Search Results (142)

Converting conventional rice monoculture to co-culture with fish is a common strategy to increase farmers’ incomes. The Chinese soft-shell turtle is a typical high-value species for paddy co-culture, but the effects of the co-culture system (RT) on greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) are poorly understood. This study evaluated the impacts of RT on economic benefits and greenhouse gas emissions. Our results showed that RT co-culture did not significantly increase rice yield, but it provided additional income from turtle sales, increasing net profits. GHG emission responses to RT differed between the two farms. In farm 1, RT increased CH₄ emissions from the rice-cultivated area but decreased them from the turtle culture area, resulting in no net effect on total CH₄ emissions. The reduction of CH₄ emissions in the turtle culture area was associated with lower DOC content and reduced methanogenic gene mcrA abundance. In farm 2, RT reduced CH₄ emissions from both areas, lowering total CH₄ emissions by 36.5%, which was linked to less water flooding and higher methanotrophic gene (pmoA) abundance. Total N₂O emissions were not significantly affected by RT at either farm. RT increased indirect GHG emissions, but these accounted for only 7.2–16.9% of total emissions. Overall, RT reduced total GHG emissions by 27.7% at farm 2, with no significant change at farm 1. These findings suggest that RT can enhance economic benefit while lessening total GHG emissions. Full article

In the context of digital rural development, social commerce has become a low-threshold channel through which smallholders can connect directly with consumers. Yet limited evidence explains how acquaintance-based social networks shape the income effects of social commerce in fresh agricultural-product marketing. Using survey data from 724 peach-farming households in Pinggu District, Beijing, in 2024, this study examines the effect of WeChat-based direct marketing on farmers’ per capita net income from peach production. Benchmark regression, propensity score matching, and an instrumental variable approach are used to address selection bias and potential endogeneity. The results show that WeChat-based direct marketing significantly increases farmers’ income, with the fully controlled benchmark estimate indicating an increase of 0.287 log points in per capita net income. This finding remains stable after replacing the dependent variable, addressing extreme values, and excluding special samples. Mechanism analysis indicates that the income effect operates mainly through higher average selling prices. Heterogeneity analysis further shows that the effect is stronger among households with higher social expenditure, suggesting that acquaintance-based embeddedness helps transform social relations into market value. Going beyond prior studies that focus mainly on participation, sales performance, or average income effects, this study identifies the selling-price transmission mechanism and shows that acquaintance-network embeddedness amplifies the income gains from WeChat-based direct marketing. Full article

The aim of this study was to identify the challenges and opportunities faced by farmers in the sheep milk value chain and their impact on business activities. Techno-economic data were collected from 24 sheep farms with different capacities, management systems, and market connectivity in the Thessaly region. The results of the study show that a series of factors influence the financial situation of the farms, arising from both internal (e.g., management, performance) and external (e.g., market prices, regulations) factors. Efficient farms can reduce production costs and increase profitability, while cooperative members generally enjoy a better position than independent farmers in terms of feed costs and milk production, strengthening their bargaining power. It should be noted that, given the exploratory sample size (n = 24), the between-group differences reported here should be interpreted as indicative trends rather than statistically confirmed findings. The results were analyzed through a full techno-economic analysis, calculating key indicators such as milk production costs, net profit and income of agricultural households. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the impact of uncertainty in key input parameters (milk price, feed costs) on the net profit of each farm. Tailoring strategies to the specific characteristics of each farm can significantly enhance profitability. Further research is needed to capture the views of all actors in the value chain. Full article

Legume intercropping is a productive diversification strategy that can improve land-use efficiency and farm profitability, particularly for smallholders. However, its adoption remains limited in resource-intensive farming systems because crop-specific agronomic performance, input-use implications, and economic feasibility are not well documented under farmer-field conditions. This four-year field study (2021–2024) evaluated four sole cropping systems (sole cotton, sole maize, sole sugarcane, and sole soybean) and three additive soybean-based intercropping systems (cotton/soybean, maize/soybean, and sugarcane/soybean) under arid-irrigated conditions. Crop yield, dry matter accumulation, nutrient uptake, land equivalent ratio for land (LER_L), land equivalent ratio for nitrogen (LER_N), land equivalent ratio for phosphorus (LER_P), economic profitability, and labor requirement were assessed. On average, across the four study years, intercropped cotton, maize, and sugarcane produced 80%, 74%, and 88% of their respective sole-crop yields, while intercropped soybean produced 72%, 59%, and 83% of sole-soybean yield in cotton/soybean, maize/soybean, and sugarcane/soybean intercropping systems, respectively. At the system level, the total LER_L, LER_N, and LER_P values ranged from 1.33 to 1.71, 1.35–1.68, and 1.25–1.64, respectively, indicating resource-use (land and nutrients) advantages of intercropping compared with sole cropping. Based on these observed LER_N and LER_P values, soybean-based intercropping showed theoretical potential to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer requirements by 26–40% and 20–39%, respectively; however, these estimates should be interpreted as potential input-economy indicators rather than experimentally validated fertilizer reductions. Economically, intercropping increased net income by ≈29–154% and generated 18–28% more labor demand than the corresponding sole systems, with sugarcane/soybean showing the highest net income (2937 USD ha⁻¹). Overall, additive soybean-based intercropping, particularly cotton/soybean and sugarcane/soybean systems with greater temporal niche differentiation, improved land productivity, nutrient-use efficiency indicators, and farm profitability under the tested arid-irrigated conditions. Further multi-location studies with actual reduced-fertilizer treatments are needed to validate fertilizer-saving potential and broader applicability. Full article

This study analyses the economic performance, sustainability, and resilience of family farming systems in São Tomé and Príncipe, using an approach that combines quantitative and qualitative data. Primary data were collected through a survey of 50 rural families from the seven districts of the country, focus group discussions, and field observations. Quantitative analysis included descriptive statistics and exploratory comparative procedures, complemented by economic evaluation, while thematic analysis examined the qualitative data. The findings reveal diversified agroforestry systems, integrating up to 33 crops and small-scale livestock production. At the individual and aggregate levels, agroforestry shows viable economic performance, with a net profit margin of 57.4%, capable of generating income and marketable surpluses. This improves rural livelihoods, strengthens resilience to climate and market shocks, and supports both subsistence and market-oriented production. Despite these strengths, structural constraints persist, including fragile value chains, limitations in access to credit and markets, low technology adoption, and climate vulnerability. Human capital, particularly education, emerges as a key factor in improving productivity and value creation. Integrated policies on access to resources and education are needed to promote diversification, multi-activity, and market integration as central strategies for increasing sustainability, food security, and risk reduction in family farming. Full article

In Luoyuan Bay, China, Sporobolus alterniflorus invasion has hindered mangrove restoration and disrupted faunal communities within mangrove habitats. This study investigated its impact on mollusk, crab, and fish assemblages across mangrove, mudflat, and invaded habitats from 2019 to 2020. Results showed that species diversity of three assemblages did not differ significantly between invaded and non-invaded mangrove habitats; however, assemblage structure was altered and functional traits declined markedly in invaded areas. Compared with non-invaded mangroves, invaded habitats showed decreases of 81.6% in mollusk density, 50.7% in mollusk biomass, 66.6% in crab density and 84.2% in crab biomass. Dominant fish species (Acanthogobius ommaturus, Liza carinata, Stolephorus chinensis) also exhibited lower body size, total size and biomass in invaded habitats. Given the close dependence of coastal residents on these faunal resources, a socioeconomic analysis of livelihood strategies was conducted, revealing Sinonovacula constricta aquaculture achieved the highest net income-to-investment ratio, 122.7% higher than nearshore fishery and 308.3% higher than shallow-sea oyster cultivation, while professional shellfish farming yielded the highest net income per hectare, 23.6% higher than oyster cultivation. Thus, both forms of shellfish aquaculture provide greater economic returns than other livelihood options. Based on these findings and niche theory, we propose a management framework: after removing S. alterniflorus, plant native mangroves (Kandelia obovata) in mid-to-high intertidal zones and lease lower flats for shellfish farming. This framework has the potential to integrate ecological restoration with local livelihoods and may inform similar efforts in other regions facing biological invasions and restoration challenges. Full article

This study investigates the environmental and energy performance of rice straw-based energy pathways in Egypt, combining life cycle assessment (LCA) with supply chain optimization to improve system efficiency. The analysis covers thirteen governorates producing over 4.45 million tons of rice straw annually. It examines the whole supply chain from paddy farming, straw collection, and transport to electricity generation and ash disposal. Total energy consumption was 11,287 TJ, dominated by farming (5673 TJ) and transport (5490 TJ). Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were estimated at 12,007.5 million kg CO₂-eq, with significant contributions from farming (5158 million), combustion (3630 million), and natural gas use (3039 million). Gross electricity output was 5525 GWh, yielding a net of 4973 GWh, equivalent to 1116.5 kWh per ton of straw. Scenario analysis highlighted that the optimized multi-hub system, prioritizing Cluster 1 in the Nile Delta, which contributes over 92% of straw production and 4607 GWh of net electricity, achieved a reduction of more than 25% in transport distances and an 18% decrease in diesel consumption and related emissions. Sensitivity analysis further indicated that delivered electricity and GHG intensity are more sensitive to conversion efficiency and transmission and distribution losses than to moderate changes in transport assumptions. In addition to environmental improvements, the optimized scenario indicates potential social co-benefits, including rural employment generation, additional income opportunities for farmers, and improved air quality associated with reduced open-field burning. These outcomes are presented as indicative qualitative insights. Findings confirm rice straw as a strategic, scalable, and sustainable energy resource aligned with Egypt’s Vision 2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Full article

Rural revitalization has emerged as a core agenda in the global pursuit of sustainable development, with its success fundamentally hinging on enhancing the resilience of rural households to withstand shocks and restore their livelihoods. In contrast to mainstream research that primarily examines whether Medical Financial Assistance (MFA) reduces medical burden, this paper focuses on MFA as ex-post cash compensation and investigates whether and how it affects the sustainable livelihood recovery of low-income rural households following health shocks, thereby providing empirical evidence for understanding the foundational role of health security in rural revitalization. A quasi-natural experiment is constructed by leveraging the institutional feature that MFA eligibility is activated by exogenous health shocks. Using two-wave balanced panel data (2021–2022) from a nationally designated deep poverty-stricken county in Hebei Province, China, the Propensity Score Matching–Difference-in-Differences (PSM-DID) method and mediation models are employed for causal identification and mechanism testing. The findings indicate that (1) MFA significantly promotes household income recovery. It enables recipient households to recover per capita net income by an average of approximately 13.2% (p < 0.01), demonstrating a protective recovery effect, and simultaneously recovers per capita non-farm labor income by an average of approximately 13.8% (p < 0.05), revealing a developmental recovery effect. The latter is partially mediated by the non-farm labor participation rate (mediation ratio 51.7%, Sobel Z = 2.10). This finding validates the “time release effect,” demonstrating that MFA stimulates endogenous dynamics by restoring health capital and releasing labor previously constrained by family care responsibilities. It thereby extends the application of health capital theory from the individual to the household level. (2) Mechanism analysis shows that the protective recovery effect is fully mediated by the amount of MFA received (mediation ratio 326.7%, Sobel Z = 12.85), providing empirical evidence for precautionary saving theory in the context of targeted social assistance and revealing the potential productive attributes of the social safety net. (3) Heterogeneity analysis reveals clear group targeting and shock thresholds. The protective effect is concentrated among elderly households, while the developmental effect is primarily evident in middle-aged households. Both recovery effects manifest significantly only for households experiencing major disease shocks, confirming the theoretical expectation of “conditional effectiveness,” namely that policy effects are systematically moderated by household life-cycle characteristics and the severity of health shocks. This study demonstrates that MFA serves both as a safety net and an empowerment tool, but its effectiveness is highly contingent upon household characteristics and shock severity. By uncovering the foundational mechanisms through which health security contributes to rural household resilience, this study provides empirical evidence from China for building sustainable poverty prevention systems in the global process of rural revitalization. Full article

The transition towards circular economy is now a key strategy to address the environmental issues we are facing. Within this framework, biochar, a carbon-rich material derived from residual agricultural pyrolysis, can represent a sustainable and circular solution. This paper aims at evaluating the possibility of implementing a local biochar-production system as part of an economic and social strategy of the redevelopment of an abandoned rural site, Borgo di Perolla, in Tuscany, Italy. A cost–benefits analysis (CBA) was conducted to evaluate the economic feasibility of three different scenarios of production and strategies: Scenario 1 considers revenues solely from the production and sale of biochar and wood vinegar; Scenario 2 additionally includes potential income from the sale of voluntary carbon credits; and Scenario 3 incorporates biochar credits within the European Union Emission Trading System (EU ETS). For each scenario, three indicators were calculated: Net-Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), and Breakeven point (BEP). The most evident result that emerged is that the sale of biochar and its by-products alone is not sufficient to ensure the project’s economic sustainability, mainly due to high production costs. Only through carbon-credit-trading markets biochar becomes not only an environmentally strategic tool but also an economically rewarding one. In this sense, market infrastructures, such as the ETS, are essential for the dissemination of circular models, like biochar, that generate both environmental and economic benefits. Previous studies on biochar have largely focused on its application and associated benefits, while cost–benefit analyses have primarily examined its economic feasibility through the commercialization of biochar as a soil amendment, particularly within the United States context. The present work contributes to this literature in three main ways. First, it provides a site-specific and replicable CBA framework applied to a real territorial regeneration project (Borgo di Perolla), grounded in primary data collected through field surveys, stakeholder interviews, and expert validation. Second, the study explicitly compares multiple market-access scenarios within the same analytical framework, ranging from biochar-only sales to voluntary carbon markets, allowing for a clear identification of the economic thresholds at which biochar becomes financially sustainable. Third, and most importantly, the main contribution of this work lies in the explicit modeling of biochar integration into the EU Emissions Trading System. This paper extends the analysis to a regulated carbon market scenario, assuming the recognition of biochar-based carbon removals within the EU ETS framework. From a methodological perspective, the study quantitatively assesses how ETS price dynamics affect the profitability, internal rate of return, and break-even point of a biochar project over a long-term horizon. From a policy perspective, the analysis anticipates recent regulatory developments, such as the EU Regulation 2024/3012, on establishing a Union certification framework for permanent carbon removals, carbon farming, and carbon storage in products, by showing how biochar could function as a fully market-integrated climate technology. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a sustainable pest management program for controlling the coffee berry borer (CBB), Hypothenemus hampei, at La Catalina coffee farm (Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia) and compare it with the historical conventional control approach (2012–2022), a period during which the management of CBB was based primarily on the application of synthetic chemical insecticides. The working hypothesis was that integrating biological control agents (Phymastichus coffea, Prorops nasuta, and Beauveria bassiana) with cultural and monitoring practices would significantly reduce infestation levels and insecticide dependence while maintaining or improving economic profitability. From 2023 to 2024, GIS-based hotspot mapping, targeted parasitoid release, and fungal application triggered when infestation thresholds were reached were incorporated into sustainable pest management. Infestation, flight activity, and parasitism rates were monitored, and climatic variables were analyzed to determine their relationships with pest dynamics. The results showed that a sustainable pest management program reduced field infestation from a historical average of 3.3 ± 0.15% to 1.7 ± 0.2%, remaining below the 2% action threshold (F-test, p < 0.05). Prorops nasuta reduced the number of CBB life stages by 32.1%, falling from 10.9 ± 0.3 individuals per berry in non-parasitized fruits to 7.0 ± 0.7 in parasitized berries, while parasitism by P. coffea peaked at 70%. CBB flight activity decreased markedly compared to historical averages. The shift from a chemical approach to sustainable pest management resulted in a 26% increase in net income per hectare and a Marginal Rate of Return (MRR) of 18.06. Overall, the results confirm that a sustainable pest management program effectively suppresses CBB populations, minimizes pesticide use, and enhances the economic and environmental sustainability of coffee production systems. Full article

Rural communities in developing countries face rising livelihood vulnerability due to climate change, agricultural price volatility, and dependence on linear production systems. This study examines whether circular utilization of cashew by-products can strengthen rural economies through a field-based case study in rural Cambodia. Primary data were collected through on-site observations, semi-structured interviews with farm owners and rural workers, and farm-level economic assessments. The results indicate that cashew apple juice processing is not financially viable as a standalone activity under prevailing wage and market conditions, producing negative net profits across all examined processing volumes. By contrast, integrating cashew apple utilization with other by-products shows more favorable outcomes. Cashew nut shells and pruning residues generate relatively stable supplementary income for farm operators, while cashew apple collection creates additional employment opportunities, particularly during off-harvest periods and low-yield years, helping to stabilize household labor income. Rather than relying on capital-intensive technologies, the observed practices represent low-cost and locally feasible circular economy approaches suitable for medium-sized commercial farm-based systems, with potential analytical transferability to smallholder contexts. Overall, these findings suggest that integrated by-product utilization may reduce income volatility and support sustainable rural community development in similar cashew-producing contexts. Full article

Dairy herd decisions about replacement, herd size, reproduction, and capital investments have long-lasting consequences for herd structure and farm cash flow. Yet most planning tools emphasize static budgets rather than the dynamic evolution of animal numbers and cash availability. The Dairy Herd Structure Simulation and Cash Flow tool is a web-based decision-support system, available through the Dairy Management Decision Support Tools website, designed to simulate these dynamics under alternative management strategies. The model operates in monthly time steps using a Markov–chain framework in which transition probabilities among animal states are driven by user-specified parameters such as culling, reproduction, and heifer management. Calves, heifers, and cows are tracked by age and lactation group, and starting conditions can be entered as herd-level summaries or via individual-animal spreadsheets. Economic components include milk income, variable costs, cull-cow income, heifer purchases or sales, miscellaneous costs, and loan amortization. For each scenario, the tool projects monthly cash flow and income over variable cost per cow, together with graphical summaries of herd structure. An example application compares a baseline steady-state herd with a heifer-driven herd growth scenario, illustrating how replacement strategies influence herd composition and net cash flow, supporting more informed dairy herd planning and risk management. Full article

This study assessed the economic and financial viability of representative smallholder dairy farms (RSDFs) by analyzing two farm types: (1) RSDFs that rely exclusively on family labor and milk receipts, and (2) RSDFs that employ hired labor and obtain income from milk in addition to sales of crops and agricultural by-products. A stochastic simulation based on empirical distributions derived from 44 years of historical data was used to project a 10-year horizon. Results indicate a low-to-minimal probability of decapitalization, an overall outlook of economic and financial viability, and a return on assets between 12% and 22%. Net present value (NPV) was positive for all RSDFs except one; however, in every case, NPV was lower than the opening asset value. Under current economic and policy conditions, RSDFs in the highlands of Mexico appear economically and financially viable through 2033. Family labor was associated with stronger economic and financial outcomes among the small-scale dairy farms evaluated. Full article

Manure management costs are a substantial component of overall costs on a modern dairy farm. Due to the slim margins of contemporary milk production operations, dairies are under constant pressure to increase milking herd sizes to take advantage of size economies that enable them to compete in the global marketplace. This study provides a current assessment of manure management and overall costs and returns on four standard sizes of dairies typical of the southern Great Plains, particularly north central Texas. The study is necessitated by the fact that the changing economic landscape has resulted in substantial changes in manure management practices. This study also forms the basis for additional analyses that will explore alternative value-added options for dairy manure management. We utilize the Farm-level Economic Model to holistically simulate the costs and returns of four representative dairy herd sizes—small (300 cows), medium (720 cows), large (1500 cows), and very large (5000 cows). Based on prevailing assumptions about land areas farmed and farm management practices, we find that dairy farms require between 0.18 and 0.4 ha/cow to manage manure based on crop nitrogen uptake rates, versus 0.67 to 0.95 ha/cow for crop phosphorus uptake rates. Manure application costs alone range from USD 55/cow (USD 225/ha) to USD 115/cow (USD 300/ha) depending on dairy size, but some of these costs are offset by fertilizer cost savings. Proportion of manure hauled offsite ranges from 9% to 67% for phosphorus-based applications, depending on herd size, and net incomes per cow are reduced by USD 60 to USD 100 (USD 4.33 to USD 8.27 per Mg of milk) if manure is applied based on phosphorus uptake rates as compared to nitrogen uptake rates of receiving crops. Generating a broad array of economically viable value-added product options from dairy manure would enable farmers to be more competitive in a market characterized by thin margins. Full article

Novel agro-ecosystem management practices are necessary to sustain biodiversity. In low- and middle-income countries, profitable marketable habitat enhancement plants (MHEPs) associated with a single main crop may be more efficient at supporting insect diversity and farmer income compared to monoculture fields. An approach known as “Farming with Alternative Pollinators” (FAP), which uses marketable habitat enhancement plants, was tested in Morocco. To date, the FAP approach has achieved success in fields measuring approximately 300 square meters, supporting the diversity and abundance of pollinators, natural enemies of pests, and farmer net income. However, the question remains: how efficient would this approach be in large fields of one hectare or more? We present a case study conducted using faba bean as the main crop and compared the development of the FAP approach in 300 square meter and one-hectare fields in Morocco. At the field level, compared to the control fields (i.e., monoculture), the diversity and abundance of pollinators and natural enemies were higher in FAP fields of both field sizes, but the difference was less in large fields. The difference in net income (108% vs. 36% in small vs. large fields) was significant, indicating a potential incentive for the farmers of small and large fields. A questionnaire conducted with farmers confirmed their recognition of the value of marketable habitat enhancement plants as a cost-efficient solution that can offer multiple benefits. Full article