Marketing underutilized plant species for the benefit of the poor: a conceptual framework

"Modern crop production is based on only a few plant species. Particularly in marginal environments of developing agricultural economies, many less well-known agricultural or non-timber forest species, continue to be grown, managed or collected, thus contributing to the livelihood of the poor and to agricultural biodiversity. Some of these species, called underutilized plant species, are characterized by the fact that they are locally in developing countries but globally rare, that scientific information and knowledge about them is scant, and that their current use is limited relative to their economic potential. In this paper, we first identify the economic factors that cause these plants to be ‘underutilized'. Based on this analysis, we propose a classification of underutilized plant species based on the relationship of the observed to the potential economic value of the species, and the presence or absence of and constraints to output markets. Then, focusing on a subset of underutilized plant species with market potential, we identify three necessary conditions for the successful commercialization of underutilized plant species for the benefit of the poor: demand expansion, increased efficiency of supply and marketing channels, and a supply control mechanism. This conceptual framework is intended to provide a basis for an empirical assessment of marketing solutions for underutilized plant species among the rural poor in developing economies." Authors' abstractUnderutilized species, Agricultural biodiversity, Agricultural marketing, Agricultural development, Niche markets,

Collective action for small-scale producers of agricultural biodiversity products:

"The role of well-functioning markets for development is now widely recognized, however the challenge remains to make these markets benefit the poor and the environment. Increasing attention is being given to the potential role markets can play for agrobiodiversity conservation through product diversification and increasing competitiveness in niche and novelty markets. Bioversity International has undertaken several studies that explore the use of market-based approaches to on-farm agrobiodiversity management and livelihood improvement. Case studies have been developed on a range of species, varieties and derived products, including underutilized species and commodities in several regions of the world. This paper explores how the theory of collective action can provide a more synthetic understanding of how market chains operate and how changes in the market chain and market institutions can permit a more equitable distribution of welfare benefits. The case studies illustrate the need for improved trust, a mutual understanding of each actor's involvement and the need for an agreed process of collective action that involves a high level of community participation to achieve an improved market chain organization benefiting the poor. The cases differ in their degree of collective action, the level of market organization and the ways in which handling, processing, and innovative marketing add value to the agrobiodiversity products. Comparative analysis of these cases identified a range of options and situations in which market development can support agrobiodiversity conservation and livelihoods. Bringing together these experiences will also help to identify the situations in which a collective approach can maximize the capturing of market benefits for smallholders. Trade-offs between income generation, livelihood security, and agrobiodiversity conservation should be further examined in order to find solutions that support sustainable development of poor communities that manage agricultural biodiversity." authors' abstractAgricultural biodiversity, Market chain, Market access, Livelihoods, Collective action, Small farmers, Biodiversity,

Marketing Underutilized Plant Species for the Poor

Underutilized plant species are defined as agricultural or non-timber forest species that are locally abundant in developing countries but globally rare. Scientific information about them is scant and their use is currently limited relative to their economic potential. Some are potentially high-value crops and they all contribute to agricultural biodiversity and the livelihood of the poor. Despite a growing body of scientific literature on underutilized species, to our knowledge, agricultural economics literature has contributed little to the understanding of how to commercialize these crops of plant products successfully. In this paper we first define what economic factors characterize underutilized plant species. Our classification of species is based on: 1) the relationship of the observed to the potential economic value of the species; 2) the presence or absence of an output market; and 3) the presence of market imperfections and 4) the presence of particular market failures. With this economic characterization, we exclude species for which developing markets is in or of itself irrelevant. We then identify three necessary conditions to the successful commercialization of underutilized plant species for the poor: demand expansion, increase efficiency of supply and supply control mechanism. The purpose of developing this simple conceptual framework is to provide a basis for the design of an empirical investigation of marketing solutions for underutilized plant species among the rural poor in developing economies.agricultural marketing, agricultural biodiversity, economic development, Crop Production/Industries, Q13, O13, Q56,

Derecho dominical y tanteo comunal en la Castilla moderna

The present book deals with an historical Castilian legal institution (tanteo comunal) that, in the modern age, allowed villages —by means of lawsuits brought to the royal council of Castile— to repurchase the offices related to their local government (regidores), previously privatized by the crown. In this regard, a survey has been carried on not only through the judicial practice of the time but also through the coeval legal doctrines (doctrina). “Derecho dominical y tanteo comunal” aims also to outline a comparison with more archaic actions (actiones populares) which were used, until then, by local communities against the usurpers of their own properties (bienes comunales), in order to obtain their restitution. To this regard, the results of this research highlight the strong relationship between the acciones populares and the tanteo comunal. However the institutional reforms, later undertaken by the crown, deeply affected local government and eventually eclipsed this particular legal institution

Derecho dominical y tanteo comunal en la Castilla moderna

The present book deals with an historical Castilian legal institution (tanteo comunal) that, in the modern age, allowed villages —by means of lawsuits brought to the royal council of Castile— to repurchase the offices related to their local government (regidores), previously privatized by the crown. In this regard, a survey has been carried on not only through the judicial practice of the time but also through the coeval legal doctrines (doctrina). “Derecho dominical y tanteo comunal” aims also to outline a comparison with more archaic actions (actiones populares) which were used, until then, by local communities against the usurpers of their own properties (bienes comunales), in order to obtain their restitution. To this regard, the results of this research highlight the strong relationship between the acciones populares and the tanteo comunal. However the institutional reforms, later undertaken by the crown, deeply affected local government and eventually eclipsed this particular legal institution

High-Resolution Phase-Contrast Tomography on Human Collagenous Tissues: A Comprehensive Review

Phase-contrast X-ray imaging is becoming increasingly considered since its first applications, which occurred almost 30 years ago. Particular emphasis was placed on studies that use this technique to investigate soft tissues, which cannot otherwise be investigated at a high resolution and in a three-dimensional manner, using conventional absorption-based settings. Indeed, its consistency and discrimination power in low absorbing samples, unified to being a not destructive analysis, are pushing interests on its utilization from researchers of different specializations, from botany, through zoology, to human physio-pathology research. In this regard, a challenging method for 3D imaging and quantitative analysis of collagenous tissues has spread in recent years: it is based on the unique characteristics of synchrotron radiation phase-contrast microTomography (PhC-microCT). In this review, the focus has been placed on the research based on the exploitation of synchrotron PhC-microCT for the investigation of collagenous tissue physio-pathologies from solely human samples. Collagen tissues’ elasto-mechanic role bonds it to the morphology of the site it is extracted from, which could weaken the results coming from animal experimentations. Encouraging outcomes proved this technique to be suitable to access and quantify human collagenous tissues and persuaded different researchers to approach it. A brief mention was also dedicated to the results obtained on collagenous tissues using new and promising high-resolution phase-contrast tomographic laboratory-based setups, which will certainly represent the real step forward in the diffusion of this relatively young imaging technique

An association of boswellia, betaine and myo-inositol (Eumastós) in the treatment of mammographic breast density. A randomized, double-blind study

Mammographic breast density is a recognized risk factor for breast cancer. The causes that lead to the proliferation of the glandular breast tissue and, therefore, to an increase of breast density are still unclear. However, a treatment strategy to reduce the mammary density may bring about very relevant clinical outcomes in breast cancer prevention. Myo-inositol is a six-fold alcohol of cyclohexane, has already been proved to modulate different pathways: inflammatory, metabolic, oxidative and endocrine processes, in a wide array of human diseases, including cancer and the genesis of mammary gland and breast diseases, like fibrosis, as well as metabolic and endocrine cues. Similarly, boswellic acid and betaine (three-methyl glycine) both inhibit inflammation and exert protective effects on breast physiology. Based on this scientific background, we hypothesized that a combination including, boswellic acid, betaine and myo-inositol would be able to reduce breast density working on different pathways.OBJECTIVE: Mammographic breast density is a recognized risk factor for breast cancer. The causes that lead to the proliferation of the glandular breast tissue and, therefore, to an increase of breast density are still unclear. However, a treatment strategy to reduce the mammary density may bring about very relevant clinical outcomes in breast cancer prevention. Myo-inositol is a six-fold alcohol of cyclohexane, has already been proved to modulate different pathways: inflammatory, metabolic, oxidative and endocrine processes, in a wide array of human diseases, including cancer and the genesis of mammary gland and breast diseases, like fibrosis, as well as metabolic and endocrine cues. Similarly, boswellic acid and betaine (threemethyl glycine) both inhibit inflammation and exert protective effects on breast physiology. Based on this scientific background, we hypothesized that a combinat ion including, boswellic acid, betaine and myo-inositol would be able to reduce breast density working on different pathways. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study, seventy-six premenopausal women were randomly assigned to the placebo and the experimental drug arms (Eumastós®) for six months. RESULTS: After 6 months of treatment, statistically significant difference between the two groups was recorded on the breast density reduction (60% vs. 9%), using mammographic as well as ultrasound examination. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary data collected here with support the starting assumptions,that the association comprising boswellic acid, betaine and myo-inositol significantly reduces mammary density, providing the first evidence for a new and safe approach for the management of mammographic density treatment