Characterization of Small-Scale Farmers and Assessment of Their Access to Crop Production Information in Selected Counties of Kenya

Small-scale farming accounts for 78% of total agricultural production in Kenya and contributes to 23.5% of the country’s GDP. Their crop production activities are mostly rainfed subsistence with any surplus being sold to bring in some income. Timely decisions on farm practices such as farm preparation and planting are critical determinants of the seasonal outcomes. In Kenya, most small-scale farmers have no reliable source of information that would help them make timely and accurate decisions. County governments have extension officers who are mandated with giving farmers advisory services to farmers but they are not able to reach most farmers due to facilitation constraints. The mode and format of sharing information is also critical since it’s important to ensure that it’s timely, well-understood and usable. This study sought to assess access to geospatial derived and other crop production information by farmers in four selected counties of Kenya. Specific objectives were to determine the profile of small-scale farmers in terms of age, education and farm size;to determine the type of information that is made available to them by County and Sub-County extension officers including the format and mode of provision;and to determine if the information provided was useful in terms of accuracy, timeliness and adequacy. The results indicated that over 80% of the farmers were over 35 years of age and over 56% were male. Majority had attained primary education (34%) or secondary education (29%) and most farmers in all the counties grew maize (71%). Notably, fellow farmers were a source of information (71%) with the frequency of sharing information being mostly seasonal (37%) and when information was available (43%). Over 66% of interviewed farmers indicating that they faced challenges while using provided information. The results from the study are insightful and helpful in determining effective ways of providing farmers with useful information to ensure maximum benefits.

Research on the Generation of Professional Skill Modules for Talent Cultivation in the Landscape Architecture Profession for Industry-Education Integration of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Due to industry characteristics or regional limitations,many students in certain majors tend to seek employment in small and medium-sized enterprises(SMEs).SMEs face certain challenges in implementing industry-education integration,and there is a lack of mature methods in specific implementation processes and talent cultivation plan generation.Taking the landscape architecture profession as an example,this paper conducts a correlation analysis and cross-analysis of the industry-required professional skills based on surveys of over 300 industry practitioners employed in SMEs.It provides professional skill cultivation modules based on market feedback.This research process and analysis method have certain reference significance for the rapid production of adaptive talent cultivation professional skill modules in other industries targeting SMEs.

Research on the Coordinated Development of Inclusive Finance and Financing for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

As an important force in promoting economic and social development,small and medium-sized enterprises play a crucial role in enhancing China’s economic strength,creating employment opportunities,and promoting industrial structural transformation.However,due to their inherent weaknesses,small and medium-sized enterprises often face difficulties in financing within the traditional financial service system.This makes it difficult for small and medium-sized enterprises to inject vitality into the development of the market economy by expanding their financing scale.Since 2013,China has vigorously developed inclusive finance and extended the services of traditional financial institutions to small and medium-sized enterprises,providing policy guidance,resource support,and technical support to alleviate the financing difficulties of small and medium-sized enterprises.Based on this,this article focuses on the current financing problems faced by small and medium-sized enterprises and specifically elaborates on how to lower the financing threshold for small and medium-sized enterprises and broaden their financing channels through inclusive finance,in order to promote the development of inclusive finance and a virtuous cycle of financing for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Maintenance,Repair,and Reinforcement Measures for Dilapidated Small and Medium-Sized Bridges

The paper initiates by exploring the importance of maintaining,repairing,and reinforcing bridges.Subsequently,it delves into routine and preventative maintenance measures tailored for small to medium-sized bridges.Additionally,the paper examines repair and reinforcement techniques specifically designed for deteriorated small and medium-sized bridges,encompassing methods for fortifying both the bridge foundation and upper and lower structures.Lastly,the paper proposes suggestions aimed at fostering discussions and exchanges on the development of maintenance and repair processes for deteriorated small and medium-sized bridges.

The Application of Knowledge Management(KM)by Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises(SME)in Manufacturing Industry

To accelerate the digital transformation of small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises(SMEs),this study delves into the primary challenges encountered in adopting knowledge management(KM)within these organizations and identifies the essential methods for successful implementation.The objective is to provide practical recommendations for the effective adoption of KM.This research suggests that enterprises should promote knowledge management through three key approaches:enhancing employees’cognitive understanding,standardizing knowledge systems,and tailoring business scenarios to meet diverse needs.These findings offer valuable insights into the digital transformation of SMEs in the manufacturing sector,ultimately helping these businesses to remain competitive and innovative in a rapidly changing market.By addressing the specific needs and challenges faced by SMEs,this study aims to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of how knowledge management can be leveraged to drive digital transformation and improve overall business performance.

Enucleation combined with guided bone regeneration in small and medium-sized odontogenic jaw cysts

BACKGROUND The odontogenic jaw cyst is a cavity containing liquid,semifluid or gaseous components,with the development of the disease.In recent years,with the rapid development of oral materials and the transformation of treatment of jaw cysts,more options are available for treatment of postoperative bone defect of jaw cysts.Guided bone regeneration(GBR)places biomaterials in the bone defect,and then uses biofilm to separate the proliferative soft tissue and the slow-growing bone tissue to maintain the space for bone regeneration,which is widely used in the field of implantology.AIM To observe the clinical effect of GBR in repairing bone defect after enucleation of small and medium-sized odontogenic jaw cysts.METHODS From June 2018 to September 2020,13 patients(7 male,6 female)with odontogenic jaw cysts were treated in the Department of Oral Surgery,Ninth People’s Hospital,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine.Adults without hypertension,heart disease,diabetes or other systemic diseases were selected.The diagnosis was based on the final pathological results:11 cases were diagnosed as apical cysts,one as primordial cyst,and one as dentigerous cyst.The lesions were located in the maxilla in seven cases,and in the mandible in six cases.All cases were treated with the same method of enucleation combined with GBR.RESULTS Three to four months after the operation,the boundary between the implant site and the surrounding normal stroma was not obvious in patients with small-sized odontogenic jaw cysts.The patients with tooth defects were treated with implant after 6 mo.For the patients with medium-sized odontogenic jaw cysts,the density of the center of the implant area was close to the normal mass at 6 mo after surgery,and there was a clear boundary between the periphery of the implant area and the normal mass.The boundary between the periphery of the implant area and the normal mass was blurred at 8-9 mo after surgery.Patients with tooth defects were treated with implants at>6 mo after the operation.CONCLUSION Enucleation combined with guided bone regeneration in small and medium-sized odontogenic jaw cysts can shorten the time of osteogenesis,increase the amount of new bone formation,reduce complications,and improve quality of life.

Gas concentration monitoring system for small and medium-sized coal mines based on gas-sensing detection and single-chip control

This paper is aimed at the actual conditions of disaster caused by gas in small and medium-sized coal mines. A new gas concentration monitoring system for coal mines is developed on the basis of gas-sensing detection and single-chip control. The monitoring system uses the tin oxide as the main material of N-type semiconductor gas sensors, be- cause it has good sensitive characteristics for the flammable and explosive gas （ such as methane, carbon monoxide）. The QM-N5-semiconductor gas sensor is adopted to detect the output values of the resistance under the different gas con- centrations. The system, designedly, takes the AT89C51 digital chip as the core of the circuit processing hardware structure to analyze and judge the input values of the resistance, and then achieve the control and alarm for going beyond the limit of gas concentration. The gas concentration monitoring system has man）, advantages including simple in struc- ture, fast response time, stable performance and low cost. Thus, it can be widely used to monitor gas concentration and provide early wamings in small and medium-sized coal mines.

Mechanism of Impact of Entrepreneurial Spirit on the Development of Small and Medium-sized Private Enterprises in China

As a necessary factor for a successful business,entrepreneurial spirit is an important means for enterprises to survive in the unstable environment of fierce competition. Under the circumstance of mass entrepreneurship and innovation,a large number of small and medium-sized private enterprises have emerged in all walks of life in China. This paper examines the differences in the definition of entrepreneurial spirit by different scholars,the influence of Chinese entrepreneurship on the development of small and medium-sized private enterprises,the origin of the spirit of private entrepreneurs with Chinese characteristics,and the disadvantages of the spirit of small and medium-sized private entrepreneurs in China. It is necessary to further improve entrepreneurial spirit to contribute to the development of small and medium-sized private enterprises and help China to build the national economic system.

The Relevance of International Financial Reporting Standards for Small and Medium-Sized Entities （IFRS for SMEs） in Swaziland

The purpose of this study is to explore the relevance of adopting International Financial Reporting Standards （IFRS） for small and medium-sized entities （SMEs） in Swaziland. The study further seeks to determine if IFRS for SMEs can be the solution to better reporting by local SMEs. There has been a growing need for different reporting standards for small firms and big firms over the years due to the unique challenges and attributes they face especially in the area of financial reporting. This research is based on a statistical analysis of questionnaires completed by accountants from SMEs in Swaziland as well as other stakeholders who have a direct or an indirect interest in the financial statements of SMEs. These stakeholders included audit firms and the financial institutions. The sampling rate of 10% was applied across each industry to come up with a sample of 60 SMEs. Furthermore, a 100% sampling rate on the other stakeholders was applied. These were nine financial institutions and eight audit finns. The findings from the study revealed that SMEs in Swaziland are having challenges with the current reporting framework but to some extent, the framework is suitable. Most SMEs are not aware of IFRS for SMEs, therefore the accounting profession in Swaziland （SIA） has a huge role to play in training auditors and accountants in the country. Overall, IFRS for SMEs is applicable in Swaziland.

Research on the Sustainable Development of Chinese Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises-Con-struction and Application of R&D Strategic Alliance

R ＆D strategic alliance is important for enterprises＇ sustainable development and it is a worth research for us. This paper firstly analyzes the condition and situation of tho small and medium-sized enterprises＇ strategic alliance. Then it points out that the small and medium-sized enterprises should choose a sttieable alliance organization, ally themselves with big enterprises, strive for the support of the government, and develop their technology through technology unions. Finally, it suggests that the government should create better innovation environment for R＆D strategic, alliance. A new way is also put forward for the applicotion and foundation of the small and medium-sized enterprises ＇ R＆D ,strategic alliance in China. It is also helpful for the sustainable development of small and medium-sized enterprises.

A Game Analysis on Technology Alliance of Tech-typed Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

As an innovation mode of organization, technology alliance has being increasingly paid more attention to by more and more small and medium-sized enterprises （SME）. In this paper, on the basis of analyzing the theory and practice meaning of the technology alliance, cooperative game method is used to analyze the forming process of the cooperative mechanism, and it points out that cooperation will make both sides get the largest benefits.

Contract Mechanism of Water Environment Regulation for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises Based on Optimal Control Theory

The small and scattered enterprise pattern in the county economy has formed numerous sporadic pollution sources, hindering the centralized treatment of the water environment, increasing the cost and difficulty of treatment. How enterprises can make reasonable decisions on their water environment behavior based on the external environment and their own factors is of great significance for scientifically and effectively designing water environment regulation mechanisms. Based on optimal control theory, this study investigates the design of contractual mechanisms for water environmental regulation for small and medium-sized enterprises. The enterprise is regarded as an independent economic entity that can adopt optimal control strategies to maximize its own interests. Based on the participation of multiple subjects including the government, enterprises, and the public, an optimal control strategy model for enterprises under contractual water environmental regulation is constructed using optimal control theory, and a method for calculating the amount of unit pollutant penalties is derived. The water pollutant treatment cost data of a paper company is selected to conduct empirical numerical analysis on the model. The results show that the increase in the probability of government regulation and public participation, as well as the decrease in local government protection for enterprises, can achieve the same regulatory effect while reducing the number of administrative penalties per unit. Finally, the implementation process of contractual water environmental regulation for small and medium-sized enterprises is designed.

Analysis on Risk Prevention Mechanism for Farmers' Default in Small Amount Credit

Through analysis, it is believed that major reasons for default risks in operation of small amount credit include low management level and vacancy of normative system, vacancy of risk sharing mechanism, rating distortion due to imperfect credit investigation system, and uncertainty of borrower's credit. On the basis of these, static and dynamic models are established to analyze the prevention mechanism for default risk in small amount credit. It is concluded that we must establish a restriction mechanism during operation of small amount credit as long as three values increase, namely, N (potential loss of bad credit record due to farmers' default), Q (probability of successful recovery by small amount credit institution), and S (cost of small amount credit institution punishing farmers after successful recovery). Finally, following countermeasures and suggestions are put forward: perfect laws and regulations and credit reward and punishment mechanism for risk management of small amount credit; bring into play proper function of loan officer in small amount credit practice; widely promote rural "Group Credit Union" system.

Analysis on Profit Quality of Small and Medium-sized Agricultural Enterprises:A Case Study of YM Industrial Co.,Ltd in Guang'an City of Sichuan Province

For a long time, under the influence of system and environment and other factors, some small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises in China only seek growth of profit in quantity, but neglect the growth of profit in quality, leading to low profit quality. This study reasonably defines the concept of profit quality of small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises, and expounds general characteristics of high quality profit. On the basis of general factors influencing profit quality of enterprises, it builds indicator system for evaluating the profit quality of small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises. Also, it conducts an empirical analysis on profit quality of Chinese small and medium-sized enterprises with YM Industrial Co., Ltd in Guang'an City of Sichuan Province as an example.

A Study on Business Succession in Small and Medium-Sized Chinese Enterprises

The survival and development of SMEs (small and medium enterprises) is an important issue for the Chinese economy. In particular, business succession in SMEs is a persistent issue. Business succession involves selection of a successor, asset inheritance, transfer of management rights, accumulation of business connections and technology succession, and soforth. This all requires smooth execution of a business succession plan. However, many SMEs do not have a business succession plan, nor are they preparing one. Our task is to explore the reasons these preparations are not being made. Here, the purpose of our research is to get a picture of the status of preparations for business succession in SMEs in China, and the actual circumstances of succession, based on the results of a fact-finding survey of Chinese SMEs, and at the same time bring to the surface the primary factors which influence preparations and plans. The results of the analysis shed light on the status of business succession preparations, successor’s awareness of issues, decision making, and so on. This survey highlights the awareness of business succession among business managers.

Profitability Analysis of Small Scale Irrigation Technology Adoption to Farmers in Nasho Sector, Rwanda

The study aims to assess the effect of small scale irrigation adoption to farmers in Nasho sector, Kirehe District in Rwanda. The average yield was 12,309.73 Kg/2.62 ha or 4698.73 Kg/ha for adopters with the mean difference between adopters and non adopters ranged from 2819.63 Kg to 4766.59 Kg per unit area of production. For food security status, the average mean quantity of maize consumed at home level was 615.54 Kg with the mean difference ranged from 377.29 Kg to 474.68 Kg. For market participation, the average treatment effect of the treated (ATT) of quantity of maize sold was 11,694.24 Kg while the mean difference ranged from 7165.98 Kg to 9015.60 Kg. The Average Treatment Effect of the Treated market price was 213 Frws/Kg while the mean difference ranged from 44.51 Frws/Kg to 48.3053 Frws/Kg. The Average Treatment Effect of the Treated of farmer’s revenues for the users was 938,772 Frws/ha, however, the mean difference between adopters and non adopters ranged from 1,732,942 Frws to 2,007,039 Frws. The Average Treatment Effect of the Treated of farmer’s net farm income was 1,066,393 Frws while mean difference between users and non users ranged from 803,967 Frws to 854,141 Frws. For profitability analysis, the cost benefit ratio (CBR) was taken into account. The total benefit per unit area was 2,434,509 Frws and total average mean cost of 1,382,313 Frws and CBR = 1.761 > 1. The findings of this study will help the policy makers for deeper sector planning and also, it will facilitate other stakeholders to invest in irrigation technology to improve the livelihoods of Rwandan farmers and other surroundings.

Study on Electronic Commerce Maturity of Small and Medium-sized Agricultural Enterprises

This article advances the concept of electronic commerce maturity of small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises,and establishes the indicator system of electronic commerce maturity of small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises.This indicator system includes 4 first-level indicators(infrastructure,transaction process,operation management,and transaction safety),which are divided into 11 second-level indicators(hardware equipment,computer network,e-procurement,logistics distribution,supply chain management,customer relationship management,and payment security).We use analytic hierarchy process(AHP) to determine the weight of indicator at all levels,and establish fuzzy comprehensive evaluation mathematical model of electronic commerce maturity of small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises.Finally,through examples,we verify the rationality and reliability of evaluation method of electronic commerce maturity of small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises combining analytic hierarchy process(AHP) and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation.

Organic Connection between Small Farmers and Modern Agriculture Development Based on Farmers'Cooperatives in China

As socialism with Chinese characteristics enters a new era,China's agricultural and rural development has also made remarkable achievements.However,the shortcomings of modernization are still in the field of agriculture,rural areas and farmers.The report of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China proposes a strategy of rural revitalization.It is pointed out that the organic connection between small farmers and modern agricultural development should be promoted.In the development of modern agriculture,small farmers face the problems of scattered production factors,aging labor force and low labor quality,low industrialization,and low market position.This paper compares the characteristics of farmer cooperatives with other new business entities.Combined with the relevant contents of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Farmers'Professional Cooperatives newly revised in 2017,this paper analyzes the organizational,service,and intermediary functions of farmers'cooperatives to promote the organic connection between small farmers and modern agriculture development and reveals the role of farmers'cooperatives in China's agricultural development.

Creativity of the Entrepreneur, Intrapreneurship, and the Growth of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises： Evidence from China

Creativity is an element of the personality of entrepreneurs which can be important for the foundation, advance, and business performance of small and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs）. Intrapreneurship can be developed in small and medium-sized enterprises where entrepreneurs have a sufficient level of creativity and it can influence the growth of enterprises. Hypotheses are specified and empirically tested based on responses to a structured questionnaire on a sample of small and medium-sized enterprises from China. The research results indicate positive relationships between the creativity of the entrepreneur and intrapreneurship and growth of the enterprise.

Harmonization of financial reporting of small and medium-sized enterprises in the Czech Republic

A current problem of the present-day accounting and financial reporting consists in aligning the accounting in small and medium enterprises. In July 2009 the International Financial Reporting Standard for small and medium-sized enterprises was issued, which extended the aligning possibilities also to small and medium enterprises considerably. If the standard is adopted by the national legislation, problems connected with the standard implementation in the national legislation will have to be solved as well as practical issues connected with making financial statements. At present the yields and the problems which can arise in connection with the standard application have to be focused on. A contribution of the standard application will be a better informative ability of financial statements on the international level. At small and medium enterprises this can contribute to better comanunication with banks, with investors, rating application are： parallel reporting according to national agencies etc. The problems connected with the standard regulations, differences between the national legislation and the standard, wide practice at keeping accounts and making financial statements and limited approach of small and medium enterprises to obtaining information and to training of their employees. Another problem can be a tight link between the trading income and the tax base, when small companies prefer rather the tax point of view.