Farm size-performance relationship: A review

The report assesses the relationship between size and performance (i.e. direct, inverse or non-monotonic) and aims to shed light on the debate by providing a qualified answer to the question in the developing world. Farm and plot performance data was gathered through an exhaustive review of mostly peer-reviewed publications over the last 21 years (1997-2017) in English, French and Spanish. Following the screening of the material, a selection of 421 papers was reviewed, creating a pool of over 1000 individual observations or cases. Both specific and general agricultural economics studies using land area as explaining variable in their performance estimates were explored. Three groups of indicators (i.e. gross output, net value and efficiency) were analysed according to area size in an effort to go beyond the too often used yield or gross value per area as performance indicators. Analyses based on farm data show that there has been a revival of interest on the question, mainly in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), given the increased rate of specific literature publications. Such production is highly concentrated within multilateral bodies (i.e. World Bank, IFPRI and associated research institutions in developed countries), in contrast, for example with the material developed in Asia mostly originating from regional research institutions. The review looked for evidence documenting the various possible relationships that could relate the size of an agricultural holding to its performance. The main explanations shaping the size-performance relationship were explored, namely: the contextual rural input market imperfections but also methodological shortcomings hampering the relevance of the existing literature on the subject. On the one hand, IR is clearly the dominant type of interaction between crop land area and agricultural performance using the most common performance indicator group used (gross output mainly populated by yield or total value). However, part of the literature has clearly demonstrated that the use of this type of indicator of performance, and the physical volumes in particular, are generally ill-advised in assessing the farm size performance relationship. On the other hand, the less frequent but more global productivity indicator group of "efficiency" and "net values" do not report such a clear cut relationship. As a matter of fact, cases using "efficiency" performance indicators are more likely to record a direct relationship than IR. Moreover, the emergence of non-monotonic relationships needs to be highlighted showing that the relationship may not be constant. Tests conducted on the existing material clearly associate a number of rural factor market imperfections with the prevalence of the IR. Hence, IR is more likely to be a symptom of imperfections and lack of opportunities for rural labour than an advantage of a given type of farms. In turn, methodological reasons explored also indicate that narrower ranges of farm size in a given study increase the reporting of IR, particularly in SSA and when analysing partial performance indicators. From being an established stylised “fact” in development economics, IR cannot be taken for granted because of empirical complexities in accurately assessing it but also because there is evidence that such a relationship depends on the performance indicator analysed. Hence, IR may not necessarily be considered systematic, continuous, stable through time, irreversible or universal. From a broader development intervention perspective, and on the basis of the review results, the recommended performance indicators (i.e. net value and efficiency) show that larger farms tend to be more performant than smallholders. This does not suggests the abandonment of smallholders by policy as there are both critical economic and social justifications for the direct improvement of the living conditions of a large share of the population in most of the developing world.JRC.D.4-Economics of Agricultur

Sustainable agricultural practices and their adoption in sub-Saharan Africa: A selected review

Africa is currently only producing about 10% of global agricultural output while estimated to possess 25% of the world’s arable land. That said, the estimated additional available agricultural land is probably lower than what is generally assumed given the trend in rising rural population density, which, in places is comparable to Asian levels. Moreover, most soils are fragile with low nutrients and organic matter concentration.A "great balancing act" is needed between the increasing and diversifying food and nutrition security (FNS) needs and the resources available. More generically, reaching FNS faces both conventional (demographics) and emerging challenges (climate change). The debate on the sustainability of agriculture requires translation into specific approached and practices. The report gathers a conventional literature review of existing publications (Peer-reviewed journals, major reports and relevant project documents). The material consulted was mostly in English with references to French documents particularly for West and Central African experiences. The key databases consulted were Scopus and Google Scholar.The challenges faced by Africa’s agriculture are very diverse considering a sustainable approach in responding to the regions’ FNS needs. As such, there is no single solution (‘silver bullet’) allowing the sector to sustainably increase its contribution to food supply. Ultimately, opting for a coherent set of approaches or more targeted agricultural practices depends on the great diversity of local contexts (environmental, institutional, seasonal, etc.) as well as characteristics and motivation of individual farmers and their communities. Collective action in the uptake of key practices has been recorded as having produced more sustainable benefits. When looking at each newly adapted practice as innovations it is essential to look towards more coherent, and more importantly, effective sustainable production systems. For FNS intervention to be sustainable, intervention would benefit from adopting a landscape framework so that the various objectives of sustainability can be coherently negotiated alongside pure FNS objectives. Considering land sharing could be particularly relevant for areas with potential agriculture frontier (e.g. Sahel countries, RDC) but also to those were forest "encroachment" is the only remaining frontier given the rising population density. Management approaches that could improve soils emerge as a prerequisite to conventional intensification. As it is the case for input-based intensification of agriculture, the results from the different management-based approaches are not universal and absolute responses cannot be derived from the cases reviewed (including the meta-analyses). Careful targeting and local adaptation remain fundamental ingredients for both improved performance and the long-term adoption of any of the principles and associated practices. A general challenge for adoption is that of timing. Any new practice or approach promoted is expected to provide at least a perceivable improvement in the objectives of farmers in the short-term, when they are generally most sensitive to.JRC.D.4-Economics of Agricultur

The impact of private R&D on the performance of food-processing firms: Evidence from Europe, Japan and North America

This report investigates the impact of corporate research and development (R&D) on firm performance in the food-processing industry. The agro-food industry is usually considered to be a low-tech sector (the share of total output that is attributable to R&D is around 0.27% in the EU). However, the agro-food industry is very heterogeneous. On the one hand, there are many highly innovative food-processing firms with intensive R&D activity and, on the other hand, many food-processing firms derive and adopt innovations from other sectors such as machinery, packaging and other manufacturing suppliers. We perform data envelopment analysis (DEA) with two-step bootstrapping, which allows us to correct the bias in (in)efficiency and generate unbiased estimates for (in)efficiencies. We use a corporate dataset of 307 companies from agriculture and food-processing industries from the EU, the USA, Canada and Japan for the period 1991–2009. The estimates suggest that R&D has a positive effect on firms’ performance, with marginal gains decreasing at the R&D level, and performance differences detected across regions and food sectors. General public expenditure in R&D is also associated with a positive impact on firm performance. As a result, policy support for this type of non-high-tech innovative sector is expected to generate growth. However, results that suggest heterogeneity in R&D effects across EU Member States may point to differences in the implications of innovation policies across EU regions.JRC.D.4-Economics of Agricultur

Video-Assisted Thoracoscopy For Penetrating Cardiac Box Injury in Stable Patients

Introduction: In high-volume trauma centers, especially in developing countries, penetrating cardiac box injuries are frequent. Although many aspects of penetrating chest injuries have been well established, video-assisted thoracoscopy is still finding its place in cardiac box trauma and algorithmic approaches are still lacking. The purpose of this manuscript is to provide a streamlined recommendation for penetrating cardiac box injury in stable patients. Methods: Literature review was carried out using PubMed/ MEDLINE and Google Scholar databases to identify articles describing the characteristics and concepts of penetrating cardiac box trauma, including the characteristics of tamponade, cardiac ultrasound, indications and techniques of pericardial windows and, especially, the role of video-assisted thoracoscopy in stable patients. Results: Penetrating cardiac box injuries, whether by stab or gunshot wounds, require rapid surgical consultation. Unstable patients require immediate open surgery, however, determining which stable patients should be taken to thoracoscopic surgery is still controversial. Here, the classification of penetrating cardiac box injury used in Colombia is detailed, as well as the algorithmic approach to these types of trauma. Conclusion: Although open surgery is mandatory in unstable patients with penetrating cardiac box injuries, a more conservative and minimally invasive approach may be undertaken in stable patients. As rapid decision-making is critical in the trauma bay, surgeons working in high-volume trauma centers should expose themselves to thoracoscopy and always consider this possibility in the setting of penetrating cardiac box injuries in stable patients, always in the context of an experienced trauma team

Irrigation and irrigated agriculture potential in the Sahel: The case of the Niger river basin.

The report assesses the potential of developing irrigation in the Niger River Basin under various agricultural scenarios accounting for biophysical and socio-economic variables, and for expected climate change. Irrigation potential is assessed in two parts. The first reviews recent literature in English and French (2010 onwards) on sustainable irrigation potential in the Sahel (i.e. Lake Chad basin, Niger, Senegal Volta River basins). Sahel agriculture possesses a significant irrigation potential. However, estimates fluctuate greatly depending on the scale of irrigation schemes, whether the resource is surface or ground water, expected and actual irrigation costs but also on determinants of success of irrigation schemes, including the varying effects when interacting with other inputs, such as fertilisers. Past, and not always successful, efforts were based on large public irrigation schemes (i.e. river dams and related canals). In a growing number of contexts, investments in small and micro-irrigation systems are identified as more desirable than conventional large schemes. Existing small-scale irrigation systems in the region are known to be developing however limited systematised evidence exists. The realisation of this potential is very sensitive to the costs of irrigation, among the highest in the world, with some technologies more sensitive than others (i.e. small river diversions). Moreover, irrigation potential is influenced by synergies among irrigation and other agricultural production technologies – it is maybe worthwhile to recall that irrigation potential is not a static concept, but it is contingent on levels of other inputs. Hence, irrigation investments need to be put in the broader context of productivity enhancement, rural development efforts and global changes such as urbanisation The development of irrigation in the Sahel and in the Niger River basin in particular is a key intervention area for agriculture and development policy in general. Current policy identifies irrigation development as an instrument fostering food security. However, from the angle of optimization, rainfed agriculture retains the larger potential for development when looking at costs and overall potential profits. Moreover, support to the development of irrigated agriculture needs to be fully integrated with a relevant and adapted support to agriculture in general, particularly with regards to how it mitigates risk. Access to irrigation is expected to expand farmers' production opportunities. It mitigates production risks, even in low quantities as crop-saving irrigation. By reducing risk, it encourages farmers to make more intensive use of inputs and land. Moreover, this dynamic effect is also influenced by the type of irrigation systems accessed. For example, the literature has identified that farmers which have some off-farm income are particularly interested in investing in agriculture if irrigation is made available, whereas other groups may be interested in improving first their access to credit for farm inputs with then a view on irrigation. How production risks are perceived need to be clearly identified so that the irrigation systems fostered can be seen as risk-reducing Functioning supply chains would also make irrigation more profitable as they reduce losses of potentially more valuable products from irrigated agriculture and enhance market access. Recently, registered regional increases in groundwater storage have been associated to diffuse recharge, partially compensating for groundwater withdrawal associated with irrigation development. Hence, hinting at some level of sustainability in the use of groundwater for small-scale irrigation in the Sahel, despite the risks associated with salinization. The second part focuses on the Niger Basin to assess and quantify its irrigation potential through modelling. The model uses static biophysical and socio-economic indicators in model optimising profits of mainly small holder farms under 4 possible agricultural scenarios with distinctive productivity levels. In general, the projected irrigated area does not evolve much between scenarios mainly because of high productions costs associated with increased irrigation. Although irrigation potential is theoretically large, investing in both irrigated and rainfed input intensification offers the largest potential gains. The results for total irrigation potential in terms of farmed area are in the range of 0.6-09M hectares, from the estimated current 0.53M hectares of irrigated land under the most productive scenario in terms of agricultural yields. However, even the most yielding scenario results of the current study are significantly lower than previous estimates developed in the literature, and depend on assumed irrigation and input costs. The specific strengths of this new estimation are that of using input costs from recent agricultural surveys (i.e. LSMS-ISA) along with crop suitability maps. Its main limitation is that is does not distinguish between irrigation technologies and related costs, constraining estimates to a generic (gravity) irrigation. In turn, the expansion of agriculture is exogenously determined and does not depend upon the variables analysed.JRC.D.4-Economics of Agricultur

El perfil tecnológico como herramienta de extensión e investigación para la caracterización de la limonicultura de Jujuy

PósterLa producción citrícola jujeña se ubica en los Valles Templados y Subtropicales. Existen 248 producto-res con predios de tamaños variables con actividad mixta, citrus y hortalizas y/o con otros frutales. Más del 70 % posee plantaciones iguales o menores a 20 ha. Los limones ocupan el 27,70 % de la superficie citrícola provincial y concentra a 67 sistemas productivos. Dada las tendencias de los mercados y la contribución de actividad a las economías locales resulta necesario contar con información territorial de las prácticas de manejo utilizadas y su impacto en los rendimientos, El objetivo del trabajo fue relevar prácticas y labores en diferentes explotaciones limoneras en la provincia de Jujuy, con la finalidad de sistematizarlas y valorarlas en niveles de adopción de acuerdo con el perfil tecnológico. En los años 2020 y 2021 se aplicó una metodología desarrollada por el INTA, definiéndose la zona geográfica de estudio; clasificándose a los productores en tres niveles tecnológicos (bajo, medio, alto) en base a los rendimientos y se categorizo la adopción de las tecnologías utilizadas en el proceso productivo, en cinco niveles (O, A, B, C, T). Los datos fueron recogidos y consolidados mediante encuestas, entrevistas virtuales a diez técnicos y profesionales con un enfoque iterativo tipo Delphi. Se observó, que las tecnologías que más retrasan el perfil tecnológico (PT) bajo son: la densidad de plantación 300 plantas/ha, un programa de fertilización con macronutrientes, el manejo de malezas mecánico con segadora y químico, plantaciones con bordos y cortinas rompe vientos, la disponibilidad de maquinaria propia. Las tecnologías que más favorecen el PT alto son: la poda anual, fertilización programada con corrección foliar con micronutrientes, utilizando diagnóstico análisis de suelo y foliares, la aplicación de fitosanitarios mediante monitoreo, el riego presurizado y programación del riego, el uso de asistencia técnica privada y pública, la disponibilidad de Packing y por último la programación de cosecha con fechas acotadas. Esta información permite encontrar tecnologías críticas y generar nuevas líneas de trabajo para mejorar el impacto de la investigación y extensión y la metodología utilizada fue de aplicación simple y práctica.Centro de Investigación en Economía y ProspectivaFil: Buono, Sebastían Horacio. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Yuto. Agencia De Extensión Rural San Pedro; ArgentinaFil: Tapia, Silvia Norma. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Yuto; ArgentinaFil: Perondi, Marcelo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Yuto; ArgentinaFil: Garzón, Marcos. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Yuto; ArgentinaFil: Giorgini, Sergio. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estacion Experimental Agropecuaria Cerrillos; ArgentinaFil: Giancola, Silvana Inés. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Centro de Investigaciones en Economía y Prospectiva (CIEP); Argentin

In vitro propagation from nodal segments of Lippia origanoides (chemotype A)

This research described an efficient micropropagation protocol for Lippia origanoides (Verbenaceae). Sterile seeds were used to obtain germinated seedlings in Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) supplemented with sucrose and agar. The nodal segments obtained from seedlings were grown on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of gibberellic acid (GA), benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 1-naphthalenacetic acid (NAA) with BAP. The callus induction, shoots length, shoots number and root length, were analyzed. The treatments showed high percentage of callus formation at 0.5 to 1.5 mg L-1 of BAP alone or in combination with NAA (0.1 mg L-1). The highest value of shoot number per nodal segments was obtained at 1.5 mg L-1 of BAP (4.3 ± 0.8). The obtained plantlets were better rooted in vitro in the absence of plant growth regulators (PGRs) and they showed acclimatization rate of 90%. We reported a protocol for in vitro propagation and acclimatization of L. origanoides for A chemotypes from Colombia

Indigenous Protocol and Artificial Intelligence Position Paper

This position paper on Indigenous Protocol (IP) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a starting place for those who want to design and create AI from an ethical position that centers Indigenous concerns. Each Indigenous community will have its own particular approach to the questions we raise in what follows. What we have written here is not a substitute for establishing and maintaining relationships of reciprocal care and support with specific Indigenous communities. Rather, this document offers a range of ideas to take into consideration when entering into conversations which prioritize Indigenous perspectives in the development of artificial intelligence. It captures multiple layers of a discussion that happened over 20 months, across 20 time zones, during two workshops, and between Indigenous people (and a few non-Indigenous folks) from diverse communities in Aotearoa, Australia, North America, and the Pacific. Indigenous ways of knowing are rooted in distinct, sovereign territories across the planet. These extremely diverse landscapes and histories have influenced different communities and their discrete cultural protocols over time. A single ‘Indigenous perspective’ does not exist, as epistemologies are motivated and shaped by the grounding of specific communities in particular territories. Historically, scholarly traditions that homogenize diverse Indigenous cultural practices have resulted in ontological and epistemological violence, and a flattening of the rich texture and variability of Indigenous thought. Our aim is to articulate a multiplicity of Indigenous knowledge systems and technological practices that can and should be brought to bear on the ‘question of AI.’ To that end, rather than being a unified statement this position paper is a collection of heterogeneous texts that range from design guidelines to scholarly essays to artworks to descriptions of technology prototypes to poetry. We feel such a somewhat multivocal and unruly format more accurately reflects the fact that this conversation is very much in an incipient stage as well as keeps the reader aware of the range of viewpoints expressed in the workshops

Kaʻina Hana ʻŌiwi a me ka Waihona ʻIke Hakuhia Pepa Kūlana

He wahi hoʻomaka kēia pepa kuana no ke Kaʻina Hana ʻŌiwi (KHʻO) a me ka Waihona ʻike Hakuhia (WʻIH) no ka poʻe e ake nei e haku a hana he WʻIK mai ke kuanaʻike kūpono e hoʻokele ʻia nei e ka manaʻo ʻŌiwi. He kiʻina hana ko kēlā a me kēia kaiāulu ʻŌiwi i nā nīnau a mākou e ui aʻe ai. ʻAʻole kēia mea a mākou i kākau ai he pani i ke kūkulu a mālama ʻana i ka pilina kākoʻo kekahi i kekahi me kekahi mau kaiāulu ʻŌiwi. Eia naʻe, hāpai aʻe kēia palapala i kekahi mau manaʻo e noʻonoʻo ai ke komo i kēia mau kamaʻilio ʻana ʻo ka hoʻomaka koho ʻana i ke kuanaʻike ʻŌiwi i ka haku ʻana he waihona ʻike hakuhia. He hoʻāʻo kēia wahi pepa kūlana e hōʻiliʻili i nā ʻano kamaʻilio like ʻole no 20 mahina, no 20 kāʻei hola, no ʻelua hālāwai hoʻonaʻauao, a ma waena hoʻi o kekahi mau poʻe ʻŌiwi (a ʻŌiwi ʻole hoʻi) no nā kaiāulu like ʻole i Aotearoa, Nū Hōlani, ʻAmelika ʻĀkau a me ka Pākīpika. ʻO ke kia nō naʻe, ʻaʻole ʻo ka hoʻolōkahi ʻana he leo. Paʻa nō ka ʻike ʻŌiwi i kekahi mau ʻāina a aupuni kikoʻī a puni ka honua. Hoʻohuli aku kēia mau ʻāina a mōʻaukala like ʻole i nā kaiāulu ʻokoʻa a me ko lākou mau kaʻina hana ʻŌiwi i ke au o ka manawa. ʻAʻohe “kuanaʻike ʻŌiwi hoʻokahi”, a hoʻomau a haku ʻia nā kālaikuhiʻike e ka hoʻokumu ʻana o kekahi mau kaiāulu kikoʻī i loko o kahi mau ʻāina. Ma mua, he hopena ulūlu o ke kālaikuhiʻike a kālaikuhikanaka ko ka loina naʻauao i hoʻāʻo e naʻi a hoʻohilimia i ka loina ʻŌiwi, a hoʻohāiki ʻia ke ʻano o ka manaʻo a kuanaʻike ʻŌiwi. ʻO ko mākou pahuhopu ke kālele ʻana i nā ʻōnaehana ʻike ʻŌiwi like ʻole a me ke ʻano o ka ʻenehana e hāpai i ka nīnau ʻo ka WʻIH. Ma muli o ia palena, a ma kahi o ka hoʻokuʻikuʻi ʻana he manaʻo lōkahi, he hōʻiliʻili kēia pepa kūlana o kēlā ʻano kēia ʻano o ka moʻokalaleo: ʻo nā manaʻo hoʻokele hakulau ʻoe,, ʻo ka ʻatikala akeakamai ʻoe, ʻo ka wehewehena o ka mana ʻenehana mua ʻoe , a ʻo ka poema ʻoe. I ko mākou manaʻo, he ʻolokeʻa kūpono maoli nā leo a kuanaʻike ʻokoʻa i ka ʻoiaʻiʻo he pae kinohi maoli nō kēia kamaʻilio ʻana, a he hōʻike i ka mea heluhelu no nā kuanaʻike i kupu mai i loko o nā hālāwai hoʻonaʻauao

Search for dark matter produced in association with bottom or top quarks in √s = 13 TeV pp collisions with the ATLAS detector

A search for weakly interacting massive particle dark matter produced in association with bottom or top quarks is presented. Final states containing third-generation quarks and miss- ing transverse momentum are considered. The analysis uses 36.1 fb−1 of proton–proton collision data recorded by the ATLAS experiment at √s = 13 TeV in 2015 and 2016. No significant excess of events above the estimated backgrounds is observed. The results are in- terpreted in the framework of simplified models of spin-0 dark-matter mediators. For colour- neutral spin-0 mediators produced in association with top quarks and decaying into a pair of dark-matter particles, mediator masses below 50 GeV are excluded assuming a dark-matter candidate mass of 1 GeV and unitary couplings. For scalar and pseudoscalar mediators produced in association with bottom quarks, the search sets limits on the production cross- section of 300 times the predicted rate for mediators with masses between 10 and 50 GeV and assuming a dark-matter mass of 1 GeV and unitary coupling. Constraints on colour- charged scalar simplified models are also presented. Assuming a dark-matter particle mass of 35 GeV, mediator particles with mass below 1.1 TeV are excluded for couplings yielding a dark-matter relic density consistent with measurements