Agricultural Technology Development Research Articles

Changes in agricultural carbon emissions and factors that influence agricultural carbon emissions based on different stages in Xinjiang, China.

Xinjiang’s agricultural carbon emissions showed three stages of change, i.e., continued to rise, declined and continued to rise, during 1991–2014. The agriculture belonged to the “low emissions and high efficiency” agriculture category, with a lower agricultural carbon emission intensity. By using the logarithmic mean divisia index decomposition method, agricultural carbon emissions were decomposed into an efficiency factor, a structure factor, an economy factor, and a labour factor. We divided the study period into five stages based on the changes in efficiency factor and economy factor. Xinjiang showed different agricultural carbon emission characteristics at different stages. The degree of impact on agricultural carbon emissions at these stages depended on the combined effect of planting-animal husbandry carbon intensity and agricultural labour productivity. The economy factor was the critical factor to promote the increase in agricultural carbon emissions, while the main inhibiting factor for agricultural carbon emissions was the efficiency factor. The labour factor became more and more obvious in increasing agricultural carbon emissions. Finally, we discuss policy recommendations in terms of the main factors, including the development of agricultural science and technology (S&T), the establishment of three major mechanisms and transfer of rural labour in ethnic areas.

Agricultura orgânica: solução para o século XXI?

This study aimed to understand the context of organic farming through concepts related to its production chain, its role in family farming and its consumption profiles. The methodology used in the study was based on literature review of the inclusion of organic agriculture in society through technological development of agriculture in the nineteenth century, focusing mainly on small and medium farmers. Organic agriculture principles’ are to improve the quality of food, the preservation of ecosystems, the strengthening of associations and the practice of fair trade. The technology, set in some organic farming, is based on production systems that limit the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, growth regulators and additives for animal feed. It is noteworthy that organic farming is not based only on its productive system but also on the insertion of family farming. It is concluded that the practice of organic farming is not restricted to a niche market, but to a fair system that seeks the best in all aspects of human life quality respecting social, economic and biological interactions, between man and environment.

Management of unregulated agricultural nonpoint sources through water quality trading market.

Water quality trading (WQT) could be an innovative policy to incentivize farmers to implement best management practices (BMPs) for their activities. This study focused on assessment of involving unregulated agricultural nonpoint sources (NPS) into the WQT market in Gharesoo watershed in the west of Iran. It also proposes a methodology to determine location-based trading ratios as well as environmental penalty cost to achieve a more well-designed market structure. Trading activities in different scenarios were described by trading volume (TV), participation rate (PR), total exchanged value (TEV), and other market parameters in order to achieve a better comparison of market performance. Results showed that, by applying NPS to the Gharesoo watershed, total phosphorous (TP) trading market could increase TV, PR, and TEV up to 11, 1.7 and 7.5 times, respectively, depending on which level of BMPs are implemented by them. Additionally, it could save 29% of the total cost of implementing a TP total maximum daily load in this watershed compared to the 'command and control' approach. Furthermore, the agricultural sector could profit by $5.49 million (or $75/ha) by choosing solutions such as terrace systems and filter strips to register into the market. This profit can be allocated to the development of new agricultural technologies.

Mapping Chinese Rice Suitability to Climate Change

<p>Climate change has the potential to affect Chinese rice production; however, the rice crop could become more suitable to new climatic conditions because of benefits derived from new agricultural technologies. In this paper, a county-level dataset and crop model were used to analyze actual rice yield suitability by measuring the yield gap and yield stability from 1980 to 2011 in 1561 counties of China. The results showed that the national yield gap between the actual and potential yields was approximately 23.0%, which is close to the threshold for profitable planting. However, a number of counties in the northeastern and southwestern regions showed a 30 to 50% yield gap, which indicates a relatively lower suitability of the rice. The rice yield stability results indicated that the actual stability has exceeded the potential stability in most of the counties of China, thus indicating a high level of suitability. Temporally, a decreasing trend was observed for both the yield gap and stability, suggesting that the suitability of rice in China has improved, which might be associated with the development of agricultural technology. The only noteworthy locations presenting a high yield gap and yield instability were several counties in the northeastern region. Since the northeastern region accounts for a significant proportion of China's rice production, further investigations should be conducted to identify the underlying causes of the yield gaps and determine methods of increasing the yield stability. The implementation of more suitable agricultural technology in the area is also suggested to improve the rice suitability in the region.</p>

Penerapan Teknologi Tepat Guna Padi Sawah Spesifik Lokasi di Dusun Ponggok, Trimulyo, Jetis, Bantul

The role of technology is very important in supporting improvement of agricultural production. The high-tech strategic role was demonstrated by the success in achieving increased production of rice within the last 35 years is the contribution of the application of more advanced technology. Mosher et al. (2003) put technology as an essential condition for agricultural development. If there is no change in the technological development of agriculture was halted. Production halted the increase, it may even decline because of declining fertility tannic or because of damage increased by pest play an increasingly rampant. A view to changing the technology, can be interpreted as an adaptive technology on the condition of the biophysical and social environment of the local culture. Practical application of specific technologies by farmers, for example how farmers adjust to the conditions of cultivation of local agro-ecosystem forming a specific production system on irrigated land, rainfed lowland, upland, swampy areas, and tidal. Choice according to agro-ecosystem farmers are adapting cultivation is calibration-specific technologies. It’s caused each commodity grows well on climatic conditions, soil and culture-specific social support. Community service activities has been implementing the specific technology that is enriched with appropriate technology research team of the Faculty of Agriculture of UGM by utilizing site-specific conditions of Ponggok Hamlet, Trimulyo, Jetis, Bantul, which have ingredients that can be used for making fertilizer and also wisdom locations in rice cultivation which has been done by farmers for generations. Community Service Team of Faculty of Agriculture, UGM during 2013-2015 had engaged in community service based on the results of research and appropriate technologies in Ponggok Hamlet, for 2 seasons seen significant progress and participation of farmers. In 2013 the results of the demonstration plot tile average of 6.8 tons/ha, after continuous mentoring and counseling in 2014 the results of tile becomes 7.8 to 9.8 tons/ha. Activities application of appropriate technology in a farmer’s land is not easy. Although guidance and counseling has been done before, but not all farmers want and dare to carry out all of the technology that is recommended because it is still in doubt, especially with regard to plant spacing, seed age and the number of seedlings planted. In 2015, a technology package has been introduced covering healthy seedlings, planting system “footprint tiger”, “tajarwo”, homemade compost with waste around the site and biological fertilizers. The results of the application of specific technologies in the growing season of April to July 2015 showed an increase in rice production, but the farmer as a principal factor remains the key to successful application of the technology.

The Adoption Problem; or Why We Still Understand so Little about Technological Change in African Agriculture

The notion of adoption is central to efforts to measure technological change in African agriculture, and plays an important role in the evaluation of return on investment in agricultural research and technology development. However, the adoption concept, as it is commonly used in both the literature and development research practice, is seriously flawed and leads to inaccurate and misleading conclusions. The authors outline a design specification for a replacement concept that would provide a better basis for robust empirical research on the economic, social and environmental impacts of investment in agricultural technology development and promotion. They propose that this new concept can contribute to a better and more nuanced understanding of the impacts of technology development interventions.

Empirical Analysis of the Regional Development Levels of Contemporary Agricultural Science and Technology in Fuyang City, China

Contemporary agricultural science and technology is under great scrutiny. Understanding the past and current trends of Agricultural science and technology is crucial. Fuyang city is one of the Chinese traditional big agricultural cities and the largest city in terms of population in Anhui province, China. In the study, an index system for the development and innovation levels of agricultural science and technology was established and the regional innovation of current agricultural science and technology in Fuyang city was empirically evaluated and analyzed by using the index system based on the existing annual data available. The purpose of this study was to make an objective analysis and evaluation of the sub-area innovation levels among urban districts and counties in Fuyang city. All the data was processed and transformed simultaneously based on the same scales of social-economic index and next analyzed based on the methods of factor analysis in view of dimension reduction. Finally, the comprehensive evaluation was carried out and the scores was ranked as followed by Linquan county, Yingshang county, Funan county, Taihe county, Jieshou county, Yingzhou district, Yingquan district and Yingdong district. It is concluded that the innovation level of Fuyang city is unbalanced with two main features. Firstly, on the whole, the city’s innovation is rather active with supports from subordinate districts and counties, but the innovation levels of subordinate counties are better than those of urban districts in view of the quantities and activities of agricultural science and technology innovation. Higher levels of agricultural science and technology innovation are seen in the natural growing zones. Secondly, in consideration of agricultural science and technology innovation, the different indicators of counties and districts in Fuyang city have shown their own advantages and disadvantages, especially on specific negative principal component score which shows that the corresponding defects on specific principal components. That is, the district or county are relatively backward in corresponding index of agricultural science and technology innovation and even some of the principal component factor have become the bottleneck of these districts or counties for innovation and sustainable development.

HARMONY BETWEEN TRADITION AND MODERNITY IMAGE IN THE PAVILION OF INDONESIA AT WORLD EXPO IN THE PERIOD OF THE NEW ORDER

INTRODUCTION:World Expo has been used for number of objectives. It serves as place where cultural exchanges take place and findings of cutting edge technology for the advancement are displayed. It also represents the national identity of nation and at the same time strengthens awareness to find solution for universal issues. The New Order regime made strategic policies relating to tourism development and its improvement. They activel y worked on cultural mission to foreign countries and exhibitions such as the World Expo. This regime also took serious measures to shape and improve Indonesia's positive image based on their achievements in the nation's development measures. Referring to the Garis Besar Haluan Negara (GBHN) Guidelines of the State Policy' concerning communication, the New Order stated, international communication aims at improving Indonesia's positive image based on the achievements of the development so hopefully it will give positive impact on the significant increase of the development activities... (bappenas.go.id). The New Order government shaped the image of Indonesia before the world through the presence of its pavilions in the World Expo. Indonesia's positive image in the eyes of the world became extremely important for the New Order regime.Although the organizer of the World Expo always offered different themes for every event to be used by the pavilions to pass on the messages they want to send, plainly, all the pavilions of Indonesia during the New Order regime appeared similar; they all portrayed the face of Indonesia by means of the merging of modern and traditional building, cultural diversity through dances, traditional music, demo of the making of Indonesia's traditional crafts such as making batik, keris a wavy-bladed kind of dagger', and carving and weaving. In view of that, this research will focus on analysing how the New Order 's positive image was presented in the display of the Indonesia's pavilions in World Expo.FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION:New Order's Situation:New Order was regime that created distinct boundary with the previous regime, the Old Order. A message from President Soeharto on the spirit of the New Order, in seminar organized by the Indonesian Army taken place in Bandung in August 1966 was as follows: ... New Order will be of more pragmatic and realistic but we will not forget about our idea on the meaning of independence. New Or der wants to put the national interest at the forefront by keeping holding on the ideology that totally goes against communism and imperialism. New Order did not go against strong government and leadership; this is the characteristic that we will use in this transitional period. New Order will implement the principle of democracy in the field of economy. This is meant to reach fair and prosperous society based on the five principles (Pancasila) and One Supreme God as our moral values. (Knapp, 2007).The birth of the New Order was interpreted as the starting point to re-arrange the regulations to save the nation. The New Order created political orientation in the form of order, stability, security and economic development. Development, according to the New Order, can be carried out when all conflicts both in terms of politics and ideology can be avoided and removed.In its early period, the New Order regime worked on the national development focusing on the agriculture and the industrial supporting the agriculture sector by means of the policy of agricultural modernization, which is by changing the traditional way of farming to modern one. This policy actually follows the development of the world's agricultural technology moving towards industrialization. This regime aimed to lower the dependency of the farmers upon the climate and nature, to increase food productions to meet the needs of the speedy ever - growing needs of the population. …

Drivers of agricultural carbon emissions in Hunan Province, China

This paper estimates carbon emissions from agricultural production in China’s Hunan Province during the period from 1998 to 2012. It also analyzes trends in the development of agricultural carbon emissions and the decoupling relationship between carbon emissions and the agricultural output of Hunan. In this study, emissions from two key segments of the agricultural sector were quantified: (1) crop production and (2) livestock and poultry production (singular). A combined method of principal component analysis (PCA), multiple regression analysis, and decoupling analysis was employed to assess the drivers of agricultural carbon emissions. This showed that there was a weak and unstable decoupling relationship between agricultural carbon emissions and their output value during the period of study. The PCA revealed that two main factors—urbanization rate and nitrogen fertilization per acre—explained 92.51 % of the variation in the 11 factors that affected carbon emissions from crops. Also, two main factors (i.e., agriculture per capita GDP and the ratio of beef production to total livestock production) explained 86.27 % of the variation in nine factors that affected carbon emissions from the livestock and poultry industry. Using the PCA scores as independent variables, a multiple regression analysis of carbon emissions from the crop industry and the livestock and poultry industry showed the following patterns. (1) Theoretically, given a 10 % reduction in nitrogen fertilization per acre, crop carbon emissions would decrease by 519 units. If the rate of urbanization were to increase by 1 %, crop carbon emissions would increase by 83 units; (2) similarly, a 1 % reduction in the beef: total livestock and poultry production ratio would reduce carbon emissions from that industry by 329 units, and with “agricultural per capita GDP” growth of 1 unit, those emissions would increase by 0.354 units. The results of this study contribute to evaluating the sustainability of agricultural production in the region, and they provide a foundation of knowledge for future development of related agricultural mitigation policy and low-carbon agricultural technology.

Silk protein as a cell additive

Event Abstract Back to Event Silk protein as a cell additive You-Young Jo1, Haeyong Kweon1 and Kwang-Gill Lee1 1 National Academy of Agricultureal Science, Department of Agricultural BIology, Korea Introduction: A substance for the cell proliferation, additives such as cell cytokine is a very expensive. It is known that silk protein supports effectively cell proliferation[1]-[4]. Although there are many varieties of Bombyx mori silkworm, the effect of silkworm varieties on cell proliferation has not been considered in detail. To develop the cell additives using silk proteins, we studied that effects on cell proliferation and characteristics of silk obtained from Korea various silkworm varieties. Materials and Methods: Silk sericin was prepared under high temperature high pressure condition. Silk fibroin was prepared using CaCl2 : H2O : ethanol (1:8:2) with different dissolution time(1, 3, 5 hour). The characteristics of each silk protein were analyzed by performing Tensile strength, amino acid composition, porosity, XRD and gel electrophoresis. We investigated the attachment, proliferation, morphology of the cells and the expression levels of genes related to cell growth. Results: There are differences in silk cocoon from different silkworm varieties. The porosity of cocoons was 73~85%. The crystal structure of each cocoon was different by XRD analysis[5]. Also amino acid composition was different. But the molecular weight of silk proteins was same. The proliferation was accelerated in the presence all of silk sericin and silk fibroin. Especially, this was the best Baekokjam silk sericin in cell proliferation. The Baekokjam silk serin was upregulated the EGF gene expression up to 5 times. Conclusion: We expect that silk proteins could be a preferable culture medium supplement for stimulating the proliferation of cell. Then, these results suggest silk as a new material for medium supplement. This study was carried out with the support of "Research Program for Agricultural Science & Technology Development (Project No. PJ010006)", National Academy of Agricultural Science, Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea

A social networks approach for strengthening participation in technology innovation: lessons learnt from the Mount Elgon region of Kenya and Uganda

Participatory approaches to agricultural technology development have not yet fully lived up to their promise to incorporate farmer knowledge. This paper introduces a social networks approach (SNA) to improve participatory research processes for co-innovation. Drawing upon findings from a collaborative project developing conservation agricultural production systems for smallholders in western Kenya and eastern Uganda, the paper explores farmer support networks to improve participation in technological innovation and development. Key research themes include: identifying farmers’ agricultural production networks; the local articulation of agricultural production networks and mindsets; using networks to facilitate meaningful participation in technology development; and disadvantages and advantages of using a social network approach. The introduction of SNA improved participatory research by building external and internal legitimacy for determining who participates, discouraging participatory attrition, and providing a meaningful forum for participation of all stakeholders. As a result, the introduction of SNA is demonstrated to show strong promise for improving processes of participatory technology development in agriculture.

シンポジウムの趣旨と総合討論(『攻めの農林水産業』に応える農業技術〜北陸地域が目指す方向とは)

シンポジウムの趣旨と総合討論(『攻めの農林水産業』に応える農業技術〜北陸地域が目指す方向とは)

The evolution of some agroclimatic indicators between 2009 - 2013 in the Transylvanian Plain

Transylvanian Plain (TP) with an area of 395,616 hectares  is considered one of the most affected areas with the lowest capacity to adapt  to existing climate change. In these conditions, the climate monitoring and implementation of measures to adapt to these changes are essential for sustainable development of agricultural technologies. Purpose of these paper is to analysis of data obtained in relation to the principles of soil conservation and adaptation to climate phenomena observed in monitoring agro-climatic factors. In this study we used data of temperature and humidity electronically recorded by eight HOBO microstations located in the Transylvanian Plain, which determine the rainfalls and temperature to a height of 1 m, the soil temperature (at 10, 30, 50 cm depth in soil) and soil moisture (at 10 cm depth). In TP the multiannual average of temperature at 10 cm depth in soil recorded during 2009-2013 is 11.22ÂoC, respectively 11.23ÂoC at 50 cm depth in soil and the multiannual average of soil moisture recorded in the same period is 0.227 m 3 /m 3 . The multiannual average value of precipitation is 465.25 mm. Results highlight the dynamic evolution of soil moisture and air temperature in Transylvanian Plain due to agro-climatic analysis of the indicators calculated for the period 2009-2013.

Mechanization of Agriculture: Implications for the Farming Community in India

Application of agricultural technologies has been supportive for fulfilling the requirements of food and raw material of an individual and an industry as well. But it has also injured the farming community in India without providing adequate treatment for physical and economic health. What are the measures available for the safety and social security of farming communities by which risk can be ameliorated? This paper examines such predicaments by locating the response of the scientific community engaged in the research and development of agricultural technologies. The discussion is based upon the transcript obtained after in-depth interviews of the scientific community. An effort has been made to interpret the empirical reality of occupational health hazards in farming relating to emerging social security measures.

Chilli production and adoption of chilli-based agribusiness in Indonesia

Purpose – Chilli plays an important role in the Indonesian economy through its multiplier effect. The recent rapid growth of chilli production in Indonesia can be explained by the development of agricultural and communication technologies and improved market infrastructure. The purpose of this paper is to analyse factors that affect farmers’ decisions to adopt chilli-based agribusinesses. Intensive chilli farming, as a part of agricultural commercialisation, is considered a technological package that is more profitable but also more input- and labour-intensive than the production of rice or other cereal crops. Design/methodology/approach – This study used a logit model to estimate the farmers’ decision function. Personal characteristics, technical factors and business environment were hypothesised to influence farmers’ decisions to adopt intensive chilli farming. Data for this study were compiled from surveys conducted during 2009-2011. The surveys interviewed 300 farmer households in three main chilli producing regions of Java, Indonesia. Findings – The results indicate that younger farmers, and also farmers with more experience, were more likely to adopt chilli farming. Availability of chilli production technology and the use of mobile phones prompted farmers to adopt chilli farming. Access to vegetable markets, credit, and market information were other factors driving farmers’ decisions to take up chilli production. Most farmers were motivated to grow chilli to increase their incomes. Ecological factors were also the reasons. Research limitations/implications – The sample for this research is quite low. However, the sample was drawn from representative potential chilli production areas in Indonesia. Originality/value – There is room to increase the number of chilli-based agribusinesses in Indonesia. Intensive chilli farming should be introduced to young farmers and those with experience in vegetable production. Farm credit, market information, and agronomic technologies should be made more available and accessible to farmers. Strengthening communication networks among farmers through the use of mobile phones is the best way to encourage farmers to adopt intensive chilli farming. Vegetable markets should be established in potential chilli producing regions.

<b>Diallel analysis of maize hybrids for agronomic and bromatological forage traits

The aim of this study was to evaluate a diallel of maize hybrids for traits related to forage production and nutritional value. Six commercial hybrids were used as parents. The crosses were made according to a complete diallel design, obtaining the F1 and reciprocal crosses. The evaluations were performed in the main and second crop seasons in the 2010/2011 crop year at the Center for Technological Development in Agriculture of the Federal University of Lavras, located in Lavras, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The experimental precision indicated by the coefficient of variation was good for all the traits measured. Significant differences were not observed among the crosses for traits related to the nutritional value of the forage. For fresh matter yield and dehusked ear yield, the general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) effects were significant. Sowing in the second crop season reduced the yield and nutritional value of the forage. The interaction among the crosses and sowing seasons was not significant. For the beginning of an intrapopulational breeding program, the parent BM 3061 stands out by showing high estimates of GCA for the grain and forage yields.

DNA Marker Technologies in Plants and Applications for Crop Improvements

Over the past several decades, especially through traditional breeding programme, intensive attempts have been made for the improvement of a large number of cereal varieties which adjusted to diverse agro-ecologies. However, increasing biotic and abiotic stresses, increasing populations, and sharply reducing natural resources especially water for agricultural purposes, push the breeders for organizing and developing improved cereal varieties with higher yield potential. In combination with developments in agricultural technology, plant breeding has made remarkable progress in increasing crop yields for over a century. Molecular markers are widely employed in plant breeding. DNA markers are being used for the acceleration of plant selection through marker-assisted selection (MAS). Genes of agronomic and scientific importance can be isolated especially on the basis of their position on the genetic map by using molecular markers technologies. In this review, the current status of marker development technologies for crop improvements will be discussed. It will also provide an outlook into the future approaches and most widely used applications in plant breeding in crop plants on the basis of present development.

Relationship between Phosphorus Accumulation and Dry Matter Production in Soybeans

Six cultivars of soybean were cultivated under various phosphorus (P) application levels, in pots and in fields to clarify the relationship between P accumulation and dry matter production, and that of varietal differences in soybeans. Dry matter production and yield components increased with the increase of P application, especially under P-deficient conditions, and there were varietal differences in dry matter production, yield components, and amount of P accumulation. However, there were significant relationships between dry matter production and P accumulation, and the relationships could be represented by the same regression line regardless of cultivar. There were varietal differences in dry matter production efficiency of accumulated P under a P-deficient condition. These results suggest that either high ability to accumulate P or efficient dry matter production of P is required for stable production under P-deficient conditions. Therefore, selection of cultivars that have high dry matter production efficiency or large root systems, or the development of agricultural management technology that increases the rate of P fertilizer absorption is required for stable production under P-deficient conditions.

Etno agronomy, traditional agricultural technology and rural development

En la agricultura nacional existe hasta la fecha un dominio de las unidades de produccion de infrasubsistencia, cuyos conocimientos productivos se basan en saberes agricolas tradicionales; su existencia subsiste a pesar de las acciones gubernamentales que, durante las ultimas seis decadas, han intentado modernizar dichas unidades por medio de programas de asistencia tecnica, respaldados por la investigacion y la educacion agricola superior, en donde domina la vision de la ciencia occidental. Asi, a pesar de la gran cantidad de recursos canalizados, los campesinos siguen siendo el sector de mayor marginacion y pobreza, lo que cuestiona las politicas publicas. Lo anterior lleva a establecer varios puntos en la busqueda de la posible construccion de alternativas desde la academia, en donde las Etnociencias pueden ser utiles. En primer lugar, se plantea a la Etnoagronomia como el posible campo cientifico que permita darle continuidad a los estudios de tecnologia agricola tradicional, iniciados en la decada de 1970 por Efraim Hernandez Xolocotzi, en la Escuela Nacional de Agricultura; en segundo, se revisan las diferentes definiciones dadas a la Etnoagronomia, la cual se asume como una Etnociencia ligada al desarrollo agricola y rural de las comunidades campesinas, y, dada su naturaleza que recoge las visiones y aspiraciones de los productores, necesariamente se alinea a la construccion de alternativas al desarrollo, el cual trata de imponerse por medio de los programas de asistencia tecnica.

Comprehensive Evaluation of the Development Level of Shanxi’s Real Estate Industry Based on Factor Analysis and Cluster Analysis

In this paper, on the basis of the effective data, build the evaluation index system of the real estate industry development level, using factor analysis and cluster analysis, analysis the real estate industry development level of 10 cities and 1 agricultural science and technology development zone in Shanxi province . According to factor score and cluster analysis, the level of real estate development in Shanxi Province is divided into four types, and ranking them, finally analysis the results of classification reasons.