Journal of the Austrian Society of Agricultural Economics (JASAE)

Abstract : Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is one of the top fruits in the Philippines with high nutritional value. The study was conducted to determine the effects of various safe phytochemical extracts and Calcium chloride (CaCl2) on the postharvest quality and shelf life of tomato under ambient temperature and identify the most effective treatment to improve tomato fruit quality. The study was laid out using Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Tomato fruits were dipped in different fruit extracts and combination of CaCl2: T1-hagimit, T2-hagimit+1% CaCl2, T3 - starfruit, T4 - starfruit+ 1% CaCl2, T5-cat's whisker, T6-cat's whisker+ 1% CaCl2, T7 –Pineapple, T8-Pineapple+ 1% CaCl2, T9 -1% CaCl2, T10 -Control (untreated). Phytochemicals derived from starfruit with 1% CaCl2 had significantly delayed tomato fruit softening than control and other treatments. Phytochemicals of pineapple alone, hagimit and cat’s whisker combined with calcium effectively decreased the respiration rate of tomato fruits until 40 days of storage. Percent weight loss, visual quality rating, shelflife, pH value, TSS (Brix) and TA (%) were not significantly affected. This result indicates that the application of phytochemicals combined with calcium chloride as coating improves the fruit quality of tomato..
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Abstract : This study critically examined the effects of Total Factor Productivity on rice output in Nigeria. Data for this study such as land area, labour, capital and rice output from 1961 to 2020 were collected from various sources such as World Bank online statistical depository, United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service [26], [8], [16]. Data were analysed using descriptive such as mean and graph and inferential statistics such as Ordinary Least Square Regression model. Result from the study showed that although there is a positive trend in rice TFP in Nigeria over the years, the average rice TFP is regressive (i.e., less than 1). Furthermore, rice TFP (coefficient = 12.282; p<5%) had statistically significant effect on rice output. The study therefore recommended that promoting the adoption of modern technologies and improving management practices, policymakers can help enhance TFP and increase rice output, thereby improving food security and promoting economic development..
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Abstract : This study examined the effect of rice production input variables and climate change variables on rice output in Nigeria. Data for this study such as temperature, rainfall, relative humidity, sunshine duration, land area, labour, capital and rice output from 1961 to 2020 were collected from various sources such as Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET), World Bank online statistical depository, United Nations online database, United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service [22], Food and Agriculture Organisation Corporate Statistical Database [7], [14]. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Specifically, the study revealed that rice output in Nigeria had a positive slope for the period under review. Land (coefficient = 0.212; p<1%), rainfall (coefficient = 1612.441; p<5%), relative humidity (coefficient = -81289.210; p<5%) and temperature (coefficient = 324766.300; p<5%) had statistically significant effect on rice output. Based on the findings of this study, it therefore recommends that there is need for rice farmers to adopt artificial irrigation in order to mitigate the effect of climate change for optimum rice productivity..
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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..
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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..
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