An Audit into the Nature of Operations of Agro-processing Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Uganda

The agro-processing Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) form an integral part of the manufacturing sector in Uganda. To effectively facilitate product certification among MSMEs, there is a need to fully understand the nature of their operations so that appropriate interventions can be put in place. This study assessed the status quo of operations at selected MSMEs in Uganda. A semi-structured paper-based questionnaire was administered to the owners, managers, or supervisors of the 40 selected agro-processing MSMEs enrolled under the project "Empowerment of the Agro-Processing Industry to meet the Quantity and Quality Standards for the Local and Export Market", a programme enhancing the practical skills of students at Makerere University dubbed the "EAPI Project." The seven-section questionnaire consisted of both quantitative and qualitative questions focusing on (i) product optimization, (ii) raw material verification and storage, (iii) good manufacturing practices, (iv) measuring and testing equipment, (v) product assessment, presentation, and storage, (vi) waste and pest management, and (vii) infrastructure and energy utilization. The results indicate that only 23.7% of agro-processing MSMEs clearly understood the standards. Packaging was the most optimized parameter (74.4%), followed by texture and sensory properties (59% and 51.1%, respectively). About 74% of the agro-processing MSMEs were compliant in declaring the raw materials on the product label. Results indicated that maintenance of valid medical certificates, routine inspection of personnel, and provision of protective gear ranked low, with a score of 1 out of 10. Inadequate documentation was a cross-cutting issue for all operations, yet it was a driver for GMPs. There is a need to strengthen the understanding and practice of Food processing standards from the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), in the agro-processing MSMEs through continuous human and institutional-capacity development programs.

ASSESSMENT OF TECHNICAL POSSIBILITIES FOR PRODUCTION OF PK- TYPE TERMINALS FOR SEPARATE RAIL FASTENING OF THE RAILWAY TRACK

The availability of the production certificate gives an advantage to any company that cares about improving the efficiency of processes and quality of work. The production certificate is first of all necessary for the enterprises which plan to take partin tenders for supply of products for railway transport and its infrastructure. The production certification procedure involves checking the compliance of regulatory, technological, metrological support, personnel qualification level, organizational arrangements aimed at ensuring the stability of quality indicators of products or services provided, assessment of technical capabilities of the applicant company to ensure stable production/services that meet the requirements of current regulations in Ukraine (national standards, enterprise standards, etc.). Therefore, the assessment of the technical capabilities of the manufacturer, including PC-type terminals of separate rail fastening of the railway track, is the main and integral part of the production certification process. The information and data provided in this paper are based on the real-life experience of the certification body and relate to the quantitative assessment of the technical capabilities of the enterprise that manufactures PK-type terminals. Key words: product certification, assessment of technical capabilities, production certificate, certification body, technological accuracy reserve.

Critical Factors and their Correlation Affecting Green Industry Performance: Evidences from Small and Medium Enterprises

Large companies have achieved excellent progress toward green production while small and medium enterprises (SMEs) showed limited progress. This research aims to investigate key factors affect different stages of enhancing green industry implementation particularly in SMEs. This study conducted a systematic analysis to offer recommendations to unlock the inhibitors of the green industry. The electronic products and electrical equipment manufacturing industry in Thailand was chosen as a case study. Questionnaires is the main approaches to collect primary data from SMEs. The structural equation model is developed to examine correlation and the degree of influencing factors. The model indicated that the latent factors’ influence on the decision-making of SMEs in applying the green industry reflected by the influence of eighteen observable variables and it suggests that the external contexts from stakeholder have a greater influence on the decision-making than the internal context as organizational resources and capabilities. Whereas the level of certification conform with green industry criteria has minor correlation with the decision-making of SMEs. Innovative policy strategy is recommended to create synergy between incentive-based instruments in term of product charges or product tax, subsidies and voluntary measure as product certification are recommended tools to enhance green industry adoption by SMEs.

Russian organic fertilizers market

The paper discusses the issues of import and export of domestic organic fertilizers over the past three years. The main Russian exporters and producers of organic fertilizers from poultry manure are given. The legislative normative acts concerning the Russian market of biofertilizers in terms of the production of these fertilizers are also cited. The issues of European legislation regarding the export of organic fertilizer products for producers are considered. Nowadays, Russian poultry farms are experiencing difficulties with the sale of secondary products due to the fact that not all poultry farms have land plots, and the number of poultry on them is increasing, which is confirmed by statistics. Therefore, in this study, a SWOT-analysis of organic fertilizers from poultry manure is provided in order to find out what other opportunities there are in the sale of this product, what threats may arise when selling this product on the market. The study also analyzes new innovative dung processing projects. Despite the high cost of the investment project, about 1 billion rubles, the poultry farm produces a completely new product, which has not yet been on the Russian market and, possibly, on the global market. The new product is called “biocoal” and is produced at high temperature and pressure using a special technology. This product may take a place in the premium organic fertilizer sector in the near future. The main internal competitive advantages of the industry are: high demand for products, an optimal level of unification and standardization of products, a high degree of competitiveness of personnel in the industry, access to raw materials, product certification, and the exclusivity of industry products.

Literasi Produk Bersertifikasi Halal Dalam Rangka Meningkatkan Penjualan Pada UMKM

Many local products produced by SMEs in Jember circulating without halal labeling makes the authors compelled to do community service about literacy of halal certification products. Some MSME actors have made changes by managing the halal certification process for their products, so as to increase public confidence in making purchases, which has an impact on increasing product sales turnover. However, the number of business actors who carry out the certification is not comparable to the number of products produced by MSMEs circulating without halal certification. This paper describes the literacy assistance program carried out by the author in its function to provide understanding and knowledge related to halal certification in several MSMEs in Sumbersari District, Jember Regency. Our service program through literacy workshops carried out in two sessions, namely the first session providing theoretical exposure about the meaning of halal products and halal certification, then the next session providing stages of the process of obtaining halal product certification and examples of MSME actors who have implemented it. The results of this community service program have a positive impact on MSME actors, namely understanding the importance of obtaining halal certification and its effect on sales volume. In addition, MSME actors also understand how the stages of managing halal product certification are.

The Impact of the Environmental Quality Label on the Companies Operating Within the Porto Conte Marine Protected Area in Sardinia (Italy)

The Porto Conte Natural Park, an institution managing and developing the area surrounding the territory of Alghero in Sardinia, decided to join the Park and Protected Area Network Environmental Quality Label (“Marchio di Qualità della Rete dei Parchi e delle Aree Protette”). The label may be awarded to products and accommodation facilities taking special care of the protection of the environmental and local development. In order to evaluate the benefits of this initiative on the companies operating within the park, a survey was administered among the companies awarded with the label and the local community. The companies recognized the benefits thereof, mostly in terms of reputation, as a result of the adoption of responsible environmental behaviors by the members of the business organization. In addition, greater attention to environmental protection resulted in a decrease of waste production and a rigorous compliance with the applicable rules and regulations. Most of the companies interviewed were generally satisfied with the park's project but complained about the poor advertising initiatives by the Park's Managing Body. As a matter of fact, about the 50% of the residents interviewed were not aware of the label award and the product certification. Considering that the residents of the park area are sensitive to environmental issues, and they believe that the park is a major asset for the area, better communication, and a greater involvement of all stakeholders in the initiative undertaken by the Park's Managing Body may help companies expand their business also locally.

Private participation in establishing a product certification body of seed and breeding stock poultry in Indonesia

The era of global trade is a political system based on international rules and agreements that encourage and stabilize economic exchanges between countries. One of the impacts is the demand for a shift in government role to the private sector. The poultry sector plays an important role in providing 65% of the need for animal protein consumption in Indonesia. A product certification body of seed and breeding stock poultry is a tool used in global trade to increase product competitiveness in the global market. By applying standards in trade, it is expected to improve the performance of producers so that they can produce quality products, fair competition in trade, and provide protection to the public and consumers. Unfortunately, the existing seed and livestock certification institutions are still fully initiated by the government. Meanwhile, private participation in establishing a seed and poultry seed product certification body through public-private partnerships (PPPs) is still far from expectations.

Improving Cinnamomum Burmannii Blume Value Chains for Farmer Livelihood in Kerinci, Indonesia

Cinnamon is the most common baking spice in the world. It comes from a small evergreen tree that's part of the Lauraceae family. Genus Cinnamomum regroups some species whose stem bark is harvested, conditioned and traded as cinnamon in the international market. Over the centuries, the species have been domesticated so that now at least six different ones are grown in Southeast Asia. One of the species is burmannii, also known as Koerintji Cinnamon, which generates income for numerous smallholder farmers in Kerinci district, Jambi, Indonesia. Koerintji cinnamon is known for its unparalleled quality that comes with its sharp and sweet flavour, with a slightly bitter edge. However, international market requirements for product certification and quality standards make it difficult for a farmer to comply. Our research will address issues related to (improvement of) productivity, sustainability and value chains faced by cinnamon producers in Kerinci, to strengthen their product’s value chains. Smallholder farmers are very vulnerable to a well-functioning market, and thus empowering the value chains of agricultural products will increase farmers resilience to have access to the market. The research will analyse the development of agricultural value chains, certification . standards on trade mechanism to help farmers earn a better income and prospects.

Influence of Fishery Cooperative Support on Safety Factor Input Behavior of Aquaculturists: The Intermediary Role of Order Fishery and Product Certification

This paper used 586 survey data of aquaculturists in the Shandong and Zhejiang provinces of China and built two intermediary effect models by incorporating fishery cooperative support, order fisheries participation, product quality certification, and safety factor input behavior into the same theoretical analysis framework in order to verify the direct influence of fishery cooperative support on safety factor input behavior of aquaculturists, as well as the intermediary effect of order fisheries participation and product quality certification in the relationship between fishery cooperative support and safety factor input behavior of aquaculturists. The research concluded that fishery cooperative support has a significant positive influence on safety factor input behavior. Participation in order fisheries and product quality certification have a partial intermediary effect in the relationship between fishery cooperative support and safety factor input behavior of aquaculturists; their intermediary effect accounts for 10.3% and 33.7% of the total effect. The research conclusions can provide reference and suggestions for China’s fisheries to better carry out green aquaculture.

What does Brazil know about the origin and uses of tree species employed in the housing sector? Perspectives on available species, origin and current challenges

Timber consumption is a complex discussion for the industry, in part because the issue has been marked by doubts about lineage and origin. This paper aimed to identify challenges related to species, origins and wood use in the Brazilian construction sector. Searches on corporate websites and face-to-face interviews were used to identify involvement by species and origin in the domestic production of timber for housing. Relevant results were obtained for both methods since their margins of error were low. Forty exotic and nine native species were revealed to contribute significantly to the construction sector. 'Grapia' and 'Angelim pedra' native woods and eight eucalypt and pine species were shown to be the most popular through both methodologies. Pine timber was found to be in greater demand than that of Eucalyptus species. Despite some lack of clarity relating to the origin of certain species, the sector's status was better than expected. However, it still requires assertive actions to increase the use of legalized wood in order to favour product certification and integration into foreign markets.