Investment In Agricultural Research Research Articles

Impact of Climate Change on Wheat Yields in Australia

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of climate change on wheat yields in Australia. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: Research on climate change's impact on wheat yields in Australia reveals significant challenges: Rising temperatures reduce yields by accelerating crop maturation (Thompson, 2019). Variability in precipitation and extreme weather further destabilize yields (Foster & Ryan, 2020). While increased CO2 can enhance growth, it also worsens outcomes under heat and drought (Lee & Kumar, 2021). Regional differences necessitate tailored adaptation strategies (Patel, 2022). Advanced technologies like AI offer potential for adapting cultivation practices to changing conditions (Zhang, 2024). Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Environmental determinism, resource dependence theory & ecological modernization theory may be used to anchor future studies on analyze the impact of climate change on wheat yields in Australia. Training programs and technical support should also be increased to ensure farmers can effectively utilize these advanced technologies. Government policies should include increased investment in agricultural research, particularly in the development of new wheat varieties that are resilient to extreme weather conditions.

Post-harvest monitoring and crop production assessment in Nertiti locality of Central Darfur State-Sudan

Crop productivity has declined all over the world due to weak investments in agricultural research, which negatively impact food production as well as food security situation. The purpose of this study is to explore the connection between post-harvest monitoring and food production security in Nertiti locality of Central Darfur state during 2012/2103 cropping rainy season. Descriptive statistical analysis by using Statistical Package for the Several Sciences (SPSS) was run. Three villages (Eraideeba, Salakoya and Rijlaldelaiba) were randomly selected. A total of 1600 (men & women) of beneficiary household head were targeted in the entire study area. Clustered random sampling technique applied. Crop harvest chick list and Focus Group Discussion were administered at the beneficiary and community level for planted areas, agricultural production and the effect on food and seed security. Due to, 20 households head randomly selected from each village. A total of 60 household head (40 men and 20 women) selected for chick list in addition to 15 household head for Focus Group discussion (10 men and 5 women) to represent the whole study area. Results of Statistical analysis related to crop yields indicated that the average yields of sorghum, millet and groundnut among improved seeds beneficiary managed farms exceed other traditional farms by 22%, 47% and 55%. Production at community level revealed that, Rijalldelaiba village gave highest millet production (1740 metric tons), Salakoyaproduced1409.4 metric tons of sorghum and Eriadeeba village gave 456 metric tons ofgroundnuts. Households also assessed that, their cultivated area increased by 33%, 50% same, while 17% said decreased. Group discussion and individual interview results related to food security and crop utilization showed that, food and seed security for 12 month is good, production covers consumption food for 8-12 month, the adopted coping strategies for the remaining 4 month were livestock sale, daily labor, migration, firewood collection, charcoal and bricks making. Regarding the crop utilization, the majority of respondents reported that, 50% left their by-products on the field, 27% used as animal fodder and 23% stored. A focus group discussion result addresses constraints of, problems of security, storage facilities, packing materials, marketing problems, extension services and inadequate improved seeds. Monitoring reached recommendation of, provision of improved seeds, training, marketing facilities and packing inputs.

The power of on-farm data for improved agronomy

Advances in technology and analytics to support data-driven agriculture has important implications for global food security and environmental sustainability. However, relatively few studies have investigated the potential to leverage the power of on-farm data for improved agronomy at scale using geospatial machine learning methods. Working in high-yielding rice systems of Uruguay, we developed a geospatial framework to identify yield-limiting factors across 55,000 ha annually of cropland over four seasons (2018–2021 harvest years), while also testing for tradeoffs in the environmental footprint related to nitrogen (N) fertilizer use. Our application of geographically-weighted random forest models showed that crop management decisions influenced rice yield more than variation in soil properties, highlighting the potential for improved agronomy to boost crop production by 1.4–1.8 Mg ha−1 across regions. Seeding date, variety, P rate, and K rate were the most important variables controlling yield, but with significant variation across fields. When these factors were optimized by farmers, the risk of environmental N losses or soil N mining did not increase, highlighting the potential for sustainable intensification by improving N use efficiency. These findings present a pathway for harnessing the benefits of increasingly available on-farm data to identify yield-limiting factors while minimizing negative environmental externalities at the field-level. To enable the development of such geospatial frameworks in other regions, new partnerships are required to engage stakeholders and promote data sharing and collaboration among farmers, researchers, and industry, helping guide regional extension programs and orient future investments in agricultural research.

Assessment of Public Agricultural Research Investment Trends and Policy Perspectives in Ethiopia

Assessment of Public Agricultural Research Investment Trends and Policy Perspectives in Ethiopia

Analysis of donor investment in Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research

The study examines the impact of foreign aid on agricultural research in Ethiopia over the period 2011-2020. According to the study, donor allocations averaged 23% of the total amount of funds received by the institution in the form of loans and grants in 2020. Donors' investment in Ethiopian agricultural research is decreasing and negative growth has been recorded, from 33% in 2016 to 23% in 2020. Donor aid funding decreased by 51.3% in 2019 and 84.6% in 2020 compared to 2018. In addition to joint research and financial investment, 65% of improved germplasm comes from donors directly through adaptation research or parent material. Furthermore, for which information is collected and available, 7.3% of trained scientists and 57% of fixed assets were financed by donors. The majority of the donor-funded projects focused on short-term goals that did not align with national priorities or focused on commodities of relatively low economic value to the country. Therefore, a new financial framework is needed for the government to set strategic priorities for donors to contribute to the country.

Research and development expenditures, technology spillovers, and green productivity in agriculture: an empirical analysis

ABSTRACT We study the relationship between technology spillovers from trade, domestic research and development (R&D) spending, and the growth in green total factor productivity within the agricultural sector. An empirical illustration is provided using a sample of 48 countries involved in China’s Belt and Road Initiative from 2000 to 2019. Our findings highlight the important role of agricultural imports as a positive driving force behind green productivity growth, while the impact of domestic R&D expenditures on agricultural productivity lacks statistical significance in our sample. Furthermore, we find that trade-related technological spillovers drive environmentally sustainable agricultural growth in economically developed nations, but this effect is weaker in developing countries. Conversely, greater domestic investment in agricultural research and development programs helps promote green productivity growth in relatively rich countries, but its influence diminishes in middle-income and developing countries. Lastly, a positive impact of importing vegetable and edible oil products on productivity is observed.

The Role of ICT in Effective Dissemination of Extension Information among Women Livestock Farmers in North West Region of Cameroon

Over the past years, extensive efforts have been made throughout the world to provide female farmers with effective, suitable technology, training, and information.  As a result, positive effects are beginning to show in agricultural production and family welfare. But the successes are limited at a time when public sector investments in agricultural research and extension are under pressure, when ever-greater demands are being placed on rural women in the face of rapid social transformation and in an increasing number of areas, when evidence of environmental degradation is growing. ICTs are now being used to provide basic solutions to farmers and are increasingly being supported by extension practitioners for use in agricultural production and marketing systems. This paper is intended to investigate the role played by ICT in the dissemination of effective extension information among women livestock farmers in the North West Region of Cameroon. Primary data were collected through the use of structured questionnaires, observations, focus groups and interview guides. Secondary data were obtained from books, journals, research projects and scientific articles. These provided the necessary quantitative and qualitative data that were used to draw conclusions. Multi stage sampling techniques were used to select the female farmers for the study. Four hundred (400) questionnaires were administered randomly to collect data from the communities. The women were examined using different channels like media, phone calls, friends, and agricultural technicians. The results from the study shows that, the media seemingly are doing a great job in disseminating of appropriate agricultural information. Therefore, 40.5% of the farmers get information from the media or magazines but only (7.8%) get information through phone calls. The findings of this study can go a long way to help policy makers in planning and designing need-based information infrastructural system for rural farmers.

Gaps and opportunities in research on food systems; a micro-institutional analysis of the University of Nairobi

Research conducted on food systems by higher institutions can contribute to sustainable food security and nutrition at a local level and reduce the impact of societal challenges such as malnutrition. Unfortunately, malnutrition itself manifests as hidden hunger causing unintended consequences such as illness negatively affecting economic progress. Traditionally, research in agriculture has not taken a food systems approach which is looking at challenges of food systems from farm to fork (all stages from production to consumption). Therefore, as we embrace the compelling call to transition from agriculture to food systems research approaches, mapping studies at a local level are needed. However, studies on food systems have been carried out at a macro (global or regional level), a micro-perspective investigation is needed to inform future research. A systematic review on existing literature (journals and thesis) was conducted to identify gaps and opportunities in research on food systems undertaken by researchers at the University of Nairobi. Information collected included; 1. institutions (faculties and department at the university, national policy, and international institutions collaborating with university of Nairobi), 2. crop types (cereals, legumes, vegetables, roots and tubers, and nuts), 3. food systems activities (production, postharvest, processing, and preservation, value addition and branding, consuming foods, input and output markets, obtaining nutrients as well as logistics and distribution) driving research on food systems. The contribution of each of the components (institutions, food systems activity and crop type) was also investigated through citation scores. The findings show that low research outputs on food systems were generated by the university of Nairobi compared to selected universities in Africa and across the globe. Research was focused on carbohydrate rich crops (maize, sorghum, cassava, irish potato, sweet potato, and rice) as compared to protective bioactive vitamin crops (vegetables, mango, and beans). This demonstrated low crop diversity and dietary quality. Research priority was given mainly to maize compared to traditional crops such as sorghum, African Leafy Vegetables, cassava and millets. Faculties such as health, science and technology, engineering, and humanities were involved in research in food systems in addition to agriculture, a potential indication of transdisciplinary research. Additionally, there was more collaborative research between university of Nairobi with institutions at a global level than with local institutions. The involvement of policy institutions in research was low, mainly restricted to the discipline of agriculture, production food system activity and in a few crops such as maize, cassava, and medicinal plants. Disparities in research existed along the food systems activities as more attention was focused on production activities. Other food system activities such as harvesting, processing and preservation, consumption, value addition and branding, input and output markets, as well as logistics and distribution activities, received low research priority. Each component (food system activity, crop type and institution) demonstrated contribution to sustainable food security as shown by citation scores. The findings demonstrate skewed focus in food systems research at the university of Nairobi. Agricultural research investment within institutions of higher learning will need to consider all food systems activities, under-researched crops and collaborations that advance transdisciplinary studies to promote inclusive contribution of food systems to food security at a local level. Further studies can focus on developing frameworks to advance transdisciplinary research.

Food security in ASEAN: progress, challenges and future

This article examines the progress, challenges and future of food security in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the fragility of ASEAN food systems, exacerbating existing challenges and vulnerabilities. With a focus on addressing the pressing issue of ensuring sufficient, affordable, and nutritious food for its growing population, the article explores the multifaceted challenges of food security faced by ASEAN. It emphasizes the need for an integrated approach to address the impact of climate change, investment in rural infrastructure and agricultural research, and the promotion of sustainable and inclusive agriculture for ASEAN’s long-term food security. It also underscores the importance of collaboration with international partners and organizations to leverage expertise and resources. Overall, this article calls to action policymakers, stakeholders and external partners to collectively work toward achieving food security and sustainable development in the region.

Economic Returns to Agricultural Research: Thailand and Indonesia

In both Thailand and Indonesia, the public sector’s agricultural research investments have substantially contributed to agricultural productivity growth, as have international investments in agricultural research, through the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers (CGIAR) system. But both countries’ own expenditures on agricultural extension failed to produce significant productivity benefits. These findings imply that the magnitude of domestic investment in agricultural research is suboptimal in both countries. This is reflected in estimated marginal rates of return to this form of expenditure of between 25 percent and 30 percent per annum in real terms, well above the rates of return normally expected from public investments.

COVID-19 Pandemic, Climate Change, and Conflicts on Agriculture: A Trio of Challenges to Global Food Security

Global food security is a worldwide concern. Food insecurity is a significant threat to poverty and hunger eradication goals. Agriculture is one of the focal points in the global policy agenda. Increases in agricultural productivity through the incorporation of technological advances or expansion of cultivable land areas have been pushed forward. However, production growth has slowed in many parts of the world due to various endemic challenges, such as decreased investment in agricultural research, lack of infrastructure in rural areas, and increasing water scarcity. Climate change adversities in agriculture and food security are increasing. Recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected global food supply chains. Economic and social instability from the pandemic contribute to long-term disturbances. Additionally, conflicts such as war directly affect agriculture by environmental degradation, violence, and breaches of national and international trade agreements. A combination of food security and climate change challenges along with increased conflicts among nations and post-COVID-19 social and economic issues bring bigger and more serious threats to agriculture. This necessitates the strategic design of policies through multifaceted fields regarding food systems. In this comprehensive review, we explore how these three challenging factors, COVID-19, climate change, and conflicts, are interrelated, and how they affect food security. We discuss the impact of these issues on the agricultural sector, plus possible ways of preventing or overcoming such adverse effects.

Patterns of investment in agricultural research and innovation for the Global South, with a focus on sustainable agricultural intensification

This study is the first attempt to determine global investment patterns for research and innovation in agriculture systems for the Global South, and specifically for innovation funding targeted at sustainable agricultural intensification. We analyzed and modeled patterns of funding from governments in the Global South, development partners, private companies, and private equity and venture capital funds, using primary and secondary sources of data spanning 2010 to 2019. We ascertain the key providers and recipients of innovation funding and how it is shared out between different topics and value chains. Results showed that about $60 billion of funding (ranging from $50 to $70 billion) goes toward agricultural innovation for the Global South each year, with 60–70% of it coming from these countries' own governments (and the government of China accounting for as much as all others combined). This $60 billion investment represents just 4.5% of Global South agricultural output. Furthermore, <7% of the total funding was found to have detectable environmental intentions, and less than 5% had both social and environmental intentions. Adopting a standard for transparent reporting and measurement could potentially lead to swift changes in funding patterns toward sustainability goals.

Research and technology innovation, food security and economic growth in Nigeria: Implications for agripreneurs and policymakers

Population growth and more recently, the Covid-19 pandemic, have increased the number of severely food insecure people in sub-Saharan Africa. Food security is one of the most prominent tasks facing the global environment especially in Asia and Africa. With the increase in the population, drought, floods, disease outbreaks, poor farm network systems, water poverty, weak political and economic institutions, selfish leadership and economic challenges in Africa, the food security crisis appears to be an important issue that will require strategic and urgent attention. There is no doubt that traditional ways of farming are not sustainable in Africa because the land available for agriculture reduces as the population increases over time. Investment in new technologies is one of the strategies to improve farm yields and livestock outputs, and reduces the risk and negative effects of weather. The role of agripreneurship, in this context, towards ensuring food security cannot be underestimated. This study is quantitative research which analyses the historical and current time series data in order to predict the future event using inferential statistics. This study investigates the relationship between food security (FST), agricultural research and technology innovation (RTI) and economic growth (GDP) in Nigeria between 1980 and 2018. The study utilizes cointegration and causality tests to determine the long run relationship among the variables and their causal directions so as to know which variable caused the others. Understanding this relationship among the variables and causal direction are vital to making appropriate suggestions for policy makers. The results of the Johansen cointegration test reveals an existence of a long run relationship between the three series (FST, RTI, GDP). The results of vector error correction model indicate a short run causality from GDP to FST and RTI, respectively. Furthermore, the results of long run causality show two-way causality between FST and RTI, one-way causality from GDP to FST and RTI without feedback. This implies that when the economic activities improve in Nigeria in the short run, this engenders agricultural technology innovation deployment in the country which facilitates food security in the long run, while food security also facilitates agricultural technology innovation. The two-way causality between RTI and FST established in this study implies that increase in agricultural research investment would improve food security and vice versa. Thus, government and other private players such as agripreneurs in agricultural sector should intensify their spending in agricultural research on the one hand, and government should also provide appropriate incentives to motivate private stakeholders for agricultural R&D investment on the other hand. Key words: Research and technology innovation, agripreneurship, food security, economic growth, Nigeria

Total Factor Productivity Growth in the Food Crop Sector of Sri Lanka From 1990-2017

The study estimated the Total Factor Productivity (TFP) growth in the Sri Lankan food crop sector from 1990- 2017 using the Tornqvist-Theil index assuming translog production technology and a competitive market. TFP growth of paddy, maize, potato, big onion, chilli and soybean has increased after 2000. The highest TFP growth is recorded for maize from 2011 -2015 that contributed to about 68% of the maize sector growth. The costless advances in applied technology, managerial efficiency, and industrial organization that brought TFP growth in the food crop sector in Sri Lanka are discussed. The diffusion of new technology to the food crop sector has considerably varied by crop. Although the maize sector benefited through technology spillovers, new technology in terms of new varieties with higher yields, adaptability was slow to diffuse to other food crop sectors. Mechanization has largely substituted labour in many crop sectors due to the rising wage rate. The contract grower system is a credible institutional innovation in the food crop sector. Technological capital is a prerequisite for TFP and cost reduction growth. Hence the long-term commitment to agricultural research and development investments from Sri Lankan governments and aid agencies is required.

Appraisal of Farm Diversification and Livelihood System of Bihar (India)

The paper examines state-level trends in Bihar for determining patterns in farm diversification for the period 1990-91 to 2018-19, using the Simpson Index of Diversification (SID) and ordinal linear regression analysis to analyse the determinants. The study, conducted in the year 2022, reported that the cropping system at the state level is transforming from food grains to different high-value crops and allied farming sectors. The transformation was not uniform across the regions. The SID values have demonstrated how the agricultural economy has been more diverse over time, with some variations in the production of food and non-food crops. The result of multiple regressions has revealed earning members, social work participation, and government donations to be the major determinants of farm diversification, and various constraints were identified using the Garrett ranking method. Hence, the study suggests that policy support for the development of dairy farmers should be more focused on increased cropping intensity, insurance protection, investments in agricultural research and education, and technology development.

Decomposition Analysis of Maize Production in India

The present study has examined state-level maize scenario in India. The results showed that the overall growth of maize production in Gujarat due to yield effect or technological intervention i.e., 175.93% was the highest among the states, while it was lowest in West Bengal i.e., 16.43%. The area under maize is substantially increased, and the area effect contributes about 154.12% to the production of maize. In India, the contribution of the yield effect or technological intervention was 61.28%, while the area effect contribution was only 29.12%. The study has suggested that for comprehensive policy mechanism support of enhanced insurance coverage, better investment in agricultural research and education, and modern technology development need to be extended to the maize producer.

Analysis of The Transformation in Pinduoduo Based on SWOT Model and 4C Marketing Theory

With the rapid development of the Internet in China, the competition in the field of e-commerce is becoming more and more fierce. Under the impact of economic expansion and COVID-19, it is no longer feasible for e-commerce platforms maintain their original competitive strategies. In this context, how to fully grasp the advantages of existing competitive strategies and take advantage of the opportunities brought by the external environment has become an important task for the sustainable development of e-commerce platforms. Under this background, Pinduoduo actively responds to the impact of the epidemic and changes in the economic environment, makes full use of its advantages in the low-end market and unique social marketing strategies, and gradually puts its marketing focus on the investment in agricultural scientific research to adapt to the changes in the e-commerce market and consumer behaviour at the present stage. Guided by the 4C marketing theory, this paper studies consumer habits from the four directions of consumer, cost, convenience and communication. Then the SWOT analysis was applied to study the internal and external environment of Pinduoduo agriculture and community group buying business transformation. The analysis results showed that Pinduoduo has some deficiencies in its transformation. Next, in view of the shortcomings in the transformation, combined with the existing literature and relevant materials, this study put forward optimization suggestions from the four directions of consumer, cost, convenience and communication.

Arable land and water footprints for food consumption in China: From the perspective of urban and rural dietary change.

Since the adoption of the open-door policy, the Chinese dietary pattern has changed greatly. Based on the dietary changes, this study analyzed the arable land and water footprints (WFs) for the food consumption of urban and rural residents in China. The results showed that the arable land demand and WFs for meat, vegetable oil, soybeans and liquor exceeded those for other foods, and the per capita arable land and WFs for food consumption of urban residents were higher than those of rural residents. The total arable land and WFs for the food consumption of residents increased by 16.9 million ha (from 91.1 to 108 million ha) and 214.5 billion m3 (from 457.9 to 672.4 billion m3), respectively, from 1983 to 2017. Specifically, the total arable land and WFs for the food consumption of urban residents increased by 45.9 million hm2 (from 22.6 to 68.5 million hm2) and 318.3 billion m3 (from 113.2 to 431.5 billion m3), respectively. Additionally, those of rural residents decreased by 29.7 million hm2 (from 69.2 to 39.5 million hm2) and 103.9 billion m3 (344.8 to 240.9 billion m3), respectively, mainly due to the migration of the rural population to cities and the reductions in per capita arable land and WFs due to increased crop yields. The arable land and blue WFs required for food consumption will reach 127.7 million hm2 and 221.1 billion m3, respectively, in 2030. However, these values will be reduced by approximately 23% and 20%, respectively, to 98.9 million hm2 and 177.8 billion m3 under a balanced dietary pattern. Measures such as improving the investment in agricultural research and development, advocating a balanced diet, and increasing the import of resource-intensive foods could alleviate the pressure on land and water resources.

Impact of persistent Rise in Food Prices on the Nigerian Economy

When the price of food increases uncontrollably, and some variables like transport fare, fuel prices, insecurity rises, this will affect almost everything else such as house rent, school fees, consumption, mentioning just but a few. The study adopts a survey research design approach to examine the effect of rise in food prices on the Nigerian economy. The population of the study is made up of Civil Servants (CS), food vendors (FV), other consumers (OC), and private sectors’ workers (PS) concerned with concerned with food consumptions. A sample size of 248 persons was selected at random, and was divided into 36 civil servants, 118 food vendors, 59 other consumers, and 35 private sector workers. The paper adopted questionnaire design with 5-likert scale response, structured in line with the questions and hypotheses. The paper further uses the Pearson correlation coefficient to test the hypotheses. The showed that the recent rise in food prices has a negative significant impact on the economic growth in Nigeria, and that there is no improvement on Nigerian economy because the rise in food prices has a significant effect on the purchasing power, and finally the finding showed that there is a significant relationship between rise in food prices in Nigeria and food security. The study recommends that government should expand social protection programs for the poor household in both rural and urban, and also increase their medium-term and long-term investments in agricultural research and extension, rural infrastructure, and market access for small farmers.

Costs, Benefits, and Welfare Implications of USAID Investment in Agricultural Research through U.S. Universities

AbstractThe U.S. Agency for International Development has invested limited funds in international agricultural research through U.S. universities. We present a meta-analysis of impact case studies from this investment. The median net present value of economic impacts at purchasing power parity is PPP$8.4 billion compared to a cumulative investment of US$1.24 billion over 1978–2018. About four-fifths of these economic benefits accrued to individuals with incomes under $5.50/day and about 29% to those in extreme poverty. In addition to these limited case studies evaluating financial benefits and costs, we present several types of additional non-economic benefits.