Article
Agricultural Economics & Policy
Joachim Vandercasteelen, Bart Minten, Seneshaw Tamru
Summary: The article examines how urban proximity affects farm productivity within the high-value dairy sector in Ethiopia, finding that each additional hour of travel time leads to a reduction in milk productivity. The study highlights the importance of farmers' inclusion in modern value chains and access to commercial milk buyers in driving the urban proximity effect.
AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS
(2021)
Article
Economics
Thiago Caliari, Leonardo Costa Ribeiro, Carlo Pietrobelli, Antonio Vezzani
Summary: This paper analyzes the relationship between a country's position in the aerospace global value chain (GVC) and the strength of its innovation system. The study uses export data and US patents as proxies for GVC participation and innovation system indicators respectively. The findings suggest that a strong and varied innovation system is associated with a higher presence in higher value-added stages of the aerospace GVC. These results emphasize the importance of improving innovation systems to sustain the aerospace industry and facilitate value chain upgrading.
STRUCTURAL CHANGE AND ECONOMIC DYNAMICS
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Economics & Policy
Meilin Ma, Richard J. Sexton
Summary: By supplying land and labor to large farms, smallholder households can earn more income in competitive factor markets, especially in scenarios with higher price premiums, lower labor efficiency losses, and stricter credit constraints. Large farms also gain output advantages under similar conditions.
AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS
(2021)
Article
Business
Giulio Buciuni, Gary Pisano
Summary: This article analyzes how the geography and organization of preand production stages in GVC contribute to lead firms' innovation development. A novel approach in GVC studies is introduced based on transaction cost economics (TCE) and the innovation strategy's Modularity-Maturity matrix. The study identifies four distinct innovation models in GVC, with evidence from four global manufacturing industries suggesting that lead firms' innovation capabilities and product innovation cycle are shaped by the specific structure of the GVC in which they operate.
JOURNAL OF WORLD BUSINESS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Industrial
Tariq Masood, Maximilian Kern, P. John Clarkson
Summary: Engineering changes are inevitable for businesses due to various factors, leading to the need for change management to reduce impact. This research adopted a VC approach to assess ECs, identifying design and manufacturing elements with high risk and determining characteristics influencing changeability across VC.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PRODUCTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Rosie Morrison, Nils Teufel, Alan Duncan, Andrew Barnes
Summary: The use of cultivated forages in smallholder dairy systems can effectively increase livestock productivity. Despite the ambition of the Kenyan and Ethiopian governments to promote forage adoption, policies have not achieved widespread results. This study explores the innovation environment and identifies a potential relationship between milk buyers and forage intensity in Ethiopia, which has not been addressed in previous research. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of informal institutions and farmer-to-farmer information transmission in adoption decisions in Kenya.
OUTLOOK ON AGRICULTURE
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Simon N. Nyokabi, Imke J. M. de Boer, Pieternel A. Luning, Luke Korir, Johanna Lindahl, Bernard Bett, Simon J. Oosting
Summary: Poor milk safety in Kenya is a persistent public health risk, with quality and safety varying between different farming systems. Microbial contamination and adulteration pose significant risks, highlighting the urgent need for improved milk quality and safety measures to protect consumers' health.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Eline D'Haene, Senne Vandevelde, Bart Minten
Summary: The impact of religious fasting on dairy consumption in Ethiopia is examined, revealing that fasting reduces annual dairy consumption by approximately 12% nationally. During fasting, farms adapt to declining milk demand by processing milk into storable products, leading to larger price swings. Additionally, non-remote farmers continue to sell milk during fasting, while remote farmers adjust lactation times to reduce production.
Article
Business
Lingling Qin, Sunny Li Sun
Summary: This study investigates the impact of global value chains (GVCs) on a firm's innovation impact. It introduces the concept of interfirm transformative capacity and explores three mechanisms through which this capacity affects innovation in GVCs. The study finds that engagement in a lead firm's GVC, structural holes, and network centrality have an impact on a focal firm's innovation impact. The hypotheses are tested using a dataset of Apple suppliers and their patent impacts, and the results support the proposed mechanisms.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Manufacturing
Lingxiu Dong
Summary: Agriculture value chains are shifting from efficiency-driven industrial agriculture to resilience-focused eco-friendly agriculture. The impact on the environment is significant, and researchers aim to explore opportunities for operations and supply chain researchers to participate and contribute to this paradigm shift.
PRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Economics & Policy
Bart Minten, Seneshaw Tamru, Thomas Reardon
Summary: The study found that the level of PHL in the modern retail sector in Ethiopia is significantly lower than in the traditional retail sector, likely due to more stringent quality requirements, sales of more packaged commodities, and better refrigeration, storage, and sales facilities. With further expansion of modern retail in these settings, PHL in food value chains is expected to decrease.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Charis Linda Braun, Vera Bitsch, Anna Maria Haering
Summary: The article explores innovation in emerging agri-food value chains using the concept of boundary work. Based on a six-year action research study, the authors examined boundary work among value chain actors and interventions that enabled the reconfiguration of boundaries through learning and collaboration. The findings conceptualize three modes of boundary work and emphasize the importance of higher-level boundary work for value creation through purposeful interventions.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Business
Rawan Elshaarawy, Riham A. Ezzat
Summary: This paper analyzes the impact of firms' engagement in global value chains (GVCs) and financial constraints on innovation. The results demonstrate that financial constraints have a greater negative effect on innovation than the positive effect of GVC participation.
SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMICS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Marine
Trond Selnes, Else Giesbers, Sander W. K. van den Burg
Summary: The European seaweed sector is transitioning from harvesting wild stocks to harvesting and farming seaweed, necessitating a rethinking of its role on a global scale and the need for insight into the global seaweed value chain organization and innovation. Innovation in seaweed usage is occurring globally, with a focus on high-value applications not being enough to distinguish the nascent European sector from established regions such as Asia. Stronger collaboration and joint efforts are needed in developing safe and sustainable products to meet regulatory, lead firm, and consumer demands in order to facilitate further business development.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Victor Cepoi, Alenka Pandiloska Jurak
Summary: This paper focuses on understanding and explaining the embeddedness of TVC using the theory of Regional Innovation Systems, Social Fields, and Qualitative Comparative Analysis. The findings highlight the significant influence of Support for Regional Innovativeness on TVC embeddedness, as well as the importance of Innovations, networks, and Institutional framework. The absence of Cognitive Frames is also found to be crucial for TVC embeddedness.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Rui Shi, Wenqi Lou, Bart Ducro, Aart van der Linden, Han A. Mulder, Simon J. Oosting, Shengli Li, Yachun Wang
Summary: This study aimed to develop and validate the best prediction model of nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), nitrogen loss (NL), and dry matter intake (DMI) for individual dairy cows in China. The results showed that individual NUE can be predicted with moderate accuracy in both within-herd and external validations, while NL and DMI had lower accuracies. Additionally, the study found that information from MIR spectra variables increased the predictive ability of the models.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Alan J. Duncan, Ben Lukuyu, Gilbert Mutoni, Zelalem Lema, Simon Fraval
Summary: Livestock production is crucial for smallholder farmers in low- and middle-income countries, but inadequate feed limits their potential to reduce poverty. The Feed Assessment Tool (FEAST) was developed to involve farmers in decision-making on feed improvement. It uses discussions and interviews to gather information. FEAST has been used in many countries and its data can inform feed strategies and be used by researchers to understand livestock feed issues.
AGRONOMY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Christopher Magona, Abubeker Hassen, Eyob Tesfamariam, Carina Visser, Simon Oosting, A. van der Linden
Summary: This study evaluated the ability of the mechanistic LiGAPS-Beef model to quantify beef production of selected cattle breed types in diverse agro-ecological regions in South Africa. The model simulated average daily gain (ADG) with a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of 23% after calibration, and the simulated and measured values were positively correlated (r = 0.88) and largely in agreement (index of agreement=0.92).
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Eko Nugroho, Rico Ihle, Simon J. Oosting, Wim Heijman
Summary: The understanding of the role of forest resource utilization in the livelihood strategies of smallholder farmers is limited. This study conducted a survey of 600 Indonesian cattle farmers to investigate the impact of extracting forest resources on livelihood strategies and household income. The results indicate that forest extraction is a core livelihood strategy for farmers relying on forests, and it increases with income diversification. The promotion of sustainable forest resource usage schemes, such as agroforestry or silvopastoral systems, would contribute to the sustainable future use of forest resources.
OUTLOOK ON AGRICULTURE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Wilson C. Wilson, Maja Slingerland, Frederick P. Baijukya, Ken E. Giller, Simon Oosting
Summary: The demand for chicken meat and eggs in Tanzania exceeds production capacity due to low productivity of the sector. This study examines the yield gap in chicken production in Tanzania and explores the potential for increased production by addressing feed deficiencies. The findings highlight inadequate feed quantity and quality, lack of awareness about aflatoxin contamination, and the need for improved feeding strategies to ensure suitable and safe feed formulations.
Review
Fisheries
Anne-Jo van Riel, Marit A. J. Nederlof, Killian Chary, Geert F. Wiegertjes, Imke J. M. de Boer
Summary: This study analyzed the feed-food competition in aquaculture using natural trophic levels (TLs) and species-specific human-edible protein conversion ratios (HePCRs). The results showed that under current feed use, carp, tilapia, and shrimp are net contributors of protein, requiring 0.6 kg of human edible protein to produce 1 kg of fillet/meat protein. However, the use of food-competing ingredients like soya bean meal and fishmeal increases the HePCR to 2, making these species become net consumers of protein. To prevent this, the use of high-quality food-competing ingredients should be minimized in aquaculture feed.
REVIEWS IN AQUACULTURE
(2023)
Review
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Leah A. Germer, Corina E. van Middelaar, Simon J. Oosting, Pierre J. Gerber
Summary: This paper proposes a practical framework for assessing and comparing the synergies and tradeoffs among different livestock systems in achieving food security and climate change objectives. The framework aims to support stakeholders in policy and development to identify the livestock systems that contribute most to food security and climate change objectives over time and space.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Annemarieke de Bruin, Imke J. M. de Boer, Niels R. Faber, Gjalt de Jong, Katrien J. A. M. Termeer, Evelien M. de Olde
Summary: The transition towards sustainable and just food systems is being actively pursued through various initiatives aiming to address unsustainable practices and social injustices. This paper investigates the conceptualizations of justice and the principles used by authors when discussing food system initiatives, offering insights into how justice is understood in the context of these transitions. The identified conceptualizations and principles provide a framework for reflection and clarity in conceptualizing justice, guiding efforts towards a just transition for sustainable and equitable food systems.
AGRICULTURE AND HUMAN VALUES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jelle Silvius, Anne G. Hoogstra, Jeroen J. L. Candel, Evelien M. de Olde, Imke J. M. de Boer, Catrien J. A. M. Termeer
Summary: Policymakers and scientists recognize the importance of emerging circular initiatives in driving transformations towards sustainable food systems, but it is challenging to determine their transformative potential. To address this gap, we develop a heuristic of five characteristics for potentially transformative circular agriculture initiatives and provide examples to illustrate these characteristics.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
K. McGarr-O'Brien, J. Herron, L. Shalloo, I. J. M. De Boer, E. M. De Olde
Summary: This study characterized the sustainability certification standards used in dairy production and identified 19 standards that qualify as sustainability certification based on selection criteria. The standards vary in terms of organization type, number of indicators, sustainability themes covered, and the balance of credibility, accessibility, and continuous improvement. The environmental pillar is most frequently addressed, while the economic pillar is least addressed. The analysis shows that credibility and accessibility are often described and assured, but continuous improvement is less focused on. The variability in standards allows farmers to choose a standard that aligns with their beliefs or stage of development, but it may also create mistrust in standards.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Benjamin van Selm, Renske Hijbeek, Martin K. van Ittersum, Ollie van Hal, Corina E. van Middelaar, Imke J. M. de Boer
Summary: Livestock and feed production are often separated and this disrupts nutrient cycles and leads to environmental degradation. Reconnecting livestock and feed production at a local level can enhance circularity and decrease emissions. This study shows that recoupling livestock and feed production has the potential to improve sustainability and reduce environmental impact.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Ollie van Hal, Hannah H. E. van Zanten, Friederike Ziegler, Johan W. Schrama, Kiki Kuiper, Imke J. M. de Boer
Summary: Studies have shown that aquatic animals also contribute to food supply, especially as a source of valuable omega-3 fatty acids. Proper balance of different fish and livestock systems is required to provide valuable human food, with priority given to edible fish for human consumption.
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Ndungu S. Nyokabi, Imke J. M. de Boer, Jos Bijman, Bockline Bebe, Norman Aguilar-Gallegos, Lisette Phelan, Johanna Lindahl, Bernard Bett, Simon J. Oosting
Summary: The study aimed to examine social networks in dairy value chains in Kenya and understand how power relationships and trust among actors influence milk quality behavior. The researchers conducted stakeholder analysis using the Net-Map tool and analyzed social networks using VisuaLyzer software. They found that formal value chains had more actors and dense social networks with power asymmetries and limited trust, while informal value chains had fewer actors and less dense social networks with higher trust due to personal relationships. They also discovered that milk quality was perceived to be higher in the formal value chain. The study highlights the importance of addressing power asymmetries and enhancing trust to improve compliance with milk quality standards.
NJAS-IMPACT IN AGRICULTURAL AND LIFE SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bhavana Rao Kuchimanchi, Raimon Ripoll-Bosch, Fokje A. Steenstra, Renie Thomas, Simon J. Oosting
Summary: The intensification of agriculture in India has improved food self-sufficiency but has also led to negative environmental impacts, particularly on groundwater resources. This study aims to understand the impact of intensified agriculture on water availability in a dryland watershed in Telangana, India. The findings reveal that the crop-dairy system consumes the highest amount of water, followed by the crop with small ruminants system and the crop without livestock system. The overall water balance of the watershed shows a deficit, indicating the over-utilization of water resources and groundwater depletion.
CURRENT RESEARCH IN ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Benjamin van Selm, Hannah H. E. van Zanten, Renske Hijbeek, Corina E. van Middelaar, Marijke Schop, Martin K. van Ittersum, Imke J. M. de Boer
Summary: Applying circularity interventions to the food system can reduce land use and greenhouse gas emissions. Changes in human diets, imports, exports, and waste utilisation can have significant environmental benefits.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Elise Audouin, Mariana Odru, Dominique Masse, Gualbert Seraphin Dorego, Valerie Delaunay, Philippe Lecomte, Jonathan Vayssieres
Summary: Agricultural intensification is important for food security and limiting rural exodus in sub-Saharan Africa. Livestock farming has the potential to improve the sustainability of farming systems, but landscape-level studies are rare. By considering the interactions between animals, crops, and trees, the landscape level is the only level where the impacts of livestock farming can be fully understood. This study developed a methodology to compare different livestock systems based on territorial metabolism and sustainability indicators.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Idsert Jelsma, Turinah, Frederic Gay, Jean Ollivier, Bruno Rapidel
Summary: Our study aims to analyze the resilience of farmer organizations in the Ophir plantation during replanting. By examining a 40-year period in five farmer cooperatives, we provide unique insights on the dynamics that influence the resilience of farmer organizations, shed light on smallholder oil palm replanting strategies, and draw several key lessons from this case.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Maria Rodriguez-Barillas, Laurens Klerkx, P. Marijn Poortvliet
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Alexis Thoumazeau, Romane Mettauer, Turinah, Heri Junedi, Victor Baron, Cecile Cheron-Bessou, Jean Ollivier
Summary: This study investigates the effects of fertilization and understory vegetation management on soil health and oil palm performances. It aimed to isolate and decipher the specific effects of some key practices on the overall plantation performances.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2024)
Review
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Pritha Datta, Bhagirath Behera, Dil Bahadur Rahut
Summary: This study aims to evaluate the potential of South Asian agroforestry systems as a viable agroecological approach for ensuring farmers' food security. A systematic literature review found that out of 95 reviewed studies, only nine focused on food security and none of them examined all four dimensions of food security simultaneously. Moreover, the majority of studies were skewed towards the Himalayan belt and lacked quantitative measurement, making it challenging to determine the significance of this field.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Octave Lacroix, Francoise Lescourret, Michel Genard, Mohamed-Mahmoud Memah, Gilles Vercambre, Pierre Valsesia, Daniele Bevacqua, Isabelle Grechi
Summary: In this study, a pest-crop model was developed to examine the impact of multiple pests on fruit tree functioning and ecosystem services provided by orchards. Through simulations and analysis, it was found that pests significantly affected indicators such as fruit sugar content, marketable yield, carbon sequestration, and water drainage.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Malve Heinz, Valeria Galetti, Annelie Holzka
Summary: This paper presents an innovative approach for identifying climate-adapted alternative food crops that can help diversify existing cropping systems, increase their climate resilience, and contribute to nutritious plant-based regional diets with reduced emissions.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Vianny Ahimbisibwe, Eliza Zhunusova, Habtemariam Kassa, Sven Guenter
Summary: This study examines the technical efficiency levels of home gardens and woodlot systems in Ethiopia and investigates the factors that contribute to technical efficiency.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Robert Huber, Bartosz Bartkowski, Calum Brown, Nadja El Benni, Jan-Henning Feil, Pascal Grohmann, Ineke Joormann, Heidi Leonhardt, Hermine Mitter, Birgit Mueller
Summary: Farm typologies help identify patterns in farm systems and support agricultural policy design, but they are often developed without much connection to previous studies and policy making.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Mina Devkota, Krishna Prasad Devkota, Gokul Prasad Paudel, Timothy J. Krupnik, Andrew James McDonald
Summary: Wheat production in the Terai region of Nepal has not met the increasing demand, with low average productivity and high spatial and temporal variability. This study identifies strategies for closing yield gaps through field surveys, on-farm experiments, and simulation models. The results suggest that improving agronomic practices, such as fertilization and irrigation management, can significantly increase wheat productivity.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Angie Haslem, Andrew F. Bennett, James Q. Radford
Summary: This study integrates knowledge on the benefits and disbenefits of (semi)natural vegetation on farms for achieving six objectives, and develops a conceptual model of the relationships between these objectives and different types of vegetation. The results show that (semi)natural vegetation provides more benefits than disbenefits, with greater support for the benefits of native vegetation. Farm-level restoration contributes towards reversing vegetation loss, but the process takes time. Management practices play a role in enhancing the benefits of (semi)natural vegetation.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Aymeric Mondiere, Michael S. Corson, Julie Auberger, Daphne Durant, Sylvain Foray, Jean-Francois Glinec, Penny Green, Sandra Novak, Frederic Signoret, Hayo M. G. van der Werf
Summary: This study assessed the productivity and environmental impacts of different livestock production systems and found that biodiversity-friendly systems perform better in terms of environmental impact. The results emphasize the importance of considering the multiple functions and overall environmental performance of these systems.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Nadine Andrieu, Elodie Dorey, Steewy Lakhia, Paul Meynard, Esther Hatil, Loic Normand, Jean-Luc Gourdine, Jean-Christophe Bambou
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Philipp Loew, Bernhard Osterburg
Summary: This study evaluated the nitrogen performance of the German agricultural sector and identified the potential for nitrogen utilization in different farm types. The study also revealed the relationships between nitrogen performance and independent variables such as soil fertility, crop selection and diversity, production type, operating profit, and consulting services received.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Rika Ratna Sari, Lisa Tanika, Erika N. Speelman, Danny Dwi Saputra, Arief Lukman Hakim, Danae M. A. Rozendaal, Kurniatun Hairiah, Meine van Noordwijk
Summary: This study aims to clarify the design principles of the FORCES game and apply it to diverse watershed contexts. The game design balances generic and site-specific information, and the performance and impact of the game are evaluated through testing and assessment.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2024)
