Soil CO2 emission and carbon budget of a wheat/maize annual double-cropped system in response to tillage and residue management in the North China Plain

To investigate the impacts of tillage and crop residue managements on soil CO₂ emission and C budget in a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)/maize (Zea mays L.) double-cropped system in the North China Plain (NCP), a field experiment was conducted consisting of four treatments: tillage with crop residues retention (CT+), tillage with crop residues removal (CT?), no-till with crop residues retention (NT+), and no-till with crop residues removal (NT?). Daily soil CO₂ fluxes changed with crop growing stage and peaked during the most vigorous growth of period, fluxes in maize season were higher than those in wheat season. Compared to the tilled soils, cumulative CO₂ emissions were significantly lower under no-till treatments. The largest cumulative CO₂ emission occurred under CT+ (65?g CO₂-C m^?2 y^?1) and the smallest was under NT+ (39?g CO₂-C m^?2 y^?1). After 5 years of the experiment, soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration were greater with crop residues retention (CT+ and NT+) than with crop residues removal (CT? and NT?), the maximum SOC stock was in NT+ (5940?g C m^?2) while the minimum was in CT? (3635?g C m^?2). NT+ could help to mitigate CO₂ emission in the annual wheat/maize double-cropping system of the area.     

Gliricidia sepium Carbon Inputs and Soil Carbon Pools in a Costa Rican Alley Cropping System

Alternative land management practices, including agroforestry, help to maintain levels of soil organic matter (SOM) and can facilitate soil carbon (C) sequestration for mitigating atmospheric CO₂ emissions. This study quantified C inputs and determined the changes of the soil C pool in a 19-year-old Gliricidia sepium alley cropping system, studied at two fertiliser levels (tree prunings only [? N], and tree prunings plus chicken manure [+ N]), and was compared to a sole crop system. Carbon input from tree prunings ranged from 455 to 457 g C m^{? 2} y^{? 1}, whereas C inputs from crop residues were similar between alley- and sole crops ranging from 121 to 159 g C m^{? 2}y^{? 1}. The soil organic C (SOC) pool in the alley crop was 16–23% higher than the sole crop. In the 19th year of alley farming, SOC was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the alley crop (3.2%) compared to the sole crop (2.4%), and was also greater compared to that at the time of establishment of the agroforestry system (2.8%). Gross SOC turnover to a 20-cm depth ranged from 12 to 14 years in the + N and ?N alley crops compared to 49 and 50 years in the + N and ?N treatments for the sole crops. Residue stabilisation efficiency in the alley crops was 39% and 55% in + N and ?N treatments respectively.     

Long-term effects of crop residues and fertility management on carbon sequestration and agronomic productivity of groundnut–finger millet rotation on an Alfisol in southern India

The data from long-term management and cropping systems experiments are needed to assess changes in soil quality, organic carbon pool, and agronomic sustainability. Thus, a 13-year-old soil fertility management experiment was used to assess the impact of crop residues carbon (C) inputs on SOC stock in a rainfed groundnut (Arachis hypogeae L.)–fingermillet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn) rotation in semiarid alfisol. The application of farmyard manure (FYM) alone or in a combination with chemical fertilizers contributed to higher amounts of C inputs and subsequently to build up a higher SOC pool. Application of 10?Mg?ha^?1 of FYM and a recommended dose of chemical fertilizer (25:21.8:20.7 and 50:21.8:20.7?kg?N, P, K ha^?1 for groundnut and fingermillet, respectively) increased soil SOC pool by 41.2% to 73.0?Mg?ha^?1 with an increase of 9.3?Mg?ha^?1 over 13 years. Both SOC pool and rates of its sequestration were positively correlated with cumulative C input and sustainable yield index. A minimal input of 1.62?Mg?C?ha^?1?yr^?1 is needed to maintain SOC pool at the antecedent level. Balanced application of NPK fertilizers is needed to reduce and reverse the depletion of SOC pool.     

Consumer Acceptance of Genetically Modified (GM)—Cowpeas in Sub-Sahara Africa

ABSTRACT

Cowpea (known as black-eyed peas in America) is the most important indigenous African grain legume for both home use and as a cash crop. Because of its tolerance to drought, it is especially important for the Sahel. Genetic transformation of cowpea with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) genes to control pod-boring insects has many advantages, but little is known of the potential consumer response. This article analyzes and reports the results of a survey of 200 consumers in northern Nigeria concerning consumer awareness of and acceptance of biotechnology. Ninety percent of the respondents were aware of genetically modified (GM) products. Those respondents who were most concerned about the ethics of genetic transformation were likely to disapprove of such products, while those individuals who identified international radio as an information source were more likely to approve of GM technology.     

Local food production in a subarctic Indigenous community: the use of willow (Salix spp.) windbreaks to increase the yield of intercropped potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) and bush beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Addressing food security with local and sustainable food production is a key requirement for supporting a globally sustainable agricultural system. Food insecurity is prevalent in Indigenous communities in Canada, especially in rural and remote regions of northern (subarctic and arctic) Canada. Further, climate change has disproportionately impacted subarctic and arctic regions worldwide ? surface air temperatures are now more favourable for agricultural activities ? offering the potential for local food production under ambient conditions. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate bush bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) intercrops grown over a two-year period in two sites (treed, windbreak-lined with native willow, Salix. spp.; and non-treed, or open) in the subarctic Indigenous community of Fort Albany First Nation, Ontario, Canada. Intercrops grown in the windbreak-lined site produced significantly greater (p?3, NH₄ and total N) showed that with some local amendments such as offal and bone meal, both the windbreak-lined and open sites can support continued agricultural use. This study informs Indigenous communities across subarctic regions of the world that climate change not only brings challenges, but also opportunities, such as potentially sustainable local food production.     

Feeding management of dairy cattle affect grassland dynamics in an alpine pasture

The effect of different supplementary feeding rates for grazing cattle on high-altitude pastures dynamics was evaluated. A field experiment was carried out during three years in a subalpine pasture area of the Eastern Alps. The investigated pasture area was 40?ha, located between 1820 and 2230?m?a.s.l. Two paddocks were chosen in the experiment and two herds of 12 cattle each were kept in the two enclosures for 5 weeks. For the first herd (HS), the supplementary feeding rate was 4.8?kg?OM?head^?1 per day, while for the second herd (LS), the rate was 1.6?kg?OM?head^?1 per day. The amount of herbage consumed by each cattle was determined using the n-alkane technique. To monitor the pasture vegetation dynamics, eight metal exclusion cages were placed in each paddock to determine herbage growth, utilization rates, vegetation composition and animal grazing selectivity. Grazing behaviour of dairy cattle, in terms of herbage intake and species selection was affected by the different feeding rates. Cattle grazing Paddock HS consumed 1.9?kg?OM?day^?1 of herbage less than Paddock LS. In the LS paddock, cattle grazed higher phytomass rates. When the animals were fed by higher concentrate rates, a more selective grazing seemed to significantly increase the pasture necromass component. The lower grazing selectivity favoured the development of species as Nardus stricta and Deschampsia caespitosa, which are well known for their low palatability. Distinct vegetation dynamic patterns were observed, with a reduction of hair grass and an increase of legumes in the Paddock LS.     

The political economy of manufacturing protection in LDCs: An Indonesian case study

Abstract

There are significant inter‐industry variations in protection in all but the most open of economies. This invites the obvious question, why? Are these variations simply random in nature, or are they systematic, and therefore amenable to explanation? Most of the literature on this subject pertains to industrialized economies. Few studies have been undertaken of developing countries, where political institutions are less developed, policy‐making processes often less transparent, protection generally higher and more dispersed and the data base usually poorer. In this paper, we examine these issues with reference to Indonesia, a large, rapidly industrializing economy with high (albeit decreasing) levels of manufacturing protection. We find that the standard theory purporting to explain inter‐industry variations in protection performs quite well in some cases, although a substantial unexplained residual exists. We give examples of how the theory developed for industrialized economies might be modified for developing economies.     

Consumer Motives and Purchase Preferences for Organic Food Products: Empirical Evidence From a Consumer Survey in Bangalore,South India

ABSTRACT

Consumer organic food choice motives and purchase preferences were studied in a structured quantitative survey (N = 201) in Bangalore, with the aim of identifying consumer segments based on these motives and preferences. Further, sociodemographic differences between the clusters were studied. Face-to-face interviews were used to sample the data, which were analyzed with factor and k-means cluster analysis (SPSS 16.0). Five latent factors were identified based on the motives, representing a set of consumer concerns labeled here as “food phobia” (health),” “environment,” “humanity,” “healthy eaters,” and “control.” Further, three clusters emerged from these motives representing 38%, 37%, and 25% of the sample size. The factors differ in terms of variance. Here, the records of perceived healthiness (food phobia) were the most important element, explaining 18.37% of the total variance. These clusters were differing in terms of the level and order of motivations. The health factor was a most important motive in two clusters, followed by environment. Further, humanity was the most important motive for the third cluster. This may reflect a heterogeneous nature of consumers in study area. Additionally, five clusters were identified based on the preferences, and profiles of these clusters differed in terms of sociodemographic factors and consumption pattern. Segments were identified based on motivating factors and preferences, and linking them with food choice motives and products preference provides the input needed by marketing professionals and policy makers to calibrate more efficient marketing strategies to better focus and position their products and design their communication strategies for target segments.     

What If You Stop and Think About It? Nutrition Logos and Product Selection Behavior

This study explores the effect of a health involvement manipulation on food choices and how food choices are influenced by front-of-pack nutrition labels. The results show that without health involvement, choice was significantly affected by both nutrition labels and product type, but the product choice with health involvement was affected only by whether the product was selected as the healthier one in the involvement manipulation stage. Moreover, selection of the healthiest product during the manipulation stage was affected by the product type but not the front-of-pack (FOP) labels, potentially because participants relied on their own knowledge or the product perception to assess the healthiness of the product rather than the label information. The implication is that consumers seem to behave differently when pushed into a “choose healthy” state of mind, and their reliance on label information to assess product healthiness may be product and context dependent.     

Effect of Consumers’ Personality on Store Brand Choice in Grocery Stores: Insights from France and Germany

Abstract

Consumers’ personality can influence choice behavior. Considering disparities between food store brand market shares across countries, we investigate the impact of personality on food store brand decision making. We carried out two non-hypothetical choice experiments for milk, ice-cream, and cereal, one in France and one in Germany for a total of N?=?505 participants. Results show that in France neurotic and in Germany conscientious consumers purchase significantly less store brands for the food items in question. This study contributes to the literature by providing evidence that both, personality and country-effects, influence consumer food choice behavior and serve as a motivating factor for multi-category purchases of grocery store brands.     

Traditional Food Products: The Effect of Consumers’ Characteristics,Product Knowledge,and Perceived Value on Actual Purchase

The study demonstrates the importance of customer orientation in markets dominated by small food and drink manufacturers. The study evaluates the effect of consumers’ personal characteristics and perceptions on purchase and provides better understanding of their role in business development in specialty food markets. The United Kingdom’s Mediterranean food market was chosen as a context, focusing specifically on Greek feta. Two hundred seventy-three UK specialty food shoppers were surveyed online to determine what aspects of consumers’ cognition and what personal characteristics would affect purchase decisions. The findings reveal, through 3 models (R² = .26/.20/.19), that product knowledge (p < .01), country of origin (p < .10), perceived transactional value (p < .10), consumers’ life stage (p < .05), and available income (p < .01) are 5 critical factors affecting decision making. The managerial implications for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) lie in the need to create and deliver value to consumers by informing production decisions on consumers’ insight rather than on customers’ (wholesalers, retailers) specifications.     

Environmental Regulation and Development: A Cross-country Empirical Analysis

This paper develops comparative indices of environmental policy and performance for 31 countries, using a quantified analysis of reports prepared for the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). In cross-country regressions, we find a very strong, positive association between our indicators and the level of economic development, particularly when the latter is adjusted for purchasing power parity. Our results suggest a characteristic progression in the development process, from protection of natural resources to regulation of water pollution and, finally, air pollution control. They also highlight the importance of institutional development, with significant roles for degree of private property protection, effectiveness of the legal/judicial system and efficiency of public administration. Controlling for these variables, "Green" sector indices should be positively correlated with: (1) rural population density; and (2) agricultural and forest production share of national output. "Brown" sector indices should be positively correlated with: (1) particular focus on public health, indexed by life expectancy; (2) urban share of total population; (3) urban population density; and (4) manufacturing share of national output. Our analysis of overall regulatory performance reveals strong cross-country associations with income per capita, security of property rights, and general development of the legal and regulatory system. Surprisingly, however, we find only insignificant or perverse associations with degree of popular representation and freedom of information. For both the Green and Brown indices, performance is again strongly associated with income per capita, freedom of property and (in small samples) measures of regulatory efficiency. The two specifically rural sector variables (population density; proportion of GDP in agriculture and forestry) are only weakly associated with the Green index. The fit is much better for the Brown index: degree of urbanization, population density and manufacturing share in GDP all have the expected signs and relatively high significance. Life expectancy as a proxy for public health priority has no independent effect. In summary, our findings suggest that a detailed, quantified analysis of the UNCED reports can yield comparable and plausible indices of environmental policy performance across countries. Cross-country variations in our environmental index are explained well by variations in income per capita, degree of urbanization and industrialization, security of property rights and general administrative efficiency.     

THE EFFECT OF CANADIAN BUSINESS CYCLES ON THE ADOPTION OFTECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS IN CANADIAN AGRICULTURE 1926/1967

The inter-relationships between the farm and non-farm sectors of advanced economies have received scant attention of late and in the Canadian context little attention at all. This paper concerns itself with one aspect of this inter-relationship. namely, the timing of adoption of innovations in non-farm-produced agricultural inputs relative to conditions in the non-farm economy. Following a chronological review of the relevant literature, an hypothesis is developed, and the remainder of the paper is devoted to the formal procedure of developing a deterministic and from this a stochastic model to test the hypothesis, concentrating on the particular input, fertilizer. The results of the estimation of the model are as expected, with one notable exception concerning the signs of certain key variables. Much of the remainder of the paper is devoted to discussing, and attempting to resolve, the dilemma that this exception raises. Les relations étroites entre les secteurs agricoles et non-agricoles dans une économie bien développee n'ont reçu que peu ?attention récemment, et la situation canadienne a été encore plus negligée. Cet article traite un aspect de ces relations, à savoir, le réglage de ?adoption ?innovations dans les investissements agricoles secondares en relation aux conditions de ?économie non-agricole. Après une revue chronologique de la litérature rélévante, une hypothèse est développée et pour le restanl du papier ?auteur se concerne avec le procédé forme! de développer un modèle determinisle et de là un modèle stochastique pour mettre son hypothèse à?épreuve. Il se sen ?un investissemenl en particulier – ?engrais. Les résultats de ?évaluation du modèle sonl commes prévus avec une exception notable oü les signes de certains variables clefs sont affectés. ?auteur discute cette exception en détail et essaie de resoudre le dilemme quelle pose.     

The Costs of Coexistence Measures for Genetically Modified Maize in Germany

We estimate the perceived costs of legal requirements (‘coexistence measures’) for growing genetically modified (GM) Bt maize in Germany using a choice experiment. The costs of the evaluated ex‐ante and ex‐post coexistence measures range from zero to more than €300 per measure and most are greater than the extra revenue the farmers in our survey expect from growing Bt maize or than estimates in the literature. The cost estimates for temporal separation, the highest in our evaluation, imply that the exclusion of this measure in Germany is justified. The costliest measures of the ones that are currently applied in Germany are joint and strict liability for all damages. Our results further show that neighbours do not cause a problem and opportunities for reducing costs through agreements with them exist. Finally, we find that farmers’ attitudes towards GM crops affect the probability of adoption of Bt maize. Our results imply that strict liability will deter the cultivation of Bt maize in Germany unless liability issues can be addressed through other means, for example, through neighbours agreements.     

THE STRUCTURAL DETERMINANTS OF INDIVIDUAL PERCEPTIONS TO SOCIAL CHANGE IN WESTERN CANADIAN COMMUNITIES*

This paper is concerned with some of the problems thai may arise from the proposed large-scale abandonment of thousands of miles of railroad branch-lines in Western Canada. One hundred and sixty communities, located in the Provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, all of which are located on railroad lines that may be abandoned, were selected for study. The first part of the paper describes the procedures used to analyze the structure of these communities. A factor analysis was performed on census variables, and the results were used to build a typology of community differentiation. Forty-four percent of the communities were found to have highly differentiated structures, while the remaining 56 percent had a low degree of structural differentiation. This led to the formulation of the following hypothesis: The disruptive effects of railroad abandonment, as perceived by community residents and as presented in their responses to the threat of abandonment, will vary inversely with the amount of community structural differentiation. This hypothesis and other hypotheses related to perceptions were tested with a mailed questionnaire on a sample of 95 respondents from a representative sample of the communities. Two situational variables, representing the degree of involvement in community social networks, were used as controls: length of residence in the community and amount of participation in community affairs. The findings confirmed the hypothesis that community structure remains as an important determinant of individual's perceptions, although the situational variables, particularly residence, exert an influence also. The relationship between the structural level and individual level variables is discussed, and a case is made for the continued use of such macro-level analyses as that of community structure. Cet article traile de quelques unes des conséquences possibles du projet de fer-meture de milliers de milles de lignes de chemin de fer secondaires dans ?Ouest du Canada. ?élude a été faite dans cent soixante communautés du Manitoba el de la Saskatchewan, communautés qui sonl loules situées sur les parcours ferroviaires que ?onprojelle defermer. Dans la premiere parlie de ?article, on explique les méthodes utilisées pour analyser les structures de communautés. A partir ?une analyse factorielle de variables du recensement, ?on arrive à une typologie permetiant une classification des communautés. Quarante-quaire pour cent des communautés se montraient fortement struciurées: dans les aulres–cinquanle-six pour cent–//n'y avail qu'un degré moindre de differentiation structurale. Ceci nous mène à?hypothèse suivanle: Les effets nocifs de la fermelure des chemins de fer reflétés dans la perception des habitants el dans leur reaction a sa menace, varient en relation inverse au degré de differentiation communautaire. Ceile hypothèse, ainsi que ?aulres, furent incorporées dans un questionnaire envoyé par courrier à un échantillon de quatre-vingt quinze répondants résidant dans des communautés sélectionnees par hazard. Deux variables contextuelles opérationalisant le niveau ?intégration de ?individu au.x-réséaux sociaux communautaires nous servenl de contrôle: la durée de résidence et le niveau de participation active dans les affaires communautaires. L'analyse des données confirme ?hypothèse que la structure communaulaire est une variable fort importanle pour la perception de ?individu, bien qu'il soil evident que les variables contextuelles, surtout la durée de residence, exercent, elles aussi, une influence incontestable. Le lien iheorique enlre les variables du niveau structural et celles du niveau individuel est discuté ainsi que le besoin de cominuer ?analyse de structure communaulaire en tant qu'analyse macro-sociologique.     

Consumer Attitude towards Organic Labeling Schemes in Japan

ABSTRACT

Japan is the most lucrative organic market in the Asian region and is projected to account for about 80% of the Asian market revenues by 2009 (Kuhlmann and Jones, 2006). This study identifies Japanese consumer preference and interest in two major labeling information- source of organic certification/traceability and country of origin for organic food products. Stated preference method (SPM) based survey data was collected from two major cities in Japan in order to develop Japanese consumers' organic food choice model. Findings show that Japanese consumers are willing to pay 10% price premium for the organic food products compared to conventional products that have no specific labeling, suggesting a significant profit margin to be possibly captured by the organic producers and marketers. The Japanese consumers have perceived value of the JAS label in their stated preference and showed willingness to pay a price premium for this quality certification system, which validates the importance of government-regulated mandatory labeling. Regarding the country origin labeling issue, the Japanese consumers showed clear preference for the domestic organic products to the imported products, while showing no preference for any particular country origin for imported organic products. For private-voluntary organic labeling, the consumer organization-led organic label is considered to be more reliable source than the retailer-guaranteed organic label.     

The assessment of the impact of oil palm and rubber plantations on the biotic and abiotic properties of tropical peat swamp soil in Indonesia

Current intensification of agricultural activities in Indonesia has led to increased use of tropical peat swamp forests for agriculture. Ideally, peat swamp ecosystems should not be disturbed as they provide essential services such as soil erosion control, ecosystem stabilization and moderation of climate and energy fluxes as well as reducing carbon emission and conserving biodiversity. In this study, agricultural land from Giam Siak Kecil–Bukit Batu Biosphere Reserve in Indonesia was evaluated to assess the impact of oil palm (burning and without burning) and rubber (5–10 and >40 years old) plantations on soil properties through comparisons with soils from a natural forest (NF). Substantial changes in the physico-chemical properties of soils from both plantations were observed including significant reductions in soil organic matter (4–18%) and water holding capacity (22–53%), but an increase in bulk density (ρb) (0.08–0.17?g?cm^?3). A significant increase in bacterial biomass was also observed following conversion of the NF to plantation (p<0.05). However, the oil palm plantation (OPP) (without burning) showed reduced microbial activities and the lowest Shannon diversity values (2.90) compared to other samples. Community-level physiological profiling showed impaired community function only in soils from the OPP but higher CO₂ exchange rates in most plantation soils. Soils from the rubber plantation (RP) were less impaired in terms of their natural function and therefore RPs appeared to be more suitable for sustainable agricultural use than OPP.     

The implementation and the future of development plans

Summary

Once again the planning system of England and Wales is being reviewed. This paper considers criticisms of development plans, and proposals for changes, including those of the Department of the Environment (DoE) and Welsh Office in the consultation paper, "The Future of Development Plans: a Consultation Paper”, September 1986, with some of the reactions to it, and also The Nuffield Foundation report, "Town and Country Planning”, 1986. A focus of this critique is the effectiveness of development plans, in particular regarding the questions of implementation and resources. It is concluded that it is the co‐ordination of the provision of public resources, which are needed to implement plans and policies, that requires the attention of the Government, with adequate national and regional planning guidelines, rather than the abolition of Structure Plans.     

The Impacts of Elicitation Context on Stated Preferences for Agricultural Landscapes

Statements of willingness to pay (WTP) have been shown to be dependent upon the framing of the hypothetical market. In this paper we investigate the effects of variations in the timing and location of choice experiment questions concerned with conservation of a UK national park, as research involving measurement of psychological well‐being suggests potential differences for the same individual dependent upon when and where preferences are elicited. We apply the choice experiment technique to the valuation of changes in upland agricultural and semi‐natural landscapes in the Peak District National Park in the UK, to investigate whether timing and location of elicitation (context) affects the value associated with changes in ecosystem services under different management regimes. Four treatments are employed – using the same sample of individuals answering the same choice scenarios – to measure WTP ex‐ante (off site), in situ (on site), and ex‐post at two different time intervals (off site). We show that our on‐site (in situ) treatment generates very different estimates of preferences than any of the off‐site treatments. That stated preferences associated with environmental goods are so context dependent may have implications for the use of stated preferences in policy analysis in terms of identifying how environmental policy is funded and the divergence in value attributed to sampling different populations.     

Economic Perspectives on Nutrition Policy Evaluation

Too much food energy intake (relative to expenditure) and unbalanced diets are implicated in a range of diseases that impose major burdens on healthcare systems and cause pain and suffering. Governments have responded by introducing a range of measures, mainly targeting information and education, largely to children. However, more interventionist measures have been advocated and, in the past year, various food taxes have been introduced in Denmark, Hungary and France. The Address discusses evaluation of policies, particularly in the light of alternative theories of diet choice (rational choice, systematically irrational, automatic). The public health approach uses quality adjusted life years but fails to distinguish between private and social benefits and takes no account of the drivers of food choice behaviour. The economic approach, based on informed choice, makes the distinction between private and social benefits (if not always explicitly) but struggles to evaluate policies that change utility functions and with behavioural assumptions other than traditional rationality. Alternative assumptions and approaches could put the cost of unhealthy eating anywhere between £10 billion and £100 billion per annum in the UK. Evidence suggests that information measures (to perform or persuade) do not much change diets, nor do they tackle the externality element of unhealthy eating. They may, however, help change long‐term social norms. More interventionist measures like taxes improve social welfare (according to the compensation principle) and reduce health inequalities but are regressive, like all sin taxes. Almost all interventions pass cost‐effectiveness tests.