Livestock manure management practices in rural households in Tapanuli Utara regency of North Sumatra

ArticleLivestock manure management is a big challenge for low income economies including the region of North Sumatra, Indonesia. Currently, low percentages of manure managed cause illegal disposals, and negative impacts on public health and environment. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the current trends among livestock manure management practices in rural households and to recognize potential problems with it. The questionnaire survey using randomly selected households (n = 196) was administered in the province of North Sumatra, Tapanuli Utara regency, from July to August 2014; then followed by several field visits from August to September 2016. Data obtained in the survey were analysed with descriptive statistics and cross tabulation. Majority (81%) of rural households handle manure in the process of either composting (75%) or sun-drying (6%). Remaining 6% of the respondents does not handle manure at all. Manure could represent valuable energy and plant nutrition resource, if used appropriately. However, if not handled at all or handled inappropriately, it can lead to the environmental problems. Our results revealed that current ways of stabling of livestock are inappropriate from the environmental perspective. The stabling has got only dusty earthen floor, which makes difficult for farmers wash out the excrements and pollution. Hence, there is a need to improve manure management practice to eliminate potential threats as current practices do not protect either humans, animals or environment against the risk of contamination with potential zoonotic pathogens

Implications for Collaborative Development of Reverse Distribution Network: A System Perspective

Part 1: Knowledge-Based SustainabilityInternational audienceOne of the recurring challenges that industries and society face is the availability of and access to resources. The scarcity of resources creates instability in the supply chains of firms and in turn affects competitiveness. In recent years, the notion of a reverse distribution network has been put forth as a possible solution to remedy not only the volatility of the supply chains but also as an indispensable approach for sustainable development. This paper examines the current state of the literature on reverse distribution networks from a system perspective. Two major findings were identified. Firstly, there are no clear grounds for decision making regarding supply network development. Secondly, collaborations offers great opportunities to develop reverse distribution networks and build robust supply chains

Framework for Information Sharing in a Small-to-Medium Port System Supply Chain

Part 1: Knowledge Discovery and SharingInternational audienceSmall-to-medium ports are characterised with inefficient, ineffective and resource intensive information sharing, which is not supporting their complex and dynamic environment. This creates challenges both for optimizing the internal planning of the activities at the port according to the demand, and for stronger supply chain integration with the external actors. This paper focuses on identifying the needs and criteria for an information sharing system, and proposes an approach for sharing operational data in port systems for improved supply chain integration, in the context of logistic engineering. The proposed approach has the potential to alleviate some of the problems when operating in a dynamic demand environment

Analysing Supply Chain Strategies Using Knowledge-Based Techniques

Abstract. We are experiencing a digital revolution that is rapidly changing the way business is conducted. In this new economy, information is shared speedily and many participants are collaborating. Effective and seamless collaboration between distributed supply chain members is therefore crucial. To understand how this may be done, we describe a knowledge based framework for abstracting, enriching, analysing and improving supply chain models. We employ business process modelling as a useful methodology for capturing and analysing supply chain strategies. In addition, we use a meta-interpreter and workflow engine for simulating business processes to help understand business scenarios. Its declarative approach makes business rationale more transparent. Our work is demonstrated by looking at a case study of Dell’s supply chain management that depicts its PC supply chain operation logics and strategies