PART-TIME FARMING: PRODUCTIVITY AND SOME IMPLICATIONS OF OFF-FARM WORK BY FARMERS

Labor and Human Capital,

Position and Prospects of Black Farmers in the South

Almost 94 percent of black farms in the United States have been lost since 1920, and the remaining 57,271 farms constituted only 2.3 percent of all farms in 1978. Most (95 percent) black farm operators were located in the South. However, they constituted only 5.4 percent of all farm operators in the South. Since 1959, there have been some dramatic changes not only in the number of black farms but in their composition also. Ninety three percent of the South\u27s black farmers were small, both in size and product sales, and they operated only 1.4 percent of all operated land. These black farmers were older than their white counterparts and worked fewer days off-farm. Thus most black operated farms in the South were small and they faced several unique problems along with those problems faced by other small farmers. The paper identifies, compares, and contrasts resources and characteristics of black farm operators in the 14 southern states. Relevant unpublished and published census OF agriculture data were used to provide insights into the black farmers in the South. This article provides background material for researchers and policy makers and attempts to identify those voids which may receive emphasis in future work

Incidence, Magnitude, and Determinants of Off-Farm Income in Tennessee and the South

The major objectives of this study are to identify the incidence and magnitude of of f-farm income in Tennessee and the South and to determine factors affecting off-farm income of a select group of farm families. Regression models were estimated using cross-sectional data collected from 193 randomly selected farm families in two Tennessee counties. Two models were estimated: the first, for the farm operator\u27s off-farm income; and the second, for the total off-farm income of the family. The study revealed various socioeconomic factors affecting total off-farm family income and operator\u27s off-farm income. Elasticities were also determined for each of the independent variables at their mean values to determine responsiveness of the off-farm income to changes in the independent variables

Efficiency and Productivity Changes in the Indian Food Processing Industry: Determinants and Policy Implications

This paper analyses efficiency and productivity changes in 12 broad segments of food manufacturing industries during pre and post liberalisation periods, covering a period of two decades, from 1980-1981 to 2001-2002. The nonparametric Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) approach is used to compute the Malmquist Total Factor Productivity (TFP) change, which has been further decomposed into efficiency and technical change. This paper also evaluates the performance of major inputs used in the food processing industry and identifies the causes of inefficiency across various segments. Based on the findings, the paper gives suggestions that can be used by policy makers and food processors in making decisions regarding various technical and managerial aspects to improve productivity and efficiency.Technical Efficiency, Total Factor Productivity (TFP), Food Processing, Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), India, Productivity Analysis, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, Q10, Q11, Q13,

CONSUMER BIOTECHNOLOGY FOOD AND NUTRITION INFORMATION SOURCES: THE TRUST FACTOR

Although much has been written on consumer attitudes toward genetically modified foods, not much is known about how or where consumers get the information for the decisions they make about genetically modified foods. This paper reports on the media used by consumers in acquiring information about biotech food and nutrition issues, and examines how much trust consumers put in selected information sources. The paper also discusses how socio-economic variables affect level of trust in selected sources. Qualitative and quantitative techniques were applied to data collected from focus groups and a mail questionnaire survey. Analyses showed that consumers used newspapers (73.7%), television (73.2%), and magazines (71.2%) occasionally or more frequently than other sources to collect information about food and biotechnology. Health professionals, extension professionals, and University scientists were most trusted for providing information about GM foods. Findings of the study could provide information on choice of effective channels for communicating information about modified food and biotechnology.Consumer/Household Economics,

MARKETING CHANNELS USED BY WHOLESALE AND RETAIL NURSERY COMPANIES

Analysis of data collected from a questionnaire survey of randomly selected Tennessee nursery businesses revealed that wholesalers and retailers differed significantly in their stated reasons for attending and participating in industry trade shows. When controlled for business size (gross sales), wholesalers and retailers also differed significantly in their perception of the usefulness of catalogs, newspapers, trade journals, trade shows, and radio to advertise nursery products and services.advertising channels, business operation size, Chi-square tests of independence, nursery retail business, nursery wholesale business, strategic marketing, stratified random sample, Industrial Organization,

Trust in Food-Safety Information Sources: Examining Differences in Respondents’ Opinions from a Three-State Survey

This paper analyzes data from a telephone survey of 1,000 home-meal preparers from Alabama, North Carolina, and Tennessee. We evaluate the level of trust assigned by survey respondents to twelve sources used in gathering food safety information and provide guidance on effective ways of communicating food-safety information. Data collected were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Health professionals, nutrition counselors, and food labels were highly trusted sources of food-safety information while the Internet, radio, and television were the least trusted.Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

Short Communication: Effects of temperature on growth, pigment composition and protein content of an Antarctic Cyanobacterium Nostoc commune

Tripathi R, Dhuldhaj UP, Singh S. 2012. Short Communication: Effects of temperature on growth, pigment composition and protein content of an Antarctic Cyanobacterium Nostoc commune. Nusantara Bioscience 4: 134-137. Effect of temperature variation on biomass accumulation, pigment composition and protein content were studied for the cyanobacterium Nostoc commune, isolated from Antarctica. Results confirmed the psychrotrophic behavior (optimum growth temperature 25◦C) of the cyanobacterium. Low temperature increased the duration of lag phase and exponential growth phase. Maximum increase in biomass was recorded on 24th day at 25◦C and on 12th day at 50C. The downshift from 25 to 5◦C had almost negligible effect on chl a content. Maximal protein content was recorded for cultures growing at 50C on 12th day. The carotenoids/chl a ratio was maximum (2.48) at 50C on 9th day. It remained almost constant for cultures growing at 5 and 350C. There was an induction in protein synthesis following downshift in temperature from 25 to 5◦C

Producer Biotech Food Knowledge Differences: Findings from a Three-State Survey

Over the years, public opinion in the United States on agricultural biotechnology has shifted from one of extreme consumer concern to one of indifference. This paper analyzes gender, ethnic, education, age, and household-income differences in producersÂ’' biotechnology knowledge. Mail questionnaires were used in collecting data. Responses to selected questions were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Chi-squares tests showed statistically significant differences in biotechnology knowledge among farmers who participated in the three-state survey.Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

Differences in District Extension Leaders\u27 Perceptions of the Problems and Needs of Tennessee Small Farmers

A survey questionnaire was used in collecting data used in examining differences in Extension leaders\u27 perceptions of problems faced by small farmers in Tennessee. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used in analyzing questionnaire responses. Capital, credit, and appropriate technology were some of the problems facing small farmers. Fear of acquiring additional debt; inability to run large operations; lack of machinery and equipment; and scarce cash constrained expansion of small farms, according to surveyed Extension leaders. Although there were differences across districts, most frequently cited research and educational needs of small farmers were those related to production, marketing, and management