Value Of Crop Production Research Articles

An Economic Valuation of Biotic Pollination Services in Georgia.

As agriculture faces documented decline in bees and other insect pollinators, empirical assessments of potential economic losses are critical for contextualizing the impacts of this decline and for prioritizing research needs. For the state of Georgia, we show that the annual economic value of biotic pollinators is substantial--US$367 million, equivalent to 13 percent of the total production value of crops studied and 3 percent of the total production value of Georgia's agricultural sector. Our unique Geographic Information Systems analysis reveals an irregular pattern of vulnerability. While the Georgia counties displaying the highest economic values of pollination are clustered in southern Georgia, those with the highest dependency on pollinators in terms of their contribution to crop production value are more dispersed throughout the state.

Global malnutrition overlaps with pollinator-dependent micronutrient production.

Pollinators contribute around 10% of the economic value of crop production globally, but the contribution of these pollinators to human nutrition is potentially much higher. Crops vary in the degree to which they benefit from pollinators, and many of the most pollinator-dependent crops are also among the richest in micronutrients essential to human health. This study examines regional differences in the pollinator dependence of crop micronutrient content and reveals overlaps between this dependency and the severity of micronutrient deficiency in people around the world. As much as 50% of the production of plant-derived sources of vitamin A requires pollination throughout much of Southeast Asia, whereas other essential micronutrients such as iron and folate have lower dependencies, scattered throughout Africa, Asia and Central America. Micronutrient deficiencies are three times as likely to occur in areas of highest pollination dependence for vitamin A and iron, suggesting that disruptions in pollination could have serious implications for the accessibility of micronutrients for public health. These regions of high nutritional vulnerability are understudied in the pollination literature, and should be priority areas for research related to ecosystem services and human well-being.

Comparative evaluation of crop water use efficiency, economic analysis and net household profit simulation in arid Northwest China

Decreasing water availability for agricultural production has prompted researchers to focus on comparing and evaluating water use efficiency (WUE) of different crops in various water management strategies. A field survey was conducted to investigate the amount of irrigation water, inputs and yields of eight crops (spring wheat, maize, onion, cotton, hot pepper, sunflower, melons and fennel) grown under furrow irrigation systems in an arid region, Minqin county, Northwestern China (NWC). Previous publications reporting crop WUE were identified and major statistics of evapotranspiration (ET), yield (Y) and WUE were calculated for each crop. By comparing with literature reporting, the mean WUE of onion (8.71kgm−3), cotton (0.56kgm−3), sunflower seed (0.78kgm−3) and fennel (0.51kgm−3) grown in NWC were at the same high levels; while WUE of wheat (0.87kgm−3) and maize (1.17kgm−3) were slightly lower and WUE of hot pepper (2.68kgm−3) and melons (3.27kgm−3) were extremely low. Great potential of saving water could be achieved to realize increased or ideal WUE values for crops in NWC. The total net profit per household of cotton (1606.62$hh−1) was significantly larger and of onion (−3132.30$hh−1) significantly lower than that of other crops. Cotton, sunflower seed, melons and hot pepper had significantly higher crop production values per unit water than other crops, 0.39$m−3, 0.36$m−3, 0.32$m−3 and 0.31$m−3, respectively. The net household profits were significantly higher when excluding onion production for its extremely low price in 2011. With simulation based on different combinations of onion production and increase of migrant workers, the average net household profit could be optimized to provide benefits to local farmers and policy makers regarding income increase and rural policy design.

Estimating the joint effect of multiple soil conservation practices: A case study of smallholder farmers in the Lake Naivasha basin, Kenya

The current study seeks to assess the private benefits associated with multiple soil conservation practices (MSCPs) by estimating the marginal value of crop production that can be attributed to such practices. In areas where land degradation associated with soil erosion causes serious agri-environmental challenges such as loss of soil fertility, siltation and eutrophication, a multiple approach to soil conservation is neccessary. However, notwithstanding efforts to encourage adoption of such practices, their uptake remains generally low. Analysing the effect of MSCPs on crop productivity is one of the ways through which the incentives for soil conservation can be explored. To achieve the stated objective, the current study applied propensity score matching and exogenous switching regression techniques to cross-sectional data collected from a random sample of farm households located in Lake Naivasha basin, Kenya. Results indicate that there is a significant positive effect of implementing multiple soil conservation practices on crop productivity. However, we note that whether the additional benefits will cover the opportunity costs associated with the implementation of these practices will depend on farm specific attributes such as slope and the soil conservation effort. In cases where marginal benefits are not substantial to cover opportunity costs for implementation of soil conservation practices, intrinsic or external incentives could be necessary. Policy interventions could focus on offering technical assistance to farmers in selecting soil conservation practices that are best suited to their local condition.

Influence of tillage on soil macropore size, shape of top layer and crop development in a sub-humid environment

Topsoil macropores of two plots under no-tillage and conventional tillage were analyzed. A leguminous-cereal rotation was applied for six cycles under dry-land farming system (crop residues were removed). The clay-loam soil shows some vertic characteristics. The main goal is to identify the relationship between the top soil macro and meso-pore distribution for the two tillage systems (at the end of sixth cycle of cultivation) with the annual crop production (rainfall in normal growing period and crop production values are included). Unaltered topsoil samples were taken from 0 to 60 mm (row and interrow positions) and from the immediate depth (60 to 110 mm) in both plots (conventional and no-tillage). The morphometric analyses of 66 polished slices were carried out with the aim to identify differences in soil macro and meso-pore organisation.

Pollinator biodiversity in Uganda and in Sub-Sahara Africa: Landscape and habitat management strategies for its conservation

Previous pollinator faunistic surveys conducted in 26 different sites indicated that farmlands of central Uganda supported more than 650 bee species, 330 butterfly species and 57 fly species. Most crop species grown in Uganda are pollinator-dependents. There is also a high dependency of rural communities on pollination services for their livelihoods and incomes. The annual economic value attributable to pollinating services delivered to crop production sector was estimated to be worth of US$0.49 billion for a total economic value of crop production of US$1.16 billion in Uganda. Despite the great contribution of pollinators to crop yields, there is still lack of knowledge of their conservation strategies in Uganda. Policies, actions, farming practices, critical landscape management techniques and conservation measures for spatio-temporal stability and maintenance of pollinator communities in farmlands of Uganda include (i) the protection and maintenance of high cover (>20%) of natural and semi-natural habitats, (ii) forming mosaic farm-landscapes mimicking natural systems to enhance mediated ecosystem services delivery and agroecosystems resilience to climate change, (iii) field plants and habitat manipulation for spatio-temporal provision of floral resources, (iv) promotingawareness campaigns and sensitization policy makers about the importance of conserving pollinators and (v) encouraging farmers to adopt pollinator-friendly farming practices. Key words: Conservation strategies, policy changes, awareness and sensitization campaigns, pollination services marketing, farmlands, Uganda.

VERTICAL DEVELOPMENT OF WHEAT CROP UNDER CURRENT CONISTRANTS OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

The study aims at researching the possibility of vertical expansion of wheat crop by increasing the total production of the crop from the same cultivated area by re-distributing the area of crop in different zones of the Republic according to its productivity and show the importance of feddan productivity in increasing total production of this crop. The study showed that the increase in feddan productivity has an effect in increasing the total production, but its impact in increasing feddan revenue and the value of crop production was weak. It has been shown there is a possibility to increase the total production of wheat crop by maximizing the economic efficiency of productive resources used in cultivating the crop about 2.09 % of the increase in the total production. The increase in the production of the crop estimated by 1118 thousand ardabs that valued at 99 million LE and save about 53 million cubic meters of irrigation water despite the stability of the cultivated area of wheat crop all over the Republic. The study recommends reconsideration of the current area of wheat crop by expanding the areas of wheat crop in the governorates or the regions characterized by high productivity to achieve the economic efficiency in the use of the production agricultural resources dedicated for wheat planting, so that they can provide areas for wheat in low productive regions to other crops of high productivity in these regions and then relatively reduce wheat gap in Egypt.

Economic gain, stability of pollination and bee diversity decrease from southern to northern Europe

Bees are in decline potentially leading to reduced pollination and hence production of insect-pollinated crops in many countries. It is however still unclear whether the consequences of pollinator shortages differ among countries with different environmental and societal conditions. Here, we calculated economic gains attributed to insect (particularly bee) pollination (EVIP) as well as their contribution to the total value of crop production (vulnerability), and analyzed their temporal trends and inter-annual variability from 1991 to 2009 for each country of the European Union (EU). To understand which factors drive country-specific differences in pollinator dependency and stability of insect-dependent crop yields, we further asked whether EVIP, vulnerability and stability of yields were influenced by a country's climate, the number of wild bee species and/or managed honeybee hives per country, and (agricultural) gross domestic product (GDP).Across Europe, crop pollination by insects accounted for 14.6 [±3.3] billion EUR annually (EVIP), which equaled 12 (±0.8)% of the total economic value of annual crop production. Gains strongly varied among countries. Both EVIP and vulnerability increased (and the inter-annual variation of vulnerability decreased) significantly from the colder northern to the warmer Mediterranean EU countries, in parallel with increases in the number of wild bee species. Across years, economic importance of pollination increased in all but three EU countries. Apples were the most important insect-pollinated crop in the EU, accounting for 16% of the EU's total EVIP. Our results show that whereas dependency on insect pollination increased from the colder north to the warmer south, variation in economic gain from insect pollination decreased, indicating that Mediterranean countries had more stable yields of pollinator-dependent crops across years and thus more reliable gains from pollination services.

English

In this study, economic analysis of agricultural farming that also involves sheep farming in Konya Province in Turkey was done and then the effective factors in sheep farming activities were determined. The average household size of farms was 3.97 people and the average size of farms was 137.95 ha. The value of the total assets was composed of 57.44% fixed capital and 42.56% operating capital in farms. The average gross production account was 44.71% of crop production value and 55.29% of animal production. 36.77% of animal production value belonged to the sheep farming. The biggest share, 63.47% of feed costs and second share, with 24.24% of labour costs contained in the variable costs belonged to sheep farming activities. According to the factor analysis, 27 of variables affecting sheep farming are gathered by 4 factors. These factors are: Income, volumetric, costs and labour factors.   Key words: Sheep farming activities, economic analysis, factor analysis, Konya.

Impact of Integrated Soil and Water Conservation Program on Crop Production and Income in West Harerghe Zone, Ethiopia

Land degradation has been identified as one of the most serious problems that threaten the sustainability of agriculture in Ethiopia. In an effort to address these problems, the basic paradigm and approach to soil and water conservation has itself evolved over time. In recent years more holistic and land-scape wide approaches that go beyond resource conservation towards improved land husbandry and water management for beneficial conservation have been promoted using a national guideline known as Community Based Participatory Watershed Development, where its impact is yet to be seen. In this respect, after having worked for many years on the core part of land management practices, some projects realized the need for value adding and natural resources management (NRM)-based income generation at household level. Hence, the major concern of this study was to evaluate the impact of those integrated land management interventions on crop production value per hectare and annual gross income of smallholder farm households in West Harerghe Zone of Oromia National Regional State. To meet this objective a total of 398 sample households, consisting 183 soil and water conservation program and 215 non-program participants, were randomly selected from nine program and nine counterfactual kebeles in three districts (DaroLabu, Messela and Oda Bultum). Descriptive statistics with appropriate statistical tests and propensity score matching (PSM) were used to meet the stated objective. Results of the descriptive statistics showed that before matching there was difference between program and non-program households in terms of sex, education, farming experience, land holding and livestock ownership. Estimates of propensity score matching (PSM) indicate the existence of a positive additional significant crop production value premium of birr 1,510.42 (US$ 80.55) per hectare and annual gross income of birr 4,288.29 (US$ 228.7) for program groups compared to non-program groups. This indicates that on average participant households earned 8.3 percent more crop production value per hectare and 21.2 percent more gross household income than their matches. The independent analysis result of the data also revealed that the value of crop production was fairly higher on moisture stress program kebeles (1,771.35 EB/hectare) than in the high rainfall areas of the program (1,439.28 EB/hectare). Therefore, in agriculture dependent country like Ethiopia, soil and water conservation is crucial in improving the livelihoods of the rural farm households. However, to realize the intended outcomes, agro-ecology specific technologies that are linked with natural resource management based income generating activities should be promoted.

Groundwater Contamination by Heavy Metals in Water Resources of Shiraz Area

Lack of sewage collection systems, percolation of surface waters, and seepage of wells have raised the groundwater table in Shiraz area in the south of Iran. The growing population generates environmental pollution resulting in the degradation of the quality of surface and groundwaters used for agriculture. Inorganic and organic pollutants have been traced in Shiraz water resources. Heavy metals, As+2, Cd2+, Cr2+, Fe2+, Hg2+, and Pb2+ have been reported as potential pollutants of both surface and groundwaters. The safety of groundwater supplies in Shiraz was studied with respect to heavy metal concentrations. From 50 semi deep wells, which supply water for agricultural production, three water samples per well were examined to determin the physical and chemical characteristics of the water. The results of the study indicated that the concentration of Cd2+, Cr2+, Fe2+, Mn2+, and Pb2+ exceed permissible values for crop production. A network of gallery systems was proposed for wastewater collection and the disposal of Shiraz groundwater, to increase the water table depth in urban areas. It is estimated that about 100M m3 wastewater could be drained annually through the proposed gallery system which could be used for agricultural production. It is believed that mixing the drained waters from the proposed network of galleries with the agricultural water supplies will help control concentrations of heavy metals so they do not have serious acute impacts on agricultural production. The chronic effects of the impacts of water quality on agricultural production should be monitored temporarilly.

Estimating water use efficiencies for water management reform in Southern Alberta irrigated agriculture

Water use technical efficiency (WUTE) and three definitions of water use economic efficiency (WUEE) were estimated for the four river sub-basins that encompass the 13 irrigation districts in Southern Alberta over a 5-year period: 2004–08. The average level of WUTE varied from 3.5 to 6.2 Mt dam−3. The gross economic value of crop production varied from Canadian (C)$345 to C$592 dam−3. The net economic value of crop production varied from C$163 to C$268 dam−3. The incremental increase in net value of crop production under irrigation over what it would have been under dry land conditions varied from C$130 to C$199 dam−3. Results indicated a relatively high degree of correlation among the three measures of WUEE. Since about three-quarters of the water consumed in the four sub-basins in Southern Alberta is used for irrigating crops, increasing WUEE will be critical for meeting growing demand from predicted increases in economic activity, population growth and environmental needs.

Reallocating water from canal irrigation for environmental flows: benefits forgone in the Upper Ganga Basin in India

This paper assesses the potential loss of irrigation benefits in reallocating water from irrigation to meet requirements for environmental flows (e-flows) in the Upper Ganga Basin (UGB) in northern India. The minimum requirement for e-flows in the UGB is 32 billion cubic meters (BCM), or 42 % of the mean annual runoff. The current runoff during the low-flow months falls below the minimum requirement for e-flows by 5.1 BCM. Depending on irrigation efficiency, reallocation of 41–51 % of the water from canal irrigation withdrawals can meet this deficit in minimum e-flows. The marginal productivity of canal irrigation consumptive water use (CWU), estimated from a panel regression with data from 32 districts from 1991 to 2004, assesses the potential loss of benefits in diverting water away from crop production. In the UGB, canal irrigation contributes to only 8 % of the total CWU of 56 BCM, and the marginal productivity of canal irrigation CWU across districts is also very low, with a median of 0.03 USD/m3. Therefore, at present, the loss of benefits is only 1.2–1.6 % of the gross value of crop production. This loss of benefits can be overcome with an increase in irrigation efficiency or marginal productivity.

Infiltration Rate Assessment of Coastal Plain (Ultisols) Soils for Sustainable Crop Production in the Frontiers of Calabar-Nigeria

The study on infiltration rate assessment of coastal plain soils for sustainable crop production in the frontiers of Calabar, Nigeria, was carried out in order to examine the infiltration rate of soils in the area and its implication in the overall crop production process. Double ring infiltrometer were driven at 5cm into the soil with the aid of a sledge hammer before water was poured simultaneously into the rings. Infiltration rates were taken at 5,10,15, and 30 minutes intervals. The assessment or determination of infiltration rate was preceded by laboratory analysis of soil samples for the particle size distribution. The mean values of 74.0, 12.0: and 12.6 for sand, silt and clay were obtained respectively. While infiltration rates were well above the recommended values for crop production. Result from different locations proved that the area has monolithic soil characteristics. The result equally showed that the least range of infiltration rate of 14.4-60.0 was well above the optimal range of 0.7-3.5 or the suitable infiltration range of 3.5 - 7.5. It would be said, that, given the increasing need for food production to cope with the demand in Calabar Metropolis, the effect of excessive water infiltration as evidence in this study, will continue to impede sustainable crop production except appropriate measures are contemplated. These measures may include adequate cover cropping, temporary abandonment of farm land or skeletal crop farming with compost, green or farmyard manures. This will help improve the structure and restore soil potentials. Apart from these, suitability evaluation of land in order to effectively categorize soils on the basis of their potential for optimal use could as well be imperative.

Impact of perennial cash croppin on food crop productivity.

The argument for promoting cash crops in developing countries has generally been based on their contribution to small farmer incomes and their impact on other household activities such as household crop production through interlinked markets. While these arguments are supported by some empirical results, there is little information on the impacts cash cropping can have on these household activities in the absence of interlinked markets. In addition, the impacts of cash cropping may depend on the types of cash crops studied, time and place. Perennial cash crops (PCC) can relax household liquidity constraints for purchasing productive inputs, maintain soil fertility and moisture and save inputs such as seeds and draft power, which can be used for food crop production even in the absence of arrangements for interlinked markets. In this study we build on previous studies by developing key hypotheses by which PCC (Chat, coffee and sugarcane) affect food crop production and the implication for household food security. In addition, we look at the link between perennial food crop, enset (Ensette venttricosum), and other annual food crops. We empirically measure these effects using survey data on 150 rural households collected in 1999 in Ethiopia. Our results indicate that-after controlling for conventional inputs, household wealth variables, education and other variables, higher chat (Catta edulis) production is associated with reduced value of food crop yields and total value of food crop production. On the other hand, higher sugarcane production is correlated with higher value of total food crop production and productivity. Moreover, more intensive coffee production is associated with more intensive enset production. However, production of coffee and enset do not have significant effects on food crop production and productivity. These results suggest that while farmers can gain from sugarcane production through cash income and its impact on food crops, coffee and enset can be produced to bring additional income to the household at no significant cost to food crops. The real impact of chat on the welfare of households should be viewed in terms of its opportunity costs and its contribution to household income. Keywords: Ethiopia, Cash crops, Food crops, Productivity, Enset.

Comparative analysis of heavy metal concentration in secondary treated wastewater irrigated soils cultivated by different crops

The use of treated urban wastewater for irrigation is a relatively recent innovation in Botswana and knowledge is still limited on its impact on soil heavy metal levels. The aim of this study is to analyze and compare heavy metal concentration in secondary wastewater irrigated soils being cultivated to different crops: olive, maize, spinach and tomato in the Glen Valley near Gaborone City, Botswana. The studied crop plots have been cultivated continuously under treated wastewater irrigation for at least 3 years. Most crop farms have sandy loam, loamy sand soils. Based on food and agriculture organization, heavy metal threshold values for crop production have been studied. Results showed that the wastewater irrigated soils in the Glen Valley have higher cadmium, nickel and copper than desirable levels, while the levels of mercury, lead and zinc are lower than the maximum threshold values recommended for crop production. The control sites show that the soils are naturally high in some of these heavy metals (e.g copper, zinc, nickel) and that crop cultivation under wastewater irrigation has actually lowered the heavy metal content. Comparing between the crops, mercury and cadmium levels are highest in soils under maize and decline linearly from maize to spinach to olive to tomato and control site. By contrast, concentrations of the other metals are at their lowest in maize and then increase from maize to spinach to olive to tomato and to control site.

Evaluation on the Efficiency of Crop Insurance in China's Major Grain-Producing Area

Abstract In China, crop insurance is just a pilot program characterized by material cost-based coverage level and government-subsidized premium. To identify the efficiency of the crop insurance, we use the nonparametric density function model and estimate the probability of yield loss rate at 3 proposed levels for grain crop, wheat, corn, rice and cotton respectively from 13 provinces in the Major Grain-Producing Area. Besides, we point out some unfavorable factors for crop insurance management based on the Second National Agricultural Census data (2006). Our finding is: the coverage level is on average no larger than 50% of the per hectare crop production value while the probability of yield loss for each crop approaches to zero if the proposed yield loss rate is larger than 40%, so the yield damage compensations are not necessary unless the huge catastrophes occur with the yield loss rate over 50%. Farmers could buy crop insurance to avoid big crop failure other than to maximize their returns. Therefore, the current crop insurance coverage level under normal years could not create an effective inducement for farmers to purchase insurance contracts. To expand crop insurance participation, we consider that it is necessary to carry out positive and conditional forced insurance, provide a larger portion of premium subsidy to the Major Grain-Producing Area by central government and improve the basic agricultural production conditions.

The 2006 war and its inter‐temporal economic impact on agriculture in Lebanon

The July 2006 war waged by Israel on Lebanon caused an estimated USD 1 billion of direct (financial) damage to infrastructure. However, it generated also significant indirect (economic/inter-temporal) costs. One sector that suffered considerably in this respect was agriculture, the main source of income for 30-40 per cent of Lebanese. This paper's main objective is to develop a methodology to estimate the total-direct and indirect-cost of the war to agricultural crop production, using an area of south Lebanon as a focal point. The indirect loss assessment viewed inter-temporal reductions in crop production values as the opportunity cost of not working fields due to the presence of unexploded ordnance (UXO). Various crops were evaluated for two scenarios (50 and 100 per cent damage due to UXO) over UXO-clearance periods of five and 10 years. The results indicate that any damage estimates that include only direct losses will under-estimate total losses by 80 and 87 per cent for the five- and 10-year periods, respectively.

A parsimonious crop‐water productivity index: an application to Brazil

Reducing poverty in rural areas of developing countries requires sustained and sustainable increases in agricultural water productivity. However, aside from traditional measures of precipitation, little is known about water available to farmers or how productively they use it. We present a crop‐water productivity index (a ratio of the value of annual crop production to a dimensionless potential water availability index) for large water basins using readily available low‐resolution data. The index is transferable, permits direct inter‐basin comparisons, and is simple to calculate. We calculate the index for each municipality in the São Francisco river basin in Brazil. No clear patterns linking water availability and value of agricultural output are evident, even though clusters of municípios with high‐ and low‐crop‐water productivity emerge, and the former may be useful in guiding policies aimed at increasing water productivity. Finally, analyses of the effects of information uncertainty on the crop‐water productivity index suggest that the returns to agricultural investments in certain places in the São Francisco river basin are more risky than others. Improvements in data quality and quantity can help refine estimates of the index and reduce their uncertainty.

Integrated Agro-Economic Approach to Deficit Irrigation on Lettuce Crops in Sicily (Italy)

The effect of four different irrigation levels on the marketable yield and economic return of summer-growth lettuce was evaluated during 2005 and 2006 in Eastern Sicily, Italy. The viability of deficit irrigation was evaluated by estimating optimum applied water levels. Actual evapotranspiration ( ETa ) was estimated by combining pan evaporation measures and the Penman–Monteith approach ( ET0-PM ) . The highest marketable yield of lettuce was recorded for plots receiving 100% ET0-PM . For deficit irrigated plots, reductions in crop production were ascribed to a decrease in lettuce weight. Crop coefficients equal to 1 determined maximum crop production values. Crop water use efficiency was maximum at a 100% ET0-PM level of water applied, corresponding to yield of 0.3 t ha−1 mm−1 . Irrigation water use efficiency reached its maximum at a 40% ET0-PM level, with values of 0.54 and 0.44 t ha−1 mm−1 during 2005 and 2006, respectively. Water applied and marketable yield of lettuce showed a significant quadratic ...