Field Of Agricultural Economics Research Articles

JAE 2023: Report of the Editor‐in‐Chief

AbstractSubmissions fell back slightly in 2023 to 474 manuscripts but remain above pre‐Covid levels. Despite the high number of submissions, there has been little change in the number of papers accepted for publication, with the acceptance rate in 2023 standing at 8%. The acceptance rate is considerably higher for papers originating from Europe and North America. Accepted papers are now routinely made available online as ‘Early View’. The Journal's Impact Factor fell back slightly for 2022, but still compares favourably with other journals in the field of agricultural economics. Operational changes include revisions to the journal's webpage and authors' guidelines and a newly configured editorial team.

Predicting climate smart agriculture (CSA) practices using machine learning: A prime exploratory survey

The paper aim and novelty is the development of technology-based tools able of providing realistic insights on farmers’ future adaptation decisions by developing an ML algorithm to predict Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices and highlight modeling challenges to account for. And proposing a theoretical approach that grounds the selection of data (i.e. input and response variables) with well stablished theories on adaptation decision making process; with the aim of demonstrating ways of improving data science and ML publication quality in the field of agricultural economics. Data used are farmers’ socio-economic characteristics, farms’ features, agro-ecology’s features, climate indicators (temperature, rain, etc.), etc. In this paper, the optimized Gradient Boosting ML was trained and tested using households’ level data from Rakai district in Central Region of Uganda. The modeling approach was framed in climate adaptation analytical frameworks. Data extracted allows generating CSA clusters giving two response variables (i.e. yCSA_pratices and yCSA_clusters), used separately to train two different algorithms. The developed CSA predictive algorithm demonstrates that adaptation practices can be predicted using households’ level parameters. And both models are revealed to have fair performance metrics, with yCSA_clusters algorithm reaching up to 60% of accuracy. To further improve accuracy scores, deep-learning algorithms are suggested in future research. The developed CSA prediction algorithm could be used at both households and value chain levels, to select appropriate adaptation strategies, to plan adaptation, to estimate adaptation costs and develop investment’ plans.

Scientific Publications in the Field of Agricultural Economics: Scientometric Analysis of Topics

The relevance of the study is related to the need to assess the level of development of scientific knowledge and the degree of development of individual scientific problems in the field of agricultural economics. The purpose of this work is to study the dynamics of the number of publications in the field of agricultural economics in Russia and highlight their main topics. The main research method is content analysis within the bibliometric research. The results indicate great attention of scientists to various aspects of agricultural economics. However, from 2019 to 2023, the number of publications devoted to agricultural economics decreases. During the period under review, researchers pay the greatest attention to the following topics: “Accounting and analysis of economic activities”, “Financing and lending. Investments”. As the content analysis has shown, a significant number of publications are devoted to the problems of ensuring food security and sustainable development; innovative technologies, including digital ones; development of rural areas; issues related to government support and government regulation, productivity, competitiveness, small business, organic agriculture, investment, efficiency and agricultural management. At the same time, there is a relatively small number of publications devoted to pricing and labor resources, despite the relevance of these topics. In some years, there is a sharp increase in the number of publications on some topics. Thus, in 2019, the attention of researchers was as attracted by the topic of accounts payable and receivable, in 2020–2022 – programs for the development and support of agriculture, in 2020 and in 2023 – automation, in 2022 – import substitution. In 2021, there began to appear publications on the pandemic and unmanned technologies, and in 2023 – on artificial intelligence. Based on the calculation of the TF-IDF measure, it is concluded that there is greater similarity between the topics of publications in adjacent years than in non-adjacent ones. The results obtained can be used to plan the topics of research work.

Prices of Means of Production in Agriculture and Agricultural Prices and Income in Poland During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Theoretical background: Agriculture is an input-intensive sector of the economy. The sector of means of production in agriculture is one of the three basic components of the food economy. The prices of agricultural inputs shape the operational costs of farms and significantly affect their income situation. Key agricultural inputs represent fertilizers, plant protection products, seeds, energy and labour force. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the functioning of food systems all over the world, including in Poland. The agricultural sector in Poland faced several challenges, including the surge in prices of means of production in agriculture. Purpose of the article: The study aims to identify and assess changes in the prices of means of production in agriculture and the impact of changes in these prices on the dynamics of selling prices of agricultural products and the income situation of farms in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic. Research methods: The study employs various research methods, including critical literature analysis, the descriptive approach, the comparative method, verbal logic, and descriptive statistical methods. Moreover, we utilize a standardised questionnaire method utilising the CATI (computer-assisted telephone interviewing) technique, targeting 50 experts in the field of agricultural economics, to gather their perspectives on the possibility of transferring the rise in agricultural production costs to the pricing of products sold during the COVID-19 pandemic. The secondary data come from the Statistics Poland, the Agency for Restructuring and Modernization of Agriculture (ARMA), and the National Bank of Poland (NBP). The research period covers the years 2017–2021, with particular emphasis on the years 2020–2021, i.e., the period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Main findings: Research results show that only in 2020, the prices of goods purchased for current agricultural production decreased. However, in 2021, the costs of materials and services and other costs in agriculture, including wages, increased at a record pace. The demand-side causes of such cost increases were increases in money supply and agricultural income. Supply-side causes were shaped by commodity prices and wages. In Poland, the prices of goods and services purchased by farms were less variable than the prices of goods sold. The data analysis did not reveal significant relationships regarding the dynamics of the prices discussed. Such a conclusion is also confirmed by the results of a questionnaire survey directed to experts in agricultural economics. The responses concerning the possibility of transferring the increase in production costs to the prices of sold products during the pandemic years varied. In the years 2017–2021, the income situation of Polish farms was variable. In 2020, increases in income from production factors, operating surplus, and farmer’s income, and their decreases in 2021, were inversely correlated with changes in production costs in agriculture.

Replications in agricultural economics

AbstractReplicability is a cornerstone of all scientific disciplines. While agricultural economists often provide recommendations to stakeholders that inform, among others policymaking, we currently lack replication papers published in leading agricultural economics journals. This increases the risk that published results are not replicable, which potentially can lead to inefficient resource allocation. In this article, we provide a framework for replications in agricultural economics and discuss challenges and opportunities with the objective to foster a replication culture. We provide pathways on how to untap this potential and provide guidance for enabling a stronger emphasis on replications in the field of agricultural economics. We present the first special issue on replications in agricultural economics, which consists of 11 articles that replicate various empirical analyses presented in published articles and advance the analyses that were used in the original work to provide further insights.

Development of the legal framework for land monitoring and protection in the digital environment

Relevance of the research topic. The need to complete the land reform, the main goal of which is the restructuring of land relations, as well as the introduction of changes in the structure of land and the form of management, determines the need for systematic and full-scale monitoring observations and research. Formulation of the problem. Central authorities cannot always see the "holistic picture" of land relations, both at the level of districts, regions, and at the national level, and cannot always find optimal solutions for improving land relations. Therefore, there was a need to implement a land relations monitoring system that is constantly updated and stores information to provide data analysis and forecasting, as well as the development of science-based recommendations for effective management. Analysis of recent research and publications. Questions related to the legal regulation of land monitoring and protection found their place in the scientific works of various scientists, such as M. Yerofeiev, N. Malysheva, S. Sharapov, as well as many others. The problem of land protection was studied by such respected scientists in this field as: Yu. Shemshuchenko, V. Andreitsev, N. Tytova, M. Shulha, P. Kulynych, V. Nosik, G. Hutsuliak, D. Dobriak, N. Mazii, A. Sokhnych, A. Tretiak and others. Selection of unexplored parts of the general problem. The current state of studying the problem requires improvement and a clear definition of the legal basis for monitoring and protecting land in the digital environment. The adaptation of the existing legal framework for land monitoring and protection to the legislative norms of the European Union determines its functional development in the conditions of constant restructuring of land relations in Ukraine. Setting the task, the goal of the research. The purpose of the research is to analyze the existing system of land monitoring and protection, to identify problems and to study the prospects for the development of legal aspects of their functioning in the digital environment. The task of research is to collect and analyze information about the state of natural resources for use in the process of exploitation, management and determination of the limits of use of these resources. The research involves obtaining the necessary data and using them to implement management functions in relation to the natural resources being exploited. The survey methodology. The methods of collecting, analyzing, summarizing information, as well as methods of research observation, which reflect the current state and prospects for the development of land monitoring and protection, are applied. Such methods are built primarily on the basis of collected data related to the monitoring and implementation of land protection in Ukraine today. With the help of the analysis of the specified legislation and the collected library sources of information, it is possible to carry out a full analysis of the work on a real basis and answer all the questions. Presentation of the main material (results of work). It was established that one of the main tasks of land monitoring and protection is the creation of a base of objective information that will be used in assessing the state of land resources. It was found that the information obtained with the help of the state land cadastre serves as a legal basis for making the necessary decisions by state bodies in the field of research, monitoring and land protection. It is also proposed to adopt a special law to ensure the legal status of monitoring and protection of land relations, the final stage of which should be the creation of an electronic data array. Field of application of results. The results of the study can be applied in the field of agricultural economics and state administration in terms of monitoring and protection of land resources. Conclusions according to the article. The monitoring and protection of land nowadays requires a complete improvement of its methodology. It is necessary to create an effective national monitoring system that will be responsible for the quality of lands and soils. This is due to the fact that the acquired data make it possible to constantly adjust both the quantitative norms and regulations that are subject to control, as well as the improvement of organizational and legal support for monitoring and land protection through the creation of a special body that will monitor and protect land in its work, i.e the Center for Monitoring and Land Protection of Ukraine.

Export of some key Agricultural products of Vietnam

Purpose: The article is made to analyze the current situation of export activities of some key agricultural products of Vietnam, especially in the context of the world economy being heavily affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Economies including Vietnam’s agricultural exports. Stemming from that practical requirement, the author proposes a number of solutions to overcome supply chain disruptions, to cope with the new context that creates momentum for the recovery and growth of Vietnam's agricultural economy by 2025. Design/methodology/approach: Research using the export approach of key agricultural products in a dynamic state, considering the impact of many factors, in which the influence of the Covid-19 pandemic is emphasized. disruption of supply chains from production to consumption of Vietnamese agricultural products. The study uses the research method to synthesize documents from reliable data and information sources of the economy such as MBS, CEIC, GSO of Vietnam, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam. Findings: The research results achieved the following contents: theoretical overview of key agricultural exports, agricultural development in a new context. The article analyzes the current status of the role of agriculture and the export of key agricultural products in economic development in Vietnam; Impact of the Covid-19 epidemic on the production of key agricultural products of Vietnam; Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Vietnam's key agricultural exports. The article proposes some solutions to export Vietnam’s key agricultural products in the new context from the perspective of the state to actors in the value chain of Vietnam’s key agricultural exports in the new context until 2025. Research, Practical & Social implications: Research results are references for scholars interested in the field of agricultural economics, business and commerce; policy makers of agricultural economics in Vietnam. The Vietnamese government seeks and expands new markets in the direction of official channels to avoid price pressure. To do this, businesses need to pay attention to product quality, traceability, and packaging to comply with regulations and standards of key importing countries of Vietnam’s agricultural products by 2025. Originality/value: On the basis of a theoretical overview of the export of key agricultural products, agricultural development in a new context. The author analyzes the current status of the role of agriculture and the export of key agricultural products in economic development in Vietnam; Impact of the Covid-19 epidemic on the production of key agricultural products of Vietnam; Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Vietnam’s key agricultural exports. On that basis, the author proposes some solutions to export Vietnam’s key agricultural products in the new context from the perspective of the state to actors in the value chain of Vietnam’s key agricultural exports.

Research performance, academic promotion, and gender disparities: Analysis of data on agricultural economists in Chinese higher education

AbstractThis paper provides an overall picture of women's representation and gender parity in the field of Agricultural Economics by constructing and analyzing a database of agricultural economists in China. We find that female scholars “occupy half the sky” in number, but not all the way up to the higher‐ranking academic positions. Women lag behind men in terms of research performance and academic promotion; even more so, gender disparity becomes more prominent when moving up the ranking ladder. A closer examination of agricultural economists of different age cohorts indicates that the gender gap, both in numbers engaged in the profession and academic performance measured by Chinese paper publications and nation‐level projects chaired, is narrowing. However, gaps in the number of high‐quality paper publications and the time span before promotion, alongside the phenomenon of a “leaky pipeline” in academia, are growing significantly over time. The representation of “star scientists” shows similar, yet steeper trends. In the absence of detailed studies, the paper explores possible explanations of the converging gender gap in scale but increasing gender disparity that is termed a “leaky pipeline.” It concludes that the Policy of Enrollment Expansion in Higher Education provides vulnerable young females with more opportunities to access higher education, which increases both the number and proportion of women in the profession.

Contributor biographies

Contributor biographies

The Impact of Dumping Policy on the Food Gap of Chicken Meat in Iraq For the Period (2004-2019) - Turkish Imports Of Chicken Meat a Case Study

Purpose: As a result of the sudden and ill-considered trade openness of Iraq after 2003 to the countries of the world in general and the neighboring countries in particular, and in the absence of the necessary support for the national productive forces and the lack of effective standardization and quality control devices, this led to the exposure of most local products, especially agricultural ones, to decline and inability On the competition and thus dumping the Iraqi market, especially the agricultural products, with imported products, this study came to find out the effect that dumping has on the local production of chicken meat and the impact of that impact on the size of the food gap, and whether the results of the practical study will be in accordance with the logic of economic theory. Theoretical framework: The concept of dumping, its causes and the difference between it and competition, the WTO position of dumping, and the concept of the food gap were also discussed. Design/methodology/approach: The data was collected from its official sources, and then the mathematical equations were developed according to economic theory and logic, and using the (EViews) program, the final results were obtained, which were compatible with the logic of economic theory. Findings: The results of the study proved that when the dumping of chicken meat increased by (1%), the food gap of chicken meat increased by (5.1%). Research, Practical & Social implications: This study contributes to proving the negative impact of dumping resulting from commercial exposure or unstudied commercial openness, and thus its impact on the food security of the Iraqi community. Originality/value: This research is the first of its kind in the field of agricultural economics, as it links the food gap and dumping policy in a theoretical and practical way.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR OF UKRAINE

Rural development is largely determined by the use of more advanced forms of management, which ensure the effective use of the economic mechanism in specific production conditions. The system of agricultural research and education in the field of agricultural economics does not yet contribute to the maximum development of the agro-industrial complex. It absorbs a larger share of budget expenditures on agricultural GDP and as a percentage of total GDP than in other countries in comparable countries. The author identifies a number of unresolved issues of legal, organizational, technical, scientific and methodological, analytical, resource support for the development of the information society. The aim of the article is to study the current working conditions of information and communication support in Ukraine, to emphasize the main results of information and consulting services in Poltava region, their international cooperation and contribution to the spread of new information technologies in the agricultural sector. It is determined that improving the quality of information and communication software can play a crucial role in improving the efficiency of agricultural enterprises in Ukraine. The implementation of information and communication technologies and their widespread use in various spheres of human life, society and the state is one of the most important tools that contributes to raising the level of economic, social, cultural and technological development.

Prospects for the development of agricultural cooperation (on the example of rural environmental enterprises)

Based on the analysis of the activities of the ancestral estates of Russia over the past ten years, and in particular of rural enterprises of ecological orientation of the Belgorod region over the past three years, we propose to implement in the practice of managing the collective of an agricultural cooperative of farms of ecological orientation the principles of the leading theoretician in the field of agricultural economics and management - A. V. Chayanov. The principles of organization and management developed by A.V. Chayanov, organically inherent in peasant farms that do not use hired labor and are based solely on family labor, correspond to the characteristic features of modern eco-farms in Russia and other countries and can be fully applied to their economic system. In the course of the study, in several stages, during 2018-2020, we conducted surveys of experts, in the capacity of which were the settlers of the ancestral estates of the Belgorod region. The objectives of the expert method were: to determine the degree of influence of the implementation of Chayanov’s principles on the main indicators of the economic dynamics of family estates, to establish the leading principles that have a cardinal impact on economic trends.

A note on performance indicators for agricultural economic journals

AbstractWe investigate various performance indicators of ten leading journals in the field of Agricultural Economics and Policy over the period from 2000 to 2020. More specifically, we combine various data sources to derive a coherent record of indicators including acceptance rates, times between submission and first response and impact factors. We show that, for the discipline at large, the turn‐around times have decreased, and impact factors have increased substantially over time. However, this has been accompanied by a sharp decrease in the proportion of accepted articles. Our analysis also reveals large differences across journals in all dimensions. Results show there is no free lunch, that is, authors face trade‐offs. For example, submitting to a higher impact factor journal means on average longer turn‐around time and lower acceptance rates. The dataset compiled and presented here gives the first coherent overview of relevant information to guide authors’ submission decisions, and inform our fellow professionals.

How women saved agricultural economics

AbstractWomen entered agricultural economics in numbers starting in the 1980s, and their ranks are increasing over time. We make the case that women have increased the relevance in the field of agricultural economics through their diverse interests, perspectives, and experiences. We document how women have changed the profession of agricultural economics in both academia and government. In research, women have expanded the field's treatment of non‐traditional topics such as food safety and nutrition and environmental and natural resource economics. In this sense, women saved the profession from a future as a specialty narrowly focused on agricultural production and markets.

Sustainable food systems: do agricultural economists have a role?

Abstract Are agricultural economists losing their relevance and significance in research on sustainable food systems? Could the world thrive without the contribution of agricultural economists? How could agricultural economists have more impact in addressing the grand challenges of our time? In this paper we address these questions by reflecting on the field of agricultural economics and re-examining the role and impact of agricultural economists. We argue that agricultural economists could raise their impact through better collaboration with other disciplines, stakeholder engagement and the adoption of a more systematic approach to the grand challenges, the innovation pathways and their disrupting developments in the data economy. We outline key topics in the economics of food systems on which agricultural economists could make major contributions and key areas in which methodological innovations are needed.

ВКЛАД АКАДЕМИКА РАН Ю.А. КОНКИНА В СОВЕРШЕНСТВОВАНИЕ АГРОИНЖЕНЕРНОГО ОБРАЗОВАНИЯ

The article is dedicated to Yuri Aleksandrovich Konkin, Full Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Economics, Professor, Honored Worker of Sciences of the Russian Federation, Honorary Worker of Higher Education of Russia. After graduating with honors from the Faculty of Agricultural Mechanization of Moscow Institute of Agricultural Mechanization and Electrifi cation (MIMESKH), Yu.A. Konkin came a long way from an assistant, associate professor, and professor of the Department of Farm Production Organization to Rector of Moscow Institute of Agricultural Engineering named after V.P. Goryachkin – a leading university for the training of highly qualifi ed engineering personnel. Yuri Konkin as an enthusiastic inborn organizer, a talented teacher, and a scientist, actively tried to improve the quality of teaching economic subjects while training agricultural engineering specialists. About 80 DSc and PhD theses have been defended under the supervision of Academician Yu.A. Konkin, the founder of the scientifi c school on the depreciation and service life of equipment, the restoration and renewal of the machinery fl eet, the economics of agricultural machinery repair. Many of his students later became professors, key experts in the fi eld of agricultural economics. The creative legacy of Yuri Konkin contains more than 200 scientifi c works and study manuals. His scientifi c and pedagogical activity was marked by seven government awards, including the Order of the Badge of Honor, four gold medals of the Exhibition of Economic Achievements, “For the Success Achieved in the Development of the National Economy of the USSR.”

Farmers’ Attitudes towards Risk—An Empirical Study from Poland

Risk aversion is an important research area in the field of agricultural economics in the last years. Creating effective and efficient risk management tools in an increasingly volatile economic and natural environment requires proper recognition of farmers’ behavior and attitudes towards risk. In this context, the main aim of the paper was to estimate farmers’ attitudes towards risk and identification of farm’s and farmer’s characteristics in dependency on risk aversion level. The assessment of farmers’ preferences towards risk was based on hypothetical games in a representative sample of 600 Polish farms—participants of Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN). Based on the interviews with farmers, a relative risk aversion coefficient has been estimated. Results revealed that on average Polish farmers have quite a strong risk aversion. Their attitudes towards risk are strongly linked with their self-assessment regarding their way of making decisions under risk. Some relations between farmers’ risk aversion and perception of selected risk factors could also be observed. The results revealed that the application of specified risk management tools by farmers and their potential reaction to a significant income drop are related to risk aversion level.

THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC VARIABLES INFLUENCING HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION IN THE RURAL FARMERS LEVEL

Purpose of the study: This study investigated the socio-economic effect on household consumption of rural farmers in South Sumatera, Indonesia.
 Methodology: The data used were primary data obtained from an in-depth survey of 300 farmer households. The analysis method used a quantitative approach with a polynomial regression model.
 Main Findings: The finding showed that from the four independent variables estimated, there are three which have a significant effect on farmer household consumption: household income, number of family members, and education level of the household head. Despite changes in consumption patterns between food and non-food, the process of food diversification is an important task for the government, especially to reduce dependence on rice consumption.
 Applications of this study: This study was conducted in South Sumatra, Indonesia in the field of agricultural economics. This study can support development planning policies in the food sector in South Sumatra.
 Novelty/Originality of this study: This study focus as efforts on the policy of diversifying food consumption needs to be synergized with the development of local resource-based food products.

Public goods production and value creation in wineries: a structural equation modelling

PurposeThe aim of the study is to analyse the value creation processes in multifunctional wineries. Specifically, the paper poses the following research questions: can the creation of public goods (i.e. multifunctionality) open up new paths of value creation for wineries? And if so, can multifunctionality be only compensated through policy instruments? Or, is there a form of market compensation?Design/methodology/approachAn empirical analysis was carried out on selected wineries that sell directly. The study implemented the “value portfolio” model that identifies specific variables, both internal and external to the farm, which contribute to the value creation. The methodology adopted is a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach that offers a theoretical basis for developing an understanding of the relationships between group of variables.FindingsThe empirical analysis confirms the assumptions developed. Indeed, the localized public goods generated by multifunctional farms can benefit from compensation on the market through the direct sale of products and services.Originality/valueThe study’s findings are quite innovative in the field of agricultural economics and open the way for interesting policy implications.

Exchange rate exposure of agricultural cooperatives

AbstractDespite the growth of exchange risk literature in the field of agricultural economics, little attention has been paid to firm‐level currency exposure in emerging countries. In this context, this paper investigates the exchange rate exposure faced by a unique data set of 66 Brazilian agricultural cooperatives from 2000 to 2015, and finds that around one‐third of the sampled firms exhibited significant exposure during this period, even after controlling for crises. The paper also documents that the proportion of exposed firms doubles during periods in which the local central bank intervenes more in the currency regime, lending support to the moral hazard hypothesis: when the exchange rate is less flexible, local companies tend to adopt unhedged positions in response to implicit government guarantees. Finally, firms with more debt, better asset management, lower inventory levels, and higher product differentiation tend to be less exposed to currency swings [EconLit Citations: F31, G15, G23].