Abstract Interpretive signs are valuable tools for raising public awareness of agrobiodiversity. In a laboratory experiment, we investigated visual perception and the impact of interpretive signs providing information about the contribution of poppy ( Papaver somniferum L.) to agrobiodiversity. Textual information was presented in concise and extended versions. Findings indicate that, regardless of text length, the intensity of information intake and participants’ responses to the signs were comparable. However, participants exposed to the concise version required significantly less time to process the information, indicating greater efficiency in information transfer. These findings should be interpreted as results of an exploratory study.
Abstract Small food manufacturers face uneven readiness for FSMA compliance. This study examines whether firm size is associated with compliance readiness among 57 small food manufacturers in the U.S. Midwest. Comparing study-defined very small firms (0–24 employees) with larger small firms (25–499 employees), results show stronger readiness among larger small firms on six of nine preventive control indicators and four of five traceability infrastructure indicators. The findings suggest that uniform compliance expectations may place greater burdens on the smallest manufacturers, especially as the July 20, 2028, FSMA Food Traceability Rule enforcement date approaches. The study offers implications for firms, regulators, supply chain partners, and extension services.
Abstract This study develops an integrated conceptual framework for analysing resilience in agribusiness systems from a systemic and multi-level perspective. Based on a systematic literature review, the framework identifies four interdependent analytical dimensions – governance, institutional environment, technological innovation, and adaptive capacity – and conceptualizes resilience as a systemic outcome emerging from their coordinated interactions and structural tensions. A pilot application illustrates the framework’s analytical usefulness. The proposed framework provides a foundation for future empirical research and supports decision-making aimed at strengthening resilience in increasingly uncertain and volatile agribusiness environments.
Abstract This paper presents a game-theoretical analysis of the internal governance of agricultural cooperatives, focusing on collective action problems associated with multiple principal–agent relationships between members, boards of directors and chief executive officers. In these relationships, informational asymmetries create opportunities for opportunistic behavior by self-interested actors (Easy-Riders). While collaboration-oriented actors (Hard-Riders) promote collective outcomes based on trust, they cannot enforce collaboration on their own. This paper identifies a mechanism of endogenous enforcement within cooperative governance, whereby Tough-Riders (a subset of Hard-Riders) alter incentive structures to restore collaboration under conditions of opportunism. Using stylized game-theoretical models, we demonstrate how Tough-Rider interventions enable interest alignment and the implementation of strategies that serve members’ long-term interests. The findings contribute to the literature on cooperative governance by identifying a key mechanism through which collective action problems can be mitigated and by highlighting the importance of governance structures that enable effective intervention.
Abstract This study examines food production dynamics under rainfall variability and agricultural investment in Vietnam. Food production dynamics are proxied by average food crop yield, capturing production efficiency per unit of harvested area. Using provincial panel data for 63 provinces and centrally governed cities from 2000 to 2024, the study applies CS-ARDL, CCEMG and CS-DL estimators. Rainfall variability is negatively associated with average food crop yield, while agricultural investment, irrigation coverage, and agricultural credit are positively associated with long-run productivity. The study shows that food production dynamics in Vietnam are jointly linked to climatic instability and economic-production conditions.
