The role of fine management techniques in association between agricultural pollution and farmer income: The case of fruit industry

Abstract text is required. Whilst the agriculture enjoys booming development, it is facing increasingly serious environmental pressures. With the growth of fruit planting scale, the inorganic minerals elements are one of the main sources of non-point pollution. How to achieve the sustainable production of agriculture is an issue that needs urgent attention in the current rural development. In this paper, based on the micro-production data of peach farmers in eighteen prefecture-level provinces, we introduce fine management techniques into the production function to analyze the effects of different techniques and further explore the influence of fine management techniques on the fertilizer efficiency. Findings show that with no changes in the degree of fine management techniques investment, the increase of chemical fertilizers and pesticides not only made little contribution to increase in profit, but also resulted in excessive investment of fertilizers that worsens the environment. Notably, the fine management techniques exerting positive effects on the application efficiency of minerals elements could be an efficient and sustainable way to ease the conflict between environment and profit. However, those techniques are rarely used in practices due to the lack of economic incentives. A brief review of main measures, such as market information timely-updating，agricultural product branding, and socialized services, is offered.

Impact Evaluation of Agriculture Technology Adoption: A Primary Data Analysis

The primary objective of the study is the assessment and impact evaluation of improved and new agriculture technology adoption on farmers’ income level in the region (Faisalabad). There are seven technologies used in the study to assess technology adoption impact. A micro panel primary data (206-07 & 2018-19) has been used. The propensity score is estimated and matched for average treatment effects (ATE) to analyze income effect. The assessment of technology adoption is observed using logistic approach for pooled data. The technology poverty index is used to measure the level of farmer technology adoption rate. The results indicate that these technologies have positive and significant role on farmers’ poverty and income level in the study area. The used improved technologies for the current showed positive and significant role in the farmers’ income determination. These agriculture technologies have an important role in increasing farmer income and welfare in the study area. The study recommends that more incentives to be announced to develop and promote improved technologies for adoption. The provision of these technologies may increase farmers’ income level as well as food security by engaging in other income-generating activities.

Strategy analysis of extension of performance in transfer of livestock technology innovation for farmer empowerment

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is still widespread and needs to be watched out for. In government policies that implement the new normal in several places, agricultural extension workers play a very important strategic role in responding to the pandemic, especially in rural areas. This study aims to analyze the performance strategy of extension workers in assisting farmers during the pandemic in disseminating information on livestock technology innovations. The research was conducted in Barru Regency, with the sub-district location being the sample. Sources of data in this study were collected using surveys/interviews with extension workers, farmers, stakeholders, and in-depth interviews with informants. The results show that the performance strategy that can be taken in improving the performance of the extension worker in the transfer of livestock technology innovation is by increasing the competence of the instructor in the guidance carried out to overcome various problems during the implementation of the extension program and improve innovation, communication and extension methods according to the needs of farmers and support from government agencies. Therefore, it is expected to improve the performance of agricultural extension workers by increasing the extension budget and improving extension facilities and infrastructure so that farmers can adopt agricultural/livestock technology innovations provided by extension workers to increase livestock productivity, increase farmer income and welfare.

Corn Business Development Opportunities Through an Agribusiness Approach

The purpose of this study is to (1) examine the application of the corn farming agribusiness system, (2) examine the production and income generated by corn farming, (3) examine the feasibility of corn farming, and (4) examine the prospects for corn farming development. Tanah Towa Village is located in Kajang District, Bulukumba Regency, South Sulawesi. Simple random sampling was used to select up to 59 respondents. The descriptive statistical analysis, farm income analysis, farming feasibility analysis, and time series analysis were all used to analyze the data. The results indicated that (1) the application of the agribusiness farming system with the production facilities subsystem met the correct criteria in 68% of cases and was incorrect in 32% of cases. (2) the average farm production of corn in Tanah Towa Village, Kajang District, Bulukumba Regency in the form of dry shells is still low at 2,204.4 kg/ha, compared to the subdistrict level of 3,733 kg/ha, with farmer income of Rp. 5,942,319/ha. (3) The feasibility of corn farming has increased (R/C = 3), indicating that it is feasible to develop; (4) The prospect of developing corn production in Kajang District has increased, indicating that it has favorable development prospects.significantly, to the point where it now has favorable development prospects.

Panel Discussion - Scope, Opportunities and Challenges of Agri-Journalism in India

Information is crucial for taking or arriving at right decisions, it becomes an economic action that can be produced, purchased and sold. Although, agriculture is a backbone of many countries, the investment in agriculture and rural development is still lagging. Communication for agriculture is not seen as a major priority and the role of the media as an effective player in agricultural and rural development. There is hardly any meaningful debate on farmers’ issues with facts and figures. There are hardly any media that covers exclusive news on rural India in general and agriculture in particular, although 70 per cent of the population lived there. The information on agriculture coverage is limited to a particular topic such as market and market prices, advertisement, stock market, etc., in most of the medium. Many a times, this piece of information might be written by an exclusive scientist, interested journalist or as usual by the news reporters, who have the journalist skills but, not able to translate things. There is a lack of skilled manpower to cover all aspects of agriculture such as crop production output, national GDP, overcome farmer problems, farm machinery and implements, farmer lifestyle, ways of doubling of farmer income etc. This panel discussion has come up with a suggestion to start a one year Post Graduate Diploma in Agri-journalism course to train the interested students, working professionals and the budding entrepreneurs to contribute to the industry as well as farming community.

Aquaponic Biofloc Technology by Swamp Bacteria Probiotic for Clarias Catfish Rearing

Conventional catfish culture in Ogan Ilir (OI) have not optimal production, it can be increased by biofloc and aquaponics with local swamp bacteria as a starter. The purpose of this study was to apply biofloc technology and a combination of aquaponic-biofloc to increase the productivity of catfish (Clarias sp.) rearing. The study used two ponds, a biofloc circular pond and a combined biofloc and aquaponic (biofloqua) for two months. The results of the specific growth rate of fish in the aquaponic biofloc system were higher than that of the biofloc system alone. The survival of the fish during two rearing months of the Biofloqua system was 100% while the Biofloc system was 92-96%. The water quality data that measured were temperature, 30.3–31.9oC, Dissolved oxygen 4.5–7.2 mg.l-1, pH 6-7, and ammonia concentration 0.27-0.71 mg.l-1 in the biofloc system and 29.5-31.3oC, 4.7-7.4 mg.l-1, pH 6-7, 0.20-0.53 mg.l-1 in biofloqua system, respectively. The floc volume formation rate in the biofloc system alone reached 1.1 ml.l-1 per day, which was above the floc formation rate for the biofloqua system 0.42 ml.l-1 per day, due to the use of nutrients for plant growth. The combination of biofloc and aquaponics showed more optimal growth performance and both were efficient in feed (Food Conversion Ratio / FCR <1.00). Although the results of the 5% level t test showed no difference in the performance of the aquaculture biota between the two systems, Biofloqua can be an alternative to increase fish farmer income by harvesting vegetables and fish together.

How Forest Subsidies Impact Household Income: The Case from China

(1) Background: It is of great significance to evaluate the impact of forestry subsidies on the income of forest farmers to improve policy and enhance efficiency. (2) Methods: Based on the static panel data of household tracking surveys from 2014 to 2018 in Sichuan, Liaoning, and Zhejiang provinces in China, the impacts of forestry subsidies on forest farmer income and impact paths were systematically verified via parameter estimation with the Fixed-Effect model. (3) Results: Forestry subsidies significantly increased forest farmer income. The impact paths could be summarized as follows: First, from the perspective of operating income, forestry subsidies effectively motivated forestry production and promoted the expenditure on forestry production, and thus increased forest farmer operating income. Second, from the perspective of wage income, forestry subsidy policies played a negative role in releasing the forest farmer labor force for off-farm employment. Third, from the perspective of transfer income as a kind of transferred governmental financial subsidy, forestry subsidies covered a large proportion of transfer income for forest farmers. (4) Conclusions: Forestry subsidies could directly increase the transfer income, effectively improve the forestry production capacity, and increase the income of forest farmers. However, forestry subsidies could also bind forest farmers to forestry production to a certain extent, which was not conducive to the liberation of the labor force.

Technical, Financial and Social Cultural of Feasibility Analysis of Combine Harvester in Rice Agribusiness in Tulang Bawang District, Lampung Province

The objectives of this research were (1) to study the technical aspect of the combined harvester, (2) to calculate the feasibility of rice agribusiness using a combined harvester, (3) to measure adoption level of farmers towards combine harvester in Tulang Bawang District, Lampung Province. The research was carried out in two subdistricts, namely Rawajitu Selatan (represented by Gedung Karya Jitu village) and Rawapitu (represented by Bumi Sari village) of Tulang Bawang district from August 2015 to December 2015, and used survey method. The studied sample of 60 farmers (or 14.90% of 972) was determined with proportional random sampling. Two sorts of data were collected, namely interview and direct observation on-site, and feasibility analysis on a combined harvester, including technical, financial, and socio-cultural aspects. The result revealed that from technical aspects, combine harvester needed 5 to 7 hours to harvest, produced an excellent quality of unhauled rice with affordable production cost, compared with the traditional method. The use of a combined harvester was financially feasible. This was shown by farmer income and B/C ratio, from socio-cultural aspects, farmers showed high scores of adaption level towards combine harvester, namely 16.29 and 13.06 for Gedung Karya Jitu and Bumi Sari village, respectively.

Peternak Ayam Ras Petelur

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are one of the economic strength pillars of the community because their management involves the community directly, both in providing production facilities, labors, and its marketing chain. However, some SMEs failed in the middle of their business road or are unable to develop. This condition also occurs in SME of Al-Barkah Laying HenFarm. The purpose of implementing this program is to increase business capacity both from the production and management aspects of the Al-Barkah layer chicken business. The method used in overcoming these problems and achieving goals is by providing direct training, guidance, and application of science and technology. All activities were carried out jointly by the owners and employees of UKM Partners, guided by the implementation team. After implementing the program, the SME partner now: (1) understands and can conduct business planning; (2) can carry out business effectiveness and efficiency; (3) can increase understanding of the importance of order in the livestock business process; (4) Understands the importance of hygiene and cage sanitation; and (5) can increase the chicken health, egg production, and farmer income. The conclusion from the program implementation is that the Al-Barkah layer chicken business has increased production by 15% and an increase in business efficiency by 12% as a result of improvements in production and business management aspects.