Market Access Research Articles

Green Farming: Practice of Agroforestry as Response to Climate Variability and Strategy for Farm Income Diversification in Kafa Zone, Southwest Ethiopia

Agroforestry farming is a crucial agricultural practice that has been the indigenous economic activity of tropical areas since early times. In addition to its financial advantages, this economic activity plays a significant role in environmental conservation. The study's objective was to evaluate the spread and content of agroforestry practices for raising farm income and climate adaptation in the Kafa Zone of southwest Ethiopia. To address the objective of this study, a survey design was used. Purposive sampling and simple random sampling techniques were employed to select sample. Approximately 375 sample households were surveyed. In addition, interviews, Focus Group Discussion, and observation were used during this study for the collection of data. As the study results showed, the hectares of land use under agroforestry were vary among the study kebeles. There was a significant difference among the study areas regarding land use size under agroforestry (F2 was 11.869, and sign was 0.03). In addition, the study revealed diversified agroforestry with crop species were found in home garden agroforestry. Similarly, the variability of the tree species per plot in agroforestry land use was significantly associated with the agroecology of the study area (p<0.05), which was greater varieties in the Dega agroecological area than in the Kola area. The main challenges to the practices of diversification of agroforestry in the study area were issues related with market accessibility, climate, wildlife, and agricultural policy. About 86.4% of the farmers surveyed indicated that there were limitations on support or government help for seedlings. To conclude, the agroforestry farm implementation in the study was related to indigenous knowledge-based practice, which was highly focus on coffee and gardens. To improve and implement sound agroforestry practices, the concerning body needs to strengthen a policy and plan that initiates diverse species in agroforestry practices.

Mapping drivers of land conversion among smallholders: A global systems perspective

CONTEXTAgriculture-driven land conversion poses a significant threat to global biodiversity conservation. Balancing agricultural expansion with conservation is a critical challenge for governments and development partners. Sustainability-oriented agriculture programs such as conservation agriculture and land intensification aim to reduce land conversion and deforestation; however, evidence of their effectiveness remains complex and elusive, especially regarding the role of smallholders. OBJECTIVEThis study addresses this knowledge gap by systematically mapping the drivers of smallholder land conversion and their interconnections across three focal biodiverse contexts including sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia as well as from a global scale. METHODSUsing literature that focuses on the nexus of smallholder farmers and agricultural intensification, this study systematically identified the potential of distinct factors and dynamic processes to serve as system leverage points toward improved outcomes for biodiversity, food security, and smallholder livelihoods, using a combination of structural factor analysis, centrality analysis, and feedback loop analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSThe results highlight the importance of strengthening land tenure systems, providing technical support to farmers, improving market access, and prioritizing smallholder livelihoods in mitigating land conversion. SIGNIFICANCEContextual differences emphasize the need for context-specific interventions and further research to explore factors driving land conversion more deeply within specific contextual boundaries. Future studies should map proposed policy interventions onto local systems driving land conversion and incorporate the diverse perspectives of local stakeholders to guide effective and sustainable agriculture interventions.

Drivers of Land Abandonment in Neelakantha Municipality: Perceptions of Farmers

This study analysed the role of factors for land abandonment in Neelakantha municipality, Dhading. For this purpose, survey and causal-comparative research design are used. Similarly, Reliability and normality of the collected data was ensured by using cronbach alpha and Shapiro-Wilk test respectively. Then after, inferential statistical tools i.e. Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis have been used to derive the result of the study. This study found that there is a significant impact of high cost of agro product, out migration, rough topography, lack of government protection from international competition, and destruction of food crops by wild animals on land abandonment. However, the impact of irrigation facility and market access on land abandonment was not statistically significant. The findings of the study suggest that the factors that contribute to land abandonment are complex and interrelated. However, the study provides some evidence that the factors that were found to be statistically significant can play a role in land abandonment.

Agroecosystem-based analysis of household dietary diversity and its linkage with agricultural production diversification in the Upper Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia: Multilevel analysis approach

Even though the UN's Sustainable Development Goals emphasize improving dietary diversity and overall nutritional status globally by promoting sustainable agriculture, inadequately diversified dietary intake remains a public health problem in many low-income countries, including in Sub-Saharan Africa. The main objective of this study was to gather relevant information to gain an improved understanding of household dietary diversity and explore the role that production diversification could play within household diets and nutrition so that appropriate interventions could be implemented with the goal of enhancing nutrition-sensitive agriculture while also considering the varied features across the agroecosystems. Agroecosystem-based cross-sectional study design was employed. Data were collected predominantly through semi-structured questionnaires and analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics, and a multilevel mixed-effect model. Results showed that the usual dietary intake of households has a monotonous pattern dominated by starchy staple foods, and consumption of fruits, vegetables, and animal-sourced foods was very limited. One out of five households had inadequate dietary diversity but varied significantly across agroecosystems. About 26% of the heterogeneity in dietary diversity was attributed due to agroecosystem level factors. In the fixed-effect part of the model, production diversification, wealth status, number of meals per day, market access, and annual mean rainfall were significantly associated with household dietary diversity status. The findings of our research contribute to give insights on the linkage between dietary diversity and production diversification among subsistence rural farmers across contrasting agroecosystem zones. Therefore, understanding agroecosystem variations and local context in the rural subsistence farming setup is a key point in designing nutrition-sensitive agriculture.

Publishing and Copyright Laws in Nigeria: A Critical Review

This paper examines the state of publishing and copyright laws in Nigeria while considering the historical context, current impact, and the pressing need for reform. Publishing not only preserves and propagates knowledge but also stimulates economic growth. However, the vitality and sustainability of this sector heavily depend on the legal framework governing it, primarily the copyright laws. These laws are not only essential for safeguarding intellectual property but are also pivotal in ensuring the prosperity of authors and publishers alike. A comprehensive review of the state of publishing and copyright laws in Nigeria reveals a multi-faceted narrative, one fraught with historical legacies, contemporary challenges, and a pressing need for reform. An examination of the publishing and copyright laws in Nigeria, suggests that this dynamic relationship significantly impacts the nation’s cultural and economic landscape. The Nigerian publishing industry, with its rich literary tradition and vibrant creative voices, stands as a testament to the importance of effective copyright legislation. The paper observes that Nigeria’s copyright laws suffer from inadequacies in adapting to the digital age, weak enforcement mechanisms, and limitations in international recognition. These issues hamper the industry’s growth and hinder the full realization of its potential. Nonetheless, there is hope on the horizon. The Nigerian government has recognized the importance of reforming copyright laws and supporting the creative sector. The paper recommends that the government should embark on a comprehensive review and update of the Copyright Act to address digital rights, licensing, and enforcement issues, making it more relevant to the digital age and Nigeria should actively engage in international agreements and organizations that promote copyright protection. This engagement will enable the global recognition of Nigerian works and expand market access for local publishers.

The Factors Hindering the Effective Development of SMEs Businesses in Tanzania a Review Study

The development of SMEs worldwide is dependent upon a favourable business situation. However, SMEs in Tanzania confront a number of obstacles that prevent them from growing, including a lack of funding, inadequate market accessibility, a lack of entrepreneurial expertise and skills, bureaucracy, lack of business training, lack of good infrastructure, a lack of collateral, low production, unfavourable regulations, corruption, the motivation of the business owners, limited access to information, inadequate raw materials and other related factors. The significance of the study is to review on the issues preventing Tanzanian SMEs from developing. The SMEs, businesses have been demanded as the backbone for the growth of economic in almost all the developing countries including Tanzania. In Tanzania it has contributed almost 30% of the national GDP, and almost 20-30% of the total labour force, thus 3-4 million people employed. Therefore the paper has addressed some factors internal, external and other related factors as reviewed that act as the setbacks towards the SMEs development. The study has focused on literature review of different articles, research and case studies done. Mwanza region was chosen as one of the case study because of great opportunity to SMEs in the region, which if could be well utilized could add high Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country. The SMEs involved are such as; retail shops, bars, restaurants, hotels, playing stations, decoction centres, stationeries, etc Tanzania To achieve the intended objective, the researcher developed research question that was aimed at assessing the factors affecting performance and development of SMEs, contributions and solutions to SMEs. Data were collected from literature review of paper and cited by the author concerning Tanzania. The finding showed that most of the SMEs fails to develop due to; failure to access financial support, lack of business skills, poor technology used due to lack of awareness, lack of enough government support, high taxes imposed , failure to comply with government regulations, sudden change in climatic conditions and government rules. The study concluded by suggesting and further recommended on the better strategies that SMEs could implement with the government support like; government should always work and collaborate with SMEs in all areas by implementing favourable business policies, financial institutions should impose affordable and easy regulation to access loan that supports the SMES operations. Also the SMEs owners and employees should be given enough skills to help them perform better and copy with the daily change in technology advancement to assure effective and efficiency performance of the SMEs for their future sustainability in Tanzania.

Trade and the margins of innovative technologies: evidence from patent-firm matched data

ABSTRACT We study the impact of China’s surge in the global economy on the intensive and extensive margins of firm-level innovative technologies. We predict that greater market access following the accession of China to the World Trade Organization (WTO) has positive effects on both the intensive and extensive margins of innovative technologies, and the effects are more pronounced for more productive firms. We confirm our predictions empirically using the United States Patent and Trademark Office patent data matched with Taiwanese firm-level data for the period from 1998–2014.

Drivers of Urban Agriculture and their Influence on the Socio-Economic Status of the Urban Farmers in Uganda, A Case Study of Kampala and Mbarara Cities

The study analyzed the influence of forms and drivers of urban Agriculture on the socio-economic status of the farmers in Kampala and Mbarara Cities. The specific objective of the study was to examine the influence drivers of urban agriculture on the socio-economic status of farmers. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design using multiple data collection methods. A multistage cluster sampling technique involving simple random sampling to get both primary and secondary sampling units, snowball to get target respondents and purposive sampling for key informants and focus group members was used. Data were collected using social survey questionnaires for households, focus group discussions checklist (FGDs), key informant interview guides and observations, from a sample of 384 respondents. The study found a strong association between drivers of UA and the socioeconomic status of the urban farmers in Kampala and Mbarara Cities. Household socio-economic status has substantially correlated with the drivers of the urban farmers and out of 9 items considered only 5 was significant which include access to capital (x2 = 1.175, p< 0.047), access to agriculture extension services (x2 = 3.634, p< 0.026), access to financial grants (x2 = 5.190, p<0.001), access to markets (x2 = 6.993, p< 0.001), value addition(x2 = 3.718, p<0.014). The study confirmed a significant relationship between drivers of urban agriculture and the socio-economic status of urban farmers. Urban agriculture drivers like access to capital and financial grants, nature of market access and value addition had a significant influence on household socio-economic status.

Impact of Subsidy Removal on Smallholder Livestock Farmers' Productivity in Nigeria

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of subsidy removal on smallholder livestock farmers' productivity in Nigeria. 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: The impact of subsidy removal on smallholder livestock farmers in Nigeria resulted in both challenges and opportunities. Initially, it led to increased input costs and decreased profitability, but it also spurred innovation and efficiency improvements. However, limited access to credit and inadequate support structures hindered overall productivity. Tailored policy interventions are crucial to address these challenges and promote sustainable growth in the sector. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Public choice theory, theory of economic adjustment & dependency theory may be used to anchor future studies on analyze the impact of subsidy removal on smallholder livestock farmers' productivity in Nigeria. Cooperative farming models encourage resource pooling and collective action, reducing costs and enhancing market access. By tailoring subsidy reintroduction to the most vulnerable sectors, policies can be more targeted and efficient, ensuring optimal use of resources.

Conceptualisation and Role of Market Access in Pharmaceutical Industry: A Scoping Review

Background: Understanding the concept and dynamic process of the evolution of professional identity and roles of market access (MA) in the pharmaceutical industry (pharma) is critical to personal, interpersonal, and professional levels of development and impact. Objective: The aim was to carry out a scoping review of the conceptualisation of MA within pharma. Data Sources: BioMed Central, WorldCat.org, and Directory of Open Access Journals were searched from 2003 to 2023. Study Selection: All articles on concepts or definitions and other surrogate terms on MA in pharma were selected. Data Extraction: Keywords generated from an initial cursory literature search on MA in pharma were used in conjunction with AND/OR as search terms. Using the data charting method, key findings were mapped and summarised descriptively. inductive analysis was performed, allowing codes/themes that are relevant to the concept to emerge. Data Synthesis: Arskey and O’Malley’s six-stage framework and the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews extension checklist were used as the review and reporting templates. The databases search yielded 222 results. Following title and abstract screening, a total of 146 papers were screened, and 127 of them were excluded. Full-text review was conducted for 19 papers that were deemed by two reviewers to meet the eligibility criteria. One of the authors arbitrated on disputed papers for inclusion. Only 14 of the included papers were found to meet the criteria for the final analysis. Five conceptual dimensions of MA in pharma were identified as “right products”, “right patient”, “right price”, “right point” (time), and “right place” (setting). Conclusions: Market access in pharma is a process that commences with the development and availability of the right products that are proven to be efficacious and disease/condition-specific (including medications, medical devices, and vaccines); specifically produced for the right patients or end users who will maximise best clinical outcomes and economic value; delivered at the right point in a timely, sustained, and efficient manner, given at the right price (commercially viable or reimbursed price that represents good value); and conducted within the economic, policy, societal, and technological contexts, with the overarching goal of achieving the best patient outcomes and ensuring product profitability.

Can North Carolina small rural farms succeed equally? Quantifying racial and gender disparities in acres, markets, and incomes

While small rural farms have long been the foundation of the United States' agricultural landscape, the historic context of gender and racial disparities within this sector has been understudied. This study aims to illuminate gender and racial disparities among small rural farms in North Carolina across operated acres, owned acres, market access, and farm income. Uncovering these dimensions provides valuable insights to promote equity in agricultural development. Using data from North Carolina small farms, we employ the Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition with Recentered Influence Functions to analyze the extent and sources of disparities. We find four key results. First, White-operated farms have 161% more land, are 2.88 miles closer to markets, and earn $174,000 more than Black-operated farms annually. Second, male-operated farms have 150% more acres and $126,000 higher gross income versus female-operated farms. Third, racial and gender disparities are most pronounced at higher ends of farm size and income distributions. Additionally, disparities stem from endowment and structural effects, with structural factors more prevalent at higher outcome levels. To address such disparities, policymakers should implement targeted initiatives to improve education, market access, and outreach for minority and women farmers while also reforming systems to dismantle structural barriers and enable equitable prosperity. Shedding light on racial and gender inequality is imperative for cultivating an inclusive, just food system where all small rural farmers can succeed.

Mapping coexisting hotspots of multidimensional food market (in)accessibility and climate vulnerability

With the increasing likelihood of agricultural production failures under a warmer global climate, the importance of markets in providing access to nutrient-dense foods (NDFs) through trade is predicted to grow. However, regions with relatively poor access to markets and supporting infrastructures (e.g. roads and storage facilities) are potentially ill-equipped to deal with both short-term hydrometeorological hazards such as droughts and floods, and longer-term shifts in agricultural productivity. Despite the increasing focus upon markets within academic and policymaking circles, a regional-scale assessment of these potentially coexisting hotspots of vulnerability has not been conducted. We conduct a two-stage geospatial analysis integrating three publicly available datasets across the Indian states of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha. Combining the 2011 national census with the new PMGSY-GeoSadak database, we conduct nearest neighbour analysis to measure multidimensional market inaccessibility by: (i) distance from a settlement to its nearest village, town or city with a market, (ii) distance from a settlement to its nearest major road, and (iii) distance from a settlement to its subdistrict headquarters. We then correlate these measures with India’s only district-wise assessment of climate vulnerability to identify hotspots of market inaccessibility and climate hazards. We find that the three market access measures are spatially autocorrelated and positively interrelated at the settlement (n = 129 555) and district (n = 107) levels, meaning that settlements located further from their nearest market tend to experience poorer road connectivity and access to the subdistrict economic hub. Approximately 18.5-million people live in districts with relatively high climate vulnerability and relatively high and multidimensional market inaccessibility. Hotspots of coexisting vulnerabilities are also disproportionately populated by ‘Schedule Castes and Schedule Tribes’ (SC/ST) communities. The identification of coexisting hotspots has important implications for the development of equitable and resilient markets that bolster NDF access for climate vulnerable and nutritionally insecure populations.

Impact of Trade Policies, Tariffs, and Sanitary and Phytosanitary Regulations on International Livestock Trade and Market Access for Livestock Producers in Brazil

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate impact of trade policies, tariffs, and sanitary and phytosanitary regulations on international livestock trade and market access for livestock producers in Brazil. 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: it's evident that trade policies, including tariffs and non-tariff measures, significantly influence bilateral trade flows in livestock products. Reductions in tariffs generally lead to increased trade, while increases in tariffs have the opposite effect, demonstrating the importance of tariff liberalization for stimulating trade and enhancing market access. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Theory of comparative advantage & new trade theory may be used to anchor future studies on impact of trade policies, tariffs, and sanitary and phytosanitary regulations on international livestock trade and market access for livestock producers in Brazil. Enhance capacity-building initiatives and technical assistance programs for developing countries to improve SPS compliance and facilitate trade in livestock products, thereby promoting inclusive trade practices. Negotiate comprehensive regional trade agreements (RTAs) that address trade facilitation measures, infrastructure development, and regulatory harmonization to maximize the benefits of market integration for the livestock sector.

DIGITAL INITIATIVES OF HARYANA GOVERNMENT AND FARMER'S WELFARE

The agricultural landscape in Haryana, India, has undergone a transformative shift with the advent of digital technologies, specifically E-Portals encompassing social media and mobile applications. Digitalization presents the opportunity to assist in tackling the agricultural sector's challenges and improve productivity and sustainability. Digital initiatives (E-commerce and E-Portals) in agriculture have a significant positive impact on agricultural production efficiency. It encourages rational allocation of agricultural factors and promotes sustainable development.Based on Available data from national surveys and existing literature on the implementation and effects of digital portals, Mobile applications, and social media in agriculture utilization of digital technologies. The study adopted a mixed-methods approach, data taken from different sources like combining surveys, national surveys, existing literature, and data analytics to evaluate the adoption and utilization patterns of E-Portals, mobile applications and social media among farmers. The study aims to analyze the impact of E-Portals on farmers lives in Haryana. The research paper will focus on the E-Portals, Mobile apps and social media initiatives run by Government of Haryana. This research paper explores the multi-sided impact of these technological involvements on farmers in the region. Through a comprehensive study, we investigate how E-Portals have influenced various facets of farming practices, socio-economic conditions, and overall welfares of farmers in Haryana.Findings of this study reveal the extent to which farmers have integrated digital platforms into their daily routines for tasks such as market information access, crop management, financial transactions, and community engagement. Furthermore, the research explores the implications of E-Portals on improving market linkages, enhancing agricultural productivity, and contributing to sustainable farming practices.In addition to the positive outcomes, challenges and barriers faced by farmers in adopting and adapting to E-Portals are also analyzed. Issues such as digital literacy, connectivity constraints, and the socio-economic divide are examined to provide a holistic understanding of the technology's impact on different segments of the farming community.The research contributes valuable insights for policymakers, technology developers, and stakeholders aiming to enhance the effectiveness of E-Portals in agriculture. By understanding the dynamics of technology adoption among farmers in Haryana, this study aims to inform strategies that can bridge existing gaps, promote inclusivity, and ensure sustainable development in the agricultural sector. The study finds that regional digitalization can significantly raise agricultural total factor productivity, particularly in economically underdeveloped areas.

IDENTIFICATION AND EVALUATION OF AGRICULTURAL SUPPLY CHAIN RISK

This research is based on different risk involved in supply chain of agricultural. The literature review examines the challenges facing rural agricultural supply chains in various regions, particularly in Ghana, Ethiopia, and the Philippines. The primary focus is on the detrimental effects of inadequate transportation infrastructure, including poorly maintained roads and limited access to transportation networks. These challenges contribute to high transportation costs, post-harvest losses, and reduced agricultural output. Moreover, the prevalence of pests, diseases, and natural disasters further exacerbates the vulnerabilities of these supply chains. Despite the significance of agricultural production as a source of livelihood and economic activity in these regions, the constraints imposed by transportation limitations hinder market access, increase input prices, and impede overall economic growth. Strategies to address these challenges must prioritize investments in transportation infrastructure, market information systems, and resilience-building measures against environmental risks. FMEA method is applied to assess and prioritise the agricultural supply chain risks. It is use to analysis the level of risks. Keywords: Supply chain risk, Risk assessment, FMEA, Agricultural supply chain.

An assessment of agroforestry as a climate‐smart practice: Evidences from farmers of northwestern region of Bangladesh

AbstractAgroforestry systems have grown significantly in popularity in Bangladesh during recent years due to their favorable effects on the environment and human health. These systems are essential for supporting sustainable agriculture because they increase diversity, improve food security, and provide revenue. This study's main objective is to show how agroforestry is a widely used ecological and climate‐resilient practice in Bangladesh. The research explores investment analysis, adoption‐influencing factors, and a strength, weakness, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis of agroforestry practices. A total of 340 respondents were chosen for this extensive study using a multistage random selection technique. The results showed a discrepancy in practice, with farmers exhibiting a high degree of awareness but limited application. Financial analysis employing metrics such as benefit‐cost ratio, net present value, and internal rate of return favored agroforestry, indicating its economic viability and potential benefits for adopters. Additionally, the adoption of agroforestry was found to be significantly influenced by a binary logistic regression model that highlighted several important features, including larger farm sizes, younger age groups, greater education levels, training experiences, frequent extension visits, and enhanced market access. The study also identified barriers to adoption, such as a lack of trained labor, poor technical assistance, and education. This thorough analysis clarifies the opportunities and constraints for agroforestry implementation in Bangladesh. It suggests broad adoption by means of focused training initiatives that empower farmers, provide observable advantages, and promote nationwide acceptance.

Linking farmers to markets: Barriers, solutions, and policy options

The 15 studies highlighted in this special issue collectively underscore the significant impacts of market participation on farmers’ well-being, income, poverty reduction, dietary diversity, and rural economic growth. They also delve into the importance of marketing channel choice and the role of e-commerce in enhancing farmers’ market linkages. In addition, they address farmers’ preferences for market access interventions and the examination of market power within the agricultural industry, especially in low-income countries. The key findings include: (1) Market participation is critical for improving farmers’ subjective and objective well-being, with studies demonstrating positive impacts on income, poverty reduction, and dietary diversity; (2) The choice of marketing channels significantly influences income, with evidence suggesting online sales can substantially increase farmers’ earnings; (3) E-commerce plays a pivotal role in connecting farmers to broader markets, leading to income growth and enhanced market visibility; (4) Understanding and addressing farmers’ preferences for market access through interventions like systematization policies and joint ventures can facilitate better market integration and support inclusive business models; (5) Analysis of market power within the primary foods industry reveals rising markups, particularly affecting low-income countries. These findings suggest that policies and interventions aiming to improve market access, promote e-commerce, and consider farmers’ preferences and market power dynamics can significantly impact farmers’ incomes, poverty levels, and overall rural economic development.

A STUDY ON THE VOLATILITY SPILLOVER BETWEEN NIGERIAN AND BRICS ECONOMIES USING MULTIVARIATE GARCH MODELS

BRIC-African relation has been of interest to key stakeholders especially given the inclusion of South Africa. In the existing literature some researchers hypothesized inclusion of Nigeria will accelerate BRICS objective of enhancing market access to ensure rapid economic growth among other objectives. This study utilized daily exchange rates of Naira/Dollar together with BRICS Dollar exchange rate for a period of 18 years. The study aimed to determine the volatility spillover between Nigerian and BRICS nations via Multivariate GARCH family: VECH, DBEKK and CCC Models. The result of VECH and DBEKK Models showed that all parameters were significant at 5% level, indicating clearly that there is positive impact of Exchange Rate shocks of Nigeria on the Exchange Rate Volatility of the BRICS economies, while for the CCC model only one parameter was significant at 5% level. This clearly indicated the existence of positive impacts of Exchange rates shocks of Nigeria on the Exchange Rate Volatility of the BRICS economies. On the other hand, only VECH model was able to capture the volatility spillover (own and cross) both on negative direction, suggesting a causal relationship between past volatility shocks in Nigeria and current volatility in the BRICS economies. Conclusively based on the information above VECH model was found to be appropriate to capture the volatility spillover between Nigerian exchange rate and that of the BRICS nations.

Evaluating Intangible Cultural Heritage Policy of Balinese Handwoven Textiles

Several key factors drive contemporary concerns about the sustainability of intangible cultural heritage. Cultural policy has given meaning and importance to the cultural diversity of society. However, the efforts to preserve intangible cultural heritage by providing a way to community welfare are facing new challenges. The article aims to present an analysis of local cultural policy from Bali Governance to sustain the intangible heritage of handwoven textiles by increasing the economy demand. Using a focus group approach, qualitative data were collected and using Nvivo12 to analyze the data from 15 interviews of weavers and practices of Balinese handwoven textiles living in Bali. This approach is used as a means to represent the complex diversity of opinions among members of the weaving group in a dynamic interaction that is provided so that a diversity of views emerges from the participants and direct clarification of the issues that influence the diversity of arguments on the reality of the impact on policy. The result found that the cultural policy is increasing the sense of identity by using Balinese handwoven textiles and significantly has the direct impact for the demand of handwoven textiles. Furthermore, the research revealed that cultural policy plays important role in shaping and reviving the traditional practices by evaluating the challenges of cultural industries such as industrialization, regeneration knowledge, environmental sustainability by reducing chemical dyes, the welfare of women weavers, market access and strong representation between communities.

Sinergity of Village Owned Enterprises and MSMEs in Upgrading Daergic Potentials: Study on Sido Makmur Village, Getasan Village, Getasan District, Semarang Regency

Getasan Village has strategic potential and sufficient resources to advance Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The village's vision and mission, enshrined in Village Regulation No. 2/2019, focuses on the development of MSMEs. Although most MSMEs in the village still operate on a small and home-based scale, they remain a pillar of the local economy. However, challenges such as limited capital, lack of management knowledge, less supportive infrastructure, as well as limited market access hinder the growth of MSMEs. To address this, Village-Owned Enterprises (BUM Desa) are considered a potential solution. Law No. 6/2014 on Villages provides a legal foundation for the establishment of BUM Desa. With the synergy between BUM Desa and MSMEs, local economic potential can be maximized. The research used participatory observation methods and a qualitative approach. The results show several patterns of effective synergy between BUM Desa and MSMEs, such as capital strengthening, infrastructure development, skills training, and joint promotion. These measures are expected to improve the competitiveness and growth of MSMEs and provide positive impacts for the government and community. The formulation of BUM Desa's strategy in utilizing local economic potential and mobilizing MSMEs is also detailed to provide direction for further development.