Productive Efficiency Research Articles

The nexus of poverty energy in China's industrial productive efficiency and energy transition in digital economy

This research explores the relationship between energy poverty, industrial efficiency, and the energy transition within China's digital economy from 2010 to 2022, spanning 30 provinces. Addressing the significant issue of energy poverty, where many lack access to affordable and reliable energy, the study seeks to understand its impact on industrial productivity and the broader imperative of energy transition in the face of rapid digitalization in China. Using panel data analysis, the research examines how energy poverty affects industrial production efficiency and evaluates its influence on China's ability to shift to cleaner energy sources within the digital economic framework. Findings highlight a complex interplay between energy poverty, industrial efficiency, and energy transition. It is revealed that energy poverty significantly impedes industrial productivity, with notable differences across provinces. Furthermore, the study finds a positive link between industrial efficiency and the speed of energy transition, indicating that enhancing industrial efficiency can aid in a smoother shift to cleaner energy sources. The digital economy is identified as a crucial factor in this process, providing innovative solutions to reduce energy poverty, improve productive efficiency, and accelerate the energy transition. The study emphasizes the importance of integrated strategies to tackle energy poverty, enhance industrial efficiency, and support the energy transition, particularly through the utilization of digital economy tools.

Enhancement and evaluation of solar still performance using internal reflectors and woven wire mesh: An experimental approach

In recent years, the urgency for harnessing solar energy for water desalination has grown significantly, driven by the escalating costs and the increasing scarcity of clean water sources. Numerous research efforts were dedicated to enhance the productivity of solar still, including the thermal energy storage materials, solar concentrators, nanofluid, and more. The main objective of this research is to improve the solar still performance by using wastes of workshops and factories so, their actual cost can be assumed to be zero. The experimental setup placed at faculty of Engineering Suez Canal University. Two solar still were included: one representing the conventional and the second one is modified with internal reflectors and woven wire mesh. The performance of the stills was assessed under identical climate conditions, considering water depths of 1, 2, 3 and 4 cm using both fresh and saline water with Total dissolved Solids of 18,562 and 35643 ppm. The obtained results indicated that the incorporation of internal reflectors and woven wire mesh led to a notable percentage increase in daily thermal efficiency and accumulative productivity ranged from 42.49 % to 45.04 % and from 43.0 % to 46.8 % respectively. The economic analysis demonstrated that the cost per liter for conventional and modified solar still was about 0.0018 and 0.0011$ per liter per m2 respectively. This study’s findings suggested that the integration of internal reflectors and woven wire mesh into solar stills to obtain high productivity potable water with low cost. These results align with and reinforce previous publications in this field, highlighting the potential of this approach for addressing the pressing challenges of affordable and efficient water desalination.

Productivity and technical inefficiency: A case study of small dryland mungbean farming in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Mungbeans are one of the important agricultural products for food security in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province, which is one of the driest regions in Indonesia. The low productivity and profitability of mungbean farming in this region are caused by factors that influence agricultural inefficiency. This study was conducted to measure the productivity and technical efficiency levels, as well as investigate the factors affecting farm inefficiency, using the Technical Efficiency Effect Model (TEEM) applied to the frontier logarithmic transcendental production function. The method applied in this research is descriptive qualitative based on survey and interview results through primary and secondary data. Firstly, the results showed that mungbean farming was in the increasing return to scale stage of production and productivity only reached 57% of its production potential, with a technical efficiency level of 66%. Secondly, the factors that positively influence the low productivity and technical efficiency level of mungbean farming are land, seeds, labor, and the interaction between land and labor. Meanwhile, farmer experience and farm training significantly reduce the inefficiency of mungbean farming. It is suggested that increasing land productivity with appropriate and intensive modern technology and improving labor skills are the main strategies for reducing inefficiencies and increasing the income of smallholder farmers in drylands.

التأثير المشترك للمحفزات الحيوية ومضادات الاكسدة في الصفات الخضرية والحاصل ومكوناته لفول الصويا

ABSTRACT A field experiment was carried out for the year 2022 at Experimental Station A of the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences/ University of Baghdad/ Al-Jadriyah, located at latitude 33°N and longitude 44°E. The aim of the experiment was to determine the appropriate amount of bio-stimulants and antioxidants to produce the best chemical content of oil with a good protein ratio compared to seed and oil productivity, antioxidant compounds, and oxidative efficiency of soybean (Glycine max L.) seeds. The experiment was conducted according in a factorial arrangement the randomized complete block design (RCBD) for two factors and their interactions with three replication. The first factor included three levels of biostimulants: no spray, humic acid, and folic acid at a concentration of 2 g L-1 for each. The second factor included three levels of antioxidants: no spray, ascorbic acid, and glutathione acid at a concentration of 100 mg L-1 for each. Spraying was applied on vegetative system, first was one month after planting, the second after one month of the first spraying at the formation of branches stage, and the third at the 50% flowering stage. The results showed that bio stimulants had a significant effect on most growth traits, with the treatment of 2 g L-1 humic acid achieving the best results in growth traits, height plant (180.47cm), leaf area (104.15 dm-1), number of branches( 12.44 branch plant-1) ,fresh weight (450.16 g ),dry weight (308.03 g). while the treatment of 2 g L-1 folic acid achieved the best results in seed yield (289.10)g and total yield( 3.08) g . Antioxidants also had an effect on most growth and yield traits, with the spray of 100 mg L-1 ascorbic acid achieving a significant increase in leaf area( 98.01 dm2), while the treatment of 100 mg L-1 glutathione acid outperformed significantly in fresh weight (514.46 g) , dry weight (284.56 g), plant seed yield( 307.50 g plan-1), 100 seed weight(19.47 g ), total yield( 3.28 t ha-1), and oil yield (0.68 t ha-1). The combined effect of the study factors was significant in most growth and yield traits, but the treatment of 2 g L-1humic acid and 100 mg L-1ascorbic acid achieved a significant increase in plant height (148.53 cm), leaf area (110.95 dm-1). While the treatment of 2 g L-1 humic acid and 100 mg L-1Glutathione acid outperformed significantly in the number of branches (13.00 branch plant-), seed yield in the plant (337.80 g), total yield (3.60 g ) , and oil yield (0.99 t h-1). The combined effect of the treatment of 2 g L-1 folic acid and 100 mg L-1 Glutathione acid produced a significant increase in fresh weight (562.10 g) and 100 seed weight (22.00 g).

Empirical evidence of the relationship between regulatory efficiency, market openness, and bank productivity in economies at different income levels: Evidence from selected Asian and MENA countries

Research background: Economic freedom plays a pivotal role in ensuring the progressive productivity of banks. It fosters a favorable economic climate and acts as a catalyst for the generation of innovative ideas. In addition, economic freedom allows new domestic and foreign entrants in the banking sector which leads to increased competition as well as wider range of product offerings and thus potentially affect bank efficiency. Purpose of the article: This study aims to identify the effects of regulatory efficiency and market openness in terms of economic freedom on the bank’s productivity at three income levels: lower-middle, upper-middle, and high-income economies. Methods: A sample of 15 countries are included in the study from differing income levels. The study uses the data envelopment analysis (DEA) based Malmquist productivity index (MPI) approach to measure banks’ productivity. This non-parametric approach measures the relative efficiency of banks by considering the production change while taking into account technical efficiency change and technological change in order to capture a comprehensive view over time. Then, regression analysis was performed utilizing the ordinary least squares (OLS) approach, fixed effect (FE), and random effect (RE) panel multiple regression estimation methods are utilized to measure economic freedoms and other determinants’ effect on banks’ productivity change over time. Findings & value added: The results show that banks in high-income economies are more productive and have higher growth rates than those in upper- and lower-income economies. Furthermore, starting, obtaining permits, and closing businesses under business freedom have a detrimental effect on banks’ output, whereas the effects of labor freedom on employing, managing, and supervising staff members have a substantial favorable impact on banks’ productivity. Moreover, financial freedom and investment freedom under the market openness dimension negatively influence banks’ productivity. Government intervention is required to introduce regulations that allow foreign countries to provide labor at lower wages, introduce tax allowances, and control inflation rates. Thus, the empirical results of this study will benefit regulators and policymakers in developing a system and plan to increase banks’ productivity based on indicators of business, labor, financial, and investment freedom.

Impact of agricultural credit on coffee productivity: An analysis of the perceptions of smallholder farmers

Low coffee productivity has been linked to farmers’ limited use of agricultural financing due to credit rationing motivated by moral hazard and information asymmetry. As an intervention, the Kenyan government (GoK) established the Commodity Fund to provide financing to coffee growers to increase coffee productivity, alleviate poverty, and promote economic development. Despite this intervention, credit acceptance remains low; for example, agricultural credit made up only 4.3 percent of total private sector credit in 2016 and 3.62 percent in 2018. This low adoption of agricultural financing raises an important question: does the perception of credit’s influence on coffee output shape the current dismal trend in coffee production? As a result, this study aims to fill a research gap by exploring the impact of agricultural financing on coffee productivity in Kiambu County, Kenya. Primary data was gathered through farmers’ group discussions (FGDs) with twelve farmers’ cooperatives and fifteen key informants from five coffee value chain actors. A subsequent survey of 174 smallholder coffee farmers was conducted. Phenomenological explication and a logistic regression model were used to analyze data from key informants and focus group discussions. According to the study’s findings, farmers perceived agricultural credit as having a positive impact on demand for coffee inputs and returns while having a negative impact on demand for labor and coffee productivity efficiency. As a result, this study recommends that the GoK examine Commodity Fund policies to catalyze credit in order to stimulate increased coffee productivity and economic transformation among coffee producers.

Alternate wetting and drying: a water-saving technology for sustainable rice production in Burkina Faso?

With emerging water scarcity and rising fertilizer prices, optimising future water use while maintaining yield and nutrient efficiency in irrigated rice is crucial. Alternate wetting and moderate soil drying irrigation (i.e., re-irrigation when the water level reaches 15 cm below the soil surface) has proven to be an efficient water-saving technology in semi-arid zones of West Africa, reducing water inputs without yield penalty. Alternate wetting and severe soil drying (AWD30), by re-irrigating fields only when the water table reaches 30 cm below the soil surface, may further reduce water inputs compared to farmers’ irrigation practices (FP). However, acute soil drying may impair fertilizer use efficiency and reduce the bio-availability of some key nutrients. This study assessed the potentials and risks associated with AWD30 for smallholder rice farmers in the semi-arid zones of West Africa. We conducted 30 on-farm field trials over three seasons (wet and dry seasons of 2019, and dry season of 2020), in Kou Valley, Burkina Faso. We assessed yield, water productivity, nutrient uptake, and use efficiency under AWD30 and FP. In FP, farmers maintained their fields submerged as frequently as possible according to the scheme-dependent water provision schedule. With AWD30, irrigation frequency was reduced by 30%, however, soils were seldom completely dried due to a shallow groundwater table. Compared to FP, AWD30 reduced irrigation water input by 37% with no significant effects on grain yields (average of 4.5 Mg ha−1), thus increasing average water productivity by 39%. Both irrigation management practices provided comparable crop uptake of N, P, and K, and use efficiencies of applied N and P. However, the N content in straw and the P concentration in grain generally increased with total water input (rain + irrigation). We conclude that at locations with a shallow groundwater table, AWD30 can effectively save irrigation water without significantly reducing the grain yield and the use efficiency of applied mineral nutrients.

Enhancing productivity, profitability and land use efficiency of fodder oats (Avena sativa L.) and berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) by intercropping

A field experiment was conducted during Rabi season of 2020-21 at ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, to study the effect of different intercropping row ratios on yield, intercropping indices and economics of fodder oats and berseem. The experiment consists of nine treatments viz., sole oats, sole berseem, oats + berseem (1:1 row ratio), oats + berseem (2:1 row ratio), oats + berseem (1:2 row ratio), oats + berseem (2:2 row ratio), oats + berseem (3:1 row ratio), oats + berseem (1:3 row ratio), oats + berseem (3:3 row ratio). The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with three replications. Results of the study revealed that maximum values of total green fodder yield (66.70 t ha-1), land equivalent ratio (1.32), monetary advantage index (12411), total phosphorus uptake (22.04 kg ha-1), net return (Rs 51307 ha-1) and benefit: cost ratio (2.33) were recorded with 2:1 row ratio of oats + berseem intercropping combination. However, the maximum value of total nitrogen (178.33 kg ha-1) and potassium (208.84 kg ha-1) uptake was recorded by sole cropping of berseem, which was at par with 2:1 row ratio of oats + berseem intercropping combination. It was concluded that two rows oats + one row of berseem (2:1) intercropping combination performed best in terms of yield, land use efficiency and profitability of fodder oats and berseem.

Intercropping of Maize and Cowpea for Enhancing Productivity, Profitability and Land use Efficiency

A field experiment was conducted at agriculture farm, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Goats (CIRG), Makhdoom, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh during kharif season of 2020. The treatments consist of sole maize, sole cowpea; and intercropping of maize + cowpea in 1 : 1, 2 : 1, 1 : 2, 2 : 2, 3 : 1, 1 : 3 and 3 : 3 row ratios. The results revealed that maximum total green fodder yield, maize and cowpea equivalent yield, Land Equivalent Ratio (LER), Monitory Advantage Index (MAI), net returns and Benefit: Cost ratio were recorded with 2 : 1 row ratio of maize + cowpea intercropping combination followed by 3 : 1 row ratio. The highest value of nitrogen and potassium content both in fodder maize and cowpea were recorded with 1 : 3 row ratios of maize + cowpea intercropping combination. Further, the highest phosphorus content in fodder maize was recorded with 3 : 1 row ratio of maize + cowpea intercropping combination whereas in case of cowpea the highest phosphorus content was recorded with 1 : 3 row ratio of maize + cowpea intercropping combination. Thus, it was found that two rows maize + one row of cowpea (2 : 1) intercropping combination perform best in terms of yield, land use efficiency and profitability of fodder maize and cowpea. Bangladesh J. Bot. 53(2): 235-242, 2024 (June)

Differential Effects of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilization Rates and Fertilizer Placement Methods on P Accumulations in Maize.

Crop production in Afghanistan suffers from limited phosphorus (P) availability, which severely hinders national agriculture sustainability. This study hypothesized that deep fertilizer placement could significantly enhance the uptake of immobile P and, thus, tissue P accumulation and crop yield. A two-year pot experiment growing two maize (Zea mays) hybrid cultivars (Xida-789 and Xida-211) was, therefore, conducted to test these hypotheses under three contrasting fertilizer placement methods (broadcast, side band, and deep band). In doing so, P concentrations in both maize tissues and soils were compared at 45, 60, and 115 days after sowing (DAS) under nine combinations of nitrogen (N) and P fertilizer rates (kg ha-1: N112P45, N112P60, N112P75, N150P45, N150P60, N150P75, N187P45, N187P60, N187P75). Results have shown that deep band placement significantly increased P uptake efficiency, leading to greater P concentration and accumulation in maize tissues compared to the other two fertilization methods. This improved P uptake was attributed to several factors associated with deep placement, including reduced P fixation, enhanced root access to P, and moisture availability for P uptake. Additionally, deep band placement combined with higher N application rates (N187 and N150) further enhanced plant P uptake by promoting P availability and utilization mechanisms. Deep band placement also resulted in significantly higher total soil P, Olsen-P, and P use efficiency than broadcast and side band methods, indicating a more efficient P fertilization strategy for maize that can improve growth and yield. This study also found positive correlations between P concentration in plant organs and soil Olsen-P, highlighting the importance of adequate soil P levels for optimal plant growth. Overall, our results have shown that deep band fertilizer placement emerged as a superior strategy for enhancing P uptake efficiency, utilization, and maize productivity compared to broadcast and side band placement. The outcome generated from the deep band fertilization by this greenhouse study can be recommended for field practices to optimize P fertilizer use and improve maize production while minimizing potential environmental P losses associated with broadcast fertilization.

Corporate Tax Rates, Allocative Efficiency, and Aggregate Productivity

Abstract This paper quantifies the impact of effective corporate tax rates on aggregate total factor productivity (TFP). Using Chilean manufacturing data, we document a large dispersion in the effective tax rate faced by firms and a mass of firms facing a 0 percent tax rate. We integrate these findings into a standard monopolistic competition model, where firms are subject to corporate taxation and also face output and capital wedges, which represent all other distortions present in the economy. We find that eliminating corporate tax rates increases TFP between 4 and 11 percent. We consider counterfactual policies in which firms face a uniform flat tax rate and find a monotonically decreasing relationship between the level of the tax rate and TFP.

Ileal Digestible and Metabolizable Energy of Corn, Wheat, and Barley in Growing Japanese Quail

This study aimed to determine the ileal digestible energy (IDE), apparent metabolizable energy (AME), and nitrogen-corrected AME (AMEn) of three typical cereals for quail chicks with two age periods (day 15–21 and 22–28). The experimental diets comprised a corn–soybean meal reference diet (RD), and three test diets (TD) that were fed to quail chicks in a completely randomized design with five replicates per diet and 15 birds each. The TD comprised corn, wheat, and barley that partly replaced the RD at 300 g/kg (70% reference diet + 30% test ingredient). Age did not influence the IDE, AME, and AMEn values, while the effect of ingredient type was highly significant on the energy estimates (p < 0.001). The IDE values of corn, wheat, and barley were estimated as 2924, 3440, and 3184 kcal/kg, respectively. The AME values of corn, wheat, and barley were 3519, 2979, and 2710 kcal/kg, respectively. The estimated AMEn values of corn, wheat, and barley were 3255, 2676, and 2281 kcal/kg, respectively. These findings are crucial for optimizing diet formulations to support quail growth and performance effectively, as they provide valuable insights into the energy content of different cereals for quail production. Notably, the high IDE and AME values of wheat suggest its potential as a valuable energy source for quail diets. Understanding these values can aid in formulating diets that meet the energy requirements of quail chicks, leading to improved growth rates, feed efficiency, and overall productivity in quail production systems.

Implementation of Total Productive Maintenance on Frame Welding Machine Maintenance Using the Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) Method at PT Electronics Components Indonesia

PT. Electronics Components Indonesia manufactures capacitors and focuses on enhancing productivity and operational efficiency of the frame welding machines through effective maintenance. This study employs a quantitative method to analyze the Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) values, including availability, performance efficiency, and rate of quality, as well as conducting a Six Big Losses analysis. The results indicate that the average availability reached 97.83%, with a significant decrease in August due to downtime. Performance efficiency remained consistently above 90%, although higher product output tended to reduce efficiency. The rate of quality was stable and high, reflecting improvements in production processes and quality control. The average OEE value reached 88%, exceeding the global standard of 85%. To further enhance the effectiveness of the frame welding machines, suggested improvements include operator training, regular performance evaluations, attention to operator well-being, selection of high-quality raw materials, updating SOPs, regular preventive maintenance, improving workplace safety, and investing in backup energy systems. In conclusion, the improvements implemented successfully enhanced the performance and operational quality of the frame welding machines.

3E analysis of enhancing solar distillation performance through innovative wick convex stepped absorber, PCM, and evacuated tube solar water collector: Experimental investigation

Solar distillers have been developed to meet daily potable needs because they are simple to construct and easy to operate, especially in arid areas. Despite all this development, their efficiency and yield represent a challenge. Thus, the present study aims to improve the thermo-economic performance of stepped solar distillers via raising the rates of evaporation. This was achieved by shaping the absorber surface into the shape of a convex stepped absorber and incorporating it with the evacuated tube solar water collector as a first case, where different operating times were tested. After that, wick materials were added above the convex stepped absorber. Finally, in the third case, the reservoir of paraffin wax was added below the absorber as a latent storage medium. In all experiments, the performance indicators of the three cases are compared to those of classical solar distiller. As a result, incorporating all the proposed additives (third case) improved the productivity, thermal, and exergy efficiencies by 186.96 %, 44.52 %, and 171.15 %, respectively. In addition, all proposed additions reduced the cost of potable water per L by 16 %. The findings of this investigation demonstrated the sustainability, suitability, and economic viability of the suggested enhancements in the domain of solar distillation.

Examining Operational Efficiency Indicators to Improve the Operational Efficiency of Khorramshahr Port in Iran

The purpose of this research was to study operational indicators that could effectively improve the productivity of Khorramshahr port operation. A mixed exploratory and qualitative-quantitative research method was used. The research was carried out on the statistical sample of 34 subjects, including the managers, experts and staff of Khorramshahr Port Authority, chosen as a statistical sample using the available sampling method. The data analysis method (DEA), a mathematical method and one of the best non-parametric methods, was used to measure organizational efficiency based on input and output variables. Another method, fuzzy TOPSIS, was used to assist with the decision-making process. In this study, operational indicators were examined to increase the productivity of Khorramshahr port, using the data envelopment analysis method, the multiple CCR model and the fuzzy TOPSIS technique. In the Data Envelopment Analysis method, indicators whose efficiency score equals one are considered effective. The results obtained using the two methods (Data Envelopment Analysis and fuzzy TOPSIS) indicate that there are no sufficiently efficient and productive operational efficiency indicators that could be used to increase the performance of Khorramshahr port wharfs. Therefore, as seen from both research methods, the loading and unloading indices of the Khorramshahr wharfs must be top priority.

Increasing Hybrid Rice Yield, Water Productivity, and Nitrogen Use Efficiency: Optimization Strategies for Irrigation and Fertilizer Management.

Water and fertilizer are crucial in rice growth, with irrigation and fertilizer management exhibiting synergies. In a two-year field study conducted in Yiyang City, Hunan Province, we examined the impact of three irrigation strategies-wet-shallow irrigation (W1), flooding irrigation (W2), and the "thin, shallow, wet, dry irrigation" method (W3)-in combination with distinct fertilizer treatments (labeled F1, F2, F3, and F4, with nitrogen application rates of 0, 180, 225, and 270 kg ha-1, respectively) on rice yield generation and water-fertilizer utilization patterns. The study employed Hybrid Rice Xin Xiang Liang you 1751 (XXLY1751) and Yue Liang you Mei Xiang Xin Zhan (YLYMXXZ) as representative rice cultivars. Key findings from the research include water, fertilizer, variety, and year treatments, which all significantly influenced the yield components of rice. Compared to W2, W1 in 2022 reduced the amount of irrigation water by 35.2%, resulting in a 42.0~42.8% increase in irrigation water productivity and a 25.7~25.9% increase in total water productivity. In 2023, similar improvements were seen. Specifically, compared with other treatments, the W1F3 treatment increased nitrogen uptake and harvest index by 1.4-7.7% and 5.9-7.7%, respectively. Phosphorus and potassium uptake also improved. The W1 treatment enhanced the uptake, accumulation, and translocation of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium nutrients throughout the rice growth cycle, increasing nutrient levels in the grains. When paired with the F3 fertilization approach, W1 treatment boosted yields and improved nutrient use efficiency. Consequently, combining W1 and F3 treatment emerged as this study's optimal water-fertilizer management approach. By harnessing the combined effects of water and fertilizer management, we can ensure efficient resource utilization and maximize the productive potential of rice.

Efficiency of Factor Productivity and Effect of Individual Input of Production on Growth, Yield and Economics of Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] Production

Background: In the face of limited resources and changing climatic conditions, a major challenge for agriculturists is to ensure food security while addressing the issue of an ever-growing population. In India, the average productivity of soybean is low as compared to world average due to lack of improved agronomic practices, less importance and mostly grown under rain-fed condition. To bridge this gap, factors of production determining the per-unit production plays a crucial role in crop production. Therefore, in order to identify/evaluate the partial factor productivity and their contribution for better crop growth and individual input use efficiency study was undertaken. Methods: The field experiments were conducted during Kharif 2020, 2021 and 2022 in Randomized Block Design with seven crop management practices. To know the efficiency of individual crop management practices on growth, yield parameters, yield, economics and output efficiency in terms of partial factor productivity and agronomy efficiency of applied nutrients. Result: Three-year results concluded that, soybean grown with full package recorded significantly higher seed yield (2277 kg ha-1) over full package excluding weed management (1889 kg ha-1) and full package excluding RDF (2023 kg ha-1). The yield gap was higher with omission of weed management (388 kg ha-1) and omission of RDF (254 kg ha-1). Further, net returns and crop out-put efficiency in terms of partial factor productivity and agronomic efficiency was higher with full package over the omission of the practice. Thus it can be concluded that, for achieving higher productivity, profitability and agronomic efficiency of applied nutrients under full package comprising all crop management practices can be adopted over the years in Northern Transition Zone of Karnataka.

Driving Factors and Numerical Simulation of Evapotranspiration of a Typical Cabbage Agroecosystem in the Shiyang River Basin, Northwest China

Two years of field experiments were conducted at the National Field Observation Experiment Station for Efficient Agricultural Water Use in the Wuwei Oasis, Gansu Province. Based on the eddy correlation system, the evapotranspiration (ET) of the cabbage agroecosystem during the growth period was obtained and the main driving factors of ET changes were determined. The Root Zone Water Quality Model 2.0 version (RZWQM2 model) was used to simulate ET during the growth period. The results showed the following: (1) The ET of cabbage during the growth period was 260. 1 ± 24.2 mm, which was basically lower than other crops planted in this area. (2) Through partial correlation analysis and principal component analysis, it can be found that environmental and physiological factors jointly drive changes in ET. The main driving factors include gross primary productivity, net radiation, and water use efficiency. (3) The RZWQM2 model can simulate the ET of the cabbage agroecosystem well, especially in simulating the total ET value and its trend. The growth period ETs were 7.3% lower than the ETm. Cabbage is an important cash crop in Northwest China, and ET is an important component of the water cycle in the agroecosystem. Determining the main driving factors of ET is of great significance for the sustainable utilization of agricultural water resources in Northwest China. Our results can provide a scientific basis for the cultivation of cabbage as a cash crop and the development of water saving agriculture.

Web-Quest as a Means of Developing Flexible Skills of Future Lecturers in a Higher Educational Institution

The purpose of the study is a scientific justification and experimental verification of the effectiveness of using web-quest technology in the process of forming flexible skills of future lecturers in a higher educational institution.Rapid socio-economic development, informatization of all spheres of human activity determine the need for appropriate changes in the education system. Today, a modern lecturer requires not only basic psychological and pedagogical knowledge and skills, but also communication skills, responsibility, the ability to work in a team, resolve conflicts, and think critically and other flexible skills responsible for efficiency and high productivity, contributing to professional development and self-realization. In this regard, education in higher educational institutions should focus not only on the development of professional special skills (hard skills), but also on the formation of flexible skills (soft skills), since they are universal, updated over time and become increasingly important in the professional activity of a lecturer. There are quite a lot of technologies that contribute to the formation of flexible skills of students, one of which is the innovative technology of the web-quest, which, thanks to its unique form, content, teaching and control methods, structured information content, seems to be as effective as possible. Thus, the problem of purposeful formation of flexible skills among future lecturers, the search for the necessary mechanisms and resources for this, and the study of the potential of the web-quest determine the relevance of the research.Materials and methods: in the course of the study, methods of studying and analyzing psychological, pedagogical and methodological literature were used, summarizing the experience of using web-quests in the educational process of the university. The methodological basis of the study was a set of approaches: personality-oriented, systemic, activity-based, competence-based, interdisciplinary and reflective. Results: the author’s definitions of the concepts “flexible skills of future lecturer” and “web-quest” are presented, the flexible skills of a modern lecturer are characterized, the specifics, structure and methodology of conducting a web-quest, its impact on the purposeful formation of flexible skills are described in detail, an example of a web-quest “The essence of professional competence of a lecturer”, developed and tested in the work with students, is given of the training area 44.03.01 Pedagogical education.The practical significance of the research lies in the fact that its results, as well as the content and information resources of the proposed web-quest, can be used in the practice of higher pedagogical education.

Multi-Objective Optimization: a Mathematical Model to Help Manage the Crop-Livestock-Forestry Integration System

Objective: The objective of this study is to develop a mathematical model based on multi-objective optimization to assist farmers who have adopted the Crop-Livestock-Forest Integration (ILPF) system, aiming to maximize production with resource limitations. Theoretical Framework: In this topic, sustainable agriculture, rural management, and mathematical optimization tools are discussed, providing a solid basis for understanding the research context. Method: It comprises an applied approach, considering the main inputs, costs and production revenues necessary to power the model. Microsoft Corporation's Excel Solver computational tool, version 7.3.5.2(x64)/LibreOffice Community, was used due to its accessibility and practicality for rural producers. Results and Discussion: The proposed mathematical model provides assistance in decision making, considering the distribution of areas for different productions with a view to achieving efficient results. In the discussion, these results are contextualized in light of the theoretical framework, highlighting the implications and relationships identified. Discrepancies and limitations of the study are also considered. Research Implications: The results can be applied to rural management and sustainable agriculture. These implications may include optimizing resources and improving the productive efficiency of farmers who use the ILPF system. Originality/Value: Considers the balance of economic, social and environmental aspects in the use of the ILPF system. The relevance and value of this research are evidenced by its potential to improve decision-making and maximize the efficient use of resources in sustainable agriculture.