Agribusiness Chains Research Articles

Feasibility of using different renewable energy sources in Brazilian swine farmings

Swine farming is one of the main agricultural activities. However, it generates a large amount of waste that, when improperly disposed of, is cause of environmental impacts. One of treatment options is anaerobic digestion that generate biogas, which is used as a renewable energy source. In addition, the roofs of the establishments are suitable for harnessing solar energy. However, the equipment costs for power generation are high. The present study evaluated the feasibility of these two renewable energy technologies for Brazilian swine farmings of different sizes. For this purpose, the numbers of 201, 2001 and 10,001 animals were considered for small, medium and large sizes, according to Brazilian classification. The investment cost, return time, such as Simple Payback (SPB) and Discounted Payback (DPB), and profit from the use of biogas and solar energy were presented. Finally, it was proposed that the surplus energy could be injected into the distribution network, generating credits to the producer in accordance to Brazilian law. The generation of electricity through biogas has economic viability for farmings with size from 2001 (SPB = 6.02 yr and DPB = 7.90 yr) to 10,001 (SPB = 3.20 yr and DPB = 3.71 yr) animals. Meanwhile, the generation of electric energy by the photovoltaic system showed to be viable for the 3 sizes of projects evaluated (small: SPB = 6.52 yr and DPB = 8.75 yr; medium: SPB = 4.90 yr and DPB = 6.08 yr; large: SPB = 4.74 yr and DPB = 5.86 yr). For both sources, the impact of the initial investment in the acquisition of machines, projects and accessories must be considered. It was found that the great energy potential coming from swine farming and, consequently, from other agribusiness chains, contributes to the generation of distributed energy, through renewable sources.

Strategic Planning and Management of Food and Agribusiness Chains: The ChainPlan Method (Framework)

Purpose – The objective of this paper is to improve the strategic planning and management of food and agribusiness chains method. Design/methodology/approach – several research methodologies to develop the ChainPlan methodology. The theory (literature review) provided the basis to build a preliminary framework ten years prior. Then, empirical application of the initial method created insights about needed additions and subtractions to the original method. These insights, combined with continued research on advances in the theories, contributed to further development of the ChainPlan methodology Findings – A method is proposed to complement the theoretical gap on the strategic planning applied to agribusiness chains. The ChainPlan method is a theoretical-empirical method, built from the academic literature and perfected over the years through its application in several productive chains Originality/value – Many authors proposed a method to build strategic plans in organizations, but when the subject is turned to the planning agribusiness chains, the academic discussion revolves around the agribusiness chains coordination and analyzes to be applied in this sector. This article filled in this theoretical gap and propose a tool, which is a specific strategic planning method for the agribusiness chains application

The influence of value chain integration on performance: an empirical study of the malt barley value chain in Ethiopia

The purpose of this study is to examine the interplay between value chain integration dimensions and value chain performance along the malt barley value chain in Ethiopia. The analyses were based on survey data sets obtained from 320 farmers and 100 traders and qualitative interview responses captured from sixty-two key informants selected from members of the chain. The structural equation modelling technique was employed to seek answer for the question of how value chain integration dimensions are related to performance. The results of the analyses showed the existence of positive relationships between coordination of activities and performance; between joint decision-making and performance at farmers-cooperatives interface; and between commitment towards long-term relationships and performance at farmers-traders interface. The study has made important empirical contributions in areas of value chain integration and performance and their interplays within the context of the studied malt barley value chain. The key findings of the study make important policy implications for agribusiness value chains in the developing countries. The study would open a venue for robust investigation based on a wider database from various agribusiness chains in Ethiopia or even beyond, for better validation of the findings.

APROVECHAMIENTO DE PULPA Y CÁSCARA DE PLÁTANO(Musa paradisiaca spp) PARA LA OBTENCIÓN DE MALTODEXTRINA

The subproducts of agribusiness chains constitute about 90% of the portion of the crop, therefore, establish alternative uses may represent alternatives for producers. The aim of this study was evaluated the effect of enzymatic treatment on starch obtained from pulp and banana peel (Musa paradisiaca spp.) and establish the effect of drying temperature on starch hydrolyzate on chemical, physical and rheological properties. Water activity, moisture content and the dextrose equivalent content was quantified, reducing sugars present in the maltodextrin were determined by High-performance liquid chromatography; besides color and rheological parameters were determined. Enzymatic hydrolysis showed a significant effect on the amount of dextrose equivalent, allowed obtaining maltotriose, maltose and glucose, typical compounds maltodextrin also had an effect on the rheological parameters, showing the change of the starch structure. The temperature of 130°C was the one that had the greatest impact on the variables of water activity, moisture content and color. This shows that it is possible to obtain maltodextrins from pulp and banana peel enzymatically and spray drying temperature of 130°C.

Co-marketing alliances in the Brazilian biofuel sector: An analysis based on strategic alliances

Brazil is among the world’s largest producers of biofuels. This situation stimulates agreements and strategic alliances for cooperation between countries where biofuel feedstocks are scarce and those where they are abundant. Thus, this study aims to analyze the strategic alliances for cooperation between countries for biofuel production. This research study was conducted using information from the website of the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and national and international journals, on strategic alliances for cooperation between Brazil and other countries for biofuel production since 2006. It is known that those involved in the strengthening of strategic alliances for cooperation, can work together through the formation of co-marketing alliances, can contribute to the global development of the biofuel industry. They can also extend this development to other agribusiness chains. Finally, co-marketing alliances lead to actions that benefit all countries and participants in the biofuel production chain, as well as society as a whole.

Rural development: how to measure performance imbalances in agribusiness chains

The aim of this article was to contribute to the understanding of the role of intermediary organizations, and especially of network administrative organizations (NAOs) in the development of social capital in interorganizational networks in the food sector in particular. Our study shows that there are many options available to NAOs to build social capital within the networks they are responsible for; options which we propose to categorize in three main distinct groups. First, NAOs may nurture the development of social capital within the network through creating ‘space’ boundary objects which appear, in our study, to be an absolute precondition for the development of interactions and hence creation of ties between network members. Second, NAOs may impact the development of social capital by favoring certain members – or set of members – over others due to their characteristics such as good reputation, possession of common past experiences, multidisciplinary experiences, non-conflicting goals, similarity in terms of sector of activity and/or experience level and common mindset towards information exchange. Third and finally, NAOs may foster social capital development by enhancing effective communication between members on the one hand, and between members and the NAOs’ coordination and decision bodies on the other hand, via a clear mandate, network decision making bodies composed of members, the use of ex-post evaluations and formal governance mechanisms (e.g. legal contracts), and the selection of staff endowed with a proactive and perspective taking behavior and able to show neutrality when conflict arise.

Metodologia para estruturação de cadeias de suprimentos no agronegócio: um estudo exploratório

O sucesso do agronegócio está fortemente ligado ao grau de articulação de seus diferentes elos e, conseqüentemente, da eficiência de seus mecanismos de coordenação em responderem às imposições do mercado, sendo fundamental que suas cadeias sejam estruturadas e coordenadas sob esta ótica. Objetivando contribuir com o tema, o presente trabalho apresenta uma metodologia voltada à estruturação de cadeias de suprimentos do agronegócio, a qual é fruto de três estudos de caso, realizados em diferentes formas de estruturação e coordenação dos sistemas de produção do agronegócio: uma cooperativa agrícola, uma integradora de frangos e a cadeia de suprimentos de carne bovina de uma rede de supermercados. Procurou-se, neste estudo, analisar o processo de estruturação das cadeias, ou seja, como foram estruturadas, como estão sendo coordenadas e quais suas principais características e, a partir dos resultados dos três casos, foram definidas, via de regra, as principais etapas do processo de estruturação de uma cadeia de suprimentos do agronegócio.

Cinquante ans d'innovation en agriculture: quelques enseignements des approches socio-économiques

Agricultural innovation in the last fifty years: some lessons from socio-economic approaches - A synthesis of the analysis concerning the agricultural research and innovation processes is proposed in this paper. It focus on the parallel between the transformation of the agribusiness sectors on the one hand, and the evolution of the analytical framework on the other hand. A first set of studies has been developed from the 60's, and address the effect of the innovation to the evolution of agriculture, with two different perspectives. The American economists focus mainly on the analysis of the productivity, and the French economists analyze more particularly the transformation of both the production systems and the social networks within agriculture. A second set of studies, developed more recently, analyze the conception and the implementation of innovation. The choice of these analyses is justified because of the evolution of the agribusiness chains, and an increased interest for questions related to the products' quality. Such innovations result from the interaction of multiple actors and, as a consequence, the role of the research institutions needs to be revisited.