Medium-sized Producers Research Articles

Aportes en la dimensión social y ambiental a la floricultura en el sector de hortensias bajo un enfoque de análisis de ciclo de vida

The Colombian flower industry has been growing and consolidating itself as one of the main economic activities in the country. This activity generates significant environmental and social impacts throughout its life cycle that must be resolved in order to consolidate itself as a sustainable economic activity, and for this reason the project "Environmental, economic and social life cycle assessment for hydrangea agro-industrial companies as a strategy for sustainable development in the Province of La Paz in eastern Antioquia, Colombia" is being developed for small and medium-sized producers' crops to trigger impacts and externalities in the production process. The methodology used in the project was based on the series of ISO 14040 and 14044 Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and UNEP standards, which were evidenced in the production process of hydrangeas for export in a small farm. Some of the significant results of the research allowed identifying that the cultivation stage has grater influence on the categories of environmental impacts and social indicators evaluated, thus achieving the consolidation of relevant actions to improve the performance of the crops from a sustainability perspective.

Análisis de la producción y exportación de fresa mexicana: 1988-2020.

The objective of this study was to carry out a descriptive analysis of the variables that determine strawberry production in Mexico; to analyze the potential export markets for Mexican strawberries; and to determine the effect of strawberry exports on production using a regression model for the period 1988-2020. The results were that, if the average rural price increases 1%, suppliers will be willing to produce 118,096 tons more and if strawberry exports increase 1%, production will increase 2.9%. The COVID-19 sanitary crisis reduced Mexican strawberry production by 279,794 tons. Since export demand influences strawberry supply, it is necessary to assist small and medium-sized producers to meet export quality standards and take advantage of market opportunities in Latin America and Europe.

ГРАНТИ ПРОГРАМИ USAID ДЛЯ БІЗНЕСУ ЗЕРНОВОГО НАПРЯМКУ В ЗБІЛЬШЕННІ ПОТУЖНОСТЕЙ ЗБЕРІГАННЯ ТА СУШІННЯ ЗЕРНА В УМОВАХ ВІЙНИ

The article examines in detail the USAID Program for Agrarian and Rural Development (AGRO) in the direction of "Supporting MSMEs in the grain sector in increasing grain storage and drying capacities" in wartime conditions. The study demonstrates the goals and priorities of the Program, namely: to expand opportunities for grain processing enterprises to increase the number of small and medium-sized producers who benefit from improved services. Emphasis was placed on the fact that the goal of the AGRO Program initiative is to increase the capacity and power of economic entities that provide MSMEs with drying, storage and processing of grain and technical crops. It was established that a distinctive feature of the program is its budget of 270 million UAH, which is planned to be distributed between 10-15 projects, and the amount of grant funding for one project can be from 18,000,000 to 36,000,000. These funds can be directed to cover such costs: purchase of grain processing, drying and storage equipment; purchase of laboratory equipment for determining quality indicators of grain. The expected results of the activities of the grantees have been demonstrated, namely: approximately 70 small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) should receive additional services related to finishing, drying or storage of grain, these services should be expanded by at least 20 thousand tons annually, and/or provided services of grain drying for at least 50,000 tons annually, at least 50% of the total volume of grain processing, drying or storage services will be provided to MSMEs that cultivate (rent) land plots with an area of less than 500 hectares. The research revealed the specifics, as well as features of participation in the grant competition. A number of recommendations have been developed for applicant organizations, the consideration of which will contribute to obtaining grant funding, namely: it is necessary to provide specific data and arguments to strengthen your conclusion, you should ensure a high degree of specificity and confirmation of your statements to strengthen your position in the competition, budget planning should demonstrate a high level transparency and financial responsibility, activities should actively contribute to the creation of equal opportunities and social integration for all categories of the population.

3D model based adaptive cutting system for the meat factory cell: Overcoming natural variability

This article presents a comprehensive framework for executing primal cuts on pigs within a Meat Factory Cell (MFC) context, with potential applications for small and medium-sized producers. The framework begins by creating a 3D model from CT-scans, which is then aligned with a 3D point cloud acquired from an Intel© Realsense™ camera using an initial coarse estimate, and refined through Bayesian Coherent Point Drift. Cutting trajectories are generated based on a custom 3D model of the cutting surface, designed with consideration of the pig's skeletal structure and the cutting properties of the knife tool attached to the robot. A qualitative evaluation of the cuts performed by a professional butcher reveals promising results, while also identifying areas for improvement. The article underscores the potential of integrating CT-scans, 3D point clouds, and cutting models to automate primal cuts in the meat industry, addressing the inherent anatomical variability among animals.

Fruit and vegetable production in Kazakhstan: status, problems and ways of solution

The development of fruit and vegetable sector is given special attention throughout the world. The production of fruits and vegetables is an important component of the agro-industrial complex and one of the most common types of agricultural activities in terms of the income of small and medium-sized producers and the food security of the republic. Fruits and vegetables, being a source of vital minerals and vitamins, occupy one of the key places in the diet and are among the essential goods. Goal - current issues of increasing the efficiency of fruit and vegetable production and its potential are considered. Methods - analysis, comparison, generalization, allowing to identify problems whose solution is important for the food supply of the country's population. Results - the experience of world practice of market trade in horticultural products was studied. The authors substantiate the need to develop and implement measures of state support for elite seed farms and originators of varieties, create and restore infrastructure for the procurement, storage, processing and sale of vegetables, berries and fruits, organize wholesale markets for environmentally friendly vegetable raw materials. The state of fruit and vegetable subcomplex is shown. An analysis of the volumes of cultivation of fruit and vegetable crops by various organizational and legal entities is given. Examples of an effective sales system for fruits and vegetables abroad and mechanisms for the distribution of products are given. The need for state regulation and stimulation of the fruit and vegetable industry is noted. Conclusions - there are all the prerequisites for expanding and further building the potential of competitive and sustainable agricultural formations in the fruit and vegetable sector, capable of fully satisfying domestic consumer demand. This can be achieved through the introduction of new resource-saving technologies, the implementation of high-tech projects taking into account adaptation to climate change, environmental protection, and maintaining balance in the food supply chain.

Size and scope decisions of Maine maple syrup producers: A qualitative application of theory of planned behavior

Maple syrup production represents a prominent form of ton-timber forest production across the northeastern United States and Canada. Similar to farmers, maple syrup producers face complex size and scope decisions about the size or product diversification of their operation. Drawing upon 24 semi-structured interviews with small- and medium-sized producers in Maine, we apply the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to identify factors contributing to producers’ size and scope decisions, including common challenges they face in achieving optimal size and scope. We find that attitude and perceived behavioral control guided by economic, personal, environmental and communal factors, contribute to size and scope decisions with minimal influence from perceived norms. Major challenges for maple syrup producers in achieving optimal size and scope include lack of capital to invest in technology upgrades and equipment, difficulty in finding additional accessible sugar and red maple stands, and lack of access to commercial kitchen facilities. We suggest future research, policy and management recommendations in addressing these challenges. These findings can help inform outreach and policy strategies to support the viability and sustainability of the maple syrup industry as well as be extended to other non-timber forest production practices.

Price determinants of a graded feeder cattle sale

The objective of this study was to deter- mine how numerous factors, including USDA muscle score, affect auction sale prices for feeder cattle in the US South- east. Data came from a monthly feeder cattle sale in Tennessee from 2019 to 2021, and a hedonic pricing model was estimated that considered how average lot weight, lot size, sex, breed, weaning manage- ment, and corn price influence feeder cattle price. The model shows that aver- age lot weight, total head per lot, corn price, lots with weaned cattle, sex, and breed affected the feeder cattle prices as expected based on the literature. A muscle score of 1 increased the sale price feeder cattle by US$9.51 per hundredweight relative to muscle score 2, which is a key finding of this study. This extends the lit- erature by considering the impact of USDA muscle score on feeder cattle prices for cattle in the Southeastern Unit- ed States. This paper also builds on the growing literature examining how various factors affect Southeastern feeder cattle prices. This estimation is useful to help small and medium-sized producers identify optimal management de- cisions to increase the value of their calves. Additionally, this study demonstrates to producers the added value of grades for cattle.

On-Farm Produce Safety: A Review of Needs Assessments of Small- and Medium-Sized Growers in the United States

With the voluntary adoption of good agricultural practices and the regulatory requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act, produce growers have a continued need for educational programming. To understand these needs, the administration of produce safety needs assessments has increased. A summary of all available needs assessment research is needed to inform educational programming that addresses the complexity and range of produce safety requirements based on farm size and market access. This semisystematic review of 34 needs assessments from 2005 to 2020 summarized known produce safety needs and how those were influenced by a variety of factors among small- and medium-sized producers in the United States. Although growers face the needs of training, knowledge, time, capital, and mindset, the factors of farm size, region, market, and farm type influence how growers prioritize and are impacted by these needs. Therefore, educational programming cannot take a one-size-fits-all approach. It is essential to tailor education to the specific needs of producers while considering the various ways in which those needs can differ among specific groups of stakeholders because of influencing factors.

ВИДИ ТА ДЖЕРЕЛА ФОРМУВАННЯ КОНКУРЕНТНИХ ПЕРЕВАГ ПІДПРИЄМСТВ ЦЕМЕНТНОЇ ПРОМИСЛОВОСТІ

The purpose of the article is systematization of types and analysis of features of competitive advantages sources at cement industry enterprises. The result is the formation of measures to strengthen the competitive advantages of enterprises in this industry. Types of competitive advantages are distinguished using methods of analysis and synthesis based on M. Porter's basic competition strategies: diversification strategy involves the development of unique product quality as a competitive advantage, cost leadership strategy - low costs for its production and sales. Sources of competitive advantages of cement industry enterprises are considered using the modeling method, based on M. Porter's value creation chain, in which all activities of enterprises in the industry are divided into primary and support activities. As a result of the technical-technological, statistical analysis of the experience in the cement industry of Ukraine and other countries of the world, it was established that the most significant sources of creating competitive advantages in the industry are research and development, inbound and outbound logistics, production, marketing and sales, service, material and technical supply. Greening of the primary and support activities is defined as an important additional source of competitive advantages of cement manufacturers. As a result of the analysis of the primary and support activities of cement manufacturers, measures to strengthen the competitive advantages of enterprises in this industry were summarized. The main ones are: cooperation with clients and research institutions to regulate the construction and technical properties of cement; territorial location of production close to sources of raw materials, transport junctions or main buyers; production using the dry method of production, absorption of small and medium-sized producers, product packaging; organization of 24-hour self-service warehouses, establishment of a dealer network; consulting construction companies; use of industrial waste instead of traditional raw materials and fuel, use of energy-efficient equipment for grinding raw materials.

Diversification of crops: Assessment of managerial flexibility and economic impact on sugarcane medium-sized farms

The aim of this study is to assess the economic viability of a medium-sized sugarcane farm applying a diversification strategy, including the possibility of managerial flexibility in changing its portfolio over time. There is a theoretical gap in the economic evaluation of diversified production systems in farm space. We assessed one diversified structure for the sugarcane agricultural farm that included land areas dedicated to the rotational cultivation of soybean/corn, corn/peanut, and corn/green manure. We considered the managerial flexibility when replacing sugarcane culture. Primary and secondary data were used based on the agricultural context of São Paulo State, Brazil, where the modal profile of medium-sized producers in the region was defined with the support of technicians from the leading agricultural cooperative and sugarcane suppliers association. The results indicate that the diversification strategy for the investigated context generates: lower financial risk for the farm, higher potential return on investment, and higher economic value added.

Participatory agroecological diagnosis in small and medium-sized producers in Michoacán and Morelos, Mexico

production units by identifying: (i) crop management practices, (ii) types of inputs and technologies used, and (iii) health status of soils and crops. Design/Methodology/Approach: This implemented research was of the type known as "In-depth case study", where the minimum sample size is 6 to 10 cases. Descriptive, correlational, and explanatory aspects corresponding to the selected production units were considered; based on qualitative and quantitative information. Results: For indicators of crop management and soil health, the predominant type of agriculture was transition to agroecology. Crop health indicators were the most agroecological. Study limitations/Implications: The results obtained allowed to establish the current state of the production units; with which further comparisons of the condition of those production units in the future can be made. Findings/Conclusions: The methodology used allowed to evaluate participatively, from an agroecological approach, the sustainability of soils and crops in production units of the municipalities Ario de Rosales, Michoacán and Tetela del Volcán, Morelos. Within the six productive units studied, it was found a productive unit with the appropriate characteristics to be considered as an "agroecological beacon".

Thermal Performance Analysis of Materials and Configurations for Cylindrical Sidewalls of Charcoal Kilns

Most of the charcoal in the world comes from small and medium-sized producers, using rudimentary carbonization kilns that require significant time or energy during the heating and cooling stages of the process. Despite advances in improving the performance, the influence of materials used in the sidewalls of these kilns has been scarcely studied. Therefore, based on numerical simulations, the present study analyses the thermal performance of cylindrical sidewalls composed of combinations of metallic materials, ceramic materials, and insulating blankets grouped in three configurations: configuration I (sidewall with just one material), configuration II (sidewall with two materials assembled in series), and configuration III (pivoting sidewall). Results were encouraging, especially when comparing kiln configuration I with the novel configuration III. Simulations suggested that the proposed configuration III could reduce the heating time by 62%, the cooling time by 91%, the heat supplied to sidewalls by 80%, and the heat loss to the external environment by 99.7%. The save of wood charged into the charcoal kiln grew up to 7.3 times, varying the thickness of the inner layer of the sidewall.

ADO: An open digital end-to-end tank based aquaculture platform

The ADO project proposes the development of an IoT solution that allows the digitization of the aquaculture sector, developing the basic elements (data acquisition systems, data storage system and visualization platform) in open source format. Hence, ADO makes it easier for small and medium-sized producers to obtain success stories with limited technology background and smaller economic investments. In this article we provide a comprehensive description of the platform building blocks, including the hardware elements, integration procedures and structure, and operation details of the back-end infrastructure.

Методические подходы к исследованию рынков в локальной сельской экономике

The article presents the justification of methodological approaches to the study of local agricultural production markets (the level of administrative districts of the subjects of the Russian Federation) in the conditions of development of rural local economy. The developed methodological tools were used to assess the level of development of retail markets and fair trade in the districts of Omsk and Tambov regions. The final part of the article presents the main conclusions of the study. The main subjects of the markets of the local rural economy are local producers who are not included in the composition of large agricultural and processing enterprises located in this area, and local consumers, residents of villages, villages and cities within which local producers sell their products or services. The development of the markets of the local rural economy is determined by the sales potential of local food products, which is limited for small and medium-sized producers by available local sales channels, such as agricultural markets and fairs, unlike large producers whose sales are focused on network trade, large regional wholesalers or their own trading houses.

ДИВЕРСИФІКАЦІЯ ЯК СТРАТЕГІЧНИЙ НАПРЯМ СТАЛОГО РОЗВИТКУ ПІДПРИЄМСТВ АГРАРНОГО СЕКТОРУ ЕКОНОМІКИ

The diversification of the activities of agricultural enterprises is considered as a process of mastering the production of new or expanding the range of traditional types of products, which makes it possible to more fully realize the existing natural, biological, resource, production potential and helps to strengthen financial, economic and environmental safety, increases the competitiveness and efficiency of economic entities. Today, the need to diversify the activities of domestic agricultural enterprises is determined by a set of prerequisites, both general economic and specific. In modern realities, the overwhelming majority of farmers are focused on the production of the most liquid and least capital- and labor-intensive types of products with a short payback period. The economic results of agricultural enterprises in most cases directly depend on the efficiency of production of grain and oilseeds. Narrow specialization, and sometimes practically monoculture, increases the threats of agrobiological, ecological, and economic nature Diversification of their activities allows minimizing the risks of agricultural enterprises from unfavorable phenomena of agrotechnical and weather-climatic nature and unforeseen changes in market conditions. Optimization of the sectoral structure on the basis of a rational combination of the main, additional, and subsidiary industries ensures more efficient use of land and means of production, leads to the leveling of seasonality, and creates conditions for an enterprise to receive a guaranteed stable income. The priority for the diversification of large-scale agricultural production is its investment and innovative development with a rational combination of crop and livestock industries, the revival of the traditional for Ukraine industries of beet growing, vegetable growing, horticulture, cattle breeding, pig breeding, sheep breeding. Diversification of the activities of small and medium-sized producers provides for an orientation towards the production of products with a high level of labor intensity, environmentally friendly organic products, niche agriculture, the production of non-traditional agricultural products, green, agritourism, etc. The need to change the raw material nature of the agricultural sector of the Ukrainian economy determines the need to increase the industrial processing of agricultural raw materials. This will not only make it possible to obtain greater added value, but will also ensure the creation of additional jobs, will contribute to the growth of incomes of the population, and an increase in the revenues of budgets of all levels. The development of diversification processes guarantees a stable income and an increase in the profitability of agricultural producers and will also contribute to the implementation of national priorities for ensuring the country's food security, increasing employment, and solving social and material problems of peasants.

The importation of panela in the peasant economy of the municipality of San José del Fragua

Panela production for many years has been the main livelihood of many families in the municipality of San José del Fragua, which is anchored in the department of Caquetá. This market has suffered various effects due to the import activity, which comes from other departments and as a result has had a negative impact on the profitability and production of families. This has triggered a series of disagreements on the part of small and medium-sized producers towards the government, since they have never had significant support with which they can make up for the low income due to the fact that this panela that they import is cheaper and consumers buy it. they prefer it only because the price is more attractive, leaving aside the quality and origin of the product. Therefore, the objective was oriented to identify the reasons why the peasants preferred the imported panela product. Various methods and techniques were used such as: the interview and documentary analysis. As a main result, it was evidenced that the import activity is the main problem faced by the peasants of the municipality of San José del Fragua in the commercialization of panela.

MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATIONAL AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS OF STRENGTHENING THE MARKETING ACTIVITY OF THE ENTERPRISE AND MAINTAINING EFFICIENT AGRO BUSINESS

Abstract. The analysis of the activity of agricultural enterprises indicated its inherent high degree of risk. Unlike other industries, a significant share of integrated risk for agriculture is weather risk. It is this risk that necessitates the diversification of agricultural marketing into three forms: with a deficit of the main commodity product of the agricultural enterprise in the market; with the balance of sales and supply and with the market surplus of marketable products. It is pointed out that in order to reduce the risk, a significant number of medium-sized producers rely on multi-product production and management has to simultaneously make use of all the intended forms of marketing. It has been established that the marketing activities of agricultural enterprises for a number of reasons: established tradition, lack of financial resources, etc. are often sporadic, fragmented, not a systematic, purposeful activity with defined goals, well considered tools, adequate funding and resources. Therefore, a number of specific steps have been proposed for the implementation of effective agribusiness: changing the traditional way of thinking; formation of a holistic systematic approach to marketing policy as a single coordinated complex of management and marketing; thorough study of the market of products manufactured by the agricultural enterprise, and the formation of the forecast for the next season. To strengthen marketing activities and conduct effective agribusiness, algorithms have been developed to gain a competitive advantage. It is shown that agricultural marketing today is becoming a broader field of activity than providing pure production and marketing using the main levers — price, product, sales and communication. It must best meet the needs and requirements of consumers, in particular, by shifting the main emphasis from price and sales aspects to communication. This is one of the main ways to ensure the function of agribusiness efficiency. It is proposed to use the experience of developed countries and more widely employ modern information technologies of management and marketing, in particular, decision support systems and analysis of risks and forecasts for the next period. The following ways are proposed for the use of modern decision support systems, risk analysis and forecasts in Ukrainian agricultural management and marketing: cooperation, use of these information systems on the basis of lease or, less relevant, expert risk assessment. A mathematical method of taking into account the degree of risk in the business processes of agricultural enterprises is proposed. Keywords: marketing, management, management, manager, agricultural management, agribusiness, information technology marketing. JEL Classification M11, M31, Q13 Formulas: 1; fig.: 3; tabl.: 0; bibl.: 22.

The place of small agricultural entrepreneurship in the development of amalgamated territorial communities

The place of small agricultural entrepreneurship in the development of amalgamated territorial communities

РОЗРОБЛЕННЯ ІНФОРМАЦІЙНОЇ ТА ОБЛІКОВО-АНАЛІТИЧНОЇ ПЛАТФОРМИ ДЛЯ СІЛЬСЬКОГОСПОДАРСЬКИХ ВИРОБНИКІВ І СПОЖИВАЧІВ

The inevitability of modernization of socio-economic relations between small and medium-sized producers and consumers of agricultural products requires the development and implementation in practice of information and analytical platform. The introduction of such kind of Internet resource should solve not only the issue of remote communication between the manufacturer (seller) and consumer (buyer), the construction of logistics routes for optimally convenient delivery of products, but also web calculations. The introduction of the information-analytical platform is designed to address many subjective factors, including the ability for agricultural producers to plan the required volume of products based on previous online orders. The purpose of this work is to transfer business relations in the field of production and sale of agricultural products to the digital space For the successful implementation of the accounting-analytical platform a number of methods, including statistical: observation, grouping, analysis, forecasting , should be used. The sustainability of the project results is that its implementation will ensure the creation of new jobs, including through self-employment. The population of rural territorial communities and residents of the city will get an access to the purchase of agricultural products without leaving the house directly from the producer, eliminating the role of intermediary. The practical value of the theoretically described development lies mainly in the financial ability of the project. Financial stability will be ensured by increasing sales of agricultural producers and reducing the time of sale of agricultural products. It is also projected to increase financial revenues to the OTG budget (in the form of tax revenues from business activities). If the project is completed, it will be supported online. In addition, financial sustainability will make a social effect, which is due to the economic law of scaling. It is based on the fact that a significant share of the population of Ukraine can potentially be involved in the process of digitalization of production and marketing infrastructure in the agricultural sector of the economy.

Major Direct Marketing Channels for U.S. Agricultural Products

Direct marketing of agricultural food products is a method for small and medium-size producers to increase their profits. Farmers who use direct marketing channels represent a small proportion of agricultural producers in the United States, only 7.5% of the total, the value of direct sales slightly exceeds 2% of the value of agricultural products sold. But this market segment and its importance are growing rapidly under the pressure of demand for locally produced fresh and healthful agricultural products, primarily organic.