Agricultural Workers Research Articles

Analysis of the level and dynamics of wages in agriculture

The article analyzes the dynamics of the ratio of the average monthly accrued wages of agricultural workers to wages in the economy as a whole over a long period of time, as a result of which four sub-periods were identified: the first — from 1959 to 1990, the second — from 1991 to 1999, the third — from 2000 to 2005, the fourth — from 2006 to the present, characterized by different trends. Despite the growth of nominal and real average monthly accrued wages of employees of organizations by the type of economic activity «Agriculture, forestry, hunting, fishing and fish farming», its level remains one of the lowest among all types of economic activity, which negatively affects the attractiveness of the agricultural sector for the employment of young people, university graduates and older workers. In addition, the gap in the average monthly accrued wages in agriculture with the highest paid type of economic activity «Financial and insurance activities» reaches threefold differences. Whereas in one of the most developed countries in Norway, which ranks second in the world in the human development index, this gap is 1,7 times. It was determined that the variation in wages by subjects of the Russian Federation is quite low and amounts to 28 %. It was also revealed that even in the leading regions producing the largest volumes of agricultural products (Krasnodar Krai and Rostov Oblast) among all regions of the country, the level of wages in agriculture is low and is at an average level, but at the same time in the Belgorod Region, which is distinguished by a high level of intensification and efficiency of production, ranking third in terms of agricultural production, wages are paid 27 % higher than the average level in the industry as a whole in all subjects of the Russian Federation, which indicates the possibility of increasing the level of wages in agriculture to a comparable level in other types of economic activity.

POJOK BACA LASKAR CENDIKIA: INOVASI LITERASI MASYARAKAT DESA BERIRIJARAK

Literacy is a person's ability and skill in processing and understanding information from writing and reading activities. Reading plays an important role in the learning process as a means to absorb knowledge or understand a text. Reading as a cognitive process that seeks to find information in the text. The reading interest and reading ability of students is currently worrying, due to less interesting learning methods and public perceptions that prioritize basic needs such as food and clothing. Beririjarak Village, in East Lombok Regency, faces similar challenges, where early childhood is often involved in agricultural work and limited access to early literacy such as reading and writing before entering school. The objectives of establishing a reading corner include: increasing literacy, especially students' interest in reading. The implementation methods used are observation, interviews and collaboration with the village, as well as conducting socialization to the community and early childhood. The results of the program implementation show an increase in literacy, especially the interest in reading and participation of early childhood in literacy activities. The Reading Corner Program is a significant step in increasing early childhood literacy and providing them with access to learn to read, write, and count outside the school context. Through a comprehensive approach, including socialization and direct practice with early childhood, the Reading Corner program has succeeded in increasing their participation in literacy activities

Sikh Community Between Integration and Assimilation: A Case Study of Belgium

This study investigates the Sikh community in Belgium, emphasizing their endeavors to achieve a balance between integration and assimilation while maintaining their cultural and religious identity. Employing a case study methodology, it analyzes how the Sikh diaspora interacts with Belgian norms and institutions through the lenses of assimilation, multiculturalism, and transnationalism. The research identifies various challenges, including the preservation of identity, experiences of discrimination, and the effects of Belgium’s integration policies on the community. Since the 1970s, around 10,000 Sikhs from India have established themselves in Belgium, initially encountering limited opportunities, with many engaged in labor, military, and agricultural work. Over the years, the second and third generations have transitioned towards business and social integration. Nevertheless, the community continues to experience political marginalization and remains distanced from the Khalistan movement due to its limited political clout. While certain groups, such as the Sikh Youth of Belgium and Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), persist in advocating for Khalistan, their influence is relatively minor. Grounded in diaspora theory and aided by the interviews, this research provides significant insights into immigrant integration, cultural preservation, and the intricate dynamics between assimilation and multicultural coexistence within the Belgian framework.

Supporting farmers dealing with climate change: The impact of Participatory Integrated Climate Services for Agriculture (PICSA) on smallholder lead farmers in Malawi

AbstractMotivationThe climate crisis threatens the livelihoods and welfare of farmers in the global south. Increasing variability of weather makes it ever more important to get forecasts to farmers and help them make best use of this information. Participatory Integrated Climate Services for Agriculture (PICSA) is an approach that gives farmers better weather forecasts and, in lockstep with agricultural extension workers, supports farmers in interpreting forecasts to make appropriate decisions for their own farms. It has been implemented across more than 20 countries of the global south, including Malawi.Reviews and evaluations of PICSA have been positive, although it has not previously been rigorously evaluated using impact evaluation techniques.PurposeWe estimate the impacts of PICSA training and meetings on lead farmers in Malawi, taking farmers in four districts where PICSA operated, and farmers in four other districts where the programme was not present.MethodsWe compare outcomes in farming practice, yields obtained, livelihood decisions and food security between lead farmers who participated in PICSA and those who did not. Because selection into the programme was not random, we use propensity score matching and regression adjustment to correct for potential selection bias.FindingsPICSA lead farmers used seasonal forecasts to plan farm decisions, change crop activities, increase maize yields, and improve their food security. Differences between them and the control group were, in most cases, significant.Our results confirm the potential of PICSA to help farmers adapt to climate change.PolicyIn similar contexts, the PICSA approach could effectively support smallholders to make informed agricultural decisions, in participatory discussions, based on climate and weather information.For Malawi, the evidence suggests the programme or something similar should be continued.

רבני ירושלים וקנאיה בפולמוס השמיטה בתרמ"ט

In the lead-up to the Shemittah year of 1888-1889 (5649 in the Hebrew calendar), an intense debate unfolded over the observance of Shemittah in the new agricultural colonies in the Land of Israel. To avoid halting agricultural work in the colonies, whose economic situation was precarious at the time, Russian rabbis developed a halachic allowance to work the land during Shemittah, based on the sale of land to a non-Jew, known as the Heter Mechira (sale permit). This permit was adopted by the Hibbat Zion (Love of Zion) movement and Baron Rothschild, who instructed the settlers to operate accordingly. However, the rabbis of Jerusalem opposed the permit, and some colonies decided to obey them and observe the Shemittah by refraining from work.Many researchers have addressed the Shemittah controversy, with most viewing it as an expression of the tension between the national ideal and the religious ideal within Hibbat Zion. Historians have primarily focused on examining the positions of Hovevei Zion (Lovers of Zion) on the matter and the impact of the controversy on the relationship between the secular and traditional wings of the movement. In contrast, the positions of those in the Land of Israel who opposed the permit have not been thoroughly studied, and historians have generally accepted the claim of contemporaries in that period that Jerusalem’s rabbis opposed the permit because of their hostility toward the colonies. A detailed examination of the events reveals that only some of Jerusalem’s rabbis opposed the permit, that public opposition was led by Jerusalem’s zealots along with some colonies, and that the attitudes of Jerusalem’s rabbis toward the new colonies were more complex and nuanced than was attributed to them at the time.

Application of LiDAR Sensors for Crop and Working Environment Recognition in Agriculture: A Review

LiDAR sensors have great potential for enabling crop recognition (e.g., plant height, canopy area, plant spacing, and intra-row spacing measurements) and the recognition of agricultural working environments (e.g., field boundaries, ridges, and obstacles) using agricultural field machinery. The objective of this study was to review the use of LiDAR sensors in the agricultural field for the recognition of crops and agricultural working environments. This study also highlights LiDAR sensor testing procedures, focusing on critical parameters, industry standards, and accuracy benchmarks; it evaluates the specifications of various commercially available LiDAR sensors with applications for plant feature characterization and highlights the importance of mounting LiDAR technology on agricultural machinery for effective recognition of crops and working environments. Different studies have shown promising results of crop feature characterization using an airborne LiDAR, such as coefficient of determination (R2) and root-mean-square error (RMSE) values of 0.97 and 0.05 m for wheat, 0.88 and 5.2 cm for sugar beet, and 0.50 and 12 cm for potato plant height estimation, respectively. A relative error of 11.83% was observed between sensor and manual measurements, with the highest distribution correlation at 0.675 and an average relative error of 5.14% during soybean canopy estimation using LiDAR. An object detection accuracy of 100% was found for plant identification using three LiDAR scanning methods: center of the cluster, lowest point, and stem–ground intersection. LiDAR was also shown to effectively detect ridges, field boundaries, and obstacles, which is necessary for precision agriculture and autonomous agricultural machinery navigation. Future directions for LiDAR applications in agriculture emphasize the need for continuous advancements in sensor technology, along with the integration of complementary systems and algorithms, such as machine learning, to improve performance and accuracy in agricultural field applications. A strategic framework for implementing LiDAR technology in agriculture includes recommendations for precise testing, solutions for current limitations, and guidance on integrating LiDAR with other technologies to enhance digital agriculture.

Using environmental and exercise physiology to address gender inequalities in climate change and occupational health research.

Climate change is a health-risk and health-inequity multiplier with excessive heat exposure a direct climate change impact already affecting the health and livelihood of billions globally. Women face greater risks and burdens from climate change impacts. Biological sex may or may not influence an individual's thermoregulatory capacity, heat tolerance or heat susceptibility. However at a population level, sex differences in physiological characteristics (anthropometrics, aerobic capacity, etc.) likely affect thermoregulatory capacity. Still, gender appears to play the most significant role in heat exposure and resulting health impacts. For climate change resilience and adaptation strategies to be effective, public health and occupational guidance/governance must be based on comprehensive and representative evidence. The current dearth of empirical evidence on how excessive heat exposure affects women prohibits this. Environmental and exercise physiology can help address this lack of empirical evidence by adhering to inclusive research guidelines. This paper is based on a symposium presentation given at Physiology 2023 in Harrogate, UK. Using a multi-year cohort study on industrial agricultural workers (the Adelante Initiative) as a case study, this review discusses the role of environmental and exercise physiology in generating inclusive research and evidence to inform occupational and public health guidance/governance for climate change resilience and adaptation, specifically heat exposure.

Geoinformation monitoring of the condition of rice fields in Giang Province (Vietnam) according to multispectral ERS data and field spectroradiometering

The spatial distribution of areas of territory used for agricultural work is of great importance for the development of measures for managing territories and planning the rational use of land and water resources. As a result of the high development of land and its use for agricultural production, timely assessment of both the condition of soils and the growing season of crops in the fields plays an important role. Since in the conditions of the study area it is possible to choose the timing of sowing, growing and harvesting, spatial data on the location of fields for growing rice can be used to estimate the volume of water consumed for its cultivation and develop a crop rotation model for different volumes of available water based on the level of water reserves of the main crop. source. Geoinformation classification of Earth remote sensing data and the use of spectral indices can be used to monitor the dynamics of rice crop formation under existing conditions. Refinement of the results of geoinformation processing of satellite images is carried out using field standardization methods, including photo standardization, showing the real value of reflected energy during large-scale photography, and spectroradiometry, which makes it possible to determine the characteristics of the reflected energy by these objects in various spectral ranges. The results obtained made it possible to obtain statistical data on the values of the area of plots based on 4844 measurements; the average values of the area of plots were established – 0.447, standard deviation – 0.309, maximum area – 5.84 hectares, minimum 0.02 hectares. The obtained statistical results make it possible to determine on average the estimated number of plots in the territory of An Giang province, which is 442 thousand fields. Thus, when deciphering images of rice fields on satellite images, local geoinformation cartographic layers of such fields are developed, taking into account the actual characteristics and stage of plant vegetation, as well as the stage of harvesting and the stage of tillage.

Performance of Agricultural Extension Workers in Pemalang District, Central Java, Indonesia

Agricultural extension plays an important role in the development of food agriculture, especially in efforts to increase production. This study describes the performance of agricultural extension in Pemalang Regency, Central Java on internal factors and available infrastructure. The analysis method used is a mixed method, which is a combination of descriptive statistics and simple triangulation. In Pemalang Regency, the overall performance of extension workers is 62.7% included in the sufficient category. The availability of facilities and infrastructure has no significant effect on the performance of extension workers. The results of multiple linear regression analysis found that the variables of education and the number of assisted farmers had a significant effect on the performance of extension workers, while the variables of age, working period, and regional distance did not have a significant effect on the performance of extension workers.

Experiences of migrant seasonal agricultural worker mothers in earthquakes: A phenomenological study.

Seasonal agricultural migration leads to both economic hardship and humanitarian challenges. Individuals involved in this migration face severe poverty and deprivation, with mothers critical participants in agrarian work, being especially vulnerable due to challenging conditions and family responsibilities. This study explores the experiences of migratory seasonal agricultural worker mothers and their children, particularly how the earthquake in Turkey impacted them on February 6, 2023. This descriptive phenomenological study was conducted with seasonal agricultural worker mothers who participated in hazelnut harvest in northern Turkey between August and September 2023. Study data were obtained from 22 mothers who agreed to participate. Data were analyzed using the MAXQDA 2022 qualitative data analysis program. It has been determined that the earthquake affects both mothers and children, creates confusion in mothers, creates fear, anxiety, and insecurity in children, and causes behavioral problems such as insomnia and loss of appetite. It has also been determined that positive changes occur in mothers' parenting practices and strengthen family ties. It has been revealed that mothers derive their psychological resilience from their belief systems and social interactions. It was concluded that earthquake experiences positively and negatively affected migratory seasonal agricultural worker mothers and caused emotional and behavioral problems in children.

How do farmers respond to Workers' compensation insurance premiums, hazards, and claim contagion? Empirical evidence from Taiwan

AbstractWorkers' compensation benefits are of significant importance to employees generally, though relatively little is known about their application to agricultural workers. We examine how farmers respond to workers' compensation by exploiting the introduction of a unique Farmer Occupational Injury (FOI) program in Taiwan. The FOI provides farmers with income compensation for medical expenses, losses caused by temporary and permanent disability or death, and funeral expenses. We examine farmers' participation decisions and the timing of participation in the program. Using the individual‐level administrative records of the program and a two‐part econometric model, the estimated elasticities of the out‐of‐pocket insurance premium and environmental risk to FOI enrolled days are −0.36 and 0.27, respectively. Claim contagion, a form of moral hazard, has been discussed in the context of workers' compensation programs, though little prior work exists. Using aggregate township‐level panel data, we find evidence of the claim contagion effect. We find that a 1% increase in the cumulative compensation payments increases the number of claims filed in the following period by 0.14%. We also find significant claim contagion for temporary disability and funeral allowance claims, but not for permanent disability.

Study of The Role and Function of Agricultural Extension Institutions on Agricultural Development

The role and function of the agricultural extension service for agricultural development which includes services, center of communication, center of institutional development and center of partnership development and the function of extension services as program planning and preparation, provision and dissemination of information, human resource development, administrative structuring and functions evaluation were less optimal. The lack of quantity and quality of agricultural (plantations), extension agents had lack of training along with agricultural (plantations) extension workers, there was a policy of transition from agricultural (plantations) extension workers to food extension workers. Agricultural (plantation) development also seen from economic growth, community welfare, and the increase in plantation production. The decline in production results in several commodities namely cloves, rubber, cocoa and coffee based on data from the statistical center since 2019 to 2022 in Bulukumba regency.

A nationwide cohort study on pneumonia infections among agriculture and healthcare workers in Taiwan.

Bacterial infection risk in work environments has been extensively reported for healthcare workers, while this risk is rarely researched in other occupations. This study aimed to identify occupational environments in Taiwan's agricultural and healthcare industries with elevated bacterial infection risks by comparing risks for general bacterial infections and pneumonia. Using labour and health insurance claim data from 3.3 million workers (January 2004-December 2020), a retrospective cohort was constructed to estimate occupational infection risks with Cox regression and the Anderson-Gill extension. Significantly elevated hazard ratios were found for workers in vegetable growing, crop cultivation service, mushroom growing, flower growing, and fruit growing, ranging from 1.13 to 1.39 for general bacterial infections and 1.68 to 3.06 for pneumonia infections. In afforestation and the inland fishing industry, pneumonia risk was significantly elevated with, respectively, 1.87 and 1.21. In the healthcare section, especially workers in residential care services and residential care services for elderly stand out regarding their pneumonia risk, with significant hazard ratios of 3.49 and 1.75. The methods used in this study were proven to be effective in identification of occupation environments at risk and can be used in other settings. These findings call for prioritization of bacterial infection prevention by occupation.

Perimetric visual field testing reveals deficits in contrastsensitivity in workers exposed to occupational levelsof pesticides.

This case-control study investigated whether defects in visual field contrast sensitivity are associated with exposure to occupational levels of pesticides in agricultural workers. Twenty-seven individuals exposed to occupational levels of pesticides (exposed group) from 14 agricultural systems and 27 non-exposed individuals (non-exposed group) were measured using standard automated perimetry (30-2 full threshold). Visual sector analysis, targeting regions of the optic nerve head, was performed to examine for potential region-specific sensitivity differences. Participants also underwent comprehensive assessments, including general optometric examinations and demographic surveys. Symptoms and signs of neurotoxicity were assessed using the modified Q16 neurotoxic symptom questionnaire and biological testing for abnormal levels of Substance P in tears (an inflammatory marker associated with chemical exposure) and cholinesterase (which is inhibited by pesticides) in blood samples. Signs of chemical exposure were found as indicated by significantly higher levels of neurotoxic symptoms, higher concentrations of Substance P and lower levels of cholinesterase in the exposed group. Visual field global indices showed differences in contrast sensitivity between the exposed and non-exposed groups, with the exposed group demonstrating significantly lower means and larger pattern-standard deviations. Notably, visual field sector analysis revealed comparatively lower contrast sensitivity at nasal locations surrounding the optic nerve head in the exposed group. This study found deficits in visual field contrast sensitivity to be associated with pesticide exposure, and selective loss at nasal locations centred on the optic nerve head may indicate retinal toxicity. These findings suggest the utility of visual field assessment as a potential method to evaluate pesticide-related health implications. The results highlight the need for ongoing monitoring and protective measures for agricultural workers exposed to pesticides to prevent potential visual and neurological damage.

Digital agriculture and decent working conditions of smallholder farmers and farmworkers in Ghana

Digitalisation of the agriculture sector has been argued as the solution to the threat of food insecurity in the Global South. However, its adoption brings serious ramifications to the working conditions of farmers in terms of job creation, worker rights, social protection, and social dialogue. Given the role of the state in ensuring that all forms of employment are organised decently it is however uncertain how digitalisation of the agriculture affects the working conditions of farm workers and farmers. The study therefore examined the effects of digital agriculture on the working conditions of smallholder farmers and farmworkers in the Bono East region of Ghana. The study adopted a qualitative approach to enable us to have a deeper understanding of farmers’ experiences of using digital agriculture solutions. The participants who were purposively selected were adopters of digital agricultural technology. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were some of the methods adopted to collect data for the study. The results from the study show that the adoption of digital agriculture has not improved the working conditions in terms of job creation, workers’ rights social protection, and social protection. Digital agriculture was however found to promote the organisation of farmers into groups to undertake activities for their benefit. The study therefore recommends the development of a digital agricultural policy that incorporates decent working conditions for farmers.

Review Paper on Multipurpose Agricultural Farming Machine used to enhance the Different Farming Operation for Indian Farmers

In India, agriculture provides a living for 70% of the population. However, as the population grows, we see that farms are shared among families; hence, Indian farmers usually owned just two acres of land. Farmers continue to use traditional agricultural practices because they are economically disadvantaged and cannot afford to buy tractors or other costly equipment. Generally, many Indian farmers use he-buffalo, horses, and bullocks for agricultural work. This will not be sufficient to meet the energy demands of the agricultural industry in compared to other countries. This machine is capable of doing four farming operations on a small scale: excavation, seeding, cultivating, and spraying. It will perform that operations using the android app.

Tetanus Vaccination in Agricultural Workers: A Retrospective Study on Seroprevalence over 10 Years.

Tetanus is a serious, non-contagious infection caused by Clostridium tetani, which remains a global health threat despite the availability of an effective vaccine. The current state of immunization for agricultural workers in Italy reveals significant disparities, reflecting a non-homogeneous distribution of vaccination coverage across regions and subgroups. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of tetanus antibodies in a cohort of agricultural workers in Eastern Sicily in order to evaluate possible public health strategies for improving vaccination coverage. This observational retrospective study assessed tetanus immunization coverage in agricultural workers in Eastern Sicily during the period from 2012-2022. A total of 1143 workers participated, of which 71% (n = 871) had protective tetanus antitoxin levels. Of the 835 vaccinated workers, 9% were not immune, while 19% of those who were not vaccinated or did not recall their vaccination history were immune. Significant gaps in vaccination were noted, particularly among non-European workers, with only 23% vaccinated compared to 89% of European workers. Additionally, vaccination rates were higher in those born after 1963, when vaccination became mandatory. The results underscore the need for targeted vaccination strategies, especially for older and migrant workers, as well as the importance of workplace immunization programs led by occupational physicians. Improving vaccination coverage among agricultural workers is essential for preventing tetanus infections in high-risk agricultural populations.

Strategic Planning for Workplace Motivation and Engagement: Exploring Personal and Economic Factors in the Indian Agriculture Sector

The study aims to develop a robust scale for assessing farmers’ satisfaction levels, emphasizing personal, quality, and cost parameters within India’s agricultural sector. Comprehensive data is gathered from agricultural workers across diverse districts in Andhra Pradesh, India, through surveys and interviews. The research unfolds in two phases: an initial qualitative exploration is done to identify factors that drive motivation and engagement in farming, followed by a questionnaire distributed to 431 respondents in the subsequent phase. The investigation underscores the pivotal role of personal factors and the quality and pricing of production factors in ensuring the sustainability of agriculture. The strategic insights derived from this study hold immense value for agricultural managers and leaders, providing an understanding of motivation and engagement dynamics among farmers. These findings bear significant implications for policymaking at both country and state levels, facilitating the formulation of innovative agricultural policies and programs. Specifically, this research offers guidance for designing supportive financial strategies, such as support prices and input assistance measures, aimed at boosting farmers’ morale and participation.

The Impact of Sectoral Growth on Algeria’s Tourism Performance

Abstract This paper investigates whether sectoral growth (agriculture, manufacturing, service, infrastructure and public works) affects tourism performance (international tourism receipts) in Algeria during the period 1997-2019 before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study relied on the Cointegration test and the Error Correction Model and adopted the reverse causality from the growth-based tourism hypothesis. The findings showed that there are no relationships between sectoral growth in agriculture and manufacturing on the one hand and tourism performance on the other, and there is no effect of service sector growth on tourism performance. However, a low positive impact of the sectoral growth in infrastructure and public works on tourism performance was found. These results indicate that the reverse causality from the growth-based tourism hypothesis is not valid in Algeria. Therefore, Algerian authorities are required to intensify the interaction and integration between various sectors, with a special interest in the tourism industry.

Mitigating heat stress for agricultural workers using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations

Mitigating heat stress for agricultural workers using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations