Variable Production Costs Research Articles

Relationship between the rumen microbiome and liver transcriptome in beef cattle divergent for feed efficiency

BackgroundFeed costs account for a high proportion of the variable cost of beef production, ultimately impacting overall profitability. Thus, improving feed efficiency of beef cattle, by way of determining the underlying genomic control and selecting for feed efficient cattle provides a method through which feed input costs may be reduced whilst also contributing to the environmental sustainability of beef production. The rumen microbiome dictates the feed degradation capacity and consequent nutrient supply in ruminants, thus potentially impacted by feed efficiency phenotype. Equally, liver tissue has been shown to be responsive to feed efficiency phenotype as well as dietary intake. However, although both the rumen microbiome and liver transcriptome have been shown to be impacted by host feed efficiency phenotype, knowledge of the interaction between the rumen microbiome and other peripheral tissues within the body, including the liver is lacking. Thus, the objective of this study was to compare two contrasting breed types (Charolais and Holstein-Friesian) divergent for residual feed intake (RFI) over contrasting dietary phases (zero-grazed grass and high-concentrate), based on gene co-expression network analysis of liver transcriptome data and microbe co-abundance network of rumen microbiome data. Traits including RFI, dry matter intake (DMI) and growth rate (ADG), as well as rumen concentrations of volatile fatty acids were also included within the network analysis.ResultsOverall, DMI had the greatest number of connections followed by RFI, with ADG displaying the fewest number of significant connections. Hepatic genes related to lipid metabolism were correlated to both RFI and DMI phenotypes, whilst genes related to immune response were correlated to DMI. Despite the known relationship between RFI and DMI, the same microbes were not directly connected to these phenotypes, the Succiniclasticum genus was however, negatively connected to both RFI and ADG. Additionally, a stepwise regression analysis revealed significant roles for both Succiniclasticum genus and Roseburia.faecis sp. in predicting RFI, DMI and ADG.ConclusionsResults from this study highlight the interactive relationships between rumen microbiome and hepatic transcriptome data of cattle divergent for RFI, whilst also increasing our understanding of the underlying biology of both DMI and ADG in beef cattle.

SOCIOECONOMIC DYNAMICS AND PROFITABILITY DRIVERS IN BROILER CHICKEN PRODUCTION IN SABON GARI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

This study investigated the socioeconomic dynamics and profitability drivers in broiler chicken production in Sabon Gari Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used in selecting one hundred and fifty (150) broiler chicken producers. Primary data were collected through the use of a structured questionnaire. Tools of analysis used were descriptive statistics, farm budgetary techniques, and the multiple regression model. The socio-economic characteristics of the producers revealed a mean age of 44 years, with the majority (62.50%) of the producers being male. The broiler farmers had one form of education or another, with a mean flock size of 213 birds. It was found that the percentage contribution of the purchase of feed to the total variable cost of production was the highest (45.79%), with a sum of ₦ 756.06 at average as the total cost incurred in the production of broilers was realized. Consequently, the return on Naira invested of ₦ 1.38 implies that for any ₦ 1 invested in broiler production, the farmers generated 38k. The results from regression analysis revealed that sex, age, farming experience, household size, education, and membership in cooperatives were the determinants of the profitability of broiler chicken production. It was concluded that broiler production in the study area was profitable and that several socio-economic factors significantly influence profitability. It was therefore recommended that producers consider joining cooperative membership to explore the benefits of cooperatives and leverage bulk purchasing discounts and knowledge sharing opportunities, potentially improving profitability for members.

COST AND RETURN ANALYSIS OF IRRIGATED UPLAND TOMATO (Lycopersicon Esculentum) PRODUCTION IN GOMBE STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined the cost and return analysis of irrigated upland tomato (Lycopersicon Esculentum) production, in Gombe State, Nigeria. Multi-stage random sampling procedure was used to select 459 respondents. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The result revealed that Most of the types of farms implements use for dry season tomato production in the study areas were tractors (32.4%), hand tools (37.6%) and animal traction (30.0%). Capital for dry season tomato production, the respondents in Dukku, Nafada, funakaye and Yamaltu Deba LGA respondents had a mean capital of N212,747.36, N183,662.55, N261,540.30, and N204,785.956 respectively. The findings also revealed the result of maximum likelihood estimate of parameters of the stochastic frontier production function of dry season tomato farming in the study area reveal that farm size (P< 0.001), labour (P< 0.001), farming experience (P< 0.001), and capital (P< 0.001) were the major factors statistically affecting the respondents rice production at 1%. The analysis of dry season maximum likelihood estimate of the parameter of stochastic frontier cost of tomato production showed that ploughing (P< 0.001), transplanting (P< 0.001), harvesting (P< 0.001) and capital (P< 0.001) were the determinant of cost of output of the respondents. The result further reveals the costs and return of dry season tomato farming in the study area depicts that the total variable cost of production was ₦2,384,894 with a total cost of production which is the total variable plus the fixed cost of ₦3,266,031. The revenue realized was ₦4,070,558. The net farm income for the dry season tomato farmers for one hectare in the study area was ₦804,529.23. The profit index of the respondents was ₦1.7. The major constraints to the irrigated upland tomato production were inadequate water for irrigation (23.0%), lack of irrigation facilities (20.7%), heat stress and drought (27.2%) preventing maximum productions in the study area. In addition, constraints to irrigated upland tomato farming in the study area includes high cost of irrigation services (26.0%), high-cost fertilizer (19.3%), high cost of pesticide (20.9%) and high cost of insecticide (18.2%). It was concluded that the respondents are operating at a lost and again the labour cost looking at the high cost incurred from production which clearly shows that there was over utilization of resources especially in the area of labour cost. The study made the following recommendations; efforts should be made to improve access to adequate water for irrigation purposes, there is a need to provide modern irrigation facilities to farmers to improve water management and efficiency, there is a need to promote value addition in tomato farming through processing and packaging to increase the shelf life of tomatoes and reduce post-harvest losses and farmers should be encouraged to formed cooperatives to be united in one voice to have a bargaining power over labour cost and can also make request to government on their needs and access inputs and training from policy support programme to achieve optimal yield.

Game‐theoretic approaches to product introduction strategies for durable products

AbstractNew product demand continuously fluctuates throughout the life of the product. As a result, markets typically experience high volatility. Most companies operate in highly competitive industries where the product volume supplied by the competitors significantly affects production plans. These conditions necessitate companies to be flexible and rapidly adapt to such volatility. In this study, we investigate the product introduction strategies under two microeconomic theories: real‐option valuation and game theory. Specifically, we develop a real‐option valuation framework with a flexible capacity based on two game‐theoretic models, namely, Stackelberg and Cournot, in a duopoly market where competitors have either perfect or imperfect information. Furthermore, we construct a lattice to discretize the demand evolution and adopt a regime‐switching approach to characterize the stochastic product lifetime. We conduct an extensive numerical study and compare net present values (NPVs) and optimal capacities obtained from the game‐theoretic models. Our results show that under perfect information, the Stackelberg competition generates more supply with lower prices and less total than the Cournot competition. Moreover, we find that, compared to the fixed‐capacity system, the flexible capacity system increases the in the Stackelberg game (by 5.5%) more than in the Cournot game (by 3.3%). We provide further results on the performance of the companies based on detailed sensitivity analysis for various model parameters. In particular, we observe that fixed and variable production and installation costs majorly impact capacity allocation decisions and profits.

Analisis perhitungan biaya produksi menggunakan metode full costing dan variable costing dalam menetapkan harga pokok produksi roti pada Toko Kartini

Production costs are costs that include all costs, either directly or indirectly that can be identified with the activities of processing raw materials into finished products. Cost of goods manufactured is a collection of costs that have been incurred and processed that occur in a process of producing goods consisting of raw material costs, direct labor costs and factory overhead costs. The full costing method is a method for determining the cost of goods manufactured by charging all fixed and variable production costs to the products produced. The variable costing method is a method for determining the cost of goods manufactured by only taking into account variable production costs. The purpose of this study was to determine how to analyze the calculation of production costs using the full costing and variable costing methods in determining the cost of production of bread products at Toko Kartini. This study used qualitative approach with a descriptive analysis. The results of this study show that the calculation of the cost of goods produced when applied the full costing method and variable costing get different results compared to company's method. The full costing method gets bigger results than the company’s method, while the variable costing method gets smaller results than company’s method, as well as the full costing method which gets bigger results than when calculated using the variable costing method.

Análise econômica dos efeitos do ponto de colheita sobre a qualidade e a produtividade de maçãs ‘Fuji Suprema’

Abstract This study aimed to analyze the effect of harvest date on ‘Fuji Suprema’ apple quality, productivity, and economic profitability at harvest and after storage. Apples were harvested at the beginning of the commercial harvest window (H1), ten days after H1 (H2), and 22 days after H1 (H3) in the 2008 and 2009 growing seasons. A total of six samples with ~400 kg of fruit (~2,900 apples) each were picked at each growing season and harvest date, which were assessed at harvest (six subsamples of 100 fruit) and after 250 days of controlled atmosphere storage at 0.8 °C. The economic analysis considered fixed and variable production costs in the orchard and postharvest practices and the productivity of packaged apples (pack-out). Early harvested (H1) apples had greater flesh firmness, acidity, and lower soluble solids content than late-harvested apples (H3), both at harvest and after storage. Delaying harvest by 22 days increased the production by 10.2% due to increased fruit size but reduced the production by 3.6% due to severe sunburn and pre-harvest decay incidence. Late harvest also increased production losses due to decay by 4.4% and 10.9% during storage and shelf, respectively, but reduced production losses due to superficial scald by 17.1 to 22.7%. The net revenue (R$ ha-1) is higher for apples harvested late (H3, flesh firmness of 15.6 lb and starch index of 7.1) than for apples harvested early (H1 and H2) when the fruit is marketed soon after harvest (between April and May). However, for apples marketed after long-term storage, economic profitability is maximum when harvested at an intermediate maturity stage (H2, flesh firmness of 16.4 lb and starch index of 6).

Green Accounting Memoderasi Material Flow Cost Accounting terhadap Peningkatan Keberlangsungan Perusahaan

This study aims to test and find out the material flow cost accounting in increasing the sustainability of the company. In addition, this study also aims to test whether the green accounting variable moderates the relationship between each MFCA variable (production costs, and production yield/value) in increasing the sustainability of the company. The sample used in this research is energy companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) during the 2017-2022 period. The total sample is 55 out of 11 companies using a purposive sampling technique. Methods of data analysis using multiple regression and moderating regression analysis with the absolute difference value approach. Multiple linear regression analysis for the MFCA hypothesis (production costs, and production yield/value). Multiple linear regression analysis with absolute difference value test for the MFCA hypothesis (production costs, and yield/production value) moderated by green accounting. The results of the study show that MFCA (production costs) has no effect on green accounting. MFCA (Production Results) has a positive effect in increasing the sustainability of the company. The results of research related to moderating variables show that green accounting as a moderating variable strengthens the relationship between MFCA (yield/production value) in increasing company sustainability. Conversely, in the fourth and fifth hypotheses, green accounting weakens the MFCA (production costs) relationship in increasing the sustainability of the company.

До питання сутності загальновиробничих витрат підприємства та управління ними

The article summarizes the content of general production costs, their specific composition, the order of distribution of general production costs (on the example of specific situational material), the order of reflection in accounting of the distribution of general production costs, the functions of strategic management of general production costs. The aim of the article is to study the topical aspects of formation and distribution of general production costs of enterprise, optimization of the level of general production costs in the context of their planning, analysis and control. Further, the general production costs associated with the organization, management, maintenance and control of the production activities of the enterprise as a whole. In order to avoid an arbitrary interpretation of general production costs, they are standardized with the help of National Accounting Standards (NP(S)BO 16 «Costs»). These costs form the production self-cost are the basic indicator of the enterprise’s activity, which affects the profitability of its activities. The formation of such costs is carried out in compliance with the current sectoral procedure for their accumulation and distribution (in compliance with the provisions of the Methodological Recommendations for the formation of the self-cost of production). These costs are subject to distribution. The distribution base can be: hours of labor, wages, volume of activities, direct costs, land areas, etc. General production costs are divided into: fixed and variable. The list of fixed and variable general production costs is determined by the enterprise within the framework of the approved accounting policy. Since some of the general production costs are mixed or it is difficult to distinguish either fixed or variable costs for them, individual enterprises do not carry out such a division and, accordingly, fully distribute them according to the selected distribution base, based on the actual capacity. In production, the distribution of general production costs is carried out between the main products. Among the main methods that can be used for cost distribution are the following: direct distribution; distribution based on production volume; distribution based on the cost of materials; distribution on the basis of labor; capacity-based distribution. The use of these methods involves the choice of a single base for the distribution of general production costs, which is based on the consideration that costs are written off (distributed) by types of products on the basis of a single standard – the coefficient of distribution of general production costs or the cost rate. Accounting for these costs is carried out through account 91 «General production costs». The article provides an example of the distribution of general production costs. The functions of strategic management of general production costs (planning, implementation of parameters laid down in the plan, efficiency control, analysis of results and feedback) are generalized. The introduction of these functions will make it possible to identify energy- and material-intensive units and, as a result, to control the use of material, labor, and financial resources.

Impact assessment of farm mechanization on potato production in Dadeldhura district, Nepal

Potato is one of the major cash crops in Nepal but farmers can't maximize profits due to the low adoption of farm machinery and technology. There is insufficient research on agricultural mechanization and its effectiveness in the study area. Therefore, the goal of this study, which was carried out in the Dadeldhura district in 2022, was to assess the problem of farmers' potato cultivation yielding less profit than they might have due to a lack of agriculture equipment and technology adoption. Purposive and simple random sampling were used to select 90 respondents from four local bodies of the Dadeldhura district. Primary data were collected from a household survey with a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire and Key Informant Interview (KII). Secondary data were collected from annual PMAMP, MoALD, FAO reports, etc. MS Excel and SPSS (26.0) were used to analyze and interpret the collected data. The study divided farmers into groups based on whether they used bullocks or mini-tillers, and it found that mechanical power was mostly used during land preparation and irrigation phases. Fragmented land and lack of capital were major constraints to promoting mechanization. The study showed that mini-tiller users had a greater B: C ratio than bullock users. Similarly, the average variable cost of production per hectare was substantially lower in mini-tiller users than in bullock users. The results underlined the financial viability of mechanized potato farming and stressed the necessity of removing barriers to automation and developing regulations to support small-scale mechanization. The study concluded that mechanization might be extended beyond the stages of irrigation and field preparation to further improve cost-effectiveness and increase the profitability of potato cultivation for farmers in the Dadeldhura district. Overall, the study emphasized the necessity of strategic interventions to encourage automation and enhance the profitability of potato farming in the area.

Efficiency Estimation of Gum Arabic Production Cost in North and West Kordofan States, Sudan

Purpose: The aim of the study was to estimate the cost efficiency of gum Arabic Production under the applied free –trade policy in North and West Kordofan States.
 Methodology: Primary data was collected in 2016 by using a structured questionnaire and direct interviews with a sample of 100 gum Arabic producers; about 15% of the population of the study. Secondary data was collected from related official documents. Primary data was analyzed using, maximum-likelihood parameters of stochastic frontier cost function analytical methodology was used to estimate economic efficiency the level of the gum production cost. The factors of gum Arabic production tested were tapping tools, tapping labor, picking tools, picking labor, packing tools and transport.
 Findings: The coefficients of all these factors was found significant at 1% level of significance indicating the profitability of gum Arabic production. The mean economic efficiency for gum Arabic cost function was (0.97), indicating there is a likelihood increase of gum Arabic production by (97%). The cost efficiency range was between (81% to100 percent) only 2% lied between 61% to 80% range. This range implies that the cost efficiency of gum production was found to be high. As such, the variable cost of gum production was low since gum Arabic production needs only two main operations, tapping and picking. The tapping and picking tools were extremely of negligible cost.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: The study recommended getting benefit from low cost of gum Arabic production to allocate all the covered areas with gum trees, registering gum Arabic orchards, to provide a grantee for financing institutions.

Влияние на фактори върху изменението на брутната печалба и нивото на рентабилност при производство на мляко от синтетична популация Българска млечна

The purpose of the present study is an analysis of the influence of various factors on the indicators of gross profit and level of profitability in the production of milk from sheep of the Bulgarian Dairy Synthetic Population breed for a period of 3 years. Data from the accounting department of Institute of Animal Sciences -Kostinbrod were used. The indicators were analyzed: average yield (l), average selling price of 1 l of milk, cost of variable production costs for 1 l of milk, gross income from milk, gross profit, level of profitability of variable costs. The index factor analysis (method of chain substitution) was used to determine the influence of each factor on the value of the outcome indicator. The absolute change in income (by 31.79%) over the three-year period has an increasing trend. Variable costs are reduced and this has a positive impact on gross profit. In the third year, the reduction in feed cost increases the gross profit. The contribution margin per 1 l of milk has an increasing effect on the level of profitability (by 39.78% and 56.1%) for the second and third years. The level of profitability increased in the third year by 55.65%.

Operating Hedge and Gross Profitability Premium

ABSTRACTWe show theoretically that variable production costs reduce systematic risk of firms' cash flows if capital and variable inputs are complementary in firms' production and input prices are procyclical. In our dynamic model, this operating hedge effect is weaker for more profitable firms, giving rise to a gross profitability premium. Moreover, gross profitability and value factors are distinct and negatively correlated, and their premia are not captured by the capital asset pricing model (CAPM). We estimate the model by simulated method of moments, and find that its main implications for stock returns and cash flow dynamics are quantitatively consistent with the data.

Economic Efficiency of Raspberry Production

The article discusses the importance of raspberries for human health. Berry culture is one of the most important products of human nutrition, which promotes the prevention of diseases, has healing properties. The nutritional, dietary properties of berries are largely determined by their chemical composition: Sugars, organic acids, vitamins and more. It is noted that for the analysis of the economic efficiency of raspberry production it is necessary to conduct an analysis of constant and variable production costs. Although this culture is very useful and economically profitable, it is not properly developed in Georgia, it is produced in small quantities. It has great potential and can fully meet the demand of the local market. Finally, we should mention that the production of fruits and berries, in particular raspberries, is of special importance for our country. First of all, it contains substances that are important for human health. In addition, it contains biologically active substances that have a positive effect. From an agricultural point of view, raspberry is a high-yielding crop, the price of which is systematically increasing. It is produced in small quantities in Georgia, it has great potential, it can successfully meet local demand and make the country less dependent on imports. Special attention should be paid to the issue of export. One of the reasons for this is insufficient knowledge of raspberry farmers, a large number of small gardens, it is necessary to unite them, as well as improve the quality of products, select appropriate varieties, and to find a certified agro-specialist. Among the agro-technological issues, protection of the raspberry plantation from pests is very important and noteworthy. At the same time, it is necessary to protect the raspberry culture from weeds as much as possible, to carry out proper and timely irrigation, especially with drip irrigation. It should also be taken into account that raspberries are a perishable product. If it is not delivered to the customer on time, it loses its appearance as a commodity. At the same time, it is difficult to communicate with local supermarkets. They require large quantities of uniform packaged products. Refrigerators are needed for sorting and sorting of products, which is beyond the reach of many farmers. It is also desirable to have a laboratory in Georgia that will confirm the environmental purity of raspberries with proper documentation. That is, the produced product must have a certificate that it is grown without poisonous chemicals. All entrepreneurs who want to import raspberries must take into account the marketing standards of the exporting country, which are different in every country - determining the quality of the produced raspberries, and packaging. Raspberries for export must be whole, undamaged, without any defects. It should not be diseased, rotten, or contaminated with foreign matter eg: soil, mud, chemical elements, or dust, nor should it look old-dried. All this makes its use as food undesirable. The presence of any pests or excess liquid on the product and in the packaging will create problems at the border. Based on the economic and medicinal properties of raspberry culture, it is necessary to create conditions for replacing imported goods with local, ecologically clean products. With the support of the state, it is possible to import this culture, which will be an additional inco. Keywords:- Raspberry, economic efficiency, yield, berries, limiting water capacity.

Gut microbiome resilience of green-lipped mussels, Perna canaliculus, to starvation

Host gut microbiomes play an important role in animal health and resilience to conditions, such as malnutrition and starvation. These host-microbiome relationships are poorly understood in the marine mussel Perna canaliculus, which experiences significant variations in food quantity and quality in coastal areas. Prolonged starvation may be a contributory factor towards incidences of mass mortalities in farmed mussel populations, resulting in highly variable production costs and unreliable market supplies. Here, we examine the gut microbiota of P. canaliculus in response to starvation and subsequent re-feeding using high-throughput amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Mussels showed no change in bacterial species richness when subjected to a 14-day starvation, followed by re-feeding/recovery. However, beta bacteria diversity revealed significant shifts (PERMANOVA p-value < 0.001) in community structure in the starvation group and no differences in the subsequent recovery group (compared to the control group) once they were re-fed, highlighting their recovery capability and resilience. Phylum-level community profiles revealed an elevation in dominance of Proteobacteria (ANCOM-BC p-value <0.001) and Bacteroidota (ANCOM-BC p-value = 0.04) and lower relative abundance of Cyanobacteria (ANCOM-BC p-value = 0.01) in the starvation group compared to control and recovery groups. The most abundant genus-level shifts revealed relative increases of the heterotroph Halioglobus (p-value < 0.05) and lowered abundances of the autotroph Synechococcus CC9902 in the starvation group. Furthermore, a SparCC correlation network identified co-occurrence of a cluster of genera with elevated relative abundance in the starved mussels that were positively correlated with Synechococcus CC9902. The findings from this work provide the first insights into the effect of starvation on the resilience capacity of Perna canaliculus gut microbiota, which is of central importance to understanding the effect of food variation and limitation in farmed mussels.

Economic Analysis of Mandarin (Citrus reticulata) Production in Salyan District of Nepal

Mandarin (Citrus reticulata) is the major sub-tropical fruit popularly grown in slopy terraces of mid-hills which has high domestic and foreign market potentialities. Scientific studies are hardly carried out to assess the socio-economic aspects of mandarin production in this area. So, this research was aimed to assess the production and profitability of mandarin production in Salyan district. For this, 61 respondents of Baghchaur municipality and 59 of Chhatreshwari rural municipality were selected using random sampling procedure which makes altogether 120 respondents in the study area. Pretested semi structured questionnaire were asked with farm decision makers for primary data collection. Collected data were encoded in MS excel version 2021, and required inferences on socio-economic and demographic characteristics, BC ratio, cobb-douglas production function and problem ranking were made by using SPSS version 26. Independent t test was used to compare the means between two municipalities. The results revealed that the annual mandarin production was 3560.58 Kgs per household with productivity of 14.60 tons per hectare. Average annual variable cost of production and revenue were NRs 227309.41 and NRs 988963.52 per hectare respectively. BC ratio was 5.07 indicating it as profitable business with the benefit of NRs 4.07 per rupee invested. Among the various determinants, cost of organic manure, human labor and plant protection materials had significantly increased while cost of irrigation had decreased the returns from the enterprise at different significance levels. The return of scale was 0.936 indicating decreasing rate of return of mandarin production. Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 11(2): 106-115.

ANALISIS PERPUTARAN PIUTANG DALAM MENINGKATKAN PEROLEHAN LABA BERSIH PADA PT. TERUSAN INDAH PERKASA MEDAN

The purpose of this research is to find out and analyze why the company's net profit is not optimal. Theresearch uses data collection techniques, namely interviews, observation and documentation studies.The data analysis technique is descriptive analysis method. The results of this study indicate that theincrease and decrease in the amount of net profit experienced by the company is caused by severalfactors, namely the ups and downs of the number of units sold and the selling price per unit, fluctuationsin the cost of revenue, fluctuations in variable production costs and operating efficiency which areinfluenced by the amount units sold, fluctuations in the value of financial ratios, fluctuations in incomeitems by variations in the number of units sold. In addition, the net profit in 2021 has increased,accompanied by the company's net profit which has increased quite high, this shows that the company'sprofit generated is greater than in the previous year owned by the company so there is no risk of loss inthe coming year. probably won't happen. Furthermore, if the receivables turnover rate is high, the saleslevel will be high, so that revenue can increase and operating profit will also increase. If the profitgrowth rate is low, it means that the sales level is also low, so that revenue will decrease and this willlead to a decrease in operating profit earned due to additional costs that must be incurred by thecompany, such as maintenance costs and inventory storage costs and vice versa.

Ecosystem services from partially harvested riparian buffers can offset biomass production costs

There is a broad consensus that riparian buffers provide environmental benefits and increase resilience to climate change. In this study, we examined the potential benefits of multi-zone riparian buffers with outer layers planted in perennial crops (i.e., partially harvested buffers). This was accomplished by developing a simplified regional modeling tool, BioVEST, which was applied in the Mid-Atlantic region of the USA. Our analysis revealed that a substantial portion of variable costs to produce biomass for energy can potentially be offset by values provided by ecosystem services from partially harvested riparian buffers. Ecosystem services were monetized and found to represent a substantial fraction (median = ~42%) of variable crop production cost. Simulated water-quality improvements and carbon benefits generally occurred where buffer area was available, but hotspots occurred in different watersheds, suggesting potential trade-offs in decisions about buffer locations. A portion of buffers could be eligible for ecosystem service payments under US government incentive programs. Partially harvested buffers could represent a sustainable and climate-resilient part of multi-functional agricultural landscapes, and one that could become economically viable if farmers are able to reap the value of providing ecosystem services and if logistical challenges are resolved. Our results suggest that payments for ecosystem services can close the gap between what biorefineries are willing to pay and what landowners are willing to accept to grow and harvest perennials along streams.

Robot adoption and export performance: evidence from Chinese industrial firms

PurposeAs a new research interest, robots have surpassed human performance across several aspects. In this research, the authors wish to investigate whether robot adopters perform better than non-adopters in terms of export behavior, especially when distinguishing between different types of firms.Design/methodology/approachThe authors try a new strategy to identify the extent of robot adoption by import data and compare the export trajectories of robot adopters and non-adopters by employing the propensity score matching-difference in difference (PSM-DID) method.FindingsThe authors find that robot adopters are more likely to enter export markets and improve subsequent export performance, as the gains from doing so can spread the reduction in variable production costs to a larger customer base abroad. But this rule does not always seem to work; for large-scale firms, robot adoption makes it easier to win export competition and increase market share, while small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) do not seem to enjoy any benefits from adoption. More importantly, robot adoption also leads to the fiercer market competition when improving the productivity of firms, which will threaten smaller non-adopters.Originality/valueThe findings provide new evidence for the scale bias of robotics and offer new insights into whether exporters or future exporters ought to adopt robots in production.HighlightsFirst, distinguishing from existing research, we explain the controversial results of previous work on robotics by providing evidence from export markets and using the concept of size bias, which helps to update the theoretical interpretation of robotics and provides new insights for current and future exporters to evaluate their robot adoption decisions.Second, we extend previous research by further considering the potential robotics threats faced by non-adopters, especially we record that export gains of robot adopters are partially at the expense of smaller non-adopters, which provides new evidence for the rationale of SME protection policies and supplements robotics theory with new knowledge, such as the competitive game of firms related to robot adoption.Third, to our knowledge, prior research tended to examine the economic effects of robotics through industry data provided by the IFR, this may lead to systematic bias due to the inability to distinguish the robot adoption intentions of different firms. In this respect, we try a new strategy through robot import data and further distinguish between robot adopters and non-adopters in the sample, which helps to mitigate the potential bias in the findings and provide a complement to the recently developed literature related to robotics.Finally, as we pointed out earlier, robot adoption could be an interesting research work for the Chinese export market, which helps us to obtain some special findings, such as in assessing whether the benefits of robots are equally appropriate for economies that previously had an advantage in terms of labor.

Impact of CS-IPM on Key Social Welfare Aspects of Smallholder Farmers’ Livelihoods

All stakeholders, especially households that depend on agriculture, must come up with every avenue available to improve farm productivity in order to raise yields due to the constraints posed by climate change on food production systems. Sufficient increments in yields will address the challenges of food insecurity and malnutrition among vulnerable households, especially smallholder ones. Yield increases can be achieved sustainably through the deployment of various Climate Smart Integrated Pest Management (CS-IPM) practices, including good agronomic practices. Therefore, CS-IPM practices could be essential in ensuring better household welfare, including food security and nutrition. With such impact empirically documented, appropriate policy guidance can be realized in favor of CS-IPM practices at scale, thus helping to achieve sustainable food security and food systems. However, to this end, there is yet limited evidence on the real impact of CS-IPM practices on the various core social welfare household parameters, for instance, food security, household incomes, gender roles, and nutrition, among others. We contribute to this body of literature in this paper by reviewing various empirical evidence that analyzes the impact of respective CS-IPM practices on key social welfare aspects of smallholder farm households in developing countries around the world. The review finds that CS-IPM practices do increase households’ adaptation to climate change, thus enhancing soil and crop productivity, thereby ensuring food and nutrition security, as well as increasing market participation of CS-IPM adopters, thus leading to increased household incomes, asset accumulation, and subsequently better household food and nutrition security via direct own-farm produce consumption and market purchases using income. CS-IPM practices also enhance access to climate-related information, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve biodiversity, and enhance dietary diversity through improved crop and livestock varieties and also reduce variable farm production costs. Therefore, there would be multiple welfare gains if CS-IPM practices were scaled up.

Analysis of Capital and Production Costs on the Profits of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Klambir Lima Kebun Village, Hamparan Perak District, Deli Serdang Regency

This research was carried out in Kelambir Lima Kebun Village, Hamparan Perak District, Deli Serdang Regency. The selection of respondents was carried out intentionally (purposive sampling). Primary data collection was carried out by conducting interviews with 32 MSME business owners. This study aims to partially analyze the effect of capitalization on business profits and analyze the effect of production costs on business profits and analyze the simultaneous influence of capitalization and production costs on the profits of micro, small and medium enterprises, from the results of the study obtained for the t test variable X1 capitalization obtained results t count 3.559 &gt; t table 2.045 with a sig value of 0.001 &lt; 0.05 then there is a positive and partial significant influence between capital and profits of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. The results of the t test for variable product costs obtained a calculated t value of -2.193 &lt; t table 2.045 with a sig of 0.04 &lt; 0.05 then there was no positive and significant influence between the variable production costs on business profits. Meanwhile, for the F test, a calculated f value of 10.970 &gt; from f table 3.333 with a sig value of 0.000 &lt; a sig of 0.05, then there is a simultaneous influence between the variables of the free variable in this case capital and production costs on profits Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Equation The obtained regression model y = 11.303 + 0.591X1 + (-0.292 X2) + e. The magnitude of the coefficient of determination of 39.1% means that capital and production costs are only able to explain the profit of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises of 39.1% the remaining 60.9% can be explained by other variables that were not studied in this study. Keywords: Capital, Production Costs, Profit, MSMEs Klambir Lima Kebun