scholarly journals Spatial Pattern of Farmland Abandonment in Japan: Identification and Determinants

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 3676 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guandong Su ◽  
Hidenori Okahashi ◽  
Lin Chen
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Patterns ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Multiple Scales ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Rural Landscape ◽  
Farm Households ◽  
Farm Household ◽  
Farmland Abandonment

In recent years, Japan has undergone an unprecedented increase in farmland abandonment, which not only causes serious environmental problems and rural landscape loss, but also has a significant impact on socio-economic conditions and the livelihood of Japanese farmers. Many studies have analyzed farmland abandonment and its processes and drivers at multiple scales; however, few have focused on East Asia, especially Japan, which is a heavily depopulated country in rural areas suffering from serious abandonment. Therefore, this study attempts to shed light on the spatial patterns and determinants of farmland abandonment in Japan. For this analysis, we used the former municipalities defined in 1950 at a national scale as unit samples. Consequently, the spatial patterns, characteristics and variations of farmland abandonment in Japan are displayed. As for the drivers or determinants, we adopted ordinary least squares (OLS) and geographically weighted regression (GWR) by categorizing the determinants into geographical and socio-economic aspects. We have found that, firstly, farmland abandonment in Japan exhibits a significantly uneven pattern. While taking the farmland abandonment rate as a measurement, the results demonstrate that most abandoned farmland is positively correlated with slope and is highly clustered in the Kanto, Chubu and Chugoku Shikoku regions, compared to other regions that are suitable for agricultural production, such as the Hokkaido and Tohoku regions. Secondly, the arable land ratio of self-sufficient farm households, the ratio of non-successor farm households and the number of laborers per farm household positively affect abandonment. In contrast, arable land area per farm household and paddy field density have a negative impact on abandonment. Thirdly, the determinants are spatially varied among study regions. Farmland abandonment is driven by interactions of multiple determinants and depends on specific local circumstances. Such results can contribute to the understanding of farmland abandonment in Japan, promoting the maintenance of farmland and sustainable agriculture.

scholarly journals Analysis of the Vulnerability of Farm Households to Flood Risk in Punjab, Pakistan

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-38
Author(s):  
Waqas Manzoor
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Multiple Linear Regression Model ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Farm Households ◽  
Farm Household ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
The Impact

Climate change is the most important challenge for developing as well as developed countries. Pakistan is a developing country and has faced different types of natural disasters such as floods in the last 10 years. The rural areas of Pakistan are adversely affected by floods, which cause significant losses to crops, assets, and the household members face illness, health problems, loss of family income, and displacement. Approximately, 7016 villages with a cropped area of 473998 acres have been affected only in Punjab due to floods during the last four years. The impact of floods is not the same among the different regions, races, ages, classes, and gender. In this regard, a study was conducted to analyze the vulnerability of farm households in three flood-prone districts of Punjab province of Pakistan. These three flood-prone districts have different population size, and are located in high-risk flood region of Punjab was selected for empirical analysis. A well-structured questionnaire was used. Minimum 120 respondents were selected through a random sampling technique. A farm household survey was conducted and a vulnerability index was developed by using well-defined indicators. Three major dimensions of vulnerability were analyzed in detail such as exposure, adaptive capacity, and sensitivity. A multiple linear regression model was used to formulate the results. The analyzed results showed that flood was the main cause of the destruction of houses, livestock, and destruction of agriculture production. Results showed that farm household communities were the most vulnerable and floods hazard has a negative impact on the livelihood of human beings and the economy of Punjab as well.

scholarly journals Multiscale determinants of Pacific chorus frog occurrence in a developed landscape

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jemma Green ◽  
Purnima Govindarajulu ◽  
Eric Higgs
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Rural Landscape ◽  
Landscape Conservation ◽  
Terrestrial Habitat ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
Impervious Cover ◽  
Primary Driver ◽  
Chorus Frog

Abstract Pacific chorus frog (Pseudacris regilla) populations have persisted despite urban and rural development throughout the species’ range; yet it is possible that P. regilla, like other anurans with which it historically co-occurred, will become extirpated from cities and suburbs if urbanization intensifies as predicted. An improved understanding of the conditions that enable this species to persist in developed landscapes is needed to identify and conserve suitable habitats. We investigated species-habitat relationships for P. regilla in a mixed urban-rural landscape in southwestern British Columbia, Canada, to identify potential criteria for habitat suitability. We conducted repeat auditory surveys of chorusing males at 52 potential breeding wetlands and modeled occupancy at 26 of these sites using local and landscape variables representing competing hypotheses and spatial scales of influence. The models that best explained P. regilla occupancy included a combination of terrestrial habitat and connectivity factors and the presence of non-native predators. We found that the proportion of impervious cover within 250 m of a wetland had the strongest negative impact on occupancy. Our findings suggest that availability of terrestrial habitat adjacent to breeding sites is the primary driver of species presence in the developed landscape. Conservation efforts should seek to limit impervious cover to less than 20% within a 250-m buffer around breeding wetlands. Further, restored and created wetlands in urban and rural areas may be more likely to support P. regilla if they are designed with a seasonal hydroperiod that excludes non-native aquatic predators and are placed in an area of high pond density.

scholarly journals Factors Influencing the Adoption of Agricultural Machinery by Chinese Maize Farmers

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1090
Author(s):  
Xiuhao Quan ◽  
Reiner Doluschitz
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Economies Of Scale ◽  
Technical Assistance ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Agricultural Machinery ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Multivariate Probit Models ◽  
Moderate Scale

As the major labor force has shifted from rural areas to cities, labor shortages in agricultural production have resulted. In the context of technical progress impact, and depending on farm resource endowments, farmers will choose effective labor saving technology such as machinery to substitute for the missing manual labor. The reasons behind farmers’ adoption of machinery technology are worth exploring. Therefore, this study uses 4165 Chinese maize farmers as the target group. Multivariate probit models were performed to identify the factors that affect maize farmers’ adoption of four machinery technologies as well as the interrelation between these adoption decisions. The empirical results indicate that maize sowing area, arable land area, crop diversity, family labor, subsidy, technical assistance, and economies of scale have positive effects on machinery adoption, while the number of discrete fields in the farm has a negative impact. Maize farmers in the Northeast and North have higher machinery adoption odds than other regions. The adoption of these four machinery technologies are interrelated and complementary. Finally, moderate scale production, crop diversification, subsidizing agricultural machinery and its extension education, and land consolidation, are given as recommendations for promoting the adoption of agricultural machinery by Chinese maize farmers.

scholarly journals Does Social Capital Help to Reduce Farmland Abandonment? Evidence from Big Survey Data in Rural China

Land ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Deng ◽  
Miao Zeng ◽  
Dingde Xu ◽  
Yanbin Qi
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Survey Data ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Rural China ◽  
Mainland China ◽  
Farmland Abandonment ◽  
Unit Increase ◽  
The Impact

At a time when COVID-19 is sweeping the world, farmland abandonment is obviously not conducive to solving food security problems. Since the formal institutions of local government in China have not been effective in the reduction of farmland abandonment, this study aims to explore whether informal institutions can help mitigate this problem. Based on big survey data from 8031 farmer households in 27 provinces in mainland China, this study uses an econometric model to investigate the quantitative impact of social capital on farmland abandonment, and to analyze the channels through which that impact manifests itself. The empirical results point to the following conclusions: (i) Social capital, as a key informal institution, can help reduce farmland abandonment. More specifically, after controlling for other variables, for every unit increase in social capital, the proportion of farmland abandonment can be predicted to drop by 7.17 percentage points. (ii) Both off-farm employment and farmland rent are channels for the impact of social capital on farmland abandonment. However, social capital’s effect on increasing farmland abandonment via the promotion of off-farm employment is small when compared with its effect on reducing farmland abandonment via the promotion of farmland rent. This study’s conclusions may help generate new ideas for reducing farmland abandonment. At the same time, the study may provide a sound, empirical basis for policies aimed at reducing the negative impact of COVID-19 on food security while also revitalizing rural areas.

scholarly journals KETAHANAN PANGAN RUMAH TANGGA TANI PERKOTAAN DAN PERDESAAAN KABUPATEN GUNUNGKIDUL

Agro Ekonomi ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Dyah Ayu Widyanitha ◽  
Suhatmini Hardyastuti ◽  
Jangkung Handoyo Mulyo
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Farm Households ◽  
Farm Household ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Food Expenditure

This research is conducted (1) to analyze share offarm householdfood expenditure/or the urban and rural,(2) to analyze the level of urban and rural energy farm household, (3) to analyze the level of household food securityurban and rural farm, (4) to analyze desirable dietary pattern of urban and rural farm household, (5) to understand influencingfactor of score food security farm household. The primary method for this research use descriptive analysis,sampling is done by using simple random method with 25 urban and 25 rural farm household in Gun ungkidu I. The data was analyzed by independent sample t-test and multiplier regression analysis by Ordinary Least Square (OLS).The results showed that (1) the share offarm household food expenditure in urban areas is lower than the share of food expenditure offarm households in rural areas, (2) the adequacy offarm household energy in rural areas is higherthan the farm households in urban area, (3) urban households food secure 20%, vulnerable food 40%, less food 12%, food insecurity 28%, yet rural household food secure 16%, vulnerable food 48%, less food 4%, food insecurity 32%,(4) food pattern expectations farm households in urban areas are not higher than the expectation of food patterns in rural areas, (5) factors that positively affect the food security of farm households are farm household income andlocation (urban and rural).

scholarly journals Migration and Agricultural Practices in the Peripheral Areas of Côte d’Ivoire State-Owned Forests

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (22) ◽  
pp. 6378 ◽  
Author(s):  
ZANH Golou Gizèle ◽  
KPANGUI Kouassi Bruno ◽  
BARIMA Yao Sadaiou Sabas ◽  
Bogaert Jan
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Production System ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Rural Landscape ◽  
Population Movements ◽  
System A ◽  
Agricultural Potential ◽  
Peripheral Areas

Côte d’Ivoire’s rural areas adjacent to the state-owned areas of the southern half of the country, such as classified forests, are experiencing significant migratory flows due to their agricultural potential. The population movements in these rural areas have changed the rural landscape. The general objective of this study was to identify the peasant innovations implemented in these rural areas adjacent to the state’s forest domains in a context of land saturation caused by migratory flows. This objective was elucidated from the case of the classified forest of Haut-Sassandra (CFHS). To achieve this, surveys were conducted in 11 villages on the periphery of the FCHS to determine the profile of planters and the main crops grown. Subsequently, floristic inventories were carried out on farms to analyse the diversity of associated species. Analyses showed that the rural populations of the CFHS are mainly composed of Allochthones (64%). Four innovative production systems were identified: a cashew-based production system, a cocoa-based production system, a coffee-based production system and a coffee- and cocoa-based production system. These farmer innovations based on agroforestry practices make it possible to restore impoverished lands and fight against climatic hazards. Consequently, these local practices deserve to be popularised in areas of strong land pressure as strategies to overcome the shortage of arable land and fluctuating prices of agricultural production.

Income-Based Poverty among Non-Farm Households in Rural Punjab

2020 ◽  
pp. 204-210
Keyword(s):  
World Bank ◽  
Capita Income ◽  
Poverty Line ◽  
Farm Households ◽  
Farm Household ◽  
Expert Group ◽  
Per Capita Income ◽  
Service Category ◽  
Self Employment ◽  
Per Capita

This paper focuses upon the magnitude of income-based poverty among non-farm households in rural Punjab. Based on the primary survey, a sample of 440 rural non-farm households were taken from 44 sampled villages located in all 22 districts of Punjab.The poverty was estimated on the basis of income level. For measuring poverty, various methods/criteria (Expert Group Criteria, World Bank Method and State Per Capita Income Criterion) were used. On the basis of Expert Group Income criterion, overall, less than one-third of the persons of rural non-farm household categories are observed to be poor. On the basis, 40 percent State Per Capita Income Criteria, around three-fourth of the persons of all rural non-farm household categories are falling underneath poverty line. Similarly, the occurrence of the poverty, on the basis of 50 percent State Per Capita Income Criteria, showed that nearly four-fifths of the persons are considered to be poor. As per World Bank’s $ 1.90 per day, overall, less than one-fifth of rural non-farm household persons are poor. Slightly, less than one-fourth of the persons are belonging to self-employment category, while, slightly, less than one-tenth falling in-service category. On the basis of $ 3.10 per day criteria, overall, less than two-fifth persons of all rural non-farm household categories were living below the poverty line.

scholarly journals Basket of options: Unpacking the concept

2021 ◽  
pp. 003072702110194
Author(s):  
E Ronner ◽  
J Sumberg ◽  
D Glover ◽  
KKE Descheemaeker ◽  
CJM Almekinders ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Technological Change ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Farm Households ◽  
Agricultural Technologies ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Individual User ◽  
Opportunities For Learning ◽  
Critical Attention ◽  
The Face ◽  
Potential Adaptation

How to stimulate technological change to enhance agricultural productivity and reduce poverty remains an area of vigorous debate. In the face of heterogeneity among farm households and rural areas, one proposition is to offer potential users a ‘basket of options’ – a range of agricultural technologies from which potential users may select the ones that are best suited to their specific circumstances. While the idea of a basket of options is now generally accepted, it has attracted little critical attention. In this paper, we reflect on outstanding questions: the appropriate dimensions of a basket, its contents and how they are identified, and how a basket might be presented. We conceive a basket of options in terms of its depth (number of options related to a problem or opportunity) and breadth (the number of different problems or opportunities addressed). The dimensions of a basket should reflect the framing of the problem or opportunity at hand and the objective in offering the basket. We recognise that increasing the number of options leads to a trade-off by decreasing the fraction of those options that are relevant to an individual user. Farmers might try out, adapt or use one or more of the options in a basket, possibly leading to a process of technological change. We emphasise that the selection (or not) of specific options from the basket, and potential adaptation of the options, provide important opportunities for learning. Baskets of options can therefore be understood as important boundary concepts that invite critical engagement, comparison and discussion. Significant knowledge gaps remain, however, about the best ways to present the basket and to guide potential users to select the options that are most relevant to them.

scholarly journals Choice of Modern Food Distribution Channels and Its Welfare Effects: Empirical Evidence from Taiwan

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 499
Author(s):  
Yun-Cih Chang ◽  
Min-Fang Wei ◽  
Yir-Hueih Luh
Keyword(s):  
Control Function ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Distribution Channel ◽  
Marketing Channel ◽  
Distribution Channels ◽  
Food Distribution ◽  
Economic Effects ◽  
Farm Households ◽  
Farm Household ◽  
Decomposition Approach

The determinants and/or economic effects of modern food distribution channels have attracted much attention in previous research. Studies on the welfare consequences of modern channel options, however, have been sparse. Based on a broader definition of modern food distribution channels including midstream processors and downstream retailers (supermarkets, hypermarkets, brand-named retailers), this study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by exploring the distributional implications of farm households’ choice of modern food distribution channels using a large and unique farm household dataset in Taiwan. Making use of the two-step control function approach, we identify the effect of modern food distribution options on farm households’ profitability. The results reveal selling farm produce to modern food distributors does not produce a positive differential compared to the traditional outlets. Another dimension of farm household welfare affected by the choice of modern food distribution channel is income inequality. We apply the Lerman and Yitzhaki decomposition approach to gain a better understanding of the effect of the marketing channel option on the overall distribution of farm household income. The Gini decomposition of different income sources indicates that the choice of modern food distribution channels results in an inequality-equalizing effect among the farm households in Taiwan, suggesting the inclusion of smallholder farmers in the modern food distribution channels improves the overall welfare of the rural society.

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