scholarly journals Agricultural co-operatives participating in supply chain integration in China: A qualitative comparative analysis

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0250018
Author(s):  
Jiacheng Zhang ◽  
Jianli Luo ◽  
Jia Li
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Qualitative Comparative Analysis ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Supply Chain Integration ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Food Supply Chain ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Social Environmental ◽  
Academic Implications

Agro-food supply chain integration (ASCI) plays a growingly important role in the stable and sustainable development of agriculture. However, it is challenging for core firms to integrate the small-scale and scatted farmers due to complex transaction processes and volatile relationships in China. Agricultural co-operatives are organizations that unite farmers’ power and help them achieve economic benefits. Our research focuses on ASCI from the perspective of co-operatives. A comprehensive cooperative framework, including trinity co-operatives and trinity federations, is conducted to figure out the position and process of agricultural co-operatives in ASCI, while QCA provides detailed collaborative patterns for agricultural co-operatives to adopt. Results show that agricultural co-operatives can achieve high economic and social/environmental performance when participating in ASCI. This study further completes the ASCI literature and offers many managerial and academic implications to co-operatives’ members and policy-makers.

scholarly journals An Investigation of the Socio-Economic Benefits of Small-Scale Gold Mining in Malawi

Mining ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-34
Author(s):  
Tiyamike Haundi ◽  
Gift Tsokonombwe ◽  
Steven Ghambi ◽  
Theresa Mkandawire ◽  
Ansley Kasambara
Keyword(s):  
Gold Mining ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Gold Rush ◽  
Basic Knowledge ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Low Literacy ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
The Government

In the recent years, there has been a surge in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in various districts of Malawi. Reports of a gold rush have emerged in various districts, including Mangochi, Lilongwe, Balaka, and lately in Kasungu. There has been persistence by many indigenous communities participating in ASGM activities, yet little is being done by the government to formalize and support the sub-sector. The purpose of this study was to investigate the benefits of artisanal small-scale gold mining in Malawi and expose the shortfalls so that key stakeholders and policy makers are well informed. A quantitative approach which used semi-structured questionnaires was used and the data was analyzed using Microsoft excel and Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The study shows that ASGM is characterized by people with low literacy levels, who use traditional tools (low-tech) and use methods fueled by lack of capital, and deficiency of basic knowledge of mining and geology. The study found that the government could achieve substantial socio-economic development from the sector by: (1) revising the current artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) legislation so that it embraces the customary practices whilst safeguarding the environment and improving the tax collection base; (2) providing support in form of mining related training and education to these communities; (3) leading in transfer of modern technologies for improved extraction; (4) supporting ASM cooperatives in securing credit facilities from financial institutions; and (5) closing the existing knowledge gap for ASM related issues through introduction of mining desk officers in district councils.

scholarly journals Systematic Review on Food Safety and Supply Chain Risk Assessment Post Pandemic: Malaysian Perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Saad Nurul Eiman ◽  
Firdaus Muhammad Nurul Azmi Aida ◽  
Trias Mahmudiono ◽  
Siva Raseetha
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Supply Chain Risk ◽  
Food Supply Chain ◽  
Economic Sectors ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Impact

The novel coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, is a recent disease that has struck the entire world. This review is conducted to study the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic to food safety as well as the food supply chain. The pandemic has caused various changes around the world as numerous countries and governments have implemented lockdowns and restrictions to help curb the rising cases due to COVID-19. However, these restrictions have impacted many aspects of everyday life, including the economic sectors such as the food industry. An overview of the current COVID-19 situation in Malaysia was discussed in this review along with its implication on food safety and food supply chain. This is followed by a discussion on the definition of food safety, the impact of the pandemic to food safety, as well as the steps to be taken to ensure food safety. Hygiene of food handlers, complete vaccination requirement, kitchen sanitation and strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) should be in place to ensure the safety of food products, either in food industries or small scale business. Additionally, the aspect of the food supply chain was also discussed, including the definition of the food supply chain and the impact of COVID-19 to the food supply chain. Travel restriction and lack of manpower had impacted the usual operation and production activities. Lack of customers and financial difficulties to sustain business operational costs had even resulted in business closure. As a conclusion, this article provides insight into crucial factors that need to be considered to effectively contain COVID-19 cases and highlights the precaution methods to be taken through continuous monitoring and implementation by Malaysian government.

Bringing more value to small farmers: a study of potato farmers in Pakistan

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Syed Zahoor Hassan ◽  
Muhammad Shakeel Sadiq Jajja ◽  
Muhammad Asif ◽  
George Foster
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Cost Structure ◽  
Small Farmers ◽  
Food Supply Chain ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Depth Study ◽  
Decision Making Processes

Purpose Small farmers, being the primary producers of crops, are the key players in the food supply chain. Yet, they remain the most marginalized in the value chain. The marginalization of small farmers can affect food sustainability. The purpose of this paper is to identify opportunities for bringing more value to small farmers in an agricultural value chain. Design/methodology/approach This paper makes use of action research, studying the potato value chain, in a developing agricultural country Pakistan. The authors conducted an in-depth study of 37 farmers in four regions, each being a large potato growing ecosystem. The study examined the end-to-end decision-making processes, sources of input (both physical and information), cultivation and sales practices, cost structure, productivity and profitability of the farmers in potato farming. Findings Large variations exist in the crop yield, cost structure and profitability of farmers within each of and among the four regions due to differences in cultivation practices and approach to sales. There is a significant potential to lower costs, increase yield and enhance overall profitability by using the existing better processes. By addressing the issues faced by small farmers their profits can be potentially doubled. The paper also discusses potential means of recrafting and streamlining the value chain to bring more value to small farmers. Research limitations/implications The paper provides a detailed account of how different interventions can increase the value for small farmers. Since the current food supply chain and sustainability are under stress, worldwide, the findings of this study have implications for farmers as well as policy makers. Originality/value The literature on streamlining the agricultural value chain and enhancing the share of small farmers is scarce. Improving the value chain and reducing the marginalization of small farmers is an essential step toward increasing food sustainability.

scholarly journals The Nitrogen Balancing Act: Tracking the Environmental Performance of Food Production

BioScience ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 194-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eileen L McLellan ◽  
Kenneth G Cassman ◽  
Alison J Eagle ◽  
Peter B Woodbury ◽  
Shai Sela ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Nitrogen Balance ◽  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Support Networks ◽  
Nitrogen Losses ◽  
Food Supply Chain ◽  
Nitrogen Inputs ◽  
The Difference

Abstract Farmers, food supply-chain entities, and policymakers need a simple but robust indicator to demonstrate progress toward reducing nitrogen pollution associated with food production. We show that nitrogen balance—the difference between nitrogen inputs and nitrogen outputs in an agricultural production system—is a robust measure of nitrogen losses that is simple to calculate, easily understood, and based on readily available farm data. Nitrogen balance provides farmers with a means of demonstrating to an increasingly concerned public that they are succeeding in reducing nitrogen losses while also improving the overall sustainability of their farming operation. Likewise, supply-chain companies and policymakers can use nitrogen balance to track progress toward sustainability goals. We describe the value of nitrogen balance in translating environmental targets into actionable goals for farmers and illustrate the potential roles of science, policy, and agricultural support networks in helping farmers achieve them.

Determining value in the food supply chain

2015 ◽  
Vol 117 (11) ◽  
pp. 2649-2663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise Manning
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Interaction Model ◽  
Multiple Stakeholders ◽  
Food Supply Chain ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Predominant Factor ◽  
Purchasing Behaviour ◽  
Food Offering

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore what the term “value” means to the multiple stakeholders interfacing and interacting with the food supply chain. Design/methodology/approach – The research included a literature review and the development of a cost: reward (give: get) stakeholder interaction model. Findings – Perceptions of value are individualistic. Conflict of interest exists for business between maintaining shareholder value and delivering “value” within the food offering to its customers and the wider array of societal stakeholders. Shareholders are profit driven and price is the predominant factor that influences consumer purchasing behaviour leading to a constantly negotiated interface between price and other reward factors. Reward factors such as financial, degree of utility, affordability, hedonistic factors defining the emotional worth of food, acquirability and the ratio of price: volume of food are explored. Originality/value – This research is of academic value and of value to policy makers and practitioners in the food supply chain.

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