Journal of the Austrian Society of Agricultural Economics (JASAE)

Abstract : This study is an attempt to empirically analyze the current and projected demand of selected food grains; namely Wheat, Maize and Rice in district Kotli, Azad Kashmir (AJK)-Pakistan. The aims of the study are to examine how prices and socio demographic factors affect the demand for food; determining own and cross price elasticities; and to project the future demand of these grains based on primary data using Simple Random Sampling during 2017-18. For the empirical investigation, Linear Approximation Almost Ideal Demand System (LA/AIDS) is employed and compensated and uncompensated elasticities are obtained. The findings show that cross prices affect demand of selected food grains significantly while socio demographic factors (gender, locality, age and education level) do not significantly affect demand of food grains. Compensated and uncompensated own-price elasticities appeared with the opposite signs whereas, all cross-price elasticities appeared with the positive sign as expected for substitutes (except uncompensated elasticity between Wheat and Rice, which shows, that these grains are complements to each other). Similarly, expenditure elasticities show that the selected grains are normal commodities for the households. Estimates of the future projection signifies that the demand for food grains is growing with the population growth and hence a high demand of food grains will be faced during 2017-2041. The findings are important grain producers and policy makers. Government should adopt population control measures or increase supply of food in Azad Kashmir..
Full article

Abstract : The impact of COVID-19 on agricultural enterprises is well reported. There are few studies on how their coping strategies dealt with its impacts. This study used purposive sampling to determine Khok Sawang Agricultural Enterprise (KSAE), which consists of 75 members. They were interviewed individually to explore coping strategies to deal with the pandemic throughout its four waves. ATLAS.ti and Grounded Theory were used to supplement the analysis. The results show that COVID-19’s difficulties in the first wave were enormous, however, KSAE’s coping strategies were scarce as they were in shock. Most coping strategies were seen in the second wave, motivated by the acknowledgment of COVID-19’s impacts. The implementation of hygiene practices and cutting down production were serially introduced to reduce health and economic strains. The third wave was noted as more workers were temporarily recruited to establish new online channels to compensate for the damage of closed traditional markets. In the fourth wave, all coping strategies were preserved without the introduction of any new ones. The conclusion from this study leads to agricultural enterprises should be operated as groups to gain support and leadership in the manner of collective action..
Full article

Abstract : The study's main objective is to estimate and analyze the cost function of coffee production in the Jazan region. The study relied mainly on primary data obtained through a questionnaire and the personal interview of the selected sample of coffee farmers. The cost functions of coffee in the short and long run were estimated. The study results showed that the value of cost elasticity is less than one in the short and long run, which indicates that when production increases, costs decrease, meaning that economies of scale are present and production needs to be increased to reach a minimum efficient scale. The profit-maximizing production volume was greater than the actual production volume of the respondents. This indicates that there is an opportunity to increase production until it reaches optimum production. The study recommends supporting coffee farmers through the provision of improved seedlings, and the reclamation of mountain terraces to increase cultivated area, and the improvement of an irrigation system by solving the problem of access to water sources..
Full article

Abstract : The level of Internet usage has rapidly grown in Thailand. Millions of the Thai population are currently connected to the Internet because of its potential to become the backbone of the information economy and communication. This study explores the purposes of the internet usage of Hmong farmers in a rural area of Chiang Mai province, Thailand. The mixed methods research was used to individually interview 73 informants, which was determined statistically by the Cochran formula at the significant level of 0.05. The findings indicate that they used the internet, with the help of Line and Facebook, to serve social purposes as a priority. It provided information and created social bonds to maintain their agriculture and livelihood. However, constraints associated with Internet usage were found. Interesting information was not user-friendly as it was mostly presented in foreign languages. The lack of training to exploit the Internet’s more utilities and the poor internet networks were also their main challenges. To boost internet usage, high speed internet services and related infrastructure should be the focus for the government. This must be done together with training delivered by local officers..
Full article

Abstract : Bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is well known for its high content of bioactive compounds, strong antioxidants, and high levels of Vitamin C. The use of different organic amendments on soilless culture is very promising to address issues in producing organic vegetables worldwide. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of fertigation frequency and different concentrations of organic amendments under soilless production on the postharvest quality of bell pepper. The study was laid out in a split-plot design with the frequency of fertigation as the main plot and organic amendments as sub-plot factors. Higher fertigation frequency at 16 times compared to 8 times daily and the application of organic amendments, effective microorganism (EM), and humic acid (HA) significantly improve quality, specifically Vitamin C, chlorophyll a/b, total Chlorophyll, total carotenoids, and free radical scavenging activity (FRSA)..
Full article