Search Results (12)

This study explores Nigeria’s bioenergy industry’s potential in reducing unemployment. It focuses on two objectives: first, to determine how the development of the bioenergy sector can reduce Nigeria’s unemployment rate, and second, to identify effective policy instruments to harness the potential of the bioenergy industry in Nigeria. Using a Forest and Agricultural Sector Optimization Model for Nigeria, this study modeled three scenarios with varying labor wage rates. The second scenario used an hourly wage of US$0.38/h for US$3.00 purchasing power parity (PPP), reflecting the International Labor Organization’s global minimum PPP. The first and third scenarios applied prices slightly below and well above the PPP at the rate of US$0.32/h for US$2.56 PPP and US$1.04/h for US$8.30 PPP, respectively. This was modeled against the baseline labor rate (Nigeria’s minimum wage of 45 USD/month, approximately US$0.28/h, equivalent to 70,000 NGN). Nigeria’s current energy and food security targets and policies are also implicitly implemented. The product-demand driver is the Nigerian population data projection, which aligns with the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) for Scenario 2. Results reveal that while increases in the labor wage rate improve labor welfare above the global poverty threshold, they also impact the bioenergy sector and the aggregated total economic welfare. Results highlight an optimal wage balance where employment growth in the bioenergy sector can be sustained without compromising production capacity or aggregated total welfare. Based on these insights, actionable policy implications from this study include implementing moderate wage growth, subsidies, and productivity investments to maximize bioenergy’s potential as a sustainable employment generator in Nigeria. Full article

This study explores changes in the transmission patterns between domestic and global grain prices under different grain price regulation policies. Price transmission is influenced by both policy interventions and external market dynamics. We conducted a segmented regression analysis to examine these relationships. The analysis focuses on how changes in international grain prices are transmitted to domestic prices before and after key policy adjustments. We interpret the results as shifts in price transmission coefficients across different policy regimes rather than as definitive causal impacts of specific policies. The study focuses on four major grains: wheat, rice, corn, and soybeans. We evaluated policy tools such as minimum purchase prices, temporary storage programs, target pricing mechanisms, and producer subsidies. Our findings show that the correlation between international and domestic grain prices became more strongly positive after specific policy changes. These changes include the introduction of the wheat minimum purchase price in 2006, the implementation of temporary storage for corn and soybeans in 2008, and the shift to producer subsidies for corn in 2016. These results indicate a shift towards more interconnected and resilient price transmission within the grain market system. In contrast, before the reduction in the rice minimum purchase price in 2018, international rice prices exhibited a slightly negative association with domestic prices. This negative association became more pronounced after the policy change. A similar shift occurred for soybeans, where the transmission pattern of global prices shifted from positive to negative following the adjustment of soybean price regulations in March 2017. These findings provide guidance for optimizing national grain pricing policies and strengthening the overall resilience and adaptability of food security systems, with an emphasis on their complex, interrelated nature. Full article

Understanding the spatial correlation network of inter-provincial wheat production is vital for ensuring food security and achieving sustainable agricultural development in China. However, the spatial correlation characteristics of wheat production and their determinants remain unclear. In this study, an improved gravity model was used to calculate the spatial correlation of inter-provincial wheat production in China based on available panel data from 2000 to 2020. The spatial-temporal evolution characteristics and the driving factors of the spatial correlation network of inter-provincial wheat production in China were analyzed using social network analysis (SNA) and a quadratic assignment procedure (QAP). The findings indicated that (1) the spatial correlation of inter-provincial wheat production first increased and then decreased. The network density increased from its lowest value (0.2598) in 2000 to its maximum value (0.2782) in 2016 and then continued to fluctuate. (2) The spatial correlation network of inter-provincial wheat production presented a “core-periphery” distribution pattern for the major wheat-producing areas (such as Jiangsu, Anhui, and Hubei) and non- major wheat-producing areas (such as Jilin, Qinghai, Guangxi, and Beijing), and the roles of the blocks in the network varied with time and space. (3) The implementation of grain-related policies (such as the abolition of agricultural taxes, the implementation of industry nurturing agriculture, and the minimum grain purchase price policy) positively affected the development of the spatial correlation network of wheat production. Since the implementation of the minimum purchase price policy for wheat in 2006, the network density reached its maximum value (0.2782), the network efficiency reached its minimum value (0.5985), and the stability of the network structure greatly improved. (4) The interactions between the internal natural conditions and the external socioeconomic factors promoted the construction of a spatial correlation network for wheat production. The differences in geographical adjacency, land resources, temperature, and sunlight hours were all significant at the 1% level, highlighting the substantial impact of these factors on the spatial correlation intensity of wheat production in China. This study provides a reference for the development of cooperative cross-regional wheat production and the formulation of distinct policies for the production of wheat and other grains. Full article

Part-time farming is a common characteristic of smallholder farmers in China at present, which is expected to persist in the long term. If China is to promote sustainable agricultural development, it is important to consider the impact of part-time employment characteristics on the grain-growing decisions of smallholder farmers. To analyze the impact mechanisms of smallholder farmers’ part-time employment on their grain-growing decisions, we used data consisting of 14,539 samples collected by a survey of the former Chinese Ministry of Agriculture National Rural Fixed Observation Point from 2009 to 2015 to empirically analyze the effect of the extent of smallholder farmers’ part-time employment on their grain-growing decisions using a dynamic panel regression model. Then, we constructed a mediating effect test model using the dynamic panel regression model as the benchmark model in order to empirically test the mediating effect of the adoption of agricultural production services. The results are as follows: as the extent of smallholder farmers’ part-time employment grows, smallholder farmers significantly reduce the sown areas of wheat and corn; furthermore, the adoption of agricultural production services is an important mediating variable to curb the negative effects of the extent of smallholder farmers’ part-time employment on their grain-sowing areas, and the “Extent of Smallholder Part-time Employment (EPE)→Adoption of Agricultural Production Services→Grain-Planting Decisions” is an important path by which the extent of smallholder farmers’ part-time employment affects their grain-growing decisions. Notably, all of the findings passed the influence mechanism test and, after a robustness test, remained valid. Based on the research findings, we propose policy recommendations, suggesting that the construction of agricultural production service systems should be improved with the orientation of high-quality agricultural development; the minimum purchase prices of wheat and corn should be appropriately increased in order to ensure that smallholder farmers receive reasonable economic returns from growing grain; and the attractiveness of growing grain to smallholder farmers should be improved. Full article

In the classical Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) model, the common unrealistic assumptions are that all the purchased items are of perfect quality and the demand is constant. However, in a real-world environment, a portion of the purchased items might be damaged due to mishandling or an accident during the shipment process, and the demand rate may increase or decrease over time. Many companies are torn between repairing or replacing the imperfect items with new ones. The right decision on that options is crucial in order to guarantee that there is no shortage of stocks while at the same time not jeopardising the items’ quality and maximising the company’s profit. This paper investigates two EOQ models for imperfect quality items by assuming the demand rate varies with time. Under Policy 1, imperfect items are sent for repairs at an additional cost to the makeup margin; under Policy 2, imperfect items are replaced with equivalent quality items from a local supplier at a higher price. Two mathematical models are developed, and numerical examples along with sensitivity analyses are provided to illustrate these models. Our results reveal that Policy 1 is preferable to Policy 2 most of the time. However, Policy 2 outperforms Policy 1 if there is no minimum threshold on the purchased stock quantity. This research allows a company to discover solutions to previously identified inventory problems and make the inventory-patching process more controlled. Full article

Switching from higher strength to low- and no-alcohol products could result in consumers buying and drinking fewer grams of ethanol. We undertook a scoping review with systematic searches of English language publications between 1 January 2010 and 17 January 2021 using PubMed and Web of Science, covering production, consumption, and policy drivers related to low- and no-alcohol products. Seventy publications were included in our review. We found no publications comparing a life cycle assessment of health and environmental impacts between alcohol-free and regular-strength products. Three publications of low- and no-alcohol beers found only limited penetration of sales compared with higher strength beers. Two publications from only one jurisdiction (Great Britain) suggested that sales of no- and low-alcohol beers replaced rather than added to sales of higher strength beers. Eight publications indicated that taste, prior experiences, brand, health and wellbeing issues, price differentials, and overall decreases in the social stigma associated with drinking alcohol-free beverages were drivers of the purchase and consumption of low- and no-alcohol beers and wines. Three papers indicated confusion amongst consumers with respect to the labelling of low- and no-alcohol products. One paper indicated that the introduction of a minimum unit price in both Scotland and Wales favoured shifts in purchases from higher- to lower-strength beers. The evidence base for the potential beneficial health impact of low- and no-alcohol products is very limited and needs considerable expansion. At present, the evidence base could be considered inadequate to inform policy. Full article

Micronutrient malnutrition is a serious public health problem in developing countries, including Sri Lanka. Most frequently, micronutrient malnutrition is experienced by the poorest households due to cereal-based, monotonous diets that lack dietary diversity. Sri Lankan traditional food system is changing day by day. In parallel, nutrition deficiencies, malnutrition, and noncommunicable diseases are the most significant problems today in Sri Lanka. Therefore, understanding dietary diversity and dietary changes in Sri Lanka must be studied to address related public health issues. This study investigates nutrition adequacy, dietary diversity, dietary practice, and traditional food pattern changes in different marginalised areas in Sri Lanka. A cross-sectional survey was done using 24 h food recall and an administrative questionnaire for 400 women of reproductive age (WRA) (18–49 years old) in marginalised areas in Sri Lanka. The random sampling method was used for data collection. The research confirmed that different areas had poor dietary practices, with macronutrient imbalance and alarmingly low intakes of micronutrients. Interestingly, the diversity of food was higher in rural areas than in urban areas. Approximately 83% of women in urban areas did not meet minimum dietary diversity (MDD-W). Overall, about 63% of reproductive age women did not meet MDD-W and food security. The mean MDD-W for both areas was low. Significant differences in MDD-W levels were found in the two areas (F = 90.483, p < 0.05). The sample showed a significant positive correlation between MDD-W and area, monthly income, educational level, food source, BMI level and health status (R² = 360; p < 0.01). This sample did not find that the consumption of traditional varieties of foods and agrobiodiversity are decreasing. Additionally, the study confirmed that low dietary diversity impacts nutrition status and health. The results highlight that the leading causes for low diet diversity are decreased dependence on own production, increased purchasing food at markets, lack of suitable lands to cultivate, agro-commercialisation, less knowledge of food and nutrition, loss of traditional food culture, low income and high prices of food. Inappropriate food patterns, nutrition policies and governance in Sri Lanka are the main factors to the nutrition findings. The study finding will help the decision-making authorities or policymakers to design suitable nutrition programs for vulnerable people in marginalised areas and to use these to strengthen a sustainable food and nutrition system in Sri Lanka. Full article

The minimum purchase price policy for wheat and rice implemented by the Chinese government has achieved the fundamental goals of stabilizing grain prices, promoting production, and ensuring food security. This policy has also had negative impacts such as domestic and foreign price spreads and continuous increases in stocks and imports, which are not conducive to China’s grain security development and thus unsustainable. Therefore, this paper builds a partial equilibrium model of China’s grain market by simulating the effects of canceling or reducing the minimum purchase price on the market price, production, consumption, stock, and net import of wheat and then evaluates the sustainability of various adjustment programs. The research results show that first, lowering the minimum purchase price of wheat can reduce the domestic and foreign price spread, stock, and imports to a certain extent; however, it cannot fundamentally solve the negative impact of this policy. Second, cancellation of the minimum wheat purchase price policy can significantly reduce domestic and foreign price spread, stock, and imports; however, it will also significantly reduce wheat production and threaten China’s grain security. Third, cancellation of the minimum wheat purchase price and the increase in agricultural production subsidies can solve the negative impact of the minimum purchase price policy and reduce the impact of the cancellation of the minimum purchase price policy on grain supply security. This policy adjustment is more sustainable than China’s current policy. Finally, this paper asserts that China’s grain price policy reform will influence and have implications for stakeholders in the global grain industry. Full article

As one of the most important grain protection policies in China, the minimum purchase price policy prevents the fluctuation of grain output and protects the interests of farmers by regulating the prices of major grain varieties. For developing countries with a shortage of agricultural resources, represented by China, an in-depth study on the implementation effect and public satisfaction of this policy is of great significance for promoting the sustainable development of the grain industry. Based on the interest demands of the government, farmers, grain enterprises and consumers, this paper constructs a policy satisfaction evaluation model based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process and Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation. The research shows that the implementation effect of this policy has promoted the sustainable development of China’s grain in four aspects: improving farmers’ enthusiasm for planting, optimizing the structure of supply and demand, reducing the adverse impact of disasters, and ensuring the steady increase of output. However, due to the differences in natural resources and folk customs, the implementation effect of this policy varies in different regions. Full article

China is world’s largest market of machine-made cigarettes. In 2015, more than 315 million or around 26.9% of the adult population in China were smokers—50.6% among men and 2.2% among women. Growing affordability of cigarettes led to increased cigarette consumption in China to the detriment of public health. This study investigated whether the level and growth in cigarette affordability in China was equally shared by smokers from all demographic and socio-economic statuses (SES) and across all price tiers of cigarette brands. The data came from the urban smoker sample (≥18 years) of the International Tobacco Control China Surveys conducted in five waves over 2006–2015. Cigarette affordability was measured by Relative Income Price—percentage of per capita household income needed to purchase 100 cigarette packs of the last purchased brand. Overall and group-specific trends in affordability by age, gender, SES (e.g., income, education, and employment status), and price tiers were analyzed using generalized estimating equations method. Cigarette affordability was higher among older, female, and higher-SES smokers, and for cheaper brands. It increased overall and across all groups over time. The increase was significantly larger among younger and lower-SES smokers, a trend that poses an added challenge to tobacco control and health equity. To reduce cigarette affordability and consumption among these vulnerable groups, a uniform specific excise system should be introduced in place of the existing tiered ad valorem excise. The specific excise should be periodically adjusted to inflation and per capita income growth observed among younger and lower-SES people, who can potentially experience faster income growth than the national average. The excise tax policy can also be complimented with minimum price regulations and restrictions on price promotions. Full article

The affordability of diets modelled on the current (less healthy) diet compared to a healthy diet based on Dietary Guidelines was calculated for population groups in New Zealand. Diets using common foods were developed for a household of four for the total population, Māori and Pacific groups. Māori and Pacific nutrition expert panels ensured the diets were appropriate. Each current (less healthy) diet was based on eating patterns identified from national nutrition surveys. Food prices were collected from retail outlets. Only the current diets contained alcohol, takeaways and discretionary foods. The modelled healthy diet was cheaper than the current diet for the total population (3.5% difference) and Pacific households (4.5% difference) and similar in cost for Māori households (0.57% difference). When the diets were equivalent in energy, the healthy diet was more expensive than the current diet for all population groups (by 8.5% to 15.6%). For households on the minimum wage, the diets required 27% to 34% of household income, and if receiving income support, required 41–52% of household income. Expert panels were invaluable in guiding the process for specific populations. Both the modelled healthy and current diets are unaffordable for some households as a considerable portion of income was required to purchase either diet. Policies are required to improve food security by lowering the cost of healthy food or improving household income. Full article

Forest certification is a voluntary verification tool that has been gaining importance within the global sustainability issues as an independent verification tool for sustainable forest management and wood processing industry and as an influencer in private and public purchasing policies and a component of emerging wood harvesting and trade legality schemes. This study focuses on the chain-of-custody (CoC) component of forest certification. A survey of CoC certified companies in the Czech Republic and Slovakia was carried out to explore the understanding of the concept and role of forest and CoC certification as an environmental, economic, and social tool. It aimed to determine expectations following from the implementation of CoC certification by companies and to identify difficulties in existing certified wood product supply chains and costs related to purchase and sales of certified forest products, respectively. Results indicate that respondents demonstrated a high level of understanding of the CoC concept and that they link forest certification mainly to the issues of legality, tracing the origin source of supply and promotion of sustainable utilisation of wood. The main expected benefits are linked to the improvement of an external company image followed by penetration of new markets and increase of sales volume. CoC is not considered a tool to improve internal company performance and efficiency. The key problems connected to certified supply chains relate to the sufficient quantity of certified forest products, low margins and overpriced certified material inputs. Respondents reported none or minimum price premiums for their certified products over non-certified alternatives. Several differences related to the understanding of the sustainable forest management concept and the level of price premium paid for certified inputs were identified between the PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified companies as well as between the different forest products sectors. Full article