2020 - Volume 15 Issue 2

Impacts of COVID-19 on the Agri-food Sector: Food Security Policies of Asian Productivity Organization Members

Tue, 01 May 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Impacts of COVID-19 on the Agri-food Sector: Food Security Policies of Asian Productivity Organization Members Hossain, Shaikh Tanveer Purpose : Despite demographic differences, agriculture is a major source of socioeconomic stability among APO member economies. This report highlights potential risks faced by their agri-food sectors due to the COVID-19 pandemic and outlines the responses and policy actions each member is taking to address threats to food security and prevent hunger. Research Method : Publicly available information was synthesized, and insights from 19 individuals working in agriculture or agri-food-related areas in the public or private sectors or academia in APO member countries were obtained. Findings : Imminent, medium- and long-term food security challenges due to COVID-19 vary among APO member countries. However, through the implementation of key policies, many stress the need for critical agricultural inputs, such as fertilizers and safe, quality seeds, to meet seasonal crop calendars. The longer COVID-19 containment measures stay in place, the more challenging the recovery process will be for ensuring smooth food production, accessibility to staple food and nutrition and trade among countries. Originality / Value : Provides consolidated insight into policies and actions taken by APO member economies to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on food security and the agri-food sector.

In-vitro and in-vivo evaluation of Inorganic Salts for the Management of Wheat Stem Rust (Pucciniagraminis f.sp. trtici)

Tue, 01 May 2018 00:00:00 GMT

In-vitro and in-vivo evaluation of Inorganic Salts for the Management of Wheat Stem Rust (Pucciniagraminis f.sp. trtici) Azmeraw, Yehizbalem; Admassu, Belayneh; Abeyo, Bekele; Bacha, Netsanet Purpose : The development of new resistant pathogen races is increasing the concern of food safety and the environments are driving new search for alternative disease management strategies. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of inorganic salts on wheat stem rust under in-vitro and in-vivo conditions. Research Method : Inorganic salts were evaluated on their effect on the percentage uredospore germination, pustule number and pustule length of Pucciniagraminisf.sp. tritici at different concentrations, in-vitro and invivo .All the data were subjected to analysis of variance using SAS version 9.1.3 software. The least significant difference at 5% level of significance was used to separate treatment means. Findings : There was a significant (P < 0.05) difference among inorganic salts and their concentrations on the germination of Pgturedospores, in-vitro. Potassium carbonate completely inhibited the germination of Pgturedospores (100%) at all concentrations (i.e. 10, 15, and 20 gl-1) followed by potassium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate and ammonium bicarbonate with inhibitions of 99.7, 97.33 and 97%, respectively. The lowest inhibition of spore germination was recorded from potassium dihydrogen phosphate (6.7%) and potassium chloride (9.3%) at 5 gl-1. The in-vivo study showed that six inorganic salts significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the number of pustules and pustule lengths on susceptible wheat cultivar ‘McNair’. Originality / Value : The present study identified potassium carbonate and potassium bicarbonate as the best inorganic salts to manage wheat stem rust.

Organic Manure Amended with Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria on Soil Phosphorous Availability

Tue, 01 May 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Organic Manure Amended with Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria on Soil Phosphorous Availability Walpola, B. C; Hettiarachchi, R. H. A. N Purpose : Combine use of phosphate solubilizing microorganisms and organic manure has greater agronomic utility as it could improve phosphorous (P) utilization efficiency through conversion of insoluble P to accessible forms. Therefore, the present study was conducted to assess the effect of different organic manures (poultry manure, goat manure and cow dung) with phosphate solubilizing microorganism on phosphorous availability. Research Method : The phosphate solubilizing bacterial (PSB) strain employed in this study was isolated from soil samples collected from agricultural lands in Matara District of Sothern Sri Lanka. The strain was identified as Enterobacter cancerogenous. Eight treatment combinations each replicated three times were used in the study. Findings : P availability of organic manure amended soils was progressively increased irrespectively the inoculation of PSB strain. The bulk of the increment occurred during the first 2 to 3 weeks of the incubation followed by slight reductions at the later stages. P availability of the soil amended with organic manures was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher than that of the control. Furthermore, the specified were much higher when PSB was inoculated to the soil amended with organic manures. PSB inoculants were used with poultry manure showed the highest P availability. Originality / Value : The availability of soil phosphorous is enhanced by combine use of organic manures and PSB inoculants; the practice is suggested to be employed in integrated nutrient management strategies.

Value Chain Actors, Farm-gate Price and Farmer Loyalty in Strategic Vertical Coordination in the Maize Out-Grower Farming in Sri Lanka

Tue, 01 May 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Value Chain Actors, Farm-gate Price and Farmer Loyalty in Strategic Vertical Coordination in the Maize Out-Grower Farming in Sri Lanka Kiriveldeniya, K. K. A; Rosairo, H. S. R Purpose : Maize is a popular field-crop in Sri Lankan agriculture and it is a key ingredient of animal feed. Its cultivation under out-grower farming arrangements is considered to be a win-win strategy for farmers and agribusiness firms to overcome the limitations in farming and marketing of the commodity and to use the farmer loyalty over competitive price offers. The purpose of the study was to explore the key players in the maize value chain and to assess the relationship between the buying price and the out-grower farmer loyalty towards their out-grower firm. Research Method : The study was conducted in Monaragala and Anuradhapura; major maize farming districts in Sri Lanka. Primary data was collected from intermediaries: collectors and, stockists, and ordinary farmers and out-grower farmers using interviewer administered structured questionnaires. Value chain analysis, Farmer Loyalty Index and Spearman’s rank correlation tests were adapted in analysis of the maize value chain, assessment of out-grower farmer loyalty and to check the relationship between the buying price and out-grower farmer supply of produce to out-grower firm respectively. Findings : Input and service providers, ordinary and out-grower farmers, collectors, stockists, feed millers, retailers and poultry farmers were the key players in the maize value chain. Farmers sold their harvest mainly in two forms as wet and dry. Restricted control over the buying (farmgate) price has increased the side-sales of out-grower farmers with middlemen. This has caused a 45 percent of negative deviation from the targeted supply of out-grower firms from their out-grower farmers. According to the out-grower farmer loyalty assessment, which was based on their opinion, majority (67 percent) of them claimed to be loyal towards their out-grower firm. Therefore, out-grower farming seemed to be a good strategy for the out-grower firms. However, in actual fact, only 33 percent of out-grower farmers have supplied the whole harvest to their out-grower firm. Their significant response in selling towards the highest available market price had concluded that the maize out-grower farming as a practically less effective strategy to continue for an assured supply of maize for out-grower firms. Research Limitations : The study was conducted with the limitations of time and facilities to approach a sample which was spread-out in the two districts. Originality / Value : The study showed that out-grower farming was an ineffective strategy in maize cultivation as the farmers have higher consideration on available higher market prices than the price offered by their out-grower firms. Policy implications are required to legally enforce the out-grower contracts, formation and adaptation of national level price formula for maize procurement and supportive insurance scheme to address crop failures to positively support the out-grower farming in maize production under outgrowing and enhance the national production.