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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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