Behavioral Pattern of Rent Distribution of Subsidized Fertilizer)

The subsidized fertilizer policy is the government's effort to increase agricultural production and productivity in general. However, in the distribution process, there are still various distribution problems that lead to rent-seeking behavior. The purpose of this research is to describe the behavior of rent-seekers in the distribution of subsidized fertilizers. The research method used is focus group discussion (FGD) involving various stakeholders including (1) government, (2) academics, (3) associations, (4) farmer groups, (5) government-owned enterprises, and fertilizer distributors. The results showed that there had been a pattern of rent-seekers distributing subsidized fertilizers to farmers. The behavior of these rent-seekers includes fertilizer prices exceeding the Highest Economic Price (HET), transaction costs, fertilizer distribution that is not on target until there is a shortage of fertilizer. The government needs to develop a new strategy to optimize the distribution of subsidized fertilizers to farmers. The strategy is to change the subsidy policy to a direct subsidy to farmers. Furthermore, the government needs to optimize investment in the agricultural sector in the form of technology, human resources, electricity, and road infrastructure.

High Capacity and Fast Kinetics of Potassium-Ion Batteries Boosted by Nitrogen-Doped Mesoporous Carbon Spheres

In view of rich potassium resources and their working potential, potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) are deemed as next generation rechargeable batteries. Owing to carbon materials with the preponderance of durability and economic price, they are widely employed in PIBs anode materials. Currently, porosity design and heteroatom doping as efficacious improvement strategies have been applied to the structural design of carbon materials to improve their electrochemical performances. Herein, nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon spheres (MCS) are synthesized by a facile hard template method. The MCS demonstrate larger interlayer spacing in a short range, high specific surface area, abundant mesoporous structures and active sites, enhancing K-ion migration and diffusion. Furthermore, we screen out the pyrolysis temperature of 900 °C and the pore diameter of 7 nm as optimized conditions for MCS to improve performances. In detail, the optimized MCS-7-900 electrode achieves high rate capacity (107.9 mAh g−1 at 5000 mA g−1) and stably brings about 3600 cycles at 1000 mA g−1. According to electrochemical kinetic analysis, the capacitive-controlled effects play dominant roles in total storage mechanism. Additionally, the full-cell equipped MCS-7-900 as anode is successfully constructed to evaluate the practicality of MCS.

Economics of Potato Production for Autumn Season 2015-2016 (Baghdad Governorate as A Practical Case)

"The research aimed at estimating the production function and the total cost function, as well as measuring the efficiency of resource use, technical, economic, price and cost efficiency. The study was based primarily on a simple random sample of (155) farmers in Baghdad governorate for the autumn season (2015-2016), The double logarithmic formula was the most suitable for the production function. The results of the resource efficiency criteria indicated that potato farmers were efficient in using resources (seed, phosphate fertilizer, human labor) and were inefficient in using irrigation and pesticides. While the cubic formula was more suitable for the total cost function according to the statistical, econometrical and economical tests, and from it we showed that the optimum size of production and size that maximize profit are (119.069, 143.398) ton consequently. Technical, economic and price efficiencies were estimated at (34.25933, 34.25937, 73.521)% consequently, while cost efficiency was estimated at (0.454), and the net farm income that achieved over all the sample less about (10380.741) thousand dinars than that achieved at optimal size. The research concluded that the quantity of seeds had the greatest impact on potato production and that there was waste in using the available resources, which led to actual production being less than optimum production. The research recommends that the related institutions should work to provide a good quality potato seeds to cover the needs of local farmers, from good sources in a timely manner and at the right price to increase the production and productivity of this important crop and reduce production costs. As well as the protection of the local producer by adopting price policies that grant best income of farmers. Corresponding author: E-mail(Faisal@gmail) Al- Muthanna University All rights reserved"

Asymmetric price transmission and farmers' response in the Czech dairy chain

The standard economic price theory of working with efficient source allocation is being confronted with a series of empirical findings of asymmetric price responses. The objective of the research was to examine whether the distribution of prices within the dairy chain in the Czech Republic was fair and whether farmers progressed in a collective approach to strengthen their position in the supply chain. We used the pre-cointegration and cointegration approach to test for asymmetry in the transmission of farm milk prices throughout the supply chain. Furthermore, we measured the development of market concentration by means of the Herfindahl-Hirschman index and discussed the background of the figures with producer organisation representatives. The results proved there were asymmetric price transmissions. In response, farmers consolidated and concentrated their milk sales. The concentration should not yet be understood as a goal but as a means to the next steps.

Sustainable Crop Production, the Concurrent Adoption of Contract Farming, and Managing Risks through Income Diversification

This paper is aimed at evaluating the factors affecting the concurrent adoption of two risk coping strategies among hybrid maize farmers, namely income diversification supplemented with off-farm work and contract farming in the wake of changing climatic conditions. Climatic changes and food insecurity at the national level have emerged as key risk elements for hybrid maize production due to varying economic conditions. The present paper addresses these risks by examining various sources of risks faced by hybrid maize farmers and develops ideas to tackle these risks. Bivariate and multinomial probit models were employed to analyze numerous factors that influence farmers’ choice of the simultaneous adoption of income diversification (both on and off the farm) and contract farming at the farm level. The results reveal that hybrid maize farmers’ socioeconomic attributes significantly affect their adoption of risk coping tools. Similarly, the climatic, economic (price-related), biological, and financial risk perceptions and risk preference significantly influence the utilization of risk coping strategies in maize production. These outcomes extend our understanding of farmers’ risk preferences and provide parameters for policymakers to forestall diverse risk sources associated with hybrid maize production.

Technical and Economic Feasibility of the First Wind Farm on Egypt's Mediterranean Sea Coast

Recently, the utilization of wind turbines in the production of clean energy has been increased to achieve sustainable electricity supply, as planned by the government of Egypt through the use of renewable resources like wind power. This paper purposed to assess the wind power potential for the coastal area in Sidi Barrani province, a meteorological station with mast of 10 m was constructed near the Mediterranean Sea shore in Egypt. The density of wind power was assessed at the level of 100 m monthly and seasonally after taking into account the correction of air density. On the annual basis, the station is rated with high potential 441 kW/m2. This is an ideal location for large-scale wind turbine to generate sustainable electricity. A performance assessment was executed using three commercialized wind generators having capacity of 2000 kW from different manufacturers and were also equal in height and rotor diameter, for choosing the best unit suitable for the target area. The economic analysis of a 200 MW coastal wind farm in the studied area was done using the advanced method of present value costs. The findings prove that the proposed project could produce approximately 988 GWh per year of electrical energy with an economic price of 1.7 US cents per kWh. Consequently, this huge sustainable electrical energy produced from this project can be transferred to Southern European countries along the Mediterranean, because it is relatively more than the Egypt's needs. It also limits the burning of local petroleum products, as well as stopping the emission of thousands of tons of carbon annually.

Exploring Alternative Policies to Reduce Electricity Subsidies in Indonesia

Electricity subsidies in Indonesia remain high and tend to increase. Existing studies generally propose electricity subsidy reform through economic price adjustment; however, this option potentially arises political and social conflicts. The government and the State Electricity Company have also undertaken several measures to decrease electricity supply costs but those measures remain ineffective due to increasing energy prices needed as fuels for power generations. Our study analyses the effectiveness of two alternative grants for LED lamps and rooftop photovoltaic (PV), to reduce electricity subsidies for low-income residential customers with 450 VA and 900 VA electricity capacity limits. The analysis result is that replacing existing lamps with LED lamps for all those customers will cost the government US$ 313.7 million but potentially decrease electricity subsidies to US$ 208.7 million/ year for 15 years. On the other hand, installing the rooftop PV system is ineffective to bring down the electricity subsidies. The investment cost of the on-grid rooftop PV system is between US$ 827.6 and US$ 1,310.3 per house, while the electricity subsidy savings for 20 years are between US$ 724.1 and US$ 744.8.

Cotton in West and Central Africa: from the agricultural revolution to the agro-ecological transition

Since the 1970s, cotton has been a driving force in the transformation of agricultural production systems and a key element in local economies in the savannah areas of West and Central Africa (WCA). However, the sustainability of cotton-based production systems is often debated because of their effects on soils and the negative impacts of chemical pest control on the environment and human health. Through drastic reforms, the WCA cotton sector overcame the crises, showing its resilience. Today, research should be mobilized to help the sector tackle the major challenges: i) economic (price volatility, producers’ incomes), ii) social (inclusion of vulnerable groups, role of women and young people, etc.) and iii) environmental (impact of pesticides, soil degradation, etc.) and linked to climate change. The articles published in this issue present some results and perspectives of research work, which can help improving the sustainability of cotton systems in WCA, open paths towards an agro-ecological transition and address the new challenges.

Supply Chain Analysis of Rice (Oryza sativa. L.) Sub-Sector in Kanchanpur District, Nepal

Rice shares about 20% of the agriculture gross domestic product (AGDP) and nearly 50% of the total calorie requirements of Nepalese people. The study was conducted to assess the different supply chain actors involved in the rice subsector in Kanchanpur district during April- August 2020. Pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect the information by selecting 110 respondents including 75 rice producers, 10 agro-vet, 5 millers, 5 wholesalers, and 15 retailers. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel was used for data analysis. The findings revealed that there was a dominance of males (62%) over females (38%). The mean allocated area and productivity were 0.99 ha and 4.26 Mt/ha respectively. Cooperatives (33.33%) hold a major possession in the case of seed producers whereas their own seed (40.6%) and agro-vet (35.7%) hold a major source of seed in the case of grain producers for home consumption and marketed surplus. The average B: C ratio of the paddy growers was found to be 1.40 in the study area. The market margin and producer's share was higher in seeds supply chain NRs 29 per kg and 47.2% as compared to the grain supply chain as NRs 27 per kg and 46% respectively. About 77% of the paddy growers preferred to sell their produce to house and the remaining 23% sold to market. This research reflects the production constraints along with the establishment of an effective supply chain to assure the reliability of supply at an economic price. Int. J. Soc. Sc. Manage. Vol. 7, Issue-4: 224-233