Strategies for the Mobilization and Deployment of Local Low-Value, Heterogeneous Biomass Resources for a Circular Bioeconomy

With the Bioeconomy Strategy, Europe aims to strengthen and boost biobased sectors. Therefore, investments in and markets of biobased value chains have to be unlocked and local bioeconomies across Europe have to be deployed. Compliance with environmental and social sustainability goals is on top of the agenda. The current biomass provision structures are unfit to take on the diversity of biomass residues and their respective supply chains and cannot ensure the sustainability of feedstock supply in an ecological, social and economical fashion. Therefore, we have to address the research question on feasible strategies for mobilizing and deploying local, low-value and heterogeneous biomass resources. We are building upon the work of the IEA Bioenergy Task40 scientists and their expertise on international bioenergy trade and the current provision of bioenergy and cluster mobilization measures into three assessment levels; the legislative framework, technological innovation and market creation. The challenges and opportunity of the three assessment levels point towards a common denominator: The quantification of the systemic value of strengthening the potentially last remaining primary economic sectors, forestry, agriculture and aquaculture, is missing. With the eroding importance of other primary economic sectors, including fossil fuel extraction and minerals mining, the time is now to assess and act upon the value of the supply-side of a circular bioeconomy. This value includes the support the Bioeconomy can provide to structurally vulnerable regions by creating meaningful jobs and activities in and strengthening the resource democratic significance of rural areas.

A Theory of Why Arts Entrepreneurship Matters

Although consensus on a definition of Arts Entrepreneurship (AE) is helpful, formal theories are needed to help AE researchers and educators explain what the general AE process is and why it matters. As discussed in this article, such theories can help us understand the relationship between art innovation, art market creation and art value exchange in Artworlds. Such theories can also help AE educators in particular clarify distinctions and similarities between the systematic practice of AE and business entrepreneurship, challenge past and present assumptions about AE and may encourage AE educators to pivot towards new pedagogical directions.

Strategies for the Mobilization and Deployment of Local Low-Value, Heterogeneous Biomass Resources for a Circular Bieconomy

The European Bioeconomy Strategy aims to strengthen and boost biobased sectors, unlocking investments and markets while rapidly deploying local bioeconomies across Europe and improving compliance with environmental and social sustainability goals. Current biomass provision structures and infrastructure might not be able to tap the sustainable potential of forestry-, agricultural residues and biogenic waste envisaged forming the biogenic feedstock base of the Circular Bioeconomy of tomorrow. Therefore, for the present paper, we assess mobilization strategies, their current status, opportunities, and barriers for local low value and heterogenous biomass resources. Based on discussions with bioenergy supply chain experts, we cluster mobilization measures into three assessment levels; the legislative framework, market structures and technological innovation. Scientific literature research on the respective keywords is performed, the European policy landscape mapped, and the results are enriched with anecdotal evidence, especially for recent and running projects and market developments that lack in published track records. We can identify research needs on all three assessment levels. Still, technological development and legislative frameworks are providing support for heterogeneous biomass mobilization. Market creation, however, represents a bottleneck. We provide novel perspectives, how physical- and virtual bio-hubs and crediting stake- and shareholder variety could create added-value based on sustainable primary economic activities and their cascading activities.

STRATEGIC VECTORS OF FUNCTIONING OF THE FINANCIAL MECHANISM FOR REGULATION OF THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR DEVELOPMENT IN UKRAINE

The article presents the strategic guidelines of the financial mechanism for state regulation of the domestic agricultural sector development: state regulation methods of the agricultural sector development do not directly relate to this sphere, but affect the efficiency of its operation; protection of agricultural producers in the domestic market, stimulation of the export of agricultural products and food, promotion of the creation of a single agricultural market, creation of favorable conditions for import of machinery and technologies that increase the competitiveness of domestic agricultural producers; development of the regulatory framework for the functioning of the agricultural sector of the country; improvement of land relations; ensuring the development of production infrastructure, which involves the allocation of public funds for long-term activities: subsidies for the construction of farm buildings, land reclamation, as well as promotion of the establishment of farmers' associations; development of integration processes in the agricultural sector; promotion of the intensification of investment processes in agriculture; provision of commodity producers with agricultural machinery, development and improvement of leasing activities; regulation of rational use of natural resources; regulation and support of research activities. The financial mechanism of state regulation of the development of the agricultural sector in Ukraine is represented by a set of organizational and functional institutions, among which public authorities occupy a prominent place. The basic and determining institution for the agricultural sector development in Ukraine is the institution of the state, which covers the system of legislative, executive and judicial authorities, functioning of which affects all components of public life. Key words: agricultural sector, financial mechanism, state regulation, development, financial and credit policy

Effects of cuniculture commercialization on household poverty status in south western Nigeria

This study evaluated the effect of Cuniculture commercialization on household poverty in Osun State, Nigeria. Descriptive and inferential statistics of frequency counts, Foster-Greer-Thorbecke (FGT), Household Commercialization Index (HCI) and Tobit Regression was used to analyze data collected from 120 respondents randomly selected from the register of Rabbit Farmers and Breeders Association of Nigeria (RFABAN) of Ife/Ijesha Agricultural development Project (ADP). The results of the study show that Cuniculture is a male dominated enterprise. The modal age of respondents was 18-60 with 87.5% of respondents educated. Majority of respondents earned between NGN20000 - NGN100000 monthly from Cuniculture. The study found that 16% of respondents were poor and living below the poverty line. The HCI of Cuniculture indicates that 54.2% of production was done mainly for household consumption. Access to credit and unavailability of markets were the major constraints with Household size and access to credit influencing the commercialization of Cuniculture. The study recommends that more people be encouraged to go into Cuniculture to serve as additional income to household; rabbit farmers become more market oriented beyond their present level; they organize themselves into cooperative for access to credits and market creation and that appropriate solutions be sought for the challenges encountered.