Technical Subsidies Research Articles

The influence of technology perceptions on farmers' water-saving irrigation technology adoption behavior in the North China Plain

Abstract The application and promotion of water-saving irrigation technology are of great significance for maintaining food security and the sustainable development of agricultural water resources. Based on the characteristics of integrated agricultural technologies, a binary logistic model was used to analyze the impact of technology perception on farmers' adoption behavior regarding water-saving irrigation technologies using data from surveys of 775 wheat and maize farmers in the North China Plain. The results show the following: the perceived ease of use of technology significantly contributes to farmers' water-saving irrigation technology adoption behavior, but the effect of the perceived usefulness of technology is not significant. Government regulation plays a moderating role in the impact of the perceived ease of use of technology on the adoption of water-saving irrigation technologies by farmers. In addition to the perceived ease of use of technology and technology training, large-scale farmers are influenced by government advocacy and technology subsidies, while smallholders are mainly influenced by the perceived usefulness of technology. Therefore, the focus of future work should be on improving farmers' perceptions of the ease of use of water-saving irrigation technologies, expanding the scope of technical training and technical subsidies, and strengthening government advocacy and education.

Green Urban Infrastructure and the Potential for Offering Ecosystem Services for Climate Adaptation: Land Use Analysis of the Pinheiros District (São Paulo)

Ecosystem services (ES) represent various benefits to society, especially those of climate regulation. An increasing number of recommendations are being made so that urban planning internalizes the concept of ES to objectively measure these benefits or for decision making. This paper intends to analyze the role of green infrastructure in urban land use to address the potential for providing climate regulation ES in urban green areas as measures of Ecosystem Based Adaptation (EbA). To this end, it was selected as a case study the land use analysis of the Pinheiros District in São Paulo. This region has a high degree of waterproofing, but has significant green areas and potential space to incorporate the expansion of green infrastructure, i.e., to promote EbA strategies, and consequently the offering of ES. For this purpose, geospatial analysis was used with the technical subsidies of a methodology proposed to measure the capacity of different extensions of vegetation coverage to promote ES regulation. The application showed that one of the district's four sub-districts revealed an existing and greater potential to mitigate climate change effects than the other three sub-districts. This discussion is considered timely given the recently released 2021 Climate Action Plan for the Municipality of São Paulo. The results of the work can be considered by public managers and decision makers on the role of urban green areas and their potential for climate adaptation.

Impact of Labor Migration and Foreign Exchange Inflow on Rural Poverty Reduction

Foreign exchange inflow plays a crucial role in rural poverty reduction and economic growth in developing countries. Taking China as an example, the authors analyzed the role of labor migration and agricultural foreign exchange inflow in alleviating rural poverty. Based on the time series data from 1980 to 2021, this paper investigated the historical incidence of poverty in China. Moreover, the effects of agricultural development, dynamic migration and foreign exchange inflow on rural poverty reduction in China were deeply analyzed by using the autoregressive distributed lag model (ARDL) from the perspectives of long-term and short-term estimation. Finally, effective measures to reduce poverty were proposed from the aspects of rural incentive plan, introduction of agricultural irrigation technology and provision of economic and technical subsidies, and inspiration to rural targeted poverty alleviation of other developing countries was pointed out.

Effects and Appraisal of Grain Subsidy Policy Based on Statistical Analysis

At present, the grain subsidies in China are mainly in forms of technical subsidies, like subsidies for superior seed varieties and general subsidies for agricultural production supplies and grain purchase prices. However, the purpose of the paper focuses on whether these subsidy policies can cause good effects and encourage farmers to grow grains and what impact these subsidy policies have on farmers’ income. The paper takes a specific area as a research object and sorts the data using the statistical analysis put in the paper. Considering the current agricultural production conditions, the paper studies the content and structure of grain subsidy policy and the changes in grain growing acreage, farmers’ income, and agricultural power machinery under the implementation of grain subsidy policy. In the end, the paper makes a research into the effect of implementing the grain subsidy policy, uses the statistical analysis to empirically analyze the impact the grain subsidy policy has on grain growing acreage, and draws a conclusion.

What are the roles of consumers, automobile production enterprises, and the government in the process of banning gasoline vehicles? Evidence from a tripartite evolutionary game model

To alleviate the pressure on energy and the environment, and promote the upgrading of automobile industry, it is imperative to ban the sale of gasoline vehicles. Therefore, based on co-evolutionary game theory, we considered consumers, automobile production enterprises, and the government involved in banning gasoline vehicles. The main results are as follows. (1) When the potential benefits of enterprises selling gasoline vehicles exceeded the potential penalties, and the potential benefits of positive supervision for the government was less than the potential benefits of negative supervision, the policy of banning gasoline vehicles became invalid. (2) When the utility of non-gasoline vehicles (NGVs) was higher than the penalty for violations, the producers' excess revenue exceeded the research and development (R&D) investment in NGVs, and the excess incentive of the government was less than the cost of positive supervision, the system eventually reached the ideal evolutionary equilibrium status. (3) Changes in factors such as media exposure, the utility of NGVs, R&D investments, technical subsidies, and double integral prices affected the speed that the system moved toward an ideal equilibrium strategy. Our findings have significant implications for how to banning gasoline vehicles, which can guarantee the implementation effect of this policy.

Covid-19 em contexto: comparação com a mortalidade mensal por causas respiratórias nos estados brasileiros

Decisões críticas no combate à pandemia causada pelo SARS-CoV-2 têm sido realizadas frequentemente com dados e informações ainda incompletas. Enquanto os órgãos pertinentes não solucionam os gargalos no fluxo de informações de vital importância, epidemiólogos e outros pesquisadores devem produzir subsídios técnicos para o enfrentamento da crise contornando essas limitações. No presente estudo, focado no Brasil, comparamos os óbitos pelo SARS-CoV-2, disponibilizados diariamente, com os dados de óbitos por doenças respiratórias e outras doenças nos anos de 2014 a 2018 (os últimos cinco anos completos para os quais os dados estão disponíveis). Adicionalmente, extraímos os sinais temporais anuais dos óbitos por doenças respiratórias para que o período típico de pico na mortalidade por essas doenças possa ser considerado em cada estado Brasileiro. A porcentagem de óbitos pelo SARS-CoV-2 até o dia 15 de abril equivale a 24% da mortalidade esperada por causas respiratórias no mesmo período, com base em anos anteriores, com grande variação entre os estados (desde o Amazonas, 151%, até o Tocantins, com 3%). Estamos na época típica de pico de mortalidade associada a doenças respiratórias em grande parte do Norte e Nordeste (com exceção de Roraima). Nas regiões Sudeste e Sul, esse pico é mais tardio (junho–agosto). A evolução da pandemia em cada estado dependerá, no entanto, de vários outros fatores, como o comportamento do patógeno – ainda não conhecido suficientemente. Ressaltamos a necessidade de ações para aumento da agilidade na disponibilização dos dados atuais de mortalidade (por diversas causas), para que equipes de pesquisa com diferentes abordagens analíticas possam se somar no combate a este desafio sanitário global.

Understanding dynamics and policy for renewable energy diffusion in Colombia

Colombia has committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in 20% by 2030 with respect to business-as-usual in the COP21. One policy is the Renewable Energy (RE) law launched in 2014, aiming “to promote the development and use of non-conventional energy sources” with indirect incentives, such as tax reduction or exemptions. Direct incentives, such as price-based, are not included in the law. Experiences in other countries have proven that direct incentives are more efficient than indirect ones to promote RE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate incentives for RE diffusion in Colombia through a simulation model for energy policy recommendations. We tested four incentives: tax reduction, feed-in-tariffs, tradable certificates, and technical subsidies; and four RE sources: small hydro, biomass, wind, solar and geothermal. Simulation results show that a combined scenario using feed-in-tariffs and technical subsidies can boost the deployment of RE, avoiding significant price increases for the final consumer. None of the incentives leads to reaching the RE target, given the growing demand for energy. Complementary policies could focus on improving energy efficiency.

Hidrovia do Rio Madeira como indutor de desenvolvimento microrregional das comunidades tradicionais do Baixo Madeira em Porto Velho

De acordo com órgãos responsáveis pelas hidrovias e transportes de cargas, atualmente a hidrovia do Rio Madeira, é a segunda via mais importante para o transporte de cargas e escoamento de produtos na Amazônia, ficando atrás somente do rio Amazonas. Além dessa função comercial, por ela trafegam também moradores de comunidades tradicionais pertencentes ao Município de Porto Velho que desenvolvem uma relação de sustentabilidade para com o rio. O presente artigo tem o objetivo de levantar aspectos empíricos relacionados ao uso do transporte hidroviário na região. Para levantamento de dados das comunidades foram feitas entrevistas e aplicação de questionários com moradores das comunidades tradicionais dos distritos de São Carlos, Nazaré, Calama e Demarcação, visitas em órgãos competentes ao tema e consulta a bibliografias específicas. Espera-se na conclusão deste trabalho, ter subsídios técnicos para auxiliar no planejamento da mobilidade das comunidades em questão, facilitando o acesso a serviços básicos e ampliar o campo de estudo sobre a temática.

Impact Analysis of the Digital Radio Transmission Using the DRM+ Standard: A Case Study

Considering the perspective of the digitalization of radio transmission in Brazil, this work aims at the evaluation of the coverage areas of the analog and digital signals, with emphasis on the DRM+ standard. After presenting the fundamental concepts of the DRM+ standard, comparative analyses are carried out looking for solutions for the maintenance of the current coverage areas as well as the coexistence of analog and digital transmission modes. In this sense, this paper presents a case study based on the Radio UFMG FM - 104.5 MHz, located in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, under three different scenarios which consist of hybrid mode, combined radiant system and extended FM. Considering the limitations identified in the hybrid and combined radiant system scenarios and with a glance at the future deployment of the extended FM, this work presents studies on the feasibility of DRM+ transmission simultaneously to the analog transmission, using the maximum available power and suitable frequency separation to eliminate mutual interference. In addition to the technical subsidies presented for decision making on digital radio, this work proved the possibility of joint digital and analog radio transmissions with satisfactory quality of reception and the provision of interactive services of the DRM+standard, among others.

Abastecimento de água no Brasil setentrional: a gestão hídrica em Aracati (século XIX)

Entre la fuente y el consumo doméstico de agua hay una red que conecta estos dos puntos. Este trabajo se centra en las características hidrológicas de una ciudad en la región semiárida de Brasil en la segunda mitad del siglo XIX y las contribuciones técnicas a la recopilación y distribución social del agua. Por un lado, el crecimiento urbano de la ciudad de Aracati y la incapacidad financiera municipal, por el otro, permitieron la experimentación, aunque efímera, de un sistema de abastecimiento promovido por el capital privado. La malograda experiencia de Aracati es el primer paso para pensarnos el abastecimiento de agua en medio de las demandas sociales y la especulación comercial en la segunda mitad del siglo XIX.

EVALUATION OF ECOSYSTEM SERVICES AND MANAGEMENT OF URBAN GREEN AREAS: PROMOTING HEALTHY AND SUSTAINABLE CITIES

Abstract Green areas and ecosystem services are emerging issues in the management of public areas with a view to promoting healthy and sustainable cities. The aim of this study is to establish and test an Index of Ecosystem Services for Green Areas (Índice de Serviços Ecossistêmicos para Áreas Verdes - ISEAV) to evaluate ecosystem services in urban parks as a technical subsidy for the management of urban green areas. The composition of the Index was based on quantitative indicators selected from a bibliographic review. In order to demonstrate the applicability of the Index, two parks of São Paulo city were selected - Buenos Aires Park and José Emérito Brás Park - and also primary and secondary data were used. The results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposition and application of this Index in two parks of São Paulo, where it was possible to obtain a diversified range of ecosystem services considered relevant for the health of the population.

MAPEAMENTO DAS ÁREAS DE PRESERVAÇÃO PERMANENTE DO ESTADO DO ESPÍRITO SANTO, BRASIL

O estudo foi realizado em todo o estado do Espírito Santo, com o objetivo de delimitar as Áreas de Preservação Permanentes (APPs) na ótica da Lei 12.651/2012 (Código Florestal) e ressaltar a importância de identificar as áreas de forma automática. Cada APP possui uma metodologia própria para o seu mapeamento, entretanto, todas foram mapeadas com o auxílio de geotecnologia. O estado possui 22,43% de sua área de APPs, distribuídas ao longo da faixa marginal dos cursos d’água (10,42%); no entorno de lagos e lagoas naturais (0,67%); no entorno dos reservatórios d'água artificiais (0,02%); no entorno das nascentes (0,89%); em encostas com declividades superiores a 45º (0,24%); em restingas (1,92%); em manguezais (0,19%); em topo de morros (8,98%); e em altitudes superiores a 1.800 metros (0,19%) da área total do estado. O presente estudo serve como subsídio técnico para avaliação e quantificação da APPs em um Estado, visto que é o primeiro em nível estadual no Brasil sobre o tema.

Contribution of afforestation subsidies policy to climate change adaptation in the Czech Republic

European Union countries provide substantial subsidies for farmland afforestation. Most of the research so far has focused on contribution of afforestation to carbon sequestration, afforestation schemes’ uptake, social and economic efficiency and their impact on local biodiversity. Less attention has been given so far to the relevant performance of subsidy schemes’ specific design in climate change adaptation, an emerging policy objective. This paper investigates adaptive capacity of subsidised afforestation projects in a Central European country. Subsidies are found to be concentrated primarily to highland regions that already have got high forest cover, with Norway spruce as the preferred tree species and a deficit of European beech, an arrangement that may undermine the payment scheme's contribution to land use adaptation to climate change. Lack of clear policy objectives and related technical subsidy design, rather than appropriation towards competing policy goals, appear to be the ultimate reason behind spatial distribution and structure of subsidised projects. Subsidy spending seems to follow recipients’ choices instead of any deliberate policy priorities.

Numerical and experimental thermal analysis of an industrial kiln used for frit production

This paper describes a methodology for the study and modeling of the thermal energy in ceramic frit melting kilns with an oxy-fired combustion process through the development of a numerical simulation in CFD software. Ceramic frits are vitreous compounds that provide glazes with specific properties for use in the coating of other ceramics, especially those of the ceramic tile industry. The aim of this study is to generate technical subsidies in order to support economically viable proposals for the ceramic industry. The CFD modeling is performed using the commercial software Ansys CFX 11.0, which is based on the method of finite volumes. The geometric domain of resolution consists of the internal cavity of the kiln. The CFD resolution is coupled to a three-dimensional heat conduction code along the kiln walls to determine the external temperature distribution. The thermal problem is composed of the combustion of natural gas with oxygen, the internal turbulent flow of exhaust gases, the energy loss by convection and radiation to the environment through the walls and the radiation within the kiln cavity with participating media. Data collected in an operating kiln are used to verify the numerical solution, achieving a good agreement in the general analysis of the kiln. The numerical solution provides physically consistent results, making it possible to predict the behavior of the kiln as a whole in similar cases with changes in the parameters of the manufacturing process or in the geometry. Other specific results, such as heat flux inside the kiln, are presented and discussed.

Viabilidade Econômica de Sistemas Silvipastoris com Schizolobium parahyba var. amazonicum e Tectona grandis no Pará

The silvopastoral systems (SPSs) have been considered promising to integrate tree crops in livestock production systems and reclain large areas of degraded pastures of the Brazilian Amazon. They are used on small scale by innovative farmers, the SPSs lack a scientific basis to provide technical subsidies to its wider use, especially when it comes to justifying the economic viability of these systems. The objective of this study was to analyze the economical viability of SPSs, established in farms areas used by producers in the Northeast State of Para and comparing to the traditional monoculture. The systems are composed basically by parica (Schizolobium parahyba var. amazonicum (Huber ex Ducke) Barneby) or teak (Tectona grandis L. F.) in kikuyu grass (Brachiaria humidicola (Rendle) Schweick) under cattle grazing. The analysis of economical viability was realized by the indicators: net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR) and benefit-cost ratio (Rb/c), considering the four models of SPSs and monoculture of parica and teak. The systems composed by teak are economically more attractive than that with parica, and among all silvopastures arrangements, when the livestock cattle was owned himself were considered better viability than the systems in monoculture or in which the animal incorporation was rental by pasture.

Crescimento do niquim (<em>Lophiosilurus alexandri</em> Steindachner 1876), em diferentes condições de luminosidade e tipos de alimento

Niquim Lophiosilurus alexandri is an endemic fish from the San Francisco River and was harmed after the damming up of the waters, being one of the most valuable fish in the Sub-medium region and presenting potential for pisciculture. This study aimed to evaluate its growth during the initial ontogenic phases, under different luminosity conditions and types of food, supplying technical subsidies to the pisciculture and to the species propagation programs. The experiment was conducted in incubators with luminosity at 100% (L), 50% (ML) and 0% (SL) with four repetitions and two alimentary criteria: plankton+ration and Dendrocephalus braziliensis+ration. The variance analysis (ANOVA) was carried out to verify the effect of different light conditions and food on the Niquins' length. The Tukey test (P

Produção de mudas por estaquia de duas espécies de guaco

Visando a obtenção de subsídios técnicos à produção em escala comercial, avaliou-se o substrato e o sistema de irrigação mais indicados para a estaquia do guaco. Também foi observado o desenvolvimento a campo das duas espécies, Mikania glomerata e Mikania laevigata. No experimento de estaquia, foram avaliados os substratos (casca de arroz carbonizada, areia e solo), e os sistemas de irrigação (nebulização ou rega manual), no delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições e vinte estacas por parcela. As estacas utilizadas tinham 12 cm de comprimento, 0,7 a 1,0 cm de diâmetro e foram retiradas da parte mediana dos ramos. A avaliação foi feita 60 dias após a instalação do experimento. Constatou-se que o enraizamento foi melhor no substrato casca de arroz carbonizada, sendo obtidas 94,38% de estacas enraizadas para M. laevigata e 88,12% para M. glomerata. O sistema de irrigação não influenciou a porcentagem de enraizamento, mas foi observado maior volume e massa seca de raízes sob rega manual. Na observação sobre o desenvolvimento a campo das duas espécies, constatou-se que M. laevigata apresentou maior tolerância ao frio que M. glomerata. O rendimento de M. laevigata, avaliado 17 meses após o plantio, resultou em 501,5 g de matéria seca de folhas/planta. Com base nestes experimentos, concluiu-se que a estaquia do guaco pode ser realizada em casca de arroz carbonizada, sob rega manual.