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Rural households in East Africa rely on local markets, but the influence of market food diversity and household food purchase diversity on diets has not been well‐characterized. We quantify the associations among market food diversity, household food purchase diversity and dietary diversity of mothers, fathers and children in rural Tanzania. This study uses baseline data from a randomized controlled trial, Engaging Fathers for Effective Child Nutrition and Development in Tanzania. We used the 10 food groups for women's dietary diversity to assess the seasonal availability of nutritious foods in 79 markets. Using data from 957 rural households in two districts in Mara, Tanzania, we measured household food purchase diversity over the previous month and dietary diversity among children (6–23 months), mothers and fathers. Overall, 63% of markets sold all 10 food groups throughout the year, indicating high‐market food diversity and minimal seasonality. However, only 33% of women and 35% of children met dietary diversity recommendations. Households that reported higher purchasing power (0.14, p < 0.001), lived within 30 min of a market (0.36, p = 0.001) and had access to a highly diverse market (0.37, p = 0.01) purchased a higher diversity of foods. In turn, food purchase diversity was positively associated with the dietary diversity of mothers (p < 0.001) and children 9–23 months (p < 0.001) but not fathers (p = 0.56). Interventions must account for food availability and access in local markets, and promoting diverse food purchases may be an effective strategy to improve women's and children's diets in rural areas. Key messages: Local markets in rural Mara, Tanzania, had unexpectedly high food diversity with minimal seasonality.Physical and economic access to diverse food markets was associated with households' food purchase, which was in turn associated with women's and children's consumption of diverse diets.Fathers' diets were more diverse and not associated with the diversity of food purchases for consumption at home.The metric developed here—household food purchase diversity—captures food diversity that could contribute to nutrient intake of children and adults.Intervention design must account for the broader food environment in rural settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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IMPACT: This article presents a critical analysis of the impact of public procurement rules on small and medium enterprises (SMEs), specifically focusing on framework agreements within the EU. Addressing procurement specialists, policy-makers, and public management professionals, the authors highlight how framework agreements, particularly in the IT sector in Spain, reduce SMEs' chances of securing public contracts by 34%. The article speaks to practitioners at all levels of public procurement—especially those in policy development and implementation—offering valuable insights into the issues that jeopardize SME success in procurement competitions. The findings are crucial for those striving to balance administrative efficiency with fair market access for SMEs, thereby shaping a more competitive market landscape. Public procurement plays a significant role in countries' economies, for example it accounts for 14.9% of the European Union's (EU) GDP. The authors examined the impact of public procurement rules on IT companies in Spain, particularly framework agreements, on the probability of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) being awarded a public contract. Despite accounting for the majority of companies in the EU, SMEs are under-represented in public procurement and are particularly disadvantaged by aggregation of demand methods. The results, based on a quantitative analysis of the public procurement market, indicate that a higher proportion of larger companies are awarded contracts when aggregation of demand mechanisms is used. The findings align with the legal and economic literature but, importantly, provide empirical evidence of their actual impact. The introduction of framework agreements in the IT services market reduces the chances of SMEs being awarded a contract by 34% compared to the general market. Building reliable evidence on the behaviour of the public procurement markets and the effects of the procurement setting is crucial for policy-makers and practitioners in the public procurement field to achieve the strategic objectives of public procurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 300 SMEs including beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries of the Presidential Business Development Support initiative were surveyed in Ghana using structured interview questionnaires. The survey objectives were to (i) investigate the extent of adoption of emerging technologies including the Internet of Things (IoTs), Artificial Intelligence (AI), e-Commerce, Mobile Banking and Social Media among SMEs in Ghana; (ii) identify the main barriers to adoption of emerging technologies; and (iii) explore any association between the level of technology adoption by SMEs and access to new markets. Close to 60% of the beneficiary SMEs had adopted less sophisticated technologies such as social media, mobile banking and e-commerce as compared to 50% adoption among non-beneficiaries. Overall, less than 5% of the SMEs surveyed were using sophisticated technologies such AI and IoTs. This study adopted the Technological-Organizational-Environmental (TOE) framework to identify barriers to technology adoption. The top five barriers to technology adoption by the SMEs identified from this study are: (i) lack of finance, (ii) insufficient government support, (iii) lack of absorptive capability, (iv) insufficient demand and (v) poor technology enabling infrastructure. The beneficiary SMEs had better access to sub-regional (West Africa), regional (Africa) and international markets than the non-beneficiaries. Logit regression results showed that the most significant factors positively influencing technology adoption are Education, Marketing Skills, Human Resource Skills, Gender, Market Opportunities and Financial Improvement. There was a positive but weak correlation between technology adoption and access to new market opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tunisian Health Technology Assessment (HTA) body, INEAS, conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) of vemurafenib in the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic BRAF V600-mutated melanoma. The objective of this analysis was to enable the use of value-based pricing as a new approach to price negotiation. This study was part of a broader HTA report that was prepared in response to a joint request from the regulatory authorities and the CNAM, Tunisia's compulsory insurance scheme. Our analysis was based on a probabilistic Markov cohort model that calculated the costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALY) associated with vemurafenib compared to the standard of care from a public payer perspective. The CEA indicated that vemurafenib provides a gain of 0.38 life years (1.78 vs. 1.4) for an incremental cost of USD 101,106.62 from the perspective of the main public payer (CNAM). This study revealed an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of 163,311.40 USD/QALY and 163,911.46 USD/QALY, respectively, from the CNAM and public health facilities' perspectives. Vemurafenib cannot be considered cost-effective in terms of what has normally been considered a reasonable willingness to pay (WTP) in Tunisia. A significant price reduction would be necessary to bring the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio to an acceptable level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed at examining determinants of market access among vanilla farmers in Kagera region of Tanzania. The study achieved specific objectives as follows; (i) to examine determinants for market access of vanilla produce in Kagera region and (ii) to determine the effect of market access determinants on market access of vanilla produce in Kagera region. The use of a mixed-methods approach was considered appropriate with integration of both qualitative and quantitative data whereas a sample of 385 vanilla farmers and key agricultural informants were included. Stratified sampling followed by simple random sampling and purposive sampling were adopted in selecting the sample selection. Data collection made use of structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Analysis of qualitative data was achieved using content analysis whereas application of logit model in determining the effect of market access determinants on market access of vanilla produce was considered relevant. The findings revealed that cooperative engagements, transportation infrastructure, access to credit and geographic factor positively and significantly influence market access (p<0.05). The study urges to the government, policymakers and partners in development to focus on infrastructure development, cooperative engagement and extending more credit facilities aiming at improving access to vanilla market and the economic well-being of vanilla farmers, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of the agricultural sector in Kagera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture plays a critical role in Ethiopia's economy but suffers from low technology, traditional practices, and low productivity, leading to persistent poverty and food insecurity among farming households. Transforming the sector requires enhanced market access to promote commercialisation. This study examines smallholder market access, commercialisation, and livelihood outcomes in Werie Leke district, Tigray, Ethiopia. Using survey data from randomly selected households, the analysis employs mean, independent sample t-tests, and Tobit regression. Results indicate that smallholders face significant market access challenges, leading to low commercialisation levels. Notably, higher commercialisation correlates with improved livelihoods. Factors influencing commercialisation include household characteristics, asset endowments, market access, cooperative membership, and access to specific livelihood services. The study recommends investing in road and market infrastructure, improving access to extension and credit services, farm inputs, irrigation, and strengthening cooperatives to enhance market access, smallholder participation, and livelihoods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper is to review the opportunities and challenges posed by international trade on agriculture in developing nations by harvesting information and data from online and library sources. The review highlights the key benefits of trade, including expanded market access, economic development, and technology transfer, which enhance agricultural productivity and global food security. Countries engaged in agricultural trade benefit from diverse markets, improved access to modern farming technologies, and increased export revenues. However, challenges such as trade barriers, price volatility, environmental sustainability concerns, and the vulnerability of smallholder farmers persist. The review underscores the importance of balanced trade policies that promote equitable benefits, protect local agricultural sectors, and encourage sustainable farming practices. It also calls for further research to evaluate the long-term impacts of trade agreements on local agricultural systems and foster international cooperation to address shared challenges. Overall, the review argues for policies that enhance the resilience and inclusiveness of agricultural trade while ensuring sustainability for future generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the effects of stock market access, and in particular trading hours, on retail investment performance. Using discontinuities around time zone borders, we find that plausibly exogenous decreases in waking trading hours are associated with meaningful increases in retail investors' capital gains, as reported on tax returns for the U.S. population. Our results indicate that limiting trading hours curbs active retail trading, leading to improvements in portfolio performance. Our findings identify one negative effect of decreasing barriers to entry for retail investors in trading markets. JEL Classifications: M41; M48; G40; G51. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to provide insights about the role of professional businesses, which are inputs that are sourced more locally than material inputs, in shaping urban land prices. Exploiting an exogenous variation in the form of market access, I estimate how much land prices change as a response to an increase in the use of housing by professional business services. I find that a percentage increase in local office propensity increases urban land prices by 0.59%, controlling for numerous geographical and socio-economic factors. The estimated effect is twice larger when corrected for the endogeneity bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We revisit the natural experiments of division and unification of Germany. The negative shock to local market access following the division of Germany led to a fast and strong downward adjustment of the size of West German cities near the new border. In contrast, the positive shock of reunification did not lead to any change in their relative size. Even three decades after reunification, no convergence can be observed. We show that local subsidies to East Germany could have contributed to this asymmetry in time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A grasp of economic development is essential to comprehending policies and initiatives that support industrialization and the fight against poverty. It can assist in identifying areas for additional investment and growth and serve as a guide for planning, carrying out, and assessing economic development efforts. Bumiputera entrepreneurs encounter many obstacles to market accessibility, restricted financial means, and insufficient supplier networks, which may impede the expansion and prosperity of their businesses. The utilization of technology is essential in mitigating these shortcomings, allowing Bumiputera entrepreneurs to surmount obstacles and attain enduring prosperity in the aluminum sector. Entrepreneurs can create strong supplier networks, maximize the use of financial resources, and improve market access by utilizing technology. The purpose of this research is to examine how technology applications might mitigate the limitations of market access, financial resources, and supplier resources that impede the success of Bumiputera entrepreneurs in the aluminum sector. The growth and profitability of Bumiputera businesses can be inhibited by several obstacles, including restricted supplier networks, insufficient financial resources, and difficulty accessing markets.METHODS: The quantitative research approaches and methods can help provide a comprehensive understanding of the mediating effect of technology in enhancing market, finance, and supplier resource weaknesses for the success of Bumiputera entrepreneurs in the aluminum industry. An explanatory research design is a type of research design that focuses on the variables that determine the mediating effect of relationships and explains the causes and effects of the variables defining the phenomenon to be studied. The data was analyzed using SMART PLS3. The study was conducted specifically on Bumiputera entrepreneurs in the aluminum industry. Data from the Bumiputera aluminum industry was gathered through purposive sampling. As a minimal 75 sample size, a total of 80 questionnaires were distributed to Bumiputera respondents who have been working in the Malaysian aluminum industry. As a response, a 93.75% rate was achieved, and we dedicated a week in May 2023 to data collection.FINDINGS: Out of ten (10) hypotheses, only six (6) were valid, while the remaining four were ruled out. The recent high cases of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019 have had an impact on them. The findings of this study contribute to the academic literature by highlighting the importance of technology in facilitating the success of Bumiputera entrepreneurs in the aluminum sector.CONCLUSION: The study empirically confirms and conceptually proves that the policies of industry associations and organizations (“Skim Jaminan Modal Kerja—Bumiputera”, the “Business Act 1956, and the Financial Procedure Act 1957) can advocate for policies that support Bumiputera entrepreneurs in accessing technology and improving their market access, financial resources, and supplier resources. The key technologies and strategies that help these entrepreneurs build thriving businesses offer recommendations for policymakers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs to support and promote success among this essential group of entrepreneurs. By lobbying for supportive policies, the industry can create an enabling environment for Bumiputera entrepreneurs to leverage technology effectively and overcome their weaknesses.

The study aimed at examining determinants of market access among vanilla farmers in Kagera region of Tanzania. The study achieved specific objectives as follows; (i) to examine determinants for market access of vanilla produce in Kagera region and (ii) to determine the effect of market access determinants on market access of vanilla produce in Kagera region. The use of a mixed-methods approach was considered appropriate with integration of both qualitative and quantitative data whereas a sample of 385 vanilla farmers and key agricultural informants were included. Stratified sampling followed by simple random sampling and purposive sampling were adopted in selecting the sample selection. Data collection made use of structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Analysis of qualitative data was achieved using content analysis whereas application of logit model in determining the effect of market access determinants on market access of vanilla produce was considered relevant. The findings revealed that cooperative engagements, transportation infrastructure, access to credit and geographic factor positively and significantly influence market access (p

Purpose – In the process of one stop border posts (OSBP), market access is dynamic. In this context, administrative practices and cross-cultural competence among traders are crucial for market access. However, there is limited research on how cross cultural competences can strengthen the influence of administrative practices on market access among small traders. This study therefore aims at exploring this relationship. Design/methodology/approach – This study used structured questionnaire to collect data from 328 traders of maize, onion and tomatoes at Namanga OSBP. Data were analyzed using PLS-SEM. Findings – The results of this study imply that administrative practices and cross-cultural competences significantly and positively influence market access. Finally, cross-cultural competence is a significant positive moderator of the relationship between administrative practices and market access. Originality/value – The results suggest that cross-cultural competence is a significant moderator of the relationship between administrative practices and market access. This adds new knowledge in the literature on how cross-cultural competences of the traders can strengthen the influences of administrative practices at the OSBPs for high market access.

Increasing the level of entrepreneurship is the key to achieving high-quality economic development. This paper examines the impact of market access deregulation on entrepreneurial activity and the mechanism behind it by constructing an event study methodological model using city-level data in China. It is found that the implementation of the negative market access list system significantly increases the level of entrepreneurial activity and has obvious regional heterogeneity, which is more obvious in cities with high levels of market size, industry barriers and factor allocation. The above results still hold after a series of robustness tests such as heterogeneity treatment effects, excluding other policy disturbances, excluding policy non-randomness, and instrumental variables approach. The mechanism analysis shows that the negative market access list system mainly increases entrepreneurial activity by optimising the business environment, improving market confidence and increasing policy aggregation. Further research shows that the negative list system of market access can lead to the improvement of employment quality level through the improvement of entrepreneurial activity. The research in this paper provides a theoretical basis for accelerating the construction of a national unified market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The warehouse receipt system (WRS) is critical for farmers because it addresses agricultural market inefficiencies, provides credit access, reduces postharvest losses and increases access to profitable markets. However, its use and implementation across the commodity value chain remain relatively limited in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly among cash crop producers. This study examines cashew farmers' perceptions of WRS implementation and determinants of farmer participation. Design/methodology/approach: A total of 153 cashew farmers from the Bono region of Ghana were sampled using a multistage sampling approach. Perception index analysis and Cragg's double hurdle model were used for the analysis. Findings: The results revealed that farmers strongly perceived that WRS augmented credit and market access. In addition, farm size, household size, annual income, perception of collateral and higher selling price determined farmers' willingness to participate in WRS. Research limitations/implications: Despite the existence of other cashew farmers in Ghana, the study was limited to cashew farmers in Bono Region. Originality/value: Despite the plethora of benefits of WRS, it is surprising that its implementation in the cashew subsector is geographically limited to East Africa. Thus, this study is the first to provide empirical evidence on the perception of WRS implementation and further examine farmers' willingness to participate in WRS in Ghana. Peer review: The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-12-2023-0946. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Republic of South Africa (RSA), reforms to existing and new water allocations have been aimed mainly at redressing the racial injustice of the past. Such reforms, however, have failed to materialise in the citrusproducing region of the Western Cape. This paper argues that the emergence of a strong Global Production Network (GPN) of citrus export at the time of rolling out of the water reforms has contributed, and continues to do so, to the failure of these reforms. The high quality and quantity requirements imposed by the GPN, we argue, necessitated the use of precision fertigation, which acted as an entry barrier to Western Cape citrus products. With access to specialised precision fertigation networks, the landed (white) commercial farmers were able to forge long-lasting relationships of trust and quality with the retailers of the citrus GPN and thus gain and maintain privileged access to it. Their strong position in the citrus GPN enabled three strategies of new water access to emerge, that are exclusively available to the established (white) commercial farmers, namely: (1) using water illicitly; (2) attaining a controlling stake in Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) partnerships; and (3) through access to the network of water consultants. New water access consolidates existing positions of growers in the GPN, making the position in the GPN and water expansion a mutually reinforcing phenomena. High GPN entry barriers have advantaged established commercial farmers and effectively impeded the intended introduction of more equitable water reforms in the region.

Population mobility is becoming a common phenomenon worldwide which can contribute to the development of individuals and societies. This paper offers that the launch of HSR would facilitate population mobility and spatial disparity. We also find that the HSR connection mainly affects migration of people under 14 and 15 to 64 years old, with no effect on the old over 65. This implies that labor-led family migration has become the main form of movement under the effect of HSR. Furthermore, HSR connection has promoted the concentration of high-skilled labor and the outflow of low-skilled labor in large cities. This study offers useful insights for policy makers that concerns transport infrastructure and the issue of household and workforce structure it raises. JEL: O30, O18, D60, L31. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Republic of South Africa (RSA), reforms to existing and new water allocations have been aimed mainly at redressing the racial injustice of the past. Such reforms, however, have failed to materialise in the citrusproducing region of the Western Cape. This paper argues that the emergence of a strong Global Production Network (GPN) of citrus export at the time of rolling out of the water reforms has contributed, and continues to do so, to the failure of these reforms. The high quality and quantity requirements imposed by the GPN, we argue, necessitated the use of precision fertigation, which acted as an entry barrier to Western Cape citrus products. With access to specialised precision fertigation networks, the landed (white) commercial farmers were able to forge long-lasting relationships of trust and quality with the retailers of the citrus GPN and thus gain and maintain privileged access to it. Their strong position in the citrus GPN enabled three strategies of new water access to emerge, that are exclusively available to the established (white) commercial farmers, namely: (1) using water illicitly; (2) attaining a controlling stake in Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) partnerships; and (3) through access to the network of water consultants. New water access consolidates existing positions of growers in the GPN, making the position in the GPN and water expansion a mutually reinforcing phenomena. High GPN entry barriers have advantaged established commercial farmers and effectively impeded the intended introduction of more equitable water reforms in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives. Many vaccines have been developed in recent decades, and many more will be available in the future. When new safe and effective vaccines are available, decision-makers must extensively assess them before including them in the national immunization plan and issuing recommendations. The Health Technology Assessment (HTA) could be an objective, transparent, and comprehensive approach to guiding the decision-making process for the use of vaccines. Objectives and Methods. The aim of this study was to review the indications for HTA use contained in Italian institutional documents on vaccination, namely the National Immunization Plans (NIPs) and available full Italian HTA reports on vaccines, assessing their availability at the time of national recommendations' introductions. Results. HTA has been recognised as an eligible approach to deciding upon the introduction of vaccines through the NIPs of 2012–2014 and 2017–2019, and the last NIP, of 2023–2025, highlights the lack of funding dedicated to the production of independent HTA reports that can be used for issuing recommendations. In 2007–2023, twenty full HTA reports on vaccines were published in Italy: eight reports on influenza vaccines, five on Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), three each on meningococcal and pneumococcal vaccines, and one on rotavirus vaccine. HTA was applied with different purposes, namely the evaluation of new vaccines or their re-assessment, but it was not always timely with respect to both the marketing authorisation and the issuing of national recommendations for use. Conclusions. As HTA can be considered the best tool to disentangle the overall value of vaccines, it would be desirable for it to be used more and more to provide the evidence for efficient resource use. This calls for action to improve the transfer of HTA results to decision-makers, to try to fill the gap between research and decision and foster evidence-based recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study uses field survey data from members of five farmer producer companies in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal and assesses the benefits of membership. The real income of member farmers increased by more than 30 per cent after joining farmer producer companies. The access to inputs like seeds, farm chemicals, and farm machines; to weather advisory and storage services; and also, to output markets, improved after joining farmer producer companies. The members were found to market 100 per cent of their produced food grains through farmer producer companies at minimum support prices. Member farmers were found to have stronger networks and greater temporal and informational efficiency. With nearly 40 per cent of members women, these farmer producer companies have emerged as instrumental in empowering them, improving their livelihood and incomes in the patriarchal and rural societal setup. However, even though these collectives are benefitting the rural economy, it was also found that more investment is needed to create local infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing pipeline of cell and gene therapies (CGTs) and the expected surge in the number of approvals, understanding the market access landscape becomes crucial for timely patient access. This study evaluates the challenges Dutch stakeholders encounter in CGT market access, offering insights for improving time-to-patient access. A traditional literature review was conducted to identify market access challenges and solutions for CGTs. Based on the findings, participants for semi-structured interviews, designed using an interview guide adapted to the Dutch context, were selected to capture diverse perspectives on market access. This review included 124 relevant articles out of 2449, covering several aspects of market access of CGTs. Subsequently, interviews with 16 stakeholders from academia, patient advocacy groups, manufacturers, health insurers, payers, hospital pharmacists, healthcare practitioners, and the Association of Innovative Medicines were conducted. Stakeholders identified challenges and proposed solutions for reimbursement package management, clinical trials, health economics, payment models, and procedural and organisational aspects. Thematic analysis revealed unique country-specific challenges and solutions in the Netherlands. This research provides insights into these challenges and potential solutions, emphasising the need for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to develop practical and multidisciplinary measures to improve the market access landscape for CGTs in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice value chain upgrading is regarded as an essential precursor for improving smallholder farmers' access to profitable markets. However, key drivers of their participation in upgrading strategies haven't been fully established. This study evaluated different upgrading strategies in the rice value chain in terms of profitability and market participation. The study employed a cross-sectional survey of 442 randomly selected rice farmers in northern Uganda using a structured questionnaire while ordered and binary logit models were used for analysis. Our results revealed that the main motivational factors for upgrading was the desire for better markets and higher profits. Further, location, income, credit access, contract, group and individual marketing were confirmed as key ingredients of upgrading. The study recommended that efforts should be directed toward developing stronger coordination through farmers'/actors' associations coupled with infrastructural and affordable finance systems development. This would empower farmers to upgrade and access profitable markets for economic transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper is to undertake a systematic review of agricultural systems and sustainability challenges in Caraga Region (Region XIII) of Northeastern Mindanao, Philippines using appropriate standard methods involving a comprehensive analysis of peer-reviewed literature, government reports, and statistical data, focusing on six key dimensions: geographical distribution of research, agricultural commodity assessment, farming practices evaluation, challenges analysis, policy intervention assessment, and sustainability framework development. The result shows a higher density of research in Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur, and comparatively little research is done in Dinagat Province. Rice is the most dominant agricultural commodity, and distinct farming practices, from conventional upland rice production to advanced techniques, such as rice-duck farming, have been identified, showing enhanced productivity and ecological efficiency. Critical challenges affecting agricultural sustainability include climate vulnerability, problems with market access, environmental degradation, especially in the Agusan Marsh, and gender relations in farming activities and access to agricultural resources. Analysis of policy interventions reveals that climate-resilient agriculture, improved market infrastructure, enhanced extension services, and gender-sensitive programs are essential for sustainable development. The study proposes an integrated framework emphasizing climate adaptation strategies, market development initiatives, environmental protections, and capacity-building programs. Future research directions should address geographical gaps, particularly in Dinagat Province, and focus on developing comprehensive solutions considering the interconnected nature of agricultural challenges in Caraga.

Agriculture nutrition linkages have long been recognized as a potentially viable pathway of attaining food and nutrition security. However, these insights have started to influence mainstream thinking on agricultural development only recently and the empirical evidence in sub-Saharan Africa is non-conclusive. We evaluate the influence of farm production diversity on diet diversity in two semi-arid Counties of South Eastern Kenya by employing a sample of 830 smallholder farmers selected using a three-stage sampling procedure and the data were analyzed using a Poisson regression model. On the average, households consumed food from seven food groups out of the 12 possible food groups. We show that farm production diversity has a positive and significant influence on dietary diversity, a proxy for diet quality. Other interventions that can improve dietary diversity include commercialization and wealth creation. Thus, pro-farm diversification interventions are recommended as potential strategies for improving the dietary diversity of rural farming households. Moreover, improving market infrastructure to enhance commercialization and supporting wealth creation through savings and asset accumulation can contribute towards more diversified diets.

AbstractThe study assessed the most effective mechanisms of bylaws implementation in sustainable potato production in Southwestern Uganda. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Southwestern Uganda. A mixed-method approach was used to collect data involving structured questionnaires administered to 104 potato farmers (93% response rate), key informant interviews (nine), and focus groups (six). Quantitative data from Epidata 3.1 was exported to STATA 13.0 for coding, cleaning, and analysis. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic content analysis in Atlas.ti version 7.5. Multivariate linear regression revealed that farmers’ level of implementation of improved and quality seed potato bylaws (β = −0.013; p

The study examines the potential of Zambia’s cattle industry as a solution to food insecurity, while also addressing obstacles such as climate change, disease outbreaks and limited technology adoption. Employing the desktop review study design and drawing on data from the 2022 Livestock Survey Report and the 2017/2018 fisheries and livestock census, augmented by a systematically conducted literature review encompassing 63 peer-reviewed articles, the study provides insights into the geographical dynamics, challenges and opportunities within Zambia’s cattle subsector. It identifies key factors influencing sustainable livestock production, including cattle management systems, environmental characteristics and socio-economic factors. Government policies, market dynamics and infrastructure development are highlighted as moderating factors shaping the viability of cattle enterprises. The study reveals notable variations in cattle populations across regions and identifies obstacles faced by smallholder farmers, including limited financing and regulatory burdens. Despite challenges, the study suggests that fostering sustainable cattle business models in Zambia is achievable through innovative strategies such as enhancing value propositions and improving market access. By addressing these challenges and seizing opportunities, Zambia can enhance its cattle industry, contributing to sustainable development, food security and economic prosperity.

The objective of this paper is to review the opportunities and challenges posed by international trade on agriculture in developing nations by harvesting information and data from online and library sources. The review highlights the key benefits of trade, including expanded market access, economic development, and technology transfer, which enhance agricultural productivity and global food security. Countries engaged in agricultural trade benefit from diverse markets, improved access to modern farming technologies, and increased export revenues. However, challenges such as trade barriers, price volatility, environmental sustainability concerns, and the vulnerability of smallholder farmers persist. The review underscores the importance of balanced trade policies that promote equitable benefits, protect local agricultural sectors, and encourage sustainable farming practices. It also calls for further research to evaluate the long-term impacts of trade agreements on local agricultural systems and foster international cooperation to address shared challenges. Overall, the review argues for policies that enhance the resilience and inclusiveness of agricultural trade while ensuring sustainability for future generations.

With the increasing pipeline of cell and gene therapies (CGTs) and the expected surge in the number of approvals, understanding the market access landscape becomes crucial for timely patient access. This study evaluates the challenges Dutch stakeholders encounter in CGT market access, offering insights for improving time-to-patient access. A traditional literature review was conducted to identify market access challenges and solutions for CGTs. Based on the findings, participants for semi-structured interviews, designed using an interview guide adapted to the Dutch context, were selected to capture diverse perspectives on market access. This review included 124 relevant articles out of 2449, covering several aspects of market access of CGTs. Subsequently, interviews with 16 stakeholders from academia, patient advocacy groups, manufacturers, health insurers, payers, hospital pharmacists, healthcare practitioners, and the Association of Innovative Medicines were conducted. Stakeholders identified challenges and proposed solutions for reimbursement package management, clinical trials, health economics, payment models, and procedural and organisational aspects. Thematic analysis revealed unique country-specific challenges and solutions in the Netherlands. This research provides insights into these challenges and potential solutions, emphasising the need for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to develop practical and multidisciplinary measures to improve the market access landscape for CGTs in the country.

Background: Understanding the concept and dynamic process of the evolution of professional identity and roles of market access (MA) in the pharmaceutical industry (pharma) is critical to personal, interpersonal, and professional levels of development and impact. Objective: The aim was to carry out a scoping review of the conceptualisation of MA within pharma. Data Sources: BioMed Central, WorldCat.org, and Directory of Open Access Journals were searched from 2003 to 2023. Study Selection: All articles on concepts or definitions and other surrogate terms on MA in pharma were selected. Data Extraction: Keywords generated from an initial cursory literature search on MA in pharma were used in conjunction with AND/OR as search terms. Using the data charting method, key findings were mapped and summarised descriptively. inductive analysis was performed, allowing codes/themes that are relevant to the concept to emerge. Data Synthesis: Arskey and O’Malley’s six-stage framework and the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews extension checklist were used as the review and reporting templates. The databases search yielded 222 results. Following title and abstract screening, a total of 146 papers were screened, and 127 of them were excluded. Full-text review was conducted for 19 papers that were deemed by two reviewers to meet the eligibility criteria. One of the authors arbitrated on disputed papers for inclusion. Only 14 of the included papers were found to meet the criteria for the final analysis. Five conceptual dimensions of MA in pharma were identified as “right products”, “right patient”, “right price”, “right point” (time), and “right place” (setting). Conclusions: Market access in pharma is a process that commences with the development and availability of the right products that are proven to be efficacious and disease/condition-specific (including medications, medical devices, and vaccines); specifically produced for the right patients or end users who will maximise best clinical outcomes and economic value; delivered at the right point in a timely, sustained, and efficient manner, given at the right price (commercially viable or reimbursed price that represents good value); and conducted within the economic, policy, societal, and technological contexts, with the overarching goal of achieving the best patient outcomes and ensuring product profitability.

This research study examines the trade potential between Indonesia and Namibia, explicitly focusing on product competitiveness mapping and lessons learned from Chile and Uruguay. The analysis explores the competitiveness of export products in each country and identifies areas for improvement. The findings reveal that Indonesia has a higher number of export products with high competitiveness than Namibia. However, both countries face challenges in boosting the overall competitiveness of their export portfolios. The study emphasises the need for diversification and value-added processing to enhance export capabilities and reduce import reliance. Drawing insights from Chile and Uruguay, it highlights the importance of economic diplomacy and bilateral trade agreements in strengthening trade relations. The study concludes with recommendations for policymakers and future researchers to foster economic growth and maximise the trade potential between Indonesia and Namibia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper concerns implications of the WTO rules on domestic regulations and trade policy measures and analises trade policy options available for a WTO member-state under the WTO rules that may maintain benefiting from the WTO membership. It describes effects of the WTO disciplines on institutional structure of the member-states and analyses issues relating to the formulation of the WTO compatible trade policy measures and mechanisms of their application, examines possibilities for the utilisation of contingency protection measures available under the WTO law. Issues of institution building, trade regime formation and creation of an adequate normative basis of the trade policy formulation is also touched upon based on such analysis, given that the mentioned aspects of the WTO membership is a necessary condition for a successful WTO compliant trade policy. At the same time, it also becomes important to ensure achievment of the development and welfare interests and avoid of subjecting foreign trade measures to private interests by way of establishment of the appropriate procedures and legal environment. Therefore, shaping trade regime and legal procedures in a way enabling formulation and implementation of measures serving the community interests and excluding or minimising utilisation therof in the interests of the private interest groups aquire utmost importance. Based on this, the paper analyses interactions between the rules, practices and institutions comprising the WTO law and the trade regimes of the memberstates and explores possibilities of establishing, conducting and adaptation of the WTO complaint trade policies capable of ensuring acievement of social and econimic development goals. Therefore, the paper explores the trade policy regulation mechanisms of the states within the normative and institutional framework established by the WTO law, as well as the possibilities of introducing economic and social development-oriented trade policies by the member-states and candidates for membership in accordance with the WTO law. For these purpose, the legal and institutional aspects of the WTO affecting formation of trade policies and the application of trade measures by the member states and consequencies of mutual institutional influences between the WTO law and the trade policies of the member states are highlighted, principal legal and institutional effects arising from the WTO agreements have been analysed, experience of the WTO members in trade policy formulation and implementation have been summarized, deficiencies and shortfalls in the internal legal systems and institutional structures that may arise in connection with the membership in the WTO identified based on analysis of the experience of the WTO members, recommendations and proposals regarding legal adaptation and institutional changes that may be considered necessary or appropriate in connection with WTO membership have been formulated. It is shown that membership in the WTO results in long-term effects on the country's economy, and these effects concern primarily the legal regulation of trade relations. WTO membership, creates the need to constantly adapt the application of trade policy measures to the WTO requirements. The paper asserts that specific times, durations and purposes of trade measures applicable in accordance with the WTO law depend on the specifics of the objectives and the issues to be resolved in a specific political and economic conditions and, therefore, must be determined individually in each case. The trade policy in such case needs to be purposefully and organically reconciled with general macroeconomic measures such as tax policy, labor market regulations, investment environment, currency policy, etc., in order to be able to maintain economic efficience and social welfare under the WTO rules, otherwise it is possible that membership in the WTO can become a source of economic and social tensions. WTO membership may vreate serious economic and social risks. Mitigation of such risks requires adaptation of the legal regulation, as well as institutional and power structures. Solutions should accomodate specific political, economic and social situations, institutional structure and would require involvement of adequate fianacial and intellectual resources. The paper also toches upon the issues of transparency, market competition, good governance methods, market inadequacy and market protection possibilities. As an overall conclusion, it is asserted that adherence to the WTO rules does not ensure the increase in the level of well-being, economic and social development, but only creates the basis for it. Achieving these goals may not be possible through membership in the WTO, but through appropriate organizational structure taking into account the membership requirements, as well as thoughtful decisions on the use of opportunities provided by the WTO. Although the requirements are numerous, the freedom to decide about these requirements is not small. This last aspect is a key issue to consider in terms of the impact of the WTO on trade policy and market access conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To elucidate the impact of online car-hailing (OCH) on traditional taxi services and in producing structural changes to urban taxi markets in China, we propose a model based on the market access rules and business models of the two modes that analyzes their interactions in the following arenas: fleet size, passenger waiting time, service level, and driver income. Then, we build a nested logit model to predict the modal splits and market shares for four travel modes (online car-hailing, traditional taxi, metro, and bus). Taking Ningbo as an example, we estimate the changes in the number of OCH vehicles, the modal splits of the four travel modes, and the new equilibrium in urban taxi service markets. We show that OCH puts significant pressure on the traditional taxi market due to the positive feedback between OCH fleet size and its service quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper contributes to the literature on the evolution of North–South trade agreements, which historically involved countries in the global South relinquishing policy space for activist trade and industrial policies in exchange for locking-in preferential and stable market access. It takes as case study the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), drawing on the agreements, media coverage of the negotiations, and 107 interviews with negotiators and stakeholders in all three countries. I show how the renegotiation resulted in changing conflicts: while the Mexican government attempted to preserve its market access and sought to further restrict its policy space due to path dependence, the Trump administration wanted to reduce market access for Mexico and create uncertainty to re-shore production. The Trump administration partially succeeded by undermining the lock-in effect of trade agreements and including unprecedented provisions in USMCA. The actions of the Biden administration indicate a long-term shift in US trade policy towards protectionism. Combined with the USMCA sunset clause, this creates the risk that the US will use USMCA review periods to create market access uncertainty instead of seizing the opportunities to strengthen North American economic cooperation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphine (PH3) is a methyl bromide alternative with the potential to control surface pests of New Zealand avocados as a pre-export disinfestation treatment. 'Hass' avocado fruit were treated with PH3 (as ECO2FUME® (2% PH3, 98% CO2 (w/w); Cytec Industries Inc.)). at 500, 750 and 1,500 ppm for 24, 48 and 72 h at 5–6 °C, along with vials containing mould mites (Tyrophagus communis) and greenhouse thrips (Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis). Fruit were then stored at 5 °C for three weeks, external quality assessed, and internal fruit quality assessed after ripening at 20 °C. PH3 treatments had no impact on external fruit quality, nor on skin colouration, and only minor increase in softening compared to control at 24 h, but not 48 or 72 h. Complete (100%) mortality was achieved for thrips at all PH3 concentrations for 48 h. However, only ∼50% mould mite mortality was achieved at the highest PH3 concentration of 1,500 ppm for 72 h; although this treatment did provide a significant reduction in rots and internal disorders. This initial study demonstrates that longer-duration treatments and higher PH3 concentrations improves fruit quality compared with controls, mainly by reducing rots. These treatments fully controlled thrips but provided only partial control of mould mites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Understanding the concept and dynamic process of the evolution of professional identity and roles of market access (MA) in the pharmaceutical industry (pharma) is critical to personal, interpersonal, and professional levels of development and impact. Objective: The aim was to carry out a scoping review of the conceptualisation of MA within pharma. Data Sources: BioMed Central, WorldCat.org, and Directory of Open Access Journals were searched from 2003 to 2023. Study Selection: All articles on concepts or definitions and other surrogate terms on MA in pharma were selected. Data Extraction: Keywords generated from an initial cursory literature search on MA in pharma were used in conjunction with AND/OR as search terms. Using the data charting method, key findings were mapped and summarised descriptively. inductive analysis was performed, allowing codes/themes that are relevant to the concept to emerge. Data Synthesis: Arskey and O'Malley's six-stage framework and the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews extension checklist were used as the review and reporting templates. The databases search yielded 222 results. Following title and abstract screening, a total of 146 papers were screened, and 127 of them were excluded. Full-text review was conducted for 19 papers that were deemed by two reviewers to meet the eligibility criteria. One of the authors arbitrated on disputed papers for inclusion. Only 14 of the included papers were found to meet the criteria for the final analysis. Five conceptual dimensions of MA in pharma were identified as "right products", "right patient", "right price", "right point" (time), and "right place" (setting). Conclusions: Market access in pharma is a process that commences with the development and availability of the right products that are proven to be efficacious and disease/condition-specific (including medications, medical devices, and vaccines); specifically produced for the right patients or end users who will maximise best clinical outcomes and economic value; delivered at the right point in a timely, sustained, and efficient manner, given at the right price (commercially viable or reimbursed price that represents good value); and conducted within the economic, policy, societal, and technological contexts, with the overarching goal of achieving the best patient outcomes and ensuring product profitability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]