Integrated farming systems represent innovative solutions designed to improve farmers’ well-being by increasing income and improving livelihoods in rural communities. By integrating social innovation strategies, this approach helps to promote economic welfare and address challenges such as poverty and limited access to resources. This study delves into the impact of integrated farming, a form of social innovation, on the well-being of rural communities in the Global South. The study centers on Mas Ihsan Bersaudara Farm in Karawang, Indonesia, serving as a compelling case study. An in-depth exploration was conducted within the farm community by including all employees as participants, thereby facilitating comprehensive insights. While integrated farming exhibited characteristics associated with social innovation and enhanced productivity, this study’s findings revealed that its influence on well-being lacked statistical significance. Structural equation modeling (SEM) shed light on the intricate relationships between variables. The findings uncovered that production behavior and management exerted a more substantial impact on productivity than factors directly tied to social innovation. Specifically, productivity accounted for 13.5% of overall well-being, emphasizing that heightened productivity alone did not unilaterally elevate farmers’ well-being. This study has underscored the need for a holistic approach, one transcending mere productivity gains. Key elements included market accessibility, equitable pricing mechanisms, educational interventions, and robust social support systems. By addressing the multifaceted aspects of community life through a combination of direct field surveys that captured farmers’ firsthand perspectives and advanced statistical analysis using SEM, this study contributes to sustainable rural development.
Farmer regeneration in Indonesia is faced with severe challenges, and it is predicted that this may lead to a decrease in the national food production ability. Therefore, strategic effort is required to facilitate the regeneration process. In this study, we aimed to analyze the dynamics of farmer regeneration in sub-urban villages and the determinants of the farming performance of a young farmer. The research method employed a mixed approach between qualitative and quantitative perspectives. In the quantitative method, we purposively selected 51 young farmers as samples for interview. The qualitative approach was used to explain the dynamics of regeneration behavior, whereas the quantitative approach based on Spearman correlation was used to analyze a few critical variables, which exhibited a strong correlation with a young farmer farming performance. The research results revealed a dynamic behavior of a farmer child, determining their entry into or exit from agriculture, and that farming income was the main determinant of decision-making in entering the agriculture sector. The analysis further revealed that a young farmer farming performance correlated significantly with their agricultural entrepreneurship orientation, which covers the feeling of confidence, patience, and perseverance in farming. Further, their farming performance was also correlated significantly with access to external finance and agricultural education in the family. These results provide valuable insights regarding the importance of the empowerment strategy, particularly at farmer household level, in encouraging effective farmer regeneration.
Agricultural livelihoods in Vietnam’s Northern Mountain Region are shaped by ethnic diversity, gendered labor dynamics, and growing exposure to climate change. This study seeks to examine social disparities, particularly those related to gender and ethnicity, in farmers’ adoption of Climate-Smart Agriculture Technologies and Practices (CSA T&Ps) to enhance climate change resilience in the Northern Mountain Region of Vietnam. Socioeconomic factors, the climate-related knowledge, perception, and attitude of local farmers influencing the adoption of CSA T&Ps were tested using dichotomous logistic regression. The results revealed significant ethnic disparities affecting access to climate-smart agriculture (CSA) training and resources in Vietnam’s Northern Mountain Region. While gender inequalities in CSA adoption were minimal, ethnic minority farmers encountered substantial barriers compared to majority groups, impacting their climate adaptation capacity. Key determinants of CSA adoption included participation in training, access to climate and agricultural extension services, and local perceptions of the impacts of climate change. These findings highlight the need for socially inclusive policies addressing ethnic and social disparities to enhance CSA scaling and build climate resilience in marginalized farming communities.
The rural population in Indonesia, heavily reliant on agriculture and fishery, constitutes approximately 60% of the nation's population. Seaweed cultivation has emerged as a significant economic activity among coastal communities, particularly in Seriwe Village, West Nusa Tenggara Province. Despite its significance, studies detailing financial viability and profitability in rural-level seaweed farming remain scarce, limiting effective management and targeted policy interventions. This study assessed the profitability and business feasibility of seaweed cultivation and identified factors influencing the income of seaweed farmers in the village. Utilizing multiple regression analysis, we standardized variable data and evaluated factors such as gender, experience, age, education, cultivation area, seed price, selling price, labor, and capital investment. Data collection involved interviews with 50 seaweed farmers and five middlemen, focusing on sociodemographic profiles, variable and fixed costs, and revenue. The Revenue Cost Ratio of 1.84 confirms the economic viability of seaweed farming, demonstrating substantial profitability in Seriwe Village. The multiple regression analysis results, with an adjusted R-squared value of 0.985, indicated that the cultivation area, capital investment, and selling price significantly influence farmers' income (p < 0.001). Gender and age also played a significant role (p < 0.05). Practical strategies to increase seaweed farmers’ income include forming farmers' groups and cleaning the harvested seaweed. Understanding these factors is crucial for implementing effective interventions and policies to support seaweed farmers. This study highlights the importance of targeted support, such as training programs, to empower farmers and enhance the economic resilience of coastal communities.
Chicken meat is an important food commodity, and growing consumer attention to food safety, nutrition, and product quality has increased interest in native chicken markets in Thailand. The study also provided information on the purchasing behavior of native chicken consumers. A multi-stage sampling method was employed to determine the 400 native chicken consumers. The primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and a binary logistic regression analysis was employed to identify the factors that affect consumers' decisions to purchase native chickens. The findings revealed that consumers preferred to buy whole-dressed native chicken 4 to 5 times a month, spending less than 272.46 USD. The binary logistic regression results showed that motivation, perception, price, and place significantly influenced consumers' decisions to purchase native chickens. Farmers and marketers should emphasize creating incentives and raising awareness among consumers about the quality, taste, and nutritional value of native chicken to encourage more purchases. These findings offer practical insights into native chicken consumer behavior and decision-making, with implications for expanding local and global native chicken markets.
