Risk and Nitrogen Application Decisions in Florida Potato Production

This study focuses on development of agricultural best management practices (BMPs) for potato production areas in Northeast Florida, and presents the results of the initial situation assessment. BMP implementation is the primary strategy used by agencies and farmers to improve the efficiency and to ensure environmental sustainability of agricultural production. Although BMPs are defined as “economically feasible” and “cost-effective”, economic analysis conducted as a part of BMP development has been limited, leaving the room for disagreement about economic impacts of specific BMPs. As a part of the situation assessment, we used interviews, group discussions, a survey, and a field trip to collect information about farmers’ production practices and to examine farmers’ opinions about BMP development process. Then, partial budget analysis was used determine the relative impacts of various factors (including the implementation of nitrogen fertilization management BMP) on production returns. Finally, an economic model is proposed to incorporate production risk analysis in BMP evaluation process.Florida potato production, partial budget analysis, risk analysis, best management practice, nitrogen fertilization, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Crop Production/Industries, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, Production Economics, Risk and Uncertainty,

Food quality and safety situation in Turkey: governance and barriers to success

The institutional environment for food quality and safety in Turkey is rapidly changing in the last decade but there are still some inconsistencies compared with the EU. High costs of establishing quality assurance systems (QAS), inefficient capacity of the institutional frame, unknown consumer attitudes, low level of production techniques and lack of awareness of producers and consumers are important weaknesses, when evaluating the current food quality and safety situation in Turkey. Whereas, rapid development of QAS, increase in consumer demands, harmonisation of legislation with the EU, increase in the research and incentives for quality production, and production potentials were determined as strong points. When analysing the socio-economic situation of farms, producers’ knowledge, perception and interest in quality with Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA), it is found that producers did not accumulate capital because of the low profits, a handicap for expanding and investing into production and product quality. Moreover, the producers' knowledge is limited and their quality perception mainly focuses on food safety. As a result, academic studies and research projects needs to be extended and the adaptation of the Turkish legislation with the EU should be completed accordingly.Food Quality Governance, SMEs Barrier for Food Quality, Food Quality Assurance, Agricultural and Food Policy, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

Food Quality Assurance Schemes in Turkey

In 2008 and 2009, JRC-IPTS cooperated with Akdeniz University (UNIAKD) to analyse food quality assurance schemes in Turkey. The governance structure of food quality assurance in Turkey is explained, which includes public, semi-public and private institutes, laws and legislations, policies and research. Lack of consumer and producer quality awareness is determined as the main problem by SWOT and Logical Framework Matrix (LFM) studies. A Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) study was conducted by interviewing local stakeholders. Turkish producers' knowledge is limited and their quality perception focuses mainly on food safety. There are barriers in exports due to quality that reduce the Turkish share in world food markets. The study concludes with several recommendations on how problems in Turkish food quality assurance schemes could be effectively overcome.JRC.DDG.J.5-Agriculture and Life Sciences in the Econom

Valuing the Potential Benefits of Water Quality Improvements in Watersheds Affected by Non-Point Source Pollution

Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution has been identified by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as “the nation’s largest water quality problem”. Urban development, septic systems, and agricultural operations have been identified as the major sources of diffuse pollution in surface and ground water bodies. In recent decades, urban and agricultural Best Management Practices (BMP) have been developed in several states to address agricultural water quality and water use impacts, including the reduction of nutrient loads to help meet water quality standards. Compliance with BMPs is associated with some costs to local governments, homeowners, and agricultural operations, but the improvements in water quality associated with BMP adoption are expected to yield significant benefits to society in the form of improved recreational opportunities, navigation, flood control, and ecosystem health. The development of sound policies and decision making processes require balancing the costs of BMP adoption to the agricultural operations with the social benefits to be derived from the improved water quality. In this paper we develop a benefits transfer model to provide estimates of the economic benefits of properly implemented and effective Best Management Practices (BMP) throughout the state of Florida. These benefit estimates can be used in a cost-benefit framework to determine the optimal level of BMP adoption throughout the state of Florida and provide a framework for other regions to estimate the potential benefits of BMP-mediated water quality improvements.From Water 2016, 8(4), 112.https://doi.org/10.3390/w804011

US and Mexican Tomatoes: Perceptions and Implications of the Renegotiated Suspension Agreement

The 2013 antidumping investigation suspension agreement introduced new categories of tomatoes and raised reference prices of Mexican field-grown and greenhouse tomatoes by 43% and 89%. We analyze the substitution and complementary relationships among different categories of tomatoes grown in the United States, Mexico, and other countries and measure substitution and income effects of reference price increases. Findings indicate that the new agreement may decrease demand for U.S. field-grown tomatoes in favor of Mexican field-grown and Mexican greenhouse tomatoes. Policies to increase overall U.S. tomato expenditures may be more favorable for U.S. tomato producers than the new reference prices.From JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND RESOURCE ECONOMICS (ISSN: 1068-5502; ESSN: 2327-8285). Vol.41(1), pp. 138-160

The Effect of Price and Non-Price Conservation Programs on Residential Water Demand

The study examines effectiveness of price- and non-price residential water demand management programs. Household-level water use data for Alachua County, Florida, were analyzed using three methods: IV, 2SLS, and 3SLS. Residential water demand is examined separately for households with combined water meters, as well as separate indoor and outdoor irrigation water meters. Preliminary results show that the price-base program (i.e., inclining block rate pricing) and non-price programs (i.e., residential irrigation restrictions with an enforcement component) have a significant effect on monthly household water use

Water Quality Improvements in Florida: A Benefits Transfer Valuation Approach

We develop a database of existing peer-reviewed and high quality studies that value the non-market benefits of water quality improvements, including studies using the contingent valuation, travel cost, and hedonic pricing methods. The database is used to estimate a benefits transfer valuation function for water quality improvements in the state of Florida as a result of adoption and implementation of agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Issues Facing the Californian Fruit Sector

Government programs aim to increase per capita intake of fruits for Americans. California, the largest fruit growing state, faces many issues to meet the growing demand for fruits. This article summarizes some of the main issues that California fruit growers endure, and recommends possible assistance programs for policy makers

Trends and Issues Relevant for the US Tree Nut Sector

The demand for tree nuts is increasing rapidly worldwide. Nutritional benefits of tree nuts, expanding use of tree nuts in various food items, and promotional campaigns boost this growth. This article discusses policies to eliminate issues associated with increasing demand and create a sustainable supply in the United States