Agricultural Innovation Development Research Articles

Consumers’ perception and willingness to pay for hydroponic tomatoes: the effects of sustainability and quality attributes

PurposeThe agricultural sector is facing pressure due to concerns about its impact on the environment. Farmers must adapt to ensure high-quality, sustainable production. This requires efficient techniques such as soilless farming. The development of agricultural innovations depends on social acceptance; thus, it is crucial to identify the factors that influence consumers' purchasing decisions. The aim of this paper is to analyse consumers' perceptions of hydroponic cultivation techniques and their willingness to pay (WTP) a premium price for hydroponic tomatoes certified as “nickel-free” and “zero-residue”.Design/methodology/approachThe survey was conducted in Italy using tomatoes as a case study. Data were collected through an online questionnaire from a convenience sample of 292 respondents and were analysed using statistical analysis and a multiple linear regression model.FindingsThe results showed that WTP was influenced by frequency of purchase, familiarity with soilless technology, environmental sustainability, income and education. Consumers place a high value on the sustainability of the hydroponic production process and their perception of increased safety positively influences WTP. It is therefore recommended that marketing strategies focus on the environmental sustainability and safety of hydroponic products. In addition, it may be beneficial to implement a certification system specific to hydroponic cultivation, in addition to the existing “nickel-free” and “zero-residue” certifications.Originality/valueThis study introduces several novel elements: it is the first to assess the Italian consumers’ perceptions and WTP for a hydroponic product. Secondly, it assesses WTP in relation to several aspects of increasing relevance related to health claims, namely “nickel-free” and “zero-residue”.

IMPLEMENTASI KEBIJAKAN PENGEMBANGAN INOVASI PERTANIAN SPESIFIK LOKASI DI BALAI BESAR PENGKAJIAN DAN PENGEMBANGAN TEKNOLOGI PERTANIAN (BBP2TP) BALITBANGTAN

Achieving food security and nutrition is one of the national development priorities that the government is tasked with realizing. In the 2020-2024 RPJMN there are seven National Priorities (PN). The research design is a depiction of the research paradigm, the author chose a qualitative research approach to reveal and discuss the Implementation of the Performance Policy of the Center for Agricultural Technology Assessment and Development (BBP2TP) towards the Development of Location-Specific Agricultural Innovations. In its implementation, there are many things that influence it. One of the crucial things for the development of location-specific technology is how to harmonize technology development between the Research Center and the Agricultural Technology Assessment Center (BPTP). In the implementation of location-specific technology development policies coordinated by BBP2TP, many interests affect (Interest Affected) the Implementation of Location-Specific Agricultural Innovation Development Policies.

The Role of Extension Farms in Developing the Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes of Farmers in the Provinces of Central Iraq

The study aimed to identify the role of extension farms in developing the knowledge and skill capabilities of farmers in the governorates of central Iraq through the following areas (the extent to which extension farms depend on the preparation and planning process, coordination and cooperation with the relevant authorities, the dissemination and transfer of agricultural innovations, the use of modern means of communication, the conduct of Research and development of agricultural innovations to address the problems of farmers, interaction and reactions of farmers with extension farms, the possibilities available). Also, this study dealt with identifying the problems and obstacles facing work in those farms. This study included (66) respondents were representing all extension employees working in extension farms, which numbered (19) farms in (5) provinces. The questionnaire form was used as a tool to collect data from respondents after ensuring its validity and consistency, and results showed that the role of extension farms in developing and developing the knowledge, skills and attitudes of the targeted farmers is weak and not at the required level, and the study showed weakness in process of preparing and planning extension activities, and absence of coordination and cooperation process and integration with the relevant authorities, and there is a great perception in process of spreading and transferring agricultural innovations and the lack of use of modern means of communication to interact with farmers, and that extension farms do not implement scientific research procedures to address the problems and needs of farmers, as it has been shown that there are material and financial problems and obstacles facing the workflow in these farms. The lack of number of extension staff and their weak knowledge and skills expertise, as well as administrative and communication problems. The study included some scientific recommendations to address the weaknesses, which will contribute to improving the performance and efficiency of work in extension farms.

ІННОВАЦІЇ ЯК СКЛАДОВА ФОРМУВАННЯ ПРОДОВОЛЬЧОЇ БЕЗПЕКИ УКРАЇНИ

The article is devoted to arguing the importance of innovations in the formation of food security in Ukraine and the world. The main indicators of the transformation of the agricultural sector of the food sphere in the direction of innovations are considered. Risks for the food security of Ukraine and the world caused by demography, shortage of natural resources, food waste, pandemic, climate change and the full-scale military invasion of russia on Ukrainian lands are identified. The influence of the military actions of the russian federation on the agricultural sector of Ukraine and its consequences on the food security of the states, which are import-dependent on Ukrainian products, are analyzed. The development of the agricultural sector based on smart agricultural innovations and in the direction of organic production is substantiated. The Ukrainian agri-food sector in modern conditions is not only a type of business activity in the agricultural sector but is an area of global social responsibility. Innovative approaches and technologies, new quality of work, innovative developments and inclusive solutions will reduce costs, and increase productivity and profitability of agricultural production, which will strengthen not only the food security of Ukraine but also economic security. The implementation of innovations in the available agricultural resource potential of Ukraine will provide opportunities to increase the volume of production and export of agricultural products. Innovations in the agricultural sector should be aimed at fulfilling the goals of sustainable development and be directed to highly productive farming, ensuring its environmental sustainability. To speed up the development of agricultural innovations in Ukraine, the article proposes to establish cooperation with the international community for the exchange of experience and the development of joint innovative projects in agri-food production. The introduction of innovations in the agricultural sector will ensure its balanced and highly productive development, which will contribute to strengthening food security, environmental friendliness, and humanization.

Redes e fronteiras tecnológicas em instituição de pesquisa: há um caminho sendo construído para o desenvolvimento rural da Bioeconomia?

Este artigo propõe-se a avaliar a rede de pesquisa tecnológica da Embrapa, empresa pública que visa ao desenvolvimento de inovações agrícolas no Brasil. Avaliar as redes de pesquisa visa trazer novos e importantes elementos para a tomada de decisões em políticas científicas e tecnológicas. A análise foi feita a partir do estudo de redes com o objetivo de analisar as fronteiras tecnológicas desenvolvidas pela Embrapa. Os resultados mostraram que houve uma inflexão das tecnologias desenvolvidas pela Embrapa, caracterizadas como tecnologias ligadas à química verde. Conclui-se que a Embrapa possui tecnologias com oportunidades futuras ligadas ao desenvolvimento de produtos da Bioeconomia, sendo um indicador importante para uma oportunidade de governança do desenvolvimento do agronegócio no Brasil, uma vez que seus resultados de P&D podem ser incorporados por mercados brasileiros.

Overview of agricultural innovation development in mainland China

The creation and innovation are the keys to realise Chinese agricultural modernisation. The agricultural innovation development in mainland China includes three aspects: system, science and technology, and development pattern. The system innovation includes land system and management system innovation. The investment in agricultural science and technology innovation which mainly relies on government is increasing, but the growth rate is relatively slower than the total investment. In the future, enterprises should be encouraged to play a leading role in agricultural science and technology innovation. In the last aspect of development pattern, on the basis of the traditional agriculture development model, we have developed circular agriculture, leisure agriculture, agricultural internet plus. As a whole, the innovation of agriculture system is the foundation of the agricultural innovation development in mainland China, while the innovation of agricultural science and technology is the driving force, and the innovation of agricultural development pattern is the form.

Overview of Agricultural Innovation Development in Mainland China

The creation and innovation are the keys to realise Chinese agricultural modernisation. The agricultural innovation development in mainland China includes three aspects: system, science and technology, and development pattern. The system innovation includes land system and management system innovation. The investment in agricultural science and technology innovation which mainly relies on government is increasing, but the growth rate is relatively slower than the total investment. In the future, enterprises should be encouraged to play a leading role in agricultural science and technology innovation. In the last aspect of development pattern, on the basis of the traditional agriculture development model, we have developed circular agriculture, leisure agriculture, agricultural internet plus. As a whole, the innovation of agriculture system is the foundation of the agricultural innovation development in mainland China, while the innovation of agricultural science and technology is the driving force, and the innovation of agricultural development pattern is the form.

Farmers’ Own Research: Organic Farmers’ Experiments in Austria and Implications for Agricultural Innovation Systems

Farmers’ experiments can be defined as the autonomous activities of farmers to try or introduce something new at the farm, and include evaluation of success or failure with farmers’ own methods. Experiments enable farmers to adapt their farms to changing circumstances, build up local knowledge, and have resulted in countless agricultural innovations. Most research on the topic has been conducted in countries of the south. In this paper, however, we present experiments of randomly sampled organic farmers in Austria, and we discuss implications for agricultural innovation systems. In 76 structured questionnaire interviews we investigated topics, motives, methods and outcomes of farmers’ experiments, and factors related to the frequency of experimentation. From the interviewed farmers, 90% reported experiments, and the majority of experiments (94%) involved monitoring and evaluation strategies. Farmers who reported a high frequency of experimentation showed a significantly higher propensity to plan, document and repeat their experiments, and had a more positive attitude towards experimenting than farmers that rarely experimented. We conclude that experimenting is a common activity among organic farmers in Austria, and that farmers have their own methods to conduct and assess their experiments. The most significant outcome is the creation of new knowledge, stressing the importance of experimentation for learning and adaptive farm management. Farmers’ experiments are significant on two levels, i.e. at individual farm level and at the level of agricultural innovation systems. Taking full advantage of this innovative potential requires a better involvement of farmers as co-researchers into the development of agricultural innovations.

Building an understanding of water use innovation adoption processes through farmer-driven experimentation

Smallholder farmers in Southern Africa are faced with the challenge of securing their livelihoods within the context of a wide variety of biophysical and socio-economic constraints. Agriculture is inherently risky, particularly in regions prone to drought or dry spells, and risk-averse farmers may be viewed by researchers or extension agents as reluctant to invest in agricultural innovations that have potential to improve their livelihoods. However, farmers themselves are more interested in personal livelihood security than any other stakeholder and it is the farmers’ perceptions of needs, investment options and risks that drive their decision-making process. A holistic approach to agricultural innovation development and extension is needed to address both socio-economic and biophysical dynamics that influence adoption and dissemination of innovations. This paper, presents a methodology for involving farmers from the Bergville district of South Africa in the process of innovation development through facilitation of farmer-driven gardening experiments. Facilitating farmer-driven experimentation allows farmers to methodically assess the value of innovations they choose to study while providing researchers with a venue for learning about socio-economic as well as biophysical influences on farmers’ decisions. With this knowledge, researchers can focus on developing innovations that are socially and economically appropriate and therefore, more readily adoptable. The participatory process gave farmers the tools they needed to make informed decisions through critical thinking and analysis and improved their confidence in explaining the function of innovations to others. Researchers were able to use farmers’ manually collected data and observations to supplement laboratory generated and electronically recorded information about soil water dynamics to understand water balances associated with different garden bed designs, and to investigate whether trench beds, drip irrigation and water harvesting with run-on ditches tended to improve water use efficiency. Wetting front detectors (WFD) were shown to have some potential as management tools for farmers, provided certain limitations are addressed, while drip irrigation was found to be impractical because the available drip kits were prone to malfunction and farmers believed they did not provide enough water to the plants. Farmers participating in a series of monthly, hands-on workshops that encouraged individual experimentation tended to adopt and sustain use of many introduced garden innovations. Farmers who were also seriously involved in a formalized research and experimentation process at their own homesteads became more proficient with gardening systems in general, through continual trial-and-error comparisons and making decisions based on observations, than those who were not involved. This suggests that the practice of on-going experimentation, once established, reaches beyond the limits of facilitation by researchers or extension agents, into the realm of sustainable change and livelihood improvement through adoption, adaptation and dissemination of agricultural innovations.