Does “Convenience Agriculture” Affect Off‐farm Labor Allocation Decisions?

The objective of this study is to examine the effect of adoption intensity of GM crops on off‐farm labor supply by farm households. Using ARMS data in 2004, 2005 and 2006, we estimate a two stage simultaneous Tobit model and find that adoption intensity of GM crops has a negative impact on off‐farm labor supply by operators and a positive impact on off‐farm labor supply by spouse. This may be due to the comparative advantage of operators and spouses. Our results find that GM crops adoption has different but significant implications on off‐farm labor supply by operators and spouses and underscores the importance of understanding farm households’ decisions to explain behaviors of farm businesses in the United States.Technology Adoption, Two stage simultaneous Tobit model, GM Crops, Off‐farm labor, Agricultural and Food Policy, Labor and Human Capital, Q10, Q12,

Does CSR create shareholder wealth?

Only with good marketing, and for initiatives that benefit key stakeholders, write Saurabh Mishra and Sachin Mod

Predicting Financial Stress in Young and Beginning Farmers in the United States

Financial stress, Young and Beginning farmers, farm type, farming regions, operating leverage, Agricultural and Food Policy, Agricultural Finance, Farm Management,

Industry acceptance of alternative delivery methods for last mile distribution

The logistics industry is changing rapidly with new delivery strategies and modes being tested every day for urban goods distribution. Due to growth in e-commerce, urban systems are under excessive stress due to the increased number of goods deliveries. Adoption of innovative solutions with the potential to positively benefit cities and stakeholders is essential to sustaining the current levels of goods distribution. The goal of this Master Thesis (TFM) study was to identify the potential for the adoption of new delivery methods by identifying their impact and their perception among the stakeholders. This study aims to explore these through means of appraisal tools and modeling that evaluate the results quantitatively. The first key decision criteria used by industry stakeholders for adopting alternative delivery methods (Electric LCVs, Cargo bikes etc) for the distribution of goods were evaluated. Alternative delivery methods were then compared with conventional LCV-based independent deliveries and amongst each other to understand the potential impacts of the delivery methods and related strategies. Surveys were carried out with logistics companies in European cities and Continuous Approximate Models for urban logistics distribution were used to obtain quantitative outputs. Regression analysis was done to identify relations between the demography of logistics companies and their delivery preferences. These outputs were then used to conduct a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) where the relative performance of the delivery methods was evaluated. Gaps between the industry perception and modeled performance of delivery methods are another key output of this study

Precision Agriculture Technology Adoption for Cotton Production

Many studies on the adoption of precision technologies have generally used logit models to explain the adoption behavior of individuals. This study investigates factors affecting the number of specific types of precision agriculture technologies adopted by cotton farmers. Particular attention is given to the influence of spatial yield variability on the number of precision farming technologies adopted, using a Count data estimation procedure and farm-level data. Results indicate that farmers with more within-field yield variability adopted a larger number of precision agriculture technologies. Younger and better educated producers and the number of precision agriculture technologies were significantly correlated. Finally, farmers using computers for management decisions also adopted a larger number of precision agriculture technologies.precision technologies, Poisson, Negative Binomial, count-data method, GIS, education, cotton, Agricultural and Food Policy, Farm Management, Labor and Human Capital, Land Economics/Use, Productivity Analysis, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Association of Intronic Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) of CALM 1 gene with Osteoarthritis of the Knee in Indian Population: A Case-control Study

Osteoarthritis knee is one of the most prevalent disorders in the Indian subcontinent. The wide prevalence and varying features makes it a disease of disguise. Multiple etiological factors have been described. The most recent is genetic contribution in the causation of the disease. This case control study was conducted in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, CSM Medical University, Lucknow in collaboration with IIT, Kanpur. 120 cases and 120 controls were enrolled. Clinico-radiological features were noted and symptomatic clinical scoring was done. Genetic polymorphism in relation to intronic region of CALM 1 gene was studied by DNA extraction, Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method. Statistical analysis was done using Stata software. There was no significant difference between age, sex and BMI among cases and controls (p value > .05). ESR (p value =0.0000), fasting blood sugar (p value= 0.0004) and serum uric acid (p value=0.0001) were significantly different among cases and controls. SNP was found in significantly higher number in cases than controls (p value = .0022). Heterozygosity was found only in 5 cases. Logistic regression has also proved significant association of occurrence of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) with disease. CALM-1 gene intronic SNP (rs3213718) is present in Indian population. Occurrence of this SNP is significantly affecting the disease

Intensity of Precision Agriculture Technology Adoption by Cotton Producers

Many studies on the adoption of precision technologies have generally used logit models to explain the adoption behavior of individuals. This study investigates factors affecting the intensity of precision agriculture technologies adopted by cotton farmers. Particular attention is given to the role of spatial yield variability on the number of precision farming technologies adopted, using a count data estimation procedure and farm-level data. Results indicate that farmers with more within-field yield variability adopted a higher number of precision agriculture technologies. Younger and better educated producers and the number of precision agriculture technologies used were significantly correlated. Finally, farmers using computers for management decisions also adopted a higher number of precision agriculture technologies.precision technologies, Poisson, negative binomial count data method, GPS, education, cotton, Crop Production/Industries, Farm Management, Production Economics, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

A Review on Energy Policies and Scenario in India

Now a day’s Energy plays a vital role in every sector like agriculture, industry, transport, commercial and domestic. Energy is the primary key for development of the country. Only two types are sources for energy generations are presents that are Non Renewable and Renewable Sources. But due to climate change and fossil fuel depletion renewable sources are becoming major reason for focusing for energy generation. Renewable Energy (RE) generation is useful to decrease pollution, global warming etc. Although the high cost of the renewable energy generation is the main barrier in this field but there are many schemes which plays a very important role in this field. These policies encourage the consumer to used renewable sources for energy. This paper introduces the main energy challenges in India and different types of energy policies existing to overcome that challenges. What the institutional programs presenting in India for energy policies are

A comparative approach between different optimize result in hybrid energy system using HOMER

To compare the different result of optimization of a hybrid energy system. A hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) is the combination of renewable and non-renewable sources which is playing a very important role for rural area electrification when grid extension is not possible or excessively expensive. Non renewable sources like diesel power generator (optional) are used in a HRES for backup when renewable energy supply is not sufficient. While the HRES is very important due to the smallest natural and physical contact compared to non renewable sources, this work proposed a comparison outcome with the help of different component by using HOMER software and get best optimize result for the model. This paper presents a wide-ranging review of various aspects of HRES. This paper discusses study, best sizing, and model, organize aspect and reliability issue