scholarly journals A Framework for Empirical Assessment of Agricultural Sustainability: The Case of Iran

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 4823 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siavash Fallah-Alipour ◽  
Hossein Mehrabi Boshrabadi ◽  
Mohammad Reza Zare Mehrjerdi ◽  
Dariush Hayati
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Agricultural Sustainability ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Social Construct ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Empirical Assessment ◽  
Social Environmental ◽  
The Right

In developing countries, agricultural development is still a fundamental means of poverty alleviation, economic development and, in general, sustainable development. Despite the great emphasis on sustainable agricultural development, it seems that there are many practical difficulties towards empirical assessment of agricultural sustainability. In this regard, the present study aims to propose a comprehensive framework for the assessment of agricultural sustainability and present an empirical application of the proposed framework in south-east Iran (Kerman province). The framework is based on a stepwise procedure, involving: (1) The calculation of economic, social, environmental, political, institutional and demographic indicators, covering the actual and potential aspects of unsustainability; (2) the application of Fuzzy Pairwise Comparisons and Analytic Hierarchy Process to construct composite indicators, with the purpose of incorporating the concept of social construct into the assessment process; and (3) the application of Sustainability Maps, diagrams and Barometer of Sustainability for presenting and analyzing the results. The output of the framework is a comprehensive and yet easy-to-understand picture of agricultural sustainability numerically and visually for the selected counties of the province in 2003 and 2015 —via the variety of comparisons and rankings— which allows us to identify the weaknesses and strengths of agriculture in each county in various sustainability levels (comprehensive, overall actual and overall potential, dimensional, and base indicators). It also enables us to monitor and analyze the trends in sustainability changes over the years. By providing such information, this framework can be a useful tool to support agricultural sector decisions that would help planners and policymakers find the right path and move toward sustainability, or modify policies to stay in the right direction over time. Overall, the results suggest that the proposed framework can be an effective tool for the assessment of agricultural sustainability. Of course, it is necessary to examine and validate its capabilities through practical applications in different agricultural areas and systems.

scholarly journals The Right to (Agricultural) Development under Socialism with Chinese Characteristics: the current Sino-Brazilian Relationship

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 30
Author(s):  
Mariana Yante Pereira
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
International Political Economy ◽  
Chinese Foreign Policy ◽  
Dependency Theory ◽  
Chinese Characteristics ◽  
Theory Point ◽  
The Right

This paper aims at introducing some theoretical and first analytical reflections on the possible implications or directions that the Chinese foreign policy under the premises of Socialism with Chinese characteristics to Brazil could have in the agricultural sector. The underlying hypothesis it intends to explore is that, although incipient, the international trade on primary commodities, specifically on food, may offer room to reframe the implications that models such as the dependency theory point out as a challenge to balanced tradeoffs in the Latin American context. The theoretical analysis offers an initial approach to the interconnections between socialism's international political economy with Chinese characteristics and the Chinese South-South cooperation. Afterward, it places the debate in Brazil's peasantry movement by exploring its correlation with the agribusiness sector and food security, discussing threats and potentialities for alternatives to trade cooperation under a capitalist framework.

scholarly journals POPULATION AND WATER AS DEVELOPMENT FACTORS: THE ISRAELI AND MACEDONIAN CASE

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 1479-1485
Author(s):  
Jordanka Galeva
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
The State ◽  
Jordan Valley ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Agricultural Communities ◽  
Western Asia ◽  
To Come ◽  
The Moment ◽  
The Right

The State of Israel is located in Middle East (Western Asia) on the southeastern coastline of the Mediterranean Sea and northern shore of Red Sea, with total area of 21,640 sq km². The landscape is mixture of coastal lowland, central hillside area, Jordan Valley and Negev Desert, which occupies one-half of the total land. Taking into account the population (which at the moment of the creation of the Israeli state is 806,000 habitants), as well as, the large area of desert land, the Israelis faced two challenges: to increase the population (with aim to increase labor force and territorial settlement) and find a sustainable method to use and recycle water (as a key element for agricultural development). To accomplish the first goal, on July 5, 1950, the Israeli Assembly approved the Law of Return, which gives Jews the right to come and live in Israel, while for realization of the second goal, the largest contribution comes from the innovations of agricultural communities, known as kibbutz. The first part of the paper identifies Israel's immigration policies and Kibbutz water innovations that contributed to the development of the state. In order to find out whether population and water are factors for development in the Macedonian reality, the second part of the paper presents the situation of the population and the phenomenon of emigration, as well as the real state of the water resource and its use in agriculture. The research has demonstrated a completely different situation in the Macedonian case. While Israel is pursuing a liberal immigration policy to unite all Jews in its country, the Macedonian state faces constant emigration of its citizens to other countries. Low salaries and lack of a concrete strategy to motivate young people to stay in their country are the cause of increased emigration. Regarding the second factor, although there are good conditions for development of agriculture (such as climate, fertile soil and water) this sector is not a leader in contributing to the economy of the country and the state is ranked between the first countries to irrational use of water. The purpose of this paper is to examine how population factor and water factor-related to innovations and their use in the agricultural sector, have contributed to the development of the Israeli economy and whether Israeli experience can be applied to macedonian case.

AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA: THE PHILOSOPHY, IMPLEMENTATION AND POLITICS OF THE RIVERS STATE SCHOOL-TO-LAND PROGRAMME

1995 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
F. O. Nyemutu Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Economic Recession ◽  
State Intervention ◽  
State Governments ◽  
Food Crisis ◽  
State School ◽  
National Economic ◽  
The Right ◽  
Rivers State

Over the years, Nigerian governments have shown concern for agricultural development by adopting various agricultural development programmes. Until the early 1980s, these programmes failed to make the right impact in the sector. Subsequently, the global economic recession which had pronounced effects in the developing countries worsened the situation. Its particular expressions became, inter alia, an undeniable food crisis and massive unemployment. The potential for social dislocation posed by these’ twin phenomena” apparently emphasized the need for continued state intervention. Under the Buhari-Idiagbon dispensation (1984-85), State governments, in particular, initiated various “revolutionary” programmes. Arguably the most prominent of these was the Rivers State School-to-Land Programme. As declining national economic prospects once again force state officials to sharpen their focus on the agricultural sector, this study assesses the philosophy, implementation and politics of agricultural development in Nigeria as represented in the school-to-land programme, and points to the limits of state intervention in the sector

DISSEMINATION AND USE OF INFORMATION ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND VARIABILITY: A CASE STUDY OF FARMERS IN MALUGA AND CHIBELA VILLAGES IN SEMI-ARID CENTRAL TANZANIA

Mousaion ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-24
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Elia ◽  
Stephen Mutula ◽  
Christine Stilwell
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Diffusion Of Innovations ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Adaptation To Climate Change ◽  
Climate Change And Variability ◽  
Semi Arid

This study was part of broader PhD research which investigated how access to, and use of, information enhances adaptation to climate change and variability in the agricultural sector in semi-arid Central Tanzania. The research was carried out in two villages using Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations theory and model to assess the dissemination of this information and its use by farmers in their adaptation of their farming practices to climate change and variability. This predominantly qualitative study employed a post-positivist paradigm. Some elements of a quantitative approach were also deployed in the data collection and analysis. The principal data collection methods were interviews and focus group discussions. The study population comprised farmers, agricultural extension officers and the Climate Change Adaptation in Africa project manager. Qualitative data were subjected to content analysis whereas quantitative data were analysed to generate mostly descriptive statistics using SPSS.  Key findings of the study show that farmers perceive a problem in the dissemination and use of climate information for agricultural development. They found access to agricultural inputs to be expensive, unreliable and untimely. To mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and variability on farming effectively, the study recommends the repackaging of current and accurate information on climate change and variability, farmer education and training, and collaboration between researchers, meteorology experts, and extension officers and farmers. Moreover, a clear policy framework for disseminating information related to climate change and variability is required.

Political Economy of Land Tax in Pakistan

1986 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 839-853
Author(s):  
Sarfraz Khan Qureshi
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Poor Countries ◽  
Scarce Resources ◽  
Agricultural Produce ◽  
Finance Development ◽  
Equity And Efficiency ◽  
Formed Part

Taxation of the agricultural sector is a major instrument for mobilization of the surplus to finance development projects within the agricultural sector and/or the rest of the economy. For many years, the need for a heavier taxation of agricultural land has formed part of the conventional wisdom regarding the ways of extracting agricultural surplus and increasing the tempo of agricultural development in poor countries. Land taxes have both equity and efficiency properties that gladden the hearts of both economists and vocal politicians belonging to urban areas. Taxes on land promote efficiency in the allocation of scarce resources by creating incentives for farmers to increase their effort and reduce their consumption, thus expanding the amount of agricultural produce available to the non-agricultural sectors of the economy. A tax on land has an important redistributive function because its incidence falls squarely on the landlord and is shifted neither forward to consumers nor backwards to suppliers of agricultural inputs; nor does it introduce distortions in the allocation of productive resources.

Technological Innovation and the Agricultural Sustainability

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Rachida Khaled ◽  
Lamine Hammas
Keyword(s):  
Technological Innovation ◽  
Energy Production ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Agricultural Productivity ◽  
Agricultural Sustainability ◽  
Net Income ◽  
Agriculture Sector ◽  
The Impact

The diffusion of the technological innovation can affect the agricultural sector in the three-sided (social, economic and environmental), a hand, it can contribute to solve problems of the agricultural sector: the effects of the climatic changes, the farming exodus and the migration and the problems of poverty and it can improve the agricultural productivity. But on the other hand, he can lead to new problems, such as depletion of energy resources caused by excessive use of energizing technologies, pollution of air and water and the destruction of soil by industrial waste. This paper aims to theoretically and empirically analyze the role of technological innovation in improving agricultural sustainability through the impact of mechanization on agricultural productivity, energy production and net income per capita for a panel of three Maghreb countries (Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia) during the period 1997-2012. By using simultaneous equations, the authors' finding that technological innovation cannot achieve the purpose of sustainable development in the agriculture sector in the Maghreb countries through the negative impact of mechanization and research and development on agricultural productivity.

Developing human resource for the digitization of logistics operations: readiness index framework

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anchal Gupta ◽  
Rajesh Kr Singh ◽  
Shivam Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Fuzzy Ahp ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Organization Culture ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Top Management Support ◽  
Logistics Company ◽  
The Right ◽  
Hierarchy Process

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to identify factors that are important for logistics organizations from the perspective of manpower readiness for digitization of logistics operations. The study also prioritizes the identified factors and also evaluates the readiness index of manpower for the digitalization of logistics processes.Design/methodology/approachThe factors for manpower readiness are identified through literature review and analysis of a case study. Three major categories of factors are identified. These are organizational, behavioural and technological factors. Under these three major categories of factors, 18 sub-factors are identified. Thereafter, with experts' inputs, the factors are prioritized using Fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Further, a case illustration of an Indian logistics company has been taken to understand the current processes, technical capabilities, manpower skills and organization culture. After the case analysis and expert inputs, the manpower readiness index has been evaluated by using graph theory matrix approach (GTMA).FindingsThe prioritization of manpower readiness factors has been done using Fuzzy AHP. Organizational factors are found to be the most important factors which require quick attention. Sub-factors that are most important for building competencies in the logistics sector are providing the right training on functional skill development (0.129), top management support and commitment for digitalization (0.117), and organizational culture for process digitalization (0.114), etc. Finally, framework for evaluation of manpower readiness index for logistics operations in the digital age has been illustrated for a case company.Practical implicationsIndian logistics companies can benchmark their readiness index with respect to the best in the industry. Based on the readiness index, logistics companies can analyse their position, gaps from best and worst and can also identify potential areas for improvement.Originality/valueThe novelty of the study lies in the development of a framework for manpower readiness for digitalization in the logistics sector. In literature, this field is very less researched and provides the scope for developing strategies for improving manpower competencies for Industry 4.0. Logistics companies can improve their performance by making their manpower ready based on results obtained for readiness index.

scholarly journals Trends and Policy Correlates of Agricultural Production and Agricultural Production Sustainability Outcomes in Ghana and Nigeria

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
Olawale Emmanuel Olayide ◽  
Isaac Kow Tetteh ◽  
Labode Popoola
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
International Development ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Agricultural System ◽  
Political Systems ◽  
Development Agenda ◽  
Development Outcomes ◽  
Development Agendas

This paper analysed policy correlates of agricultural production and agricultural production sustainability outcomes in Ghana and Nigeria. It underscores the influence of political systems and international development agendas as correlates of agricultural production and agricultural production sustainability outcomes. This is to the extent of providing evidence policy on agricultural production and agricultural production sustainability outcomes. Ghana and Nigeria have comparable farming/agricultural system and policy environment. Data used for the analyses spanned five decades. Trends analysis and inferential statistics were employed. The results revealed that policy correlates can contribute to the current discourse in sustainable development agenda and to resolving the dilemma of agricultural policy implementation for sustainable agricultural development, especially in Ghana and Nigeria. The findings reinforce the need for appropriate policies in transforming the agricultural sector while ensuring sustainable development outcomes.

scholarly journals SUBCONTRACTOR SELECTION USING THE INTEGRATION OF THE AHP AND PROMRTHEE METHODS

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 1042-1054 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gul POLAT
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Selection Problem ◽  
Preference Ranking ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Building Projects ◽  
Bid Price ◽  
Perform Sensitivity Analysis ◽  
Complete Ranking ◽  
The Right

On many construction projects, especially building projects, 80–90% of the tasks are performed by subcontractors. Since the success of the project highly depends on the performances of the subcontractors, selecting the right subcontractor for the right job is critical. Main contractors generally tend to select the subcontractors that offer the lowest bid price. However, working with unqualified and insufficiently financed subcontractors may result in inefficiencies and failures. Thus, a combination of several compromising and conflicting criteria underpinning financial capacity and competencies of the subcontractors should be considered during the subcontractor selection process. This paper proposes an integrated decision approach, which employs analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and preference ranking organization method for enrichment evaluations (PROMETHEE) together, for the subcontractor selection problem. In the proposed approach, AHP is used to analyze the structure of the subcontractor selection problem and to determine the weights of the criteria, and PROMETHEE is employed to obtain complete ranking and perform sensitivity analysis by changing the weights of criteria. The proposed approach is applied to a problem of selecting the most appropriate subcontractor to be worked with in an international construction project. Company management found the proposed decision approach satisfactory and implementable in future subcontractor selection problems.

scholarly journals Congresses of the Moscow Rural Society: a system for the development of agrarian reforms. 19th – early 20th centuries.

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 112-127
Author(s):  
Valentina A. Nokhrina ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Significant Contribution ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Rural Society ◽  
The Public ◽  
Successful Solution ◽  
History Of ◽  
Economic Zones ◽  
Central Scientific

In the proposed article, on the basis of the materials of the Moscow Society of Agriculture identified in the fund of the Central Scientific Agricultural Library. With the involvement of the developments of researchers on the history of agrarian thought in Russia in the 19th and early 20th centuries, forms of communication between the scientific and professional communities are determined for the modernization of the agricultural sector of agriculture after the peasant reform of 1861 of the year. The publication highlights the main forms of communication: the publishing activity of the Society, the organization of exhibitions and congresses. To assess the large-scale activities of the Moscow Society of Agriculture for 110 years, a brief overview of its practical work is presented, and the role in the agrarian rationalization of agriculture in Russian historiography is revealed. Members of the Moscow Society have made a significant contribution to the study of the state of agriculture, ways of evolution and methods of increasing its productivity. On the example of materials from three All-Russian congresses on agronomic assistance to the population, the organizational aspects of resolving issues of agricultural management in the regions of Russia. The role and significance of the public initiative is especially valuable today, when the problems of innovative renewal and modernization of the agricultural sector are becoming a national task. For its successful solution, the documents of the congresses can be useful, since they make it possible to trace the genesis of the processes of agricultural development in various thematic areas and economic zones in historical terms and to avoid possible mistakes in decision-making.

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