Abstract This article investigates the direct impact of energy prices (Crude Oil and Natural Gas) on agricultural markets (wheat, maize, soybeans) and the indirect effect through fertilizers using monthly data covering the period from January 1990 to February 2021. Additionally, the analysis is further extended up to 2024. The conditional covariances of energy and fertilizer prices capture the spikes in the 2008 crisis and the volatile time after, and the deterministic nonlinear Fourier trends eliminate the unit root problem. The results show that agricultural prices are affected directly by changes in energy prices and indirectly through fertilizer prices.

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The objective of this study was to compare the economic performances of 3 pasture-based systems: a perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.; PRG) receiving 250 kg N/ha (PRG-250N); a PRG-white clover (Trifolium repens L.; WC) receiving 125 kg N/ha (PRGWC-125N); and a multispecies (MSS) sward composed of grasses, legumes, and herbs receiving 125 kg N/ha (MSS-125N). Sward and animal performances were measured over 3 years in a system-scale study involving 3 farmlets at Teagasc Moorepark, Ireland. Subsequently, based on the physical data collected, an economic performance of each sward system was evaluated using current output prices and input costs in the Moorepark Dairy Systems Model. The economic results show similar net farm profitability for both PRG-250N and PRGWC-125N. The PRGWC-125N system had lower costs linked to fertilizer; however, more grass silage was purchased due to reduced grass production. The MSS-125N system outperformed both PRG-250N and PRGWC-125N in net farm profitability (+€167/ha and +€148/ha, respectively) due to increased milk output coupled with reduced N fertilizer use. Sensitivity analyses indicated that MSS-125N was the most profitable system under varying milk and fertilizer prices. Given the variability of clover and herb establishment between paddocks for PRGWC-125N and MSS-125N, an increase in the reseeding frequency and oversowing frequency was simulated and resulted in reductions in farm profitability for both systems (€-14.25/ha per year and €-28.25/ha per year, respectively). This study underscores the potential of increasing sward species diversity using clovers and herbs to sustain economic performances of pasture-based systems while reducing fertilizer N reliance and enhancing animal performance. Further long-term research is required to investigate persistence and economic viability of both PRGWC and MSS under varying climatic and management conditions to validate the longer-term results of the first 3 years of the study.

The increasing demand for red chili peppers has led to a significant increase in their market circulation. The fluctuating price of red chili peppers encourages farmers to produce larger or smaller quantities of this commodity in the following season. The yield of the harvest will affect the amount of production offered, while supply will affect the price. This study was conducted to analyze the factors that influence the supply of red chili peppers. The method used in this study was quantitative research, and the data used in this study was time series data from 2020 to 2024 on a monthly basis, resulting in 60 observations. The model used was multiple linear double log regression analysis. The results of the study show that partially and simultaneously, the price of red chili peppers, the price of urea fertilizer, the price of ZA fertilizer, the price of TSP fertilizer, the area of harvested land, and labor wages significantly affect the supply of red chili peppers.

Vegetable producers struggle with soil fertility challenges and ever-increasing inorganic fertiliser prices. Solid winery waste compost provides a promising solution to these problems and mitigates the environmental consequences of discarded winery waste. The use of organic soil amendments improves crop growth and yield; however, there is limited information on the responses of Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris var. cicla) to solid winery waste compost. This study assessed the effect of NPK fertiliser and two rates of solid winery waste compost on Swiss chard growth and yield. The experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Council, Bien Donné Farm, Paarl, South Africa, from April to June and was laid out in a randomised complete block design with four treatments: control, NPK fertiliser, and two solid winery waste compost rates. All plant growth parameters, the number of leaves, leaf length, and leaf width improved significantly with the solid winery waste compost treatments compared to the control. This was linked to the compost’s ability to act as a sponge, retaining water and slowly releasing nutrients throughout the growth cycle. The fresh yield of Swiss chard did not show a statistically significant difference (p>0.05) among the amended treatments. The lower compost rate resulted in a slightly larger, but not significantly different, yield (12.95 t/ha) compared to the high compost rate (11.78 t/ha) and NPK treatment (11.39 t/ha). This was attributed to a potential optimal application rate at the lower compost rate, in which conditions were optimal for nutrient absorption and soil pH. The high compost rate may have resulted in an antagonistic relationship with nutrients due to its higher pH and sodium content, leading to osmotic stress. These findings suggest that although solid winery waste compost is an effective soil amendment for improving Swiss chard growth, further research is needed to determine the optimal application rate necessary for significant yield improvement.

The high price of synthetic fertilizers, the continuous use of pesticides, and other related problems threaten Peru's food security. The reason for the investigation was to study the influence of anthocyanins on the nutrition, stomata, and yield of purple cabbage fertilized with compost based on market waste (CBRM). The main objective was to determine the influence of anthocyanins in relation to nutrition, stomata, and the yield of purple cabbage fertilized with CBRM. It is based on applied methodology with an experimental approach; therefore, the Completely Randomized Block Design statistical model was employed, consisting of 3 blocks and 5 treatments: T1 with 0, T2 with 10, T3 with 12, T4 with 14, and T5 with 16 t ha-1 of CBRM. 15 days after transplanting, we applied the treatments and evaluated physical characteristics such as plant height, purple cabbage head weight, commercial yield, and diameter. In leaves (nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, molybdenum, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, boron, chlorides, and sodium), anthocyanins, and stomatal density. Total nitrogen and phosphorus input and profitability. The results determined that T5 stood out in plant height with 39.21 cm, weight of a purple cabbage head with 814.3 g, commercial yield with 94.85 t ha-1, and equatorial diameter with 15.51 cm. Total nitrogen input of 365.94 kg ha-1 of nitrogen. Total phosphorus input of 796.27 kg ha-1 of P2O5. Stomatal density of 691 stomata/mm2. Profitability at 252.78%. T4 stood out in nutrients with total nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, iron, manganese, zinc, chlorides, sodium, and anthocyanin concentration with 122.65 mg/100 g in leaves. We concluded that T5 excelled in calcium, magnesium, sulfur, boron, and stomatal density in leaves, which optimized transpiration, photosynthesis, carbohydrate formation and translocation, and other biochemical processes, generating a considerable concentration of anthocyanin that acted as a defense mechanism against nutritional and environmental stress and pests, resulting in higher yield.

Improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), phosphorus use efficiency (PUE), and potassium use efficiency (KUE) is vital for sustainable crop production, particularly in semi-arid agricultural systems such as Türkiye’s. This study investigates how climatic, economic, and irrigation-related factors including the National Rain Index (NRI), mean fertilizer prices (MFP), Irrigated Agriculture Water Use Efficiency (IAWUE), and the Irrigation Crop Index (ICI) influence nutrient efficiency between 1994 and 2020. Due to the availability of ICI data only from 2004 onward, separate regression models were estimated for pre- and post-2004 periods. This split not only addresses data limitations but also reflects a hypothesized structural change linked to the expansion of national irrigation infrastructure beginning in 2004, which increased cropping diversity and reduced rainfall dependency. Results indicate that prior to 2004, rainfall variability and fertilizer prices were primary drivers of nutrient efficiency, while in the post-2004 period, irrigation system performance and crop diversification (as measured by ICI) became more influential. These findings suggest that irrigation expansion fundamentally altered the production–environment relationship in Turkish agriculture, with important implications for nutrient management strategies and policy design.

This study explores farmers’ satisfaction with subsidized and non-subsidized fertilizer products from PT Pupuk Kalimantan Timur in East Kalimantan using a phenomenological qualitative approach. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with rice, palm oil, and fruit farmers to capture their lived experiences and perceptions of fertilizer quality, accessibility, pricing, and distribution policies. The findings show that farmers generally perceive no fundamental difference in the intrinsic quality of subsidized and non-subsidized fertilizers; however, satisfaction is strongly shaped by information clarity, consistency of field results, and the match between fertilizer characteristics and crop needs. Farmers report persistent problems related to uneven distribution, limited access to subsidized products, and the circulation of counterfeit or substandard fertilizers, all of which undermine trust in the distribution system. The study also highlights the potential of digital tools such as the RDKK application, although limited digital literacy constrains their effectiveness. Overall, the research provides a deeper understanding of farmers’ experiences and offers practical recommendations for improving communication, product support, and distribution governance in order to enhance farmer satisfaction and loyalty.

This study aims to analyze the profit function of potato farming in Kayu Aro Barat District, Kerinci Regency. Specifically, the study describes the characteristics of potato farming, calculates the profit obtained by farmers, and identifies the factors influencing profit levels. Data were collected through surveys using a simple random sampling method involving 62 potato farmers in the study area. The analysis employed includes cost and revenue analysis, income and profit calculation, as well as the estimation of the Cobb-Douglas profit function. The results show that potato farming production costs are dominated by seed, fertilizer, and labor expenses. The average revenue earned by farmers exceeds the total production cost, indicating that potato farming is profitable. Regression analysis reveals that seed prices, fertilizer prices, labor wages, and land rent costs significantly affect profit levels. The value of return to scale is in the condition of increasing return to scale (>1), indicating that the use of production inputs is not yet optimal and that profit can still be increased if inputs are managed more efficiently. Therefore, optimizing input allocation is necessary to maximize the profitability of potato farming in Kayu Aro Barat District.

Rowosari Village, Sumberjambe Subdistrict, is one of the fostered villages of the University of Jember, where the majority of the population works as coffee farmers. However, the farmers face significant challenges in coffee cultivation due to attacks by coffee berry borer (CBB) (Hypothenemus hampei), with an infestation intensity reaching 60-67%, and nutrient deficiencies caused by the high price of fertilizers. This community empowerment program aims to address these issues through environmentally friendly pest control and soil quality improvement approaches. The solutions implemented include the application of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana formulation in the medium, which has been proven to reduce pest populations by up to 50%, and the use of solid organic fertilizer containing nitrogen (15%), phosphorus (0.8%), and potassium (12%). The results of this program show an increase in coffee production by 10.4% following the application of Beauveria bassiana and organic fertilizer. Farmers’ perceptions were also very positive, with a score of 4.5 out of 5 for ease of application and 4.2 for willingness to continue using the technology. Through the utilization of Beauveria bassiana and organic fertilizer in Rowosari Village, the empowerment program is expected to increase coffee productivity, improve soil conditions, and strengthen the resilience of farmers in facing pest and nutrient deficiency challenges sustainably.

This study aims to analyze the influence of fertilizer prices and selling prices on the sustainability of apple farming, with apple quality serving as a mediating variable. The research was conducted in Andonosari Village, Tutur District, Pasuruan Regency, which is one of the main apple-producing areas in East Java. A quantitative approach with path analysis techniques was employed to determine both direct and indirect relationships among the variables. Data were collected from 96 apple farmers using structured questionnaires. The findings indicate that fertilizer prices do not have a direct effect on the sustainability of apple farming. However, fertilizer prices significantly affect apple quality, which in turn indirectly influences the sustainability of farming activities. Meanwhile, selling prices have a significant direct impact on both apple quality and the sustainability of apple farming. These results demonstrate that apple quality acts as an important mediating factor between fertilizer prices and selling prices in maintaining sustainable farming practices. Therefore, improving apple quality is a key strategy to strengthen the sustainability of apple farming, especially in facing the challenges of fluctuating fertilizer and market prices. This study provides useful insights for policymakers and farmers in developing strategies to enhance productivity and sustainability in apple agribusiness.

Hydroponic cultivation of pagoda mustard (Brassica narinosa L.) is a solution to increase production time efficiency and produce cleaner and more nutritious vegetables. However, the high price of AB mix fertilizer is an obstacle for hydroponic farmers, so alternative sources of nutrients are needed, such as Liquid Organic Fertilizer (LOF), which utilizes agricultural waste to make it more economical. This study was conducted from July to September 2024 at the screenhouse of the Experimental Farm of Jenderal Soedirman University, Purwokerto, using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with two treatment factors: the first treatment was the concentration of AB Mix fertilizer (A), which consisted of four levels, namely A0 (0% AB Mix), A1 (25% AB Mix), A2 (AB Mix 50%), and A3 (AB Mix 100%). The second treatment was the concentration of POC (Liquid Organic Fertilizer) from agricultural waste (P) with three levels: P1 (POC 10 mL/L), P2 (POC 20 mL/L), and P3 (POC 30 mL/L). The data were analyzed using analysis of variance, followed by Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at a 95% confidence level. The results showed that the 100% AB mix fertilizer concentration produced the highest results in terms of the number of leaves (up to 57), fresh plant weight (up to 92.22 g), dry plant weight (up to 7.35 g), and chlorophyll content (up to 20.73 mg/L). Substitution of agricultural waste POC increased the number of leaves by 2 leaves and fresh plant weight by 54.15 g at a concentration of 16.7 mL/L. The combination of 50% AB mix with 30 ml/L POC provided the best results in increasing nitrogen uptake, plant height, and leaf area.

Bodag Village in Kare District, Madiun Regency, has an agroecological environment that strongly supports cocoa cultivation, with approximately 40 hectares of farmland managed by the Murah Sandang Farmer Group and strengthened by downstream initiatives through the Bodag Chocolate House. However, this potential has not yet translated into optimal productivity, as farmers face several constraints, including limited availability of organic fertilisers, rising production costs due to higher chemical fertiliser prices, and insufficient understanding of sustainable cultivation practices and the utilisation of organic waste. To address these challenges, this community service program implemented a participatory training on the production and application of Liquid Organic Fertilizer (POC) using locally available materials as a more environmentally friendly and economical alternative. The training included socialization, hands-on POC production, technology application in demonstration plots, and evaluation of program effectiveness. The results showed a significant improvement in participants’ knowledge, indicated by an increase in the number of participants in the “understand” and “highly understand” categories and the disappearance of the “do not understand” category. Participants’ enthusiasm also increased in each training session, and the farmer group successfully produced high-quality liquid and solid organic fertilizers. The program's outcomes demonstrate that the training effectively enhanced farmers’ technical capacity, improved their understanding of sustainable cultivation through organic fertiliser production, and strengthened the sustainability of cocoa farming as Bodag Village’s leading commodity. Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)SDG 4 (Quality Education)SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)SDG 15 (Life on Land)

Rise in fertilizer prices and decline in fertilizer availability have prompted concerns about the sustainability and equity of fertilizer use. Utilizing P‑rich feedstocks for biochar production and further enriching them with P recovered from wastewater has the potential to transform conventional industrial P fertilizers. We explored different sources and levels of Mg as impregnation materials for poultry manure biochar production to optimize the retention of dissolved inorganic phosphate. Results demonstrated that using MgSO4 and Mg(OH)2 as Mg sources for producing Mg-impregnated biochars were more effective than MgCl2, in terms of Mg yields and P retention capacity from solution. Although Mg impregnation increased the P sorption capacity, it can increase the Mg demand for P removal, by altered precipitation from struvite (NH4MgPO4∙6H2O) to Mg3(PO4)2. This study proposes an optimum Mg content of poultry litter biochar as ~10%w/w and a source as MgSO4 and/or Mg(OH)2, which was sufficient for >95% P recovery of a phosphate solution containing 50 mg P g L-1. Maximum adsorption potential of Mg-doped poultry manure biochars was 110 mg P g-1 being highest at 10% Mg, which indicates up to ~10% lower Mg needs or ~75 mg g-1 greater sorption capacity than comparable approaches with minimal engineering process. Poultry manure exhibited the highest maximum P sorption capacity among other feedstocks (sawdust, pig manure, etc.) under given Mg contents, demonstrating its potential for P recovery with minimized engineering process.

This study's objective is to analyze the factors influencing the income of cayenne pepper farming in Rasau Jaya Tiga Village, Rasau Jaya District, Kubu Raya Regency. The background highlights the importance of the horticultural sector, particularly cayenne pepper, which has high economic value but is vulnerable to significant price fluctuations, thereby affecting farmers’ income. The research employed a quantitative descriptive method with a census approach, involving 52 farmers as respondents. Questionnaires, interviews, and observations were used to gather primary data, while relevant institutions provided secondary data. Data analysis was conducted using the Cobb-Douglas Unit Output Price (UOP) function. The results showed that 74.50% of income variation was influenced by seed price, lime price, organic fertilizer price, NPK fertilizer price, fungicide price, insecticide price, and labor wages. Simultaneously, all variables had a positive and significant effect on income; however, partially, only lime price, NPK fertilizer price, and labor wages had significant effects. NPK fertilizer had a positive effect, while lime price and labor wages negatively affected income. In contrast, seed price, organic fertilizer price, fungicide price, and insecticide price had no significant effect. The study concludes that optimizing the use of NPK fertilizer and managing lime and labor costs are crucial to improving farmers’ income.

Farmer groups have an important role in the development of the agricultural sector. The production of organic vegetables not only supports environmental sustainability, but also increases the added value of agricultural products. However, in its implementation, Farmer Groups often face various obstacles, one of which is the limited availability of organic fertilizers. Organic fertilizers can support plant production and can replace the role of chemical fertilizers. Another problem faced by Farmer Groups, especially the New Living Farmers Group, is the increasing difficulty of obtaining chemical fertilizers. In addition to the increasingly expensive price of chemical fertilizers, the circulation of fake fertilizers in the market is also a challenge for farmers. This condition encourages the need for a more sustainable solution in meeting the fertilizer needs of Farmer Groups, namely by producing their own organic fertilizers independently.

ABSTRACT Recent global shocks have triggered sharp spikes in international food and fertilizer prices, raising concerns about their domestic impacts. This study examines the extent to which international price levels and volatility are transmitted to domestic food and fertilizer markets in seven Central American countries. We follow a multivariate GARCH approach using monthly data over the period 2000–2024. While results vary by country and commodity, we find overall low to moderate elasticities of price transmission in levels, but a stronger degree of volatility transmission in the very short term (1‐month). Interestingly, price transmission tends to strengthen after 3 months, whereas volatility transmission is more short‐lived and appears to dissipate. The co‐movement between international and domestic prices shows no apparent trend over time and lacks consistency across countries and commodities following major global events. Back‐of‐the‐envelope simulations of higher international food and fertilizer prices suggest modest, though non‐negligible, impacts on local consumer and producer welfare.

Dependence on chemical fertilizers has caused a decline in soil quality, groundwater contamination, and rising agricultural production costs due to unstable fertilizer prices. In recent years, frequent fertilizer crises have revealed the fragility of reliance on inorganic fertilizers within the national agricultural system. Hence, a transformation toward environmentally friendly and sustainable agriculture is urgently required. This study employed a scoring technique to analyze field observation data, which were narrated based on the written methodology. Respondents’ answers were categorized and classified according to their assumptions or opinions, with scores determined using a Likert scale. The Likert scale measures attitudes, opinions, and perceptions of individuals or groups regarding specific social phenomena. The results showed that key driving factors—such as affordable fertilizer prices, support from agricultural extension workers, and social encouragement from the community—achieved scores above 82%. This finding indicates that external conditions are quite favorable for promoting the use of organic fertilizers. However, major challenges remain, including the limited availability of organic fertilizers in the field and farmers’ long-standing dependency on chemical fertilizers. To address these challenges, it is essential to enhance the market availability of liquid organic fertilizers (POC) through collaboration between producers and farmer groups. Continuous technical assistance should be provided, including demonstration plots that display tangible improvements in rice yields using POC. Furthermore, government support in the form of targeted subsidies or special incentives for farmers transitioning to organic fertilizers is vital, while strengthening the role of farmer groups and agricultural extension workers as catalysts for the adoption of environmentally friendly innovations.

Introduction. From 2016 to 2022, both the planted area and rice production in Mexico registered decreasing growth rates, leading to an increase in rice imports to satisfy the excess demand. Objective. To econometrically analyze the factors affecting rice production in Mexico by technology type, distinguishing between irrigated and rainfed systems. Materials and methods. A dynamic simultaneous equation model was formulated, comprising two supply equations, three price transmission models and one identity; with annual data from 1980 to 2022 on rice production in Mexico (differentiated by technology type), as well as the prices of competitive products, tradable inputs and climatic variables that determine them. To estimate the model, the Two-Stage Least Squares (2SLS) method was used and its statistical congruence was determined by means of the global significance of each equation through the F-test, its level of autocorrelation via the Durbin-Watson statistic, the individual significance of each coefficient through the Student’s t-test, and the normality of the variables with the Shapiro-Wilk test. Results. The own-price elasticities of supply for irrigated and rainfed rice were 0.6995 and 0.3871, respectively. The prices of competitive goods, particularly corn (-0.9896 and -1.2284) and wheat (-0.5279 and -0.9529), had the greatest impact on both types of supply. Conclusion. The rice supply, both irrigated and rainfed, responds positively to changes in producer prices, water availability for irrigation, and the annual average rainfall recorded in the country. Conversely, it responds negatively to changes in producer prices of competitive goods such as beans, corn, wheat, lentils and chickpeas, as well as to change in inputs such as the price of pesticides and fertilizers.

Banggai Regency, Central Sulawesi, has significant potential that has not been optimally utilized, one of which is in Kayowa Village, Batui District. Nearly 70% of the area consists of agricultural land. The main problems faced by farmers are the high price of chemical fertilizers, uneven distribution, and dependence on chemical fertilizers, which risk reducing soil fertility and polluting the environment. To address these challenges, PT Pertamina EP Donggi Matindok Field (DMF) initiated the Integrated Agriculture Bioferdom program, which utilizes biosulfur slurry by-products as raw materials for organic fertilizers. The program is implemented through a collaborative approach involving the village government, farmer groups, companies, and the regency government to create a sense of ownership and encourage sustainability. Planning and evaluation were carried out using the logical framework approach (LFA) to ensure that the program was measurable and focused. The research method used a descriptive-qualitative approach with active community participation. Planning and evaluation were carried out using the logical framework approach (LFA) so that the program was measurable and focused. The research method used a descriptive-qualitative approach with active community participation. Data were collected through focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, and field observations to identify problems and formulate solutions. The results of the implementation show a reduction in biosulfur emissions of 127.6 tons/year, an increase in agricultural productivity of up to 57%, production cost efficiency of IDR 4,080,000/person/season, and an increase in the selling value of agricultural products of IDR 18,144,000/Ha/season. Socially, the program empowered 25 farmers and encouraged the independence of local fertilizers. This program contributes to the achievement of the SDGs, particularly Goal 1 (No Poverty), Goal 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth), Goal 13 (Climate Action), and Goal 15 (Life on Land).