Open Access Published by De Gruyter Open Access

Volume 8 Issue 1

January 2023

Issue of Open Agriculture

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Contents
Journal Overview

Regular Articles

Open Access January 2, 2023

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on business risks and potato commercial model

Pujiharto Pujiharto, Sri Wahyuni

Article number: 20220158

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Abstract

This study was aimed (1) to analyze the productivity, cost, and income of potato farming; (2) to analyze the risk of potato farming; and (3) to analyze the potato trade system at the level before and during COVID-19 pandemic. This study used a descriptive-quantitative research type. It was conducted in Banjarnegara Regency, Jawa Tengah Province, Indonesia. The data were collected through surveys, observations, and Focus Group Discussions. The unit of analysis is the farmers who plant potatoes. Data analysis was done descriptively. The results showed that there is no difference between the two marketing channels before and during pandemic. There are two channels of the trading system, namely farmer–collector–traders–wholesaler–exporter partners and farmer–collector–traders–wholesalers–retailers. However, the trading model maximizes the Agribusiness Sub Terminal (AST) as a potato trading agent that can provide direct price information, attract traders, and facilitate transactions and trading contacts. The trading model allows potato trading agents to provide direct price information, attract traders, and facilitate transactions and trading contacts. The implication of this study is to anticipate productivity risk and potato farming income risk through the AST function. This study contributes to the condition of farming before and during COVID-19 pandemic by comparing differences in productivity, costs, income, productivity risk, and income risk as well as the potato grading model.

Open Access January 4, 2023

Effects of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)–Mucuna pruriens intercropping pattern on the agronomic performances of potato and the soil physicochemical properties of the western highlands of Cameroon

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Abstract

Exchangeable cations and soil nutrients leach out/lost in the raised bed soils system through irrigation water and rainwater. Cover crops or crop residue mulching are considered sustainable agricultural measures because they prevent soil degradation and compaction and increase the soil ecological diversity. However, the impact of these on soil quality in fruit orchards in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta is not well studied. The present work aimed to assess the effect of cover crops (grass, pinto peanut) and rice straw mulching on change in soil chemical properties and productivity of pomelo. The 3-year (2019–2021) field experiment was conducted at Phu Huu Commune, Chau Thanh District, Hau Giang Province, Vietnam. Four treatments, control (no-cover crop), grass cover crop, mulching with rice straw (MRS), and pinto peanut cover crop were used. Soil samples were collected from the depth of 0–20 and 20–40 cm for analyzing soil pH, total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), available phosphorus (AP), and soil organic matter (SOM). Results showed that MRS or cover crop by pinto peanut significantly decreased soil acidity in the topsoil layer. Soil fertility properties (TN, TP, AP, and SOM) at the depth 0–20 cm were greatly improved after the application of the mulched rice straw and cover crop by legume, thus improving pomelo yield. Further study is required to understand the effects of the cover crop with pinto peanut and rice straw mulching on the physical and biological properties of soil as well as nutrient uptake of pomelo orchards.

Open Access March 30, 2023

Soil macrofauna under laying hens’ grazed fields in two different agroecosystems in Portugal

Pedro R. Soares, Rosa Guilherme, Antónia Conceição, Cristina Galhano

Article number: 20220172

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Abstract

Although chickens can improve the chemical properties of soil through the deposition of excreta, their effects on soil macrofauna are poorly known. This work assessed the effects of grazing indigenous laying hens on soil macrofauna of two agroecosystems in Portugal: an organic horticultural field and a conventional orchard. At the horticultural field, laying hens were used to control weeds and the results were compared with those of two other weed control treatments: mechanical (rototiller) and thermal (flame weeding). At the orchard, the effects of hens were compared to that of the orchard understory vegetation, as a control. Soil epigeic macrofauna was collected in both locations, and earthworms were only collected in the horticultural field. Relative to the other treatments, grazing in the horticultural field increased the density of earthworms in the medium term (ranging from 150 to 625 earthworms/m 2 ), without harming the density and diversity of epigeic macrofauna. However, at the orchard, the grazed soils presented lower soil epigeic macrofauna diversity, as well as significantly lower density of spiders than the control (4.67 vs 8.67 individuals/sample, respectively). These results suggest that the grazing effects can be affected by several factors, including the type of agroecosystem and farm management. Further research is required to optimize grazing management in different farming systems, considering animal density and grazing duration, thus ensuring the best contributions of chickens to soil fertility.

Open Access March 30, 2023

Factors affecting household carbohydrate food consumption in Central Java: Before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Article number: 20220100

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Abstract

Soya bean occupies a crucial space in solving the problem of poverty and food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), given the status of the crop as a multipurpose crop. Despite the enormous importance of this crop, the production is still very low in SSA, particularly in Nigeria. This study, therefore, examines the performance of soya bean production using technical efficiency as a yardstick for measuring performance. Primary data were collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire and scheduled interview from 100 soya bean farmers selected using a purposive sampling technique. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, profitability analysis, and stochastic frontier analysis. The results reveal that the average age was about 45 years with close to 5 years of farming experience. The average household size in the study area was 5 with a mean farm size of 1.8 hectares. The net farm income was ₦37753.92k, while the average rate of return to investment (return per naira invested) was 1.49. The overall mean technical efficiency score was about 56%. This suggests that farmers are relatively efficient in general. There is, however, a gap to improve their farming operations through adequate training on seeds and agrochemical use because both contribute to their inefficiencies.

Open Access May 9, 2023

Indonesian rice farmers’ perceptions of different sources of information and their effect on farmer capability

Maesti Mardiharini, Erizal Jamal, Eni Siti Rohaeni, Chandra Indrawanto, Kurnia Suci Indraningsih, Endro Gunawan, Rizky Prayogo Ramadhan, Imam Mujahidin Fahmid, Ï Putu Wardana, Ening Ariningsih

Article number: 20220200

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Abstract

The diverse sources of agricultural extension information do not guarantee increased farmers’ capabilities to adopt agricultural innovations. Consequently, efforts to accelerate the adoption of agricultural innovations should pay particular attention to farmers’ compatibility with different information sources. This study aims to analyze farmers’ perceptions of various information sources about rice commodity innovations and determine the information sources influencing farmers’ capabilities in adopting rice innovations. The study was conducted from June to December 2019 through a structured survey approach with 270 rice farmers in Subang, West Java and Boyolali, Central Java, Indonesia, by using structural equation model analysis. The results showed that rice farmers had positive perceptions of government, private, and self-subsistent extension. The capability level of rice farmers showed that all indicators were significantly different. Farmers could improve their capabilities and sustainability of rice farming by adopting agricultural innovations. Information from government and private extension providers had a positive effect on the capacity and capability of rice farmers. The role of self-subsistent extension was more of a facilitator and did not directly affect the capacity and capability of farmers. Participatory extension activities are recommended as a form of intervention that can improve rice farmers’ capacity and capability in terms of technology adoption processes. The extension activities should be provided as a series, rather than one-off events, so that farmer knowledge accumulates over time through a style and pace to match their skills and level of education.

Open Access May 12, 2023

Feed preference, body condition scoring, and growth performance of Dohne Merino ram fed varying levels of fossil shell flour

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Abstract

A collective action approach to rice seed production is an inclusive method involving the community’s active participation at all stages of its execution. This all-inclusive strategy, however, has yet to be thoroughly investigated and published. This study explored how and to what degree an inclusive rice seed business of Gapoktan, based on a collective action approach, might be deployed in a sustainable rice seed company run by community groups. The research comprised the following stages: (1) establishment of a seed production business institution, (2) production of rice seeds, and (3) self-assessment of the performance of the seed production business institution. Institutional data were acquired through a questionnaire that references the European Foundation for Quality Management’s (EFQM) methodology. Three dimensions used were direction (purpose, vision, and strategy; organizational culture and leadership); execution (engaging stakeholders; coasting sustainable value; driving performance transformation); and result (stakeholder perceptions; strategic and operational performance). The study suggests essential findings: The organizational structure of rice seed producers formed is complete regarding its operational functions. The rice seeds produced by Gapoktan have met both the volume and quality standards. From a financial perspective, this rice seed production unit is feasible for further development. However, their social orientation is still relatively high and needs to be more profit-oriented. Uniquely, not all members buy and use Gapoktan seeds. As a result, additional efforts are necessary to provide exceptional service to Gapoktan members.

Review Articles

Open Access March 3, 2023

Nutritional and chemical composition of black velvet tamarind (Dialium guineense Willd) and its influence on animal production: A review

Wine tourism (WT) is an important area of special-interest tourism in Portugal, and represents an increasingly significant component of regional development. In a more conservative approach, WT has been described as visiting vineyards, wineries, and engaging in wine-related activities. However, this perspective has been broadened, taking advantage of all the potential of the specific destination’s terroir (nature/landscape, tangible and intangible cultural heritage, etc.). Wine routes make the connection between wine and tourism in a specific region and intend to boost wine tourism by promoting collaboration between different stakeholders. Different routes present distinct approaches to WT, within diverse regional contexts, and different ways of collaboration within the wine route. This study compares three wine routes at different stages of development, located in a rural periphery – in the central region of Portugal – Bairrada, Dão, and Beira Interior, considering both context data and information collected in 113 interviews conducted with diverse wine tourism agents from these routes. Besides a brief characterization of the three routes, the main results indicate supplier’s preference for terroir routes instead of wine routes and show the importance of gender, age, and education level for the collaborative work between stakeholders. These aspects and their contribution to the development of WT routes are discussed. Some questions that additional studies may help answering are also reflected.

Special Issue on Agriculture, Climate Change, Information Technology, Food and Animal (ACIFAS 2020)

Open Access April 3, 2023

Environmentally friendly bioameliorant to increase soil fertility and rice (Oryza sativa) production

Tualar Simarmata, Muhamad Khais Prayoga, Mieke Rochimi Setiawati, Kustiwa Adinata, Silke Stӧber

Article number: 20220185

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Abstract

Soil nutrients can be reduced because of global climate change. This is because climate change causes high rainfall intensity and a prolonged dry season. Efforts to overcome this are fertilized using bioameliorants so that soil nutrients remain available for plants. Observations have been made from May to August 2018 at the JAMTANI Field Laboratory. The study used a factorial randomized block design with three replications. The first factor was a bioameliorant ( P 1 = goat manure 10 tons ha −1 ; P 2 = goat manure 10 tons ha −1 + Azolla pinnata 10 tons ha −1 ; P 3 = goat manure 10 tons ha −1 + Sesbania rostrata 2 tons ha −1 ; dan P 4 = goat manure 10 tons ha −1 + A. pinnata 5 tons ha −1 + S. rostrata 1 tons ha −1 ) and the second factor was rice varieties (Ciherang and Mendawak). The application of bioameliorant increased C-organic of soil by 9.04% to 20.41% and soil nitrogen by 11.76% to 38.24%. The addition of bioameliorant did not cause differences in the weight of the plant between the Mendawak variety (61.34 g) and the Ciherang variety (56.96 g). The most efficient addition of bioameliorant is P 3 (goat manure 10 tons ha −1 + S. rostrata 2 tons ha −1 ) with nutrient uptake efficiency value reaching 5.77%. The use of bioameliorant is expected to be able to substitute the use of inorganic fertilizers and increase rice production.

Open Access May 3, 2023

Enhancing the ability of rice to adapt and grow under saline stress using selected halotolerant rhizobacterial nitrogen fixer

Tualar Simarmata, Mieke Rochimi Setiawati, Betty Natalie Fitriatin, Diyan Herdiyantoro, Fiqriah Hanum Khumairah

Article number: 20220195

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Abstract

Salinity stress has become the major devastating constraint for rice growth. Halotolerant rhizobacterial nitrogen fixer (HRNF) was investigated for increasing the nitrogenase activity (NA), organic acid (OA), gibberellic acid (GA), and indole 3-acetic acid (IAA) productions, seedling growth, and rice yield. Six N fixers were isolated using Ashby’s (Ab 1 , Ab 2 , and Ab 3 ) and Okon’s media (Az 1 , Az 2 , and Az 3 ). Furthermore, bioassay was carried out using rice seedling grown on nitrogen-free medium. The Ab 3 and Az 2 isolates were selected and biomolecularly identified as Pseudomonas stutzeri and Klebsiella pneumoniae , respectively. These selected bacteria were used as active ingredients for Halotolerant rhizobacterial inoculant (HRI) dosage trials (0, 500, 1,000, and 1,500 g ha −1 ) on simple pot experiments. The Az group isolates had 3–5 times higher ability in fixing N and producing OA, GA, and IAA than the Ab group isolates. Furthermore, N-uptake, number of panicles, filled grain, and the rice yield of HRI treated pots were significantly increased. Application of 1,000–1,500 g HRI ha −1 had resulted in a significant increase in the yield of rice grain (26.10–28.27 g plant −1 or 15.4–25.09%) which was higher than the control. This result concludes that HRI could contribute in enhancing the ability of rice to adapt and grow under saline stress.

About this journal

About this journal

Open Agriculture is dedicated to different aspects of agriculture and the agricultural economy, The journal helps society from different countries gain well-based and accurate information, which may be adapted in their local communities.

Papers published in our journal fits the current United Nations agenda of sustainable development goals, especially: zero hunger; decent work and economic growth; sustainable cities and communities; responsible consumption and production; and partnerships for the goals

Aims and scope 　

Veterinary Medicine

Agro-ecology

Soil science

Plant science

Horticulture

Forestry, Wood technology

Animal science

Entomology

Aquaculture

Hydrology, Irrigation

Food science

Nutrition

Agricultural economics

Bio-based economy

Agricultural engineering

Landscape management

Postharvest technology

Climate-based agriculture

Amelioration

Tropical agriculture

Microbiology

Agroforestry

Sustainable development

Biomass, Biofuel

Agronomy

Agricultural Extension Education

Rural development

Agricultural information and communication

Capacity Building

Mycology