Research on World Agricultural Economy (RWAE) is an international, gold open access journal. The journal aims to publish research related to agricultural economics with a focus on studies on agricultural policies, production, trade, and marketing, as well as analysis of global agricultural trends and their implications for economic development. By being open-access and peer-reviewed, the journal strives to ensure that its content is accessible to a wide audience and meets rigorous standards of quality and accuracy, serving agricultural economics and rural development. View full aims and scope ISSN: 2737-4777 (Print) 2737-4785 (Online) Frequency: Quarterly (March, June, September, December) Journal Abbreviation: Res. World Agric. Econ. This journal is a member of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Declare: We are committed to disseminating the latest academic research results, adhering to publishing ethics and standards, and publishing high-quality articles. We accept and welcome oversight from scholars within the research community. If you find any problems or have concerns, please contact the editorial office at rwae@nassg.org. We will actively respond to your feedback and suggestions and continuously improve and enhance the quality and influence of the journal. We will reward scholars with positive suggestions. Thanks to all the scholars for their help and support.
Synergizing Policies and Farmers’ Willingness in Arable Land Protection for Food Security in East Java Indonesia
This study examines the role of Farmers’ Willingness in Arable Land Protection Cooperation (FWALPC) as a key factor influencing food security, taking into account the impact of government propaganda, government regulations, subsidy policies, ecological benefits, economic benefits, and social benefits. The study employs a quantitative survey method involving 200 farmers from key agricultural regions, and the data is analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to evaluate the direct and indirect relationships between variables. The findings reveal that FWALPC has a significant impact on food security and serves as a crucial mediating variable linking external factors to food security outcomes. Factors such as government propaganda, social benefits, and subsidy policies significantly influence food security both directly and indirectly, whereas ecological and economic benefits contribute more indirectly through FWALPC. Conversely, government regulations significantly affect FWALPC but do not show a direct significant impact on food security. This study makes a theoretical contribution by highlighting the importance of FWALPC as a connector between external factors and food security, while emphasizing incentive-based approaches, effective communication campaigns, and strengthening farmers’ social networks as strategies to enhance their participation in land protection. These findings offer practical insights for policymakers in designing sustainable land protection policies to support food security. Moreover, the results underscore the importance of a holistic approach that integrates policy, ecological, social, and economic factors to strengthen food security through farmer participation in agricultural land protection.
Copyright © 2025 Yuvita Isnania, Aminudin Afandhi, Nuhϔil Hanani, Rika Kurniaty, Reny Tiarantika https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The Role of Sustainability Performance to Improve Green Competitive Advantage in the Agriculture Sector Manufacturing Industry in Indonesia
This study aimed to analyze how Sustainability Performance enhanced Green Competitive Advantage through Environmental Consciousness and Green Intellectual Capital in Indonesia's agricultural manufacturing sector. The Natural Resource-Based View (NRBV), Stakeholder, and Knowledge-Based theories were integrated to address a literature gap on this mediation mechanism in developing countries. A quantitative, explanatory causality method was adopted to collect data through surveys of 183 senior and middle managers from relevant companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. The study used a cross-sectional time horizon and individual unit of analysis, then, data were processed using Structural Equation Modeling with AMOS software. The results showed that both Environmental Consciousness and Green Intellectual Capital significantly positive influence on Sustainability Performance, thereby enhancing Green Competitive Advantage. Furthermore, Sustainability Performance fully mediated the relationships between Environmental Consciousness and Green Competitive Advantage, as well as between Green Intellectual Capital and Green Competitive Advantage. These results showed that Sustainability Performance was important for converting environmental awareness and intellectual resources into competitive advantage by improving resource efficiency, stimulating green innovation, and enhancing corporate image. This study contributes theoretically by expanding NRBV and Stakeholder theories through incorporating Sustainability Performance as a mediator. It was practically recommended that companies should internalize Environmental Consciousness through training, develop Green Intellectual Capital, and implement sustainability management systems like ISO 14001. For regulators, the results supported policies promoting ESG transparency and green practice incentives. This study also addressed global challenges, such as the EU's CBAM, showing the need to adapt to sustainability standards for the maintenance of market competitiveness.
Copyright © 2025 MF. Arrozi Adhikara, Abdurrahman, Nur Diana, M. Basjir, Dewi Diah Fakhriyyah https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The Interplay of Rural-Urban Migration, Climate-Smart Agriculture, and Technical Efficiency in Maize Production: Insights from Rural Malawi
Rural-Urban Migration (RUM) has increasingly become a key adaptation strategy to climate and weather-related shocks in rural communities. Through rural-urban migration (RUM, households gain access to remittances, which are often reinvested in climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices. However, the outcomes of such investments are not straightforward, as RUM can lead to either a loss or a gain in labor productivity depending on accompanying interventions. This study examines the impact of RUM on technical efficiency and productivity among maize smallholder farmers using panel data constructed from nationally representative Integrated Household Surveys (2010–2017). The findings show that RUM, when not accompanied by CSA practices such as soil and water conservation, agroforestry, and conservation agriculture, leads to a significant reduction in technical efficiency, averaging 9%, with sharper declines in 2010 and 2013 (18%) and a more moderate effect in 2016/2017 (7%). Conversely, when RUM is combined with CSA adoption, it has a positive effect on technical efficiency, carrying important policy implications. They thus highlight the need for policymakers to carefully monitor labor outmigration while avoiding restrictive migration policies that overlook the economic pressures driving RUM. Instead, policies should focus on balanced strategies that retain part of the rural labor force and enhance households’ ability to convert remittances into productive agricultural investments. Key interventions include strengthening rural labor markets, promoting mechanization and labor-saving technologies, as well as enabling the effective use of remittances through financial literacy, improved extension services, and targeted support for CSA adoption.
Copyright © 2025 Innocent Pangapanga‑Phiri, Eric Mungatana https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Farmers’ Decision to Develop Agricultural Tourism in Vietnam
Agricultural tourism has become a potential pathway toward sustainable economic development, particularly in countries with strong agricultural foundations and favorable tourism conditions. Beyond its economic contributions, agricultural tourism plays a vital role in enhancing livelihoods and social welfare. Nevertheless, its development still faces several challenges that call for deeper investigation to design more effective strategies and policies for promoting this sector sustainably. The study aimed to quantify the influence of various factors on the income of farming households involved in developing agricultural tourism models. It also assessed how this income impacts their decision to pursue agricultural tourism in Vietnam. Data for the study were collected through a survey of 549 farming households participating in agricultural tourism development nationwide. To achieve the research objectives, the researchers employed the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression model and the Logit model. The findings indicate that the factors affecting the income of farming households vary in their influence. The most significant factor identified is the quality of agricultural land used for tourism development (Land), followed closely by the households' experience in developing agricultural tourism models (Expert_Tour). Additionally, the study predicted the likelihood of surveyed households continuing to develop the agricultural tourism model based on the income generated from this initiative. Based on these findings, the authors proposed strategies to enhance the development of agricultural tourism, aiming to establish it as a sustainable livelihood strategy for households, particularly in rural areas.
Copyright © 2025 Quyet Thang DAO, Thi Yen Le https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Enhancing Customer Loyalty in Vietnamese Agricultural E-commerce: The Role of Quality Dimensions and the Moderating Effect of Perceived Value
The rapid advancement of digital technology and e-commerce has changed the way people buy agricultural products, providing increased accessibility, convenience, and traceability. As Vietnam emerges as a major player in the global agricultural industry, the use of internet platforms to sell farm produce is becoming increasingly important in connecting producers with tech-savvy consumers. This study examines the influence of service quality and electronic service quality on customer satisfaction and loyalty within the framework of agricultural e-commerce in Vietnam. Utilizing the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), the study examines data gathered from 526 consumers who acquire agricultural products via online platforms. The data indicate that e-service quality substantially improves the purchasing experience and perceived customer control, both of which favorably affect consumer satisfaction. Likewise, conventional service quality parameters, particularly reliability and responsiveness, are crucial in influencing satisfaction. Customer happiness is a significant predictor of loyalty, underscoring its pivotal role in consumer behavior. Significantly, perceived value adversely moderates the link between satisfaction and loyalty, indicating that when customers perceive high value, the impact of satisfaction on loyalty diminishes marginally. These findings underscore the significance of providing superior electronic service and consistent conventional service to cultivate and maintain consumer loyalty. The research offers actionable insights into e-commerce platforms in the agricultural sector to enhance usability, responsiveness, transparency, and customer value. Improving technological capabilities and human-centered services is crucial for cultivating long-term customer involvement and promoting the sustainable development of Vietnam's digital farm sector.
Copyright © 2025 Ngoc-Hong Duong, Quynh Phuc Nguyen, Doanh Vu Le Nguyen, Huy Le Tran, Ngan Thuy Ngoc Tran, Thao Phuong Thi Nguyen https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Dynamic Integration in Agent-Based Modeling: Strategies for Optimizing Land-Use Change Policies in Peri-Urban Areas through Interactive Simulation
ABSTRACT Land-use conversion in peri-urban areas poses significant social, economic, and environmental challenges, often threatening agricultural livelihoods and community stability. This study aims to analyze the dynamics of land-use change and the interactions among key stakeholders, informing sustainable land management strategies. An agent-based simulation model was developed, integrating social, economic, and environmental variables. The model simulates interactions among farmers, urban developers, NGOs, and government entities in three agricultural regions of South Kalimantan Province, Indonesia. Variables such as social trust, distress levels, economic incentives, policy interventions, and weather conditions were incorporated to reflect real-world complexity. Simulation results indicate that strong social trust and NGO support substantially reduce distress among farmers, thereby fostering greater resilience. Conversely, profit-driven urban developers increase pressure on farmers, especially in scenarios lacking effective government regulation. Participatory and adaptive government policies are shown to balance economic development with environmental and social sustainability. These findings highlight the critical role of social dynamics and policy frameworks in managing land-use transitions and mitigating conflicts. The study concludes that multi-stakeholder engagement and adaptive governance are essential for sustainable peri-urban development. The agent-based model provides a practical tool for policymakers to test policy scenarios safely, enabling evidence-based strategies to protect agricultural communities and promote sustainable land use in rapidly urbanizing regions.
Copyright © 2025 Muhammad Fauzi, Yudi Ferrianta, Muhammad Firdaus https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Crafting Sustainability: Enhancing SDG Outcomes through E-Training-Driven Digital Competence and Employee Engagement in Rattan MSMEs
This study investigates the role of e-training in enhancing digital competency and employee engagement and how these factors contribute to sustainable organizational performance within Indonesia's rattan micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Utilizing a quantitative research design and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (SEM-PLS), data were collected from 200 employees of rattan MSMEs who had participated in digital-based training programs. The findings reveal that e-training significantly improves digital competencies and employee engagement, both of which are crucial drivers of organizational sustainability. Dynamic Capability Theory highlights the importance of adapting competencies in response to environmental changes. This research provides theoretical contributions by extending these frameworks into the traditional craft sector and offers practical insights for digital human resource development in MSMEs. Specifically, it emphasizes the importance of contextualized training approaches tailored to local cultural and technological conditions. The results support e-training as a strategic tool for driving digital transformation and long-term sustainability, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goals 4 and 8. By focusing on rattan MSMEs, this study fills a notable gap in the literature and demonstrates how digital interventions can empower traditional industries in a technology-driven era.
Copyright © 2025 Christian Wiradendi Wolor, Usep Suhud, Aditya Pratama, Surya Anugrah, Mahmoud Ali Rababah, Hasan Mukhibad, Wong Chee Hoo https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Evidence-based Analysis for ASEAN Agroeconomic Development: Implications for the US Tariff Policy
In response to rising US protectionist trade policies, this study is important to provide evidence-based analysis for the long-standing efforts of ASEAN in agroeconomic development. Agriculture continues to play a central role in ASEAN, not only as a source of food security but also as a key driver of employment and rural development. This study contributes to the literature on input-output analysis by linking structural multiplier effects with the implications of external trade policy, thereby offering a perspective on the vulnerabilities of ASAN agriculture to US protectionism. Using a multiregional input-output table, the study computes output and value-added multipliers by decomposing them into direct, indirect, and induced effects, and estimates bilateral linkages to trace cross-country production impacts and key enabling sectors in 2023. The findings show that most ASEAN countries experience strong indirect effects, which indicate dense intersectoral linkages and reliance on domestic supply networks. Highly induced effects in countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines further highlight the important role of agriculture in generating income and reducing poverty. The US tariff policy on Indonesia’s increased agricultural commodity imports and the removal of local content requirements for its long-protected agricultural industry may disrupt the domestic supply network. This disruption could affect both local and regional markets, with particular consequences for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Copyright © 2025 Elisa Jean Jion Nor Pau, Chen Chen Yong https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Entrepreneurial Practices and Profitability of Smallholder Farmers in Nueva Ecija: A Business Perspective
Smallholder farmers in Nueva Ecija play a vital role in Philippine agriculture, yet their profitability remains constrained by structural and operational challenges. This study investigates the entrepreneurial practices of smallholder farmers, including product diversification, customer engagement, cost control, and record-keeping, and their relationship to self-reported profitability. Using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s r correlation, the study surveyed 59 purposively selected farmers. Results showed that product diversification and customer engagement had strong positive correlations with profitability, while cost control and record-keeping showed moderate but significant relationships. Demographic factors, such as age, gender, education, and years of farming experience, had a minimal influence on financial outcomes. Key challenges identified included limited capital access, inadequate market linkage, and insufficient agripreneurship training. Institutional support was present but uneven, with technical aid more available than digital and financial services. A localized action plan is proposed to address capacity-building, financial inclusion, digital literacy, and cooperative branding. This aligns with Entrepreneurial Orientation Theory and the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, emphasizing that entrepreneurial behaviors supported by institutional mechanisms can enhance the resilience and profitability of smallholder farmers. The study recommends multi-stakeholder collaboration and scalable interventions to sustain inclusive agribusiness development in rural areas.
Copyright © 2025 Rollieza Grace D. Taruc https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Agricultural Insurance in Maharashtra, India: Determinants of Adoption and Policy Implications
Maharashtra is known as a rainfed agricultural state and is highly prone to climatic fluctuations. Crop insurance schemes play a vital role in ensuring farmers' incomes during crop failures. However, the execution of PMFBY in India has faced numerous challenges, such as delays in settling claims, discrepancies between premiums collected and claims paid out, and unequal distribution. These multifaceted challenges highlight the complexity and the need to identify the determining factors for better adoption of the crop insurance scheme. Therefore, the key objective of this paper is to analyse the performance of PMFBY in Maharashtra, identifying key issues and barriers to its effectiveness and inclusiveness. This study adopts a mixed-methods approach. Secondary data was collected from existing literature, policy papers/reports to grasp the first-hand information. Primary data gathering encompasses surveys and discussions with 400 farmers, and insurance personnel, to glean insights into their encounters, perceptions, and suggestions concerning PMFBY. This research endeavours to examine the factors that influence the engagement of farmers in crop insurance programs through the application of binary logistic regression analysis. We analysed the impact of demographic, socio-economic, and behavioural variables on the probability of obtaining insurance coverage. The key findings indicate that educational attainment and access to irrigation resources enhance the likelihood of insurance participation, whereas gender and caste affiliations, exhibit a correlation with diminished participation rates. These findings underscore the need of targeting marginalized populations and augmenting access to essential infrastructure in order to enhance insurance coverage and encouraging farmer involvement.
Copyright © 2025 Arvind Rite, Vikas Abnave https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Impact of Climate Change on Rice Production: New Empirical Evidence at Province Level in Vietnam
Climate change is a pressing issue that poses severe threats to the development of the agricultural sector worldwide. Vietnam's agricultural system, especially rice cultivation, is no exception. This study employs an Error-Correction Model (ECM) to analyze the long-term and short-term effects of climate change factors, namely temperature and rainfall, on rice production across all 63 Vietnamese provinces between 2010 and 2023. The empirical findings show that there is a long-term relationship between climate factors, rural population, and rice production. Specifically, temperature factor negatively affects rice yields in both summer-autumn and winter-spring seasons, while the negative effect of rainfall factor is observed for annual average rice and summer-autumn rice crops among provinces in Vietnam. The empirical findings also show that of the human capital factor strongly enhances the provincial rice output in Vietnam. Moreover, the effects of climate change factors on rice production significantly vary across six regions in Vietnam. Building on these empirical findings, the paper provides several policy implications aimed at reducing the potential risks of climate change and contributing to the sustainable development of not only Vietnam’s agriculture sector but also the nation’s economy.
Copyright © 2025 Phuong M.H. Pham, Tung D. Nguyen, Huy Hung Ta, Hoang Viet Ha, Van‑Chung Dong https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Caught in Transition: A Study of Food Security Dynamics in Kismayo's Displaced and Non-Displaced Contexts
The convergence of prolonged conflict, climate change, and population displacement has exacerbated food insecurity in Somalia. In Kismayo, a major trade hub and destination for internally displaced persons (IDPs), limited access to resources, disrupted livelihoods, and inadequate application of standardized tools, such as the Food Consumption Score (FCS), hinder effective risk evaluation and response. This study addresses critical literature gaps by employing a mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative surveys (n = 369 households), FCS metrics, and early warning system assessments with qualitative interviews and focus group discussions. The research highlights the role of access to early warning systems, perceived safety, education, residency, and household income in influencing food security outcomes. Findings indicate that 54% of households achieved an acceptable FCS, 31% a borderline level, and 15% a poor level, with an average monthly income of US$101.50. Logistic regression analysis identifies education, residency status, and safety perceptions as significant predictors of higher FCS, while gender showed no statistical significance. The study also reveals inequalities in food security between displaced and non-displaced populations. To enhance resilience, recommendations include expanding income-generating activities, improving community safety mechanisms, broadening protective services, supporting host communities, and enhancing educational opportunities. Addressing food insecurity in urban, displacement-affected settings, such as Kismayo, requires integrated qualitative and quantitative analyses tailored to local contexts.
Copyright © 2025 Daudi Meah, Elmi Hassan Samatar https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The Policy-Practice Gap in Circular Agriculture: an Empirical Analysis of Adoption Determinants in Vietnam's Central Highlands
The transition to circular agriculture (CA) represents a critical pathway toward sustainable development, particularly in emerging economies where smallholder farmers remain central to agricultural production. However, the adoption of CA practices in these contexts continues to face substantial institutional and structural challenges. This study provides an empirical assessment of the determinants shaping CA adoption among farming households in Đắk Lắk province, a vital agricultural hub in Vietnam’s Central Highlands. Using primary survey data collected from 274 households, the research applies exploratory factor analysis and multiple linear regression to evaluate the role of institutional, economic, and social factors in influencing adoption decisions. The findings reveal that favorable market conditions, farmers’ education levels, support from local authorities, and the availability of infrastructure are significant positive drivers of CA uptake. In contrast, broader national government policies and interventions by private enterprises show no statistically significant impact on adoption behavior. This outcome highlights an important policy-practice gap, indicating that current top-down directives have limited effectiveness in promoting circular practices at the grassroots level. Instead, adoption appears to be a spontaneous, bottom-up process motivated by practical farm-level incentives and locally embedded institutional support. The study contributes to the growing literature on sustainable agricultural transitions by offering evidence from a key emerging economy context, emphasizing that future policy frameworks should prioritize strengthening local institutional capacity, improving market-driven incentives, and addressing on-the-ground constraints to foster meaningful and resilient pathways toward circular agriculture.
Copyright © 2025 Thu Trang Bui, Thi Mai Thanh Tran, Minh Anh Do, Hoang Tan Dau, Duy Nguyen Vu https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
How Rural Demographic Changes Affect Rural Policy Outcomes: A Cohort Analysis of Korea’s Rural Revitalization Project
The composition of the rural population in South Korea is highly skewed older, with the continuous trends of depopulation and aging at an unprecedented rate. However, with the constant inflow of urban-to-rural migrants, rural demographic groups have become more diversified over the last decade. Although relatively small in number, new groups of farmers with distinguished life values and experiences are becoming increasingly noticeable in rural areas. Against this backdrop, the present study attempts to examine the effectiveness of an area-based, community-led rural revitalization project by birth and farming experience cohorts. The paper employs a double-cohort model design that nests birth cohorts within farming experience cohorts using the propensity score matching and the ordered logit model. The comparison of the trajectory of agricultural income between the project-implemented areas and non-implemented areas suggests that the benefits of the project were unequally shared among different cohorts. Young farmers in their early career stage living in the project-implemented areas experienced a significant increase in the probability of earning a higher agricultural income. On the other hand, no perceptible difference in the agricultural income trajectory over the study years was found between the project implemented areas and non-implemented areas for the case of elderly farmers, regardless of their levels of experience in farming. The study highlights the necessity to reflect rural demographic changes when designing an area-based, community-led rural development project.
Copyright © 2025 Eunji Choi, Kyungjae Lee, Seongwoo Lee https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The Indian Dairy Market: Forecast, Risk and Strategic Roadmap to 2030
The Indian dairy sector is a vital industry experiencing significant transformation due to innovation, increased brand competition, new entrants, and retail evolution. A resource-informed roadmap is crucial for guiding investors, marketers, and policymakers in capitalising on opportunities in this dynamic landscape. In this regard, the current study aims to provide a roadmap for the traditional Indian cooperatives. It utilises comprehensive trend and forecasting analysis of the Indian dairy market. By leveraging data on brand share, company share, retail channels, and product ingredients used, the current study employs multiple models to examine the growth patterns of market leaders and emerging players. The study also includes growth analysis of the emerging hypermarket format in retail and market shares of various products. The best-fitting model is validated using residual analysis and cross-validation techniques. The study reveals that emerging players exhibit unstable yet aggressive growth, indicating their potential for disruption. The hypermarket assessment shows the retail industry's robust linear growth. This study employs the comprehensive GE-Matrix to analyse the strategic positioning of various players. Its novelty lies in integrating different model confidences into the strategic GE Matrix concerning the Indian dairy market. The findings suggest that traditional market players must innovate to maintain their stable growth, while investors must address and understand the challenges posed by the aggressive growth of emerging players. This research provides comprehensive data analysis, predictive insights into future trends, and strategic guidance for traditional market players in the Indian dairy industry.
Copyright © 2025 Neha Patvardhan, Cheenu Rathi, Ashok Chopra https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Research on the Current Situation of Overall Rural Poverty in China and Countermeasures—Empirical Evidence from Practice in Yunnan Area
Eradicating regional poverty constitutes a cornerstone of China’s strategy to achieve a moderately prosperous society in all respects. As one of the nation’s most poverty-stricken regions, Yunnan Province epitomizes the complexities of this endeavor. Geographically, Yunnan encompasses 4 of China’s 14 Contiguous Extremely Poverty-Stricken Regions (CEP), accounting for nearly 30% of the country’s most disadvantaged areas. Administratively, 27 classified as deep poverty counties—the highest number nationally. Socioeconomic data reveal that over 60% of the province’s impoverished population resides in 4277 registered poverty villages, underscoring the spatial concentration of deprivation.This paper employs the “S-curve” theory and integrates the micro-behavioral “poverty trap” theory (including initial fixed costs of inter-job transitions and social interactions among impoverished groups). It aims to explain the evolutionary process of regional overall poverty alleviation from both macro-regional and micro-individual perspectives, using household income as the primary thread, and elucidates the formation mechanism of regional overall poverty in Yunnan.The aim is to answer three core questions: first, what are the formation mechanisms and salient features of overall regional poverty in Yunnan? Secondly, what are the structural challenges in the fight against poverty? Third, how to build targeted strategies to break through the ‘poverty trap’ and ‘middle-income trap’? By analysing Yunnan's practice, we will put forward precise policy suggestions to provide reference for poverty eradication in deeply impoverished areas.
Copyright © 2025 Qiangjing Zhang; Shuya Zhang, Nenglong Xu; Zhu Zhou https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The Dynamics of Multi-Stakeholder Collective Action in Organic Tea Cooperatives
Cooperatives are a form of collective action where members work together to achieve greater economic or social benefits than they could individually. Yet, establishing cooperatives that benefit all members in the long term is notoriously challenging. This research examines the factors leading to the failure of collective action among multiple stakeholders (government, private sector, and farmers) in the organic tea producers' cooperative in Solok Regency, West Sumatra, Indonesia. This research employed a mixed-methods approach including surveys with 48 cooperative members, 12 key informant interviews, and direct observation. Data were analyzed using content analysis methods and numerical triangulation. The study found that, while physical and spiritual solidarity among cooperative members was high, the tangible benefits compared to the costs incurred remained low. Affective and normative commitments were high, but continuity and tangilblebenefits were very low. Additionally, interactions among parties did not support the formation of a strong collective identity. To enhance the success of collective action, improvements can be made by refining the reward system and encouraging the formation of a strong collective identity through programs that promote shared goals and cooperative values among members.
Copyright © 2025 Rika Hariance, Melinda Noer, Endrizal Ridwan, Hasnah Hasnah https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Corporate ESG Disclosure in Agribusiness: Effects on Market Value and Investor Behavior
This paper examines the impact of market value and investor behaviour associated with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) disclosure in agribusiness. ESG disclosure is an important area of corporate reporting, as investors are increasingly focused on sustainability, accountability, and good governance when making investment decisions. The paper is based on a 5-year longitudinal database for 150 publicly traded agribusiness firms with a total of 750 firm-year observations. The results show that one point increase in the ESG disclosure score is related to an increase in market capitalization by about USD 0.45 billion (p = 0.000). In addition, ESG disclosure has a positive relationship with investor sentiment, with a coefficient of 0.35 (p = 0.000), meaning that the more transparency there is, the more positive the investors' perception. The results also confirm that corporate governance quality is positively associated with the quality and reliability of ESG disclosure, thus promoting long-term investment. Overall, this study underlines the increasing importance of ESG factors in shaping the market performance and investor engagement of agribusiness. By presenting empirical evidence on the relationship, this study informs the sustainable finance literature and has practical implications for managers, policymakers, and stakeholders interested in shaping business growth that is aligned with responsible and transparent business practices.
Copyright © 2025 Shaoyu Han, Yeng Wai Lau, Saidatunur Fauzi Saidin https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Strategic Site Selection for Agricultural Innovation: Utilizing AHP to Enhance Rural Development in Colombia's Cabuya Industry
The strategic deployment of agricultural technologies is essential for promoting rural development in contexts marked by inequality, such as Colombia. This study examines the site selection of a prototype machine for extracting fiber, juice, and bagasse from giant cabuya (Furcraea foetida), a crop with underutilized potential for generating economic and environmental benefits. To address this challenge, the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was applied as a multicriteria decision-making framework that integrates infrastructure, social capital, and economic outlook. The methodology combined hierarchical modeling with expert assessments gathered through workshops and interviews with producers, associations, and local stakeholders in four major cabuya-producing regions. A total of 36 paired comparison matrices were constructed to evaluate alternatives, ensuring validity through consistency ratios below established thresholds. Results indicate that La Guajira is the most suitable location for deploying the prototype, followed by Antioquia, Nariño, and Santander. These findings highlight the advantages of using multidimensional criteria to inform decisions, moving beyond narrow productivity-based or politically influenced approaches. This study contributes to agricultural innovation and policy design by showing how AHP supports transparent, participatory, and evidence-based allocation of resources. The model not only improves governance and reduces biases but also provides a replicable tool for aligning technological investments with local socio-economic capacities, thereby fostering sustainable and inclusive rural development.
Copyright © 2025 Santiago A. Roa‑Ortiz, Favio Cala‑Vitery https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Financial Development and Agricultural Gross Production Value in Bangladesh: Evidence from a Markov Regime Switching Model
Agriculture continues to serve as a fundamental pillar of Bangladesh’s economy, underpinning food security, employment, and rural welfare. Despite its importance, the sector remains highly exposed to climatic shocks and structural inefficiencies that constrain productivity. Over the past decades, financial development has expanded substantially; however, its capacity to stabilize or accelerate agricultural growth under varying economic and environmental conditions remains ambiguous. This study seeks to address this gap by examining the influence of financial development—measured by domestic credit to the private sector—on agricultural performance in Bangladesh from 1980 to 2023. To account for potential non-linearities, the analysis employs the Markov Regime Switching (MRS) model, which distinguishes between two unobserved phases of the agricultural cycle: crop-loss and prosperity regimes. The empirical results reveal that during crop-loss periods, financial development contributes positively to agricultural recovery by easing liquidity constraints and mitigating income shocks among farm households. Conversely, during prosperity phases, the effect of finance turns negative, indicating inefficiencies and debt accumulation risks associated with excessive credit expansion. These findings suggest that the finance-agriculture nexus is regime-dependent rather than uniform, underscoring the need for policy interventions that adapt to cyclical realities. Accordingly, the study advocates a counter-cyclical credit strategy—expanding credit during downturns while enhancing credit quality and efficiency during booms—to sustain agricultural growth and resilience in Bangladesh.
Copyright © 2025 Dinh Le Quoc, Huy Nguyen Quoc, Hai Nguyen Van https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Perceived Risks and the Demand for Index-Based Insurance: Evidence from Shrimp Farmers in the Mekong Delta
This study investigates the demand for index-based insurance among shrimp farmers in the Mekong Delta, a region increasingly vulnerable to climate-related risks and environmental uncertainties. The study aims to identify the major factors influencing farmers’ willingness to adopt such insurance schemes and how these preferences are shaped by both economic and ecological conditions. Drawing on survey data collected from 500 shrimp farmers, the study employs a multinomial logit regression model to analyze the complex interplay between perceived risks, socio-demographic characteristics, and the likelihood of purchasing insurance products. The findings reveal that water pollution, climate variability, and frequent disease outbreaks remain the most pressing concerns for shrimp farmers. Interestingly, semi-intensive farmers, particularly those without plastic-lined ponds, exhibit a stronger inclination toward purchasing insurance. However, paradoxically, farmers facing higher levels of production risks tend to be more reluctant, largely due to distrust in compensation mechanisms, limited understanding of insurance operations, and negative past experiences with support programs. By contrast, when farmers perceive greater environmental, market, and financial risks, their willingness to engage with index-based insurance increases significantly. Overall, the study underscores the importance of designing tailored insurance products linked to market and environmental indices. Such approaches would not only enhance adoption rates but also strengthen the resilience and long-term sustainability of shrimp farming communities in the Mekong Delta.
Copyright © 2025 Vo Hong Tu, Nguyen Thuy Trang https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
A Socio-Technical Systems Analysis of Small-Scale Quail Farming: Innovation Barriers and Readiness for Agri-Enterprise Growth
This study conducts a socio-technical systems analysis of small-scale quail farming enterprises in Nueva Ecija, Philippines, through the lens of the Socio-Technical Business Systems (STBS) framework. Integrating both quantitative and qualitative approaches, it investigates how interactions among social, technical, business, and interface subsystems affect enterprise productivity, innovation readiness, and growth potential. Data were collected from structured surveys and thematic analysis of open-ended responses from quail farmers in major producing municipalities. Findings reveal that while the farmers demonstrate operational competence, adherence to work routines, and infrastructure adequacy, significant constraints persist in financial record-keeping, market access, and external institutional linkages. High ratings in inventory management and process stability suggest a mature operational base; however, weaknesses in cost monitoring, ergonomic tool use, and knowledge transfer limit enterprise scalability. Thematic analysis reinforces these insights, revealing recurring needs for manure valorization, packaging improvement, accessible financing, and targeted capacity-building. The study concludes that while local raisers are intrinsically motivated and practically equipped, the absence of robust interface mechanisms such as cooperative networks, innovation hubs, and policy bridges hinders their transition from subsistence to scalable agribusiness models. To address these challenges, a localized support model is proposed featuring a farmer-centered innovation readiness tool, co-designed operational aids, and inclusive training frameworks. These interventions aim to bridge capability gaps, inform policymaking, and align with the Sustainable Development Goals by promoting inclusive innovation and resilient rural livelihoods.
Copyright © 2025 Jayson Garcia Juan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Enhancing the Institutional Resilience of Farmer Corporations through Stakeholder Communication Networks and Digital Integration in Indonesia
This study aims to analyze the centrality structure of communication networks and the level of fragmentation among stakeholders involved in the development of farmer corporations, focusing on the implications for institutional sustainability. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining a survey of 281 farmers with in-depth interviews of key actors from the government, private sector, financial institutions, universities, and extension change agents. Social network analysis (SNA) using UCINET was applied to measure degree, closeness, and betweenness centrality indicators to capture the relational dynamics among stakeholders. The findings reveal that farmer corporation networks in Jayakerta District remain highly centralised in civil servant extension workers and the Ministry of Agriculture. This centralization enhances coordination but creates risks of institutional dependency. Voluntary extension workers demonstrate an important brokerage function by connecting marginalised farmers to central actors and facilitating more inclusive information flows. In contrast, financial institutions and universities remain poorly integrated, reflecting persistent gaps in cross-sector collaboration. To address these challenges, strengthening digital literacy and providing continuous digital mentoring have been identified as key strategies for enhancing inclusivity, reducing fragmentation, and improving institutional resilience. The study recommends that rural development strategies integrate multi-stakeholder collaboration with phased digital adoption, carefully calibrated to the diverse capacities and readiness of local communities. This approach aims to contribute to more sustainable and adaptive institutional arrangements in the long run.
Copyright © 2025 Shinta Anggreany, Sumardjo, Djuara P Lubis, Syahyuti https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Assessing the Contributions of Smallholder Wheat Farming to Livelihood Outcomes in North West, Nigeria
This study investigates the contributions of smallholder wheat farming to rural livelihoods in Nigeria’s Sudan Savannah agroecological zone, focusing on food security, income generation, and poverty. The study was conducted across Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina States. We employ descriptive statistics, Endogenous Switching Probit Regression, and Instrumental Variable Quantile Treatment Effects to analyze data from 360 wheat farming households. Results reveal that wheat farming is profitable, and significantly enhances food security and income, particularly at moderate-to-high quantiles (30th–75th). However, 85% of households remain food insecure, with 71–85% facing mild-to-moderate access issues and 19–31% severe conditions, highlighting a disconnect between profitability and food access. Benefits skew toward wealthier farmers, with the most vulnerable (15th quantile) seeing limited gains. Wheat farming shows no significant impact on poverty at the 15th (0.0801, p > 0.05) and 30th (0.027, p > 0.05) quantiles, suggesting that the poorest farmers derive minimal benefits. However, significant positive effects emerge at the 45th (0.3491, p < 0.01), 60th (0.1909, p < 0.01), and 75th (0.6430, p < 0.01) quantiles, with the largest gains observed among wealthier households. These findings indicate that while wheat farming contributes to poverty reduction, its benefits are regressive, disproportionately favoring middle- and upper-income farmers. Our findings suggests improving credit access, irrigation, extension services, and market stability to ensure equitable and sustainable impacts. These findings underscore wheat farming’s potential to bolster livelihoods while emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to address systemic barriers and reduce Nigeria’s wheat import dependency.
Copyright © 2025 Adeyera James Kolapo, Samuel Aderemi Igbatayo, Funmilayo Omolara Bamigboye, Adetomiwa Kolapo, Stefan Sieber, Motunrayo Helen Falaye https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Blockchain in the Agri-Food Supply Chain: A Game-Theoretical Approach for a Strategic Solution to Information Asymmetry
The increasing complexity of global agri-food supply chains has exacerbated the issue of information asymmetry, undermining trust among stakeholders and compromising transparency in production processes. In such a fragmented and opaque ecosystem, the ability to access reliable, verifiable information becomes not just a competitive advantage but a necessity for the sustainability, accountability, and resilience of the entire agri-food supply chain. This study explores the potential of blockchain technology as a strategic tool to mitigate such asymmetries by developing a formal model grounded in evolutionary game theory. The model simulates the strategic interactions between supply chain actors, specifically, the choice to cooperate by sharing truthful information or to defect by concealing or falsifying it, within a blockchain-enabled environment. By employing a two-strategy replicator dynamic, the research identifies the conditions under which cooperation becomes an evolutionarily stable strategy. The findings suggest that the introduction of blockchain, combined with targeted incentives and credible penalties, significantly increases the likelihood of cooperative behavior. Simulations reveal that the implementation of blockchain, when combined with appropriate incentive and penalty mechanisms, significantly reduces tendencies toward data concealment or falsification. The findings also highlight the pivotal role of blockchain in fostering inter-organizational trust, enhancing traceability, and promoting sustainable practices throughout the value chain. The paper concludes with practical implications and policy recommendations aimed at supporting the digital transition and strengthening the resilience of the agri-food sector.
Copyright © 2025 Federico Modica, Filippo Sgroi, Caterina Sciortino https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Adapting to Dynamic Market Conditions: Optimal Resource Allocation and Organizational Innovation in Agricultural Enterprises
This study focuses on resource optimization and organizational innovation within agricultural enterprises operating under dynamic market conditions. It employs a mixed-methods research approach to conduct in-depth investigations of 41 different types of agricultural enterprises. The research systematically analyzs resource allocation patterns, organizational innovation practices, and their interaction mechanisms in dynamic market environments. The research reveals significant efficiency differences and structural problems in land, human resources, and capital allocation among traditional agricultural enterprises, with large enterprises demonstrating substantially higher Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) efficiency values (0.782) compared to small enterprises (0.536), where low proportions of technical personnel and singular financing structures constitute the primary factors constraining resource allocation optimization. Modern agricultural enterprises have achieved a transformation from experience-driven to data-driven approaches through technology-driven organizational changes, with smart agriculture technology application rates reaching 78.3% and decision-making efficiency improving by 35%. Industrial integration has created new development opportunities for agricultural enterprises, with agri-tourism integrated enterprises generating 42.6% of total revenue from integrated business operations, demonstrating outstanding performance in service standardization and customer satisfaction by leveraging international hotel management practices. The research conclusions provide important theoretical foundations and practical guidance for agricultural enterprises aiming for sustainable development in dynamic market conditions, offering valuable policy insights for promoting agricultural modernization and rural revitalization.
Copyright © 2025 Shanshan Zhang, Daryl Ace V. Cornell https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Assessing the Impact of Land Titling Policy on Population Urbanization in China: Empirical Analysis Based on a Time-varying DID Model
This study aims to investigate how land titling influences population urbanization in China, with a particular focus on the mechanisms and regional heterogeneity of this effect. While previous research on population urbanization has primarily examined factors attracting people to cities, fewer studies have explored institutional barriers that limit rural-to-urban migration. The land titling policy implemented by the Chinese government represents a major institutional reform that can ease such constraints by enhancing rural residents’ land tenure security. Using panel data from 31 provinces in China from 2006 to 2020, this study employs a time-varying difference-in-differences (DID) model to estimate the impact of land titling on population urbanization. The empirical results show that: (1) Land titling can promote population urbanization. (2) Land titling contributes to population urbanization by strengthening livelihood security and increasing income. (3) The more economically developed an area is, the more the population urbanization can be promoted by land titling. (4) the impact is greater in non-major grain-producing areas than in major grain-producing areas. Policy implications including setting up land rights adjustment committees in developed eastern regions; providing legal aid in less developed areas; establishing standardized land transfer platforms; forming land trusteeship cooperatives in major grain areas; linking land titling with employment support.
Copyright © 2025 Cong Ju, Lu Zhang, Shen Yuan, Jorge Ruiz-Menjivar https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Price Volatility and Prediction of Rapeseed as a Market Commodity
The price movement of agricultural commodities is decisive for producers and consumers. Rapeseed is one of the essential sources of proteins, vegetable oil and biofuels in European agriculture. Predicting and analysing its price movement is vital for effective economy, considering climate change, growing demand and geopolitical uncertainty. The article aims to analyse the rapeseed price movement in the Czech Republic from January 2010 to November 2024, forecasting the further price trend through December 2025 based on historical data. We used content analysis, linear regression, MLP and RBF neural networks for the predictions. The data come from publicly available monthly statistics of agricultural commodity prices. Our results show a steadily growing trend in rapeseed prices, peaking at 19,887 CZK/t in 2022, when the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and war in Ukraine had dramatically swayed the price movement. Regression analysis confirmed an increasing trend, revealing a period with an accelerated price hike between 2020 and 2022. We used MLP and RBF neural networks for forecasts. MLP indicated the most accurate results with the values closest to the real prices between December 2024 and February 2025, while RBF neural structures tended to underestimate reality. The predicted movement suggests that the rapeseed price will be growing, which may affect the behaviour on purchasing, selling or warehousing this strategic commodity.
Copyright © 2025 Jakub Horák https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Economic Factors Influencing the Price of Rubber for Forecasting Rubber Prices Using the Box-Jenkins Technique
Rubber is one of the most economically significant agricultural products in Thailand. It creates jobs in rural communities, thereby alleviating the problem of labor migration from rural to urban areas, helping to maintain family unity and strengthen communities. The objective of this study is to examine the macroeconomic factors affecting rubber concentrated latex prices during the period from January 2011 to December 2024 and to apply the Box-Jenkins technique for forecasting daily rubber concentrated latex prices in Thailand from January 4, 2017, to March 31, 2025. The data were collected from several secondary sources, including the Rubber Authority of Thailand, Investing.com, and the Rubber Intelligence Unit. Pearson's correlation and multiple regression were applied for data analysis, while the Box-Jenkins technique was used for forecasting. The results indicated that crude oil prices, exchange rates, imports of rubber products, and exports of rubber products significantly predict rubber concentrated latex prices in Thailand. The Box-Jenkins technique (1,1,0) model was chosen, as it satisfies the goodness-of-fit criteria. The developed forecasting model enables rubber market participants to mitigate price volatility and optimize their strategic decisions. Given the interconnected nature of commodity markets, factors influencing rubber prices often exhibit similar effects across related agricultural commodities, making this model valuable for broader commodity market investment decisions.
Copyright © 2025 Suphattana Tachochalalai, Somkid Yakean, Suriya Suwannatippayachot, Piyaphong Supanyo, Chanchai Pommi, Konnut Pugatekaew https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Farmer Perspectives and Intentions in Establishing Palm Oil Processing Plants: Evidence from West Sumatra
The development of downstream palm oil processing at the smallholder level in Indonesia remains limited, despite its potential to enhance farmer welfare and promote equitable value chain participation. Persistent disparities in fresh fruit bunch (FFB) prices, slow progress in smallholder-led industrial initiatives, and farmers’ vulnerability to market fluctuations point to the need for inclusive downstream strategies. The study aims to assess farmers’ perspectives on the establishment of palm oil processing plants at the farmer level. Simple random sampling was employed in selecting 200 smallholders across Dharmasraya and West Pasaman regencies. The research employs a mixed-method combining Structural Equation Modeling–Partial Least Squares (SEM–PLS) and qualitative analysis using NVivo in data analysis. The findings reveal that farmers’ expectations of benefits and their readiness significantly influence their intention to build palm oil processing plants. Mediation analysis further shows that readiness partially mediates the relationship between farmer demographic profiles and their intention to invest in processing infrastructure. Most farmers expressed willingness to establish processing plants if they clearly perceive the benefits, such as increased income, price stability, and employment opportunity. However, they face substantial challenges, particularly limited financial capital and inadequate access to technology. These constraints highlight the need for comprehensive support from various stakeholders, including government agencies, cooperatives, and private sector partners, to enable farmers to participate in downstream processing. Strengthening farmer readiness through informal education, technical assistance, and inclusive financing mechanisms is essential to promote sustainable and equitable development in the palm oil sector.
Copyright © 2025 Hasnah Hasnah, Melinda Noer, Rudi Febriamansyah, Devi Analia https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Impact of Agricultural Public Finance Instruments on the Agricultural Sector’s Contribution to GDP: Empirical Evidence from Iraq
This study investigates the experimental impact of agricultural public finance tools (government agricultural investment spending and government agricultural loans) on the contribution of the agricultural sector to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Iraq, using quarterly data for the period 2008–2024, through the use of the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model. The results of the study showed a statistically significant positive effect of government agricultural investment spending on agricultural GDP. The results also indicated a statistically significant positive effect of government agricultural loans on agricultural GDP. The study included important control variables such as rainfall rate, agricultural labor force size, and inflation rate, which showed statistically significant effects on agricultural GDP, highlighting the importance of climatic conditions, labor availability, and overall stability in supporting the agricultural sector's performance to increase its contribution to the Iraqi GDP. The study's findings also revealed a moderate speed of adjustment towards long-term equilibrium (with an error correction coefficient of −0.4315), reflecting a partial response of the agricultural sector to government financial policies. The study recommends improving public investment planning, reforming agricultural loan distribution systems, and enhancing institutional frameworks to ensure the effective use of government financial interventions and support sustainable growth in the Iraqi agricultural sector.
Copyright © 2025 Hanan Shaheen Hussein, Samah Salih Ali, Mahmood Suwaid, Faisal Ghazi Faisal, Muhannad Khalifa Obed, Muhannad Khamis Abed, Taha Ayad Saad https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Applying the Entitlement Approach to Understand Food Security Dynamics in South Africa
This paper applies Amartya Sen’s entitlement approach as a lens for analysing food security within the South African democratic context. Based on multiple disciplinary perspectives and an entitlement approach as a lens, the paper examines how the country’s political and economic structures influence individuals’ capability to access food and secure entitlements in a post-apartheid society. A systematic literature review was conducted across six electronic databases to locate peer-reviewed English-language literature published between 1981 and 2022. Despite South Africa’s political and economic developments, individuals in households continue to struggle to meet their basic needs. This limitation, particularly the lack of access to quality food, is mainly attributed to persistent unequal distribution and control over services, assets and resources. The paper argues that South Africa’s neoliberal democratic orientation often reduces food insecurity to an individual peril rather than a social phenomenon, which subsequently overlooks the broader structural and social dimensions. The paper concludes that a state has a role to address the food insecurity challenge by implementing context-specific, micro-level interventions that enhance individuals’ access to food as a social right. The paper advocates for an inclusive approach in designing and implementing interventions intended to enhance food security at the household level.
Copyright © 2025 Mfundo Mandla Masuku, Zinhle Mthembu, Mbongeni Shadrack Sithole https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Towards Sustainable Rural Tourism: Insights into Tourists’ Preferences in Northern Vietnam
This study employs a discrete choice experiment (DCE) to examine tourists’preferences for rural tourism in Northern Vietnam, with a focus on key attributes including activity type, accommodation, price, cultural immersion, and sustainability. Data were collected from 953 tourists across three emerging rural tourism provinces, providing a comprehensive perspective on both domestic and international market segments. The results indicate that activity type—particularly trekking and cultural tours—and accommodation style, especially homestays and traditional ethnic minority houses, are the most influential factors shaping tourist decision‑making. While price sensitivity remains evident, especially among domestic and first-time visitors, the analysis reveals that many tourists are willing to pay premiums for authentic, high‑quality experiences that offer deeper engagement with the local context. Cultural immersion emerges as a particularly strong driver of preferences, highlighting the growing demand for meaningful interactions with local traditions, heritage, and lifestyles. Sustainability, although secondary compared to other attributes, is still valued by tourists and plays an important complementary role in shaping choices, especially for environmentally conscious travelers. These findings suggest that rural tourism providers should emphasize authentic cultural experiences, adventure‑based activities, and visible sustainable practices to effectively respond to diverse tourist expectations. The research offers practical implications for sustainable rural tourism development, product design, and strategic market positioning in emerging destinations.
Copyright © 2025 Nguyen Manh Hung, Duong Xuan Lam, Ho Luong Xinh https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The Effect of Farm Size on the Decision to Adopt Digital Technology: The Case of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Rice Production in Vietnam
Agricultural production efficiency depends heavily on the decisions of the household head or member directly growing rice, especially the decision related to the adoption of digital technology, because this is the main tool to reduce costs, improve crop yield and environmental quality. Despite the potential, there are still some operational limitations that require comprehensive development of features and human resources to effectively apply the technology. In this paper, the adoption of digital technology in rice production has provided numerous practical benefits for households. However, the adoption rate of digital technology features, particularly unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), remains low in most developing countries. This study aims to determine the impact of farm size on the decision to adopt UAVs in rice production among households in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. The research utilizes primary data collected through direct interviews with 940 households that have applied or plan to apply UAVs in their rice cultivation process. The results indicate that most households have adopted UAVs for three key activities: seeding, fertilization, and pesticide spraying. Additionally, the estimation results reveal a nonlinear, inverted U-shaped relationship between farm size and the decision to adopt UAVs in rice production. Furthermore, the study identifies other factors, aside from farm size, that influence the decision to use UAVs in rice production among Vietnamese households.
Copyright © 2025 Duyen Lan Nguyen, Hon Van Cao, Nguyet Anh Thi Nguyen, Vi Thanh Thi Duong, Tri Huu Nguyen https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Social Capital Pathways to Resilient Food Systems: Insights from Organic Rice Farming under Environmental Change
This article examines how trust, social norms, and social networks distinctly influence the four pillars of food security in the organic rice farming community of Lombok Kulon, East Java. Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and Importance-Performance Map Analysis (IPMA), the research investigates how these social components influence the four pillars of food security: availability, accessibility, utilization, and stability. The study emphasizes organic rice farming as a form of climate-smart agriculture that enhances soil fertility, reduces chemical dependency, and strengthens resilience to climate variability. It further situates the findings within the global challenges of sustainable agriculture, highlighting relevance to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Data collected from 100 farmers reveal that social norms have the broadest impact, particularly on accessibility, utilization, and stability. Trust significantly influences food utilization, while networks contribute to availability and system stability. IPMA highlights that norms are high-impact but moderately performing, suggesting a priority area for policy intervention. The findings underscore the importance of disaggregating social capital in food security planning and offer actionable insights for rural development strategies that prioritize relational infrastructure. The study advances empirical and methodological contributions to the evaluation of socially embedded food systems.
Copyright © 2025 Rahmi Purnomowati, Gunawan Prayitno, Achmad Tjachja Nugraha, Rahmawati, Fajar Fadhilatun Nisak, Enock Siankwilimba, Md Enamul Hoque https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Determinants of Agricultural Labor Participation of Rural Elderly People: Empirical Evidence from China
Against the backdrop of a rapidly aging population and a shrinking agricultural labor force globally, this study investigates the driving mechanisms underlying sustained agricultural labor participation among rural elderly individuals in China. Utilizing three-wave longitudinal data (2016, 2018, and 2020) from the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey within the theoretical frameworks of active aging and productive aging, this research employs Logit regression models to systematically examine how individual characteristics, family structure, health status, subjective eldercare perceptions, and social security coverage are associated with agricultural work engagement. Robustness checks and heterogeneity analyses confirm stable, significant associations: male gender, agricultural Hukou, higher cognitive ability, larger offspring numbers, better self-rated health, pain experience, preference for self-home eldercare, and receipt of an old-age allowance or basic pension are all positively associated with the likelihood of agricultural participation. Younger elderly individuals show significantly higher engagement in agricultural labor than their older counterparts. Critically, health status emerges as essential human capital, enabling prolonged labor despite socioeconomic pressures, while "elderly agriculture" functions as an indispensable self-support strategy, mitigating eldercare crises through extended independent farming capacity supported by land rights and mechanization. Policy implications urge prioritized enhancements to rural healthcare systems, the optimization of pension benefit structures to strike a balance between sustainability and labor supply, the securement of land management rights to maintain autonomous livelihood arrangements, and targeted social security reforms that acknowledge rural-urban income disparities. This study provides empirical evidence for addressing sustainable agricultural development amid demographic transition.
Copyright © 2025 Feifan Yang, Ligao Bao, Dan Li, Atsushi Chitose, Jiajun Wang, Haisong Nie https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Organizational Dynamics and Financial Sustainability: Evidence from Vietnam’s People’s Credit Funds
This study investigates the factors affecting the financial sustainability of People's Credit Funds in Vietnam, which are essential for promoting financial inclusion in rural areas. The research, grounded in organizational management and financial systems theories, uses a mixed-methods approach with a survey of 363 stakeholders across all 63 Vietnamese provinces, conducted from October 2024 to March 2025. Multivariate regression analysis reveals that Organizational Performance, Loan Portfolio Management, Management Quality, Customer Outreach, Organizational Transparency, and Financial Sustainability all have a significant impact on Financial Self-Sufficiency. However, the study found that Organizational Capacity and the Legal and Policy Environment were only marginally significant. Interestingly, many of the significant factors showed negative coefficients, suggesting operational trade-offs specific to the context of Vietnamese People's Credit Funds. For example, stringent risk management or extensive customer outreach may increase costs, temporarily reducing financial self-sufficiency. These findings broaden existing theoretical frameworks by highlighting the complex trade-offs within cooperative credit institutions. The study provides practical recommendations for People's Credit Funds’ managers, urging them to balance risk-based lending with digital tools to streamline operations and reduce costs. Policymakers are also advised to implement tax incentives to support the digital transformation of People's Credit Funds, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals 1 and 8.
Copyright © 2025 Quang Minh Le, Anh Phan, Dieu Linh Nguyen, Thi Minh Ngoc Le, Van Lanh Nguyen, Bao Huyen Nguyen, Tra Thi Huong Le https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Access and Impact of Trade Credit on the Benefits of Rice Growing Households in the Mekong Delta, Viet Nam
The study aims to estimate the access to and impact of trade credit on the benefits of rice-growing households in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, a region where formal financial access remains limited for smallholder farmers. Using primary data collected from 574 rice farming households across four provinces, the study applies the Propensity Score Matching (PSM) method to address selection bias and ensure robust comparison between households with and without access to trade credit. In the first stage, a Probit regression model identifies seven key factors influencing trade credit access. Among them, household income and farming experience negatively affect access, suggesting that wealthier or more experienced farmers may rely less on dealer base credit. In contrast, landholding size, duration of familiarity with input suppliers, geographic distance, social status, and number of suppliers positively influence access, highlighting the importance of trust, reputation, and market connectivity. The second stage of the PSM method, using four matching techniques nearest neighbor, radius, stratification, and kernel demonstrates that access to trade credit improves both yield and profitability. Specifically, households with access achieve rice yields 8.26%–10.61% higher and profits 0.135–0.392 million VND greater per 1,000 m² than non-accessing households. The study proposes policy recommendations to improve credit accessibility for farmers, enhance input supply relationships, and reduce rural financial exclusion, thereby contributing to sustainable agricultural development in the region.
Copyright © 2025 Hon Van Cao, Duyen Lan Nguyen, Nhat Bach Ho, Thu Yen Thi Duong, Hoa Thi Cao https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Hidden Cost of Soil Erosion: From Biophysical Cost to Institutional Economics of Agribusiness
Agribusiness in tropical highland environments faces two interconnected challenges: persistent soil erosion and the absence of robust institutional systems to address it. This research addresses both biophysical and agronomic concerns, as well as governance shortcomings, by estimating the hidden economic costs of potato cultivation in Pangalengan, West Java, and suggesting alternative institutional arrangements to counter erosion. Primary data were obtained through a randomized field survey of 184 potato farmers, representing approximately 15% of a sampling frame of 1204 farmers. Secondary sources, including climate and environmental data, were also incorporated. Soil nutrient losses were estimated using the SCUAF model, and these estimates were integrated with a production function analysis to quantify the economic losses attributable to erosion. In addition, an institutional arrangement framework was developed, drawing on established concepts from institutional economics. The results indicate that the hidden costs associated with potato farming surpass the actual costs, yet overall profitability remains positive. These findings suggest opportunities for policy interventions that could promote sustainable farming in erosion-prone uplands. By integrating SCUAF-based biophysical modelling with economic loss estimation within an institutional economics framework, this study connects environmental degradation, financial implications, and governance gaps. It provides a practical case for upland potato production in Pangalengan and offers both academic contributions and actionable insights for developing sustainable and economically viable agribusiness models in highland settings.
Copyright © 2025 Suharno, Ratna Katarina, Harianto, Nia Rosian, Yohanna Retnaning Widyastuti https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Sustainability and Agriculture 5.0 in Practice: Reformulating Agricultural Accounting Standards through the Ecological Fair Value Model
Agricultural accounting faces unprecedented challenges in light of ecological crises and the digital transformation of Agriculture 5.0. This study critically analyzes the limitations of NCRF 17 (Portuguese Accounting Standard for Agriculture) and IAS 41 (International Accounting Standard for Agriculture), particularly their inability to integrate environmental externalities and hybrid activities into financial reporting. NCRF 17 and IAS 41 define fair value rules for biological assets but do not account for ecological externalities or hybrid assets, a gap this study addresses. Based on theoretical frameworks such as natural capital theory, critical environmental accounting, and integrated reporting, this research advocates for reforming traditional accounting models. It proposes alternatives that incorporate ecological performance indicators, such as carbon capture, biodiversity conservation, and soil regeneration, into the valuation of biological assets. Through a normative-documentary approach, it demonstrates how emerging technologies (e.g., IoT, drones, AI) can generate traceable and auditable environmental data, promoting a more transparent and sustainability-oriented financial reporting model. This article presents practical models and examines the institutional conditions required to integrate ecological value into agricultural accounting, thereby contributing to the redefinition of accounting's environmental and social roles.
Copyright © 2025 Ana Filipa Roque https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0