Agricultural Assets Research Articles

Impact assessment of flue-cured virginia tobacco in mysore and hassan districts of karnataka

Tobacco cultivation in India has unique socio-economic dimensions and provides employment to people engaged in tobacco sector among which, Flue-Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco is an important commercial crop grown under rainfed conditions of Karnataka. While several studies have showed that farmers are benefitting from cultivation of FCV tobacco in rainfed areas, the present study aims to assess the impact of FCV tobacco crop on socio-economic status of tobacco farmers in Karnataka. The study was conducted during the year 2018–19 in Mysore and Hassan districts of Karnataka. A total of 20 tobacco and 20 non-tobacco farmers from 6 auction platforms of Karnataka (H.D. Kote, Hunsur, Periyapatna, Ramanadhapura, Kampalapura and Chilkunda) was selected and data was collected from 120 tobacco and 120 non-tobacco farmers. The average net returns/acre for own land is comparatively high for tobacco (₹30,350/acre) than maize (₹21,500/acre) and cotton (₹18,000/acre) under rainfed conditions. High level of socio-economic impact is observed for tobacco growers in terms of annual income, returns, possession of farm assets, information seeking behavior and social empowerment than non-tobacco farmers.

Producers’ access to agricultural credit in Turkey: the case of Adana province

ABSTRACT: The issue of producers’ access to agricultural credit is the key word in contemporary debates in the sense that this theme is increasingly addressed at conferences and scientific congresses. This is explained by the fact that agricultural credit is today considered as an important key to the development of the agricultural sector in developing countries. This study examined the factors influencing producers’ access to agricultural credit in Turkey, precisely in the province of Adana. Questionnaire-based surveys were conducted on a sample of 101 producers trained in a simple random. From the analysis of the results obtained, we deduced that socio-economic factors such as the total area of land used, the irrigated area, the ratio between the total share of land used and the total owned land, then the ratio between the number of agricultural assets of the household and the total number household members play a preponderant role in the access of producers to agricultural credit. Since agricultural credit is perceived as an important lever in terms of the development of the agricultural sector in Turkey; it is therefore imperative, based on these research results, to develop policies aiming to improve producers’ access to agricultural credit.

ИПОТЕЧНОЕ КРЕДИТОВАНИЕ СЕЛЬСКОХОЗЯЙСТВЕННЫХ ОРГАНИЗАЦИЙ РОССИИ

The authors investigated the problems and prospects for the development of mortgage lending in the agricultural sector of Russia. The study found that the level of mortgage and, especially, land-mortgage lending to agribusiness is not high enough. The reasons - agriculture is characterized by a number of specific risks, land plots (as collateral objects) are financially unattractive for banking institutions, which experience increased risks with long-term lending to the agricultural sector of the economy. As a result, the process of mortgage lending to agricultural organizations presents various difficulties for potential borrowers. In order to activate mortgages for agricultural formations, the authors propose that banks expand the practice of issuing such loans on the basis of the simultaneous purchase by agricultural borrowers of part of their shares, as well as issue mortgage securities on the security of financially attractive agricultural assets (unmanned agricultural equipment, pest control bioferms, grain quality measurement devices, digital doubles, drones, etc.).

INVESTMENTS AS A MEANS OF REPRODUCING OF THE MATERIAL AND TECHNICAL BASE OF AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISES

Introduction. The processes of reproduction of MTB of agricultural producers are determined by a number of internal and external factors, among which are the following: opportunities for the formation of investment resources from external and internal sources of funding; effectiveness of state support; organization of production activities, which focuses on resource conservation; size and specialization of the enterprise; financial stability; efficiency of production activity; product competitiveness; investment activity; productivity of technical means, their physical and moral wear and tear; perception of innovations. Methods. The methodological basis of the study is a dialectical method of cognition, a systematic approach to the study of economic phenomena. The tasks are solved using the following methods: abstract and logical (in formulating theoretical generalizations and conclusions); monographic (reflecting the processes of formation of the material and technical base of agricultural enterprises in the dynamics); statistical analysis (to assess the movement of the active part of non-current assets of farms in the corporate sector of the agricultural economy). The reliability of the obtained results, conclusions and proposals is confirmed by the calculations and a significant amount of empirical material presented in the work. Results. It is established that the main problems of deterioration of material and technical condition of fixed assets in agriculture are: low investment activity of agricultural producers; insufficient volumes and miscalculations in the targeting of state support for the renewal of fixed assets of agriculture for small and medium-sized farms in rural areas; imperfect agricultural leasing; no indexation of the book value of fixed assets of agricultural enterprises. Discussion. In the conditions of further development of investment activity of farms of the corporate sector of agrarian economy there is a necessity to make capital investments in acquisition of agricultural lands. In this connection the priority tasks of scientific research are: development of methodical approaches transactions for the purchase and sale of agricultural land and their reflection in the financial statements. Keywords: investment, material and technical base, agricultural enterprise, technical means, state support.

Participation in Farming Organizations: A Case Study of Lofepaco in Beni-Lubero, Republic Democratic of Congo

Women's contribution to agricultural production is deemed significant in society, but women have often been excluded and not recognize for their participation. One important way for women to involve in development is to enable them to organize themselves into associations and cooperatives from their respective areas. This study aimed to determine the level of women's participation in agricultural production through farming organizations. The purposive sampling procedure was employed to identify 367 active participants from farmer organizations. A survey was used to collect data, and the analysis was facilitated by descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. The result shows that there is a high level of women’s commitment at the household level, the organization level, and a high level of participation in agricultural production activities. The ANOVA test revealed that there is significant mutual participation in decision making between husband and wife about the ownership, the agricultural asset transfer, and income. There is low participation of farming assets access and ownership procedure that is influenced by local gender norms. The study concluded that the majority of women were making decisions jointly with their husbands; however, they have low participation in agricultural assets access and ownership procedure.

THE PROBLEM OF UPDATING THE FIXED ASSETS OF THE AIC FACILITIES

The article considers trends and problems of renewal of fixed assets in agriculture, starting in 2010. The problems of updating the least liquid part of fixed assets - buildings, structures, machines, equipment, vehicles are highlighted. Comparative statistics are given on the amounts of state support for fixed and working capital in agriculture on the example of the Udmurt Republic. It was revealed that the rate of renewal of fixed assets is quite long - about 10 years. The role of the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of 2018 on the procedure for subsidizing the costs incurred for the creation and modernization of production capacities of agro-industrial facilities due to other inter-budget transfers was disclosed. Statistical reporting on form No. 11-AIC for 2018-2019 in the republic on the state of production capacities of AIC facilities was analyzed. The structure of the existing agro-industrial complex facilities in the republic was revealed, their total initial cost, depreciation, the amounts of fixed assets introduced were determined, depreciation and update factors of fixed assets were calculated. The report on receiving subsidies for reimbursement of part of the incurred costs in the republic is presented, the reasons for lack of funding are revealed. It was concluded that it is necessary to establish regular statistical reporting on form No. 11-AIC for all Russian users, to submit an application to the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia for this type of subsidies.

Agricultural Hydroinformatics: A Blueprint for an Emerging Framework to Foster Water Management-Centric Sustainability Transitions in Farming Systems

It is increasingly recognized that water scarcity, rather than a lack of arable land, will be the major constraint to increase agricultural production over the next few decades. Therefore, water represents a unique agricultural asset to drive agricultural sustainability. However, its planning, management and usage are often influenced by a mix of interdependent economic, engineering, social, hydrologic, environmental, and even political factors. Such a complex interdependency suggests that a sociotechnical approach to water resources management, a subject of the field of Hydroinformatics, represents a viable path forward to achieve sustainable agriculture. Thus, this paper presents an overview of the intersection between hydroinformatics and agriculture to introduce a new research field called agricultural hydroinformatics. In addition, it proposes a general conceptual framework taking into account the distinctive features associated with the sociotechnical dimension of hydroinformatics when applied in agriculture. The framework is designed to serve as a stepping-stone to achieve, not only integrated water resources management, but also agricultural sustainability transitions in general. Using examples from agricultural water development to horticultural and livestock farming, the paper highlights facets of the framework applicability as a new paradigm on data flows/sources consideration, and information and simulation models engineering as well as integration for a holistic approach to water resources management in agriculture. Finally, it discusses opportunities and challenges associated with the implementation of agricultural hydroinformatics and the development of new research areas needed to achieve the full potential of this emerging framework. These areas include, for example, sensor deployment and development, signal processing, information modeling and storage, artificial intelligence, and new kind of simulation model development approaches.

Navigating the corn maze: Customizing travel cost models to value market segments in heterogeneous industries

Agritourism is an example of a growing and important industry to rural communities in the United States seeking to leverage interest in their natural resource, agricultural, and other heritage assets. We use survey data and a flexible travel cost model to estimate the part-worth consumer surplus (CS) values of Western US agritourism trips for different regions, activities, and traveler types. Given the rural nature of agritourism may require interested travelers to come from long distances, we also pay particular attention to and compare travelers’ marginal and cumulative travel costs to evaluate the impact on CS estimates. Results indicate that trip and traveler heterogeneity, if unaccounted for, may lead to misinformed policy and management decisions.

REGIONAL DIVERSIFICATION OF INVESTMENT OUTLAYS AND LABOUR PROFITABILITY IN AGRICULTURE IN POLAND

The main purpose of the study was to assess changes in labour profitability against changes in the level of investment outlays in Poland in a regional approach. Empirical material consists of statistical data from the Central Statistical Office for the years 2000-2017. The following diagnostic variables were used for the analysis: (1) characterizing the profitability of the labour factor – gross value added in agriculture per one agricultural employee; (2) characterizing the investment activity of farmers – the value of investment outlays in agriculture per one employee in agriculture, the value of investment outlays in agriculture per 1 ha of agricultural land, the value of investment outlays in agriculture in relation to the value of gross fixed assets in agriculture, the value of investment outlays in agriculture in relation to gross value added in agriculture. On the basis of a set of diagnostic features describing the investment activity of farmers, a classification of voivodships was carried out using cluster analysis using Ward’s method, and a statistical evaluation of the relationship between the investment activity of farmers and the profitability of labour was performed. There has been a significant diversification of farmers’ investment activity and labour profitability in terms of regions. It was found that the level of investment outlays is a crucial factor in the process of improving the efficiency of the use of the labour factor. A level of investments that is loo low does not allow for favourable structural changes and for modernization and restructuring of agriculture to take place.

Intergroup Inequality in Wealth Ownership in Rural India: Caste, Tribe and Religion

In India, the rural economy still remains crucially important in the economic wellbeing of the majority population. The low income and high poverty in rural areas are closely associated with unequal distribution of income-earning assets, particularly agricultural land and non-land capital assets. In this article, therefore, we try to understand the intergroup inequality in wealth ownership across caste, ethnic and religious groups in rural India based on the 2013 data from the All India Debt and Investment survey carried out by National Sample Survey Office. The results indicate high interpersonal wealth inequality so also the intergroup wealth inequality at the aggregate level and by type of assets in rural India. The impact of caste on the ownership of wealth clearly indicates high ownership among Hindu high caste and Hindu other backward caste at the cost of low wealth share or ownership of the SC/ST indicating the existence of graded inequality.

Critical Wind Turbine Components Prognostics: A Comprehensive Review

As wind energy is becoming a significant utility source, minimizing the operation and maintenance (O&M) expenses has raised a crucial issue to make wind energy competitive to fossil fuels. Wind turbines (WTs) are subject to unexpected failures due to operational and environmental conditions, aging, and so on. An accurate estimation of time to failures assures reliable power production and lower maintenance costs. In recent years, a notable amount of research has been undertaken to propose prognosis techniques that can be employed to forecast the remaining useful life (RUL) of wind farm assets. This article provides a recent literature review on modeling developments for the RUL prediction of critical WT components, including physics-based, artificial intelligence (AI)-based, stochastic-based, and hybrid prognostics. In particular, the pros and cons of the prognosis models are investigated to assist researchers in selecting proper models for certain applications of WT RUL forecast. Our comprehensive review has revealed that hybrid methods are now the leading and most accurate tools for WT failure predictions over individual hybrid components. Strong candidates for future research include the consideration of variable operating environments, component interaction, physics-based prognostics, and the Bayesian application in the development of WT prognosis methods.

The value added chain in the mechanism of public-private partnership for the development of the land use economy of rural territories

Purpose. The aims of this paper are (i) to explore public-private partnerships as a tool for economic development of rural economies in developing countries and countries with economies in transition in order to ensure sustainable use of nature and increase public welfare of rural communities through the added value chain; (ii) to develop proposals for the implementation of public-private partnerships on land management and land use in Ukraine. Methodology / approach. The methodological approach involves study of the world’s PPP practice in land management and land use (including the use of land in forestry), study of the connections between PPP projects and scientific approaches to the concept of sustainable development and the added value chain, as well as analysis of domestic scientific bibliography, which relate to the subject of this study. Results. The authors found that the declared priorities of the Agenda for Sustainable Development until 2030 require the application of integrated approaches. In particular, the programme in the mechanism of sustainable development management in the form of PPP to ensure sustainable use of nature and increase the social welfare of rural communities. Because the programme approach here involves investing in natural resources and environmental protection and should cover the entire value chain, which directly or indirectly affects the efficiency of natural rural assets, as well as the use and application of innovative technologies. Originality / scientific novelty. It is substantiated that progress in achieving the declared priorities, in particular in the field of environmental protection, growth of public rural welfare, etc. is possible only in a combination of strengths of all PPP partners, which will eliminate the shortcomings and weaknesses of rural communities. In contrast to existing approaches to the development of the land use economy of rural territories, the basis of the synergy of the parties to PPP is a special natural resource – land, which performs environmental, economic, legal and socio-cultural functions, and determines the form and content, which actually builds sustainable development, including rural. A wide range of PPP forms has been further developed, varying in the degree of involvement and risk taken by the private party in relation to the development of the land use economy of rural territories. The approach to the value chains organization in the development of PPP projects on land management and land use and providing security of land use in terms of taking into account the land use of farmers, formed on different rights, has been improved. The author’s project PPP in the production of pellets a private investor in lumber logging waste provided by some state-owned enterprise both subject to the extension of the moratorium and without its effect is developed. Practical value / implications. The authors’ research shows that the introduction of the value chain in the mechanism of public-private partnership will lead to significant effective changes in the development of the land use economy, in particular of rural territories. Namely, with the use of appropriate policies it will ensure the provision of sustainable use of natural resources and growth of public welfare, in particular rural communities. This approach allows to involve all stakeholders (government, community, business) for effective management of natural assets in general and agriculture in particular and will increase their level of capitalization and investment attractiveness.

Characterization of Bank Lending Requirements for Farmers in Zimbabwe

Bank credit availability is vital for enhancing farm productivity, income, and farmer livelihoods. This study sought to characterize the lending requirements considered by commercial banks when lending to farmers in Zimbabwe. Primary data were collected from a cross-section of 12 registered commercial banks. Relative Importance Index (RII) and Thematic analysis analysed data. High importance lending requirements that were always considered by all commercial banks when lending to farmers included credit history, productive farm assets, business registration, loan purpose, amount, and repayment source. Agricultural production skills, age, business plans, financial statements, social reputation, and project insurance were also mandatory in the majority of the commercial banks. High to medium importance lending requirements included extension support, business management skills, bank account ownership, own contribution, and personal savings. Medium importance requirements included formal basic education, alternative income, and freehold land ownership. Therefore, besides the widely documented collateral, local commercial banks also considered several other requirements when lending to farmers. Government policy should go beyond solving the collateral issue but benchmark its policies to other bank lending requirements. Farmers should also pursue personal development programs in agricultural production, business, and financial management. They should also invest in off-farm assets to ensure collateral availability.

Роль инвестиций в повышении экономической эффективности в аграрной инфраструктуре

Abstract. The purpose of this study is to determine the role of investments in the development of agricultural infrastructure, including in the development of new approaches to the formation and use of investments as a factor in increasing the economic efficiency of the agricultural economy. The research method is comparative and analytical analysis, calculations using the “eviews” software package and a systematic approach. To determine the possibilities of creating the volume of investment products directed to fixed capital in agriculture, it is possible to construct a mathematical function of investment in agriculture, both in theoretical and practical terms. For example, in the form of the dependence of investments in fixed assets in agriculture on the volume of products produced, depending on the rate of return in agriculture, interest rates, etc. As a result of the study, the main directions of investment attempts to increase economic efficiency in agricultural industry. It was concluded that investments in agriculture in the Republic of Azerbaijan increased by 393.9 million manats in 2010 compared to 2003, and by 727 million manats in 2018. However, this growth is not at the desired level. In short-term and closed economic conditions, the multiplicative efficiency can be higher. The scientific novelty of the study consists in clarifying the essence and role of investment as an economic category based on its definition in both a narrow and a broad sense, as well as in identifying trends and patterns in the formation and use of investments in the agricultural economy.

Adoption intensity and efficiency of improved technologies in Lower Shivalik Hills

Agricultural technologies are seen as an important means for alleviating poverty in most of the developing countries. However, the rate of adoption of farm technologies has remained at low level. Present study conducted during 2016-19 in lower Shivalik hills of Uttarakhand which aims at shedding some light on the driving forces that influence the intensity of technology adoption using econometric models like quantile regression (QR) model since it produces different effects along the distribution (quantile) of the dependent variable. Improved varieties of two major crops (Rice and Wheat) of lower Shivalik hills of Uttarakhand have been enlisted. Kendall Tau estimation has been used to measure the extent of association of explanatory variables with the adoption level. To estimate sustaining productivity (economic efficiency) of selected technologies (varieties) and to identify best suited available technology, Seeming Unrelated Regression (SUR) model was used as it estimates the parameters of all equations simultaneously. The estimates of quantile model show that operational land holding, extension contact, family type, house type and farm assets had significant influence on intensity of adoption. Besides, findings of SUR model identified PB-1121 of rice and HD-2967 of wheat the best suitable varieties. The paper also suggested some farm policy-related issues for the welfare of the farmers under study.

Adaptation strategies of cattle farmers in the dry and sub-humid tropical zones of Benin in the context of climate change

Cattle farming is directly impacted by climate change (CC), as it utilizes resources whose seasonality and productivity are strongly climate-dependent. Farmers respond to the negative influence of CC by implementing different adaptation strategies, where choices are informed by many factors. This study aims at analyzing the adaptation strategies of cattle farmers in the dry tropical zone (DTZ) and sub-humid tropical zone (STZ) of Benin with regard to climate change, as well as the determinants for the choice of these strategies. For that matter, 360 cattle farmers were surveyed. Data collected were related to the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the cattle farmers, their perception and adaptation to CC. The data collected were subjected to frequency analysis and binary logistic regression. The results showed that livestock farmers were partly aware of climate related with CC, especially the increase of temperature. The most important adaptation strategies mentioned by cattle farmers were mobility, integration of livestock and crop husbandry, provision of concentrate feed, reduction of herd size, diversification of livestock, and forage cropping. Farming experience, cattle herd size, membership in an organization, number of farm assets, level of education, and climate zone were the major variables affecting farmers' adaptation strategies. From this study, we recommend that any program promoting adaption of climate change resilience among farmers, especially cattle farmers, should take the identified factors into account.

Agriculture Accounting In India

India is an Agriculture based country where 50% of the population is based on agriculture. Agriculture is a main source of income to the Government. Agriculture accounting is very useful for agriculturist which helps them to know the income and expenses by agriculture activity. Therefore, a standard is introduced to provide a guidelines for agriculture Accounting called Ind AS41.Standaerd specifies the reorganization and measurement of Agriculture Assets, Gains and losses, Government subsides. It helps the agriculturist to avoid the unnecessary expenses and better utilization of available recourses.

СУЧАСНІ УМОВИ РОЗВИТОКУ ЗЕМЕЛЬНИХ ВІДНОСИН ТА ІПОТЕЧНОГО КРЕДИТУВАННЯ АГРАРНИХ ПІДПРИЄМСТВ

У статті досліджено розвиток земельних відносин, запровадження ринку землі сільськогосподарського призначення та іпотечного кредитування сільськогосподарських підприємств у контексті сучасних умов. В Україні обґрунтовано побудову систему іпотечного кредитування, що поєднує елементи однорівневої та дворівневої моделей. Доведено, що невід’ємною складовою частиною фінансового обслуговування суб’єктів господарювання в Україні повинна стати розгалужена мережа спеціалізованих державних і недержавних іпотечних структур. Центральною ланкою системи земельно-іпотечного кредитування повинен стати Державний акціонерний земельний (іпотечний) банк. Таким чином, заходи щодо підвищення ефективності використання земель сільськогосподарського призначення повинні проводитися в комплексі з удосконаленням фінансово-кредитного механізму.

PRIVATE CAPITAL FORMATION ACTIVITIES AND BANK CREDIT ACCESS AMONG FARMERS IN ZIMBABWE

Bank credit is indispensable for commercializing and modernizing the agricultural sector in developing economies like Zimbabwe, where agriculture is the key pillar of livelihoods. This study sought to establish the relative importance of private capital formation activities as drivers of bank credit access among farmers in Zimbabwe. A structured questionnaire collected data from a sample of 372 respondents. Garrett's Ranking Technique and SPSS were used to rank the capital formation activities, whilst Friedman Tests (with Wilcoxon's Signed Rank Post-hoc tests) were used to determine the statistical significance of the rankings. Credit history, which falls under social capital was the most important driver of bank credit access among the farmers, followed by agricultural production qualifications and skills. Farm assets and business management skills were the third and fourth most important catalysts of bank credit access, whilst social networks were the least important. Hence, farmers are implored to uphold integrity in honouring their loan obligations consistently, pursue agricultural production and business management skills, and invest in productive physical assets on and off the farm. Policy should also address the land tenure issue to stimulate on-farm capital investments, and intensify knowledge enhancing agricultural extension services to improve agricultural production knowledge among farmers.

Analysis of rural households’ resilience to food insecurity: Does livelihood systems/choice/ matter? The case of Boricha woreda of sidama zone in southern Ethiopia

Working for enhancing capacities of people who repeatedly face food insecurity shock requires basic understandings about where their resilience lies. The current study is an endeavor made to understand the sources of rural households' resilience to food insecurity taking the case of Boricha woreda (district) of Sidama Zone in Southern Ethiopia. Boricha woreda is one of the few areas in southern Ethiopia with recurring food insecurity problem. In addition to understanding sources of resilience, the study analyzed the effect of differences in livelihood systems (livelihood zones to which a household belongs) on the households' resilience level. The study is based on cross-sectional field survey conducted by involving 420 households from three livelihood zones: Sidama Coffee, Sidama Maize Belt, and Agro-pastoralist livelihood zones. It was dominantly quantitative study supplemented by key informants' interview. Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and descriptive statistics (percentage) were employed to analyze the data. Findings revealed that while differences in livelihood systems significantly explained variations in the level of households' resilience to food insecurity, Agro-pastoralist livelihood group is found to be a group with better resilience score on average terms. However, no significant difference is observed between coffee and maize livelihood systems. The PCA analysis revealed that while all turned to be significant, income and food access, agricultural assets, and agricultural technology adoption are the three resilience dimensions toping in terms of contribution to households' resilience to food insecurity. In terms of resilience status, very large proportion of the households (61%) is found to be less resilient and hence may not be able to withstand shocks. Providing context based evidence on the sources of resilience with special focus on rural households and examining the effect of livelihood systems/choices/on households’ resilience to food insecurity with application of ANOVA constitutes the novelty of the study.