Analysis of the economic viability of organic production system of ornamental pineapple plants for cut stems

The growth of Brazilian floriculture is remarkable, both in terms of the number of producers and the cultivated area. To reduce costs and add value, the organic production of ornamental pineapple plants is an option for some consumer markets. This study was carried at the Fundação José Carvalho, municipality of Entre Rios (Bahia State), Brazil, to evaluate the economic viability of the organic production of ornamental pineapple plants, as well as to analyze the economic factors from implantation of the crop to the final production phase. Primary and secondary data collection (technical coefficients and prices) was carried out, which allowed updating the value of these coefficients. After determining the technical coefficients, input prices and product prices were surveyed and were inserted in spreadsheets of production cost and profitability. Data processing and profitability analysis were carried out under deterministic and risk conditions. The organic cultivation system for ornamental pineapples proved to be economically viable, providing greater profitability and production of stems, which is the product of interest.

Comparison of Situation in the Slovak and Czech Market of Milk and Dairy Products

The paper is focused on dairy sector with the emphasis on the development of consumption of milk and dairy products, including cheese, curd and other dairy products, in the last 15 years in the Slovak Republic and in the Czech Republic. The aim of the paper is to identify the level of milk and dairy products consumption, as well as to identify the main determinants affecting the consumption. Paper is also aimed at milk production with emphasis on the main problems that may affect future development on the dairy market. The primary data are obtained by consumer survey and survey aimed focused on producers of milk and dairy products. Based on the results we have identified that the milk and dairy products consumption by Slovak consumers is lower compared to the Czech Republic and the quality and price are considered as the main determinants influencing the consumption. We also found out that milk and dairy products producers are adapting their production to demand, but it is important to point out the barriers related in particular to the introduction of new technologies into production, rising input prices or growing consumer disinterest in the consumption of milk and dairy products.

Profitability of Gliricidia-Maize System in Selected Dryland Areas of Dodoma Region, Tanzania

Declining soil fertility and climatic extremes are among major problems for agricultural production in most dryland agro-ecologies of sub-Saharan Africa. In response, the agroforestry technology intercropping of Gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.)) and Maize (Zea mays L.) was developed to complement conventional soil fertility management technologies. However, diversified information on the profitability of Gliricidia-Maize intercropping system in dryland areas is scanty. Using data from the Gliricidia and maize models of the Next Generation version of the Agriculture Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM), this study estimates the profitability of the Gliricidia-Maize system relative to an unfertilized sole maize system. Results show significant heterogeneity in profitability indicators both in absolute and relative economic terms. Aggregated over a 20-year cycle, Gliricidia-Maize intercropping exhibited a higher Net Present Value (NPV = Tsh 19,238,798.43) and Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR = 4.27) than the unfertilized sole maize system. The NPV and BCR of the latter were Tsh 10,934,669.90 and 3.59, respectively. Moreover, the returns to labour per person day in the Gliricidia-Maize system was 1.5 times those of the unfertilized sole maize system. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the profitability of the Gliricidia-Maize system is more negatively affected by the decrease in output prices than the increase in input prices. A 30% decrease in the former leads to a decrease in NPV and BCR by 38% and 30%, respectively. Despite the higher initial costs of the agroforestry establishment, the 30% increase in input prices affects more disproportionally unfertilized sole maize than the Gliricidia-Maize system in absolute economic terms, i.e., 11.1% versus 8.8% decrease in NPV. In relative economic terms, an equal magnitude of change in input prices exerts the same effect on the unfertilized sole maize and the Gliricidia-maize systems. This result implies that the monetary benefits accrued after the first year of agroforestry establishment offset the initial investment costs. The Gliricidia-Maize intercropping technology therefore is profitable with time, and it can contribute to increased household income and food security. Helping farmers to overcome initial investment costs and manage agroforestry technologies well to generate additional benefits is critical for the successful scaling of the Gliricidia-Maize intercropping technology in dryland areas of Dodoma, Tanzania.

New Validation of COVID-19's effects on Micro, small and Medium Enterprise and Its Survival

MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises) are the backbone of many economies worldwide, providing income and jobs to many people. The global and Sri Lankan economies have been seriously impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. MSMEs are the primary victims of the COVID-19 epidemic, which faces numerous obstacles that impede their growth and survival. The analysis aimed to see how COVID-19 afected MSMEs in Sri Lanka. The extent of impacts of the sector was measured using descriptive statistics and SWOT analysis techniques with a Likert scale. From July to September 2020, the study used a mixed method approach, with primary data collected from 200 randomly selected entrepreneurs through a well-designed organized questionnaire survey in the Batticaloa District of Sri Lanka. According to the fndings, 62 percent of entrepreneurs have extremely high job experience power, while 52 percent have extremely low technical adaptation strength during this pandemic era. In terms of weakness, 61 percent and 60 percent of respondents, respectively, revealed a high degree of weakness in their companies, such as a lack of technical skills and expertise. According to the opportunity survey, 87 percent and 86 percent of respondents, respectively, had exceptionally low opportunities in subsidy facilities and social media use. Furthermore, during COVID-19, 59 percent, 68 percent, and 34 percent of respondents experienced extremely high threats due to curfew, increased input prices, and marketing facilities, respectively. To resolve critical situations like the COVID-19 outbreak and improve MSMEs in the region, the study recommended that NGOs, local government bodies, and policymakers develop awareness and support for entrepreneurs through confdence building, planning of workshops, seminars, and exhibitions.

Farmer Perceptions of Agricultural Risks; Which Risk Attributes Matter Most for Men and Women

Analysis of farmer risk perceptions is usually limited to production risks, with risk perception as a function of likelihood and severity. Such an approach is limited in the context of the many risks and other important risk attributes. Our analysis of the risk perceptions of farmers extends beyond production risks, severity of the risks, and their likelihoods. We first characterize agricultural risks and identify their main sources and consequences. We then analyze risk perceptions as a hierarchical construct using partial least squares path modelling. We determine the most important risks and risk attributes in the perceptions of farmers, and test for differences in the perceptions between men and women. Results show that severity and ability to prevent a risk are most important in forming risk perceptions. Second, probabilities (ability to prevent) tend to matter more to men (women) for some risks; lastly, low crop yields and fluctuating input prices have greater total effects on the overall risk perception. Our results provide an impetus for risk analysis in agriculture to consider risk attributes that cause affective reactions such as severity and perceived ability to prevent the risks, the need for input price stabilization, and redress of the rampart yield gaps in small-scale agriculture.

PERCEPTION OF FARMERS ABOUT COVID-19 PANDEMIC IMPACT ON THEIR LIVELIHOODS

The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated lockdown for an extended period must created a signicant adverse impact on different sectors, including that of the agriculture. Enforcement of curfew as a control measure caused adverse effect in both rural and urban people live and livelihood. Nationwide lockdown against the novel coronavirus disease, the agricultural system and farmers heavily endured a period of deterioration. The present study aimed to depict intricacies of COVID 19's inuence on farmer livelihood. For the purpose 200 farmers in Tamil Nadu had identied and state their opinion through digital mode. The ndings of the study indicated that signicant decrease in agricultural output, consumption, and marketing, as well as a signicant increase in input prices and the country's labour shortage.It also emphasize the epidemic has impacted farmers' earnings and standard of living.

Dampak Pandemi Covid-19 terhadap Peternakan Hewan Qurban di Kota Sukabumi dan Kabupaten Bogor, Studi Kasus: Zona Hijau dan Merah

Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) has been declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a pandemic and Indonesia is one of the countries affected by the outbreak. This has a major impact on the social economic and the prosperous community, especially for sub sector livestock which contributes to the fulfillment of the nutritional value of animal protein and national food security. This study aims to determine the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the livestock sector, especially to the sacrificial animal farm. Direct interviews using a questionnaire were conducted with 36 sacrifial animal farmers in the area of the Covid-19 spread map in the red zone (Bogor Regency) and the green zone (Sukabumi City) from September to November, 2020. The questionnaire was divided into three parts, first part about characteristics of farmers, second part about farming activities, and the last about market of sacrificial animals. The pandemic has caused changes in livestock procurement in terms of input prices and sales of sacrificial animals. The price of livestock for the production input during the pandemic in the green zone is low, while in the red zone is high. The decrease in sales occurred in the green zone, while in the red zone is increase, both for sheep and cattle farmers. Most of sacrificial animal farmers (88.89%) did not change their sales method from the previous year. Sacrificial animal farmers also strongly agree that Covid-19 pandemic has an impact on the economic conditions of farmers.