Journal of the Austrian Society of Agricultural Economics (JASAE)

Abstract : Efforts to attain Sustainable Development Goal second objective, which focuses on ensuring food security and eradicating hunger, appear to fall behind in Africa. Hunger persists in all African sub-regions, despite global and continental commitments and actions to address the issue, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. Policymakers need to have a comprehensive understanding of the state of food security in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to develop effective strategies to combat this challenge. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on food security by conducting a thorough examination on the state of food security in SSA at aggregate and disaggregate levels. Analyzing data from the Global Food Security Index (GFSI) spanning from 2012 to 2022, using a stylised facts analysis to provide valuable insights into the region’s food security situation. Findings from the study reveal that food security in the SSA region lags significantly behind other global regions. Notably, food affordability poses a significant challenge in SSA, as reflected in the region’s lowest score in these aspects of food security. The study also highlights that South Africa, Ghana, Botswana, and Kenya have achieved more favorable levels of food security among SSA countries. To address these challenges, the study recommends substantial investments in agriculture, infrastructure, and climate-resilient agricultural strategies to boost domestic production, among others..
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Abstract : The study assessed awareness and fish farming technologies usage among fish farmers in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Random sampling technique was used to select ninety available fish farmers in Lafia and Keffi Local Government areas from the list of registered fish farmers obtained from Agricultural Development Project Headquarters in the State. Data were obtained through structured interview scheduled which were analyzed using frequency counts and percentages while Chi square and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) was used to test level of significant relationship among the variables (p<0.005). The majority (76.7%) of the respondents was male; greater proportion (41.1%) was between 31-40 years of age, majority (60%) was married. For the education, majority (44.4%) had Tertiary education while 72.2% have fish farming as their primary occupation. However, 56.7% had contact with extension agents on quarterly basis. The majority of the respondents agreed that they were aware of most of the innovations available in fish farming; liming and fertilization of ponds (94.4%), water inlet and outlet devices (91.1%). Perceived benefits of innovations were expansion of fish farm size ( =3.82) and reduction in fish mortality =3.63). Major innovations used by fish farmers are fertilization of ponds (94.4%), inlet and outlet devices (91.1%). There is a significant relationship between awareness of fish farming technologies and usage among fish farmers (p<.0001). The study concluded that awareness of fish farming technologies enhanced its usage among the fish farmers in the study area. Efforts at sustaining the level of usage recorded should be put in place..
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Abstract : Research on the Nature-by-Nature Process for wastewater treatment can provide significant economic, social, and environmental benefits to the Laem Phak Bia Environmental Research and Development Project. The project has been on-going since 1991, but there has not yet been any meaningful quantitative studies of the aforementioned benefits, particularly those focusing on potential contributions to making management of the project (budgetary management or implementation of the stated policy goals) more efficient, or to assess its impacts. Generally, comprehensive quantitative evaluation of the impacts of research is crucial to determine the success of research investments. Consequently, the over-arching objective of this study was to assess the impact of this research work based on the benefits derived from the project. The benefits were categorized and aligned by user group: Phetchaburi Municipality, Laem Phak Bia Environmental Research and Development Project, the local community and immediately surrounding area, residents within the project area, and individuals interested in learning about wastewater treatment systems. Evaluation of the research benefits evidenced a net present value of approximately 155 million THB (Thai baht), with a 2.02 ratio of benefit to cost, and 36% internal rate of return. Although this assessment focused on benefits within one province within Thailand, this type of research project has global significance and value..
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Abstract : This study examined the diverse nature of rural credit cooperatives in India, analyzing their history, challenges, and new roles in the context of microfinance. The cooperative credit movement, beginning with the Cooperative Societies Act of 1904, has undergone distinct phases marked by legislative developments, government interventions, and evolving challenges. PACS are crucial components of the cooperative credit movement, the study explored challenges they encounter. The emphasis is placed on the need for revival through legal and institutional reforms. The study examines the emerging role of cooperatives in microfinance. The study highlights the pivotal role of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) in India's agricultural and rural development. NABARD's functions, including refinancing, institution building, and research promotion, make it a key player in promoting sustainable rural development. Study concludes that promoting financial inclusion, rural development, and equitable growth requires revitalizing rural credit cooperatives. The comprehensive approach suggested involves legal reforms, institutional strengthening, and innovative initiatives. NABARD's central role, complemented by the recommendations of the Vaidyanathan Committee, sets the stage for a resilient and self-reliant cooperative credit system, contributing significantly to the prosperity of rural India..
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Abstract : The objective of this study was to gauge insights of the social-ecological resilience of extension agents to compare with organic farmers’ primitive scores. Forty-seven social-ecological components for building resilience in organic rice production were used to interview randomly selected 29 extension agents. They were strategically asked to assign a score to each vital property of resilience and estimate how this property’s relative intensity. The scoring values were calculated using normalization to assign the properties’ relative intensities available on a common scale. Next, one sample t-test at the level of significance of 0.05 was carried out to compare the two parties’ relative intensities. The results revealed that three out of the four vital properties of resilience were not significantly different. The difference was only found in the vital property of ‘Learning to live with change and uncertainty’ due to organic farmers’ unaltered hindrances, such as they were elders and mediocre educated. To solve these, organic farmers must exploit utilities from Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as its benefit is enormous for improving decision-making and increasing market competition. This should be together done with allowing organic farmers to design their learning schemes, with the assistance of extension agents to ensure active collaboration and knowledge exchange..
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