Njas-Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences最新文献

{"title":"Public-private partnerships as systemic agricultural innovation policy instruments – Assessing their contribution to innovation system function dynamics","authors":"Frans Hermans ,&nbsp;Floor Geerling-Eiff ,&nbsp;Jorieke Potters ,&nbsp;Laurens Klerkx","doi":"10.1016/j.njas.2018.10.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.njas.2018.10.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This paper addresses the question how public-private partnerships function as systemic innovation policy instruments within agricultural innovation systems. Public-private partnerships are a popular government tool to promote innovations. However, the wide ranging nature of PPPs make it difficult to assess their effects beyond the direct impacts they generate for the partners. This paper broadens the discussion on the evaluation of PPPs beyond the organisational and financial benefits of the actors involved, and assesses their contribution to the functioning of the innovation system itself. In this paper, we utilise an innovation system perspective that focusses on how PPPs influence the dynamic interplay of innovation system functions and how these functions form a set of feedback loops that constitute an ‘innovation motor’. We compare the innovation history of four cases that differ in their strategic policy goals, either working on agricultural sustainability, or on the international competitiveness in the Dutch agricultural sector. The results show the strengths and weaknesses of different types of public-private partnerships as systemic instruments and their capability to orchestrate other types of innovation policy instruments.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49751,"journal":{"name":"Njas-Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences","volume":"88 ","pages":"Pages 76-95"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1016/j.njas.2018.10.001","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80085632","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Potatoes and livelihoods in Chencha, southern Ethiopia","authors":"Yenenesh Tadesse ,&nbsp;Conny J.M. Almekinders ,&nbsp;Rogier P.O. Schulte ,&nbsp;Paul C. Struik","doi":"10.1016/j.njas.2018.05.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.njas.2018.05.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Potato is highly productive crop and can provide a cheap and nutritionally-rich staple food. Its potential as a cash generator and source of food is much under-utilized in many emerging economies. In this paper we study the impact of an intervention that introduced improved potato technologies in Chencha, Ethiopia on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. We collected information through in-depth interviews in order to explore possible pathways of impact on farmers’ livelihoods; and used this information as the basis for designing a household survey. The results show changes in agronomic practices and consumption; these changes were most pronounced among wealthy farmers who participated in the intervention. Farmers used the additional income from potato in different ways: wealthier farmers improved their houses and increased their livestock, whereas poor farmers mainly invested in furniture, cooking utensils, tools and in developing small businesses like selling and buying cereals, milk and weaving products in the local markets. Some wealthy farmers, who did not participate in the project, also derived some indirect benefits from the intervention. This underscores: i) interventions that promote uniform farming technologies in themselves are not always sufficient to improve the livelihoods of poor farmers, and ii) the need to broaden the scope of interventions so as to take into account the resources available to farmers in different wealth categories, and the diversity of strategies that they employ for improving their livelihoods. Our approach allows to understand and describe the different developmental effects of a single technological intervention on the different aspects of farmers’ livelihoods.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49751,"journal":{"name":"Njas-Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences","volume":"88 ","pages":"Pages 105-111"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1016/j.njas.2018.05.005","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79819769","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Understanding the heterogeneity of smallholder production systems in the Andean tropics – The case of Colombian tomato growers","authors":"Rodrigo Gil ,&nbsp;Carlos Ricardo Bojacá ,&nbsp;Eddie Schrevens","doi":"10.1016/j.njas.2019.02.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.njas.2019.02.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In developing countries, a common goal is to improve horticultural production systems as a strategy to increase food security and to improve the living conditions of these rural communities. However, smallholder-based agricultural systems are highly heterogeneous due to the wide range of biophysical conditions to which the crops are exposed, and the diversity in the management practices. In order to implement programs aimed at improving the productivity of these systems it is necessary to recognize its variability in quantitative terms. The main objective of this work was to describe the heterogeneity associated to smallholder production systems, using as a case study the Colombian tomato growers. Data were collected from two tomato production zones located in the Colombian Andes and under two cropping systems being the open field (<em>OF</em>) and the greenhouse (<em>GH</em>) production models. In both zones, the climate was described based on historical records, soil samples were taken to determine the natural fertility and the growers’ management practices were inquired. We also compared two instruments for data collection, surveys and detailed follow-ups. A higher heterogeneity in environmental conditions and management practices was evidenced for the <em>OF</em> system compared to the <em>GH</em> system. The fertilization strategies used by <em>GH</em> growers caused a significant increase in soil nutrient content, electrical conductivity and acidity. We found a higher productivity per square meter in the <em>GH</em> system, however the yield per plant was higher for the <em>OF</em> system (4.88 kg plant⁻¹) in comparison with the <em>GH</em> system (2.84 kg plant⁻¹). Results also indicated that follow-ups are an appropriate instrument to obtain accurate inventories. Knowledge empowerment arises as the key point to improve the smallholder’s productivities; in opposition to results elsewhere, where economic constraints are highlighted as the important sources of variability and low yields.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49751,"journal":{"name":"Njas-Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences","volume":"88 ","pages":"Pages 1-9"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1016/j.njas.2019.02.002","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86231765","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Social farming and work inclusion initiatives for adults with autism spectrum disorders: A pilot study","authors":"Biancamaria Torquati ,&nbsp;Gianluca Stefani ,&nbsp;Giulio Massini ,&nbsp;Lucio Cecchini ,&nbsp;Massimo Chiorri ,&nbsp;Chiara Paffarini","doi":"10.1016/j.njas.2019.02.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.njas.2019.02.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In recent years, an increasing number of social farming initiatives have involved adults with autism spectrum disorders, both to improve their life conditions and promote their work inclusion. Several studies have assessed these experiences, showing that the participants derive important benefits from being part of a social community, working in the countryside, and establishing a good relationship with the farmer.</p><p>This paper aims to assess the ability of 9 adults with autism spectrum disorders – who attend an adult day care centre in the Umbria region of Italy – to carry out agricultural and animal husbandry activities. Results from panel data analysis show that the activity of olive grove, indoor cleaning, and tidying at the agritourism farms has a considerable positive effect on the performances of the adults with autism spectrum disorders.</p><p>Moreover, the adults studied prefer the activities in a greenhouse over those occurring inside (e.g., agritourism farm or the warehouse) and outside (e.g., vegetable, olive, and grape production). Further, the higher the precision level required to perform an action, the lower is their observed performance.</p><p>Generally, the tasks that receive the highest evaluations are those in which the autistic person can relate with other people and/or animals. These findings confirm the role of social farming in developing working and relational skills in adults with autism spectrum disorders.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49751,"journal":{"name":"Njas-Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences","volume":"88 ","pages":"Pages 10-20"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1016/j.njas.2019.02.001","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83677661","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Do consumers care about local feedstuffs in local food? Results from a German consumer study","authors":"Adriano Profeta,&nbsp;Ulrich Hamm","doi":"10.1016/j.njas.2018.12.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.njas.2018.12.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>We analyse if the introduction of a label showing a local feed origin is a promising product differentiation marketing strategy for animal products. Until now, animal products sold in Germany have not normally been labelled with any information about the feed origin. A Discrete-Choice experiment (DCE) was applied for pork cutlets and eggs. The German label ‘Regionalfenster’ (‘RF’) was used as the carrier for the local feed origin and different local feed-share levels (75%, 90%, 100%) were considered. The findings show a high market potential for a product differentiation strategy in the local supply chain. Results of a multinomial logit model (one-class-model) showed that there is a clear linear relationship between the percentage of the local feed-share and consumer preference. However, a more detailed latent class analysis revealed that for pork cutlets, 70% of the consumers would be satisfied with a local feed share below 100%, whereas for eggs, this holds true for only 37% of consumers.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49751,"journal":{"name":"Njas-Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences","volume":"88 ","pages":"Pages 21-30"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1016/j.njas.2018.12.003","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78482136","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A vertically linked dynamic partial equilibrium model to analyze market shocks caused by HPAI control in the Dutch egg production chain","authors":"N. Longworth ,&nbsp;R.A. Jongeneel ,&nbsp;H.W. Saatkamp","doi":"10.1016/j.njas.2018.05.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.njas.2018.05.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>To analyze the market effects of HPAI control in the Dutch layer sector an integrated modelling approach was developed to simulate these effects. This approach included (1) an extensive epidemiological simulation, (2) farm level costs calculation and conversion, and (3) partial equilibrium (PE) modelling of the Dutch layer sector. Model structure and behavioural equations of the latter are described. The basis for the analysis of model behaviour were simulated HPAI epidemics which resulted in changes of stocks, i.e. shocks. These epidemics were simulated for different regions, control strategies and severity. Using the epidemiological input subsequently model behaviour was analyzed on the impacts of supply and demand shocks, trade bans and channeling restrictions. The results showed a remarkable impact of the pyramidal production chain structure on the market effects: culling of parent stock during the epidemic could result in an under-capacity of subsequent levels of the production chain with associated price effects. In some cases, restoring the starting situation could take 3 years. Moreover, different and sometimes conflicting market effects per chain level could be observed. Finally, the impact of demand shocks and the potential for channeling to industrial processing of eggs was observed. The results were discussed in view of conceptual validity and internal model verification, data validity and operational validity. It was concluded that this modelling approach provides a suitable basis for extensive analysis of market effects of HPAI epidemics.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49751,"journal":{"name":"Njas-Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences","volume":"88 ","pages":"Pages 112-128"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1016/j.njas.2018.05.002","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86599168","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Saturation mapping of consistent QTLs for yield and days to flowering under drought using locally adapted landrace in rice (Oryza sativa L.)","authors":"Ashish B. Rajurkar,&nbsp;C. Muthukumar,&nbsp;A. Bharathi,&nbsp;Helen Baby Thomas,&nbsp;R. Chandra Babu","doi":"10.1016/j.njas.2018.10.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.njas.2018.10.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Drought stress is a major constraint for rice production in rainfed ecosystems. Landraces are reservoir of genes that can help in breeding drought tolerant cultivars. Utilizing the genetic potential of these locally adapted resilient germplasm using quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping and marker-assisted breeding (MAB) will hasten development of high yielding drought resilient cultivars. A total of 60 genomic regions linked to phenology and plant production traits under drought predominant in rainfed target populations of environment (TPE) were mapped using rice lines derived from a locally adapted landrace, Nootripathu and drought susceptible elite cultivar, IR20 evaluated in three drought stress and one non-stress experiments in the field. QTLs important in rice adaptation to drought have been saturated and refined with additional markers. For example, consistent QTL, RM8085-RM3825 on chromosome 1 for grain yield under drought in TPE, with additive effect from the landrace has been narrowed down to 42.8 Kb (from 1.6 Mb) between RM11873-RM3825. Another QTL for yield under drought was also identified at RM11943 on chromosome 1 with additive effect from IR20 and is also linked to <em>sd1</em> locus governing plant height. Similarly, the consistent QTL detected for days to 50% flowering (DFF), between RM314-RM6836 on chromosome 6 was also narrowed down to 279.8 Kb (from 4.9 Mb) between RM19715-RM19727. This QTL also harbours <em>Hd1</em> locus regulating heading date. A QTL for yield under drought was also mapped on chromosome 6 near RM314. Both these QTLs for DFF and yield are located within the meta-QTL for yield under drought (MQTL6.1). These consistent QTLs for yield and DFF under drought in TPE with linkage or pleiotropy to <em>sd1</em> and <em>Hd1</em> loci mapped using rice lines derived from locally adapted landrace may be useful in MAB of rice cultivars suitable for water-limited environments.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49751,"journal":{"name":"Njas-Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences","volume":"88 ","pages":"Pages 66-75"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1016/j.njas.2018.10.002","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83329212","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Adoption of climate change adaptation strategies by maize-dependent smallholders in Ethiopia","authors":"Sisay Bedeke ,&nbsp;Wouter Vanhove ,&nbsp;Muluken Gezahegn ,&nbsp;Kolandavel Natarajan ,&nbsp;Patrick Van Damme","doi":"10.1016/j.njas.2018.09.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.njas.2018.09.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Climate change is an environmental process that is among the most limiting factors for increasing or even maintaining food production by small-farmer communities in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA). Adoption of climate change adaptation strategies that increase agricultural productivity and at the same time building farmers’ resilience capacity has become a top policy priority in SSA. In this study, we investigate how maize-dependent smallholders in Ethiopia adapt to climate change. Both household and plot-level data were collected, and subsequently analysed by a multivariate probit regression model. Results show that most climate change adaptation strategies implemented by maize-dependent smallholders, are complementary. Combining conservation tillage, mixed maize-legume cropping and terracing along with the use of drought-resistant maize varieties allows farmers to increase productivity while building resilience to climate change more than a subset of these strategies. Findings indicate that the likelihood of adopting soil and water conservation practices, drought-resistant maize varieties and chemical fertilizers significantly increase among young and male-headed households as well as farmers having confidence in extension agents and membership in local organisations. Hence, policies should aim at further building agricultural extension agents’ capacity by providing effective and continuous education and training on climate change impacts and responses. Promoting family ties and household memberships in local organisations through facilitating mutual cooperation and communication among farming communities would help to foster adoption of climate change adaptation strategies.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49751,"journal":{"name":"Njas-Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences","volume":"88 ","pages":"Pages 96-104"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1016/j.njas.2018.09.001","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76830732","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Perceived climate risks and adaptation drivers in diverse coffee landscapes of Uganda","authors":"Catherine Mulinde ,&nbsp;J.G.M. Majaliwa ,&nbsp;Revocatus Twinomuhangi ,&nbsp;David Mfitumukiza ,&nbsp;Everline Komutunga ,&nbsp;Edidah Ampaire ,&nbsp;Judith Asiimwe ,&nbsp;Piet Van Asten ,&nbsp;Laurence Jassogne","doi":"10.1016/j.njas.2018.12.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.njas.2018.12.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Whereas adaptation to climate variability takes center stage in the agricultural development discourse, implementation is poorly guided through adoption of ‘one-size-fits-all’ adaptation approaches in coffee landscapes. This study empirically provides evidence of diversity of rural coffee farm-households and climate vulnerabilities in Uganda. We specifically characterized farm-household systems in the coffee-based farming systems; identified perceived climate risks; identified generalized landscape-level and specific farm-household system-level adaptation practices; and determined socio-economic drivers that impacted uptake of adaptation practices. 688 farm-households were surveyed and asked what they perceived as major climate risks, and how they adapted to experienced shocks/stresses in Eastern (Arabica) and Central (Robusta) Uganda. Principal Component and Multivariate Cluster Analyses were adopted for farm-household systems identification, and Semi-Nonparametric model for uptake of adaptation practices. Distinct farm-household systems were identified in Central (coffee-maize-beans; coffee-livestock-off-farm) and Eastern Uganda (coffee-banana-maize; coffee-banana; coffee-off-farm). They differed by land allocations to crops, livestock rearing, rainfall/altitude gradients, off-farm activities and crop income. Farm-households experienced food shortages and crop losses resulting from prolonged drought and erratic shifts in rainfall distribution. The major generalized adaptation practice was inorganic fertilizer use while the specific included herbicide use and increase in livestock numbers in Central Uganda; and pesticides use, structural technologies and off-farm activities in Eastern. Adaptation drivers include household-head’s awareness of climate variability and involvement in policy-formulation process (both regions); farm-household’s total land area (Eastern Uganda); and access to input/output markets (Central Uganda). We conclude that policy makers should package adaptation practices per farm-household system to enhance effective adaptation to climate risks.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49751,"journal":{"name":"Njas-Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences","volume":"88 ","pages":"Pages 31-44"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1016/j.njas.2018.12.002","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78952964","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Refining the smallholder market integration framework: A qualitative study of Ethiopian pastoralists","authors":"Workneh Kassa Tessema ,&nbsp;Paul T.M. Ingenbleek ,&nbsp;Hans C.M. van Trijp","doi":"10.1016/j.njas.2018.12.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.njas.2018.12.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The continued interest in market access and market integration policies targeting small-scale agricultural producers has led researchers to further explore the theoretical underpinnings of these concepts. This study presents an in-depth qualitative investigation into the behavioral consequences of market integration for Ethiopian pastoralists. The findings show that pastoralists further strengthen their strategic connection to the market by the processes of market sensing and market responding, which enable them to offer livestock with the quality attributes demanded by buyers. Pastoralists engaging in these activities typically generate more revenue from the market, thereby improving their livelihoods. They are also more capable of adapting to changes in natural conditions and are more likely to change their lifestyles. These findings imply that policymakers should not only foster the market participation of small-scale agricultural producers, but also ensure that producers align their products with the wants and needs of customers by sensing and responding to their market.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49751,"journal":{"name":"Njas-Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences","volume":"88 ","pages":"Pages 45-56"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1016/j.njas.2018.12.001","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75198699","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}