27 pages, Precision farming is becoming crucial in the ongoing agricultural revolution due to its enhanced economic and ecological sustainability in food production compared to conventional farming. However, only a limited number of studies have focused on consumer acceptance of food produced through precision farming. To address this gap, an online experiment (n = 276) was conducted to investigate how production method information influences consumer beliefs of food quality (i.e., health, sustainability, and safety values), ultimately affecting consumer attitudes and purchase intentions toward precision-grown food. The findings suggest consumers exhibit higher quality beliefs, leading to more favorable attitudes and purchase intentions, toward precision-grown food compared to conventional food. This trend was observed when participants were presented with detailed information about the production methods employed in each farming system. In addition, according to the Elaboration Likelihood Model, our study reveals consumer innovativeness has the potential to amplify positive responses in terms of quality beliefs, attitudes, and purchase intentions toward precision-grown food compared to conventional food. Furthermore, our findings suggest that when detailed production methods are presented, precision-grown food may receive favorable quality beliefs, attitudes, and purchase intentions comparable to those for organic food, regardless of consumer innovativeness.
13 pages, Dry cow management practices influence on health, welfare and milk production of cows. Poor farmer–cow relationship and negative attitudes of the farmer on humane practices will reduce cow welfare and overall productivity. In this study, farmers’ attitudes on key dry cow management practices and welfare were observed using a questionnaire in a face to face interview with forty dairy farmers in Kandy District, Sri Lanka. Collected data were statistically analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. The majority of the farmers were men (77.5%), whereas small-scale farming (87.5%) with part-time involvement (72.5%) were noticed. Critical risk factors of dry cow welfare such as no higher satisfaction about the industry (74.3%), poor awareness on concept of animal welfare (10%), hoof caring (42.5%), inspection of teats (10%), and deworming (30%) were identified. Male farmers were better than females in welfare-friendly attitudes for health (P = 0.033) and calving management (P = 0.018). Part-time farmers also had a significant impact on welfare positive attitudes towards calving and health management practices (P = 0.038, P = 0.013 respectively). Considerable percentage of farmers were uncertain on (Health management – 10.8%, Housing management – 18.8%, Feeding management – 15.0%, and Calving management – 5.6%) welfare-friendly routine. Hence, we suggest, further improvement to positive welfare attitudes towards dry cow management should be targeted via proper knowledge dissemination and education programs.
24 pages, Soybean (Glycine max (L. Merr.) has been a crop of interest to address both poverty
and malnutrition in the developing world because of its high levels of both protein and
oil, and its adaptability to grow in tropical environments. Development practitioners
and policymakers have long sought value added opportunities for local crops to move
communities out of poverty by introducing processing or manufacturing technologies.
Soy dairy production technologies sit within this development conceptual model. To
the researchers’ knowledge, no research to date measures soy dairy performance,
though donors and NGOs have launched hundreds of enterprises over the last 18 years.
The lack of firm-level data on operations limits the ability of donors and practitioners
to fund and site sustainable dairy businesses. Therefore, the research team developed
and implemented a recordkeeping system and training program first, as a 14-month
beta test with a network of five dairies in Ghana and Mozambique in 2016-2017.
Learning from the initial research then supported a formal research rollout over 18
months with a network of six different dairies in Malawi and key collaboration from
USAID’s Agricultural Diversification activity. None of the beta or rollout dairies kept
records prior to the intervention. The formal rollout resulted in a unique primary dataset
to address the soy dairy performance knowledge gap. The results of analysis show that
the dairies, on average, achieve positive operating margins of 61%, yet cannot cover
the fixed costs associated with depreciation, amortization of equipment and
infrastructure, working capital, marketing and promotion, and regulatory compliance.
The enterprises in our sample operate only at 9% of capacity, which limits their ability
to cover the normal fixed costs associated with the business. The challenge is not the
technology itself, as when operated, it produces a high-quality dairy product. The
challenges involve a business that requires too much capital for normal operations
relative to a nascent and small addressable market.
13 pages., Online via Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ). 13 pages., Results of an online survey indicated that urban respondents did not have a comprehensive understanding of wildlife and any positive views were primarily abstract. Conversely, rural individuals had diverse perceptions, both positive and negative.
26 pages., Article #: 113429., via online journal., Aspects of sustainability and social justice deserve special attention in the research and innovation landscape in Europe. In this vein, the inclusion of innovative research and innovation policies, such as Responsible Research and Innovation, devoted to mainstream social outcomes, to deploy democratic governance of science, and to drive innovation into a direction that is ethically acceptable, societally desirable and sustainable are noteworthy. However, substantial efforts are required when it comes to integrate the interactions between renewable energy research and energy and climate policies within responsible approaches. In order to adapt responsible research and innovation approach for the purpose of building an alternative context and assessment approach for sustainable transitions, this paper presents a review of approaches around sustainability and social justice dimensions. The thresholds of this endeavour are detailed in terms of the challenges for the integration, the identification of the inhibitors and facilitators of policy integration and the proposal of the levels for a methodology for this integration. The results show that the different readings and understanding of the contexts and dimensions and the existence of knowledge gaps between policy targets and the outcomes of research and innovation can be considered inhibitors for the integration. In contrast the interlinks between dimensional concepts, backgrounds and rationales appear as facilitators. The innovative contribution of this paper is focused on the contextualization of the dimensions through the use of socio-technical and multi/inter/trans and cross-disciplinary approaches. The authors conclude that the process of introducing a more holistic and alternative approach opens the re-envision of policy elements. Moreover, RRI offers an innovative perspective to the transition approach as well as tools for decision-making and policy processes assessment, in an arena where constant innovation is taking place and new structures, processes and metrics are necessary to guide this process.
Chris Clemons (author), James R. Lindner (author), Bruce Murray (author), Mike P. Cook (author), Brandon Sams (author), and Gwendolyn Williams (author)
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
2018-04-15
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 149 Document Number: D10105
Via online issue. Pgs. 283-252, The purpose of the study was to examine the confluence of agricultural literacy, what it means to
be agriculturally literate, and if a gap between agricultural literacy and being agriculturally
literate existed. Two primary research questions framed this study: 1) How do agriculture
professionals define agricultural literacy? 2) What does it mean to be agriculturally literate? While
the terms literacy and literate are often used synonymously they have important and different
meanings. This study used the Delphi Study Technique for determining consensus. The Delphi panel
consisted of engaged agricultural professionals from seven states. These professions represented
a broad spectrum of agricultural careers and experience. Each panel member was recognized as
a leader in his or her field. The findings indicated that participants did not discern a difference
between agricultural literacy and being agriculturally literate in regards to reading, writing, and
speaking about agriculture. This study supports the conclusion that the terms agriculturally literate
and agricultural literacy are used interchangeably. Agricultural professional may not be aware of
the inherent differences between possessing agricultural literacy and being agriculturally literate.
9 pages., via online journal., This study assessed the use of Facebook by farmers and extension agents in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. One Hundred respondents (80 farmers and 20 extension agents) were selected using purposive and random sampling techniques. Research findings revealed that most farmers (56.2%) reported a low level of use of Facebook, while 50% of extension agents made high use of Facebook. Major constraints to using Facebook were poor network services for farmers and power failure for extension agents. Sex, formal education and income had significant effect on the farmers' level of Facebook use. It is therefore recommended that Internet services and electricity be improved in the study area.
Oesterreicher, Shelby (author), Lundy, Lisa K. (author), Rumble, Joy (author), Telg, Ricky W. (author), and University of Florida
The Ohio State University
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
2018
Published:
United States: New Prairie Press
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 152 Document Number: D10157
15 pages, via online journal article, Millennial consumers are stepping into important roles as decision makers and consumers. A knowledge and communication gap exists between cattle producers and consumers this knowledge seeking generation. This study focused on collegiate millennials' perceptions of locally produced beef. The research design was qualitative in nature using focus groups. Participants associated the beef industry and beef products with the environment, management practices, treatment of animals, human health concerns, retail, experience with the beef industry, experience with beef, and transparency. Results of this study showed participants had minimal knowledge of the industry and relatively negative perceptions of the industry and beef products. Participants were skeptical of communication materials promotion beef and expressed particular distrust toward video messages. Participants revealed a knowledge and communication gap between producers and consumers
Su, Leona Yi-Fan (author), Cacciatore, Michael A. (author), Scheufele, Dietram A. (author), Brossard, Dominique (author), and Xenos, Michael A. (author)
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
2014
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 143 Document Number: D06468
Asaba, Jane Frances (author), Musebe, Richard (author), Kimani, Martin (author), Day, Roger (author), Nkonu, Michael (author), Mukhebi, Adrian (author), Wesonga, Albert (author), Mbula, Regina (author), Balaba, Peter (author), and Nakagwa, Alyce (author)
Format:
Paper
Publication Date:
2006-05-21
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 151 Document Number: C24477
Notes:
Retrieved July 5, 2006, Conference sponsored by the International Association for Agricultural Information Specialists (IAALD) in Nairobi, Kenya, May 21-26, 2006. Via Livelihoods Connect. 13 pages., Conference theme: "Managing agricultural information for sustainable food security and improved livelihoods in Africa."
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 146 Document Number: C23313
Notes:
Social Weather Stations, Inc., Quezon City, Philippines. 1 page., Response to a nationwide survey question about whether respondents were aware that delivery of agricultural extension services had been turned over from the Department of Agriculture to the municipal governments.
Singogo, L.P. (author / National Coordinator of Adaptive Research, Ministry of Agriculture, Zambia)
Format:
Conference paper
Publication Date:
1987
Published:
Zambia
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 93 Document Number: C06888
Notes:
In: International Workshop on Agricultural Research Management : report of a workshop, 7 to 11 September 1987, The Hague, The Netherlands. The Hague, Netherlands : ISNAR, 1987. p. 91-94
traditional knowledge, Evans, cited reference, The body of knowledge, scientific needs used by rule people is well developed, and can make an important contribution to development, but there's a conflict between it and modern knowledge. Modern knowledge is and instrument of power belonging to the technician. By emphasizing the government agents knowledge, development projects devalue traditional rule People's knowledge and the knife and creativity. We need new institutional ways of release in the creative abilities of roll people. In order to achieve a synthesis of traditional and modern knowledge.
traditional knowledge, Evans, cited reference, This article argues that concern with technical knowledge, which is indigenous to disadvantaged rule groups, must go beyond, an interest in extracting fragments of it to make marginal improvements to existing types of R and D project. The main issue must be beats to which such groups are involved in, and have influence upon, the technical change which affects their lives. Arrange a potential uses for indigenous technical knowledge is therefore far wider than those involved in Rand D, and the central concern must be with augmenting the whole spectrum of indigenous capabilities to create, transform and use technical knowledge. This implies there must be a shift from the dominant approach to the rule of technical change, which really seeks to introduce into roll society techniques conceived and developed outside it. Rather, one must seek the technical development of roll society, which enables it more effectively to pursue and control its own path of technical change.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 47 Document Number: B05712
Notes:
In T. M. Arndt, D. G. Dalrymple, and V. W. Ruttan (Eds.), Resource allocation and productivity in national and international agricultural research. Minneaspolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press. 209-236.
