International Journal of Sustainable Agricultural Management and Informatics (10 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Data analytics and optimised machine learning algorithm to analyse coffee commodity prices  
  by Nguyen Duy Tan, Hwang Chan Yu, Le Ngoc Bao Long, Sam-Sang You 
  Abstract: Coffee has long become a familiar and famous drink all over the world. Due to supply chain disruptions, the coffee market is vibrant and changing rapidly. In this article, the time series data on world coffee price will be analysed by using data analytics such as Lyapunov exponent (LE), entropy, and Hurst exponent (HE). By denoising time series data using wavelet decomposition, the echo state network (ESN) model is presented for forecasting time series data. When the coffee commodity price is fluctuating and affecting to production planning and scheduling of supply chain management under market uncertainty, it is necessary to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the prediction method by employing the Grey Wolf optimisation (GWO) algorithm. By employing the hybrid technique, the predictive analytics models could efficiently estimate the actual prices. The GWO algorithm enhances a machining learning model’s performance for ensuring optimal forecasting with increased accuracy.
  Keywords: coffee price; time series data; wavelet decomposition; echo state network; ESN; Grey wolf optimiser.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJSAMI.2022.10049866
   
  
• Spatial-temporal evolution of the coupling state of agricultural socio-ecologo-economic system in North China Plain  
  by Yiru Li, Anton Murzin 
  Abstract: This paper constructed an evaluation index system of regional agri-cultural socio-ecologo-economic system based on the coupling coordination degree model from the perspective of ecological, economic and social data of provinces (cities) in the North China Plain from 2010 to 2019, and studied the coordinated development from time and space scales. The results showed that the comprehensive development level of agricultural economy, ecology and society in the North China Plain showed an upward trend of fluctuation during the study period. There was a strong coupling coordination relationship among the three agricultural systems, and the coupling coordination level rose steadily. During the study period, the coupling degree developed from mild imbalance to good coordination. The development process in each region changed from social or economic lag to ecological lag, and the deterioration of ecological environment became the main obstacle to the coupling and coordinated development of agricultural systems in most provinces.
  Keywords: North China Plain; agricultural socio-ecologo-economic system; coupling coordination; spatial-temporal evolution; China.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJSAMI.2022.10050414
   
  
• Binary class and multi-class plant disease detection using ensemble deep learning-based approach  
  by C.K. Sunil, C.D. Jaidhar, Nagamma Patil 
  Abstract: Providing food for the exponentially growing global population is a highly challenging task. Owing to the demand and supply gap may diminish food production due to diseases in plants, such as bacterial disease, viral disease, and fungal diseases. Early recognition of such diseases and applying an appropriate pesticide or fertiliser can improve crop yield. Accordingly, early plant disease detection necessitates continuous crop monitoring from its initial stages. Recently some research works have been proposed as remedial measures. However, such methodologies utilise costly equipment that is infeasible for small-scale farmers. Thus, there is a need for a cost-effective plant-disease-detection approach. This study embellishes the challenges and opportunities in plant disease detection. Correspondingly, this research proposes an ensemble deep learning-based plant disease diagnosis approach using a combination of AlexNet, ResNet50, and VGG16 deep learning-based models. It effectively ascertains plant diseases by analysing the plant leaf images. A broad set of experiments were conducted using different plant leaf image datasets such as cherry, grape, maize, pepper, potato, strawberry, and cardamom to evaluate the robustness of the proposed approach. Experiential results demonstrated that the proposed approach attained a maximum detection accuracy of 100% for binary and 99.53% for multi-class datasets.
  Keywords: deep learning; ensemble model; machine learning; plant pathology.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJSAMI.2022.10050415
   
  
• Factors influencing farmers’ perception of sustainable agriculture: a case study of Musanze District, Rwanda  
  by Shakiru Muhamadi, Ismet Boz 
  Abstract: Concerns raised by various stakeholders about misusing natural resources bring sustainable agriculture to the agenda of the agricultural policies of many developing countries. This study was intended to determine the factors influencing farmers’ perceptions of sustainable agriculture in the Musanze district of Rwanda. The data was collected by administering a well-structured questionnaire to a sample of 173 farmers operating in this district. Initially, farmers were divided into two groups: those with a high sense of sustainability and those with a low sense of sustainability. A binary logistic regression model was employed to determine the factors influencing farmers’ perceptions. The model’s results showed that Umuganda, a Rwandan program; the level of education; listening to the radio; spending time in a nearby trading center; the size of the farm; and the total amount of land used for agriculture were statistically significant variables that could affect agricultural sustainability in the area.
  Keywords: sustainable agriculture; sustainable development; sustainability; farmers’ perceptions.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJSAMI.2022.10050560
   
  
• Technical and economic analysis of farms cultivating cereals and legumes: a Greek case study  
  by Aggelos Prentzas, Stefanos A. Nastis, Christina Moulogianni, Asimina Kouriati 
  Abstract: This paper attempts to estimate the technical efficiency of cereal and legume farms to draw conclusions regarding the rational use of production factors. Data envelopment analysis was implemented on 100 agricultural holdings which are located in the prefecture of Kilkis (Central Macedonia-Greece). Primary data were collected using a questionnaire survey. The gross profit of every farm was used as the output. Acreage, labour, as well as variable costs such as crop protection costs, fertilisers and fuels were used as inputs. The results showed that the reduction of inputs by 48.3% is necessary for the farms efficiency improvement. Also, three farms seem to be overall technically efficient. A present studys significant finding is that many cereal and legume farmers do not use their resources efficiently and rationally. Lastly, the framework that this paper creates shows how production factors must be considered in order for the farm decision-making improvement to be achieved.
  Keywords: cereals; legumes; technical efficiency; data envelopment analysis; DEA; agriculture; farm management.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJSAMI.2022.10050726
   
  
• The contribution of the forest road network to the spatial organisation of nomadic beekeeping  
  by Apostolos Kantartzis, Simeon Marnasidis, Christodoulos Daoutis, Christina Moulogianni, Stergios Tampekis, Garyfallos Arabatzis 
  Abstract: In this study, the effect of the forest road network to the spatial organisation and management of nomadic beekeeping is investigated. The study was performed in conditions of Greece. For the selection of suitable apiary sites for hive placement, we have used internationally accepted criteria in compliance with the legal requirements regulating apiary siting. After the eligible area for hives placement was calculated and mapped, we examined how the scenario of constructing new forest roads may affect the exploitation of the research area covered with Paliurus shrubs. From the results of this study can be concluded that new roads can improve the spatial distribution of apiaries, a fact that is expected to result in high yields and profitability. Moreover, the authors propose, in parallel with the planning of new roads, the construction of apiary sites with enrichment bee flora, which will ultimately evolve into well managed bee parks. As there are no similar studies concerning the direct effect of forest roads in beekeeping activities, future studies should support specific developing plans by conducting a cost-benefit analysis.
  Keywords: forest road network; beekeeping; spatial organisation of apiary sites; apiculture development.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJSAMI.2022.10050802
   
  
• A non-compensatory approach to the creation of composite indices of agricultural sustainability of the European Union countries  
  by Milan Marković, Jelena J. Stanković, Ivana Marjanović, Georgios Tsaples 
  Abstract: The paper aims to calculate and evaluate the degree of achieved agricultural sustainability in the countries of the European Union. Agriculture is a specific activity that, on the one hand, must provide sufficient amounts of food for the population, while on the other hand, it can have a significant negative impact on the environment. The assessment of agricultural sustainability was made by selecting ten relevant indicators from the Eurostat and OECD databases, and by creating a composite index using the Mazziotta-Pareto method. The research results show that the Northern Europe countries (Sweden, Finland and Denmark) achieve the highest level of agricultural sustainability, mainly due to the high participation of organic agricultural production, as well as the low level of soil erosion, considering all European countries. On the contrary, countries with high agricultural economic performance show significantly worse results in terms of sustainability (such as Italy, Spain and France).
  Keywords: agriculture; environment; sustainable development; sustainability assessment; non-compensatory methods; composite indices; Mazziotta-Pareto Index; MPI; European Union.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJSAMI.2022.10050899
   
  
• Geographical indication products and the provision of public goods a Greek case study  
  by Maria Spilioti, Pavlos Karanikolas, Antonios Kominakis, Spiros Stachtiaris, Konstantinos Tsiboukas 
  Abstract: This study examines the contribution of the geographical indication product Ladotyri Mytilinis PDO cheese (LM PDO) to the provision of public goods. The study draws on desk and field research, including detailed interviews with actors of the relevant value chain. Based on novel approaches to the redefinition of public goods, we identify a series of public goods and externalities with social, economic, and environmental dimensions. There is a mixed picture regarding the protection of biodiversity through the production of LM PDO: protection and maintenance of local genetic recourses, along with over-grazing and partial degradation of pastures. LM PDO has the highest symbolic value of all cheeses produced on Lesvos Island. New governance arrangements are needed, as well as the establishment of a collective body involving all interested parties of the value chain which could deal with the management of the geographical indication and the pastures of the island. The identified public goods could be instrumental in the localisation of the agri-food system and further valorising this quality product through markets and public goods.
  Keywords: geographical indications; public goods; externalities; agri-food system; Greece; quality cheese.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJSAMI.2022.10051007
   
  
• Green innovation in agriculture development: the impact of environment awareness, technology spillover, and social networks  
  by Bui Thu Hien, Nguyen Thi Khanh Chi 
  Abstract: Green agriculture with the benefits of environmental protection, food safety and high economic value is becoming the destination of modern agriculture. Therefore, green innovation in agriculture leads to sustainable development, thereby improving the efficiency of management and use of natural resources while enhancing adaptability and resilience to the impacts of climate change. This study proposed the relationships among environment awareness, technology spillover (TS), social networks, and green innovation. Additionally, this study also investigates moderating role of social networks on green innovation and sustainable development. The probability sampling method was employed to develop a research sample. The research uses correlation analysis and structural equation modelling (SEM) to analyse the data of valid observations collected in the structured questionnaire survey in Vietnam. The results indicate that environment awareness and TS have direct positive impacts on green innovation. Moreover, social networks play the mediator in enhancing the innovation towards green agricultural production.
  Keywords: green innovation; technology spillover; TS; environment awareness; sustainable development; social networks.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJSAMI.2022.10051008
   
  
• Green products: evaluation of online promotion  
  by Kotta Athina, Andreopoulou Zacharoula, Michailidis Anastasios 
  Abstract: The purpose of this study is to identify the features of the internet used by companies that sale green products on their websites and their corporate profiles on social media, and more specifically on their Facebook page. It also determines how each company chooses to advertise its products through the internet and finally which features of each platform further enhance the promotion of each business. The method which was adopted was the descriptive statistics of data on an Excel spreadsheet and conclusions were drawn through the results of the study. In the future, this research can be utilised and enriched by financial data of companies, in order to succeed better electronic marketing. Furthermore, business owners can improve their digital presence with the existing data and strengthen the criteria and the features that make their products more attractive to potential customers.
  Keywords: green products; internet; e-commerce; environmental marketing; green consumers.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJSAMI.2022.10051130