AgBioForum, vol. 15, no.3 (2012)
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Item Supply variation of agricultural residues and its effects on regional bioenergy development(AgBioForum, 2013) Liu, Xiaolan; Farmer, Michael; Capareda, SergeAgricultural residue/wastes are promising for producing bioenergy, despite the existing considerations, such as spatial distribution, production costs, and an unstable supply. This study quantifies the supply variance of waste biomass and explores the viability of bioenergy conversion through advanced technologies. The regional concentration of feedstock and local market needs serve as the business strategy of proposed bioenergy facilities, and a constraint profit maximization model specified for optimal production. The results of this study provide a better understanding of the distribution variation of feedstock supply corresponding to the effects of multiple factors. Resource concentration and feedstock supplements drive the production scale, and high-value bio-products under policy support handle the production uncertainty and enhance the competitiveness of bioenergy products. The method and results of this study attempt to provide a platform for other types of residual/waste biomass to adopt advanced technology and bring the value added streams on line more rapidly.Item Impact of genetically modified maize on smallholder risk in South Africa(AgBioForum, 2013) Regier, Gregory K.; Dalton, Timothy J.; Williams, Jeffery R. (Jeffery Robert)This research adds to previous literature by examining the impact of genetically modified (GM) maize on net return risk for smallholders in South Africa. Producers of GM maize pay 35% more for seed but 42% less per hectare for labor than non-GM maize producers. Stochastic dominance reveals that net returns of Roundup Ready[trademark] (RR) maize are second-degree stochastically dominant to all other varieties in one region, while no variety is stochastically dominant in the other region. Stochastic efficiency with respect to a function (SERF) indicates that RR maize is the preferred variety for producers over the entire range of risk preferences in both regions. While average gross returns for all maize plots are $713 per hectare, risk premiums between $18 and $221 per hectare must be paid to RR maize producers -- depending on region and farmer risk preference -- to persuade them to switch to the second-most preferred variety.Item Genetically modified salmon for dinner? : transgenic salmon marketing scenarios(AgBioForum, 2013) Menozzi, Davide; Mora, Cristina; Merigo, AlbertoIncreasing demand for fish must be satisfied sustainably, and genetically modified (GM) fish will probably be part of the solution. This article aims to describe the future trends in the salmon-farming sector and the potential effects of GM salmon introduction on the salmon industry. We have developed a qualitative scenario analysis based on a literature review and expert consultation (n=14). The majority of experts consulted do not believe that GM salmon introduction will be an important technical innovation. Nevertheless, three experts did agree that GM salmon would enter the market in the near future. This would cause new regulations to be introduced, reduce market price, make farmers more dependent on input suppliers, and pose risks to the environment. We used a cross-impact method to create three scenarios: 1) no market for GM fish, 2) GM salmon for dinner, and 3) GM salmon doesn't take off. The article describes the effects on the salmon industry under each scenario.Item Examination of regional-level efficient refuge requirements for Bt cotton in India(AgBioForum, 2013) Singla, Rohit; Johnson, Phillip; Misra, SukantRefuge requirements for Bt cotton varieties were examined for three cotton-growing regions in India, considering resistance evolution in cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) to Bt toxin and pyrethroid pesticides. Biological, yield, and regulatory models were used. Results indicated that the optimal refuge requirements varied significantly across cotton-growing regions. The North and Central regions require higher refuge compared to the South region. Results suggest that sprayed refuge is more profitable than unsprayed refuge. Refuge requirements were found to be sensitive to relative proportion of pests in natural refuge and initial Bt resistance levels in all three regions.Item Do European Union farmers reject genetically modified maize? : farmer preferences for genetically modified maize in Greece(AgBioForum, 2013) Skevas, Theodoros; Kikulwe, Enoch M.; Papadopoulou, Helen; Skevas, Ioannis; Wesseler, Justus, 1963-The new EU proposal (IP/10/921) states that bans on genetically modified (GM) crops should not be based on environmental and health grounds, and it proposes a set of alternative reasons -- including public order and morals -- that can be cited by member states. This reveals the increasing importance of stakeholders' attitudes in GM crops' release decisions. This article analyzes farmers' attitudes and perceptions toward GM maize based on a survey of large-area Greek farmers in Northeastern Greece. A considerable number of respondents (61%) would adopt GM maize if Greece lifts the ban on GM maize cultivation. This result opposes recent findings from countries strongly opposing GM crops (such as France and Hungary), where bans are in line with the majority view of farmers. The ban is against what the majority of large-area farmers in Greece would choose if allowed.