Risk Mitigation through Diversified Farm Production Strategies: The Case in Northern Mozambique

Mozambique, like many other parts of the low-income world, faces perennial challenges with food security. With a rapidly growing population and arable land on the decline, sustainable agriculture is vital to managing the already depleted natural resources of Sub-Saharan Africa more effectively while increasing food security. Food security issues for subsistence farmers in most low-income countries are a product of endogenous (crop yields) and exogenous (currency fluctuations as many agricultural inputs are imported) factors. In Mozambique the value of the local currency, meticals, has decreased by approximately 50% since January 2015 compared to the U.S. dollar. While this makes exporting products out of Mozambique more attractive in a relative sense, it negatively effects those industries which rely on imported inputs such as animal feed and inorganic fertilizer. In response to this exogenous currency crisis, research was conducted in Nampula, Mozambique during the summer of 2016 on a method for implementing crop diversification to reduce the risk that accompanies the devaluation of the metical. This research was undertaken on a poultry operation which is heavily dependent on imported maize and soya. Similar to the market structure of the poultry industry in the United States, all birds are grown by individual out growers who typically also have small plots of land to farm. Objectives for the project included 1) perform on-site crop production evaluations, 2) determine profitability for various row crops, and 3) simulate alternative production practices to increase crop profitability. Of the crops grown (tomatoes, maize, and cabbage), maize required the least labor, lowest initial investment, and the highest probability of breaking even. This research concluded that if poultry producers in Mozambique who rely on imported feed grew maize simultaneously it would reduce the dependency on imported maize and reduce income variability associated with exogenous currency fluctuations. Implementing a program such as this could increase revenue streams as well as reduce variability, thereby enhancing regional food securit

Risk Mitigation through Diversified Farm Production Strategies: The Case in Northern Mozambique

Mozambique, like many other parts of the low-income world, faces perennial challenges with food security. With a rapidly growing population and arable land on the decline, sustainable agriculture is vital to managing the already depleted natural resources of Sub-Saharan Africa more effectively while increasing food security. Food security issues for subsistence farmers in most low-income countries are a product of endogenous (crop yields) and exogenous (currency fluctuations as many agricultural inputs are imported) factors. In Mozambique the value of the local currency, meticals, has decreased by approximately 50% since January 2015 compared to the U.S. dollar. While this makes exporting products out of Mozambique more attractive in a relative sense, it negatively effects those industries which rely on imported inputs such as animal feed and inorganic fertilizer. In response to this exogenous currency crisis, research was conducted in Nampula, Mozambique during the summer of 2016 on a method for implementing crop diversification to reduce the risk that accompanies the devaluation of the metical. This research was undertaken on a poultry operation which is heavily dependent on imported maize and soya. Similar to the market structure of the poultry industry in the United States, all birds are grown by individual out growers who typically also have small plots of land to farm. Objectives for the project included 1) perform on-site crop production evaluations, 2) determine profitability for various row crops, and 3) simulate alternative production practices to increase crop profitability. Of the crops grown (tomatoes, maize, and cabbage), maize required the least labor, lowest initial investment, and the highest probability of breaking even. This research concluded that if poultry producers in Mozambique who rely on imported feed grew maize simultaneously it would reduce the dependency on imported maize and reduce income variability associated with exogenous currency fluctuations. Implementing a program such as this could increase revenue streams as well as reduce variability, thereby enhancing regional food securit

Increasing Low-income Residents’ Access to Fresh Produce through a Local Mobile Pantry

Seeds that Feed (STF) is a mobile food pantry located in Fayetteville, Arkansas. STF receives produce from local farmers to distribute to residents in low-income housing sites throughout Northwest Arkansas. According to Feeding America, food insecurity affected 14.3% Washington County, Arkansas’ population in 2016. The purpose of this study was to determine if STF’s model is an effective way to increase individuals’ access to fresh fruits and vegetables and increase their potential to meet the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Patterns (USDA-FP) for to fruit and vegetable consumption. Twenty-three participants from three sites completed the study. A survey was used to collect basic demographics and dietary patterns. Record was taken of what foods each participant received on the survey day including plans for preparation and to whom it would be served. All anonymous responses were statistically analyzed using Excel. The results indicated that the likelihood to meet the USDA-FP for overall fruit and vegetable intake increased significantly after receiving approximately one cup of fruit and 1 ½ cups of vegetables from STF. A positive correlation was found between the number of times participants received produce from STF and participant’s total fruit intake and total intake of the “red/orange” and “other” vegetable subgroups. Therefore, STF’s model appears to be an effective method to increase access to fresh produce. Future research could utilize STF’s model to assess the potential for other supplemental nutrition programs to help low-income residents meet the USDA-FP and reduce food insecurity via mobile pantry

Increasing Profitability of Small Scale Orchard Producers through Optimizing Replacement Rate: The Case Study of Ghana

This study sets out to empirically estimate the optimum annual replacement rate and age of cocoa trees in order to maximize the net present value of four common cocoa production systems. The study examines the costs and returns of four common cocoa production systems in Ghana associated with changes in cocoa prices, fertilizer prices, inflation rates, and labor prices. While this study focuses on cocoa, the methodology is applicable to any perennial crop. This study uses empirical yield curves and cost of production data from Ghana to determine when and what percentage of a cocoa orchard should be replaced annually to maximize net present value of revenues over time. Successive versions of the model are solved to determine how input and output price changes affect optimal replacement rates and replacement ages. Producers in both high- and low-income countries are reluctant to cull still productive assets, such as trees that are diminishing in yield over time. The Excel based model developed in this study could provide extension personnel with a simple yet powerful tool to illustrate to producers the benefits of systematic tree replacement. This study provides strong evidence of the benefits of replacing trees at the optimal time and rate.Cocoa, Replacement Rate, Net Present Value (NPV), Production Economics, Q01, Q15, Q32,

Willingness-to-Pay for Halal and Branded Poultry in Northern Mozambique

While price typically drives consumers’ food-purchasing decisions in low-income countries, religious attributes associated with food production and corporate branding could influence buying patterns. In Mozambique, more than 46% of people were living below the poverty line of ($0.31 USD) per day in 2018. That being said, in the Nampula Province (the location of this study), which is the second poorest province in the country, over 25% of the population is Muslim and may be willing-to-pay (WTP) a premium for Halal meat products to uphold Islamic beliefs. Like many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, poultry is the fastest-growing source of protein. Since large-scale domestic poultry industries are relatively new in Mozambique, brand loyalty is a new concept that has not been empirically analyzed before in the literature. In this study, we surveyed 312 consumers in Nampula, Mozambique, using a choice-based modeling approach to estimate if consumers were WTP for chicken that was slaughtered according to Halal laws and chicken which was branded by New Horizons (the largest chicken producer in Nampula). Results from the small sample in this study indicated that even in low-income countries like Mozambique, consumers are WTP a premium for branding. Specifically, Muslim consumers were WTP a premium for Halal-produced meat with branding. While non-Muslims did associate Halal poultry with being safer (69%) and of better quality (64%), but they were not found to be WTP a premium for these attributes

In-Store Evaluation of Consumer Willingness to Pay for “Farm-Raised†Pre-Cooked Roast Beef: A Case Study

A choice-based conjoint experiment was used to examine consumer willingness to pay for a farm-raised pre-cooked roast beef product. Consumers were contacted in a grocery store and provided a sample of the pre-cooked product. Findings indicate there is a small, but statistically significant willingness-to-pay premium for the farm-raised product, suggesting that some product differentiation may result in higher prices for these products. The study outlines an approach to marketing research.beef, conjoint, convenience foods, experiments, in-store tests, surveys, Livestock Production/Industries, Marketing,

Deer Frozen Semen Quality in Tris Sucrose and Tris Glucose Extender with Different Glycerol Concentrations

In order to improve Timor deer (Cervus timorensis) frozen semen quality, the influence of sugar and glycerol concentration on semen characteristics of sperm was investigated. The semen was collected from five sexually mature Timor deer using an electroejaculator. The semen was evaluated and divided into six equal tubes and diluted with Tris sucrose glycerol 10% (TSG10); Tris sucrose glycerol 12% (TSG12); Tris sucrose glycerol 14% (TSG14); Tris glucose glycerol 10% (TGG10); Tris glucose glycerol 12% (TGG12); and Tris glucose glycerol 14% (TGG14). The diluted semen was packed in 0.3 ml minitub straw, equilibrated at 5 oC for 4 hours and frozen on liquid nitrogen vapor for 10 minutes. The total of forward motility, viability, acrosome integrity and membrane integrity were assessed in fresh, after equilibration and after thawing. Results demonstrated that the percentage of sperm motility in TSG10was higher (P (63.93±7.23%). The sperm in TSG10 and TSG14 extender were superior in acrosome as well as in membrane integrity. It was concluded that Tris Sucrose with 10% glycerol protected Timor deer sperm better than other combinations

The Benefits of the Arkansas Rice Check-Off Program

As margins are reducing for agricultural producers there is a concerted effort to analyze all costs. One such cost for rice producers in Arkansas is their contribution to the Rice Check-off Program. This study analyzes the cost-benefit ratio of funds contributed by Arkansas rice producers and the holistic (both economic and environmental) benefits they receive. This study analyzes just five of the many programs the Rice Check-off Program invests in through the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture (UASDA) and suggests that every dollar invested generated an average return of $28.49 between 2002–2018 ($70.45 when ecosystem benefits are included). That being said, our benefit-cost ratios of 28.49 to 1 and 70.45 to 1, are conservative estimates as we are comparing the total Rice Checkoff funding provided to the UASDA to the benefits of just five of its funded programs. These same investments have resulted in an increase in the rice supply sufficient enough to feed 4.15 million people annually. Rice Check-off funds have consistently provided substantial benefits from their investments

THE EFFECT OF GLYCEROL CONCENTRATION IN TRIS GLUCOSE EGG YOLK EXTENDER ON THE QUALITY OF TIMOR DEER FROZEN SEMEN

The aims of study was to compare the glycerol concentration in Tris glucose egg yolk (TGEY) diluents on the quality of deer frozen semen. Semen was collected from 5 Timor deer using electroejaculator. Immediately after collection the semen was evaluated macroscopic and microscopically. After initial evaluation, the semen was divided into three tubes and extended with Tris egg yolk with three different glycerol concentrations, which were 10% (TGEY10); 12% (TGEY12) and 14% (TGEY14). The sperm motility, viability, acrosome intact and membrane intact were evaluated in raw semen, after equilibration and after thawing. The results showed that there were no differences (p>0.05) on the sperm motility, viability as well as sperm acrosome intact. Sperm membrane intact in TGEY10 (52.50±5.89%) and TGEY14 (51.50±4.12 %) were higher (p<0.05) than in TGEY12 (49.00±6.58). It was concluded that 10, 12 or 14% glycerol concentration can be used for Timor deer semen cryopreservation

Deer Frozen Semen Quality in Tris Sucrose and Tris Glucose Extender with Different Glycerol Concentrations

In order to improve Timor deer (Cervus timorensis) frozen semen quality, the influence of sugar and glycerol concentration on semen characteristics of sperm was investigated.  The semen was collected from five sexually mature Timor deer using an electroejaculator. The semen was evaluated and divided into six equal tubes and diluted with Tris sucrose glycerol 10% (TSG10); Tris sucrose glycerol 12% (TSG12); Tris sucrose glycerol 14% (TSG14); Tris glucose glycerol 10% (TGG10); Tris glucose glycerol 12% (TGG12); and Tris glucose glycerol 14% (TGG14). The diluted semen was packed in 0.3 ml minitub straw, equilibrated at 5 oC for 4 hours and frozen on liquid nitrogen vapor for 10 minutes. The total of forward motility, viability, acrosome integrity and membrane integrity were assessed in fresh, after equilibration and after thawing. Results demonstrated that the percentage of sperm motility in TSG10was higher (P (63.93±7.23%). The sperm in TSG10 and TSG14  extender were superior in acrosome as well as in membrane integrity. It was concluded that Tris Sucrose with 10% glycerol protected Timor deer sperm better than other combinations