Appraisal of Soil Health Card Scheme on Change in Cultivation Practices of Sali Rice in Darrang District, Assam

The study was conducted during 2017-18 to examine the changes observed in cultivation practices of Sali rice after receiving Soil Health Card (SHC) and for identifying the problems faced by respondents in utilising the SHC recommendations in Darrang district, Assam. A sample of 150 respondents was selected randomly by proportional allocation to size. The result showed that 74.66 per cent of the respondent did not apply the fertilizers as per SHC recommendation. For examining average change in terms of fertilizer application pattern, area and productivity of Sali rice intended for before and after getting SHC, no significant changes have been observed using student’s t-test at 5% level of significance. Increased in area under Sali rice was not significantly higher than before SHC was distributed. The distribution of SHC didn’t bring any changes in cultivation practices of sali rice during 2017-18 at Darrang district.Thus; the study has suggested providing extension support to farmers. Credit linkage through Kisan Credit Card will be helpful in increasing the production of rice and then market linkage may be established. For getting the better result it is necessary to link all the schemes with each other instead of implementing each scheme independently.

Indigenous knowledge on camel milk and camel milk products hygienic handling, processing and utilization in Borana Area, Southern Ethiopia

The study was conducted to assess traditional camel milk and camel milk products handling, preservation and processing, as well as utilization in Borana area. A total of 132 and 24 respondents were selected from milk producers and supplies, respectively through purposive sampling technique and interviewed on various aspects of camel milk and camel milk products using a single-visit multiple-subject diagnostic survey. Survey results revealed that the majority of camel dairying was done by women. Result showed hygienic handling of camel milk and milk products of pastoralists and agro-pastoralists was poor. Respondents reported that they preserved camel milk by washing and smoking milk vessels, keeping milk in a cold place and processing into other milk products. All most all respondents use camel milk mainly in its raw state for home consumption. Most of the respondents in the study area traditionally process camel milk into other camel milk products mainly during surplus milk production. The major product produced by respondents was fermented sour camel milk, locally named chuuchee. According to respondents lack of cooling facilities, improper collection center, lack of milk collection equipment, market milk selling shed, quick spoilage of milk due to the hot environment, seasonality of milk supply and marketing are the main constraints. Establishment of milk collection centers and introduction of small-scale milk processing plants with market linkage might help to solve camel milk hygienic handling and marketing problems in the study area.

Continuity and Change in Carbon Market Politics

The Paris Agreement institutionalized decentralized and national approaches to climate change policy through Article 4 and the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) process. In this new context, what can be said about the prospects for a global carbon market, and how might that analysis benefit from a comparative political perspective? In this chapter, the authors argue that, given the shift to the NDC process and considering the history of carbon market linkage and diffusion, understanding the past and future of carbon markets requires an analysis of the variation in institutions and the political economies of countries. To illustrate this point, the authors unpack continuity and change in five cases: the European Union, China, Canada, South Korea, and Indonesia. The authors conclude that making sense of carbon markets requires an integrative view of the comparative institutional dynamics as well as the transnational processes of diffusion and learning that promotes policy ideas.

Dynamic Spillover Effects of Investor Sentiment and Return between China and the United States

As the two largest economies in the world, the investor sentiment and stock return of China and the United States are the focus of global attention. In this paper, we study the dynamic spillover effects of investor sentiment and return between China and the United States. First, we use the relative price differences of 9 dual-listed companies in China and the United States simultaneously to verify whether investor sentiment affects stock returns. We find a significant positive correlation between the relative price difference of dual-listed companies and the difference of investor sentiment, indicating that the investor sentiment index indeed affects stock prices. Next, we construct the TVP-VAR model to study the dynamic spillover effects of investor sentiment and the return between China and the United States. Through the time-varying impulse response, we find investor sentiment has a significant dynamic impact on returns. Therefore, investment sentiment contagion and stock market linkage between China and the United States are obvious. In addition, we conduct various robust tests, and all results are consistent.

Organised crime poses evolving threats in Europe

Significance Combined with ongoing trends (such as digitalisation), existing problems (such as institutional corruption and drug trafficking) and new policy directions (including the green transition), lockdown measures and post-pandemic recovery strategies are accelerating illicit market linkage and change. The continent is facing significant and unprecedented challenges. Impacts Successful takedowns in a context of ad hoc crime structures will drive illicit market diversification, innovation and violence. European restrictions on raw plant materials from elsewhere will spur manufacture of synthetic drugs and local cannabis cultivation. London will maintain ties with Europol but loose access to the Schengen Information System will complicate law enforcement cooperation.

Performance Analysis of Agri-enterprises Facilitated through KAU-Agri Business Incubators

Vocal for local’ the slogan for Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan accentuate self reliance by bringing the local products to the global arena. Indian agrarian sector provide huge scope for demand driven agricultural research in this context. Agri Business Incubation centres institutionalised by ICAR envisage product development, promulgation of IP protection and technology commercialisation. Each of these centres focus to reinforce the linkage between the research institutes and industries in their mandated areas. Accordingly, the network of Agri Business Incubators(ABI) established by Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) covers diverse crops under the agriculture sector with special emphasis on value addition and market linkage. The present paper depicts the agribusiness ecosystem of Kerala in general and the role of KAU-ABI in reviving the ecosystem in particular. The beneficiaries who were facilitated through KAU-ABI during 2017-2020 were selected for the analysis. Primary and secondary data were collected and ex-post facto research design based on purposive sampling was followed. Performance indicators such as preference for training, extent of support received, transfer of technology, legitimisation and upgradation of the enterprises were selected for the analysis. The results indicated that KAU-ABI strengthened the linkage between entrepreneurs, various facilitators and key investors in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. It also created entry points in the agricultural value chains to accelerate economic growth for the agripreneurs.

The Role of Market Linkage for Growth of Micro and Small Scale Enterprises: the Case of Ambo Town, Ethiopia

The research aims to investigate the roles of market linkage for the growth of MSE in Ambo town. The Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews. A stratified sampling technique is used to select among the seven business sectors. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study elicited five major that affects the growth of MSE which include financial capacity, government support, entrepreneurial competency, marketing information, and types of business sectors. The findings from correlation and regression further indicate that there exists a positive and significant relationship between MSEs Growth and, financial capacity, government support, entrepreneurial competency, marketing information, and types of business sectors. The concerned bodies should facilitate market linkage enhancement between MSE and the market. MSEs on their part are expected to improve financial capacity and competence. Furthermore, adequate market information has to be collected continuously to improve the linkage. JEL classification: M1, M3

Driving Model of Determinant Factors Affecting the Performance of Small and Micro Enterprises: Empirical Evidence from Amhara Region, Ethiopia

The purpose of this study is to examine the driving model of determinant factors that affects the performance of small and micro enterprises empirical evidence from Amhara Region, Ethiopia. The study used primary and secondary data from manufacturing, construction, urban agriculture, trade, and service entrepreneurs found in Bahirdar, Dessie & Gonder Cities using a purposive sampling technique. It also used the descriptive research design with a self-administered survey questionnaire. The Statistical analysis tools, SPSS and Amos, software were applied to analyze the data. Multiple regression model results revealed that access to credit, initial capital, working premises, industry category, market linkage, ICT adoption have a positive relationship and a major impact on the Amhara region's enterprise performance. Hence, the outcome variable, enterprise performance, is highly affected by all predicted variables. As the study finding shows, a lack of access to credit, , market linkage, working premises), initial capital, and information communication Technology problems are critical challenges of SMEs. The Regional Government, TVED Bureau, Micro Finance Institutions, , should take corrective action to provide sufficient credit and long-term loans to protect inflation. Moreover, this study proposed a sustainable cluster management approach that solves their challenges in an integrated way.

Driving Model of Determinant Factors Affecting the Performance of Small and Micro Enterprises: Empirical Evidence from Amhara Region, Ethiopia

The purpose of this study is to examine the driving model of determinant factors that affects the performance of small and micro enterprises empirical evidence from Amhara Region, Ethiopia. The study used primary and secondary data from manufacturing, construction, urban agriculture, trade, and service entrepreneurs found in Bahirdar, Dessie & Gonder Cities using a purposive sampling technique. It also used the descriptive research design with a self-administered survey questionnaire. The Statistical analysis tools, SPSS and Amos, software were applied to analyze the data. Multiple regression model results revealed that access to credit, initial capital, working premises, industry category, market linkage, ICT adoption have a positive relationship and a major impact on the Amhara region's enterprise performance. Hence, the outcome variable, enterprise performance, is highly affected by all predicted variables. As the study finding shows, a lack of access to credit, , market linkage, working premises), initial capital, and information communication Technology problems are critical challenges of SMEs. The Regional Government, TVED Bureau, Micro Finance Institutions, , should take corrective action to provide sufficient credit and long-term loans to protect inflation. Moreover, this study proposed a sustainable cluster management approach that solves their challenges in an integrated way.

Strengthening Agriculture Value Chain through Collectives: Comparative Case Analysis

Indian agriculture has always been less profitable. Several factors contribute to the low profitability in agriculture, but less value addition, weak value chain system and weak market linkage are some of the most important factors. Producer companies are helping small farmers to emerge in the market. The farmer producer organisations (FPOs) linked with the producer companies are the best example of collective actions. The collective actions for the agriculture value chain (AVC) have resulted in a decrease in the cost and an increase in revenue. FPO and producer company find a good place in the underpinning theory of collective action theory. This study examines various successful examples of strengthening AVC through cooperatives and tried to identify various factors responsible for the success of these collectives. This study has adopted a case study approach. Three successful cases, that is, Vasundhara Agriculture Horticulture Producer Company Ltd: a multi-state FPO, Abhinav Farms Club and Sahyadri Farmer Producer Company have been selected for the case study based on their successful interventions for strengthening the agriculture value chain. Primary and secondary data has been collected through telephonic interviews from the board of directors, chairman and the members of the FPO. Both primary and secondary data have been collected to compare the three cases for AVC models. The data has been analysed using a comparative case study approach. The parameters of AVC have been identified using the Delphi technique. The study has found that collective actions have helped the farmers to strengthen the agriculture value chain. The study also concluded that leadership played an important role in defining the success of the FPOs. The study brings out future directions to excel in AVC through collectives.