For agriculture, market conditions change rapidly, whereas agricultural policies tend to follow with a lag. Debates are prolonged in the absence of sufficient information about the potential impact of policies across different groups and on society in general. When policies do adjust, changing conditions may render them obsolete, repeating the cycle. Models to assess potential policy impacts exist, but take time to adapt to changing market conditions, and their workings tend to be opaque to most stakeholders. Policy discussions are best informed by just-in-time analyses that are easily replicated and transparent. This paper presents one such model, the Rapid Evaluation of Market Equilibrium with Differentiated Origin Sectors (REMEDIOS), implemented in a spreadsheet with a solver option. It is made freely available subject to proper attribution. The Excel file may be downloaded for free from http://bit.ly/3YQpL9J. It is applicable to an arbitrary commodity and country. In this paper, the author undertakes a numerical application to the Philippine rice market, with baseline specified using 2024 data. Despite its simplicity, REMEDIOS is versatile enough to capture various market conditions and policies, such as increased supply, lower world price, increased tariffs, an import quota, and a floor price for paddy. REMEDIOS is capable of identifying which policies benefit society, and the size of these benefits, by estimating losses and gains to producers, consumers, and government. The analysis highlights the usefulness of REMEDIOS in current policy debates in the Philippines and, potentially, in future policy discussions and in other national settings.
Low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) technologies such as long range wide area network (LoRaWAN), which utilize the LoRa physical layer modulation, have become prominent for Internet of Things (IoT) deployments in large agricultural areas. This is due to their low-power and long-range transmission. However, data transmission in large farms with diverse landscapes suffers from obstructions or occlusions, and it is difficult for wired gateways to cover the whole agricultural area without proper network or power infrastructures. This study integrates LoRaWAN gateways with a flying drone to enhance connectivity to LoRa nodes deployed in an oil palm plantation. The study mounted the LoRaWAN gateway on a multi-rotor agricultural drone and compared data transmission employing the flying gateway and a fixed gateway on multiple nodes across the plantation. Data transmission recovery (35%) significantly improved at locations where data was lost when using a fixed gateway. All nodes successfully transmitted a maximum payload of 50 bytes at the minimum Tx power of 6 dBm, which is preferable in smart farming applications. This work supports IoT monitoring in large agricultural areas with limited network coverage and accessibility.
Spray drift poses a significant challenge in agricultural operations, with substantial implications for the environment, health, and the economy. This literature review synthesizes findings from recent research to address the multifaceted nature of spray drift, focusing on the influence of meteorological factors such as wind speed, direction, temperature, and humidity, as well as technical factors of UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) such as flight altitude and speed, in the Malaysian context. Studies have indicated that higher wind speeds and adverse meteorological conditions, particularly temperature and humidity, intensify drift, necessitating comprehensive monitoring. UAV technical factors also play a crucial role, with optimized flight parameters reducing drift effectively. Comparative analyses between aerial and ground spraying reveal lower drift in ground spraying, although aerial spraying is advantageous in inaccessible terrains. The environmental and health impacts of spray drift are substantial, affecting water bodies, nontarget vegetation, beneficial insects, and human health, emphasizing the need for stringent safety measures. Economically, spray drift leads to significant yield reductions and quality degradation, causing financial losses for farmers. Effective risk assessment and management strategies, combining modeling tools like AgDISP and AgDRIFT, field studies, technological innovations, and regulatory measures, are essential for mitigating drift risks. Despite comprehensive findings, gaps remain in understanding the interaction effects between meteorological and technical factors, long-term environmental and health impacts, and the cost-effectiveness of mitigation strategies. Future research should focus on these areas to develop more effective, context-specific solutions.
This study provides a comprehensive overview of Malaysia’s dairy goat industry from a supply chain perspective, focusing on productivity performance and value chain integration. Despite Malaysia’s favorable agroclimatic conditions, the national goat population remains small, totaling 439,667 heads in 2021, with approximately half being dairy goats. Using a systematic document review approach, the study synthesized data from government reports, industry statistics, and academic literature to assess production efficiency and market development. The analysis uses a farm productivity lens and a value-chain (i.e., “farm-to-glass”) lens in assessing the industry. The former examines resource-use efficiency across different operational scales, while the latter highlights gaps in processing, distribution, and retail linkages. Findings reveal that while Malaysia possesses strong potential for dairy goat expansion, the industry remains constrained by fragmented value chains, limited infrastructure, and uneven productivity levels. Strengthening collaboration among government, the private sector, and smallholders is essential to improve productivity, enhance market connectivity, and promote sustainable growth. The study aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by supporting sustainable livestock management and enhancing food security.
Nutrition and Public Health in Asia: Challenges, Interventions, and Policy Responses is a comprehensive book that serves as a valuable reference for policymakers, program planners, and academics. It can serve as a desk review guide for probing further into the complexity of malnutrition in Asia. It also provides a compendium of nutrition-related essays and research studies. A good book!
The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), effective on 1 August 2020, provides Vietnam with a tax-free quota of 80,000 t of rice annually. However, a significant portion of Vietnam’s rice exports to the EU fail to qualify for this quota because the outdated varietal list in the EVFTA does not align with changing consumer demands in the EU market. This misalignment resulted in significant losses in potential revenue and has hindered Vietnam’s competitiveness. This policy comment proposes a framework to ensure that the Vietnamese rice industry can capitalize on the EVFTA by regularly updating the varietal list to reflect current EU market preferences and by categorizing rice based on grain types. This approach will enable Vietnam to maximize the benefits of the annual quota worth EUR 11.8 million (USD 12.7 million) and enhance its competitiveness in the EU market. Moreover, this framework can be adopted by other rice-producing countries as a blueprint for developing adaptable FTAs, ensuring that they can fully capitalize on the benefits of these agreements.
Small-scale tilapia aquaculture is constrained by labor shortages, inefficient feed management, and difficulties in maintaining stable water quality, all of which limit productivity and sustainability. Rising feeding costs account for over 50 percent of operational expenses, while disease outbreaks linked to limited genetic acclimatization exacerbate stress and growth issues, further focus on either environmental monitoring or image-based biomass estimation, but rarely integrate both in a low-cost, real-time solution suitable for smallholders. To address these constraints, this study introduces an intelligent feeding system that integrates Internet of Things (IoT) sensors for water quality monitoring with a You Look Only Once (YOLO)v8-based computer vision model for real-time biomass estimation. The system automatically adjusts feeding based on live video analysis and environmental data. The YOLOv8 model achieved a 42.2 percent improvement in precision and a 9.2 percent increase in mean average precision (mAP) over two development stages. The IoT water quality monitoring system (WQMS) demonstrated 98 percent accuracy compared to benchmark data from International Institute of Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences (I-AQUAS), Universiti Putra Malaysia, validated the system's capability to reduce feed wastage and maintain water quality. By addressing the dual challenges of feed inefficiency and efficiency, reduces costs, and strengthens the sustainability and competitiveness of small-scale tilapia aquaculture.
Cooperatives represent an economic model that provides substantial benefits to their members, particularly those who are economically vulnerable positions requiring targeted support mechanisms. Cooperative models featuring women in managerial roles are particularly significant as they create opportunities for women's empowerment and enhanced resource access and control. This paper examines findings from a comprehensive survey of 222 cooperatives conducted across six provinces in Vietnam between January 2022 and March 2023. The research employed mixed methodologies to understand the influence of women's participation on management and internal control of cooperatives in Vietnam. The findings reveal that women's participation in cooperative governance yields multiple organizational benefits. Statistical analysis demonstrated that cooperatives with female board representation offer significantly more diverse services to members, while women's involvement in accounting units correlates with improved regulatory compliance and enhanced management activities. However, women's representation is limited and varies significantly across positions, and this uneven participation prevents full realization of potential benefits. The study proposes strategic recommendations for enhancing women's involvement in cooperative decision-making, emphasizing targeted training programs, supportive policies, and strengthened social networks to promote sustainable cooperative development and gender equality.
Agriculture is among the sectors that severely suffer from the impacts of climate change. Hence, climate change adaptation (CCA) mechanisms must be in place to ensure that food production will not be compromised. This study used a "toolbox" approach to assess the adaptive capacity of rice communities in Central Luzon, Philippines. That is, the region's ability to mitigate the impacts of climate change depends on the types and quality of the "tools"or adaptive mechanisms available in its toolbox. Adaptive mechanisms can take the form of infrastructure, institutional arrangements, laws, or other measures that help the region adapt to the impacts of climate change. Central Luzon region was chosen as the site for this research because it produces a significant volume of rice; Nueva Ecija, one of its provinces, is the country's top rice producer. Multiple methods, including desk reviews, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and a workshop were employed to address the research questions outlined in this study. It was found that while many adaptive mechanisms, especially technologies, are available to farmers, these are often poorly utilized. Efforts along the social dimension of CCA are scarce or nonexistent. Thus, among the key recommendations of this study are to intensify campaigns for farmers to utilize their entitlements and to develop deployment plans for the adaptive mechanisms identified.
Reliable and up-to-date food composition data are vital for nutrition policy, public health programs, and sustainable agricultural planning. Yet, Vietnam has lacked such a comprehensive and standardized national resource. This study developed Vietnam’s first agri-food composition database by analyzing 100 representative food products across seven groups—cereals, tubers, legumes and nuts, vegetables, fruits, eggs, and dairy—using standardized laboratory methods. Three samples of each product were purposively collected from key production regions between January 2022 and June 2024 to capture seasonal and geographic variation. The results revealed substantial differences in nutrient profiles among food groups. Legumes and nuts were the richest sources of crude protein and crude lipids, with soybeans showing the highest protein level (34.82 g/100 g) and macadamia nuts, the highest lipid content (76.3 g/100 g). Fruits and vegetables were major sources of vitamins, particularly vitamin C, with guava showing the highest level among fruits (153.37 mg/100 g). Animal-sourced foods such as eggs and dairy provided high-quality proteins and essential fats, while cereals and tubers remained important staple energy sources in the Vietnamese diet. This database provides a critical foundation for nutrition education, dietary guideline development, food safety monitoring, and nutrition-sensitive agricultural policies. Future efforts will expand the range of foods analyzed, standardize analytical protocols, and integrate Vietnam’s database with regional and global food composition networks to support evidence-based nutrition strategies and sustainable food system development.
A common discourse asserts that the lack of resource capital negatively impacts the rural poor’s access to information and communication technology (ICT) and thus prevents them from participating in a digital society. However, little is known about how other forms of capital affect rural inhabitants’ intent to use or continue using ICT. To fill this gap, this study proposes a theoretical model of five constructs representing four forms of capital, namely: psychological, cultural/human, social, and economic. Data were collected from 118 respondents drawn from four villages of Durgapur upazila under Rajshahi district, Bangladesh, using a structured interview schedule. Multiple regression analysis was performed to test the five hypotheses. The results of this study reveal that psychological capital, as a form of extrinsic motivation; social capital; and cultural/human capital were positive and significantly influenced users’ intent to use ICT, while intrinsic motivation and perceived cost as economic capital did not. The model predicts 52.9 percent (R2 = 0.529) of the variance of intent to use ICT. The study further explored interesting statistics that illustrate the importance of considering other forms of capital beyond economic capital in promoting ICT-enabled extension services for rural clientele. The study concludes with several policy recommendations to address digital inequality in rural Bangladesh.
This study explored the uptake pathway of NSIC Rc 160, a rice variety bred by the Philippine Rice Research Institute of the Department of Agriculture. NSIC Rc 160 is renowned for its exceptional eating quality and widespread popularity throughout the Philippines. The study employed innovations mapping in pursuing the inquiry, along with key informant interviews and focus group discussions in nine provinces: Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Bulacan, Samar, Leyte, Davao del Sur, Agusan del Sur, and Surigao del Sur. Criterion, snowball, and purposive sampling were employed in recruiting participants and in identifying the phenomena to be investigated. The study found the variety successful indeed, as it had managed to spread across the country with high acceptability among various stakeholders. The extent of its success, however, is stifled by weaknesses in the innovation system brought about by the competing and conflicting goals of its actors. The study provides insights into these conflicts in the innovation system, which, if resolved, could benefit subsequent innovations supported by this same system.
Natural hazards pose insurmountable challenges to sustainable human development because they shake the structure of social systems and the built environment. Contemporary studies in the “hard” sciences, commonly known as the scientific-technical or technocratic perspectives, have dominated the disaster risk literature, which posit that risk is quantifiable and objective. Contrary to existing literature, risk is not a neutral concept. Disasters are socially and culturally constructed and perceived by different people differently. This paper highlights the value of integrating different social actors’ socio-cultural constructions in disaster risk communication. To explore the characteristics of the riverine community, the communication channels and strategies for disaster risk communication, and the community’s constructions of risk, this study employed purposeful sampling from 38 research participants using focus group discussions and key informant interviews to gather data. While information from media and early warning signals are important sources of disaster information, the community heavily relies on local forecasting as a metric for disaster risk. For a community that depends heavily on agriculture for livelihood, being aware of and acknowledging risk is the first step to preventing disasters. In sum, disaster risk communication must consider the underlying sociocultural factors influencing the community’s construction of risk.
This study evaluates mechanization practices in small-scale paddy farming in the Mekong River Delta, following several years of government policies and programs promoting mechanization. Primary data was collected from 1,170 farming households in Hau Giang, Kien Giang, An Giang, and Dong Thap provinces. The mechanization status was assessed based on four key criteria, and mechanization levels were quantified using a cost-based Mechanization Index (MI). The results show high mechanization rates (over 90%) in land preparation, irrigation, fertilization, and harvesting; however, adoption rates were lower in transplanting or sowing (41.2%) and transportation (15.7%). Furthermore, machinery investment has stagnated since 2016, reflecting limited farmer interest in acquiring additional equipment. Advanced mechanization techniques remain experimental as traditional labor-intensive methods continue to dominate farming practices. The calculated MI indicated that 64 percent of households fall into a very low mechanization category. These findings reveal significant limitations of current agricultural policies and underline the need for multidisciplinary and systematic interventions, particularly through the development of self-propelled spreaders, drone sprayers, enhanced linkages between combine harvesters and transportation vehicles, and training on skilled agricultural labor.
The role of rice in Asia has evolved but remains central to pro-poor growth and food security. This article offers reflections based on decades of engagement with the region’s rice economy, organized around six interlinked themes: rice research, rural infrastructure, structural transformation, price stabilization, social safety nets, and financial markets. While private actors now lead in many areas—particularly in marketing and supply chains—public roles remain critical in setting policy directions, investing in long-term research, and ensuring equity. The interaction between public and private sectors is shaping a new foundation for Asia’s rice economy—one that demands coordination, adaptability, and political skill. Rice may no longer define the region’s overall economy, but its significance for the poor, for nutrition, and for political stability remains strong. Strengthening this foundation will depend on how effectively both public and private roles are aligned to support inclusive, resilient growth.
This study examined the impact of Chinese foreign direct investment (CFDI) on the annual growth rate (AGR) of agricultural value added in Africa and analyzed the correlation between AGR and employment in the agriculture sector (EIA) from 2003 to 2021. The study employed annual panel data from 15 African countries obtained from authoritative databases such as the World Development Indicators. To guarantee the dependability of the results, the research carried out several preparatory tests, such as crosssectional dependency, unit root, and cointegration tests. The tests validated that the variables satisfied the requisite criteria for utilizing panel autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) estimation techniques, such as mean group (MG), pooled MG (PMG), and dynamic fixed effect (DFE). The Hausman test validated the PMG model as the most appropriate for the estimations among the various techniques. The empirical results obtained using the PMG model provided fascinating insights. Evidence demonstrated that CFDI inflows had a favorable and statistically significant impact on the growth rate of agricultural value added in Africa. These findings suggest that Chinese investments have a positive impact on the agriculture sector in Africa. As the economy expands, it creates a favorable atmosphere for the agriculture sector to flourish. Moreover, the presence of EIA is vital in improving Africa’s agricultural growth rate. Based on these discoveries, policymakers can create a supportive atmosphere for the long-term and comprehensive growth of agriculture in Africa. The study’s findings have significant consequences for academic research, educational discourse, and socioeconomic legislation.
Understanding digital transformation among farmers is a critical factor influencing the successful adoption of digital technologies in agriculture. This study investigated the determinants of farmers’ understanding of digital transformation in agriculture, based on a structured survey of 230 farming households in Vietnam’s Red River Delta. A 35-item questionnaire was used to assess digital awareness, yielding an average score of 15.8 out of 35. Using cluster analysis, we categorized the farmers into those with high and low understanding levels. The results of a logit model analysis indicate that educational attainment, farm types, proficiency in using the internet, participation in digital transformation training courses, visiting pilot models, and land size are the factors affecting the understanding level of the farmers. These imply that the Vietnamese government should increase the number of training programs on using the internet and digital transformation skills for farmers, develop pilot models, and encourage farmers to visit and learn from the models. The government’s support on digital transformation should focus on large-scale farms first, then on medium- and small-scale farms. These recommendations aim to support effective digital transformation and foster sustainable agricultural development in Vietnam.
With its ideal agro-climatic conditions in the “cacao belt,” the Philippines has high productivity potential for cacao. However, the country struggles to meet rising domestic and international demands with its low productivity due to pests, soil infertility, and inadequate farmer knowledge. The Davao region is the country’s top cacao producer, but some of its areas still experience low productivity. Hence, it is critical to understand the region’s production capacities and probe the underlying factors behind this. Using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), the technical efficiency (TE) of cacao farmers from Davao de Oro was estimated. Tobit regression was used to analyze factors affecting TE. Findings suggest that education, farm experience, and income from cacao improve efficiency; while age, pod sleeving, number of coconut crops intercropped, subsidies, extension services, and total household income negatively impact it. This study recommends enhancing collaboration among the government, public, and private sectors to address these challenges, focusing on infrastructure, market linkage, and technical training. Formal education must also be promoted. Cacao farm rehabilitation and continuous research are also crucial in reducing risks of pest and disease infestations and further promote efficiency. Lastly, regular monitoring and assessment of these strategies are essential to ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of the industry.
