Decision-making Process Of Farmers Research Articles

Identification of Olives Using In-Field Hyperspectral Imaging with Lightweight Models.

During the growing season, olives progress through nine different phenological stages, starting with bud development and ending with senescence. During their lifespan, olives undergo changes in their external color and chemical properties. To tackle these properties, we used hyperspectral imaging during the growing season of the olives. The objective of this study was to develop a lightweight model capable of identifying olives in the hyperspectral images using their spectral information. To achieve this goal, we utilized the hyperspectral imaging of olives while they were still on the tree and conducted this process throughout the entire growing season directly in the field without artificial light sources. The images were taken on-site every week from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. UTC to avoid light saturation and glitters. The data were analyzed using training and testing classifiers, including Decision Tree, Logistic Regression, Random Forest, and Support Vector Machine on labeled datasets. The Logistic Regression model showed the best balance between classification success rate, size, and inference time, achieving a 98% F1-score with less than 1 KB in parameters. A reduction in size was achieved by analyzing the wavelengths that were critical in the decision making, reducing the dimensionality of the hypercube. So, with this novel model, olives in a hyperspectral image can be identified during the season, providing data to enhance a farmer's decision-making process through further automatic applications.

Improving the Use of Weather and Climate Information for Farm Decision Making in Victoria, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines

Weather and climate are crucial factors that greatly influence the agricultural sector, especially in the decision-making process of farmers. A recent study conducted in the municipality of Victoria, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines aimed to evaluate the utilization of climate and weather forecasts in farm operations. The study collected primary data through a household survey using a structured questionnaire, with a total of 324 randomly selected respondents based on Cochran's formula. The findings of the study revealed that a significant majority of farmers, approximately 85%, are aware of climate change. This awareness is heightened by their perception of long-term changes in climate, particularly in rainfall patterns. Farmers recognize and acknowledge the impact of climate change on their agricultural practices. When it comes to obtaining information about weather and climate, the study found that television is the primary source for most farmers. This highlights the importance of broadcasting accurate and timely weather forecasts to ensure farmers stay informed and prepared. Furthermore, the study discovered that weather and seasonal climate forecasts, along with long-term climate projections, significantly influence various farm operations. These operations include the selection of rice varieties, timing of seed sowing, application of fertilizers and pesticides, water management, harvesting and storage, and even selling decisions. The reliance on science-based information is crucial for farmers as traditional knowledge alone is no longer reliable in the face of changing climate conditions. Based on the study's results, it is evident that farmers in Victoria, Oriental Mindoro, require access to science-based knowledge, particularly accurate weather and climate forecasts. The study emphasizes the need for reliable information and other agricultural-related climate services provided by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). Such services can significantly contribute to improving decision-making processes at the farm level.

Prospects for weather-indexed insurance for blueberry growers

PurposeThe authors investigate whether an index-based weather insurance (WII) product can complement or replace existing traditional crop yield insurance for mitigating farmers' financial risks, with an application to blueberry growers in British Columbia (BC).Design/methodology/approachA hybrid model combining expected utility (EU) and prospect values is developed to analyse farmers' demand for WII.FindingsWhile weather data are used to investigate supply elements, a hybrid model combining EU theory and prospect theory (PT) is developed to analyse farmers' demand for WII. On the supply side, a quality index is constructed and the relationship between the quality index and key weather parameters is quantified using a partial least squares structural model. The authors then model weather parameters via time-series analysis and statistical distributions to provide reasonable estimates for calculating actuarially sound insurance premiums for a rainfall indexed, insurance product. This model indicates that decreases in the proportion of a blueberry grower's total revenue and revenue volatility will decrease the possibility that they participate in WII. At the same time, an increase in the value loss aversion coefficient and WII's basis risk further leads to less demand for WII. In short, a grower may decide not to participate in WII at an actuarially fair premium due to the combined effects of the above factors. Overall, while the supply analysis enables us to demonstrate that WII can potentially help in mitigating farmers' financial risks, it turns out that, on the demand side, blueberry growers are unwilling to pay for such a product without large government subsidies.Originality/valueThe authors argue that the demand for insurance may be affected by the level and the volatility of a berry grower's total revenue. Hence, the authors propose a hybrid expression that assumes a farmer seeks to maximize the total utility function to capture the rational and intuitive parts of a farmer's decision-making process. The EU represents rationality and the prospect value represents the intuitive component. Meanwhile, the authors investigate the possibility of using key weather parameters to construct a berry quality index – one that could be applied to other agricultural areas for studying the relationship between weather conditions and product quality.

Determinants Influencing Selection of Potato Varietal Technology and the Role of Gender in Farm Decisions in Bhutan.

Potato is a primary food and cash crop in Bhutan. The adoption of new varieties has faced some challenges. To address this situation, farmers' needs and priorities were investigated through varietal demonstration and a field survey in seven of the main potato-growing districts of Bhutan. The role of gender in farm decisions and operations in relation to potato farming was also assessed. Nine quality determinants significantly (χ 2 = 376.54, P < 0.001) influenced farmers' selection of potato varieties. These determinants, in order of their relative preference, were as follows: high productivity (15.5% by weight of mean rank), high market value (13.4%), red-skinned (12.7%), marketability (11.6%), large tubers (11.3%), late-blight resistant (11.3%), micronutrient content (8.8%), short-duration (8.3%) and good taste (7.2%). Potato productivity (yield) and preference vote data were significantly correlated (R = 0.395, P < 0.01) for female farmers but not for male farmers. Similarly, the involvement of female farmers in farm decision-making processes was significantly (P < 0.001) higher than when compared with their male counterparts. However, both genders were equally involved in physical farm operations. Bhutanese potato cropping is highly driven by commercially driven (market) preferences such as yield, colour and size as opposed to subsistence preferences such as micronutrient content. Understanding farmers' priorities during the development of new potato variety is critical for varietal selection for adoption. Furthermore, understanding the role of women in farm decision-making processes is crucial for adoption of new varietal technology in potato production. These findings may serve as an evidence-based insight to guide research and policy interventions in Bhutan and in similar agroecologies.

Water sufficiency for cacao production in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (SNSM) region, Colombia

Study regionSierra Nevada de Santa Marta (SNSM) region of Colombia. Study focusThis research was conducted as a case study to generate relevant, quantitative information to support cacao farmer decision-making processes concerning water management in the SNSM. It involved the development and evaluation of a spatial dataset of precipitation and temperature, integration of digital soil mapping with a modification of the Thornthwaite and Mather water balance model, and finally an assessment of water sufficiency for cacao production. We elaborated site-specific and spatially-distributed analyses to generate information that will be shared with technicians who assist cacao growers in the SNSM. New hydrological insights for the regionUnder the climate conditions for the analysis period (1989–2018), rainfall was not enough to prevent cacao yield losses for 10 out of the 27 farms evaluated. The location of farms in two departments with contrasting climate conditions showed the importance of spatial analysis of water availability when providing recommendations of management practices to cacao growers. The results revealed that farms facing less frequent water stress are characterized by higher rainfalls and lower temperatures, soils that contain more organic matter, and are located at higher elevations with steeper slopes. Temporally, water stress is highest in the months February-August, with special interest in March-April as the dry season ends and July-August just before the peak rainy season.

Sustainable Family Farming Futures: Exploring the Challenges of Family Farm Decision Making through an Emotional Lens of ‘Belonging’

This paper illustrates the importance of moving beyond an economic focus, and towards an emotional one, to gain a more comprehensive understanding of why farmers can be reluctant to retire and/or pass their farm onto the next generation. We report on a two-phase qualitative study of family farm decision-making processes in Northern Ireland, drawing on 62 in-depth oral life history interviews with farmers, farmers’ spouses, and farm successors. In an attempt to gain a deeper understanding of the emotional aspects of retirement and succession decision-making processes, and their relationship with place belonging, in the first phase of this research we employed an innovative ‘Work and Talk’ method, whereby interviews were conducted while shadowing, or in some cases, co-working, with farmers on their land. The second phase of this research responded to restrictions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, and involved remote telephone or online interviews with family farm members. This research revealed the complex relationships between a ‘longing for belonging’ and emotional attachment to the family farm, and the challenges associated with patrilineal farming structures, expectations and identities, in planning for succession. The emotional impacts of strained relationships with policy makers around support for retirement emerged as a surprisingly dominant theme throughout the interview process, suggesting the need for greater emphasis on the emotional aspects of farming retirement and succession planning to inform future rural development policies targeted towards the sustainability of family farms.

ANALISIS NILAI TAMBAH HASIL BUDIDAYA SAWI HIDROPONIK SISTEM WICK PADA MASA PANDEMI COVID 19

Cultivating mustard greens with a hydroponic system was a profitable business opportunity and is very suitable to run during the Covid 19 pandemic. Added value has an important role in the hydroponic farmer's decision-making process regarding whether or not to run a mustard vegetable cultivation business opportunity. This study aims to determine the added value of family economic results from the entrepreneurial results of hydroponic mustard cultivation using the wick system during the Covid 19 pandemic. This type of research is a quantitative descriptive study. The quantitative analysis carried out includes analysis of costs, revenues, profits, profitability, analysis of business efficiency, and added value. Data analysis to calculate the added value using the Hayami method. Based on the results of the analysis of the value-added analysis of hydroponic mustard cultivation using the wick system during the covid 19 pandemic, it was concluded that the total cost was Rp. 404.400,- total receipt of Rp. 720,000,-; profit value Rp. 315,600,- while the added value from hydroponic mustard cultivation activities, the added value obtained from hydroponic vegetables is Rp. 68.000/kg While the ratio of the added value of hydroponic mustard is 38.20% meaning 38.20 percent of the output value is the added value obtained from hydroponic vegetable cultivation.

Transitioning to Organic Rice Farming in Thailand: Drivers and Factors

This research focuses on determining the drivers and factors that influence conversion to organic rice farming to better inform local and national policies. It provides an insight into the procedures in the decision-making process of farmers and the practices they use. Questionnaire and interview data from farmers in the leading rice production region, Surin, were analyzed using logistic regression to understand the drivers of organic rice farming and the barriers and challenges of adapting to this practice. The findings highlight the critical role of extension farm officers in promoting, educating, and motivating farmers to adopt organic farming. The ability to access (affordable) loans through local cooperative and land ownership was also a key motivational factor. Young people (under 25) are not engaging with farming generally, and this is a major barrier to long-term growth of the organic rice industry in Thailand.

Combining participatory games and backcasting to support collective scenario evaluation: an action research approach for sustainable agroforestry landscape management

The combined and interacting effects of land-use change, resource extraction and climate change threaten the sustainability of millions of mainly smallholder farms in tropical agroforested landscapes. In many of these landscapes, coordinated action among stakeholders at landscape level would help to address challenges such as pests and diseases, price crises and climate change. However, methods to facilitate the co-production of sustainable landscape management in such complex multi-stakeholder systems are currently largely lacking. In this paper, we present a novel approach to explore pathways for the sustainability transition of agroforestry systems. By combining participatory forecasting and backcasting approaches, based on serious games and future vision development, we explore relevant agroforestry management strategies for reaching sustainable future coffee-based agroforestry landscapes. We focused our research on the challenges faced in the main coffee-producing area in Nicaragua. Here, we organized five participatory game sessions to explore farmer decision-making processes, farming strategies and to develop new networks and stimulate social learning among farmers. In the associated backcasting workshop, the most influential game session participants joined technicians, researchers and municipality officials to collectively envision sustainable future landscape management. In all game sessions, farmers developed diversified coffee-based agroforested landscapes characterised by increased density and diversity of shade trees, for the purpose of income diversification as well as forest conservation. During the backcasting workshop, the participants identified policy instruments and community-based solutions for the transition to sustainable landscapes. Our participatory approach facilitated discussion on landscape planning among farmers and other stakeholders and allowed the outline of a pathway towards the collective envisioned future landscape. The combination of participatory forecasting and backcasting proved to be a helpful tool to support multi-stakeholder processes towards sustainable landscape management in this and other complex landscapes.

An Empirical Investigation of Men’s Views of Women’s Contribution to Farming in Northwest Bangladesh

This paper verifies the statement that “women contribute greatly to growing crops year-round, but their work is not recognized” through in-depth empirical investigation of their participation in rice and vegetable production and farm decision-making processes in Northwest Bangladesh. Interviews were held with 240 randomly selected couples (husband and wife interviewed separately) to document their views of the female’s participation in crop farming activities and farm and household decision-making. The findings reveal that women play a substantial role in farming and are increasingly involved in farm management, but they are generally overlooked or under-valued by their male counterparts. Looking at crop-specific participation, among 18 different activities of the rice production cycle, men recognized that their spouse had “high” participation in three activities, “strong” in one, “moderate” in five, and “weak” in nine. A similar result was found for activities in vegetable production. In both cases, men’s recognition differed from that reported by their spouses. Logistic regression modeling against eleven variables (selected from the intersectionality and patriarchy literature) revealed six statistically significant variables that influence men to consult with their wives regarding farm decisions. The dominant variables were spouse education (years of schooling), spouse Non-governmental organization (NGO) membership, and the number of hours per day that the spouse spent working on the farm. The article provides a new insight into family dynamics in household and farm decision-making processes. The collection and analysis of both counterparts’ (husband and wife) views provides empirical evidence that not only is women’s participation in agricultural activities and decision-making under-recognized, but that higher education and being involved in NGO activities have a positive influence on male perceptions of women’s contributions. While these findings may not be universally applicable, the framework (using intersectionality and patriarchy indicators together with logistic regression modeling) is highly adaptable. Application in other parts of Bangladesh would reveal perceptions in those regions, and would support a more comprehensive approach to future policy intervention towards gender integration into crop farming in line with promoting women’s education and NGO participation.

Understanding the adoption of grazing practices in German dairy farming

Due to a simultaneous decline in agricultural practice and an increased favorability and demand by society, grazing based milk production has become a topic of heightened interest in European agricultural policy, as well as dairy product marketing. This paper studies the behavior of German farmers with respect to the adoption of grazing practices. To do so, a structural equation model based on the technology acceptance model (TAM) is developed. Generally, the TAM hypothesizes that the perceived usefulness and the perceived ease of use are key determinants of the intention to use and the actual usage behavior of a technology. The results indicate that the perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use statistically significantly influence the adoption of grazing practices. Other important aspects are the production limitations on the individual farm, and the farmers' subjective norm towards grazing. Furthermore, the analysis reveals differences between conventional and organic farmers, showing that the influence of farmers' beliefs on the usage behavior tends to be greater for conventional farmers. The results show that farmers' subjective norm influences multiple other constructs of the model, including the intention to use. Under the assumption that farmers' perceptions of societal expectations depend on the public discourse, this indicates the relevance of public information and communication for the farmer's decision-making processes.

Analyzing the Roles of Agricultural Extension Agents in Hybrid Rice Technology Decision-Making Process of Farmers, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar

Analyzing the Roles of Agricultural Extension Agents in Hybrid Rice Technology Decision-Making Process of Farmers, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar

EVALUATION OF TMO’S (TURKISH GRAIN BOARD) APPOINTMENT SYSTEM FOR PROCUREMENT

This study was conducted in the Konya province, which is one of the most important grain production centers of Turkey. The primary data was obtained by questionnaires that were given out to 54 producers. The main purpose of this study is investigating the effects of TMO’s “Appointment System for Procurement (ASP)” on marketing structure of wheat and the decision-making process of farmers. Some general characteristics of the sample farms are as follows; (1) 93% of enterprises are registered to Farmer Register System, (2) registration rate increases as size of enterprises increases, (3) property and land rate (61%) decreases as size of enterprises increases, (4) average parcel number is 8.8, (5) maturity level of product is taken into consideration while determining harvest season of wheat, (6) availability of combine harvester is also an important factor, (7) 77% of producers are not encountering harvest problem, (8) 61% of them sell their products through appointment system of TMO and (9) 36% of them change appointment dates. As a result of factor analysis, we determined 5 factors explaining 79% of the total variance for product marketing condition of producers. The weekend holiday of TMO, small and fragmented parcels and also difficulties in finding combine harvester and in turn problems caused by FRS limitation constitute the first factor. The size of Enterprises was the second factor, the age and education level of producers which is effective in adapting to the appointment system was the third factor. Also, the determination of sale price and institution/person of product was the fourth factor, while the credit-finance structure of the enterprise constituted the fifth factor.

REGULARIZATION OF LEGAL RESERVE DEBTS: PERCEPTIONS OF RURAL PRODUCERS IN THE STATE OF PARÁ AND MATO GROSSO IN BRAZIL

Abstract The native vegetation on private land is considered a key component in the supply of ecosystem services, so the Forest Code establishes the Legal Reserve. While some studies have showed that non-compliance is common, so far no study has analyzed the willingness of producers to settle this liability. This study aimed to investigate in a exploratory ways the stated preferences and the motivating factors of producers in the settlement of liabilities and use of Legal Reserve surpluses. With this purpose this study has collected primary data through structured face-to-face interviews with 77 producers in 17 municipalities in the states of Pará and Mato Grosso. The results showed four available classes of producers in regulation (positive, inaccurate, inaccurate and negative) and suggest that age, income and the type of agricultural activity are important factors in the decision-making process of farmers in relation to environmental regularization of their legal reserves.

Optimum Returns from Greenhouse Vegetables under Water Quality and Risk Constraints in the United Arab Emirates

Greenhouses have been used in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to produce vegetables that contribute toward UAE food security, including offering fresh vegetable produce in the off-season. However, to manage such greenhouses, farmers face both technical and environmental limitations (i.e., high water scarcity), as well as vegetable market price instability. The objective of this study is to explore tradeoffs between returns (i.e., gross margin) of selected vegetables (tomato, pepper, and cucumber), risk (deviation from gross margin means), and an environmental constraint (water salinity) using a unique target MOTAD (minimization of total absolute deviations) approach to support UAE farmer decision-making processes. The optimal target MOTAD solution included all three vegetables and no corner solution. The results showed tradeoffs between returns and risks, and confirmed that product diversification reduces overall risk. The analysis was consistent with farmer perceptions based on a survey of 78 producers in the region. The search for the optimal mix of vegetable production under UAE greenhouse conditions revealed that reduction in tomato production should be offset by an increase in cucumber production while maintaining a constant level of pepper production. In other words, risk is reduced as cucumber production increases due to the high level of tomato and lettuce price volatility as the alternative to cucumber. The results also demonstrated the importance of the water salinity environmental constraint, as it was found to have a positive marginal value in the optimal vegetable mix solution (i.e., important factor). Thus the optimal solution was highly sensitive to changes in the crop water salinity constraint. The study results also demonstrate that the target MOTAD approach is a suitable optimization methodology. As a practical approach, a decision-maker in the UAE can consider gross margin (total revenue-variable costs) maximization with risk and water quality constraints to find the optimal vegetable product mix under greenhouse conditions.

An Inductive Model of Farmer Conservation Decision Making for Nitrogen Management

This study explores the drivers of and constraints to conservation decision making and practice adoption among agricultural producers in two impaired Minnesota watersheds in the Upper Mississippi River Basin. Concerns about nutrient management and non-point source nitrogen loading in the region prompted the study. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews with 30 farmers operating in the watersheds. Qualitative data analysis revealed multiple interacting drivers and constraints to conservation decision making and supported an inductive conceptual model anchored in three spheres of decision making: farming ethic, conservation practice appraisal, and conservation action. Finer descriptive analysis focused on the first two spheres revealed varying beliefs, levels of focus, and saliency involving dynamic thought processes of conservation decision making. Farming ethic encompassed multiple dimensions of farmer identity and values, social norms of farm management, and personal norms of conservation action. Appraisal dimensions were tied to resources, practice efficacy, risk and uncertainty, and autonomy. The model will enable policy makers and resource managers to better plan, design and manage conservation policies and programs. Study findings can inform nutrient management and enable better alignment with farmer decision-making processes.

Relating farmer's perceptions of climate change risk to adaptation behaviour in Hungary

Understanding how farmers perceive climate change risks and how this affects their willingness to adopt adaptation practices is critical for developing effective climate change response strategies for the agricultural sector. This study examines (i) the perceptual relationships between farmers' awareness of climate change phenomena, beliefs in climate change risks and actual adaptation behaviour, and (ii) how these relationships may be modified by farm-level antecedents related to human, social, financial capitals and farm characteristics. An extensive household survey was designed to investigate the current pattern of adaptation strategies and collect data on these perceptual variables and their potential antecedents from private landowners in Veszprém and Tolna counties, Hungary. Path analysis was used to explore the causal connections between variables. We found that belief in the risk of climate change was heightened by an increased awareness of directly observable climate change phenomena (i.e. water shortages and extreme weather events). The awareness of extreme weather events was a significant driver of adaptation behaviour. Farmers’ actual adaptation behaviour was primarily driven by financial motives and managerial considerations (i.e. the aim of improving profit and product sales; gaining farm ownership and the amount of land managed; and, the existence of a successor), and stimulated by an innovative personality and the availability of information from socio-agricultural networks. These results enrich the empirical evidence in support of improving understanding of farmer decision-making processes, which is critical in developing well-targeted adaptation policies.

Factors Influencing New Entrant Dairy Farmer's Decision-making Process around Technology Adoption

Purpose: The aims of this paper are to (1) evaluate the main factors influencing grazing system technology adoption among new entrant (NE) dairy farmers within Europe and the Irish pasture-based dairy industry, and (2) to determine the extent to which economic factors influence decision-making around technology adoption and use among NEs to the Irish dairy industry.Methodology: Multivariate analysis is used to investigate the associations between region, education level, previous experience in dairy farming, herd size, age and the farmer's perception of the usefulness (PU) and ease-of-use of a technology (PEOU), and the likelihood of that technology being adopted.Findings: The results of this study identify a high rate of grazing, artificial insemination (AI) and financial management technology adoption among NE dairy farmers whose technology decisions are primarily motivated by financial considerations and are closely related to the PU and PEOU scores of the technology. Grassland measurement had the lowest adoption rate (51%) compared to AI (86%) and farm financial management (84%).Practical Implications: The substantial importance of PU and PEOU to technology adoption decisions indicates that future research, extension and education programmes should place increased emphasis on the benefits and usability of key technologies in addition to evaluating their scientific merit.Originality/Value: For the first time information assessing technology adoption amongst new dairy farmers is available. This has the potential to improve and increase extension and education for new dairy farmers in a future post-quota environment.

Access to Weather Forecasting and Early Warning Information by Communal Farmers in Seke and Murewa Districts, Zimbabwe

In the context of current climate variability and the projected climate change there is need to strengthen the resilience of communities particularly those whose livelihoods are highly sensitive to change. Climate change is likely to result in increased frequency and intensity of weather and climate extremes. The first objective of the present research was to analyze how communal farmers in Seke and Murewa districts of Zimbabwe accessed weather forecasting and early warning information. The second objective was to assess how access to such information influenced their farming decisions. The data was collected in 2011, using a general survey of 300 communal farmers and interviewing key informants. The findings show that the two districts are and will be more vulnerable to dry spells, droughts and to some extent, violent storms. There was a general lack of access to timely, reliable rainfall forecasts and early warning information on droughts and violent storms. For those that had access to the information, the main channels that transmitted the information were the radio, extension, the television, and the farmers enquiring directly. The radio was the most important channel. Besides, the information being perceived as not very reliable, it played a significant role in the decision-making process of farmers, particularly, when deciding the time to plant and choosing crop varieties. A serious constraint for the farmers was lack of complementary information, inputs and technology that could be used to adjust their farming operations, in line with the forecasts.

Power, progress and prevarication

Genetically engineered (GE) papaya was developed in the 1990s to improve the livelihoods of small scale farmers in Thailand. Yet these farmers have been excluded from the discourse around its deregulation and deployment. While elite stakeholders continue to debate in Bangkok, little is known about small scale farmers’ understanding of biotechnology, their perceptions of the technology and whether or not they are likely to be adopters if it became available. In this case study, I report on farmer knowledge of agricultural biotechnology and genetically engineered papaya in northeast Thailand. Forty farmers in four villages were surveyed with regard to their knowledge and perceptions of GE papaya. A qualitative grounded theory approach was employed to understand their responses, from which three themes emerged: progress, power and prevarication. From these themes, the decision-making process of farmers seems to be dominated by their existing local knowledge and their interest in progressing their economic status. The responses of small-scale Isaan farmers provide a new perspective on the debate over GE virus-resistant papaya in Thailand. Based on the results of this study, we can conclude that this small subset of Thai papaya growers perceive GE virus-resistant papaya as a compatible innovation that is likely to be adopted by Thai farmers if it becomes available.