Agricultural Transformation Research Articles

Supporting Differentiated Paths for Sustainable Agriculture and Food System Transformation in Ethiopia: Exploring Agroecology perspective

Supporting Differentiated Paths for Sustainable Agriculture and Food System Transformation in Ethiopia: Exploring Agroecology perspective

Assessing investment priorities for inclusive agricultural transformation in Tanzania

AbstractMotivationPolicy‐makers dealing with conflicting development goals and constrained budgets must comprehend the relative cost effectiveness of agricultural and rural development initiatives.PurposeWe assess the impact of alternative interventions on development outcomes—economic growth, job creation, poverty reduction, and diet quality—to inform decision‐making and resource allocation in Tanzania's agriculture. We analyse trade‐offs among development objectives and explore budget reallocation to enhance the efficiency of public spending.Approach and methodsWe used a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model linked top‐down with microsimulation modules to simulate the impact of public investment options.FindingsNo single option emerges as the most effective across all development objectives. Investments in improved inputs and extension for horticulture and cash crops stand out for diet quality and employment creation. Livestock services show consistently high rankings across multiple objectives. Investments to boost cereals and root crops promote growth and reduce poverty but do little to increase employment and diet quality.Budget reallocation towards more cost‐effective interventions can significantly enhance the development effectiveness of Tanzania's agricultural expenditures and would substantially increase cumulative gross domestic product growth between 2019 and 2028.Policy implicationsPolicy‐makers can use the findings to design and prioritize agricultural interventions that better align with broader development objectives. Tanzania can achieve higher benefits and contribute to overall development goals by reallocating resources towards more cost‐effective expenditure options.

Harnessing the Experience of Research and Indigenous Knowledge for Sustainable Agricultural Transformation in Arunachal Pradesh, India

Traditional knowledge includes methods for nutrient management that rely on natural resources and minimize reliance on artificial inputs. Techniques such as using botanical extracts like Bilb Rasyan and Gaajar Ghaas Svaras, as well as incorporating organic materials like cow urine and plant residues, help enrich the soil with essential nutrients. Farmers in various regions have implemented ITK practices for soil conservation. For instance, the use of Vetiver grass as a vegetative barrier helps prevent soil erosion and stabilizes slopes. This method is cost-effective and adaptable to different environmental conditions. Advocating for policies that recognize and support the integration of ITKs into mainstream agricultural research and extension services is crucial. The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Act (PPVFR Act) in India provides legal recognition and protection for traditional knowledge and farmer innovations. The synthesis of Indigenous Technical Knowledge and modern agricultural research not only supports the livelihoods of local farmers but also contributes to environmental health and cultural preservation. This approach holds the promise of a more sustainable and prosperous future for Arunachal Pradesh and can serve as an inspiring model for other regions seeking to harmonize tradition with innovation.

Digital Economy and Industrial Structure Transformation: Mechanisms for High-Quality Development in China’s Agriculture and Rural Areas

The digital economy’s transformative impact on agriculture presents both opportunities and challenges for China’s pursuit of high-quality agricultural and rural development. This study investigates the complex interplay between digital economy, industrial structure transformation, and agricultural advancement using panel data from 31 Chinese provinces spanning 2012–2021. We employed mediation analysis and threshold effect models to uncover several key findings: (1) The digital economy influences high-quality agricultural and rural development through the dual-mediating mechanisms of industrial structure intensification and upgrading in China. (2) These mediating effects exhibit heterogeneous patterns: while industrial intensification positively channels the digital economy’s impact, industrial upgrading shows an initial negative indirect effect, suggesting potential short-term disruptions. (3) The relationship between digital economy and agricultural development is nonlinear, characterized by significant threshold effects. The digital economy’s positive impact becomes more pronounced as industrial structure surpasses certain sophistication and advancement thresholds. Our findings reveal the nuanced dynamics of digital-driven agricultural transformation, highlighting the need for targeted policies that leverage industrial-structure changes while mitigating potential adverse effects. This research contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of how digitalization can be harnessed to promote sustainable and high-quality agricultural and rural development in China, with implications for other developing economies navigating similar transitions.

Beekeeping and agropastoralism interactions through floral resources in the French Mount Lozère

Beekeeping has faced increasing difficulties during the past decades, among which is the decline in floral resources. Agriculture provides essential floral resources for beekeeping, but some farming practices have also been shown to be responsible for their decline. To provide floral resources for beekeeping, what type of agricultural transformation should be promoted, and how? To answer these questions, we still lack knowledge about the floral resources that are used by beekeeping and about the technical-economic obstacles that farmers face in implementing more favorable farming practices, particularly in agropastoral settings. To help fill these gaps, we develop a novel approach that frames both agropastoral farming and beekeeping as farming systems, by characterizing the beekeeping systems of a given place, the floral resources they use, and the impacts these farming systems have on floral resources. This approach is applied to the agropastoral landscapes of Mount Lozère, southern France, using a methodology based on semi-structured interviews with farmers and beekeepers addressing the agronomical functioning of their farms. We demonstrate that the floral resources used by beekeepers on Mount Lozère are threatened by the current dominant agricultural development paths, which seek to maximize the material productivity of labor. Such paths lead to the intensification of agricultural practices in harvested areas and the extensification of rangelands. These pathways are reinforced by the low remuneration of agropastoral labor and by the current rules of the European Union Common Agricultural Policy. “Frugal” farming, a farming system based on reduced inputs and investments, and labor-intensive practices, namely, a labor-intensive use of pasture, seems an effective way to produce floral resources. Both, agropastoral farmers and beekeepers, would benefit from an increase in the number of agricultural workers in agropastoral landscapes. This calls for public policies that promote a better remuneration of agropastoral labor, either directly or by driving market mechanisms.

Woody Grains In Chinese History: The Basis For New Agricultural Policies

Historically, China was not only a large agricultural country, but also a strong agricultural power. Because there were countless types of grains produced in China, it had never been a problem to feed tens of millions of people. After consulting Chinese literature records, we are always surprised to find that, in addition to the wellknown gramineous food crops, there are also many food crops produced from tall arbor or shrub. Such special food crops can be generally referred to as “tree- grains”. In this way, during the long history, the Chinese ancestors could not only have no worry about food, but also ensure an adequate supply of fuel and diversify clothing materials. Because of precisely out of a deep recognition and understanding of the superiority of Chinese traditional culture, the current Chinese government is able to put forward the decision-making on the modern agricultural transformation of establishing large-scale agriculture, large-scale food, and large-scale resources

Information technologies in agriculture of Northern Kazakhstan: advantages, reserves

Ensuring sustainable development of the agrarian sector of the economy requires the integrated use of digitalization technologies. The aim is to show the current trends in the application of information technologies in agriculture in Northern Kazakhstan and to determine the conditions necessary for the introduction of modern digital infrastructure. Methods - system-structural, economicstatistical, comparative analysis, mathematical and system-functional approaches to the study of the use of information and communication technologies by agribusiness of agricultural profile. Results - the authors analyzed the scope of application of digital processes in the region. The factors influencing the use of modern digital technologies in the cultivation of agricultural land have been outlined. The dependence of the application of precision farming elements on the farm size is revealed. The calculation of economic efficiency of reference and information systems of production management is presented. Measures to overcome obstacles and mitigate the limitations of digital transformation in agriculture in the northern territories of the republic are proposed. Conclusions - based on the study it is noted that the spread of digital innovations is from 18 to 55% of the total sown area. When comparing the average land size of economic entities that implement information technologies with other farms, it was found that digital solutions in crop production are primarily available to large and medium-sized agroformations that have the financial capacity and qualified specialists for digitalization. The survey of respondents allowed us to express an opinion on the influence of the size, technical equipment and economic stability of an agro-industrial enterprise on the use of modern farming systems, as well as the level of awareness of agro-entrepreneurs about new technologies. The use of digital platforms in the crop production industry is a key element that contributes to increasing the economic efficiency of the agro-industrial complex.

Enhancing The Quality Of Agricultural Technology Education In A Developing Economy

The development and transformation of Nigerian agriculture vis-a-vis the development of Nigerian economy has been the utmost concern of government. researchers and many individuals. Most developed and developing countries of the world have long realized that the only way to meet adequate diet and food demand of their people is by acquiring functional literacy, knowledge and skill for productive activity. Education policies in Nigeria have often focused on raising aggregate enrolment figures, training more teachers and building more schools, paying attention to the lopsidedness in the geographical distribution of educational facilities across the nation for the sake of social justice and equity. However, until recently, conspicuously absent n most planning efforts in Nigeria s the concern for the quality and relevance of our educational training towards National development. It is against this background that attempts is made by this paper to raise some basic issues relating to Agricultural Technology Education, this is with a view of establishing a basis for understanding the problem and indicate possible directions for policy making. Keywords: Quality, Agricultural Technology, Education, Developing Economy, Schools, Building

Harnessing technology for agricultural transformation: A design thinking approach to alleviate Nigeria's food crisis

The design thinking process is a human-centered, iterative methodology that designers use to solve problems and often results in an innovative approach to problem solving. Using a User Centered Design approach by applying the design thinking process, the researchers sought to know: 1. What national challenges were priority for Nigerians and 2. What solutions were best to tackle the problem that had the highest votes. To understand the need assessment, a survey form was designed and disseminated. A total of 406 participated in the poll, with over 70% votes for agriculture as the problem that requires urgent attention in Nigeria. Further research revealed post-harvest loss as a predominant problem in Nigeria’s agricultural sector. Key stakeholders in the sectors including farmers and agricultural experts were interviewed to further empathize, understand and redefine the problem. The design thinking process helped to refine the problem statement and identify other problems as well as potential solutions. From the survey, it was clear the majority of Nigerians who participated felt that agriculture and post-harvest loss were high priority needs that required urgent attention. Applying design thinking to prioritize agriculture in Nigeria reveals its power to address complex socio-economic issues effectively. By deeply understanding stakeholders' needs, clearly defining the problem, and iteratively developing and refining solutions, design thinking ensures that interventions in agriculture are not only relevant and impactful but also sustainable and scalable. This approach aligns perfectly with the urgent need for agricultural development in Nigeria to mitigate economic instability and enhance food security.

Research on Countermeasures for Promoting the Digital Transformation and Development of Agriculture in Liaoning Province

The digital economy is a new driving force for promoting high-quality economic development at present. Against the backdrop of rapid development of the digital economy, agricultural modernization has entered a new stage of development, bringing unprecedented opportunities and challenges to the digital transformation of agriculture in Liaoning Province. This article aims to systematically analyze the current situation and challenges faced by the digital transformation of agriculture in Liaoning Province, and propose corresponding countermeasures and suggestions, in order to provide practical experience that can be referenced for Liaoning Province and other regions in the country.

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Modern Farming System for Achieving Sustainable Agricultural Transformation in Nigeria

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Modern Farming System for Achieving Sustainable Agricultural Transformation in Nigeria

Evaluating the Economic Viability of Agro-Ecotourism as a Nature-Based Solution for a Climate Adaptation Strategy: A Case Study of Yuanshan Township, Taiwan

This study applied the contingent valuation method to evaluate the economic viability of climate adaptation policies in the climate-fragile Yuanshan Township (YST), Taiwan, focusing on the balance between forest conservation and local livelihoods. Traditional agriculture in YST is transitioning to agro-ecotourism, supported by leisure-oriented and hillside forest protection policies that attract visitors and cause the local economy to thrive. This research used non-market valuation methods to quantify the value of local recreational resources perceived by visitors at NTD 1002.00 per visitor. The findings indicate that visitors’ willingness to pay for these resources is significantly influenced by their intention to revisit YST, their trust in local conservation efforts, their gender, and their income. The value that visitors place on recreational resources and the aforementioned significant determinants of their willingness to pay highlight the economic potential of agro-ecotourism in supporting both environmental sustainability and community income. This study emphasizes that successful nature-based climate adaptation must consider the economic interests of resource users and local residents. Agro-ecotourism in YST is shown to be a viable policy for balancing forest conservation with societal benefits, providing a model for the sustainable management of local resources. The economic benefits from this transition underscore the feasibility of agricultural transformation for community income generation and climate resilience, demonstrating that environmental and economic goals can be mutually supportive in addressing climate change.

Historical landscape structures of the eastern part of upper Medzibodrožie region

Landscape represents a specific part of the earth's surface, while it has its own structure – primary, secondary and tertiary. The secondary landscape structure consists of elements of land use and material creations of man, which currently fill the earth's surface. The aim of the paper is to evaluate, based on the analysis of historical military and topographical maps, the changes in the secondary landscape structure in the area formed by the cadastral territories of selected municipalities in the eastern part of Upper Medzibodrožie Region. On four maps showing selected territories of Upper Medzibodrožie Region, we compare extensive changes that have occurred in the landscape structure mainly as a result of human intervention in the landscape structure. Historical maps show that the use of the Upper Medzibodrožie Region landscape has changed significantly over the past 150 years. River regulation, drainage works, deforestation and also the transformation of agriculture had a major impact on these changes. The results show that the largest decrease in area representation was recorded by forests and the largest increase by arable land.

Optimization of fermentation conditions for the production of recombinant feruloyl esterase BpFaeT132C-D143C.

Feruloyl esterases (FAEs) are a crucial component of the hemicellulose-degrading enzyme family that facilitates the degradation of lignocellulose while releasing hydroxycinnamic acids such as ferulic acid with high added value. Currently, the low enzyme yield of FAEs is one of the primary factors limiting its application. Therefore, in this paper, we optimized the fermentation conditions for the expression of FAEBpFaeT132C-D143C with excellent thermal stability in Escherichia coli by experimental design. Firstly, we explored the effects of 11 factors such as medium type, isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) concentration, and inoculum size on BpFaeT132C-D143C activity separately by the single factor design. Then, the significance of the effects of seven factors, such as post-induction temperature, shaker rotational speed, and inoculum size on BpFaeT132C-D143C activity, was analyzed by Plackett-Burman design. We identified the main factors affecting the fermentation conditions of E. coli expressing BpFaeT132C-D143C as post-induction temperature, pre-induction period, and post-induction period. Finally, we used the steepest ascent path design and response surface method to optimize the levels of these three factors further. Under the optimal conditions, the activity of BpFaeT132C-D143C was 3.58 U/ml, which was a significant 6.6-fold increase compared to the pre-optimization (0.47 U/ml), demonstrating the effectiveness of this optimization process. Moreover, BpFaeT132C-D143C activity was 1.52 U/ml in a 3-l fermenter under the abovementioned optimal conditions. It was determined that the expression of BpFaeT132C-D143C in E. coli was predominantly intracellular in the cytoplasm. This study lays the foundation for further research on BpFaeT132C-D143C in degrading agricultural waste transformation applications.

Impact of the degree of agricultural green production technology adoption on income: evidence from Sichuan citrus growers

Enhancing farmers’ adoption of agricultural green production technology (AGPT) is crucial for the green transformation of the agricultural sector. Obtaining additional income is the primary motivation for farmers to adopt AGPTs. Therefore, clarifying the relationship between AGPTs’ adoption degree and income will facilitate the possibility of farmers’ adoption of AGPTs. Based on research data obtained from 805 citrus farmers in Sichuan Province, this study examines the impact of the degree of AGPT adoption on farmers’ income and its mechanisms using the inverse probability weighted regression adjustment (IPWRA) model. These findings indicate: (1) The greater the degree of adoption of AGPTs by farmers, the more pronounced the impact on income increase. Using 1, 2, and 3 AGTs can increase farmers’ income from citrus sales by 7.1, 10.5, and 19.8 percentage points, respectively. (2) The adoption of AGPTs leads to increased income through higher yields and sales prices, which offset the incurred costs. (3) Market channels and farmers’ operating scales can affect the revenue effect of AGPT adoption. (4) Factors (i.e., education level, physical health status, and cultivation area) can affect farmers’ adoption of AGPTs. This study presents policy recommendations based on the above conclusions, aiming to guide the government in promoting AGPTs and advancing agricultural green transformation.

Investigating Published Research towards a Fossil-Energy-Free Agriculture Transformation

The defossilisation of the agricultural sector is driven by intense worldwide academic research on non-fossil, renewable and energy-efficient agriculture, and the acknowledgment of the need for sustainable farming practices. For this purpose, not only technical transformations but also socio-technical system changes towards sustainability need to take place in a co-evolutionary manner. This paper investigates structural and qualitative characteristics of the knowledge produced by research on fossil-energy-free agriculture. We provide evidence on the worldwide research directions, as well as investigate whether academic research and publicly funded research projects foster knowledge creation for the desired transformation. Bibliographic maps are constructed using a query-based methodology as social networks to investigate the efficiency of the EU-funded research to achieve the goals set for the 2050 EU Green Deal. The H2020-funded papers are further analysed with dictionary-based text analysis to quantify the relative emphasis of different types of knowledge in the text. This approach is eventually used to relate transformational capacity to project profiles in the European Union, to evaluate past funding schemes and to improve the shape of future research programs on renewable and sustainable agriculture.

Technology for a Food-secure Future: A Review of Technology Advances in Sustainable Agriculture

There is no doubt that advanced technologies play a very important and crucial role in driving the agricultural sustainable practices in order to satisfy the increasing demand for food production as well as to minimize environmental impacts. This review article aims to provide comprehensive points of view regarding a current state as well as the future advances in smart farming techniques for developing an agricultural sustainability. The digital sensors are considered as key techniques for agricultural transformation which provide an accurate managing and monitoring the various agricultural activities such as crop production, soil moisture, micro climate data, and others. Valuable detailed data are acquired by these sensors to be delivered to the farmers in order to make suitable decisions, ensuring the sustainable and efficient utilization of the agricultural resources. Moreover, managing irrigation using the advanced technologies is benefited wireless monitoring remotely and controlling systems. These technologies and advanced tools help the farmers to reduce water consumption and increase their benefits as well as promotes sustainable management practices of the water resources. Additionally, the drones such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can be attached with several kinds of sensors or cameras for capturing detailed information of crop health, soil status, required fertilizers, irrigation, and pesticides. Besides these benefits of drones, they provide a function of an early detection of agricultural problems which allow the decision makers for taking suitable actions. Furthermore, the biotechnology advances such as CRISPR gene editing, and transgenic animals’ developing are very beneficial for enhancing the crop yield, disease resistance, and nutrients availability, and agricultural sustainability. The precision agriculture (PA) integration with geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) provides site-specific management and its decisions in order to optimize the inputs utilization, waste reduce, and sustainable practices promotion. Also, advanced technologies’ application (i.e. artificial intelligence ‘AI’, machine learning ‘ML’, and the Internet of Things ‘IoT’) has been found to be a promising for achieving an agricultural sustainability. Therefore, by using these powerful technologies, the farmers can enhance an agricultural production, decrease an environmental effect and achieve the food security.

Dynamics of agricultural transformation in Punjab: Crop trends, instability and decomposition analysis.

Agricultural transformation in Punjab, spurred by the Green Revolution of the mid-1960s, has led to significant shifts in land use patterns, crop diversification, and cropping dynamics. This transformation has profound implications for sustainability and economic resilience. This study delves into the complex relationship among agricultural growth, instability, and environmental sustainability in Punjab. It examines the growth and instability in the state's key crops' area, production, and yield/productivity over 56years, from 1966-1967 to 2021-2022. Using secondary data, this study employs an assortment of methodologies, including compound annual growth rate, simple linear regression, diversity indices such as the Herfindahl index and Simpson diversity index, instability analysis, and decomposition analysis. The results indicate an increase in cropping intensity, indicating agricultural intensification, with a shift towards wheat and rice monoculture from once diverse cropping patterns. The instability analysis reveals that wheat and rice emerge as the most stable crops in their area, production, and yield, while others exhibit instability, raising concerns about diminishing crop diversity and its implications for Punjab's natural resources. The study emphasizes the urgent necessity for sustainable agricultural practices and policies to counteract monoculture's adverse effects and ensure long-term agricultural resilience.

Identifying behavior change interventions with deep leverage: a conceptual and qualitative case study with farmers from Germany

Successful transformation of agriculture toward a more sustainable trajectory requires agri-environmental practices and interventions that are deemed supportive by farmers, have the potential for a transformative change and are based on a solid understanding of farmers’ behavior and decision-making. This article reports on in-depth semi-structured interviews with German farmers to uncover key facilitators of and barriers to the adoption of agri-environmental practices. In a first step, 10 themes were identified using a qualitative content analysis, which were then assessed for their potential leverage point from a system perspective and integrated into the diagnostic Behavior Change Wheel to identify targets for behavioral interventions. The paper shows that adding the transformative potential to behavioral interventions is useful. According to our analyses, deep leverage interventions are most likely to be associated with the theme Land stewardship and Identity, and the COM-B model (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, Behavior)—element Reflective motivation, referring to the conscious cognitive processes that direct and inspire behavior.

Evolution of Land Use and Land Cover Change in Panjim, Goa: A Comparative Analysis from 1990 to 2024

This research paper investigates the dynamics of land use and land cover (LU/LC) change in Panjim, Goa, India, from 1990 to 2024. Using satellite Data and GIS techniques, the study analyzes the spatial and temporal transformations of land cover categories, including forest, agriculture, urban areas, and water bodies. The primary objective is to understand the drivers of LU/LC change and assess their implications for sustainable urban development and environmental conservation. The findings reveal significant urban expansion, encroachment on agricultural lands, and reduction in forest cover. The study highlights the need for effective land use planning and management strategies to mitigate negative environmental impacts and ensure the city's long-term sustainability. Keywords: Land Use, Land Cover, Supervised Classification, Change Detection, Accuracy Assessment