The price and output response of food crops is a critical area in agricultural economics as this interaction refers to how the quantity of food grains supplied responds to changes in market prices. This research investigates the surplus ratios and price elasticities for rice, lentil, and gram in the Nadia district of West Bengal. Two hundred farmers were interviewed in different villages of the district and information was collected regarding socio-economics, marketed surplus and, selling price, etc. Further, elasticity and a modified version of the Raj Krishna model have been employed. The findings reveal that for rice, the ratios of gross, net marketed, and marketable surplus are 69.59%, 55.46%, and 16.27%, respectively. The gross marketed surplus ratio decreases with a reduction in farm size, while net marketed and marketable surpluses increase as farm size expands. For lentils, the gross and net marketed surplus ratios are recorded at 66.64% and 65.57%, with an average marketable surplus of 35.30%. Marginal gram farmers have a gross marketed surplus ratio of 80.33%, slightly lower than the overall average of 81.12%, whereas larger farms exceed this average, with ratios of 82.19% and 83.18%. Output elasticities for rice are positive and exceed unity for both marginal and large farms, at 1.03 and 1.45, respectively, though slightly below unity at 0.85 for small farms. The average elasticity for rice across all farm sizes is 1.12. Lentil output elasticities are also positive and greater than unity for marginal and large farms (1.00 and 1.07, respectively) but fall below unity at 0.78 for medium farms, with an overall average of 0.91. The output elasticities for gram remain consistently positive and above unity across all farm sizes, averaging 1.09.
This research provides a comparative analysis of institutional sustainability programs in small and rural communities across British Columbia, Oregon, and Washington. The study reveals significant regional differences in the adoption of sustainability initiatives, with Oregon consistently leading in the implementation of various programs such as grant writing, conflict resolution, and e-government. The analysis identifies key factors influencing program adoption, including population growth, economic stability, and remoteness. Communities experiencing significant population growth and financial stability are more likely to adopt multiple sustainability programs, while remoteness and economic challenges, such as inflation, act as barriers. The study underscores the importance of regional context and local conditions in shaping the sustainability efforts of rural communities.
China’s ongoing supply-side structural reforms and the government’s strategic focus on rural revitalization catalyze a significant transformation in rural landscapes. The steady rise in rural residents’ incomes and assets, along with gradual improvements in household quality of life, is unlocking significant potential for growth and upgrades in the rural consumer market.This evolution necessitates a more diversified and sophisticated approach to financial services that is more inclusive and widespread. Despite the challenges, such as an aging population and imperfect credit systems that have limited the quality and precision of rural financial services, the analysis of household income and asset structures is vital for understanding consumption patterns and enhancing the economic vitality of rural households. Our study, based on the 2019 China Household Finance Survey data of 11,386 households and employing the Heckman two-stage model, finds that the proportions of income components and financial assets, moving in opposite directions, significantly influence the amount of consumer credit demanded, while other asset types, such as real estate, show no significant effect. The examination of income and asset diversity through the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) demonstrates varying impacts of income and asset structures on credit demand, depending on the concentration levels of income and assets. Additionally, our analysis of heterogeneity based on the age of the household head and geographic region highlights the diverse influences on the amount of consumer credit demand, underscoring the importance of tailoring financial products and policies to meet the specific needs of rural households. These findings shed light on these dynamics and inform financial service innovations that align with the needs of rural consumers, thereby supporting the broader objectives of rural economic development and the achievement of China’s rural revitalization strategies.
In recent decades, countries have experienced a widespread increase in population that has resulted in unorganized urban sprawl, problems with land use change and related threats to natural resources. On the other hand, this led to converting agricultural areas into urban spaces. This work aims to analyze land use changes in the metropolitan area of Rome, which has experienced significant urbanization in rural areas. In this context, the agricultural sector’s contribution to the economic growth of peri-urban areas in the metropolitan area of Rome was verified. After showing the extent of agricultural land consumption, an economic evaluation of land use was provided through the analysis of the evolution of urban and peri-urban agriculture in Rome. The analysis was performed using the Italian FADN data for 2008–2020 and a set of structural and economic–financial indicators. Furthermore, the study analyzes the relationship between farm performance and agricultural resources, farmer demographics, and farm size. The analysis reveals that farms are mainly specialized in arable land and herbivores and are conducted prevalently by men with a high school education level and aged between 40 and 65 years. The economic results also show a good performance; however, they are yearly differentiated. Only a few farms resort to other gainful activities to increase the income produced. Therefore, a greater diversification of agricultural activities is desirable. The research provides interesting insights to stakeholders on the public support that needs to be designed and implemented to favor the survival of farms in rural areas.
Understanding community preferences and perceptions of ecosystem services is needed to generate local-level financing through Payment for Ecosystem Services. Local-level financing is crucial for both ecosystem management and also helpful in climate change adaptation actions. This research focuses on community perceptions of payment for ecosystem schemes and their preferences to generate local-level financing. The study was carried out in Dhankuta and Dasarath Chand municipalities, representing Koshi and Sudur Paschim provinces of Nepal. We applied social science research methods using focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and community surveys. The study indicates that community-perceived payment for ecosystem service schemes can be instrumental in generating local financing, and their preference is more towards in-kind or project-based payment mechanisms. While climate change is largely impacting ecosystems and community livelihoods, project-based payment mechanisms could be more effective than cash payments. However, this needs a strong institutional mechanism within the municipal government where such in-kind or project-based support could be mobilized through a multisectoral approach.
High-speed rail (HSR) has revolutionized global transportation by providing fast, reliable, and efficient city-to-city travel. While its urban benefits are well-documented, the potential advantages for rural development are often overlooked. The high-speed rail project on the Naples-Bari route in Southern Italy aims to connect the urban centers of Naples in Campania and Bari in Apulia, traversing inland and rural areas. Initiated in 2016 and planned for completion in 2028, this project is anticipated to deliver numerous benefits. The purpose of this research is to examine the largely overlooked high-speed rail (HSR) in Southern Italy from an economic and territorial perspective and to determine whether it can sustainably promote rural development in the areas along the railway line. This study examines whether the HSR line will enhance economic activities, strengthen industries, and improve spatial accessibility in rural areas. Using a 2020 dataset covering 25 municipalities along the railway line, including those with stations and construction sites projected to open by 2024, three regression models were employed to estimate potential improvements in income and employment. The findings indicate mixed results: access time to airports improves, decreasing by 7%, while access to ports does not see similar benefits. Income shows a positive correlation with HSR, increasing with population growth around stations, suggesting a trend towards urban agglomeration. However, the study underscores that HSR is not universally beneficial for rural economies and that supportive development networks are crucial. Policies should adopt short-term strategies to strengthen future HSR projects and prepare for the anticipated surge in mass tourism to rural areas.
This paper presents a methodology for fast-track documentation of landscape alterations before and after natural hazards, specifically focusing on the impacts of storms Daniel and Elias (2023) in Northern Euboea, Greece, which flooded larger areas than the storm Zorbas (2018). This happened because the plane trees had been affected by the disease Ceratocystis platani and had dried up, and the forest had burned. Therefore, the water moved faster, and in recent storms, the riverbed widened. This research aims to capture the transformed landscape rapidly by utilizing modern mapping technologies, including Google Earth, digital terrain models and drone-based photogrammetry. The methodology involves on-site inspections and the creation of three-dimensional models to document and analyze the affected areas. This approach facilitates a more comprehensive understanding of how the landscape can dynamically change due to a natural disaster. It highlights the importance of the on-site landscape inspection with sophisticated tools based on commercial equipment and open-source software.
In Ethiopia, until recently, less attention has been given to rural entrepreneurship, while the rural economy has accounted for the lion’s share of employment, export earnings, and national income. This study scrutinized the factors influencing rural household participation in nonfarm enterprise and its impact on household livelihood in the Gurage zone. Data was collected from 352 households using questionnaires, and Key-Informant Interviews and Focus Group Discussions were used. The factors influencing household participation in nonfarm enterprises were estimated using a logit model, while Propensity Score Matching (PSM) was employed to assess the impact on household livelihoods. Women, single-headed households, households with larger family sizes, and households with secondary and primary education are more likely to participate in nonfarm enterprises. In addition, access to extension services, training, market, transport, credit, and being a member of cooperatives have increased the probability of household participation in nonfarm enterprise. Participation in nonfarm enterprises improved the livelihood of rural households. Rural nonfarm enterprises should be integrated into national policy as a means of economic empowerment, focusing on creating employment opportunities for women and youth and reducing poverty. Rural infrastructure expansion, access to credit, and entrepreneurship training should be prioritized and the sector should be enhanced as an alternative livelihood strategy.
Drone integration in sericulture marks a promising advancement within the sector, leveraging recent technological strides in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) across various industries like agriculture and healthcare. While the adoption of drones in sericulture remains nascent, their potential benefits, particularly in chemical spraying tailored to sericulture’s unique environmental conditions, are increasingly recognized. This paper explores the efficacy of drone-based pesticide spraying and smart fertilization methods optimized for sericulture settings. The rapid deployment capabilities of drones facilitate enhanced network connectivity, potentially catalyzing rural development and economic prosperity within the sericulture community. However, ethical and operational concerns persist regarding drone use across industries, necessitating robust regulatory frameworks and ethical guidelines. Furthermore, advancements in artificial intelligence augment drone capabilities, enabling automated inspections and improved performance across diverse applications. This paper underscores the need for further research and the development of standardized operating protocols to harness the transformative potential of drone technology in sericulture. Key focus areas include optimizing pesticide delivery, ensuring environmental sustainability, and addressing ethical considerations surrounding drone utilization. By leveraging UAVs for precision spraying and smart fertilization, sericulture stands poised to enhance productivity, bolster economic development, and navigate emerging challenges in agricultural production.
The area of north Euboea is characterized by its intense relief, dense hydrographic network, and rich flora and fauna. In the mid-2010s, the region was struck by a plane tree disease that withered the large population of plane trees in the area, while in 2021, a large wildfire completely burned the forest. These unfortunate events depleted the landscape’s natural ability to manage and mitigate flood phenomena. Observing the landscape’s vulnerability to floods, in April 2023, we conduct on-site field inspections in the rivers of the area. In September 2023, a major flood hit the area, causing in dramatic changes to the landscape. Therefore, in November 2023, we conducted follow-up on-site field inspections in the area, in order to trace the differences, present the damages the phenomenon left behind. These inspections allowed to document the landscape changes from the combination of all previous events and identify any associated pathologies. Site visits and comparisons before and after the Daniel/Elias storm revealed dramatic changes in the riverbed width at lower altitudes, significant sediment accumulation in the Voudouros River delta, alterations in the natural landscape along the river and its floodplain, destruction of the arable land, and road collapses in several locations.
