Mark Brindal

Factors influencing the adoption of precision agricultural technologies: a review for policy implications

Increasing pressure for food security and sustainability as well as a need to halt environmental degradation has focused attention on increasing the efficient use of farm resources. One answer to aspects of that problem is the use of precision agricultural technologies (PATs). To facilitate their adoption, initiatives have been fostered in developed countries since the 1980s. Despite a low rate of adoption elsewhere, similar efforts in recent years have been initiated in developing countries. Given this, understanding those underlying factors that influence the adoption of PATs is vital. It is timely to review these factors and to draw policy implications from that review for future actions. This review, based on studies investigating the limited adoption of PATs in ‘experienced’ countries, extrapolates their findings to explain why farmers have or have not adopted PATs. At the same time, this review summarizes the key insights for more effectively targeting ‘new’ followers: e.g. it provides some answers to the question of who is more likely to adopt PATs. Additionally, the review points to the limitations of current research in the area and suggests a robust economic model or multidisciplinary approach be adopted for future investigation.

The relative importance of factors influencing the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices: a factor approach for Malaysian vegetable farmers

This study develops the understanding of the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs) by investigating the relative importance of a set of multidimensional factors in the Malaysian vegetable production sector. A factor approach is deployed to identify explanatory indicators within an integrative framework that is synthesized from the theory of interpersonal behavior and the theory of diffusion of innovation. We achieved this by analyzing a logistic regression model for the adoption of six individual SAPs (conservation tillage, intercropping, cover crops/mulches, crop rotation, organic fertilizers/composts, and integrated pest management). The findings indicate that adoption depends on a range of socio-economic, agro-ecological, institutional, informational, and psychological factors, as well as the perceived attributes of SAPs. Fundamental policy understanding of the issue should, therefore, be multidisciplinary. In addition, standardized coefficients reveal that the impact of statistically significant factors on adoption is unequal. In general, the most influential factor is the asymmetric distribution of resources across geographical locations. This is followed by financial capital and a number of factors, including the workforce size, the usefulness of information, Chinese ethnicity, and the perceived relative advantage of SAPs. Guided by this prioritization understanding, future SAPs promotion now has a better opportunity to target the more important areas. Similar research effort should be made to steer sustainable agriculture internationally.

Adapting importation policy to global commodity markets: implications of rice import allocation in Singapore

Structural changes in the global commodity markets have particularly serious implications to the food security of import-dependent countries. Adapting importation policy to that global change is essential given that many commodities are imported to fulfill domestic demand. Using Singapore as a case study, this paper examines rice (Oryza) import allocation for seeking adaptive measures, which have broad implications to import-dependent countries. Its quarterly trade data (between 1999 and 2008) have been analyzed using an almost ideal demand system (AIDS) model. Our findings in respect to expenditure elasticity reveal that Singapore will continue its importation from its current range of suppliers, and add new import sources, fulfilling its national diversification strategy. New sources that located in different regions will also strengthen Singapore’s regional diversification strategy. Both national and regional diversification strategies enable any country to tap into associative import sources when unfavorable events deplete supply from a normally preferred supplier. In addition, the results in respect to own-price elasticity suggest that Thailand is Singapore’s primary preferred source while other exporters are secondary suppliers. Supported by the outputs of cross-price elasticity, secondary sources are substitutable. Within a diversified import portfolio, their competitive relationship gives an import-dependent country a strategic position to hedge against price manipulation and escalation, and to substitute expensive suppliers with cheaper alternatives. For these reasons, an import diversification policy is recommended both as an adaptive measure in response to the global change in commodity markets and, at the same time, as a mean for sustaining food security in import-dependent countries.

Factors influencing willingness to pay for sustainable apparel: A literature review

Abstract Using a vote count analysis that synthesizes previous works, this study reviews the pivotal factors that lead to greater willingness to pay for sustainable apparel products. Previous work generally concurs that there is a desire for sustainable apparel, even when a price premium is required. Our findings clearly indicate that consumers, when making an actual purchase, are resistant to price premiums unless they perceive a tangible benefit equivalent to the premium paid. These benefits are various, but they can all be grouped as constituting “value.” However, that desire does not directly translate into purchasing action. We conclude that that desire is a form of theoretical rationality in the consumer’s mind. Even when value is added, the evidence indicates that the apparel will gain minimum acceptance unless the esthetic is also appealing.

Personal values underlying halal food consumption: evidence from Indonesia and Malaysia

The purpose of this paper is to uncover the personal values driving Indonesian and Malaysian Muslims’ consumption decisions with respect to halal food.,The personal values of 130 Indonesian and 80 Malaysian Muslims have been analyzed, using a means-end chain (MEC) approach, in relation to halal food.,Primary personal values are identified as a better sense of personal security. This is ascribed as seeking “better future” and “go to heaven.” Other personal values are related to tradition, benevolence and achievement.,Since this study was conducted in both the capital cities of Indonesia and Malaysia, this study might not take account of cultural diversity within the two countries’ Muslim communities.,An understanding of the personal values governing Muslim consumption is a useful tool toward improving the promotion of halal certification and food products.,This study reveals the personal values of Indonesian and Malaysian Muslims with underpinning their consumption of halal food.

A review of an international sustainability standard (GlobalGAP) and its local replica (MyGAP)

In light of growing concerns about sustainable development, international sustainability standards are prevalent and are replicated by local governments to form country-specific sustainability standards. A consensus has been reached that local sustainability standards can be considered to underperform in view of their limited adoption. Supplementing the current literature, this study hypothesizes additional explanations of this phenomenon through a review of both the GlobalGAP (international) and Malaysian Good Agricultural Practices (MyGAP) standards. Through content analysis, the findings indicate that MyGAP provides a weak institutional framework and market opportunity structure. In addition, since it lacks transparency and accountability, its credibility is questionable. Although it is not clear whether such a credibility issue has a direct impact on the local market, sustainable produce is neither differentiated nor rewarded through premiums. The GlobalGAP standard was found to be an exemplar, and potential improvements are suggested to help support local sustainability standards.

Factors Influencing Farm Profitability

Improving economic, environmental, and social sustainability is a major goal for agriculture. In particular economic sustainability is a key concern for most farmers. Many farmers have indeed left agriculture due to low or no profit. Many studies have attempted to understand why some farms are more profitable than others. This paper reviews factors that regularly influence farm profitability, and thereby generate policy implications to improve farm economic sustainability. A vote count method was employed to review past findings of 16 studies which were published between 1988 and 2013. All studies were conducted in the United States, covering the dairy, soybean, corn, and general farms. Many variables have been found to be significant in explaining farm profitability. They are related to management and financial capacity, farm resource quality and operation, farm and financial management, and skills. The primary finding of this synthesis is that operational scale, operational efficiency, and output prices regularly have a positive impact on earnings across past studies.