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The Pacific countries of Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu account for less than 2% of the world's cacao dry bean production. To capitalise on the rapidly expanding origin craft cocoa market, understanding the genetic attributes of Theobroma cacao in the Pacific is essential. A six-year ACIAR-funded project collected 1647 dried leaf samples from research stations and smallholder farms to identify the population ancestry of T. cacao in the partner countries. Using SNP marker profiling, the study identified germplasm high in Amelonado, which represents the majority of material throughout the Pacific. However, the study also identified samples high in the remaining nine genetic groups, including Criollo, Nanay, IMC (Iquitos), Guiana, Parinari (Marañón), Nacional, Ucayali (Contamana), LCT EEN (Curaray), and Purus, which were distributed throughout the Pacific. The results, if utilised in local selection trials, could reposition growers in the Pacific countries, allowing them to supply the growing origin craft cocoa market, with genetically unique beans. Cocoa genetics was one aspect of a project incorporating production and postharvest research to refocus the commodity based cocoa industry to a supplier of high-quality beans of unique Pacific cocoa origin to the rapidly expanding craft 'bean to bar' cocoa industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study seeks to establish the influence of the Big Five personality traits, which include Openness, Neuroticism, Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, and Extraversion, on growers’ willingness to embrace crop insurance schemes. Furthermore, it explores the role of Attitude, Subjective Norms, and Perceived Behavioral Control, as proposed in the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), on this relationship. Using a structured questionnaire, data were collected from 412 growers of arecanut and pepper. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) via Smart-PLS 3.3. The analysis revealed that Perceived Behavioral Control (β = 0.462**), Subjective Norms (β = 0.260**), and Attitude (β = 0.115**) positively influenced growers’ behavioral intentions. Interestingly, the Big Five personality traits themselves did not have a direct effect on these intentions. Further mediation analysis demonstrated that Attitude and Subjective Norms fully mediated the effects of Extraversion (α = 0.026**, β = 0.069), Neuroticism (α = 0.019**, β = –0.016), and Openness (α = 0.024**, β = 0.069) on Behavioral Intention. However, these variables did not mediate the relationship between Agreeableness (α = 0.011, β = 0.058), Conscientiousness (α = –0.017, β = –0.080), and Behavioral Intention. Additionally, perceived behavioral control mediated the link between personality traits and intention, though this was not the case for Conscientiousness. This study contributes to the application of the TPB by incorporating the Big Five personality traits and exploring their interaction with the TPB dimensions.

Governments globally aim to boost productivity and enhance farmers' livelihoods, addressing challenges like climate change, food security, and labor shortages through digital technologies. However, adoption rates in developing countries remain low due to uncertainties regarding expected returns and obstacles stemming from subjective and objective factors among farmers. This study takes China as a case study to examine the internal and external factors influencing growers' adoption intensity of digital technology and its impact on enhancing economic benefits, aiming to provide valuable insights for the promotion of digital technology in other countries and regions. This study employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating qualitative and quantitative methodologies, utilizing data from Shandong and Liaoning provinces. The findings underscore the significant role of growers' knowledge, technology compatibility, government support, and competitive pressure in driving the adoption of digital technology among growers, with male growers and those managing larger cultivation areas demonstrating higher adoption intensity. Digital technologies can enhance growers' economic benefits by reducing labor and input costs, increasing yields, and improving quality, with a 30.4% increase in economic benefits for each unit increase in adoption intensity of digital technologies. Technology promoters can use these findings to enhance growers' awareness, highlight the practical benefits, and offer agricultural socialized services to promote digital technology adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, with the rapid development of information technology, e-commerce of agricultural products has gradually entered a new stage and become an important link between farmers and agricultural markets. In order to explore the influencing factors of e-commerce behavior of growers, based on the theory of planned behavior and the three-dimensional interaction theory, this paper constructs a research model from three dimensions: individual characteristics, behavioral will and external environment, conducted a survey and empirical analysis on the e-commerce behavior of flat peach growers in Tuan 143, Shihezi, the results show that e-commerce training, behavior and attitude, subjective norms, government support and infrastructure construction have a positive impact on e-commerce behavior of growers, transaction costs have a negative impact on the e-commerce behavior of growers. Based on the results of the empirical analysis, the paper further put forward feasible suggestions to promote the development of e-commerce behavior of growers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Participatory Selection of Cultivars has been shown to be effective in promoting the participation of different stake holder in the genetic improvement process and to know about the preferences of producers. The aim of the study was to identify cultivars with the greatest acceptance and the agronomic criteria of greatest consideration from participants' perspective. The participatory selection was carried out at the Agrodiversity Fair in the Scientific and Technological Unit de Base "Los Palacios", located in the Los Palacios Municipality, Pinar del Río province where growers, technicians and decision-makers of both sexes participated. The effective diversity percentage was determined, cultivars with the greatest acceptance and the most relevant agronomic criteria were identified. Female participation reached 44.8 % and effective diversity was 75 %. DI-77, DN-12 and DI-11 cultivars stood out for their good performance for the locality; the characters with the highest degree of acceptance at the time of selection were number of pods per plant, number of grains per pod, grain size and plant erection. Participatory cultivars selection in chickpea could be an excellent methodology to accelerate cultivars adoption, enrich genetic diversity of this crop and increase yields, also allow training, the interaction of various stake holders and promote gender equality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laos is among the top twenty coffee producing country in the world—producing about 39,000 tonnes per year—and most of its production is currently exported to over 26 countries, contributing about 1.1% of the total export value or US$64.3 million in 2019 to Laos' national economy. COVID-19 restrictions on trade and movement of people have largely impacted on coffee markets and production. As a strategic crop in Laos, it is supported by a range of policies and programs to generate greater benefits to both independent smallholder farmers and those involved in cooperatives, including support for agroforestry production models involving coffee and tree crops. However, studies of the profitability of different coffee agroforestry models are limited. This study compares financial returns from four most popular coffee agroforestry models in two coffee production provinces of Laos, before and during COVID-19 pandemic. The data were gathered from 20 farmers, five coffee traders and an integrated coffee processing company. These data were then triangulated with, and supplemented by, interviews with coffee exporters (n = 3) and key informants (n = 4). Financial indicators suggest that all four agroforestry models were profitable before COVID, but profits for cooperative growers were higher than for smallholders due to higher crop productivity and lower costs. Despite higher prices due to COVID restrictions, other factors reduced profitability of all four models and one smallholder model became unprofitable. The reasons for such differences and related policy implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research aimed to determine the level of training needs for potato farmers in Al-Nasr andAl-Salam sub-district / Abu Ghraib district, and to determine the correlation between the trainingneeds of farmers and some independent variables related to them, represented by (age, educationallevel, cultivated area, ownership of agricultural equipment and the attitude towards training), andarranging the problems facing farmers Descending.In order to achieve the objectives of the research, a questionnaire was prepared consisting of threeparts, the first part of which included the independent variables of farmers, while the second partincluded a scale of training needs related to agricultural operations for growing the potato crop,which included (47) paragraphs distributed over seven areas, namely (land preparation, cultivationmethod, fertilization, irrigation, hoeing, pest control, and harvesting). The third part included (12)a problem that is considered one of the most important problems facing potato farmers in Al-Nasrand Al-Salam district / Abu Ghraib district.The research community included all the potato crop growers in Al-Nasr and Al-Salam district,who numbered (1356) farmers distributed over five provinces (Ghariba and Soleimani, Mahmoudiand Mufti, Biala, Abadi and Hawr Al-Basha, Western Radwaniyah).An exploratory sample of (30) farmers was taken from the provinces of (Biyala, Abadi and HawrAl-Basha), with (15) farmers from each of them, for the purpose of conducting the initial test todetermine the validity and reliability of the form. While the community subject to the researchprocedures included three provinces representing (60%) of the five provinces, which are (Gharibaand Soleimani, Mahmoudi and Mufti, and Al-Radwaniyah Al-Gharbiya), comprising (1054)farmers, from whom a simple proportional random sample was taken at a rate of (10%) and thusthe number of farmers covered by the procedures Research (105) farmers.The results showed that the average degrees of training needs in general tend to be high, and thatthere is a significant correlation between training needs and the variables (age, educational level,possession of agricultural equipment and the attitude towards training), and it was also found thatpotato growers in the research area suffer from major problems, although The problem of (lack ofgovernment support for farmers) came first, and the researchers recommend the need to work tomeet the training needs of potato farmers in Al-Nasr and Al-Salam district / Abu Ghraib district,Through the establishment of agricultural training courses, and the necessity of activating the roleof the agricultural training guidance center in the research area through holding seminars and fielddays and distributing guidance leaflets for planting the crop to potato farmers to increase theirinformation and knowledge, and the government role must be activated in supporting nationalagriculture by providing fertilizers and pesticides in quantities And appropriate prices to maintainlocal agriculture and not to import the potato crop from abroad.

On-farm food loss and waste is estimated to be 16% of the total agricultural-related greenhouse gas emissions globally, and reductions in these emissions have the potential to make a significant impact on climate change. There is a plethora of research being undertaken in this area across countries, food supply chains and stakeholders. However, differences in definitions, quantification methods, understanding of drivers and proposed solutions can be difficult to navigate. This narrative review provides a critical overview of the current research landscape of on-farm food loss and waste. The review has two objectives. Firstly, it provides a stock-take of on-farm food loss and waste definitions, quantification methods, causes and management options. Secondly, it provides researchers, policy makers and industry stakeholders with recommendations on opportunities to be pursued. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of changing geopolitics, demographic change, and COVID-19 have caused significant disruption to labour in the agricultural sector around the world. In the UK, the challenges to free movement of labour and safe working conditions caused by COVID-19 have exacerbated the labour shortage caused by Brexit. In these circumstances, the use of autonomous robots in those sectors hardest hit by labour shortages, such as soft fruit, is being considered as a potential solution. Autonomous robots for use in the high value crop sector, including soft fruit, are at varying stages of technology readiness with robots for disease treatment, packhouse, and logistic support already commercially used and robots for picking approaching a demonstration phase. However, the pathway to implementation is not determined by technology readiness alone, but rather by the intention and ability of growers to adopt. To date, there has been limited investigation of the views of soft fruit growers towards the introduction of autonomous robots in the sector. We used a mixed methods approach, utilising a grower survey and qualitative interviews conducted in the UK, to explore the factors affecting adoption of autonomous robots on soft fruit farms. In general, the survey shows that growers are optimistic about the prospects of autonomous robots on soft fruit farms, although not necessarily in the short-term and there are several factors affecting uptake, particularly cost and infrastructure, as well as issues such as data ownership, cybersecurity, skills, and trust. We reflect on our findings in the context of existing research on technology adoption by growers and make a series of industry and policy recommendations which have global relevance.

Apple is considered as an important fruit crop in temperate regions of the world including India. It is one of the major fruit crops, with a considerable area under cultivation throughout the world and a large associated population. Despite this, the productivity of this important fruit is not up to the expected standard. To gain a practical understanding of the low productivity of apple fruit and its probable causes, a study was undertaken to analyze productivity differentials and their determinants to enable sustainable cultivation. A multistage sampling procedure was adopted to select districts, horticultural zones, and villages, and data were collected from randomly selected apple growers (300). The collected data were empirically analyzed with simple descriptive statistics, logistic regression, polynomial plots, and inferential statistics such as t-tests. The results indicated that apple yields followed a sigmoidal pattern, with the average yield per hectare for the current season as 9.43 t/ha, which depends on experience, education, annual income, and the adoption rate of apple growers. This yield average was significantly lower than the yield of the previous season at a probability level of 1%. To determine the root cause of low productivity, different constraints were studied, creating yield disparities in different quarters; hence, their percentage and value contributions (socioeconomic 11.1%, credit 4.2%, pests and diseases 0.05%, technology 0.9%, extension 2.0%, and market 3.5%) were also established in the study. The study will be of great interest to the relevant authorities in the study area, and the areas globally having similar congenial agro-climatic conditions, who are seeking to address the issues raised in this study through sustainable policy decisions. The different constraints that were the fundamental reasons for low productivity and that prevented the apple growers from adopting innovative techniques/improved practices to increase their yields need to be addressed as a matter of urgency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tree growing by smallholders is an emerging livelihood strategy in Basona-Werana Woreda of the North Shoa Zone of Amhara Regional State. The objective of this study was to identify socio-economic determinants of the smallholder tree growing in the study area. Data were collected from the household survey, key informants and focus group discussions. The binary logistic regression model was employed to identify the socio-economic determinants of smallholder tree growing behavior. According to the study, about 55% of tree growers generated their livelihood income from tree planting whereas 72% of non-growers generated income from livestock. Family size of the household and age positively and significantly affected tree planting decisions at P < 0.10 and P < 0.01, respectively. Meanwhile, livestock ownership and distance to the market were negatively and significantly influenced the decision to tree planting at P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, correspondingly. Similarly, total household income positively and significantly (P < 0.01) affected tree planting decisions. This study concluded that the socio-economic circumstances of smallholder farmers must be taken into account in the formulation of initiatives and policies aimed at encouraging smallholders to grow trees in their farming systems to improve livelihood and sustainable agricultural production.

Copyright of Journal of Kirkuk University for Agricultural Sciences is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Moral Networks: Study Notes on Enjoyers-Growers of the 'Green' aims to present the moral grammar of actors who grow marijuana for their own use, as well as to interpret how a specific morality emerges from their practices. To do so, it used a qualitative research, based on direct observation and semi-structured interviews, and referenced in symbolic interactionism. It has been found that these actors establish a sui generis morality through their practices. The exercise of home cultivation of one's own marijuana is analyzed as a legitimate moral feeling of liberation in relation to the formal and informal repressions faced by these actors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Political Science Studies / Studia Politologiczne is the property of University of Warsaw and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We conducted a pig welfare survey in four high pig producing districts in central Uganda, namely Masaka, Mukono, Mpigi, and Wakiso in 2021. Data were collected from 270 pig farms, and a total of 3,561 pigs, and consisted of resource-based (housing and water supply), animal-based (pig body condition and physical injuries), and management-based (records of morbidity and mortality) indicators of pig health and welfare. Data on animal and resource-based indicators were obtained from physical assessments of pigs and farm facilities, while management indicators and demographic details were collected by farmer interview. Across all farms, sow mortality in the last 12 months was reported to be 2.5% (95% Confidence Interval: 1.7, 4.8%). Animal-based indicators identified 9% (6.1, 13.7%) of sows with scouring/diarrhea, 7.6% (4.7, 11.5%) with lameness and 92% (85.1, 96.7%) of dry or lactating sows were found to be “skinny” with a body condition score of 1 or 2. In addition, piglet mortality was as high as 10.2% (8.5, 12.9%). A total of 19% of sows were partially or completely restricted from free movement inside pens. Ninety-three per cent of sows had continuous access to water, but only 48.8% of the water supplies were clean. Twenty per cent of farms reported sows experiencing stillbirths , 15% reported ill thrift, 12.5% reported respiratory disease and 10.8% reported gastrointestinal disease. Wakiso district registered the lowest pig mortality which was significantly lower compared to the other three districts. This study reveals that Ugandan pigs are exposed to severe undernutrition, dirty water, high mortality, physical injuries, poor housing, and health challenges (stillbirth, ill thrift, and Gastrointestinal disorders). Meaningful change to farmer livelihoods and pig welfare can be made by designing simple interventions that target improve housing structures, provision of cooling facilities especially during hot periods (heat stress) and bedding materials. The findings also represent a benchmark for the assessment of the effect of such interventions designed to improve farm health and productivity.

This visual essay explores more than human relationships between microbes and humans emerging across agricultural fields and scientific laboratories. Through material collected across fields and labs, and drawing on the concept of microbiopolitics proposed by Heather Paxson, the essay reflects on emerging attitudes of both affect and management. These relationships arise and become visible through growers' and scientists' practices, the objects they employ and the spaces they occupy. Seen in this light, pots and compost become the manifestation of attentive relationships with invisible nonhumans, potentially important in tracing the unfolding of ongoing environmental crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the rapidly changing U.S. cannabis legislation landscape, the aim of this article is to describe individuals who self-reported growing cannabis in the past year by selected characteristics and geographical location. Using data from 2010 to 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, we conducted bivariate chi-square tests and ran a multivariable logistic regression model to examine the indicators associated with growing cannabis. Approximately, 484,000 individuals aged 12+ self-reported growing cannabis in the past year (1.6% of marijuana users). Predictors of growing cannabis included being male and self-reported reporting using cannabis for a greater number of days. Data showed differences in the proportion of cannabis growers by the state of residence. Obtaining a baseline estimate of cannabis growing practices prior to recreational cannabis markets emerging (2014) is important because such practices may undermine efforts to discourage diversion to youth. Tracking these acquisition patterns will better inform content for public health messaging and prevention education, particularly those targeting youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has shown the nursery industry needs to seek alternative water sources and adopt water conservation strategies to reduce water use in order to stay viable. This study used a qualitative approach to explore nursery growers’ perceptions, attitudes, and opinions about water usage to inform the development of Extension programs that encourage adoption of water conservation strategies. Interviews were conducted with 24 nursery growers across the U.S. The findings indicated growers interact with water in various ways, including meeting plant water needs, facilitating chemical distribution, controlling product quality, and facilitating business operations. The participants felt protecting water was the right thing to do and could provide economic benefits to their business, but water management was perceived as a task enforced by regulations. They reported their future interaction with water would include combatting water issues, engaging in the development and implementation of government regulations, seeking water conservation technologies and information, and dealing with financial challenges. Extension educators should be aware of these needs to alleviate concerns about integrating new processes into business plans. Educational programs should assist in the promotion of water conserving products based on knowledge gaps and provide assistance for easier adoption of new technologies by growers.

Climate change has imposed significant challenges on agriculture sector. This study aimed at identify factors affecting wheat growers' adaptation behavior in face with climate change in Kermanshah County. Study population was all wheat growers' of Kermanshah County (N=30000). Statistical sample was 380 Wheat growers' that determined by Krejcie and Morgan table and a Multi-Stage Cluster Sampling was used to collect data from grower using questionnaire. The face validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by expert. The reliability of the main scales of the questionnaires' was examined by Cronbach Alpha coefficients, which ranged from 0.54 to 0.89, indicating the tool of study is reliable. The results also showed that the variables of profit-orientation, concern, self-efficacy, risk perception, belief and knowledge has direct and indirect effects on the variable positive farm production practices. Collectively, these variables are capable, 38 percent of the variability adap farm production practices. Also the variables of concern, belief and knowledge has direct and indirect effects on the variable positive farm financial management. Collectively, these variables are capable, 22 percent of the variability adap farm financial management. Finally, the variables of concern, self-efficacy, belief and knowledge has direct and indirect effects on the variable positive government programs and insurance. Collectively, these variables are capable, 25 percent of the variability government programs and insurance.

The study identified smallholders' constraints to their optimal participation in mango value chains in Pakistan. The case study participants included smallholders including sellers and non-sellers of mango fruit from Multan and Khanewal districts in Punjab province during 2017. For data collection, two focus group discussions involving seventeen small growers and in-depth interviews of sixty small growers of mangoes were conducted. Thematic content and descriptive analysis of collected qualitative data revealed numerous constraints. Broadly, they were identified as production and marketing constraints. The production constraints included incidence of diseases and insects/pests (36.7%), poor quality of sprays (8.3%), high input prices (6.7%), unavailability of trained labour (5%), natural calamities (3.3%) and variation in fruit size (3.3%). The marketing constraints included higher competition (22.2%), discouragement from middlemen (11.1%), unsupportive government policies (7.4%) and lack of marketing extension services (3.7%). The nature of these constraints varied in case of sellers and non-sellers of mango fruit. The study urged smallholders to upgrade their practices and related public-sector institutions to improve enabling environment through investment in physical infrastructure, research and development and advisory services, promotion of entrepreneurship and building horizontal relationships among small growers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I provide thoughts about the current situation regarding concern about wildlife contamination of leafy green crops and other agricultural products, potentially leading to food safety risks, from a grower’s perspective. I discuss development of the Leafy Green Marketing Agreement, as well as how buyers are interpreting and reacting to evidence of animals of any kind in growers’ fields. The high economic cost and added risk to growers are important factors, and scientific data to support developing regulations is often lacking.

Irrigation water can be a source of pathogenic contamination of fresh produce. Controlling the quality of the water used during primary production is important to ensure food safety and protect human health. Several measures to control the microbiological quality of irrigation water are available for growers, including preventative and mitigation strategies. However, clear guidance for growers on which strategies could be used to reduce microbiological contamination is needed. This study evaluates pathogenic microorganisms of concern in fresh produce and water, the microbiological criteria of water intended for agricultural purposes, and the preventative and mitigative microbial reduction strategies. This article provides suggestions for control measures that growers can take during primary production to reduce foodborne pathogenic contamination coming from irrigation water. Results show that controlling the water source, regime, and timing of irrigation may help to reduce the potential exposure of fresh produce to contamination. Moreover, mitigation strategies like electrolysis, ozone, UV, and photocatalysts hold promise either as a single treatment, with pretreatments that remove suspended material, or as combined treatments with another chemical or physical treatment(s). Based on the literature data, a decision tree was developed for growers, which describes preventative and mitigation strategies for irrigation-water disinfection based on the fecal coliform load of the irrigation water and the water turbidity. It helps guide growers when trying to evaluate possible control measures given the quality of the irrigation water available. Overall, the strategies available to control irrigation water used for fresh produce should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis because one strategy or technology does not apply to all scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]