scholarly journals Rice Contract Farming in Vietnam: Insights from a Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 6
Author(s):  
Mai Chiem Tuyen ◽  
Prapinwadee Sirisupluxana ◽  
Isriya Bunyasiri ◽  
Pham Xuan Hung

Since 2002, Vietnam has implemented rice contract-farming policies to develop the linkage among stakeholders in the agricultural sector; however, there is very low participation of farmers. Therefore, this study aims to determine the perception on both advantages and disadvantages of rice contract farming (RCF); identify the reasons for non-participation and drop-out of rice contract farming; and indicate the typology of contract by using data from documentation, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. The results indicate that farmers considered the guaranteed output price and stable income as the most advantages of RCF while the main disadvantages were reducing the household’s freedom or losing flexibility in making decisions on-farm production, management, and selling product; possible delays in payments, in input delivery, in harvesting, and output delivery. In addition, farmers did not want to participate in RCF because of reducing the household’s freedom in making decisions, not complying with RCF, not trusting cooperatives as well as enterprises, and because selling paddy to middlemen is easier and simpler. Farmers dropped out of RCF because the contracting companies breached the contract provisions. Farmers mentioned many provisions of the contract but the most important to them were payment, price options, and delivery arrangement.

Author(s):  
Dennis Zami Atibuni

Quality institutional support and student-faculty interaction are critical to effective research engagement and efficient completion among higher education students. However, the research engagement of many postgraduate students in Uganda is characterised by low completion rates, longer stay on the journey, and high drop-out among others. In this interpretative phenomenological qualitative study using focus group discussions among Master of Education cohorts of 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 and seven key informant interviews among research advisors in Ugandan universities, the author explored gaps in institutional support and student-faculty interaction that negatively affected the students' research engagement. Findings revealed wanting institutional support in resources, operating procedures, organisation and communication, supervision, curricula, and student financing. Student-faculty interaction gaps included supervisor absenteeism and emotional and behavioural dereliction. Strategies to fix the gaps were also solicited. Recommendations for policy and practice were advanced.


Author(s):  
Kundang Harisman ◽  
Suryaman Birnadi ◽  
Muhammad Subandi

The objectivie of current study is to evaluate agribusiness performance of soybean included the on farm an marketing subsystems, besides, the development of soybean as one of superior agricultural commodities and its contribution of soybean upon the gross domestic product (GDP) of Sumedang. The results indicated that agribusiness performance of soybean consisted of farm iputs procurement, on farm production, harvesting and processing, marketing and supported infrastructure and its supporting subsystems. Soybean as one of superior commodities has been well developed due to the availability of human and natural resources, exsiting markets, production technology and business partnership program. The contribution of soybean upon regional GDP during the years of 2008 – 2016, bay the 2008 constant price, was between 0,071% and 0,357% and its contribution upon regional agricultural sector was price was between 0,248%– 1,144%. Where as soybean contribution based on the curret price was between 0,068% and 0,621% and between 0,239%-1,959% respectively. During those periods the contribution of soybean upon the GDP as well as on agricultural sector was fluctuated and tend to be declining.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-87
Author(s):  
Anisa Utami ◽  
Harianto Harianto

Along with the importance of the rice industry in the agricultural sector and rural development in Indonesia, it arguably requires the understanding of whether rice farmers have been experiencing changes in their agricultural practices. Within the existing literature, it is commonly found that most farmers in developing countries are characterized as subsistence farmers. This paper aims to explore what factors affecting the degree of farmers’ subsistence in the Indonesian rice industry. To this end, this study employed regression analysis using data from the national agricultural survey in 2014. The empirical results find that both the characteristics of farm households and rice on-farm characteristics have statistically significant effects on the farmers’ decision whether to commercialize or become subsistence. In addition, the farm gate price is also found to have a statistically significant effect, but the effect is found to be relatively small. In general, this study suggests that subsistence farming in the Indonesian rice industry is still significant though many literatures have emphasized the existence of structural change in the agricultural system in Indonesia.


2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Hartanto Kamagi ◽  
Seng Hansun

Graduation Information is important for Universitas Multimedia Nusantara  which engaged in education. The data of graduated students from each academic year is an important part as a source of information to make a decision for BAAK (Bureau of Academic and Student Administration). With this information, a prediction can be made for students who are still active whether they can graduate on time, fast, late or drop out with the implementation of data mining. The purpose of this study is to make a prediction of students’ graduation with C4.5 algorithm as a reference for making policies and actions of academic fields (BAAK) in reducing students who graduated late and did not pass. From the research, the category of IPS semester one to semester six, gender, origin of high school, and number of credits, can predict the graduation of students with conditions quickly pass, pass on time, pass late and drop out, using data mining with C4.5 algorithm. Category of semester six is the highly influential on the predicted outcome of graduation. With the application test result, accuracy of the graduation prediction acquired is 87.5%. Index Terms-Data mining, C4.5 algorithm, Universitas Multimedia Nusantara, prediction.


2020 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-120
Author(s):  
Raisa A. Alekhina ◽  
Victoriya E. Slavkina ◽  
Yuliya A. Lopatina

The article presents options for recycling polymers. The use of biodegradable materials is promising. This is a special class of polymers that can decompose under aerobic or anaerobic conditions under the action of microorganisms or enzymes forming natural products such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, water, biomass, and inorganic salts. (Research purpose) The research purpose is in reviewing biodegradable materials that can be used for the manufacture of products used in agriculture. (Materials and methods) The study are based on open information sources containing information about biodegradable materials. Research methods are collecting, studying and comparative analysis of information. (Results and discussion) The article presents the advantages and disadvantages of biodegradable materials, mechanical properties of the main groups of biodegradable polymers. The article provides a summary list of agricultural products that can be made from biodegradable polymer materials. It was found that products from the general group are widely used in agriculture. Authors have found that products from a special group can only be made from biodegradable polymers with a controlled decomposition period in the soil, their use contributes to increasing the productivity of crops. (Conclusions) It was found that biodegradable polymer materials, along with environmental safety, have mechanical properties that allow them producing products that do not carry significant loads during operation. We have shown that the creation of responsible products (machine parts) from biodegradable polymers requires an increase in their strength properties, which is achievable by creating composites based on them. It was found that the technological complexity of their manufacture and high cost are the limiting factors for the widespread use of biodegradable polymers at this stage.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patience A. Muwanguzi ◽  
Robert C. Bollinger ◽  
Stuart C. Ray ◽  
LaRon E. Nelson ◽  
Noah Kiwanuka ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Men in Sub-Saharan Africa are less engaged than women in accessing HIV testing and treatment and, consequently, experience higher HIV-related mortality. Reaching men with HIV testing services is challenging, thus, increasing the need for innovative ways to engage men with low access and those at higher risk. In this study, we explore men’s perceptions of drivers and barriers of workplace-based HIV self-testing in Uganda. Methods An exploratory study involving men working in private security companies employing more than 50 men in two districts, in central and western Uganda. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were conducted. Data were analyzed using inductive content analysis. Results Forty-eight (48) men from eight private security companies participated in 5 focus group discussions and 17 key informant interviews. Of the 48 men, 14(29.2%) were ages 26–35 years. The majority 31(64.6%) were security guards. The drivers reported for workplace-based HIV self-testing included convenience, autonomy, positive influence from work colleagues, the need for alternative access for HIV testing services, incentives, and involvement of employers. The barriers reported were the prohibitive cost of HIV tests, stigma, lack of testing support, the fear of discrimination and isolation, and concerns around decreased work productivity in the event of a reactive self-test. Conclusions We recommend the involvement of employers in workplace-based HIV self-testing to encourage participation by employees. There is need for HIV self-testing support both during and after the testing process. Both employers and employees recommend the use of non-monetary incentives, and regular training about HIV self-testing to increase the uptake and acceptability of HIV testing services at the workplace.


1983 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudio Schuftan

Today most foreign aid donors are genuinely committed to the idea that development in Third World countries should start with rural development. Therefore, a sizable proportion of their development funds are invested in rural projects. However, donors channel these funds through local governments (most often representing local bourgeois interests) that are not as committed to the principle of rural development. These governments are often also embarked in policies that are actually—directly or indirectly—expropriating the surpluses generated by agriculture and investing them in the other sectors of the economy. The peasants are therefore footing most of the bill of overall national development. This paper contends that, because of this state of affairs, foreign aid directed toward rural development is actually filling the investment gap left by an internal system of unequal returns to production in agriculture. In so doing, foreign aid is indirectly financing the development of the other sectors of the economy, even if this result is unintended. This perpetrates maldevelopment without redressing the basic exploitation process of peasants which lies at the core of underdevelopment. Evidence to support this hypothesis is presented using data from a primarily agricultural exporting country: the United Republic of Cameroon.


2019 ◽  
Vol 121 (12) ◽  
pp. 3062-3075 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morgane Millet

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand how a geographical indication (GI) is built through time and how its (non)appropriation by local producers shapes it. The reciprocity of such process is also considered: how the creation of a GI changes local relationships between producers, within the GI and out of it? The case of Ossau-Iraty is relevant: in south-west of France, this protected designation of origin (PDO) has been based on two distinct regions: Bearn (Ossau) and Pays Basque (Iraty). Since then, most producers of Bearn have rejected this PDO. Design/methodology/approach The author adopts a diachronic perspective: the trajectory of the local dairy ewe sector is described, focusing on the trajectory of on-farm cheese makers from Bearn and Pays Basque and the trajectory of Ossau-Iraty. Based on different methods (qualitative interviews and archive research), this paper aims at analyzing the interactions within such heterogeneous networks. Findings When the PDO was created (1980), the opposition between producers of Bearn and Pays Basque was based on strong senses of place, which would be translated in a different perception of tradition: to Bearn producers, PDO Ossau-Iraty would be an industrial cheese, in which they did not recognize their product and themselves. With time, the producers who have been involved in the PDO worked on its specifications. The recognition of symbolic practices such as on-farm production or Summer pasture production, the recognition of differences between Basque cheese and Bearn cheese are changes that contribute to the evolution of perceptions within the local producers’ community. The author observes a recent convergence between Basque producers and Bearn producers, as their distinct products share common and strong qualifications within PDO Ossau-Iraty that contribute to their respective valorization. However, it seems to occur at an institutional level and the adhesion of the local producers might still be at stakes. Research limitations/implications A statistical study could reinforce the author’s exploratory and historical research. Furthermore, it would have been relevant to take local inhabitants and local consumers into account, as they have participated in the products’ qualifications as well. Originality/value A long-term analysis (40 years) contributes to better understand how cheeses are valorized and how such process is based on controversial processes. It contributes to root GIs into local histories, which are nor as consensual neither as uniform as we would primarily think, and to identity levers for sustainable local development.


Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 552
Author(s):  
Phiona Nalubega ◽  
Emilie Karafillakis ◽  
Lydia Atuhaire ◽  
Pamela Akite ◽  
Flavia Zalwango ◽  
...  

Background: We investigated pregnant women, community leaders, healthcare workers (HCWs) and programme managers’ perceptions of maternal vaccination in Kampala, Uganda. Methods: We conducted focus group discussions, key informant interviews and in-depth discussions with HCWs (3), community leaders (3), pregnant women (8) and programme managers (10) between November 2019 and October 2020. Data were analysed thematically. Results: Pregnant women, community leaders and some HCWs had limited maternal immunisation knowledge. There was confusion over what constitutes a vaccine. Pregnant women may not receive vaccines because of mistrust of government; use of expired vaccines; reliance on traditional medicine; religious beliefs; fear of side effects; HCWs attitudes; and logistical issues. The key facilitators of maternal vaccination were a desire to prevent diseases, positive influences from HCWs and information about vaccine side effects. Community leaders and some pregnant women highlighted that pregnant women do not make decisions about maternal vaccination independently and are influenced by different individuals, including other pregnant women, older people, partners, relatives (parents), community leaders, HCWs and the government. Conclusions: Our results indicate that public health messaging should target all community members, including partners and parents of pregnant women as well as HCWs, to improve knowledge of and confidence in maternal vaccines.


Author(s):  
K. G. Yashchenkov ◽  
K. S. Dymko ◽  
N. O. Ukhanov ◽  
A. V. Khnykin

The issues of using data analysis methods to find and correct errors in the reports issued by meteorologists are considered. The features of processing various types of meteorological messages are studied. The advantages and disadvantages of existing methods of classification of text information are considered. The classification methods are compared in order to identify the optimal method that will be used in the developed algorithm for analyzing meteorological messages. The prospects of using each of the methods in the developed algorithm are described. An algorithm for processing the source data is proposed, which consists in using syntactic and logical analysis to preclean the data from various kinds of noise and determine format errors for each type of message. After preliminary preparation the classification method correlates the received set of message characteristics with the previously trained model to determine the error of the current weather report and output the corresponding message to the operator in real time. The software tools used in the algorithm development and implementation processes are described. A complete description of the process of processing a meteorological message is presented from the moment when the message is entered in a text editor until the message is sent to the international weather message exchange service. The developed software is demonstrated, in which the proposed algorithm is implemented, which allows to improve the quality of messages and, as a result, the quality of meteorological forecasts. The results of the implementation of the new algorithm are described by comparing the number of messages containing various types of errors before the implementation of the algorithm and after the implementation.


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