Agricultural Production Conditions Research Articles

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.

МЕХАНІЗМ ДЕРЖАВНОГО РЕГУЛЮВАННЯ ПРОЦЕСІВ ЗЕМЛЕКОРИСТУВАННЯ

The article examines the peculiarities of the mechanism of state regulation of land use processes. Groups of social, ecological and economic aspects have been studied. It is emphasized that the regulation of economic processes of land use is impossible without reliable information about the qualitative characteristics of each specific plot, its economic and biological fertility, because ignoring or incorrect assessment of its potential can negate the results of planning, which is one of the main functions of management.
 By the economic aspects of land use, we primarily understand transferability as a property of a land plot, expressed in its ability to be freely alienated or transferred from one person to another in the order of universal legal succession or in another way; forms of ownership and management characterizing legal issues of land use, as well as organizational and technological conditions of agricultural production; the value of land resources as a measure of materialized labor necessary to support sustainable and effective development of agricultural production.
 Selected aspects of land use regulation formed the basis of the structural diagram of the mechanism of state regulation of land use processes presented by us and allow not only to clarify its content, but also directly determine its structure.
 It was determined that in the conditions of market relations, an important place in the system of state regulation of land use began to be assigned to the cadastral assessment of land plots. The content of the use of the land resource potential of the territorial formation is given.
 In the regulation structure, special attention should be paid to the issue of comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of the use of land resources and the resulting need for further development of the methodological base for the assessment of land use.
 The key link in the process of state regulation should be the evaluation of the efficiency of land use, which is based on a system of quantitative parameters for the evaluation of the efficiency of the use of land resources.
 Land owners are mainly municipal authorities, enterprises (legal entities), citizens (individuals) or their associations (cooperatives, commercial firms, etc.).
 The denationalization of land ownership and the introduction of private land ownership on this basis, the privatization of land, the introduction of paid land use fundamentally changed the structure and content of land relations in the conditions of village land use, changed the structure, content and principles of planning land resource formations.
 The effective organization of state regulation of economic processes of land use has a significant impact on the process of creating the necessary organizational, territorial, legal and social conditions for full involvement in turnover, increasing the return of each hectare of land while preserving or reproducing soil fertility.

Disparities between climate change facts and farmer’s awareness and perception in an arid region: A case study of the middle and lower reaches of the Heihe River Basin in northwest China

Arid areas are sensitive and vulnerable to climate change and may face more climate risks in the future under the background of global warming. The adaptability of society to future climate change impacts relies heavily on the awareness and perception of local populations. This study focuses on the middle and lower reaches of the Heihe River, which is the second-largest inland river in China, and examine the temperature and precipitation changes from 1981 to 2020, employing the Sen + Mann-Kendall trend analysis method. The local farmers and herdsmen were interviewed, and their variations in awareness and perception regarding climate change were assessed. The results show that local residents are highly sensitive to climate warming but not to precipitation increases, indicating that the communities faces substantial constraints imposed by limited water resources. Residents of the downstream desert area feel a wetter climate than those of the mountain and oasis areas in the middle reach, suggesting a greater water scarcity pressure in the latter. The increased allocation of ecological water to the downstream portion of the Heihe river, as implemented by the “97″ water distribution plan in 2000, may be a contributing factor to this phenomenon. The disparities in the fact and residents’ awareness and perception of climate change are different among the mountainous, oasis, and desert regions, which are influenced by regional differences in climate change, agricultural production conditions, and water policies. The government should consider these factors when formulating water policies to ensure successful and balanced development.

Calculation of thermoelectric unit parameters for dehumidification

The article considers the possibility of using thermoelectric dehumidifiers in microclimate systems for livestock premises. The advantages of dehumidifiers based on thermoelectric modules in comparison with compressor and adsorption units are shown. A block diagram of a thermoelectric dehumidifier designed to operate in agricultural production conditions is presented. The heat exchangers of the cold and hot circuits, as well as the electric fan, form a single structure and are installed in premises in which it is necessary to dehumidify the air. The dehumidification process in a thermoelectric unit is shown in the I-d diagram of humid air. A method for calculating a standard-sized range of thermoelectric units for air cooling (dehumidification) in agricultural premises has been developed. Provisions presented the method that allows determining the thermal and structural parameters of the main components when designing a thermoelectric unit.

ВЛИЯНИЕ ЧАСТОТЫ ВРАЩЕНИЯ БАРАБАНА СЕПАРИРУЮЩЕГО ЗЕРНОМЕТАТЕЛЯ НА ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТЬ ОЧИСТКИ ЗЕРНА

Currently, in agriculture, the available grain cleaning machinery does not correspond to modern conditions of grain production and is physically worn out. And small farms and farmers do not have the required equipment. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a grain cleaner that is adapted to the diversity of conditions of modern agricultural production, providing minimal costs, but allowing to obtain most of basic grain at the first stage of processing and simultaneously to carry out not only cleaning, but also cooling and drying. A separating grain-throwing unit has been developed, which differs from all existing ones in the grain-throwing blades made of two interconnected sickle-shaped and receiving parts, the first of which has a rounded coneshaped section at the periphery. That cone-shaped section reduces damage and injury of seeds and pre-distribute the incoming grain material on different fractions. Analysis of experimental studies showed that it is possible to obtain more than 80% of basic conditions in the processing process.

Assessment of ecological and geographical parameters of the Tobolsk landscape province of western Siberia

Agriculture is one of the priority sectors of the national economy of the state. The development of the agro-industrial complex of the country's regions is associated with active economic activity on the territory of landscape complexes through the use of their natural resource potential. In the article, based on the study of natural processes occurring in the landscape sphere, an assessment of the state of the natural environment was carried out. To identify favorable conditions for agricultural production, the elements of heat and moisture circulation in the Tobolsk landscape province have been identified. By jointly considering the equations of water and heat-energy balances of a land plot, a geo-ecological assessment of the study area was carried out. Within the territory under consideration, the values and features of the spatial distribution of the maximum permissible anthropogenic load on surface waters have been determined. The results obtained can be used to form an information base of the ecological and geographical characteristics of the territory, methodological and scientific developments, as well as to develop environmental standards necessary for carrying out agricultural activities within the study area

Impact of high-standard farmland construction on farmers’ income growth—quasi-natural experiments from China

This paper examines the impact of high-standard basic farmland construction on farmers’ income in China using panel data at the provincial level from 2006 to 2021. The study aims to provide insights into the relationship between high-standard basic farmland construction and farmers’ income by employing a difference-in-differences model. The research background of this study is rooted in the importance of agricultural development and rural income improvement in China. As the agricultural sector plays a crucial role in ensuring food security and rural stability, it is essential to explore the effects of high-standard basic farmland construction on farmers’ income. The primary objective of this research is to estimate the impact of high-standard basic farmland construction on farmers’ income and to identify any heterogeneity in this relationship across different regions and income levels. By analyzing the baseline regression results, the study finds a significant positive effect of high-standard basic farmland construction on farmers’ income. To gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying this relationship, the study conducts further analysis on the impact pathways. The findings suggest that high-standard basic farmland construction enhances farmers’ income through improvements in agricultural production conditions, land transfer levels, and the cultivation of new agricultural management entities. Furthermore, the study explores the role of high-standard basic farmland construction in grain-producing and non-grain-producing regions. In grain-producing regions, high-standard basic farmland construction primarily increases farmers’ income from family-operated businesses. Conversely, in non-grain-producing regions, it predominantly boosts farmers’ income from wages and property. Overall, this research contributes to the understanding of the impact of high-standard basic farmland construction on farmers’ income in China. The findings highlight the importance of promoting high-standard basic farmland construction for rural income improvement, with implications for agricultural policies and rural development strategies.

Adaptation to Climate Change and Variability by Farming Households in North-Central Nigeria

Climate change and variability present major environmental and socioeconomic challenges to populations in sub-Saharan Africa that depend upon favourable climatic conditions for agricultural production and for their sustenance and livelihoods. This study assessed the adaptation strategies used by farming households in north-central Nigeria to reduce the impacts of persistent ongoing climate variability, mainly changes in rainfall and temperatures, as a result of climate change. Data were collected through household questionnaires from 120 farming households in Bokkos Local Government Area, Plateau State, north-central Nigeria. The results indicated that the number of years of farming experience was positively correlated with farmers’ knowledge and awareness of climate change (p = 0.000). Furthermore, education status significantly influenced farmers’ adaptation strategies to both deal with climate variability and to ensure household income (p < 0.05). The results from farmers indicated that a range of on-farm and off-farm adaptation strategies have been adopted. On-farm strategies include changing the crop planting time; crop diversification; irrigation farming; the use of fertilizers, manure, and agrichemicals to boost crop yield; and planting disease-resistant and drought-tolerant crop varieties. Off-farm strategies include small-scale trading and artisanal ventures that can augment the household income. Together, these diverse activities can enhance households’ resilience to the negative effects of climate variability. It is recommended that policymakers improve institutional support and training for farmers to enable viable livelihood diversification strategies, enhancing their climate change adaptation and resilience.