Potential impact of groundnut production technology on welfare of smallholder farmers in Ghana

This study was conducted to assess the potential impact of applying a new groundnut planting density on welfare of smallholder farmers in northern Ghana. We used data from on-farm experiments, focus group discussions, and a household survey. We followed three steps in our analysis. First, we conducted cost-benefit analysis in which we showed the economic advantage of the new technology over the farmers’ practice. Second, we predicted adoption rates along timeline using the Adoption and Diffusion Outcome Prediction Tool (ADOPT). Third, using the results of the first and the second steps, we estimated the potential impact of the technology on poverty at household level using a combination of methods such as economic surplus model and econometric model. The cost-benefit analysis shows that increasing plant density increases farmers’ financial returns i.e., the benefit-cost-ratio increases from 1.05 under farmers’ practice to 1.87 under the best plant density option, which is 22 plants/sqm. The adoption prediction analysis shows that the maximum adoption rate for the best practice will be 62% which will take about nine years to reach. At the maximum adoption rate the incidence of extreme poverty will be reduced by about 3.6% if farmers have access to the international groundnut market and by about 2% if they do not have. The intervention will also reduce poverty gap and poverty severity. The results suggest that policy actions which can improve farmers’ access to the international market will enhance farmers’ welfare more than the situation in which farmers have access to domestic markets only. Furthermore, promoting a more integrated groundnut value-chain can broaden the demand base of the produce resulting in higher and sustainable impact of the technology on the welfare of groundnut producers and beyond.

Structure analysis of building functions transition on the earthquake area five reviewed from costs and time schedule

The purpose of this study is to determine the dimensions and reinforcement of structure, cost, and schedule due to the transition structure of the building function. The structural transition of building functions is carried out in the earthquake area five with the classification of soft and hard soils. The building used as a research model is a 3-story residence on Nuansa Utama Selatan Street number 3, Jimbaran, Bali. The planning of this building will be converted into office buildings and shophouse on the 2nd and 3rd floors functioning as a warehouse in the earthquake area five in Bali with the classification of soft and hard soil that will be analyzed using SAP 2000 program so that the structural dimensions are used as a reference in the creation of costs, and schedule obtained using Microsoft Project program. The analysis of structure shows that the structure of a residential house on hard soil has the dimensions and reinforcement of the smallest structure. The ratio of structural reinforcement in the transition of structure functions from residential house to office on hard soil by 1.32% with the lowest structure cost ratio by 1.80% and schedule of the structure by 3.80%.

Nature-Based Solutions Benefit the Economic–Ecological Coordination of Pastoral Areas: An Outstanding Herdsman’s Experience in Xilin Gol, China

Grassland has always had a difficult economic–ecological relationship, as coordination between its ecological conservation and the sustainable development of animal husbandry is required. Nature-based Solutions (NbS), who make full use of the natural ecosystem services, have successfully solved some economic–ecological issues, but still have unclear implementation prospects for grassland management. The Xilin Gol grassland is one of the most typical pastoral areas in China; there is a village chief named Bateer, who has already used NbS for grassland management. To confirm whether the solutions employed by Bateer have been effective for both increasing economic profits and protecting grassland ecosystem, we interviewed him, and many other herdsmen, using questionnaires about their livelihood. Based on these questionnaires, we calculated and compared their income–cost ratios. Meanwhile, we analyzed the NDVI variations inside their rangelands through high-resolution remote sensing images. The results showed that the herdsmen in Bateer’s village had a much higher disposable income and income–cost ratio than others, and their rangelands also had a higher value and a more obvious increasing trend of NDVI. Bateer’s success proves that the NbS can also play a positive role in grassland management, which can provide a valuable guidance for economic–ecological coordination in pastoral areas.

Cost Estimations of Water Pollution for the Adoption of Suitable Water Treatment Technology

This study analyzed the cost implications of using suitable technologies and the cost of inaction when addressing water pollution. This was achieved by developing three main models for the costs (model one) and benefits (model two and model three). The first model accounts for the operational costs of adopting suitable technologies, namely the use of diatomaceous earth for textile wastewater treatment. The second model analyzed the cost of inaction through analyzing the cost of treatment for water pollution-related diseases for the affected population. The occurrence and cost of treatment for three diseases, namely diarrhea, amoebiasis and bacterial infection, were used as indicators of water pollution in the area. The third model included the contingent valuation method (CVM) data on the willingness to pay for environmental restoration of the surveyed population. The benefit–cost ratio (BCR) of the resulting data from the three models were used to highlight the economic viability of the proposed project. A BCR of (0.67) for the cost of the proposed project versus the benefits of the project on human health using data from one hospital was obtained. There is a high possibility that the real BCR would increase if more data from other hospitals or other diseases were included. The results imply that the use of D.E can be considered a good candidate for treating wastewater. To thoroughly discuss the BCR of treating wastewater from one factory, the BCR of the proposed restoration project along River Sosiani, and the value of using DE as suitable technology, more studies are needed to evaluate the unaccounted costs and benefits for accurate economic estimations of the proposed project. The outcome of the study is a framework of numbers and figures that can be presented to decision makers and policy makers as critical information when making decisions.

Response of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Cultivars to Variable Rate of Nitrogen under Wet Direct Seeding in Temperate Ecology

Transplanting rice appears to pose many problems, including depletion of freshwater reservoirs and competition for labor. Conversely, direct seeding allows us to overcome shortcomings associated with conventional transplanting. Nitrogen is a crucial nutrient needed for plant growth and yield. Therefore, this study was executed to analyze the influence of nitrogen on the performance of rice genotypes grown by direct seeding in wet soil. The experiment comprised various rice cultivars, i.e., Shalimar Rice-1, Shalimar Rice-3, Shalimar Rice-4, and Jhelum, and nitrogen (N) levels, i.e., 0, 90, 120, and 150 kg/ha. Shalimar Rice-4 produced a maximum grain yield (6.39 t/ha), followed by Shalimar Rice-3 and Jhelum). The application of 150 kg N/ha showed maximum values for growth parameters, yield attributing traits, and grain yield (6.68 t/ha); however, it remained at par with 120 kg N/ha. Crop water productivity was highest in Shalimar Rice-4 (0.49 kg/m3), and the same showed a consistent increase with increasing N levels from 0–150 kg/ha, with a comparable value of 0.49 to 0.51 recorded at 120 and 150 kg N/ha. Moreover, the Shalimar Rice-1 variety required the maximum in growing degree days (GDD) and helio-thermal units (HTU) to attain different phenological stages till physiological maturity (131 days). However, the cultivar Shalimar rice-4 (SR-4) performed better by registering significantly higher heat use efficiency (HUE) (4.44 kg/ha °C/day). Additionally, the highest net return and the benefit-cost ratio were registered by Shalimar Rice-4. B:C ratio of 1.75 was realized from application of 150 kg N/ha, which remained very close to that achieved with 120 kg N/ha. In conclusion, the rice cultivar Shalimar Rice-4 with the application of 120 kg N/ha could boost rice production under DSR in water-scarce regions of temperate northern India.

The Diabetes Transition of Hospital Care (DiaTOHC) Pilot Study: A Randomized Controlled Trial of an Intervention Designed to Reduce Readmission Risk of Adults with Diabetes

Hospital readmission within 30 days of discharge (30-day readmission) is a high-priority quality measure and cost target. The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility and efficacy of the Diabetes Transition of Hospital Care (DiaTOHC) Program on readmission risk in high-risk adults with diabetes. This was a non-blinded pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) that compared usual care (UC) to DiaTOHC at a safety-net hospital. The primary outcome was all-cause 30-day readmission. Between 10/16/2017 and 05/30/2019, 115 patients were randomized. In the intention-to-treat (ITT) population, 14 (31.1%) of 45 DiaTOHC subjects and 15 (32.6%) of 46 UC subjects had a 30-day readmission (p=0.88) while 35.6% DiaTOHC and 39.1% UC subjects had a 30-day readmission or ED visit (p=0.72). The Intervention:UC cost ratio was 0.33 (0.13-0.79)95%CI (p<0.01). Among the 69 subjects with baseline HbA1c >7.0% (53 mmol/mol), 30-day readmission rates were 23.5% (DiaTOHC) and 31.4% (UC, p=0.46) and composite 30-day readmission or ED visit rates were 26.5% (DiaTOHC) and 40.0% (UC, p=0.23). In this subgroup, the Intervention:UC cost ratio was 0.21 (0.08-0.58)95%CI (p=0.002). The DiaTOHC Program is feasible and may decrease combined 30-day readmission/ED visit risk as well as healthcare costs among patients with higher HbA1c levels.

Analysis of alternative selection for vertical clearance design under Tabalong Bridge of PT Adaro Indonesia

PT Adaro Indonesia is trying to adjust a vertical clearance under Tabalong Bridge 1 (unloaded) and Tabalong Bridge 2 (loaded) because the existing conditions still apply a minimum vertical clearance of 4 m. I t should be in accordance with latest Regulation of the Minister of Public Works No. 19/PRT/M/2011 that for vertical clearance above national road at least 5.1 m. This specification has not been met by the national road under the Tabalong 1 & 2 Bridges bec ause both bridges were built in the 90s. Therefore we need an engineering technique to overcome this. There are 2 alternative designs, namely lowering the elevation of the national road and increasing the elevation of the bridge's upper structure to mitiga te oversized vehicles so as not to hit the lower structure of the Tabalong bridge. In determining the selection of the best alternative designs in this research is based on two (2) things, non financial criteria with Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and financial criteria with Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA)/Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) method. This study uses a survey method by distributing questionnaires and interviews as a means of collecting primary data. In addition, previous research and consultant DED documents were used as a means of collecting secondary data. The AHP method is used to process primary data to produce a decision from a non financial aspect. While the LCC/BCR method is used to process secondary data to produce a decision from the financi al aspect . The results of the AHP analysis obtained that the synthesis value of the decision the option of lowering national roads was 85% and the bridge lifting option was 15% and the consistency ratio (CR) was 0.05 < 0.1. The consistency ratio below 0.1 shows that the questionnaire data from the respondents are consistent. The results of the analysis of Life Cycle Cost (LCC) obtained the option of lowering national roads where the LCC value is Rp. 44,877,651,669.27 more economical than the bridge lifting option. Then the results of the Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) analysis obtained the option of lowering national roads with a BCR value of 2.33 > 1 and NPV = Rp. 43,442,264,804.34 > 1 means that the option lowering national roads is feasible. While the bridge li fting option is obtained by analyzing the value of BCR = 0.98 < 1 and NPV = option is not feasible to implement.

Financial and Economic Investment Evaluation of Wastewater Treatment Plant

Improved Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) analysis requires a broader analytical framework, in order to perceive each project individually from the perspective of potentially measurable and significant effects on the environment and society as a whole. The main goal of our paper is to assess the financial and economic justification for variant V3 (as the most technically optimal) of the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) construction project in Nov Dojran, North Macedonia, with the purpose of advancing municipal infrastructure and environmental benefits from improved water treatment. Based on the economic analysis conducted, we conclude that the investment in the WWTP project is justified, because the economic internal rate of return is higher than the opportunity cost of capital (EIRR = 16.38%), the economic net present value is higher than 0, and EBCR (benefit-cost ratio) is greater than 1 (EBCR = 2.11). The highest environmental benefit of 49.2% in total environmental benefits is associated with nitrogen, while phosphorus is the next pollutant in the structure of environmental benefits at 46.1%. The environmental benefits of removing biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) are significantly less important, despite the removal of significant amounts of these pollutants during treatment. The situation is similar with suspended particles.

Economic Impact and Cost Benefit of the Inpatient Clinical Pharmacist Interventions in Cancer Care Units

Background: Clinical pharmacists play a key role in ensuring the optimum use of cancer medicines. Yet, the economic benefit of this role has never been assessed in Qatar. Aim: To evaluate the overall economic impact of clinical pharmacist interventions in the main cancer care setting in Qatar. Methods: From the public healthcare perspective, this was an analysis of the total economic benefit and a cost-benefit analysis of the clinical pharmacy interventions. As a study sample size, patient records in March 2018, July/August 2018, and January 2019 were retrospectively reviewed at the National Center for Cancer Care & Research (NCCCR), Qatar. The total benefit from interventions was the total of the cost avoidance due to preventable adverse drug events (ADEs) plus the cost savings associated with therapeutic interventions. The interventions cost was based on salary and increased cost due to therapeutic interventions. The cost-benefit analysis results were presented via net benefit and benefit‐to‐cost ratio measures. Results : Total of 1,352 interventions occurred during the 3-month follow-up period. The total benefit was QAR 196,010,360 (USD53,834,206), constituting cost avoidance of QAR 194,764,534 (USD 53,492,040) and cost savings of QAR 1,245,826 (USD 342,166), mostly due to recommending additional medications and the medication dose reduction. The benefit-to-cost ratio was 174:1 and the annual net benefit was QAR 779,539,440 (USD 214,100,351). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of results. Conclusion: The clinical pharmacist intervention is a cost-beneficial practice in the NCCCR setting, associated with ADEs prevention and substantial economic benefits, including relative to the interventions cost.

​Impact of Cluster Front Line Demonstrations on Productivity and Economics of Lentil (Lens culinaris L.), Chickpea (Cicer aeritinum L.) and Field Pea (Pisum sativum L.) in Old Alluvial Zone of Malda, West Bengal, India

Background: There are significant gaps in yields of pulses among potential, demonstration and farmers’ plots in West Bengal. This is mostly due to adoption of traditional local varieties and poor cultivation practices. Methods: The yield, technology and extension gaps were studied on improved varieties of lentil, chickpea and field pea during rabi seasons of 2017/18-2020/21 in 80 hectare area of Malda, West Bengal with 205 farmers. Result: The highest and lowest magnitude of technology index (TI) was observed in field pea var. IPFD-10-12 (44.5%) during 2018/19 and in lentil var. KL-320 (30.1%) during 2020/21. Among lentil varieties, the highest benefit cost ratio was obtained from KL-320 (2.87) whereas in case of chickpea, it was obtained from NBEG-49 (2.90). For field pea var. IPFD-10-12 the benefit cost ratio was 2.70. Maximum and minimum extension yield gaps were observed in field pea var. IPFD-10-12 (451 kg ha-1) during 2018/19 and in lentil var. IPL-406 (145 kg ha-1) during 2018/19. Overall assessment reflects lentil var. KL-320, chickpea variety NBEG-49 and field pea variety IPFD-10-12 have good potentiality and most suitable for this region. So, it is hypothesized that improved farm technology has enormous potential to scale up pulse productivity through cluster front line demonstration (CFLD).