Update of the technical equipment of the grain-harvesting complex

Many options have been developed for the implementation of the algorithm for updating the fleet of grain harvesters to date. In accordance with the yield and other indicators, recommendations for the formation and renewal of the harvester fleet are proposed discretely in the form of tables or charts. This form of information does not always meet the requirements of operational correction and does not allow assessing the technological capabilities of the harvesting units, depending on the harvesting conditions. The method to improve the formation of the initial information for operational decision-making on the effective upgrading of technical means of grain harvesting complex taking into account the zonal features of a particular agricultural enterprise is proposed. A graph-analytical method for determining the main parameters of the basic harvesting tools depending on the predicted yield level is developed and the influence of the factors determining the composition of the grain harvesting fleet is assessed. This method makes it possible to identify the most rational basic parameters of alternative basic harvesting tools for a specific agricultural enterprise. The first step is to determine the basic parameters of the basic equipment, then select the appropriate size series of self-propelled threshers for combine harvesters and reapers. Further, alternative versions of various models of grain harvesting units and complexes are formed. For the subsequent selection of rational types of cleaning agents and their criterion assessment, technical and technological, environmental and other indicators are used. The expert-logical analysis of information resources makes it possible to identify and assess the factors that determine the quantitative composition of the technical means of the grain harvesting complex. The final stage in the formation of the initial information for making a decision on updating the technical means of the grain harvesting complex should be their economic assessment, which makes it possible to predict the competitiveness of the threshed grain.

Switching to nanonutrients for sustaining agroecosystems and environment: the challenges and benefits in moving up from ionic to particle feeding

The worldwide agricultural enterprise is facing immense pressure to intensify to feed the world’s increasing population while the resources are dwindling. Fertilizers which are deemed as indispensable inputs for food, fodder, and fuel production now also represent the dark side of the intensive food production system. With most crop production systems focused on increasing the quantity of produce, indiscriminate use of fertilizers has created havoc for the environment and damaged the fiber of the biogeosphere. Deteriorated nutritional quality of food and contribution to impaired ecosystem services are the major limiting factors in the further growth of the fertilizer sector. Nanotechnology in agriculture has come up as a better and seemingly sustainable solution to meet production targets as well as maintaining the environmental quality by use of less quantity of raw materials and active ingredients, increased nutrient use-efficiency by plants, and decreased environmental losses of nutrients. However, the use of nanofertilizers has so far been limited largely to controlled environments of laboratories, greenhouses, and institutional research experiments; production and availability on large scale are still lagging yet catching up fast. Despite perceivable advantages, the use of nanofertilizers is many times debated for adoption at a large scale. The scenario is gradually changing, worldwide, towards the use of nanofertilizers, especially macronutrients like nitrogen (e.g. market release of nano-urea to replace conventional urea in South Asia), to arrest environmental degradation and uphold vital ecosystem services which are in critical condition. This review offers a discussion on the purpose with which the nanofertilizers took shape, the benefits which can be achieved, and the challenges which nanofertilizers face for further development and real-world use, substantiated with the significant pieces of scientific evidence available so far. Graphical Abstract

Range of goods in framework of agricultural enterprise management

The study of the product range of the enterprise, in particular, the agricultural ones, is one of the priority areas. Maintaining a stable demand for reduced goods is an obligatory condition for strategizing activities, a guarantee of development. The presented research reflects the theoretical foundations of enterprise management, in terms of building a strategy; the assortment features for both commodity and trade ones are disclosed; the authors highlighted the specifics of agricultural production through strategic management and its goal setting. In the main part of the work, there is a block focused on the study of the assortment within the framework of the agricultural enterprise management, based on the product range optimization. This is supported by the conclusions that this approach is a source of diversification of an agricultural enterprise production activity and takes into account both the existing market needs and the capabilities of the enterprise itself when creating the necessary conditions for its development, ensuring competitiveness not only in local markets, but also includes a possibility to expand its market zone. The assortment of goods was studied in a separate block on the example of a specific agricultural enterprise - the greenhouse complex JSC “Sukhovskiy”, a member of the Siberian agricultural complex of the brand “Em Rodnoe”. The assessment of the main economic indicators of the activities of JSC “Sukhovskiy” was carried out. For the purpose of practical testing of the developed directions of strategizing the product range of JSC “Sukhovskiy”, there was proposed a variant of its expansion by introducing roses into the “line” of production as the most popular and demanded flowers in high demand among the population. In addition, the agrotechnology of this production in the conditions of a greenhouse economy is shown, possible sales channels for finished products are proposed, the costs of the “rose” assortment line are structured and the predicted economic effect from the implementation of the proposed measures is calculated.

Smallholder Farmers’ Access to Agricultural Insurance Schemes: An Analysis of the Inhibitors in Kogi State, Nigeria

The study examined the constraints of access to the use of agricultural insurance schemes (AIS) by small-scale farmers in Kogi State, Nigeria. Sustainable agricultural enterprise in most developing countries like Nigeria can be achieved through adequate financing especially in the area of agricultural insurance. Despite the existence of insurance services by the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation and other private firms in Nigeria, there has been a low level of participation of farmers buying insurance premium; thus, there is a need to examine the hindrances in accessing the scheme. The specific objectives were to describe the socio-economics characteristic of small- scale farmers, examine the types of agricultural insurance and evaluate the constraints in accessing AIS in the study area. Primary data were collected from 150 farmers with the aid of a well-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results showed that farmers in the study area were dominated by the married (68%), literates (81.33) and males (73.33%) with the mean age and farming experience of 47 and 19 years respectively. Crop insurance (56%) and farm implement insurance (46%) were the major types of agricultural insurance used by the farmers. Rigorous procedures in claim settlement (3.266), poor government attention (3.106) poor repayment (3.080) and non-coverage of all the crops (3.093) were among the major challenges in accessing AIS) in the study area. The study recommended that the government through the ministry of Agriculture or Bank of Agriculture should eliminate the bureaucratic processes and bottlenecks encountered by the farmers in accessing AIS.

Methodological approaches to efficiency evaluation foreign economic activity agricultural enterprises

The article is devoted to topical issues of development of existing and establishment of new approaches to the methodology of assessing the effectiveness of foreign economic activity of agricultural enterprises with the subsequent formation of strategies for its development. Thanks to the successful operation of domestic agricultural enterprises in foreign markets and effective and fruitful cooperation with foreign partners, economic growth of the country as a whole is achieved. Therefore, in modern economic conditions, the increase in foreign economic activity requires a thorough methodological approach to assessing the effectiveness of foreign economic activity of agricultural enterprises. The theoretical and methodological basis of research were the works of leading domestic and foreign economists and the work of leading analysts on the problems and methodology of modeling foreign economic activity, comprehensive approaches based on a combination of economic analysis and methods of economic and mathematical modeling. The following research methods were used in solving the tasks: monographic, analysis and synthesis, expert evaluations, deduction method and abstract-logical. In order to implement the organizational and economic mechanism for determining the foreign economic activity of agricultural enterprises, we propose to use a universal method of foreign economic activity analysis and at the micro level in order to compare the obtained calculations to assess trends in the development of foreign economic activity of agricultural enterprises. If an agricultural enterprise is engaged in both exports and imports, then to assess its performance in the foreign market for a certain period can be calculated integrated indicators of foreign trade, which provide for the comparability of results achieved for the whole set of export-import operations at full cost. The initial methodological basis for assessing and analyzing the foreign economic activity of agricultural enterprises should be a systematic analysis and a comprehensive, dialectical approach, which necessitates the study of individual elements and the system as a whole in constant motion, change, in the process of constant renewal. This is important not only for understanding the essence of economic categories but also for formulating conclusions on their practical application, making management decisions at different levels of the hierarchical management system in the agricultural sector of Ukraine. The practical significance of the results of the study lies in the substantiation of the methodology, which allows to calculate and fully assess the effectiveness of foreign economic activity of any agricultural enterprise.

Assessment features of the management processes effectiveness for an agricultural enterprise

The choice of the optimal system of indicators plays an important role in making management decisions, which would allow the most accurate and comprehensive assessment of the enterprise efficiency. Each company develops its own system of indicators in order to determine the effectiveness. There is currently no single approach to assessment of the economic efficiency in enterprise management. The most common areas are to determine the effectiveness of management as the ratio of the result to the costs and the ratio of the result to the intended goals. The article analyzes different approaches to the efficiency evaluation of the enterprise, in particular, the inclusion in the system of economic indicators not only financial results, but also resource efficiency, achievements of modern management, personnel evaluation, indicators of innovation and investment activity. The use of an integrated indicator is also proposed for a comprehensive assessment of the enterprise, which would provide an idea of all components of the enterprise. Based on the analysis of scientific sources, the essence and role of a balanced scorecard are determined, as well as its advantages and disadvantages in comparison with other accounting methods are highlighted. It is established that a balanced scorecard is a tool of management accounting, the main purpose of which is to ensure the function of collecting, systematizing and analyzing information, which is the basis for developing and making management decisions. The introduction of a balanced scorecard provides an opportunity to monitor changes in important factors for the company and respond flexibly to changes in the internal and external environment, as well as to solve the problem of increasing the profitability and capitalization of the enterprise through effective planning and use of resources.

Fundamentals of business planning of agricultural enterprises

In world practice, a business plan has long become a generally accepted way of providing commercial information and the basis for business negotiations. With the development of market relations and the expansion of international economic relations, business planning becomes one of the important elements of ensuring the competitiveness and successful production and financial activities of an enterprise. On the basis of the business plan, the calculation of the economic efficiency of business ideas and investment decisions, the assessment of the commercial feasibility of investing in their implementation is carried out. A well thought out business plan can be a key step in building a successful and sustainable agricultural enterprise. Business plans, as objects that reflect the characteristics of the field of activity, must be developed not in a template, but based, first of all, on the intended purpose. In this case, the number of sections is regulated. It is one thing when a business plan is developed with the aim of introducing a highly effective innovation, and quite another when it is created for the financial recovery of an organization. A business plan is a document that defines the future goals of a business and a strategy for achieving them. Description can take two forms: narrative and financial. A business plan includes the following documents: resume, business introduction, market analysis, competitor analysis, products and services, marketing and sales strategies, organizational structure, and financial projections. Thus, a business plan is an invaluable tool that helps a grower to be on track to achieve the goals of an agricultural business. Regardless of whether you are a cattle farmer, raising products or processing, it is an agricultural business.

Problems of organizational and legal forms of management in the agricultural sector

The article is devoted to the analysis of some problems of organizational and legal forms of management in the agricultural sector. The main tendencies of development of organizational and legal forms of Ukraine in the aspect of deregulation of entrepreneurial activity and opening of the market of agricultural lands are determined. The role and significance, types, legislative and doctrinal approaches to determining the organizational and legal form of agricultural production are highlighted. On the basis of the analysis of legal literature, national legislation and practice of its application the problems of separate organizational and legal forms of conducting agricultural production (farms, collective agricultural enterprises, etc.) are analyzed. It is concluded that the principle of equality of ownership and management in agriculture is violated in Ukraine. Keywords: organizational and legal forms, business entities, agricultural production, agricultural sector, farms, collective agricultural enterprise

RESEARCH OF THE EFFICIENCY OF THE GRAIN RECEPTION LINE OPERATION FROM AUTO TRANSPORT AT THE PROCUREMENT PRODUCTION GRAIN ELEVATOR

The results of the study of the characteristics of the technological line for grain reception from auto transport at the procurement production grain elevator of LLC ―Agricultural Enterprise ―Vesna 21‖ are presented. In the process of research, the quantitative and qualitative composition, volumes and duration of the harvesting periods of early and late crops, the quantitative and qualitative composition and characteristics of auto transport delivering grain to the enterprise were determined; the most intensive supply of early and late crops, as well as the actual coefficients of daily irregularity of their supply by auto transport.It is shown that the enterprise in 2017-2019 traditionally received such early crops as wheat of 2-6 classes and rapeseed of the highest and 1st class. Late crops were represented by corn (3rd class and non-class) and soybeans (non-standard and extruded). The volumes of harvesting of the corn and wheat (main crops)for the indicated years correlated, respectively (%) 49.2:41.2; 60.1: 24.9 and 66.1:17.1, which indicates a tendency for a significant increase in the supply of late crops, especially corn grain. The ratio between early and late crops for 2017–2019 was 45:55, 24:76 and 20:80, respectively (%).The monthly grain flow to the grain elevator was rather irregular. Most of the grain was received from July to December, when the periods of harvesting of early and late crops coincide, and especially in the autumn months, in September, October and November, up to 32.9 %, less – in the off-season from January to June, to 12.3 %. All the same, a lot of grain in percentage terms was received in November 2017 and October 2018 – 32.9 % each.An analysis of the quantitative and qualitative composition of cars that delivered grain to the procurement and production elevator in 2017-2019 showed that the carrying capacity of the vehicles ranged from 3 ... 51 tons. In 2017, 80.9% of all grain received by the enterprise was delivered by 2771 vehicles (cars) with a carrying capacity of 20 ... 40 tons, which amounted to 82.4 % of their annual quantity. In 2018, these indicators were as follows – 87.2 % of grain was delivered by 84.5% of vehicles of the same carrying capacity, and in 2019 – 93.4 % of grain was delivered by 93.0 % of the same vehicles. In the years studied, there was a tendency to an increase in the share of more heavy-duty vehicles (35...40 t). However, the number of vehicles with a carrying capacity of more than 40 tons, delivering significant volumes of grain, has significantly decreased, which is associated with the legislative limitation of the vehicles weight. The optimal carrying capacity in terms of the ratio of the mass of the delivered grain: the number of vehicles, taking into account legal restrictions, can be recommended 35...40 tons.The main characteristics of the reception of an early and late crops at the procurement and production elevator, respectively, for 2017-2018 were the following values: the duration of the arrival of early crops, days - 126, 119 and 97, late – 142, 145 and 240; harvesting period of early crops, days – 73, 88 and 68, late crops – 86, 78 and 57; the most intensive supply of early crops, t/day – 8378, 596 and 1428, late crops 1966, 1576 and 1909; actual coefficients of grain reception irregularity by auto transport of early crops – 6.3; 2.2 and 3.6, late – 2.5, 2.4 and 2.9, which exceeds the standard values of 1.6 and should be taken into account when improving the operation of the grain reception line.