Growers Association Research Articles

A mixed methods qualitative approach outlining a strategic and operational agenda for the pawpaw value chain in the eastern US

Abstract The latest global scale occurrences — COVID-19 pandemic and bellicose conflicts — have weakened stable value chain relationships and forced international leaders to reassess commitments to sustainability. From these experiences, it became evident that the success of sustainability initiatives encompasses strengthening local and short value chains while creating means for engaging smallholders in formal food channels. Taking international and national policies as motivations, this article examines the emerging pawpaw value chain in the Eastern United States. We employ a mixed-mode approach with two aims. First, we demonstrate how complementing qualitative methods can be articulated to prepare a strategic agenda to foster the development and resilience of local ag-food chains. Second, through the application of the devised methodology, interview records and survey answers are evaluated to map value chain relationships and describe stakeholders’ perceived challenges and opportunities. On the empirical front, this article proposes four macro strategies and 22 actionable projects. We argue that the representative association of pawpaw growers may adopt a broader leadership role to coordinate the necessary changes for sustaining long-term growth and promoting economic gains in rural communities dedicated to pawpaw production. The mixed-mode approach presented in this study can be replicated to analyze local and short chains elsewhere.

Analysis of Socio-economic Profile of the Members and dynamics of Grapes Growers Association in theni district of tamil nadu

Analysis of Socio-economic Profile of the Members and dynamics of Grapes Growers Association in theni district of tamil nadu

Comparing farmers’ perception of climate effect on cocoa yield with climate data in the Humid zone of Nigeria

Apart from the conventional inputs for cocoa production, climatic parameters have a significant effect on the yield of the crop globally. However, existing literature suffers a knowledge gap on the farmers' perceptions of climate effect on cocoa yield and its nexus with climate data. The chi-square test of independence, standardized anomaly index (SAI), multiple regression, z-distribution, and descriptive statistics were employed to investigate the socioeconomic and climate impacts on yield. The registered farmers (280) from the Osun State Cocoa Growers Association (OSCGA) in the Nigerian Humid Zone were the interviewees. Climate data were retrieved from the records of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Abuja, while the cocoa yield data were provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, Osogbo from 1999 to 2019. The results revealed that climate affected cocoa yield and the yield was significant at p ≤ 0.05 in 1999 and 2000. Most farmers perceived that low temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, sunshine, and wind speed influenced cocoa yield positively. Farmers’ perception was influenced by age, marital status, household size, and educational level at p ≤ 0.01. Understanding the climate and its consequences on cocoa yield will help develop management practices, that were hitherto lacking in Osun State, Nigeria. This study presents the socioeconomic and climate effects on cocoa yield and makes recommendations for management practices in regions with similar ecological settings.

Sustainable Agricultural Practices for the Production of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Evidence and Recommendations

As the demand for medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) increases, so does the pressure to intensify production, increasing the risk of overexploitation of these natural resources. Therefore, both consumers and companies must commit to sustainable practices. Since sustainable practices in MAP production are scattered in the literature, this study aims to provide a comprehensive compilation of agricultural practices to improve sustainable performance in productive activities. This study collects recommended practices for cultivation, harvesting, drying, extraction of essential oils, and packaging, based on guidelines published by the World Health Organization, the European Herb Growers Association, and the European Medicines Agency, and presents complementary information from scientific papers and the Food and Agriculture Organization. Since the circular economy is considered one of the solutions to foster sustainability, the potential for valorising residues from MAP processing is also highlighted. This study allowed us to identify a set of key parameters that should be monitored in MAP production, which may be a starting point for designing a sustainability assessment tool for the sector. By presenting examples of circular economy approaches, this research can help producers to identify new business opportunities.

Can civil society organizations and faith‐based organizations in Fiji, Samoa, and Solomon Islands access climate finance?

AbstractMotivationDespite global rhetoric to increase climate finance to civil society organizations and faith‐based organizations (CSOs‐FBOs), little is known about how accessible climate funds are for these organizations in the Pacific Islands.PurposeWe posed three broad questions: (1) what types of climate finance did CSOs and FBOs obtain? (2) what barriers did CSOs and FBOs face to obtain climate finance? and (3) what innovative approaches or solutions did CSOs and FBOs use to obtain climate finance?Methods and approachIn 2022, key informant interviews and focus group discussions were held in Fiji, led by House of Sarah; in Samoa, led by the Samoa Women's Association of Growers; and in Solomon Islands, led by the Coalition of Youths for Environmental Sustainability. Most CSOs and FBOs had fewer than 10 employees, with many relying on volunteers.FindingsCSOs and FBOs generally pursued funding aligned to their values, priorities, and needs. None of the organizations had obtained funds from the large multilaterals, such as Green Climate Funds and Adaptation Fund. Their funds were seen as poorly suited to local organizations. The main barriers to obtaining climate finance were: (1) poor dissemination of information on the availability and suitability of funding sources for CSOs and FBOs; (2) overly complex donor processes and requirements; (3) insufficient capacity to write grant proposals and to manage funds; (4) poor recognition by donors of the role of CSOs and FBOs in development; and (5) difficult relationships with national governments and donors marked by differences in power. To overcome some barriers, some CSOs and FBOs partnered with regional or global organizations with the capacity to absorb the administrative burden of writing proposals and managing grants. In other cases, CSOs and FBOs made use of professionals with experience of donors who volunteered their time to craft or edit proposals.Policy implicationsDonors can create or inhibit equitable access to climate funding. If donors are genuinely committed to helping CSOs‐FBOs obtain climate finance, they should reduce the complexity of grant‐making and tailor it to local contexts and priorities. They should also work through regional or national intermediaries to reach grassroots organizations.

Grower Power for Value Creation in High-Value Horticulture? The Case of Citrus in South Africa

This paper analyses how the reconfiguration of power relationships in high-value fresh fruit value chains impacts on upgrading for export performance. The citrus industry in South Africa stands out internationally for its strong export growth and productive capabilities in which collective action by the Citrus Growers Association has played an important role. South Africa is the second largest citrus exporter in the world, after Spain. The industry’s export success has been built on investments and coordination to support shared capabilities and upgrading. The performance relates to improvements from inputs, through to growing, packing and marketing. We find that the upgrading is associated with the relatively powerful position of citrus growers, due to the way they organised themselves through the industry association and their engagement with the state. This has simultaneously supported value creation and inclusion. Through the case study of South Africa’s citrus industry, we demonstrate the potential for growers to organise themselves to reconfigure power relations in the value chain.

Impact assessment of Community Engagement Programs of San Beda University in Pactil, Bauko, Mountain Province

The study is a follow-through analysis of past research among St. Bede Mushroom and Vegetable Growers Association (SBMVGA) stakeholders which seeks to determine the impact of the Community Engagement Programs initiated by San Beda University concerning its economic, social, educational, spiritual, and psychological dimensions. It was guided by an “ex-post” impact assessment framework conceptualized by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and anchored on the theory of change provided by UNDG-UNDAF (United Nations Development Group – United Nations Development Assistance Framework). The research aims to: (1) analyze past studies on SBU community engagement programs via documentary analysis; (2) conduct an impact assessment survey and analysis among SBMVGA beneficiaries and analyze using Excel Data Analysis and Jamovi; and (3) generate recommendations for the CEC-SBU to further strengthen community engagements and partnerships moving forward. Upon completion, the key findings include the following: (1) the beneficiaries are willing and able to implement the SBU-CEC initiated programs on their own; and (2) spiritual dimensions had the highest and strongly significant value in terms of impact while economic dimensions had the lowest yet still significant value in terms of impact. Based on the findings obtained the recommendations for SBU as an institution to consider include the following: (1) a gradual and phase-based turnover of the SBU-CEC programs to the local government unit in Pactil, Bauko, Mountain Province is encouraged; and (2) a targeted and comprehensive agreement and undertaking should still be done by the CEC-SBU concerning its service assistance, monitoring and evaluation – capitalizing on SBU’s various clusters and colleges towards its partner communities.

Species of the Genera Neopestalotiopsis and Alternaria as Dominant Pathogen Species Attacking Mastic Trees (Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia)

Between 2018 and 2021, several mastic trees (Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia) sampled in the field and the nursery of the Chios Mastiha Growers Association (CMGA) were analyzed to determine the cause of dominant diseases. Symptoms included defoliation, leaf, and twig blight, wilting and/or apoplexy of trees and apoplexy of young hardwood cuttings. Moreover, brown discoloration had also been observed on older woody parts of the trees such as branches and tree trunks. Several pathogens have been isolated and identified as the causing agents. Neopestalotiopsis and Alternaria species were isolated consistently from necrotic tissues of mastic trees (branches, twigs, and leaves) in the field and the nursery. All fungal isolates’ pathogenicity was confirmed by applying Koch’s postulates on young mastic trees under glasshouse conditions. Fungal pathogens were identified by sequence analyses of the ITS, β-tubulin, and histone gene regions. Alternaria species were analyzed further by sequencing the endopolygalacturonase (endoPG) and the Alternaria major allergen (Alta1) genes. More specifically, the isolates were identified as Neopestalotiopsis clavispora, Alternaria arborescens, and A. alternata based on morphological features and sequence analyses. This is the first report of N. clavispora, A. arborescens, and A. alternata on P. lentiscus var. Chia.

Data analytics in the management of avocado export certificates

When issuing avocado export certificates, a high volume of data is generated. Consequently, its analysis is complex due to processing times. This paper presents a Web platform that can analyze and process sequences and comparative statistics with projections during the management of these certificates. During the development phase, interviews were conducted with users to gather the requirements by the Jalisco Avocado Growers and Exporters Association (APEAJAL), through a formal specification using the Unified Modeling Language (UML). Programming languages for coding such as Android Studio, PHP, JavaScript, HTML5, AJAX, jQuery, Bootstrap and MySQL were used. This project provides support for decision-making processes, favoring strategies in the association's senior management, contributing significantly to offering a reliable platform for the registration and monitoring of certificates.

Being prepared for huanglongbing disease of citrus: a simulation exercise workshop for contingency planning held in Valencia, Spain

AbstractContingency plans aim to ensure a rapid and effective response to an outbreak of a pest likely which is to have a major impact. Huanglongbing is a devastating disease of citrus not yet present in the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) region. A simulation exercise workshop for contingency planning was held in Valencia, Spain over 3 days in October 2021 as part of the PRE‐HLB project funded by the European Union Horizon 2020 programme. In total, 49 experts from the EPPO region attended the workshop. Participants represented a range of stakeholders from citrus cooperatives, grower associations, nursery workers, citrus exporters, landscapers and gardeners, scientists, Regional Plant Health Authorities, National Plant Protection Organizations and the European Commission. Participants were split into five groups and each group acted as an outbreak management team for a scenario based on a finding of a quarantine pest. The scenario followed the first (fictitious) finding of Diaphorina citri (the insect vector of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’, a causal agent of huanglongbing) at a citrus orchard in Spain. As the scenario developed over a month time scale, each team had to organize themselves to manage a number of issues designed to mimic the development of an outbreak of huanglongbing of citrus over the course of the exercise. The groups acknowledged the usefulness of the Spanish contingency plans for huanglongbing and its vectors, the EPPO Standards, and the risk‐based surveillance design tool RiBESS+.

Farm Size and Cost Efficiency of the Tea Growers in Assam: A DEA Analysis

In studying farm-size and cost efficiency association of the sample tea growers of three districts in Assam, the Data Envelopment Analysis and Tobit Regression results showed that cost efficiency declined as farm size increased for big growers. Still, for small growers, the association was positive, even though big growers were more cost-efficient than small growers. Allocative efficiency was the major cause of low cost efficiency for both, and gender, farm size, number of plots, and membership of growers' association were significant factors of cost efficiency of small growers. Higher education was important for the big growers. The study recommended public policy interventions to improve the farming skills of female SGs and better managerial skills of big growers.

Sustainable businesses development in post-conflict zones: a case in rural Colombia

PurposeFarmers in Colombia have faced economic instability due to a long-lasting armed conflict. An attempt to support the rural community has been through the creation of productive alliances – a strategic association between small-scale producers and anchor companies with the assistance of the private and public sectors. By closely examining the Association of Guarupay Palm Growers (ASOPAY)'s financial cash flows, this study investigates the challenges faced by small-scale agribusinesses in an emerging economy.Design/methodology/approachThis study addresses the situation of ASOPAY, an oil palm productive alliance formed by families displaced by the Colombian armed conflict and relocated in the eastern foothills of the Andes Mountains. By closely examining ASOPAY's financial flows, the article sheds light on the economic incentives enhancing the cohesion of the small-farmers’ association.FindingsA key finding is the critical role played by institutional efforts focused by promoting policies to enhance producers income. In addition, technological transfers made through technical assistance programs may improve the association's profitability by enhancing agronomic practices, while decreasing palm mortality and disease incidence.Research limitations/implicationsThe relatively small sample used in the study might rise concerns regarding the generalization of the outcomes. However, the authors implemented strategies to overcome these limitations by incorporating the inputs from experts on the oil palm supply chain in Colombia and from experts in rural development.Originality/valueTo the authors' knowledge, this is the first study analyzing the financial success of small farmers in post-conflict zones.

Engaging Smallholders in Flower Agribusiness for Inclusive Rural Development: The Case of Yunnan, China

Serious farmland scarcities make smallholders a default mode for China’s agriculture, which makes efficient and equitable rural development a great challenge. Tensions lead to alternation between autonomous family farming and coordinated collective agriculture. Rapid urbanization since the 1980s has strongly stimulated flower-growing and agribusiness in Yunnan, China. The organization for commercial flower-farming is, however, an issue. Officially promoted for collective farming, voluntary cooperatives are wrecked by the free-riding problem. Grower associations nevertheless spontaneously emerge, with the flexible entry and exit of members without binding joint-assets and joint-ownership, which is facilitated by technological changes to the transaction. Empirical investigation in Tonghai, Yunnan, unveiled the institution of agribusiness–smallholder partnership for inclusive rural development. Smallholders have actively participated in flower agriculture, which has contributed significantly to the development of rural economies. The high casualty of micro-smallholders suggests that farm size is an important and crucial factor for sustainable farming. Effective rural development has to be supported by endogenous non-agricultural jobs so that farm size can be increased.

Collective investment in a common pool resource: Grower associations and food safety guidelines

AbstractCommon pool resources often face overexploitation, but collective action can counteract that tendency. We investigate collective investment in reputation for produce food safety, a common pool resource because of limited branding and traceability, by U.S. commodity organizations. We use a unique dataset constructed with data from U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and industry to provide novel evidence on collective investment in common pool resources. Notably, only large shocks to reputation such as foodborne disease outbreaks resulting in hospitalization increase the likelihood of food safety guideline adoption. Adoption of food safety guidelines by government‐backed organizations results in improvements in some food safety outcomes.

Understanding Apple Attribute Preferences of US Consumers.

Apple preferences of US consumers are widely explored. However, the key factors that drive the importance that US consumers place on apple attributes are rather unexplored. To fill this literature gap, an online survey with 383 US apple buyers was conducted. A two-step analysis consisting of descriptive statistics and partial least squares structural equation modelling indicates that subjective knowledge was the most important factor, determining both the discernment of buyers and attitudes towards US fruit growers. Objective knowledge and sociodemographic factors, other than education, were not found to have any impact. The discernment of a buyer and their ability to distinguish apple varieties had the greatest impact on the importance that US consumers placed on physical and commercial product attributes. It was also found that attitudes towards growers impacted on the importance which consumers place on both types of attributes. Given that consumer attitudes were shown to be a strong driver of their buying preferences, growers and grower associations should also consider highlighting the positive health and societal benefits that their products provide.

Winemakers and wine industry developments in Italy (1884–1914)

ABSTRACT The association of Italian wine growers was founded in Rome in 1884. It was the beginning of the history of wine entrepreneurship in Italy. This article analyses the first nucleus of wine entrepreneurship in Italy between 1884 and 1914. During that period the international market made a decisive contribution to the modernization of wineries. The state played an important role in creating a favorable context for the industrialization of the sector and the practice of competitive commercial strategies. The most relevant result was the birth of national entrepreneurship, with a significant contribution from the southern regions of the peninsula. From a social point of view, Italian wine entrepreneurship was the effect of the fusion of noble families and members of the commercial bourgeoisie. The result was that in Italy too, there was a consolidation of a dynamic entrepreneurial group in the wine and spirits sector, open to global markets. Many of these wine companies, born at the end of the nineteenth century, continue to represent solid entrepreneurial realities, demonstrating that wine remains a favorable terrain for the formation of long-term entrepreneurial trajectories.

Marketing Activities in the Fruit Industry: Case Study of Banana in Khoai Chau District, Hung Yen Province, Vietnam

Aims: The study aims to overview about the marketing activities of banana industry in Vietnam based on the case study in Khoai Chau district, Vietnam.
 Methodology: Both primary and secondary data were used in this study. Primary data was collected through face-to-face interviews and mobile phone with market participants using semi-structured questionnaire in two year 2016 and 2019. The descriptive analysis method was used to describe channels of distribution, marketing practices of farmers and traders, flow of product from producers to consumers, and problems that banana farmers and traders encounter in their business operations.
 Results: The results show that banana was sold through 13 channels for both domestic and international markets. At traders’ level market, non-contract was popularly applied by retailers in both selling and buying operations. Majority of banana growers have small operations and engage in small transactions and individually with buyers. They do not have market power in setting the price. They are often faced with unstable price and difficulty in entering high income market. Establishing banana grower association in each commune would enable growers to maintain and monitor the quality of banana especially among small growers. Though collective marketing, they can link with large and stable potential markets such as supermarkets and other institutional buyers.

Spread of bacterial and virus yellowing diseases of sugar beet in South and Central Germany from 2017–2020

From 2017 to 2020 an extensive monitoring for bacterial and viral yellowing diseases was carried out in southern and central Germany. The monitoring recorded for the first time the infestation of sugar beets with yellowing viruses and the disease „Syndrome Basses Richesses“ (SBR). To map the yellowing virus infestation, samples were examined for the presence of several virus species (BYV, BtMV, poleroviruses). The disease SBR was investigated in this study using the more common γ-3 proteobacterium “Candidatus Arsenophonus phytopathogenicus”. In this study samples were chosen, which showed yellowing symptoms. The coordination of the sampling was carried out by the Association of Hessian-Palatinate Sugar Beet Growers. Results clearly show the extent of the heavily infested area from SBR to southern Hesse, Rhine-Hesse and Franconia. The spread of SBR can be explained by the migration of the leafhopper Pentastiridius leporinus. Furthermore, the regional and parallel spread of mixed infections of both yellowing diseases was shown for the first time, which probably contributed to the strong sugar yield losses observed in practice. Causes and effects of mixed infections of both yellowing diseases require further research. Over the four-year study period, a continuous increase in SBR infections was observed. Therefore, the need for development of appropriate management systems to control SBR is very high.

Challenges Faced By Strategic Partners in Driving Extension Programme: Lessons Learnt From Madzivhandila Agricultural College of Limpopo Province, South Africa

ABSTRACT The section on strategic partners and extension and partnerships at Madzivhandila College of Agriculture aims to identify key areas that require college intervention and to offer appropriate joint intervention strategies by strategic partners and extension and partnerships in the college. The purpose of the study is to clarify the roles of strategic partners and the extension and partnerships section at Madzivhandila College of agriculture. In this study, the authors have adopted a textual analysis to establish the roles of strategic partnerships. It is out of these roles that a broader recommendation, which could be followed by further research to determine their authenticity could be conducted. The authors discussed how stakeholder analysis was conducted, stakeholder selection, relevant partners, terms of references, and challenges faced by strategic partnerships. The findings in this study revealed that there are more than five strategic partners Madzivhandila Agricultural College entered into with; Westfalia, South African Avocado Growers Association (SAAGA), UNIVEG KATOPE, Citrus Growers Association (CGA), Citrus Research International (CRI), Pioneer Hi-Bred RSA (Pty) Ltd, Department of Correctional Services, Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB). PANNAR seed, Makhado Specialised oil Extract enterprise, Ross Breeders Association, Hygro-tech, and SAGA. The study concludes by suggesting a workable solution as a recommendation between the strategic partners and the college.

Has Open Innovation Taken Root in India? Evidence from Startups Working in Food Value Chains

Open innovation represents a paradigm shift in the technology development process in the New Millennium with potential positive implications for helping the food system in addressing grand challenges formalized through the SDGs. Though evidenced mainly in technology-intensive sectors of developed countries, several ‘erosion factors’ and their interplay catalyse open innovation in relatively traditional sectors of developing countries. The rise of startups with supplementary venture capital industry is hypothesized to play this role in the Indian food system. Our paper examines this hypothesis by leveraging a large database of startups. Several types of startups have come up in the last decade and are introducing innovations, apart from filling the gaps in the food value chains in infrastructure-deficit regions. It classifies the startups working in food value chains based on the main purpose of each of its functioning, though there can be several interventions at different nodes of the value chain and overlap of functions. The interconnections between startups themselves and their business partnerships with input companies, processors, aggregators, traders, hotels and restaurants, supermarkets, e-commerce companies, research organizations, various governments, international institutions like the World Bank and various crop associations like the tea growers association constitute a complex web. The knowledge flows are both outbound from the startups to the companies and other actors and sometimes in the opposite direction as well as bi-directional. These fast expanding knowledge flows have brought several innovations that could not be imagined just a few years back in developing countries. The emergence of open innovation bodes well to food value chain flows and to harness the higher level of technologies. There is a need to internalize these innovations in the national food policy for addressing issues of inclusion. The paradigm shift also calls for rigorous research on the business models and collaboration and licensing agreements between companies, universities, and governmental agencies.