Navigating Market Choices: Understanding Carrot Market Outlet Selection among Smallholder Farmers in Kenya

This research delves into the hurdles and strategies aimed at augmenting the market involvement of smallholder carrot farmers in Nakuru County, Kenya. Employing a Multinomial Logit (MNL) model, it scrutinizes the factors influencing the selection of marketing outlets among carrot farmers. The findings unveil that a significant majority (81%) of surveyed farmers actively participate in diverse market outlets, encompassing the farm gate, cleaning point, local market, external market, and export market. Notably, pivotal buyers include aggregators, brokers, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers, with transactions predominantly occurring at the farm level. Additionally, the analysis discerns substantial influences of socio-economic characteristics, experiential factors, and geographical proximity on farmers’ choices of market outlets. Specifically, gender, age, land size, farming experience, and distance to markets emerge as critical determinants. Moreover, the study delves into the examination of market margins along the carrot value chain, shedding light on the potential profitability of carrot farming in the region. Remarkably, higher average gross margins are identified in export and external markets, signaling lucrative prospects for farmers targeting these segments. However, disparities in profit distribution between farmers and traders underscore the necessity for interventions to ensure equitable value distribution throughout the value chain. These findings underscore the imperative for tailored interventions to tackle challenges and foster inclusive agricultural development. Strategies such as farmer organizations, contracting, and vertical integration are advocated to enhance market access and profitability for smallholder carrot farmers. Thus, this study enriches our comprehension of the dynamics within carrot value chains and provides valuable insights for policymakers and development practitioners aiming to uplift rural livelihoods and bolster food security.

Agricultural production structure,market conditions and farmers’nutritional intake in rural China

Nutrition poverty alleviation is an effective measure to improve the nutritional status of economically disadvantaged individuals,fundamentally improving their health and reducing poverty.Based on the Entitlement Theory and using the China Health and Nutrition Survey(CHNS)data,this paper examines the relationship between farmers’nutritional intake,production structure and regional market conditions.Results show that farmers with diversified production have better nutritional intake than those who specialize.Furthermore,the correlation between regional market conditions and nutritional intake varies between economically disadvantaged and non-economically disadvantaged households.Market conditions significantly influence the carbohydrate and fat intake of economically disadvantaged households and are positively associated with the dietary structure and nutritional intake of non-economically disadvantaged ones.Moreover,income is positively correlated with the nutritional intake of non-economically disadvantaged households but not with economically disadvantaged ones.

Thoughts on Living Difficulties of Farmers and Marketing Economy in the Risk Society

The paper combs the problems about living difficulties of farmers and marketing economy in the risk society and puts forward another point of view that with the theory of risk society,reconsider the dilemma of living choices of farmers under the background of marketing economy.On the basis of the statistics,the paper discloses the trend of larger and larger disparities of incomes between urban and rural areas;the paper explains the risks and uncertainties of life choices with the background of deepening marketing economy.In order to understand the life dilemma of farmers and marketing economy in the risk society,the paper makes an analysis from perspectives of the relationships between risk society and markets,the risks of farmers' living choices.The results show that in the risk society,because of the division space from time,the personal farmers are devoid of the safe environment.Then the situation deepens to worse.In addition to the organization which is not in charge results in a situation that the personal farmers would take all risks by themselves.

Consumer Ideology Determines Shopping Preferences at Farmers Markets in Two US Geographical Regions

The purpose of this study was to identify if there were differences that existed in the behaviors, attitudes, awareness, and motivating factors that influenced people to shop at farmers’ markets and purchase USDA certified organic food in two geographic regions: Corvallis, Oregon and Muncie, Indiana. A survey was administered to consumers who shopped at the Minnetrista Farmers’ Market (MFM) and the Corvallis-Albany Farmers’ Market (CAFM) in the summer of 2012 to measure the shoppers’ purchasing perceptions. Specific areas of interest in this study included consumer values towards supporting local farmers and consuming USDA certified organic food. A comparison of responses between regions was analyzed. Results of the study provide insights on consumers’ purchasing attitudes and behaviors regarding USDA certified organic products, and why they chose to shop at Farmers’ Markets. Ideology was the strongest predictor for consumer purchasing behaviors. Understanding how regional differences affect food choice has implications for wellness programs and industry marketing materials.

Analysis on Farmers’ Straw Marketization Behavior and Its Influence Factors: A Case Study of Hubei Province

Crop straw has huge resource potential. It has an important significance for realizing waste recycling and improving eco-environment to prefect straw marketization system and sufficiently stimulate farmers’ straw marketization behavior. Based on 427 copies of investigation data on farmers,influence mechanism framework of farmers’ straw marketization behavior is constructed,and key factors of farmers’ straw marketization behavior are analyzed. Results show that farmers joining in straw marketization account for 42. 1%; in influence factors of farmers’ straw marketization behavior,cultivated land area,market price level,logistics satisfaction and air quality perception have significantly positive impacts on farmers’ straw marketization behavior,while education degree,agricultural income proportion and traffic convenience have significantly negative impacts on farmers’ straw marketization behavior. Therefore,it needs strengthening propaganda intensity,carrying out reasonable subsidies and support,encouraging and breeding new type of organization,and establishing and improving the price mechanism of straw marketization to perfect straw marketization construction.

International Experience of Farmers Specialized Cooperative Economic Organizations in Marketing of Agricultural Products

In the world,development modes of farmers specialized cooperative economic organizations mainly includes two types:( i) specialized agricultural cooperatives with the United States of America as representative,and( ii) comprehensive agricultural cooperatives with Japan and South Korea as representative. In comparison,China mainly develops farmers specialized cooperatives which are agricultural production with family as unit and small in land and management scale like agricultural production in Japan. Therefore,in marketing of agricultural products,cooperatives in the United States of America and Japan have successful experience. China may learn such experience in the development of farmers specialized cooperatives.

Linking Markets to Smallholder Agro-forestry Farmers as a Strategy for Poverty Alleviation in the Tropics

The objective of the study was to assess factors affecting market participation of agro-forestry smallholder farmers in Uganda. Primary data on household, farm and marketing characteristics were collected from 153 farming households using a semi-structured, pre-tested questionnaire. The determinants of market participation were assessed using the Probit model. Descriptive statistics showed that a combination of crop, livestock and tree products were marketed by farmers. The main products included maize, cassava and coffee （crops）; firewood and poles （tree products）; and birds and goats （livestock products）. Results from the Probit model showed that farm size, household size, education level, access to credit and extension visits had positive and statistically significant effects on market participation of farmers in agro-forestry products＇ markets. Age of farmer had a negative and statistically significant effect on the participation. Emphasis on improving the quality and coverage of extension services, extending credit facilities to farmers and intensifying agro-forestry training among farmers are suggested as avenues to enhance participation of farmers in agro-forestry products＇ markets.

Soil Clinics: Farmers Teaching Smart-Farming to Farmers

In Thailand, the site-specific nutrient management technology, known as “Tailor-made Fertilizer Technology (TFT)”, for rice, maize and sugarcane in the Northeastern region was developed between 1997-2007, using the concepts of precision agriculture together with an approach of building capacity of small farmers. TFT, also called Smart-farming, comprises four components, namely 1) soil series identification, 2) N-P-K testing by soil test kit, 3) fertilizer recommendations using decision-aids and a simplified version of a complex model and 4) farmer empowerment. The benefit of TFT at the rice field of the Huay Kamin chairman farmer group was one example, the technology has been disseminated to the 80 members with a total planting area of about 320 ha. The results revealed chemical fertilizer reduction of 69%, and rice yield increased some 10% - 20% with the improved fertilizer application method. The farmers were encouraged to establish “Soil Clinics” in their communities. In a Soil Clinic, designated and trained farmer leaders analyze soil samples for member farmers and provide TFT recommendations while providing access to fertilizer materials available for sale at competitive prices. At present, there are about 70 soil clinics in 20 provinces with the support of many government and private sectors.

Costs and Benefits of Smart Grids on Liberalized Markets

The discussion about smart grid （SG） implementation is mostly focused on pilot projects. These projects are necessary for mapping of particular technical devices of advanced metering management （AMM） which is needed for successful SG and whole functional SG system operation. According to our opinion, for the next step of SG implementation, the participation of effective market design would be quite necessary. In other words, pilot project which is operated regardless to the market conditions and special SG tariff is incomplete and could be irrelevant for further evaluation of feasibility. With regard to above mentioned facts, the detailed cost-benefit-analysis （CBA） is needed to establish the correct methodology for evaluation of SG implementation effectiveness. Related aspects are mentioned and discussed in this paper, in which the particular cost and benefits as well as feedback that occurs as the reaction on implementation are summarized and quantified.

Exploration of New Financing Mode of Farmers' Co-operatives——A Case of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,China

Based on the overview of the role played by farmers' co-operatives in developing rural economy and existing problems,the thesis has introduced the factors which influence the development of farmers' co-operatives including five aspects,namely conditions of scale economy,popularization and application of agricultural production technology,comparative advantage,market expectancy and government support.By analyzing typical cases of three co-operatives in Guangxi(Heng County Dadi Growing Co-operatives,talents-leading share-holding co-operatives;Long'an County Guixiniu Co-operatives,co-operatives led by leading-enterprise;Nanning City Tanluo Town Jinguang Fruits and Potatoes Co-operatives,co-operatives led by leading-enterprise),the way to develop farmers' co-operatives by dint of the external capital has been discussed.The results demonstrate that conditions of scale economy,popularization and application of agricultural production technology,comparative advantage,excellent market expectancy and government support,are conducive to absorbing external capital.Under China's existing economic conditions,the government should normalize the use and allocation procedure of program fund.

Characteristics of Farmer Tourism Market in Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture

On the basis of comparison of urban and rural areas,distance and nationality,this paper analyzes characteristics of farmer tourism market in Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture. There is a distinct difference in tourism of urban and rural residents. The tourism difference between outer suburban and inner suburban farmers is mainly manifested in organizational ways,travel distance,travel destination,and amount of consumption. Nationality difference is mainly shown in selection of means of transportation,length of travel time,and amount of consumption.

Analysis on Development of Farmer Tourism Market in China

With the rapid increase in farmers' income and the rapid development of tourism,the tourism demand of farmers is increasingly growing,but the development of tourism market for farmers has not been given much attention. This paper summarized the overall situation of development of the farmer tourism,analyzed the consumption characteristics and supply characteristics of the farmer tourism in depth,and discussed the development potential of the farmer tourism. On the basis of discussion and analysis,it came up with recommendations including attaching greater importance to the farmer tourism market,developing marketable products,changing the traditional concept of consumption and enhancing tourism promotion activities,in the hope that both the government and enterprises pay more attention to the farmer tourism market.

China Smart Phone Market Is Expected to Rebound

With the gradual improvement and recovery of the national economy and consumer spending power since the pandemic,the smart phone market in China finally started to look hopeful near the end of 2023,and is expected to rebound for the first time in the past ten quarters.Recently,the IDC released ten insights into the smart phone market in China in 2024 in terms of future overall market development trends,industry technology upgrading direction and changes in consumer demand.

A Transaction Cost Analysis on the Acquisition of Rice Seed by Small-Scale Farmers in ECA Region： Generating Empirical Evidence in Tanzania

The present study is an attempt to develop empirical evidence of transaction costs that rice farmers incur in production and other factors that affect farmers＇ demand for seed and estimating the proportion of costs accounted for by transaction costs due to quality seed in the formal and informal sectors, and analyze how these costs affect sourcing decision. An agricultural household model was developed from the study area. To test the model, information was collected in a survey of 387 households. There is now empirical evidence that transaction cost in rice seed acquisition in Tanzanian agriculture is an added cost to the farmer in the process of purchasing seed. Descriptive analysis shows that about 18% of the total seed cost is accounted for transaction cost, which is 2% of the total variable cost in farmers＇ rice farming. Econometric model was fitted to the household data to determine the factors hindering farmers to use purchased quality seed. Factors that were significant in influencing transaction cost include information search, seed source, farmers＇ seed arrangements, trust, and distance from farmers＇ homestead to the seed source, location and age of the farmer. We recommend that, policy amendments inclined towards reduction of the transaction costs can improve the profitability of the rice enterprise by increasing the demand for inputs.

Establishment of Grain Farmers' Supply Response Model and Empirical Analysis under Minimum Grain Purchase Price Policy

Based on farmers' supply behavior theory and price expectations theory,this paper establishes grain farmers' supply response model of two major grain varieties (early indica rice and mixed wheat) in the major producing areas,to test whether the minimum grain purchase price policy can have price-oriented effect on grain production and supply in the major producing areas. Empirical analysis shows that the minimum purchase price published annually by the government has significant positive impact on farmers' grain supply in the major grain producing areas. In recent years,China steadily raises the level of minimum grain purchase price,which has played an important role in effectively protecting grain farmers' interests,mobilizing the enthusiasm of farmers' grain production,and ensuring the market supply of key grain varieties.

Assessment of Pesticide Use against Tephritidae Fruit Fly and Other Pest among Small-scale Solanaceous Vegetable Farmers in Bugorhe-Kabare the Democratic Republic of Congo

Ninety-six farmers interviewed in Kabare,east of the DR Congo during 2021.Farmers majority were males(79.17%),ranging 30 to 60 years,used different pesticides in vegetable farms and the main solanaceous crops cultivated is tomato.The use of insecticide and fungicide were high,with many different formulations of the different class types recorded in use,(20%)endocrine disruptors,(40%)cholinesterase inhibitors,(35%)carcinogen and potential carcinogens suspected to be.A lot of out of those pesticides are unregistered for general use.Farmers applied pesticide once a week and they didn’t have specific instructions.The skin effects,headaches and dizziness are dominant.They do not have a good system of pesticide packaging management.For reducing pesticide application,we propose options of agro ecology.We suggest that the Congolese government must create a quarantine,control and surveillance service for phytosanitary products,fruits and vegetables within the DRC country and at these borders.Also,it needs urgent action from the federal and regional governments to formulate policy,design legislation,and enforcing for its implementation concerning the supply,transportation,storage,appropriateness,and application of harmful pesticides.

Study on the Impact of Collective Commercial Construction Land Entering the Market on Rural Residents’Income:Taking Deqing County,Zhejiang Province as an Example

The entry of collective construction land for business purposes is an important measure for deepening the reform of the rural land system,promoting the flow of urban and rural factors,and realizing rural revitalization.Since the production of the first batch of pilot projects in 2015,33 county-level cities have participated in the pilot policy by 2023.Deqing County,Zhejiang Province,as the first area to participate in the pilot project,aims to achieve more fruitful results.This paper first examines how promoting farmers’income through the market entry of agricultural land can be achieved,then uses the synthetic control method to quantitatively study the impact of collective operational construction land on farmers’income using panel data from 2011 to 2019,and finally proposes relevant suggestions from the perspective of system reform.

Office XP Smart Tag技术在企业供销管理中的应用

针对企业供销管理人员日常所从事的业务活动,介绍开发用于Office文档的SmartTag技术的过程及其在企业供销管理中的应用。