scholarly journals Assessment of the Nutritional Impact of Agricultural Research: The Case of Mungbean in Pakistan

2005 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 287-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katinka Weinberger

Background Evaluation of agricultural research often neglects consumption and nutrition aspects. Yet agricultural research can address micronutrient malnutrition by improving both quantity and quality of food intake. Objective To briefly review the conceptual linkages between agriculture and nutrition, to estimate the strength of the relationship between iron intake and productivity outcomes, and to estimate the nutritional benefit of improved mungbean varieties in terms of net present value. This paper presents a methodology for assessing the nutritional impact of mungbean, and summarizes current impact evidence on the path from mungbean research to consumption. Methods A consumption study was conducted among female piece-rate workers in Pakistan to analyze the impact of iron consumption on productivity, measured in wages. A two-stage least-squares analysis was used to estimate the elasticity of iron intake on wages. The results derived from this study were extrapolated to country level using secondary data sources. Results We found that anemia among women was widespread. Approximately two-thirds of women suffered from mild or severe anemia (Hb < 12 g/dL). We found the elasticity of bioavailable iron on productivity measured in wages was 0.056, and the marginal effect was 9.17 Pakistani rupees per additional mg of bioavailable iron consumed. Using the model results we estimated the impact of mungbean research on nutrition, in terms of productivity effects, and found it was substantial, ranging from US$7.6 to 10.1 million cumulative present value (in 1995 US$ at 5% discount rate). Conclusions Agriculture certainly plays an important role in the reduction of malnutrition. Agricultural research has greatly contributed to the reduction of hunger and starvation by providing millions of hungry people with access to low-cost staple foods. Now, as the challenge shifts to the reduction of micronutrient deficiencies, more efforts must be directed toward crops high in micronutrients, such as pulses and vegetables.

1970 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fikri Fathurahman Aziz

This study aims to analyze financially (net present value, revenue cost ratio, internal rate of return, break event point, return on investment and payback period) feasibility of kampung super chicken farming Mr. Suparlan in Jojog village, district Pekalongan, East Lampung regency. The data used in the form of quantitative and qualitative data sourced from the primary data and secondary data which is then analyzed descriptively. Based on the analysis, it is known that kampung super farm is financially feasible to cultivate. This is indicated by the positive value of net present value (NPV) of Rp 186,568,517, revenue ratio (RCR) 1.59, internal rate of return (IRR) of 135.82%, return on investment (ROI) of 43%, and the value of payback period (PP) of 0.50. Keywords: financial feasibility, kampung chicken, chicken farm


Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1568
Author(s):  
Federico Galli ◽  
Jun-Jie Lai ◽  
Jacopo De Tommaso ◽  
Gianluca Pauletto ◽  
Gregory S. Patience

Methane is the second highest contributor to the greenhouse effect. Its global warming potential is 37 times that of CO2. Flaring-associated natural gas from remote oil reservoirs is currently the only economical alternative. Gas-to-liquid (GtL) technologies first convert natural gas into syngas, then it into liquids such as methanol, Fischer–Tropsch fuels or dimethyl ether. However, studies on the influence of feedstock composition are sparse, which also poses technical design challenges. Here, we examine the techno-economic analysis of a micro-refinery unit (MRU) that partially oxidizes methane-rich feedstocks and polymerizes the syngas formed via Fischer–Tropsch reaction. We consider three methane-containing waste gases: natural gas, biogas, and landfill gas. The FT fuel selling price is critical for the economy of the unit. A Monte Carlo simulation assesses the influence of the composition on the final product quantity as well as on the capital and operative expenses. The Aspen Plus simulation and Python calculate the net present value and payback time of the MRU for different price scenarios. The CO2 content in biogas and landfill gas limit the CO/H2 ratio to 1.3 and 0.9, respectively, which increases the olefins content of the final product. Compressors are the main source of capital cost while the labor cost represents 20–25% of the variable cost. An analysis of the impact of the plant dimension demonstrated that the higher number represents a favorable business model for this unit. A minimal production of 7,300,000 kg y−1 is required for MRU to have a positive net present value after 10 years when natural gas is the feedstock.


Author(s):  
Monica Tiewul

The issue of whether innovation and technological advancement continually bring new phenomenon remains unpredictable, especially in the financial industry. As technology and digital services continue to ingrain themselves into more aspects of lives, the financial sector has not been immuned. New technology has given way to new services and with new services comes the gradual disruption of the old. This study researched on the influence of digital marketing and digital payment on consumer purchase behaviour in Coburg, Germany. The availability of digital marketing is enabling many companies of all sizes to embrace mobile and data while adopting a ‘cloud first’ approach to redesigning their business models. This brings about the introduction of a new ‘pay-as-you-go’ business model that enables efficiency, low-cost speed to scale and creation of new, richer customer experience. This research sort to examine the impact of digital marketing on consumer purchase behaviour, assess the factors influencing consumer to patronise digital payment and examine the future of digital payment methods. In this research, primary and secondary data are utilised. The data has been analysed using descriptive and multivariate statistical methods like factor loading analysis, correlation, cross tabulation, and chi-square. From this research, it is concluded that the availability of extensive information, variety of products, level of satisfaction and level of education are the most essential factors influencing digital marketing and digital payment and this will lead to an increase in the digital payment methods with more security in the future. Also, bitcoin will not be accepted as a future digital payment method.


Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Stec ◽  
Martina Zeleňáková

Decentralized water systems are perceived as solutions that not only save water, but also as a way to partially or completely become independent from centralized suppliers. Taking this into account, an analysis of the effectiveness of rainwater harvesting systems (RWHS) for toilet flushing in existing academic facilities located in Poland and in Slovakia was carried out. The tests took into account the different volumes of storage tanks collecting rainwater. On the basis of two financial ratios, namely Net Present Value and Discounted Payback Period, the profitability of these systems was also assessed. The research was extended by the sensitivity analysis, which allowed determination of the impact of changes in individual cost components on the financial effectiveness of the investments considered. The results obtained clearly showed that the implementation of RWHS in the dormitory in Rzeszów was unprofitable for all tank capacities tested, and the payback period significantly exceeded the period of 30 years accepted for the analysis. Completely different results were obtained for RWHS in a dormitory located in the city of Košice, for which the financial ratios NPV (Net Present Value) and DPP (Discounted Payback Period) were very favorable. It was also confirmed by the results of the sensitivity analysis. The use of rainwater for toilet flushing caused that it was possible to achieve water savings of an average of 29% and 18%, respectively, for facilities located in Slovakia and Poland. The results of the research have a practical aspect and can provide an indication for potential investors and managers of academic facilities, similar to those analyzed in the article. Taking into account that in many countries water and sewage rates are significantly higher than in Poland and Slovakia, the cost-effectiveness of using the analyzed installation options in these countries could be even higher.


Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (19) ◽  
pp. 5056
Author(s):  
Tadeusz Mączka ◽  
Halina Pawlak-Kruczek ◽  
Lukasz Niedzwiecki ◽  
Edward Ziaja ◽  
Artur Chorążyczewski

Due to the increasing installed power of the intermittent renewable energy sources in the European Union, increasing the operation flexibility of the generating units in the system is necessary. This is particularly important for systems with relatively large installed power of wind and solar. Plasma technologies can be used for that purpose. Nonetheless, the wide implementation of such technology should be economically justified. This paper shows that the use of plasma systems for increasing the flexibility of power units can be economically feasible, based on the results of a net present value analysis. The cost of the installation itself had a marginal effect on the results of the net present value analysis. Based on the performed analysis, the ability to lower the technical minimum of the power unit and the relationship between such a technical minimum and the installed power of a plasma system can be considered decisive factors influencing the economics of the investment for such an installation. Further research on better means of prediction of the minimum attainable load, which would allow determining the influence of implementation of a plasma system, is recommended. This will be the decisive factor behind future decisions regarding investing in such systems.


1994 ◽  
Vol 24 (9) ◽  
pp. 1758-1765 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Anderson ◽  
B. Bruce Bare

A deterministic dynamic programming formulation of the transition uneven-aged stand management problem is presented. Using a previously published northern hardwoods growth model, a forward recursive, discrete, two-state problem that maximizes the net present value of harvested trees at each stage is developed. State variables represent the total number of trees and the total basal area per acre. A neighborhood storage concept previously published is used to reduce the number of states considered at each stage. Two harvest allocation rules are used to assign the harvested basal area to individual diameter classes. Terminal end point conditions and stage to stage sustainability are not required. Results from four base runs of the model are presented and compared with previously published results. Each run produces significantly different optimal paths, with one showing a higher net present value than any previously published. Sensitivity runs illustrate the impact of changes in interest rates, width of neighborhood storage class, and initial conditions. Dynamic programming offers promise for analyzing uneven-aged stand management problems.


1988 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth J. Mitchell

Intensive forest management requires an understanding of the effect that silvicultural treatments have on wood properties, standing yield, log quality, product value, and net present value. These needs are addressed by a system of models (SYLVER) which includes the Tree and Stand Simulator (TASS), Root Rot Simulator (ROTSIM), Sawmill Simulator (SAWSIM), and the new Financial Analysis System (FAN$Y). The latter will be used by field foresters to compare the merits of candidate treatments for specific stands. Key words: Silviculture, growth and yield, juvenile wood, log quality, end-product value, net present value, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Phellinus weirii, modelling, TASS, ROTSIM, SAWSIM, FAN$Y, SYLVER.


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