Journal of the Austrian Society of Agricultural Economics (JASAE)

Abstract : This study investigated the practices of cinnamon production by ethnic minority groups in the Thai Nguyen province. The study surveyed data from 343 cinnamon production households, using reliable analysis tools such as Cronbach's Alpha coefficient, EFA exploratory factor analysis, and linear regression models. Research results have identified 8 factors and the level of influence of each factor on the development of local cinnamon production. These factors include education level, age of the household head, government support policies, experience of the household head, capital, economic benefits, and science and technology. The study results also showed four factors greatly affect the development of cinnamon production in farmer households. They are capital, financial benefits, policy support, and the education level of the household. The magnitude of the standardized level of impact in descending order of the independent variables on the dependent variable of cinnamon production development (PD) is as follows: capital (β = 0.320), economic benefits (β = 0.294), Support policies (β = 0.252) and education level of the household head (β = 0.237). To limit the negative impacts of the above 4 factors, farmers need to change their awareness, boldly borrow capital to invest, and regularly update new knowledge. Local authorities issue specific policies for cinnamon households and coordinate closely and effectively with farmers..
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Abstract : High economic growth is essential for inclusive economic development. Economic growth in Indonesia until 2012 has not been inclusive in reducing poverty, reducing inequality, and broadening employment opportunities. Linkages between economic sectors that are increasingly inclusive and a literate society will accelerate the process of inclusive economic development, especially regarding democracy, which clearly has an important role in inclusive economic development besides economic factors. This study uses a panel autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model to simulate the relationship between democracy, investment, human capital, trade through, inflation as a picture of the domestic economy, and labor to inclusive economic development. This study uses the KAO cointegration test to analyse the coverage of a data set covering the period from 2011 to 2022 across different provinces within Indonesia. The purpose of this study is to conduct research on a specific topic to obtain results. This study reveals that there is a significant relationship between all independent variables and the dependent variable both in the short and long run, so that it has an impact on sustainability in economic development..
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Abstract : It has been realized that there is lack of consistent and adequate supplies of good quality of locally grown vegetable in Eswatini. Therefore, the Small Enterprises Development Company (Pty) Ltd. (SEDCO) embarked on a value chain intervention training programme for small-scale vegetable farmers on for improved marketing efficiency. However, the effect of the intervention training programme farmers’ performance market efficiency remains unassessed. Hence, this study aimed at assessing the contribution of SEDCO’s value chain interventions smallholder vegetable farmers’ marketing efficiency in the Shiselweni region. A quantitative descriptive research design was employed on a sample 46 vegetable farmers based on information availed by SEDCO. The results indicated that most vegetable farmers were males (63.0%) and majority (34.8%) of them were aged between 45-65 years. Majority (43.5%) of the sampled farmers were earning income ranging between R500.00-R1000.00 per month. Further, the findings suggest that farmers’ marketing efficiency (ME) improved from 4.561 to 5.125 after SEDCO’s intervention, indicating a positive contribution of the training programme. The findings further indicate that farm income had a negative and significant influence on marketing efficiency of the sampled farmers. This suggests that farmers tend to re-invest relatively more in the marketing process of farm produce, thereby, increasing marketing costs and reducing marketing efficiency. The over reinvestment behaviour is attributable to limited knowledge on cost management. The study recommends that the government and development agencies should continue engaging farmers through trainings on the different methods/techniques of reducing marketing costs in addition to SEDCO’s efforts. Furthermore, all stakeholders should join efforts of formulating and implementing policies that creates a less costly vegetable marketing environment along the value chain for improved marketing efficiency..
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Abstract : This study examined the use of information and communication technology (ICT) resources and the competence levels of academic staff in Botswana’s colleges of education. It explored the demographic and job-related characteristics of the academic staff, determined their level of competence in using ICT resources, and identified the challenges in ICT usage. Data were collected from all the 265 academic staff across the four colleges of education in the country using a pre-tested questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations) and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation analysis) with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results showed that 57% of the staff are female, and 94% identify as Batswana. Nearly half (46.8%) hold Lecturer I positions, and 52.1% rarely travel for professional purposes. Desktop computers and Microsoft Word were extensively used by 93.6% of respondents (3.9 High), while 46% reported frequent use of Microsoft Teams (2.9 Low). Over 80% agreed they could effectively use the internet for information sharing and retrieval. A significant positive relationship was found between ICT usage and competence (r = 0.665; p < 0.01). Key challenges included poor Wi-Fi access, outdated equipment, and insufficient technical skills. The study recommends investing in ICT training and infrastructure improvements to enhance staff competence and promote positive attitudes toward ICT usage..
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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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