driving force. The core to promote the transformation of new quality productive forces in forestry is to further promote the development of digital technology innovation in forestry. The three axes represent positioning, and the coordinate points represent the degree of transformation of new quality productive forces in forestry. Local forestry departments should combine their own conditions, find the right development orientation, and promote the transformation and high-quality development of forestry in the new era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the impact of trade sanctions, imposed against large exporting nations, on the degree of spatial integration achieved between non‐sanctioned importing markets. The analysis is conducted under a parity bounds framework based on Negassa and Myers (American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 89, 2007, 338). We apply this model to investigate the effects of the 2012–2016 sanctions against Iran's petrochemical exports on the main importing markets in Asia and we use it to measure the degrees of spatial integration attained outside and during the sanction period. Our findings document a complete reconfiguration of the spatial extent of the methanol markets. Outside of the sanction period, a high degree of market integration was achieved among the main Asian markets. In contrast, we observe the emergence of two little integrated market areas, China and India on one side and South Korea and South‐East Asia on the other, when sanctions are imposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The agribusiness model involved the expansion of crops and the application of a technological package that has generated the use of millions of liters of agrochemicals, which exposes rural populations to simultaneous or sequenced exposure to products, which seriously affect health and the environment. These externalities are reflected in the bodyterritory of women who inhabit and/or transit rural spaces, and suffer from daily land dispossession, labor exploitation and deterioration of their health as a result of the drift of agrochemicals. In this paper I intend to make visible the struggle of women, teachers, who gave birth to the Federal Network of Teachers for Life in San Andrés de Giles (Buenos Aires province) in 2017; an environmental group that denounces these problems, promotes actions to protect the environment and the rights of students and rural families. The methodology includes the analysis of journalistic sources, fieldwork and the development of semi-structured interviews in the territory of San Andrés de Giles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the trade relationship between Turkey and Uzbekistan, particularly in sesame exports, with the aim of strengthening Uzbekistan's competitiveness. Based on the theory of comparative advantage and using key indicators such as the Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) Index, the Revealed Symmetric Comparative Advantage (RSCA) Index, and the Normal Revealed Comparative Advantage (NRCA) Index, this study highlights the robust competitiveness of Turkey in exporting agricultural machinery designed specifically for sesame production. Through a comprehensive analysis of these indices, the study highlights Turkey's particular strength in this sector, sheds light on its comparative advantage and emphasises the country's strategic position in the global market for sesame-related agricultural machinery. However, Uzbekistan currently lacks competitiveness in sesame exports. The study underlines the key role of effective technology transfer, especially in machinery exports from Turkey, in improving Uzbekistan's position. Econometric models show the significant impact of exchange rates and domestic demand on Uzbekistan's sesame exports. The study's findings highlight ways to improve the efficiency of agricultural machinery exports between the two countries. This provides policymakers with valuable insights to strengthen sustainable trade relations and increase the volume of agricultural exports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This article explores the need to improve the provision of Agri-Environmental-Climate Public Goods (AECPGs) in European agricultural and forest ecosystems. It suggests that innovative and more effective instruments, such as result-based and value chain-based solutions, as well as approaches that promote collective implementation, are necessary. The article discusses the challenges and criticisms associated with current action-based AECS and proposes alternative approaches to improve their environmental effectiveness. It presents various contract solutions, including value chain contracts and land tenure contracts, that aim to improve the delivery of public goods from agriculture and forestry. The article also highlights the importance of farmers' perspectives and previous experiences in determining their acceptance of these contracts. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for enhanced promotion, education, and financial certainty to encourage the adoption of these contracts. [Extracted from the article]

Climate change has exacerbated the frequency and magnitude of extreme rainfall, which has led to the perpetuation of flooding as a hazard to humans and society. China has begun to consider introducing Flood drainage rights (FDR), a sustainable flood control measure, into non-engineering measures as a complement to engineering measures for flood control. FDR represent the right of regions to discharge regional floodwaters caused by extreme rainfall into the river, and are the primary means of controlling the amount of floodwaters from regions when regional flood capacity is exceeded. However, existing studies on quantitative FDR allocation still have limitations, and some previous methods have resulted in allocation schemes that are not entirely reasonable and fair because they do not comprehensively consider the influencing factors of FDR or the allocation method is unreasonable. This paper explores the impact of flooding on rural and agricultural areas. We incorporate the factors of agricultural economy and security and construct a system of the allocation indicators of FDR composed of five principles: Natural Environmental Endowment, General Economic and Social Development, Agricultural Economy and Security, Macro policy regulation, and Respect for Historical Background. Second, considering the influence of expert judgment and data of different time nodes on the allocation of FDR, we introduce the concepts of expert weight and time weight into the allocation model of FDR, and construct a new set of framework for the allocation of FDR, i.e., "[(expert weight + subjective weight)+(time weight + objective weight)]+decision making model ". To reduce the loss of information during the transformation of subjective judgments, we also introduced triangular fuzzy numbers for the transformation between expert judgments and numbers. Finally, we take the five provinces in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River as an example. Using the data from 2010 to 2021, we obtain the final allocation scheme (proportion) of FDR as Henan (33.26%) > Shaanxi (23.08%) > Inner Mongolia (21.31%) > Shanxi (14.44%) > Shandong (7.91%). On this basis, this paper utilizes sensitivity analysis and comparative validation to demonstrate the rationality and effectiveness of the method, and identifies several indicators that have a greater impact on the results of the allocation of FDR. FDR can form part of a set of integrated flood management system together with flood control projects, which greatly alleviates the drainage conflicts arising from flooding caused by extreme precipitation. Under extreme rainfall conditions, FDR improves drainage efficiency and minimizes the overall damage caused by flooding in the watershed. This study can contribute to the sustainable development of the watershed and provide a reference for the promotion and utilization of sustainable flood control measures. • Climate change has exacerbated extreme rainfall, causing more severe flooding. • Flood drainage rights (FDR) is a sustainable flood control measure that mitigates drainage conflicts in the basin. • We take agricultural economy and security into account in our FDR indicators. • We constructed a new framework of "[(expert weights + subjective weights) + (time weights + objective weights)] + decision model" for the allocation of FDR. • This study provides a reference for FDR in agricultural priority areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is a response to concerns raised by Lang et al. regarding the use of Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) in viewshed analysis of wind turbines. Lang et al. argue that using a Digital Surface Model (DSM) that accounts for trees and buildings is a better approach. However, the authors of the article explain that they chose to use a DEM for three primary reasons: the lack of a national-scale DSM, the use of bare terrain models in wind farm planning, and the potential errors and limitations of DSMs. They acknowledge that using a DSM may yield different results and suggest further research comparing the two models. The authors also note that their findings regarding the diminishing impact of wind turbines on property values over time and space should still hold true regardless of the misclassification concerns raised by Lang et al. [Extracted from the article]

Agricultural production has dual functions as a carbon emitter and sink, and fully exploiting the carbon sink function of agriculture is highly valuable for ensuring carbon neutrality. The layout of net carbon in agriculture shows an imbalance, i.e., underscaling in areas with a net carbon advantage or overscaling in areas with a net carbon disadvantage, which restricts the fulfillment of agricultural carbon sinks. Clarifying the global pattern of net carbon imbalances in agriculture and their drivers is highly important for improving the overall net carbon. In this regard, this paper focuses on the global net carbon in agriculture in 155 countries and regions, and a spatial mismatch index of net carbon in agriculture (MNCA) is constructed based on the relative difference between net carbon and cultivated land. Spatial autocorrelation analysis and the standard deviation ellipse are used to reflect its spatiotemporal evolution pattern. In addition, through geographically weighted regression, we explored the effects of agricultural structure, agricultural economic development, the scale of labor and cultivated land and organized the mismatches into carbon and area effects. The results show that (1) global agricultural production represents net carbon emissions, while developing countries represent net carbon sinks, and there is a mismatch of net agricultural carbon in most regions; (2) the MNCA is characterized by low-low clustering in North America, Asia and Europe, with its center of gravity falling in western Africa and migrating northeastward; and (3) the main factors influencing the MNCA are the agricultural structure and economic level. Underscaling in areas with a net carbon advantage is a major problem. To increase the global agricultural carbon sink capacity, we suggest that North America, South Asia and other regions strictly implement agricultural emission reduction policies and that Central America, South America and Africa tentatively upgrade agricultural technology and their economies to alleviate farmland pressure through transnational cooperation. In this paper, the global net carbon imbalance in agriculture is identified and the overall implementation path of increasing carbon sinks is explored to provide a reference for achieving carbon neutrality. This study reports a global mismatch in net carbon in agriculture and identifies the wasted carbon sink advantage of developing countries as the root problem. • It is a new indicator to measure the efficiency of net carbon allocation in the agricultural production process. • Agricultural production in developing countries shows a net carbon sink advantage. • Under-scaling of net carbon advantage is major problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the economic viability of biochar application in crop production, focusing on varying application rates of 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, and 28 tons per hectare. Biochar, produced through biomass pyrolysis, has shown promise in improving crop yields and contributing to environmental sustainability. The biochar production financial metrics were analyzed, and it shows that the economic parameters such as Operational Expenditure (OPEX) amounting to $2339.40, feedstock cost of $2420.25, and transport cost of $293.71. The total biochar production cost was $232.87 per ton, with labour costs comprising 27.07 % of the overall production and application expenses. The analysis revealed that the maximum annual revenue from crop production (peas in the rabi season and maize in the kharif season) reached $525.88 per hectare at a biochar application rate of 12 tons/ha. Carbon sequestration revenue was estimated at $186.6 per ton of biochar. Economic indicators revealed that the benefit-cost ratio (BCR) was the highest at 1.476, with an 8 ton/ha biochar application rate. At the same time, the net present worth (NPW) and internal rate of return (IRR) also maximized at this rate, reaching $932.85 and 85.71 %, respectively. Conversely, higher biochar application rates of 24 and 28 tons/ha resulted in negative NPW and IRR values and BCR values below 1, indicating economic infeasibility at these levels. These findings highlight the economic viability and potential agronomic benefits of biochar application at optimal rates of 8 tons/ha for promoting sustainable crop production. • Biochar production cost is $232.87 per ton of biochar. • One ton of biochar production mitigates 6.22 tons of CO 2. • Biochar can support a circular bioeconomy in crop production by reusing agricultural crop residue. • Biochar application of 8 tons/ha is feasible; policymakers should support this rate and discourage rates over 20 tons/ha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fresh vegetables are prone to foodborne pathogen infection due to improper cultivation methods and poor post-harvest handling practices. This paper describes the prevalence of foodborne pathogens in three vegetables (tomato, brinjal, and lablab) cultivated by small-scale producers (SSP) of India. We assessed the possible entry of pathogens into the vegetable production chain. Samples from soil, manure, irrigation water, harvesting bins, and workers' hands were assessed as sources of possible pathogen entry. In addition, further sampling was done to determine prevalence of these pathogens in the produce from the agricultural fields and markets. Total plate counts, yeast and mold count, total coliforms like general microbial indices, and possible foodborne pathogens like Salmonella , Escherichia coli O157, Staphylococcus aureus , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and norovirus were assessed in all the samples by standard microbiological, biochemical, and molecular methods. The results revealed that among the three vegetables we studied, brinjal had the highest load of general microbial indicators. Moreover, the total coliforms count of market vegetables was higher than that of on-farm vegetables, indicating poor hygiene in post-harvest operations. The pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa was found in the market tomatoes (0.35 log 10 cfu/g), and E. coli was detected in the market samples of brinjal (2.98–3.89 log 10 cfu/g) and lablab (0.59–2.21 log 10 cfu/g), thereby revealing fecal cross-contamination during pre or post-harvest operations. None of the vegetable samples were contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, Staphylococcus aureus , Salmonella sp., and norovirus. However, the microbiological source tracking of primary production farms showed that E. coli O157:H7 was present in manure (9/27), soil (6/27), harvest bins (6/27), and irrigation water samples (3/27) of SSP farms. In addition, soil (33%), manure (11%), and harvest bins (11%) had Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In conclusion, our study suggests that adequate knowledge of good agricultural practices for small-scale producers to cultivate microbiologically safe vegetable production and proper handling strategies for vegetable vendors is crucial to mitigate foodborne pathogen outbreaks through fresh vegetables. • The work delineates food safety issues of fresh vegetables of small-scale producers. • Field and market samples of tomato, brinjal and lablab had high microbial indices. • Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli found in fresh produces. • Manure, soil, irrigation water, and harvest bin are sources of contamination. • Good agricultural practices for microbial safe vegetable production identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the relationship between corn prices in Brazil and the international market, considering a rise in corn ethanol production in Brazil's Midwest region since 2017. Did the entry of the corn ethanol industry in Brazil affect the relationship between domestic and international corn prices? A cointegration analysis was made with a monthly time series from May 2005 to August 2023 controlling for different exogenous events or shocks that may have affected global agricultural markets. The study's findings indicate a stable long‐term relationship between the international and Brazilian corn prices, with changes in international prices being predictors of variations in Brazilian domestic prices, while the opposite was not statistically supported. The study also found no evidence to support the claim that the entry of the corn ethanol industry into Mato Grosso state in 2017 impacted the prices paid to local producers. Therefore, the increase in Brazilian corn prices cannot be attributed to additional demand for corn by local mills, an important result that contributes to discussions such as food versus fuel and indirect land use change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of blockchain technology into e-commerce marketing techniques within the agricultural supply chain is investigated in this study. Given the volatility and complexity of agricultural markets, creative techniques to ensuring the authenticity, traceability, and efficiency of these systems are urgently needed. Blockchain offers a decentralized and transparent approach, ensuring data integrity and building trust among stakeholders. We analyze the potential of blockchain to revolutionize e-commerce practices by enabling smart contracts, real-time data access, and immutable records, which can lead to cost savings, reduced fraud, and enhanced marketing capabilities. Through case studies and modeling, we demonstrate how blockchain can be leveraged to create a seamless farm-to-table journey, empowering farmers, distributors, and consumers. Our strategic framework provides actionable insights for practitioners to capitalize on blockchain's capabilities, fostering sustainable growth in the agricultural sector. This study contributes to the literature by bridging the gap between blockchain technology and e-commerce marketing, offering a comprehensive strategy for the agricultural supply chain's advancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]