Search Results (73)

This research investigates the implementation of multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) within the framework of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for the period of 2023–2027, focusing on optimizing agricultural sustainability and profitability in Northern Greece. Using data from three farmer groups across Central and Western Macedonia, the study explores the application of MCDA models within three distinct case studies: the first optimizes a farm system focused on input minimization (Loudias), while the second and third (Ryakio and Agia Paraskevi) adopt a more comprehensive approach to farm management. More specifically, the first case focused on maximizing gross margin, minimizing variable costs, and reducing fertilizer use without targeting a reduction in water usage. By contrast, the second case study adopted a holistic approach to farm management, integrating water conservation in the Ryakio farmer group. The third included the requirement to keep arable land fallow in the Agia Paraskevi farmer group, reflecting the CAP’s new mandates. The results indicate that MCDA facilitates strategic crop selection and land changes that significantly enhance farm management efficiency and sustainability. The optimization led to more significant percentage increases in gross margin for the second (Ryakio) and third (Agia Paraskevi) case studies compared to the first, with the Agia Paraskevi group showing the most substantial improvement. Full article

Agricultural production in southern Angola faces challenges due to unsustainable practices, including inefficient use of water, fertilizers, and machinery, resulting in low yields and environmental degradation. Therefore, clear and measurable indicators are needed to guide farmers toward more sustainable practices. The scientific literature insufficiently addresses this issue, leaving a significant gap in the evaluation of key performance indicators (KPIs) that can guide good agricultural practices (GAPs) adapted to the context of southern Angola, with the goal of promoting a more resilient and sustainable agricultural sector. So, the objective of this study is to identify and assess KPIs capable of supporting the selection of GAPs suitable for maize, potato, and tomato cultivation in the context of southern Angolan agriculture. A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted, screening 2720 articles and selecting 14 studies that met defined inclusion criteria. Five KPIs were identified as the most relevant: gross margin, net profit, water use efficiency, nitrogen use efficiency, and machine energy. These indicators were analyzed and standardized to evaluate their contribution to sustainability across different GAPs. Results show that organic fertilizers are the most sustainable option for maize, drip irrigation for potatoes, and crop rotation for tomatoes in southern Angola because of their efficiency in low-resource environments. A clear, simple, and effective representation of the KPIs was developed to be useful in communicating to farmers and policy makers on the selection of the best GAPs in the cultivation of different crops. The study proposes a validated KPI-based methodology for assessing sustainable agricultural practices in developing regions such as southern Angola, aiming to lead to greater self-sufficiency and economic stability in this sector. Full article

Wheat productivity in dry regions of the world such as Central Asia and the Mediterranean is experiencing significant declines due to erratic weather events. Conservation agriculture (CA) has been promoted as a promising alternative for drylands to address climate-change-induced water scarcity and soil degradation. A long-term experiment in the Central Anatolian region of Türkiye compared CA and conventional tillage (CT) using diversified two- and four-year rotations. All rotations outperformed the wheat–wheat control, with the highest yields in wheat–fallow and wheat–lentil rotations. Four-year rotations generally yielded more than two-year ones under both CA and CT, except wheat–fallow and wheat–lentil, which matched four-year results. In two-year-rotations, yield differences between CA and CT were largest in wheat–wheat and wheat–lentil, with CA increasing yields by around 50% and 60% for chickpea and lentil, respectively. Chickpea and lentil also had a similar positive effect on wheat yield in four-year rotations. All rotations were more profitable under CA than CT, with chickpea and lentil rotations achieving the highest gross margin. Soil organic matter content was significantly greater under CA compared to CT within each two-year crop rotation. Our study clearly demonstrated the advantages of CA over CT in terms of production, soil quality and economics. Full article

Lignocellulosic biomass is currently widely used in many biorefining processes. The full exploitation of biomass from uncultivated or even marginal lands for the production of biobased chemicals has deserved huge attention in the last few years. Among the sustainable biomass-based value chains, cardoon crops could be a feedstock for biorefineries as they can grow on marginal lands and be used as raw material for multipurpose exploitation, including seeds, roots, and epigeous lignocellulosic solid residue. This work focused on the technical analysis of a novel integrated flowsheet for the exploitation of the lignocellulosic fraction through the assessment of thermochemical, biochemical, and extractive technologies and processes. In particular, high-yield thermochemical processes (gasification), innovative biotechnological processes (syngas fermentation to ethanol), and extractive/catalyzed processes for the valorization of cardoon roots to FDCA and residual solid biomass were modeled and simulated. Inulin conversion to 2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid was the main conversion route taken into consideration. Finally, the novel process flowsheet, treating 130,000 t/y of residual biomass and integrating all proposed technologies, was modeled and assessed using process simulation tools to achieve overall mass and energy balances for comparison with alternative options. The results indicated that cardoon biorefining through the proposed flowsheet can produce, per 1000 tons of input dry biomass, 211 kg of 2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid and 140 kg of ethanol through biomass gasification followed by syngas fermentation. Furthermore, a pre-feasibility analysis was conducted, revealing significant and potentially disruptive results in terms of environmental impact (with 40 kt_CO2eq saved) and economic feasibility (with an annual gross profit of EUR 30 M/y). Full article

The imbalanced use of fertilizers, particularly the inefficient application of nitrogen (N), has led to reduced nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), lowered crop yields and increased N losses in Nepal. This study aimed to enhance yields, NUE and farm profitability by optimizing N fertilizer rates, application timing and methods through multilocation trials and demonstrations. In 2017, 57 field trials were conducted in two mid-hill districts using a completely randomized block design. The treatments included control (CK), NPK omission (N0, P0 and K0), variable N rates (60, 120, 180 and 210 kg N ha⁻¹) and top-dressing timings (120 kg N ha⁻¹ applied at knee height and shoulder height, V6, V10 and V8 stages). A full dose of recommended P (60 kg ha⁻¹) and K (40 kg ha⁻¹) were applied at planting, while N was top-dressed in two equal splits at knee-height and shoulder-height growth stages for P and K omission treatments, as well as for treatment with variable N rates. Grain yields responded quadratically, with optimum N rates ranging from 120 to 180 kg ha⁻¹ across the districts. N applied at 120 kg ha⁻¹ and top-dressed at V6 and V10 increased maize yield by 20–25%, partial factor productivity of nitrogen (PFPN) by 12%, agronomic efficiency of nitrogen (AEN) by 21% and gross margin by 10% compared to conventional knee and shoulder height application. In 2018 and 2019, fertilizer BMPs, including V6 and V10 top-dressing and the urea briquette deep placement (UDP) were demonstrated on 102 farmers’ fields across five mid-hill districts to compare their agronomic and economic significance over traditional farmers’ practice (FP). UDP, validated in 2018 field trials, increased yields by 34% (8.8 t ha⁻¹) and urea top-dressing at V6 and V10 increased yield by 33% (8.7 t ha⁻¹) compared to FP (5.8 t ha⁻¹), reducing the average yield gap by 3.0 t ha⁻¹. Moreover, the gross margin was increased by 39% (V6 and V10) and 40% (UDP) over FP. The findings highlight the need for widespread adoption of fertilizer BMPs to close the yield gap and maximize profitability with minimal nitrogen footprint. Full article

Recurrent selection for early vigour traits in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) has provided an opportunity to generate competitive biotypes to suppress agronomically important weeds. Quantifying the potential benefits of competitive genotypes, including yield improvement and reduced frequency of herbicide application when incorporated into a long-term rotation, is vital to increase grower adoption. In this simple economic model, we evaluated a weed-suppressive early vigour genotype utilising on-farm experimental results and simulation analysis to predict gross margins for a seven-year wheat-canola rotation in southeastern Australia. The model applied a local weather sequence and predicted wheat production potential, costs and benefits over time. An early vigour wheat genotype was compared to commercial wheat cultivars for weed control, yield and actual production cost. With respect to weed control, three scenarios were evaluated in the model: standard herbicide use with a commercial cultivar (A), herbicide use reduced moderately by inclusion of an early vigour wheat genotype and elimination of the postharvest grass herbicide (B) or inclusion of an early vigour wheat genotype and withdrawal of both postharvest grass and broadleaf herbicides (C). Cost savings for the use of a competitive wheat genotype ranged from 12 AUD/ha in scenario B to 40 AUD/ha in scenario C, for a total saving of 52 AUD/ha. The model generated annual background gross margins, which varied from 300 AUD/ha to 1400 AUD/ha based on historical weather conditions, production costs and crop prices over the 30-year period from 1992 to 2021. The benefits of lower costs for each of the three scenarios are presented with rolling seven-year average wheat–canola rotation gross margins over the 30-year period. The limitations of this model for evaluation of weed suppression and cost benefits are discussed, as well as relative opportunities for adoption of early vigour traits in wheat. Full article

Paulownia trees represent a convergence of ecological innovation and economic opportunity. Beyond their extraordinary growth rates, adaptability to diverse climates, and capacity to produce high-value timber, Paulownia farms offer a unique solution to pressing environmental and economic challenges. However, economic sustainability is the most crucial factor for any farmer when deciding to introduce this species. Therefore, the current study aimed to evaluate the profitability of seven existing Paulownia farms in Romania. The economic analysis has been carried out by adopting the discounted cash flow method. The results showed that the cultivation of Paulownia for both timber and woodchip production as a dual production system with an annual gross margin between 27 and 55% can present a viable alternative as compared to other agricultural crops. However, profitability highly depends on the selection of plant species according to the environmental conditions and agricultural practices applied, as well as demand and market price variations. Full article

Soil is a heterogeneous medium that exhibits considerable variability in both spatial and temporal dimensions. Proper management of field variability using variable-rate fertilization (VRF) techniques is essential to maximize crop input–output ratios and resource utilization. Implementing VRF technology on a localized scale is recommended to increase crop yield, decrease input costs, and reduce the negative impact on the surrounding environment. This study assessed the agronomic and environmental viability of implementing VRF during the cultivation of summer maize using an on-the-go detector of soil total nitrogen (STN) to detect STN content in the test fields. A spatial delineation approach was then applied to divide the experimental field into multiple management zones. The amount of fertilizer applied in each zone was determined based on the sensor-detected STN. The analysis of the final yield and economic benefits indicates that plots that adopted VRF treatments attained an average summer maize grain yield of 7275 kg ha⁻¹, outperforming plots that employed uniform-rate fertilization (URF) treatments, which yielded 6713 kg ha⁻¹. Through one-way ANOVA, the yield p values of the two fertilization methods were 6.406 × 10⁻¹⁵, 5.202 × 10⁻¹⁵, 2.497 × 10⁻¹⁵, and 3.199 × 10⁻¹⁵, respectively, indicating that the yield differences between the two fertilization methods were noticeable. This led to an average yield increase of 8.37% ha⁻¹ and a gross profit margin of USD 153 ha⁻¹. In plots in which VRF techniques are utilized, the average nitrogen (N) fertilizer application rate is 627 kg ha⁻¹. In contrast, in plots employing URF methods, the N fertilizer application rate is 750 kg ha⁻¹. The use of N fertilizer was reduced by 16.4%. As a result, there is a reduction in production costs of USD 37.5 ha⁻¹, achieving increased yield while decreasing the amount of applied fertilizer. Moreover, in plots where the VRF method was applied, STN was balanced despite the reduced N application. This observation can be deduced from the variance in summer maize grain yield through various fertilization treatments in a comparative experiment. Future research endeavors should prioritize the resolution of particular constraints by incorporating supplementary soil data, such as phosphorus, potassium, organic matter, and other pertinent variables, to advance and optimize fertilization methodologies. Full article

By improving soil properties, cover crops can reduce wind erosion and sand damage to emerging cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plants. However, on the Texas High Plains, questions regarding cover crop water use and management factors that affect cotton lint yield are common and limit conservation adoption by regional producers. Studies were conducted near Lamesa, TX, USA, in 2017–2020 to evaluate cover crop species selection, seeding rate, and termination timing on cover crop biomass production and cotton yield in conventional and no-tillage systems. The no-till systems included two cover crop species, rye (Secale cereale L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and were compared to a conventional tillage system. The cover crops were planted at two seeding rates, 34 and 68 kg ha⁻¹, and each plot was split into two termination timings: optimum, six to eight weeks prior to the planting of cotton, and late, which was two weeks after the optimum termination. Herbage mass was greater in the rye than the wheat cover crop in three of the four years tested, while the 68 kg ha⁻¹ seeding rate was greater than the low seeding rate in only one of four years for both rye and wheat. The later termination timing produced more herbage mass than the optimum in all four years. Treatments did not affect cotton plant populations and had a variable effect on yield. In general, cover crop biomass production did not reduce lint production compared to the conventional system. Full article

Addressing within-field spatial variability for nitrogen (N) management to avoid over and under-use of nitrogen is crucial for optimizing crop productivity and ensuring environmental sustainability. In this study, we investigated the economic, environmental, and agronomic benefits of variable rate nitrogen application in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). An online visible and near-infrared (vis-NIR) spectroscopy sensor was utilized to predict soil moisture content (MC), pH, total organic carbon (TOC), extractable phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), and cation exchange capacity (CEC) using a partial least squares regression (PLSR) models. The crop’s normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) from Sentinel-2 satellite images was incorporated into online measured soil data to derive fertility management zones (MZs) maps after homogenous raster and clustering analyses. The MZs maps were categorized into high fertile (VR-H), medium–high fertile (VR-MH), medium–low fertile (VR-ML), and low fertile (VR-L) zones. A parallel strip experiment compared variable rate nitrogen (VR-N) with uniform rate (UR) treatments, adjusting nitrogen levels based on fertility zones as 50% less for VR-H, 25% less for VR-MH, 25% more for VR-ML, and 50% more for VR-L zones compared to the UR treatment. The results showed that the VR-H zone received a 50% reduction in N fertilizer input and demonstrated a significantly higher crop yield compared to the UR treatment. This implies a potential reduction in negative environmental impact by lowering fertilizer costs while maintaining robust crop yields. In total, the VR-N treatment received an additional 1.2 Kg/ha of nitrogen input, resulting in a crop yield increase of 1.89 tons/ha. The relative gross margin for the VR-N treatment compared to the UR treatment is 374.83 EUR/ha, indicating substantial profitability for the farmer. To further optimize environmental benefits and profitability, additional research is needed to explore site-specific applications of all farm resources through precision agricultural technologies. Full article

In recent years, the primary sector in Italy and elsewhere has been profoundly affected by climate change and a deep economic crisis, mainly linked to stagnating prices and rising production costs. Because of this situation, we are witnessing renewed interest in alternative agricultural productions, which are characterized by their resilience and sustainability, including medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs). This sector is characterized by a certain heterogeneity due to the great variety of species and their wide range of uses. Although these characteristics contribute to the sector’s economic success, they also hinder its study due to commodity complexity and limited data availability. At the farm level, the situation is complicated by the fact that MAP cultivation is often embedded in complex cropping systems, and more rarely, is practiced exclusively or predominantly. In light of these considerations, we concentrated solely on the agricultural phase of the supply chain, using data available in the Farm Accountancy Data Network. We aimed to examine the main structural characteristics and economic outcomes of Italian farms that grow MAP, as well as the profitability of some of the species. To ensure accurate species classification, only MAPs exclusively designated for botanical use in the Italian National List were considered. The analysis of farm economic performance indicators (gross output, variable costs, gross margins, etc.) focused mainly on the species most represented in the sample: saffron, rosemary, lavender, oregano, and sage. The results indicate that the total gross output and gross margin show the best performance in the case of saffron (66,200 and 57,600 EUR/ha, respectively) and rosemary (27,500 and 22,000 EUR/ha, respectively). However, for saffron, the biggest cost concerns propagation (purchase of bulbs), amounting to 50% of the variable costs, whereas fertilization ones are particularly high for sage and rosemary. Full article

Vegetables are important for both nutritional and economic stability and contribute significantly to the agricultural landscape of India. The demand for vegetables is rising, driven by population growth and increased awareness of their benefits. This empirical study highlights the dynamics of agricultural production supply chain networks of capsicum crops in the northwestern Himalayan region, specifically Himachal Pradesh, India. The study employs the Acharya approach to analyse the various marketing channels utilized by farmers in the capsicum supply chain. This methodology sheds light on the economic nuances at each stage and examines marketing channels, costs, margins, price spread and marketing efficiency. Simultaneously, the Garrett ranking method is applied to discern and prioritize constraints faced by farmers. This comprehensive approach ensures a nuanced understanding of the economic and logistical intricacies of capsicum marketing. The analysis of marketing channels reveals five distinct pathways employed by farmers, with Channel-C (Producer–Commission Agent–Retailer–Consumer) standing out as the most dominant, representing 47.25% of the total quantity. Moreover, Channel-A (Producer–Consumer) proves to be the most cost-effective for producers and boasts the highest producer price, while Channel-C, involving commission agents, incurs higher costs. This suggests a preference for intermediaries, emphasizing factors like market access and negotiation skills, whereas Channel-D (Producer–Local Trader–Wholesaler–Retailer–Consumer) has the highest gross marketing margin, emphasizing the trade-offs between efficiency and transaction volume. The results indicate that while Channel-A is the most efficient, it is not the preferred choice due to the lower transaction quantity. Further, the absence of market consultation services, inadequate road infrastructure, high commission charges, nonremunerative prices and untimely availability of vehicles are the major constraints in marketing. The findings of the study call for targeted interventions to create a more robust and farmer-friendly marketing environment for capsicum crops in the region. The study proposes targeted recommendations, emphasizing collaborative efforts between stakeholders, government bodies and farmers. This research contributes to the academic discourse and also offers actionable insights for researchers and policymakers, fostering sustainability, profitability and equity within the capsicum supply chain. Full article

Proper management of within-field variability is crucial for maximizing crop yield, production outcomes and resource use efficiency and reducing environmental impacts. This study evaluated the agroeconomic and environmental feasibilities of site-specific nitrogen fertilization (SNF) in opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.). On-line visible and near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy was used to estimate soil pH, organic carbon (OC), soil organic matter (SOM), P, K, Mg, Ca, Na, moisture content (MC), Ca:Mg and K:Mg for one field in Spain. Normalized difference vegetation indexes of the previous crop were retrieved from Sentine-2 images. Rasterization of soil and crop data layers created a spatially homogenous dataset followed by delineation of a management zone (MZ) map using a k-means cluster analysis. MZ clusters were ranked relying on the within-cluster soil fertility attributes. A strip experiment was conducted by creating parallel stripes distributed over the MZ map, over which two SNF treatments (i.e., SNF-Kings approach [KA] and SNF-Robin Hood approach [RHA]) were compared against the uniform rate N (URN) control treatment. In SNF-KA, the highest and lowest N dose was applied in the most and least fertile MZ, respectively, whereas the opposite approach was adopted in the SNF-RHA treatment. Yield and cost–benefit analyses provided both SNF treatments to produce more yield (KA = 2.72 and RHA = 2.74 t ha⁻¹) than the URN (2.64 t ha⁻¹) treatment, leading to increasing gross margins by EUR 91 ha⁻¹ (SNF–KA) and EUR 88.5 ha⁻¹ (SNF–RHA). While SNF-KA reduced N input by 66.54 kg N ha⁻¹, SNF–RHA applied more N by 17.90 kg N ha⁻¹ than URN. Additionally, SNF–RHA attempted to equalize yield responses to N across MZ classes, with a small increase in N input. This study, therefore, suggests adopting SNF–RHA for increasing yield and gross margin and accurate distribution of N according to per MZ N response. Future studies, however, should address the limitations of the current study by delineating MZ maps with the incorporation of additional soil information (e.g., mineral N and clay) for optimizing N doses as well as evaluating agroeconomic performance across multiple sites and years using a full-budget analysis. Full article

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is Africa’s second most-grown crop and is widely used as the staple food after maize. The demand for potato production is increasing and growth in the area under production is estimated at 1.25% a year. Potato has great potential when it comes to food security and farm returns for many smallholder farmers. However, potato productivity is relatively low due to many factors that contribute to the low yield (including drought, poor production practices, and limited access to high-quality seed) and inefficient use of resources. Potato farmers have no access to formal markets, which may reduce the profitability of their enterprises. Additionally, while many studies have been conducted on the resource aspect of vegetable crops, very little is known about the profit efficiency of potato producers in the country. At the same time, efforts to commercialize potato production have not delivered the expected outcomes. This study aimed to estimate the profitability of potatoes, evaluate farm-level efficiency, and identify the factors that influence the efficiency levels of potato farmers in the Eastern Cape Province who engage in irrigation farming. The study used multi-stage and snowball sampling to select 150 smallholder potato farmers from whom primary data were collected using close-ended questionnaires. The data were analyzed using descriptive, gross margin analysis and translog stochastic profit frontier (SPF) modelling. The study found potato production to be profitable by as much as ZAR 7027.11 per annum. It is shown that farm size under potato, seed, pesticides, and fertilisers contribute positively towards the improvement of efficiency while labour and hired tractors negatively affect efficiency. The average technical efficiency of potato production among irrigated smallholder farmers was 89%, indicating that potato farmers could increase output by 11% without increasing inputs. Potato farm size, years spent in school, access to extension services, family size, and non-farm income are socio-economic and institutional factors influencing the farmers’ technical efficiency. However, the farmer’s age, access to credit, and cold storage had a negative effect on their productivity. The study recommends that government and non-governmental organisations strengthen the existing extension service provided to smallholder farmers and make efforts to provide farmers with long-term training and education to increase their productivity. Full article

Intercropping using mixtures of dryland crop species for grain or seed production was investigated in southern Australia across a range of rainfall zones over three years. The objective was to understand the productivity and profitability of intercropping in extensive, high-input grain cropping systems. Previous research has shown large productivity benefits of mixtures; however, few farmers practice intercropping in Australia, and an analysis of profitability is needed to support future potential adoption. Experimental results showed strong mixture responses (in terms of yield, value and land equivalence), but not all were profitable compared to an equivalent share of monoculture crops (as measured by gross margins). The most promising mixtures were those containing high-value crops (canola) and legumes (field pea or faba bean) at the wetter sites where the additional gross margin over equivalent monoculture crops ranged from $12/ha to $576/ha. Mixtures containing highly competitive crops (wheat or barley) were generally unprofitable. Mixtures involving cereals were doubly disadvantaged by the aggressiveness of these lower-value crops in the mixtures we examined and the high grain separation costs post-harvest. Cost reduction in mixture systems involving high-value crops that are synergistic (grain legumes) should provide enduring opportunities for intercropping in southern Australia. Full article