Journal of the Austrian Society of Agricultural Economics (JASAE)

Abstract : This study examined the correlates of usage of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) by academic staff in Botswana's colleges of education. It specifically identified and described some selected demographic and job characteristics of the academic staff, determined the levels of availability of and accessibility to ICTs, determined the level of usage of ICTs by the academic staff in performing their academic roles; and empirically established some variables that determines the extent of usage of ICTs. A pre-tested and validated questionnaire was used to elicit information from all the 265 academic staff across the four colleges of education in country. Data collected were subjected to descriptive statistics, such as frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations, as well as inferential statistics like Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Pearson correlation using SPSS. The findings revealed that most (57%) of the respondents were female with the mean age of 51.6 years. Most (55.1%) of the respondents are married, and 84.9% obtained a master's degree. The mean experience of the respondents was 25.45 years with standard deviation of 7.4 years; and the mean income per month was BWP 24,014.83 with standard deviation of BWP 3,016.22. In the order of importance, the results showed good congruence between mean scores of availability of and accessibility to Microsoft teams, Interactive whiteboards, You Tube, Laptop and Projectors ranking between 1st and 5th, while Microsoft word, WhatsApp, Microsoft excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Desktop computers are ranked lowest between 10th and 14th. Designation (F=2.688; p 0.047), age (r = -0.170, p = 0.007) and experience (r = -0.171, p = 0.008) of the respondents; and availability of ICTs (r = -0.356, p < 0.01) and accessibility to ICTs (r = -0.322, p < 0.01) of ICT resources were empirically established as correlates of ICTs usage. It is then recommended that the government and the colleges authorities provide adequate infrastructure for enhancing access to Microsoft Teams and other important ICTs for effective performance of the academic staff roles..
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Abstract : Indonesia would have ranked as the world's sixth-largest cocoa producer and third-largest cocoa exporter. Unfortunately, Indonesia's cocoa exports have fluctuated over the past 30 years. An improvement in cocoa exports should be supported by an increase in domestic cocoa production. However, an increase in cocoa production does not necessarily increase the value of cocoa exports if other factors, such as inflation and exchange rate stabilization, do not support it. This study aims to analyze the role of production, inflation, and exchange rate fluctuations on cocoa exports to optimize Indonesian cocoa exports. The analysis method uses the ARDL model to analyze the relationship and short-term and long-term influence among variables. The results show that the dominant variable affecting cocoa exports is the exchange rate variable. Therefore, efforts are needed to strengthen exchange rates and exchange rate risk management, change marketing strategies and partnerships, and maintain and expand export markets..
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Abstract : Sugarcane farming is an economically important agribusiness enterprise in developing countries and is used as a strategic development vehicle for household income generation and national economic growth. However, a literature gap exists in the effects of gender dynamics on profitability amongst non-cooperated growers. Therefore, this study conducted a gender comparative profitability analysis and identified the determinants of profitability amongst smallholder growers. Cross-sectional data were collected through interviews guided by a structured questionnaire from a sample of 173 growers. The budgetary technique and the gross rate of return (GRR) were adopted to assess the level profitability. Multiple regression was applied to analyze the determinants of profitability. The results revealed that sugarcane farming is profitable with an average profit per ha of E32,514.20 and GRR=1.47. Female-managed farms were more profitable (profit/ha=E34,970.04; GRR=1.62) compared to male-managed farms (profit/ha=E30,845.17; GRR=1.38) and the difference was statistically significant at p≤0.10. Farm-size, sucrose yield and total cost were found to be common drivers of profitability at p≤0.01 for male and female-managed farms. The grower’s experience in business management and ratoon cropping were significant determinants of profitability amongst male-managed farms at p≤0.01 and p≤0.1, respectively. The study recommends that the growers should increase sucrose yield through capacitation on business management skills. Male growers must adopt strict cost minimization strategies to improve profitability. Policymakers should assist the growers to increase the scale of operation to improve profitability through economies of scale..
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Abstract : Agriculture holds immense significance in safeguarding food security, alleviating poverty, and fostering economic advancement. It serves as a pivotal source of employment, promoting social stability and overall well-being, especially in less developed countries like Afghanistan. Therefore, this study scrutinized the effect of government support for sustainable agricultural development and farmers' satisfaction levels in Afghanistan. The study was based on primary data analysis, and a survey was conducted to collect data from farmers and other stakeholders involved in the agricultural sector. The result of the study showed that government financial facilities positively impacted cereal crop production, horticulture, livestock, and extension services. However, regarding farmers' satisfaction with government financial support, it indicates that farmers were dissatisfied with support for all agricultural sub-sectors. Therefore, the government should increase funding for the agriculture sector, implement projects, ensure transparent resource use, provide financial facilities to aid farmers for higher productivity, and modernize the agricultural sector to ensure sustainable growth..
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Abstract : This study assessed farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, and perception (KAP) regarding climate change effects on agriculture in the south-west Nigerian States of Oyo and Osun. Data collected from a sample of 389 smallholder arable crop farmers across different agro-ecological zones using structured questionnaires were analysed using descriptive statistics, Weighted Average Index (WAI), and Pearson’s Products Moment Correlation (PPMC). The results revealed an ageing population of farmers with an average age of 55 years, who are predominantly male (78.1%), and engaged in farming as their primary occupation (77.4%). Most farmers (67.6%) had secondary or higher education. Farmers also demonstrated good knowledge of climate change indicators like temperature rise, erosion, storms, and biodiversity loss. However, understanding of less visible impacts like crop seasonality shifts was lacking, as revealed in the results. Likewise, positive attitudes towards adaptation strategies such as crop diversification, irrigation adoption and weather monitoring were observed. The findings from correlation analysis also indicated that farmers’ personal and socio-economic characteristics indeed have significant relationships with their knowledge, attitude and perception about climate change. Given the results of the study, a holistic approach tailored towards farmers’ needs, integrating these elements is crucial for building widening farmers’ knowledge, and capable of driving a positive attitude and perception on climate change, as well as building their adaptive capacities and ensuring sustainable food production systems..
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