Agricultural Competitiveness Research Articles

Competitiveness of Ukrainian agriculture on foreign markets and ways to increase it

Studying the problems of increasing the competitiveness of domestic agricultural enterprises remains relevant. Ensuring the functioning of the domestic agricultural sector against the background of globalization processes in the food market is possible under constant improvement of the organizational and economic conditions of the functioning of farming enterprises. The article presents the results of the study of selected indicators that characterize the efficiency of the use of natural resources by agricultural producers, and the grouping of enterprises according to the size of the harvested area of the main crops is carried out. During the research, it was established that the most efficient use of the land resource was by enterprises with an area of 500 to 3,000 or more thousand hectares. These farms have a high yield, which exceeds the statistical average by 15 %. Large farms have more investment resources and the ability to improve administration processes, use technical support, apply advanced technologies, and, as a result, gain competitive advantages in domestic and foreign markets. The factors that shape the competitiveness of agricultural enterprises have been determined, and a comparison of the management level of domestic agrarian enterprises with foreign competitors has been made. The factors that need to be considered to achieve the most significant economic indicators from the agricultural activity are given. Since the primary determinant of the economic efficiency of the state is its competitiveness in foreign markets, the results of the conducted research are aimed at improving and increasing the level of use of the existing natural resource potential, which is at the disposal of domestic agricultural producers.

Economic analysis of specialized dairy farms in Croatia according to FADN

The Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) enables analysis and comparison of farms business data, and the dairy sector has been selected because of its great importance in the European Union (EU). This paper analyses the economic characteristics of Croatian dairy farms divided into three types (based on herd size), in the period from the year 2014 to 2018. While the number of smaller farms is declining, there is a slight increase in the largest farm type. The amount of milk produced per farm is also growing, but it is still significantly lower than the European average. According to the realized net value added per unit of labour, small and medium-sized dairy farms are below, while large ones are above the European average. The share of direct payments in net value added is higher for all farm types compared to the European average. Relatively low milk yield and selling price, with high operating costs results in lower net production margins and affects the lower competitiveness of smaller farms with lower yields. According to the results of the FADN analysis, the largest Croatian dairy farms Type 3 (with 50 or more cows in the herd) are fully competitive to European farms in terms of economic results. The problem of Croatian dairy farming is that there are only few competitive farms, so different agricultural and rural development measures should support the empowerment of smaller farms, as well as strengthen the competitiveness of the whole dairy sector.

A temperature and vent opening couple model in solar greenhouses for vegetable cultivation based on dynamic solar heat load using computational fluid dynamics simulations

AbstractThe application of microclimate control technology in solar greenhouses under a dynamic solar heat load is of great significance for current research on energy consumption and clean efficiency in greenhouses. In particular, solar greenhouses use natural ventilation for the rapid exchange of energy and heat inside and outside the greenhouse. In this study, we proposed a coupling between the natural ventilation model and the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model to investigate the relationship between ventilation and temperature in solar greenhouses, thus providing a more in‐depth understanding of greenhouse ventilation demands. The influence of vents on the greenhouse microclimate was simulated under dynamic solar thermal loads using CFD to propose a coupling between the natural ventilation model and the CFD model to investigate the relationship between ventilation and temperature in solar greenhouses. Furthermore, we analyzed the daily and annual greenhouse micro‐climates to provide a more in‐depth understanding of greenhouse ventilation demands. Results highlighted the impact of the outdoor wind speed and vent opening on greenhouse ventilation rates and temperatures, with a linear relationship between greenhouse ventilation rates and outdoor wind speed. The outdoor wind speed had little effect on the ventilation rate for reduced vent openings, while the indoor temperature decreased as outdoor wind speed increased. The average temperature in the greenhouse was observed to be greatly affected by wind speeds less than 3 m/s. Simultaneously, opening the greenhouse vent resulted in a fall in indoor temperatures, with openings less than 60% causing the greatest reduction, (the maximum temperature drift was determined as 9.33%).Practical ApplicationsWith the ability to conserve energy and reduce pollution, solar greenhouses are crucial to China's contribution and the global agricultural industry. Moreover, they are associated with improvements in the competitiveness of modern agriculture, particularly in the current era of rapidly increasing costs and pollution from fossil fuels and traditional energy. This study provides a basic reference for the natural ventilation of vents in the control of indoor air temperatures under dynamic solar thermal loads. The results can be used as a theoretical basis for the production management of solar greenhouses, and have an important practical significance for the subsequent automation and intelligent control of greenhouse environments.

Analysis of the competitiveness of soybean production in Benin

With the increase in its production and its prized label, Beninese soybeans are increasingly targeting the Chinese and European markets. It is then essential, to be able to take advantage of the market and to produce better by being competitive. This study goes beyond a simple profitability analysis to analyse the competitiveness of soybean production in Benin (based on the domestic resource cost ratio) and the factors on which it depends. Data used concern 967 soybean-producing farms from two agricultural development regions. Producing nearly 89% of the national soybean production, these regions have been identified for the promotion of soybean cultivation by the Beninese government. Policy Analysis Matrix and binomial logistic regression were used to analyse these data. The results showed that soybean production is profitable from both a financial and economic perspective. The Domestic Resource Cost Ratio was estimated at 0.55, indicating that the farms studied are globally competitive. The microeconomic analysis reveals that more than two-thirds of the farms in the study area are competitive. Investment in formal education for farm managers; public and private investment in infrastructure, particularly market infrastructure, technical innovations, and information transfer; and facilitating access to agricultural advice are factors on which the various stakeholders can act to improve farm competitiveness.

Horizontal collaborations and the competitiveness of dairy farmers in Brazil

The efficiency of an agricultural system depends not only on how its agents work and solve problems individually but also on how they interact with each other and with their environment. In Brazil, dairy farmers have found it difficult to remain and grow in business. To overcome market and institutional challenges, agents of the dairy production chain have developed different forms of organization and coordination. This study aimed to determine whether dairy farmers who participate in horizontal organizations have greater competitiveness than those who do not. Primary data were collected from 347 dairy farms located in two important milk-producing states in Brazil, namely Paraná and São Paulo. Competitiveness indicators were developed using factor analysis. Fourteen variables were combined into four competitiveness indicators: productive capacity (PC), institutional knowledge (IK), perception of market transactions and incentives (PMTI), and quality of milk transportation. Dairy farmers who participated in horizontal organizations had higher PC, IK, and PMTI scores than non-participants. Efficient horizontal organizations can increase the competitiveness of dairy farms.

Dynamics of Competitiveness and Efficiency of Rice Farming in Java Island, Indonesia

Rice is the major crop in Indonesia and the staple food for more than 90% of Indonesians. Given the vital role of rice, efforts to develop rice production are a priority, especially in solving farming efficiency problems. However, inefficiency is one of the major causes of low performance in Indonesian rice production. If farming has high competitiveness and efficiency, Indonesia is encouraged to be able to become an exporter of rice. As a result, national rice farming must continue to improve its competitiveness and efficiency. This study aims to determine the economic efficiency and competitiveness of rice farming in several provinces in Java, i.e., West Java, Central Java, and East Java. The data used in this study is PATANAS survey data obtained from the Center for Socio-Economic Studies and Agricultural Policy, Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture. This study used a quantitative analysis approach and analytical descriptive analysis. The level of competitiveness was analyzed using Policy Analysis Matrix (PAM), while the efficiency level was analyzed using the Stochastic Frontier Method (SFM). The results showed that rice farming in Java Island has a positive profit value on private and social prices. In addition, rice farming in all research locations has competitiveness as measured by indicators of comparative and competitive advantage as characterized by the coefficient values ​​of DRC (Domestic Resource Cost Ratio) and PCR (Private Cost Ratio), which are less than one in the study period 2007-2020. The result of a technical efficiency study shows the average technical efficiency of three provinces in Java is around 0.82, and the factor input that significantly increased the technical efficiency was land and intermediate input.

Application of Predictive Analytics in Agriculture

Predictive analytics is one the most helpful techniques in business which provides the opportunity to forecast the upcoming risks and challenges in business. The assistance of predictive analytics provides the scope towards an enterprise to perform business with more effective strategies and decisions to avail higher success rate in business surroundings. As the competition in agriculture has been increasing day by day, business companies in the agricultural sector have started to implement predictive analytics in their operational area. It helps to identify upcoming issues and take steps to mitigate those risk factors in business. The study has been focused on analyzing the impact of predictive analytics in agriculture. Thus, various concepts and theories related with predictive analytics have been discussed in detailed manner within the entire study. An inductive approach has been taken while performing the entire task, cross sectional design has been used to perform the study effectively. On the other hand, qualitative data has been collected using secondary data collection methods within this particular study. The entire study has found that the application of predictive analytics mostly helps to prepare to face upcoming challenges and gain higher consumer satisfaction, competitive advantage and superior business growth in the agricultural industry throughout the global periphery.

KRAJOWY PLAN STRATEGICZNY JAKO INSTRUMENT PRAWNY ROZWOJU ROLNICTWA

The Common Agricultural Policy after 2022 is shaped on two levels. European, which sets the framework for maintaining the EU’s internal market, and the domestic one, which flexibly implements the shaping of rural development. Strategic plans will be one of the key documents enabling the financing of agriculture after 2022 in the EU. In the case of Poland, it will be the National Strategic Plan. The article presents the main assumptions of the plan and the procedural issues related to the issuance of the plan. An assessment of the implementation of the postulates to simplify the Common Agricultural Policy on the example of new regulations was also presented. Attempts were made to find an answer to the question of how the new regulations will affect the competitiveness of Polish agriculture. The National Strategic Plan, by selecting only some aid instruments, has a significant impact on the shape and development of Polish agriculture.

Economic Analysis and Competitiveness of Cotton Farms in Mali, the Case of Founia District of Kita Province

In this research, it is aimed to investigate the economic performance of cotton farms and to reveal the profitability and competitiveness of cotton production in Founia district of Kita province. The research data were obtained from the questionnaires conducted with 55 farms determined according to the stratified random sampling method. Policy Analysis Matrix was used to determine profitability and competitiveness in cotton production. The results of the research showed that the farms in Founia county have an average of 10.44 da farm land. Gross production value per farm is $3519.89, agricultural income is $2197.42. According to the result obtained from PAM, private profit of cotton production in Founia district was 58.97 $/ton social profit was 1017.38 $/ton. Within the scope of the research, Specific Cost Ratio (PCR) coefficients of 0.77 and Cost Ratio of Domestic Resources (DRC) of 0.19 obtained from PAM were found. However, according to the Nominal Protection Coefficient on Output (NPCO) (0.30), Nominal Protection Coefficient on Tradable Inputs (NPCI) (0.87) and Effective Protection Coefficient (EPC) (0.20) coefficients, it is seen that the cotton price is lower than the comparable world prices and the producer earns less profit from free trade. Therefore, in the short term, incentive premiums, direct financial support, protection of cotton prices, good communication with farms and extension policies should be implemented. The increase in yield with the introduction of irrigation systems will increase competitiveness.The government and the Compagnie Malienne pour le Développement des Textiles (CMDT) should assist in the leasing and long-term purchase of modern farm machinery, which is one of the fixed capitals, in order to increase productivity.

Research on the Path of Promoting Mechanism of Agricultural Brand Strategy in Hubei Province

Brand is a significant symbol of the comprehensive competitiveness of agriculture, and the development of the whole agricultural industry chain driven by brand is the only way to improve the quality of agricultural development and strengthen the advantages of agricultural market. Agricultural brand building is an important step to accelerate the development of agriculture and an important choice to enhance the competitiveness of Hubei agriculture. As a large agricultural province in Hubei, how to strengthen agriculture and promote the construction of agricultural brand strategy in Hubei is an urgent problem to be solved. The article analyzes the problems and constraints of agricultural brand construction in Hubei and the mechanism of promoting agricultural brand strategy, and systematically proposes the implementation path of agricultural brand strategy in Hubei.

Towards a Better Use of Antimicrobials on Farms: Insights from a Participatory Approach in the French Pig and Poultry Sectors.

Despite the strong decrease in antimicrobial use in the French poultry and pig sectors over the last decade, room for improvement remains. A participatory approach was set up in France, involving representatives of veterinarians, the pig and poultry industries, technical institutes, the French Ministry of Agriculture, and researchers, to further improve how antimicrobials are used on farms. By successively defining a shared, long-term vision of future antimicrobial use on farms, identifying lock-in mechanisms impeding this future vision from being realized, and articulating practical questions on how to move in the desired direction, the group rapidly reached a consensus. The results highlight the need for consensual standardized monitoring tools that would allow farmers and veterinarians to jointly monitor the health, welfare, antimicrobial resistance, and antimicrobial use on farms. Other results relate to better communication and training for citizens regarding animal health, animal welfare, and proper antimicrobial use; some benefits but also counterproductive effects of antibiotic-free labels that imperil animal health and welfare; the economic competitiveness of farms on international markets; and the economic sustainability of farm animal veterinary practices. These results call for a concerted way to produce tools for farmers and veterinarians and the broader involvement of other food sector actors.

The lack of dynamic competition and the market insufficiency for agricultural productivity growth: Implications for the role of the state

AbstractThis paper shows that there is lack of dynamic competition in agriculture, making the market mechanism of agriculture insufficient for bringing about technological innovations. The market insufficiency differs from market failures in that the former causes dynamic inefficiency and lack of growth while the latter causing static inefficiency in resource allocation at a point in time. As a result, farm firms represent a special type of business organizations lacking dynamic competition. This paper proposes and evaluates hypotheses about the shifting roles of the state and agro‐input supply sector in bringing about agricultural productivity growth across countries at different development stages.

A water-energy-food-carbon nexus optimization model for sustainable agricultural development in the Yellow River Basin under uncertainty

Water scarcity, limited land resources and global warming are the most challenging issues facing sustainable agricultural development, and modern agriculture requires efficient and environmentally friendly agricultural water and land management practices. This paper proposes a water-energy-food-carbon nexus system optimization model, which aims to formulate a scientific and rational water and land resource allocation strategy for sustainable agricultural development to increase irrigation water productivity, reduce carbon emissions and enhance regional agriculture competitiveness. First, the carbon footprint life cycle assessment method was used to measure carbon sinks and carbon emissions across the ecosystem. Second, a multiobjective nonlinear programming model with the goal of maximizing irrigation water productivity, minimizing carbon emissions, and maximizing the competitiveness of low-carbon agriculture is established. Finally, an empirical study is performed in the Yellow River Basin, and an elitist nondominated sorting genetic algorithm is used to solve the model. The research results show that the water-energy-food-carbon nexus system optimization model based on uncertain conditions established in this paper, can maximize resource utilization efficiency and effectively measure the impact of regional agricultural production on the environment. It has reference significance for the realization of carbon neutrality in the region.

Agritourism and Farms Diversification in Italy: What Have We Learnt from COVID-19?

The COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly disrupted the household behavior in all areas and also those related to eating and daily food. Research carried out shows there have been significant changes compared to pre-COVID levels in the way consumers plan their food purchases. Based on the results of empirical data and emerging information such as ad hoc reports and analysis of academic literature, the authors aim to understand the effect of COVID-19 on agricultural and extra-agricultural activities in diversified Italian farms. More specifically, due to their importance at a national level, the focus of the analysis is represented by the agritourism, how they have reacted to the challenges posed by the pandemic, and towards which evolutionary lines they are orienting themselves to face the next future challenges. Empirical data for this study were collected through the use of a questionnaire survey, managed by the research team. The survey, conducted online during summer 2021, was designed by using a random stratified sampling for which the farms are characterized by a certain heterogeneity of the activities carried out (i.e., hospitality, processing of products, renewable energy production, etc.). The research activity covered the entire Italian territory and the number of responding farms with agritourism activities is equal to 77 (a 17.5% response rate). The results highlight the importance of farm with agritourism activities in dealing with COVID-19 crisis and policy implications in terms of support for the competitiveness of farms, exchange of knowledge, and innovations among farmers that should be taken into consideration to target the next rural development policy at the EU, the national and regional level. At the same time, the sample reaction methods to the pandemic and the changing business strategies highlight a certain resilience of Italian farms with agritourism activities, thus showing their ability to adapt.

Logistics of potato cultivation in terms of reverse logistics

In the era of growing competition against Poland’s agriculture from other farms in the European Union, looking for competitive advantages and optimal use of available resources is necessary. The changing market and legal environment force Polish farmers to look for new solutions that will increase production efficiency and the competitiveness of farms. The law imposes methods of achieving the development of agricultural entities, but also carries numerous limitations and restrictions in their operation. One of the basic trends observed in international and domestic law is the development of all entities in Poland based on the assumptions contained in the concept of sustainable development. Therefore, it seems reasonable to implement logistic and ecological strategies on farms in Poland growing potatoes. The article presents the basic issues related to implementing ecological concepts for Polish farms engaged in potato production and the factors determining their development.

Determinants of agricultural competitiveness: the case of pineapple production among smallholders in Johor, Malaysia

Pineapple is a tropical fruit that contains great nutritional values and fine flavour with high export potential and provides income generation for many smallholders in Malaysia. In 2019, Malaysia exported pineapple-based products worth RM419 million. Therefore, this paper aimed to analyse the competitiveness of pineapple in Malaysia, which was relatively understudied in the literature, especially in Asia. In this study, the level of competitiveness of fresh pineapple production among smallholders at the farm level was evaluated using an extension to the Policy Analysis Matrix (PAM). The extension provides a disaggregate analysis that has allowed the development of the distribution of competitiveness scores for each pineapple production at individual farms, taking into consideration the drawbacks of the use of aggregated data. In the second stage of the analysis, the multiple regression method was used to examine the key determinants that affected the competitiveness of pineapple production. A sample of 191 smallholders was randomly selected in Johor. The results demonstrated that Malaysian smallholders particularly in Johor had strong comparative advantages in the production of pineapple. The findings showed the Social Cost Benefit (SCB) value was less than 1, which means at a social price, the average smallholders were socially profitable and internationally competitive. However, by using disaggregated data, the results proved that some smallholders were not producing social profits where 29% of them remained uncompetitive internationally. Apart from that, the results of regression analysis revealed that the competitiveness of pineapple production was significantly influenced by age, working experience, farm size and the variety of pineapple. To conclude, the study presented recommendations for the potential enhancement of viability and competitiveness of pineapple smallholders.

Economic competitiveness vs. green competitiveness of agriculture in the European Union countries

Research background: Many scientists have researched the economic competitiveness of agriculture. At the same time, considerably less attention is paid to the so-called green competitiveness. Considering a global trend searching for solutions to reduce the environmental impact of the agricultural sector, it seems reasonable to explore the overlap between economic competitiveness and green competitiveness. Purpose of the article: This study aims to answer the following questions: What is the level of economic and green competitiveness of agriculture in respective countries? What is the level of the comprehensive competitiveness of agriculture in EU member states? Do the economic competitiveness outcomes of respective countries coincide with their green competitiveness rankings? Methods: Taxonomic methods were applied to design synthetic indices of economic, green and comprehensive competitiveness of 27 member states of the European Union, based on multi-criteria sets of specific indicators from 2018. Findings & value added: The results of analyses imply that, in general, the level of green competitiveness of agriculture is higher than the level of its economic competitiveness in EU member states. Simultaneously, the developed rankings show that respective countries' economic and green competitiveness are not linked. In other words, economic competitiveness outcomes do not match green competitiveness outcomes for EU agriculture. This work is a genuine contribution to studies on the methods for measuring and evaluating the competitiveness of agriculture as it designs separate synthetic measures for economic and green competitiveness and confronts both types of competitiveness in EU member states. The research findings for the first time provide clear answers to questions about the mutual relationship between economic and green competitiveness in agriculture. Furthermore, an added value of this study is that it introduces and attempts to define the notion of green competitiveness.

Сompetitiveness management components in agrarian higher education institutions

The paper summarizes the results of domestic and foreign scientists’studies on the principles of competitiveness management and their possible application in the formation of an efcient competitiveness management system in agrarian higher education institutions. The study singles out factors of higher education institutions functioning and reveals their interrelations and interdependence expedient to be considered in determining the approach to competitiveness management of educational institutions. The study proves that taking into account changes in the external environment at strategic management level makes it possible to identify new opportunities and challenges, develop measures to overcome the crises, which will further contribute to achieving the strategic goal as well as main and secondary goals of educational organizations. It is substantiated that university competitiveness management system is to be established on the basis of a combination of strategic management system, value concept and risk management. The main factors influencing the organizational system of educational institutions management were identifed on the basis of systematization of theoretical principles of management, namely, management levels, principles and methods, systems analysis, scientifc approach, differentiation and complexity. The components of the system of ensuring the competitiveness of higher agricultural institutions and their interrelation are identifed and the need to take into account the factors and conditions of educational, research, innovation, advisory and other activities in choosing an organizational system of competitiveness management. Based on the corroborated concept of agricultural competitiveness management, a logical model was developed in the form of a set of principles, methods and tools combining the development strategy, tactical and operational management adapted to current trends, dynamic uncertainty of the market environment and a holistic concept of strengthening the existing competitive advantages and the formation of new ones in the form of values. The authors proposed the competitiveness management algorithm comprising a set of interrelated methodological provisions. The logic of the competitiveness management process makes the base for the provisions, reflects its situational nature and the system of orderly and agreed procedures. It also involves values that form competitive advantage and are focused on the implementation of the strategy adopted by the educational organization. The study substantiated that the proposed model of higher education institutions competitiveness management should take into account the priorities of national strategies for development of higher education, agricultural sector, rural areas, as well as sustainable development strategies and competitiveness strategies ensuring the balanced development of higher education. The study results proved that ensuring and increasing the competitiveness of higher educational institution is a long-term process, which should be taken into account in strategic and tactical management. Key words: higher education institution, agrarian higher education institution, competitiveness, competitiveness management, competitive advantages, competitive potential of the university, sustainable development.

An Assessment of Agricultural Export Competitiveness of Commercial Crops: Pathways to Augment Indian Agricultural Exports

Agricultural exports in developing countries significantly impact achieving sustainable development goals targeted at improving agricultural productivity, sustainability, poverty eradication, and employment creation. The pattern of agricultural export competitiveness of India vis-à-vis other Asian agricultural-based countries was assessed during the post-WTO period (2001 to 2019). The Revealed Symmetric Comparative Advantage (RSCA) technique was employed using time series data focusing on High-Value Commercial (HVC) crops. As is evident from the RSCA indices for India, a high degree of export competitiveness was witnessed in tobacco, cotton, and spices, whereas it declined in sugarcane, coffee, and tea over the years. The commodities that exhibited strong competitiveness reflected huge potential, whereas commodities such as sugarcane, coffee, and tea experienced erosion in their competitiveness. With the changing priorities of the nation, there is a need for India to redraw future agricultural export scenarios focusing on the production of HVC crops, processing and value chains, and diversification of export baskets while maintaining the sustainability of agro-ecological assets. Nevertheless, agricultural exports had vast potential to drive the economy in developing countries like India. The holistic conclusion advocates an important policy implication for the design of export strategy to augment the export competitiveness of HVC crops and enhance the share of agricultural exports in the context of emerging trends and change commercial facets of Indian agriculture.

Optimizing Leisure Agriculture by Analyzing Spatial Patterns and Tourists’ Perceptions: Evidence From Wuhan, China

Leisure agriculture can meet the leisure needs of residents and promote farmers’ income, which is an important way to achieve rural revitalization. However, the unreasonable spatial patterns and weak competitiveness of leisure agriculture seriously restrict its sustainable development. This paper proposes a framework for optimizing leisure agriculture development, including spatial patterns analysis of leisure agriculture based on big data, quality analysis of leisure agriculture based on tourists’ perceptions, and strategies for optimizing leisure agriculture based on spatial patterns and tourists’ perceptions. Taking Wuhan city as an example, the results show that: 1) the main types of leisure agriculture are leisure farms, fishing, and picking gardens, showing an agglomerative distribution pattern; 2) considering tourists’ emotional perceptions, most comments are positive, and leisure farms should enhance the tourist experience; 3) tourists’ dissatisfaction mainly involves the environment, price, and travel, while product and service factors are relatively satisfactory; and 4) moderate agglomeration is beneficial to the quality of leisure agriculture, while excessive agglomeration has adverse effects. This study explores the development law of regional leisure agriculture, improves the relevant theoretical research system and methods, and provides decision-making references for promoting the development of leisure agriculture.