Using Best-Worst Scaling to Determine Market Channel Choice by Small Farmers in Indonesia

A household survey and a novel Best-Worst scaling method are used to examine the relative importance of various buyer characteristics to small potato farmers in Indonesia. A Latent Class Cluster Analysis is used explore whether producers’ utilities for marketing channels are heterogeneous. For the aggregate sample, the attributes related to the buyer providing immediate cash payment, a price premium and always following through on their commitment to buy their potatoes were the three most important attributes. The results of the Latent Class Cluster Analysis found four unique classes or segments of producers, each with distinct utilities for buyer characteristics and interesting differences socio-demographic characteristics. The largest segment (44%) was relatively similar to the aggregate, placing a high importance on cash payment, price and willingness to negotiate. Two segments, 24% and 16% of producers placed a relatively high importance on the buyer providing access to certified potato seed or finance for purchasing inputs, and another segment placed the highest importance on having a long-term relationship with their buyer. This has interesting implications for traders, particularly traders who are interested in securing a long-term relationship with potato producers – simply being able to provide cash at the time potatoes are delivered and/or a small premium may immediately increase the strength of the relationship.Best-Worst Scaling, Latent Class Cluster Analysis, marketing channel choice, Indonesia, potato farmers, small farmers, Marketing,

Study of the treatment of tuberculosis cutis with calciferol

1. Calciferol treatment produced clinical and histological healing in fifteen out of forty cases of tuberculosis cutis (lupus vulgaris). 2. Effective therapeutic action was found on the tubercle systems of Lupus Vulgaris. 3. The findings tend to indicate that this action is nonspecific. 4. Histopathological assay of the disease at intervals during treatment revealed the structural changes involved in the chemotherapeutic effect of the drug. 5. Histologically the action of calciferol on tuberculosis cutis is found to be resolution of the tubercle systems, starting with the epithelioid cells and followed by the lymphocytic and mononuclear cell exudates, leaving a variable residuum of fibrous connective tissue. 6. The findings support the view that the mode of action of calciferol is by promoting the cellular metabolic disposal of irritant substances arising from tubercle bacilli; that it occurs in the cytoplasm of the phagocytic cells; and that this is adequate only in dealing with small quantities of such substances. 7. No special or characteristic type of fibrosis follows calciferol therapy but there is no apparent resolution of fibrous or scar tissue already created by the disease process. 8. The disease is capable of reactivation from persistent microscopic foci remaining after apparent clinical healing if treatment is insufficiently prolonged. It is necessary to continue treatment or to give a repeat course of the drug to ensure against such relapses. 9. Doses of 150,000 i.u. daily of calciferol are well tolerated by the average case and can be safely com- bined with ultraviolet light irradiation without causing toxic effects. 10. Local application of calciferol to the diseased area in a concentration of 5000 i.u. per gm. of cold cream base is found to accelerate clinical healing in lupus vulgaris. 11. In Lupus Vulgaris the period of administration is primarily governed by the clinical state of the patient. In the absence of any toxic manifestations the average case may continue treatment for 6 -12 months by which time any significant benefit should have resulted. 12. Confirmation of healing is made by histopathological examination of biopsy material from the lesions. 13. All treated cases should be reviewed at intervals of three to six months for at least several years, if not for life

When did modern humans leave Africa?

Published by AAAS © belongs to the authors with AAAS licensed to publish. The attached document is the authors’ submitted version of the journal article. You are advised to consult the publisher’s version if you wish to cite from it

Country curing hams

M.A. Alexanderm (Department of Animal Husbandry), William C. Stringer (Department of Food Science and Nutrition College of Agriculture)Revised 12/7

Beef carcass grading and evaluation (1993)

Evaluation of beef quality and composition is important to cattle producers, meat packers and retailers, and consumers. Consumers desire cuts of beef that are lean, nutritious, and possess desirable eating characteristics. Meat researchers have developed reliable methods for measuring the factors that influence eating characteristics and factors affecting yield of lean cuts. Using these evaluation techniques, producers and packers can produce and sell carcasses that meet consumer demand.Reviewed October 1993 -- Extension website