Agricultural Production Conditions Research Articles

МАТЕРИАЛЬНО-ТЕХНИЧЕСКОЕ ОБЕСПЕЧЕНИЕ СЕЛЬСКОГО ХОЗЯЙСТВА: СОСТОЯНИЕ, ПРОБЛЕМЫ, НАПРАВЛЕНИЯ СОВЕРШЕНСТВОВАНИЯ

One of the determining conditions for competitive domestic agricultural production in foreign markets is the technical and technological modernization of the industry. However, despite the significance of the problem, over the past two decades, a stable trend of reduction in the number of employees in agricultural organizations in Russia has developed for all types of agricultural machinery. The highest rates of reduction in agricultural machinery were observed until 2010, and in subsequent periods the downward trend has significantly decreased. At the same time, it is not entirely correct to assess the current situation unambiguously, since the reduction in the fleet of machinery and equipment in agricultural organizations is due to certain objective circumstances and conditions: the area of cultivated land and cultivation of specific crops has decreased; the number of animals has decreased; the technical means used have become more energy-intensive and productive, which is especially important in the context of a shortage of personnel in rural areas. In 2018-2022 the production of domestic agricultural machinery in value terms increased by almost 2.5 times, while in physical terms the changes are insignificant. At the same time, domestic mechanical engineering practically does not produce machinery and equipment for pig farming, poultry farming, milk processing, potato harvesters, beet harvesting equipment, equipment for gardening, vegetable growing. As a result of the outstripping rate of disposal of agricultural machinery and equipment over the rate of their production and replenishment, the energy capacity of the industry is declining. The sanctions imposed on the Russian economy have led to increased risks of non-receipt of critical components and spare parts; disruption of stable logistics and distribution chains that have functioned for a long time, their rise in price; revision of contract terms, failure to meet delivery deadlines. Sanctions against the use of foreign high technologies used in precision farming, genetics, selection, enterprise management, etc. have a negative impact on the development of the agro-industrial complex.

The influence of the industrial organization on farmers' willingness to adopt water-saving irrigation technologies: a perspective of organizational support

ABSTRACT Water scarcity and inefficiency hinder China's sustainable agriculture. Water-saving irrigation (WSI) technology, as a crucial means to improve water efficiency, has relatively low adoption rates. In this context, this study utilizes survey data from 1,178 farmers in the Yellow River Basin in China, employing both the Binary Probit model and the Iv-Probit model to deeply explore the influence and mechanism of industrial organizations on farmers' willingness to adopt WSI technology. Our study shows that organizational participation behavior and degree of organizational support can effectively enhance farmers' willingness to adopt WSI technology. Organizational support indirectly enhances farmers' willingness to adopt WSI technology by standardizing production, providing agricultural training, and being proactive in learning agricultural techniques. Furthermore, organizational support has a significant impact on farmers with low education, young age, large land management areas, and poor agricultural production conditions. Our study also found that organizational support and government support can play a synergistic role in promoting farmers' willingness to adopt WSI technology. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the cultivation of industrial organizations, improve the governance structure of industrial organizations, strengthen the institutional guarantee of industrial organizations, and pay attention to the heterogeneity of farmer groups when leveraging the role of industrial organizations.

Are Water Use Efficiency and Effectiveness Relatively Lower in Arid Zones? Comparative Analyses of the Water Productivity of Typical Crops

Agriculture is the largest water user of all sectors. In arid regions in particular, achieving efficient water use in agriculture is an important way to solve water scarcity. However, the difference in water use efficiency between arid and humid regions has long been a focus of academic debate. Many studies consider water use efficiency to be higher in humid areas due to the abundance of water resources. This view is based on the fact that less irrigation in humid areas may lead to higher crop yields and better conditions for agricultural production; however, it ignores the efforts of researchers and agricultural workers in arid zones who have attempted to develop efficient water-saving technologies, as well as the effect of natural conditions on agricultural production. Correctly evaluating the efficiency of agricultural water use in arid zones is important for achieving efficient use of water resources, as well as for water management decisions. This study calculates the yield structure and water productivity of typical crops in both arid and humid regions in China based on the footprint theory and other methodologies. This approach allows for an accurate assessment of irrigation water benefits in various regions, providing a scientific basis for improving agricultural water use efficiency under different climatic conditions. The study results indicate that the average reliance on blue water for wheat and cotton gradually increases from 49.9% to 93.6% as regional aridity intensifies, ranging from the Central China Humid Region to the Northwest China Arid Region. Similarly, the average contribution of blue water to crop yield rises from 31.0% to 100%, while irrigation water productivity increases from 0.27 kg·m−3 to 0.53 kg·m−3. Finally, this study concludes that, in arid zones with lower precipitation and more hours of sunshine, a higher dependence on blue water for crop growth and development leads to a higher productivity of irrigation water. In addition, in arid zones, the focus should be on optimizing the use of irrigation water and improving irrigation technology and efficiency, while, in humid zones, there should be more use of natural precipitation to efficiently reduce dependence on irrigation water.

Spatial–Temporal Evolution Characteristics and Driving Mechanism Analysis of the “Three-Zone Space” in China’s Ili River Basin

The Ili River Basin (IRB) is located in the northwest of China. With its large-scale zone and abundant resources, it is believed to be a “wet island” and a biotic resource storehouse in the dry regions of Eurasia. The IRB has stable ecological conditions and abundant water resources, providing natural conditions for agricultural production and human settlements. With the population increasing and economic development advancing, the competition for land resources is becoming fierce, leading to some ecological problems in this region. Therefore, understanding the spatiotemporal changes and driving mechanisms of the “three-zone space” (TZS) in the IRB is of significant practical importance for promoting sustainable development and optimizing the territorial spatial pattern. This study first analyzes the characteristics and intensity of the TZS changes from 2000 to 2020. Then, it utilizes the optimized parameter Geodetector (OPGD) to analyze the driving mechanisms behind these changes. The results show the following. Firstly, the agricultural space (AS) increased by a total of 837.5 km2, the urban space (US) increased by 519.64 km2, and other ecological space (OES) increased by 1518.83 km2. Green ecological space (GES) decreased by 2875.97 km2. Secondly, intensity analysis indicated that the total TZS change in IRB was 11.07%. At the spatial-type level, the increased intensities of OES, US, and AS were active. In spatial transformation intensity, US and OES tended to transform into AS; AS tended to transform into US; and OES and GES had a mutual transformation tendency. Thirdly, AS converted into US around emerging cities like Khorgas and Cocodala. The conversion towards GES was scattered. The mutual conversion between OES and GES showed spatial distribution consistency, mainly occurring in the Borohoro ranges and the Halik ranges. Lastly, regarding the driving mechanisms, the evolution of US in the IRB was driven by social and economic factors. Location and climate factors accelerated agricultural development, facilitating the transformation of GES and OES into AS. Climate and economic factors played a crucial role in the scale of conversions between OES and GES. The findings can provide a basis for the governance and protection of the IRB, help to form a rational territorial spatial pattern, and offer scientific guidance for sustainable land management.

Adoption of Appropriate Agricultural Model for Food Security in Guiping Town, Renshou County, China

Agriculture is an important foundation for a country's economic and social development and stability, and we must firmly give agricultural development a prominent position of priority. Guiping Town is a typical agricultural town in hilly area. The roads, water conservancy facilities and other agricultural production conditions are relatively insufficient, which restricts the development of characteristic and large-scale agriculture. In recent years, the national policy requires all localities to focus on the overall requirements of achieving self-sufficiency in domestic resources and ensuring food security, and must work hard in promoting farmland protection and control, sustainable agricultural development, and strengthening agricultural production support, so as to continuously consolidate and improve the level of agricultural scientific development. Based on the actual situation of Guiping, this paper, through a large number of interviews and surveys, literature review and scientific analysis methods, deeply explores the economic and environmental sustainability, adequate farmer income, future-oriented production capacity, improved food security and social sustainability, and finds a way out in agricultural innovation and development. Gradually explored a good agricultural development situation that basically realized the use of good land and grain and should be planted.

Evaluating the Impact of Mini Dams on Agricultural Production and Socio-economic Conditions: A Case Study of Latamber’s Dam District Karak (Pakistan)

Water scarcity is an escalating global concern, and Pakistan is no exception, facing increasing water crises and growing demand. Effective water supply is crucial for the development of any area. Mini dams not only provide water for irrigation but also support domestic uses. This study evaluates the impact of mini dams on agricultural productivity in Latamber village, focusing on crop yield, land use and land cover (LULC) changes, and socio-economic conditions. A multifaceted methodology, including field surveys, departmental data collection, questionnaires, and remote sensing, was employed. Data collected through questionnaires and farmer interviews highlighted the economic and environmental benefits of mini dams. Statistical analysis and image processing revealed significant expansions in cultivation areas for crops like maize and rice, alongside increases in wheat yield and the adoption of new vegetable crops during the Rabi season. Additionally, socioeconomic benefits, such as enhanced agricultural incomes and employment opportunities, were observed due to improved water availability and irrigation technologies. The study emphasizes the importance of evaluating the impact of mini dams on agricultural production and socio-economic conditions to inform sustainable water resource management strategies, which are vital for the long-term development of similar regions.

Spatial development of agricultural production in Russia: The comparative advantages approach

The territorial planning approach to allocating productive forces is based on the fact that territories have competitive advantages in producing specific products. However, in agriculture, the advantages principle cannot be used to shape the allocation patterns, due to a variety of intervening factors, such as the climatic and environmental conditions for agricultural production and the quality of land and availability of water. In the case of Russia, one of the most diverse countries in terms of the territorial disparities in agricultural production, this study examines the location and development patterns of the agricultural sector. The study identifies the competitive advantages of territories by comparing localization of agricultural production, production costs, performance, and profitability of agricultural producers, as well as prices of agricultural products in 78 different administrative regions in Russia. The study reveals which regions have more advantageous conditions for over-concentrating energy capacities, labor resources, fixed capital, and investments. However, at a certain point, over-concentrated production forces can lead to a deterioration in the performance of farmers due to an increase in capital intensity. Therefore, countries with significant regional differences in agricultural production should adjust their spatial development patterns according to the parameters of territories’ comparative advantages.

Agrivoltaic systems for sustainable energy and agriculture integration in Turkey

In recent years, the use of solar photovoltaic (PV) energy, which is one of the leading renewable energy sources, has become increasingly widespread around the world due to its numerous advantages. However, PV-based electricity generation necessitates a large amount of land. Agrivoltaic (AV) systems, an innovative approach to combining agricultural and electricity production in the same area through solar modules positioned several meters above the surface of the ground, are growing rapidly in renewable energy and farming communities. This study explores Turkey's solar power generation and agricultural activities, combining crop cultivation and electricity generation for sustainable development on the same land. Furthermore, the AV potential for the most agriculture ten cities in different climate zones in Turkey is investigated using the PVsyst program. A list of the most commonly grown crops in the ten selected cities and the types of AV systems that can be employed with these crops is provided. The results show that AV systems present a great opportunity for the optimal integration of solar power generation with food production, especially for the cities of Konya, Kayseri, and Manisa, with the most ideal conditions for agricultural and solar power production. By combining the solar power potential of the country with the production capacity of arable lands, the increasing energy needs can be met and more efficient agricultural production can be provided. This study is expected to demonstrate that in specific regions of Turkey, AV farming will be suitable for certain crops.

ASSESSMENT OF THE QUALITY OF LAND IN THE SARATOV TRANS-VOLGA REGION WHEN INVOLVING UNUSED ARABLE LAND IN PRODUCTION

ASSESSMENT OF THE QUALITY OF LAND IN THE SARATOV TRANS-VOLGA REGION WHEN INVOLVING UNUSED ARABLE LAND IN PRODUCTION

Rainfall Patterns, Cropping Systems, and Groundwater Dynamics in Maharashtra: A Comprehensive Analysis

Maharashtra is one of the largest agricultural states in India, with agriculture being the primary source of livelihood for a majority of the rural population. However, the state has been facing several challenges, such as water scarcity, depletion of groundwater resources, and climate change, which have a significant effect on the agricultural production and socio-economic conditions of farmers. The present study collected secondary data from various sources, which was analyzed using statistical tools and techniques to determine the correlation between rainfall and cropping patterns, the impact of cropping patterns on groundwater resources, and the socio-economic conditions of farmers in the selected districts. The findings of the study suggest that there is a direct correlation between rainfall and cropping patterns, and the impact of cropping patterns on groundwater resources and socio-economic conditions of farmers varies in the selected districts. The result highlights the need for sustainable agricultural practices that are suitable for the local agro-climatic conditions and can help improve the socio-economic conditions of the farmers.

Employee remuneration: features of organization in agricultural production conditions

Employee remuneration: features of organization in agricultural production conditions

How does natural disasters affect China agricultural economic growth？

Climate change leads to the frequent occurrence of natural disasters. It has had a severe impact on agricultural economic growth in China. Based on data in China from 2004 to 2020, this paper uses a fixed-effect model to discuss the effects of natural disasters on agricultural economic growth. The empirical results are as follows. (1) Natural disasters negatively affect agricultural economic growth. The regression coefficient of natural disasters on agricultural economic growth is −0.1183. (2) The inhibition of agricultural economic growth by natural disasters is more prominent in areas with low government attention and average agricultural production conditions. (3) The mechanism analysis shows that natural disasters inhibit agricultural economic growth through channels that cause the spread of diseases and pests. (4) Expanding the scale of agricultural insurance can prevent the impact of natural disasters on agricultural economic growth. This research provides policy recommendations for preventing the negative impacts of natural disasters. Agricultural producers should raise awareness of disaster management and improve the accuracy of disaster warning mechanisms.

Research Progress on Ecological Security Technology of Slope Treatment on Loess Plateau

The Loess Plateau is an important source of Eastern civilization, but also the most serious soil erosion in our country and in the world. Controlling soil erosion and improving the ecological environment are not only the needs of local social and economic development, but also the needs of long-term peace and stability of the country. Since the 1950s, large-scale soil and water conservation work has been carried out on the Loess Plateau. It has played a significant role in improving ecological environment, changing agricultural production conditions and developing rural economy. It is a very effective measure to take small watershed as a unit to conduct comprehensive management. There are 45,000 small watersheds of 6-10 km2 in the Loess Plateau, which are not only the basic units of soil and water loss, but also the units of comprehensive management. Slope is the source of runoff and sediment in small watershed, and slope treatment is an important part of comprehensive management of small watershed. Therefore, it is an urgent task to deepen the study of slope management.

Water Footprint Assessment of Agricultural Crop Productions in the Dry Farming Region, Shanxi Province, Northern China

Exploring the crop production water footprint and their driving factors is of significant importance for management of agricultural water resources. However, how do we effectively assess the total agricultural water consumption and explore the significance of their driving factors, i.e., population, economy, and agricultural production conditions, using a backpropagation neural network (BPNN)? It is still ambiguous. Water consumption for crops during the growing season is explicitly explored by way of water footprint indicators (green water footprint, WFPg, and blue water footprint, WFPb). This study provides new insights into the factors driving the changes in crop production water footprint in Taiyuan City over the period of 2005–2021. Simulations of crop evapotranspiration using the CROPWAT model were quantified. The results showed that Taiyuan City has a low crop yield level below the average level of China, with the highest crop yield in maize. The crop production water footprint in Taiyuan City showed a non-linearly decreasing trend over time. The average annual crop production water footprint was 187.09 × 103 m3/kg in Taiyuan City, with the blue water footprint and green water footprint accounting for 63.32% and 36.68%, respectively. The crop production water footprint in the west and north of Taiyuan City was significantly higher than those in other areas, accounting for 42.92% of the total crop production water footprint. Oilseed crops contributed most to the total crop production water footprint, accounting for 47.11%. The GDP and total sown area of crops were more important for the changes in WFPb. Agricultural machinery power and agriculture-to-non-agriculture ratio were more important for the changes in WFPg. Agricultural machinery power and GDP were more important for the changes in IWFP. In-depth analysis of the factors driving the changes in crop production water footprint is dramatically important for agricultural decision makers to mitigate water resource pressure in Taiyuan City.

ИНФЛЯЦИЯ И ЕЕ ВЛИЯНИЕ НА ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКИЙ РОСТ СТРАНЫ

The scientific article contains a review of domestic and foreign literature on the issues of ensuring growth in the gross domestic product, pricing in the conditions of agricultural production, and import substitution. Data from the official website of the Federal State Statistics Service on the dynamics of the consumer price index and the level of gross domestic product in the period from 2017 to 2023 are presented. Statistical data on the dynamics of the level of the consumer price index showed significant changes both in the direction of increasing consumer prices and in the direction of their decrease. Thus, in 2022, a significant increase in consumer prices amounted to 3.55 percent, and in 2023, there was a decrease in consumer prices by 4.52 percent. The growth (decrease) rate of the consumer price index and gross domestic product was determined, a decrease in the gross domestic product in 2020 by 1.7 percent and a decrease in the consumer price index in 2019 by 1.2 percent were identified, and in 2023 there was a decrease of 4 percent. It is noted that the decline in gross domestic product in 2020 is associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to identify the relationship between the level of gross domestic product and the consumer price index, the value of the correlation coefficient was determined. The positive value of the correlation coefficient recorded a direct relationship between the volume of gross domestic product and the consumer price index. A correlation coefficient value of 0.9 indicates a close relationship between the volume of gross domestic product and the consumer price index. Thus, the results of theoretical studies have been confirmed that the volume of gross domestic product is significantly influenced by the level of consumer prices.

ANALYSIS OF MAIN CHARACTERISTICS AND UTILIZATION OF AGRICULTURAL LAND IN SERBIA AND BULGARIA

Land is the most important resource for the sustainable development of agriculture. Optimal use of land for the production of a sufficient amount of food, while simultaneously preserving biodiversity and its quality, is very important within the policy of preserving resources for future generations. Safety in food production represent one of the most important goals of sustainable development consist in actual the 2030 Agenda. We face numerous problems related to land. Degradation due to excessive use of modern agrotechnical means in food production, deforestation, erosion, excessive urbanization, floods are just some of the most common problems in land policy. An important problem is the abandonment of land use for agricultural production and its underutilization. Serbia and Bulgaria have significant areas of agricultural land. The subject of research in this paper is the share of agricultural and arable land in the total land area in Serbia and Bulgaria. The focus of the analysis is the average size of farm land, the percentage of irrigated land, and the production structure on farms, as well as the contribution of agriculture to the realization of added value in the creation of GDP. Agriculture and the food industry play a significant role in creating GDP, employment and exports and reducing the foreign deficit. Bearing in mind that the Republic of Serbia is in the process of joining the European Union, it is necessary to reform the agricultural policy and adapt it to the Common Agricultural Policy. This is one of the most important and demanding reforms in the integration policy process. The entire European model of agricultural development is based on the concept of sustainable development. Agricultural land policy in this process is of great importance and the experiences of EU member countries are important. The results of the research should indicate different experiences and recommendations that can be useful in agricultural land management policy. Land policy measures are aimed at creating optimal conditions for agricultural production while achieving the goals of all dimensions of sustainable development. Strategic approach in land management policy in Bulgaria provides guidelines and an example of good practice for taking measures and activities in the direction of its improvement in the Republic of Serbia. These results are also the basis for examining the causes of insufficient utilization of available natural resources and the balanced development that ensures the production of sufficient quantities of food and the preservation of the environment. Keywords: agricultural land, arable land, sustainable development JEL codes: Q15, Q18, Q24

Zeolite enhances leaf photosynthesis and fruit quality in tomato through greenhouse CO2 enrichment

Elevated CO2 concentration has been widely acknowledged as a leading factor to global climate change, while deficient CO2 serves as a crucial limiting factor in modern greenhouse production. Harnessing the existing excessive CO2 to promote agriculture production is significant but filled with challenges. To this end, we proposed a concentration gradient-regulated CO2 enrichment system for capturing CO2 into greenhouses, which requires suitable CO2 sorbents with sufficient CO2 desorption capacity and high hydrophobicity at ambient temperature and pressure. Zeolites with different framework types and cations were detected by CO2 desorption and cyclic stability test under simulated agricultural production conditions. The results indicate that larger pore volume cooperated with higher Si/Al ratio and weaker alkali cations may be critical determinants for balancing high CO2 adsorption-desorption capacities and hydrophobicity in crop-cultivated environments. H-SSZ-13 zeolite is identified as the potential sorbents and exhibits exceptional CO2 release abilities and cyclic stability in tomato-grown environment. Long-term application of H-SSZ-13 zeolite to tomato plants significantly stimulated photosynthetic processes, particularly the Calvin-Benson cycle, culminating in notable improvements in plant growth, fruit yield and quality. This investigation provides a promising solution to develop a carbon-neutral CO2 enrichment system for both sustainable and productive greenhouse production.

Enhancing Agricultural Ecological Efficiency in China: An Evolution and Pathways under the Carbon Neutrality Vision

Under China’s carbon neutrality vision, the integration of resource consumption and ecological protection in agricultural production requires increased attention to agroecology. This study comprehensively integrates the carbon impact within agricultural ecological efficiency (AEE). Based on the window analysis of super-SBM-undesirable and geographically and temporally weighted regression (GTWR) models, AEE and its influencing factors in China’s 31 provinces from 2000 to 2021 are measured, and then types categorized, mechanisms investigated, and optimization pathways provided. The results revealed that from 2000 to 2021, the AEE showed a growing trend, with the spatial agglomeration degree increased. Its gravity center presented a migration path of “northeast–southwest”. Driven by internal and external mechanisms, both agricultural production conditions and regional socio-economic conditions had a stronger positive effect and wider range of promotion on China’s AEE, and the positive contribution of physical environmental conditions decreased, while the inhibitory effect increased. Furthermore, this study divided three zones and emphasized that the agri-ecological power zone plays a demonstrative role in carbon sequestration and efficiency improvement, the eco-pollution balance zone needs to strike a balance between economic development and agricultural ecological development, and the agri-pollution power zone ought to reduce agricultural carbon emissions and mitigate its environmental impact.

Food insecurity and water management shocks in Saudi Arabia: Bayesian VAR analysis.

The existing conditions of domestic agricultural production and the resulting products will not be able to fruitfully address the increasing food demand due to the limited fertile land and water resources in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, the escalating threat of a hotter climate, the deterioration in precipitation, and harsh droughts in Saudi Arabia have reduced the predictability of water management efficiency and resulted in the exhaustion of water bodies and serious degradation of ecosystems that have directly affected agricultural systems and indirectly, food security. This study also aims to assess the impact of water efficiency on food insecurity in Saudi Arabia. The study applied the Bayesian Vector Autoregressive (BVAR) model for the reference period for the data extended from 2000-2020. Likewise, we used both impulse response functions (IRFs) and forecasting variance error decomposition (FVED) through 1000 Monte Carlo simulations according to the BVAR model to examine both the response of food insecurity to the shocks on water management efficiency used for various purposes and the decomposition of error variance in food insecurity. The results show that food insecurity was not observed throughout this study. The results of the BVAR analysis indicate that in the short run, the coefficients of water use efficiency are significant based on the Food Insecurity Multidimensional Index (FIMI). Also, the BVAR model provides a better forecast with an interdependence on water use efficiency for agricultural purposes and FIMI. Moreover, the results obtained from IRFs have shown a significant effect of water efficiency on FIMI. Water use efficiency for agriculture and industrial purposes reduces food insecurity while increasing water for services use increases food insecurity. Water use efficiency is the key factor affecting food insecurity in the short run. The results reveal that the water use efficiency shocks will decrease food insecurity. The shocks experienced by food insecurity can be predicted as self-shock over a span of ten years. Emphasis is given to the task of water management that may support food security in Saudi Arabia through implementing and enhancing the water use efficiency as an integral part of achieving the SDGs in Saudi Arabia.

A New Method for Assessing Land Consolidation Urgency, including Market Value

Public funding for land consolidation projects is an instrument in the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union (CAP). The execution of systematic land consolidation programmes focused on optimising the spatial structure of agricultural areas presents the possibility of improving agricultural production conditions and maximising the efficiency of agriculture at the local, regional, national, and international levels. However, due to limited access to financial resources, it is necessary to delimit priority areas for land consolidation. A contemporary practice based on an assessment of the social support percentage of potential land consolidation projects in individual villages does not represent a real necessity for action. This problem leads to the ineffective utilisation of financial resources and reduces the efficiency of the implemented programmes. We propose a new algorithm for assessing the real needs for land consolidation based on a detailed multi-faceted analysis of the spatial structure of agricultural areas. The research method involved factors describing the spatial structure defectiveness of farms, as well as those determining land quality in relation to investment profitability. Another factor verifying the potential economic rationale of land consolidation is transaction prices, which mostly reflect the agricultural value of the land. The analysis showed that land consolidation in areas with defective spatial structures and relatively high market value should be a priority. The study enabled the extraction of five of the 58 analysed villages, characterised by above-average demand for land consolidation and above-average land prices. This approach will contribute to profit maximisation by increasing the productivity of areas with the highest agricultural suitability.