The thesis explores artificial intelligence (AI) in agricultural (Ag) supply chains (SCs) and presents a new typology to understand artificial intelligence-based solutions in agricultural SCs. The thesis was performed utilizing a research-based review to investigate the current uses of artificial intelligence-based solutions in agricultural SCs. The AI-based solutions were found in case studies that reviewed AI operations in different areas internationally. The typology was formed on the foundation of two dynamics, the location of AI applications in Ag SCs and the driving values to integrate the AI applications. In order to develop the typology, the AI applications were studied in a series of different analyses. The analyses helped to critique and scrutinize the AI applications to gain new perspectives. The series of analyses consists of exploring the AI applications’ location within the supply chain, the value additions to the supply chain from integrating the AI applications, and the resulting depth of the effect of AI application has on the supply chain. Each additional evaluation of the AI applications examining another parameter further exposed more insight and started to build a structured ideology of AI. The proposed typology aims to create a tool of measurement to infer AI technology’s relation in the SCs and create a new viewpoint that will lead investigation and provide insight for predictions of AI’s future in agricultural SCs. In addition, the new typology should aid agriculture firms in understanding and capturing the potential synergies stemming from the driving values of innovation. The study found that AI applications with a strong relationship in the supply chain provide the greatest beneficiary relationship between technology value creation and supply chain logistics. Furthermore, AI applications will have the strongest relationship and implementation when operating in collaboration with other supply chain locations and AI integrated firms. Concluding the thesis, relevant policy and business practice recommendations are proposed.

The overall objective of this study is to develop a framework to predict the impacts of government policies on agricultural production in Albania. The specific goal of this study is to provide some empirical estimates of the farmers' short-run supply response to government policies that effect output and input prices. Different theoretical approaches to integrating the questions this study purports to answer were considered. Two models were deemed as most appropriate for Albanian agriculture. The first is a semi-commercial farm household model and the second is the well-known indirect profit function model. The first model was preferred. However, the second was used instead, due to the lack of information necessary for an empirical application of the semi-commercial farm household model. A quadratic functional form was selected to approximate the profit function. It satisfied the Taylor series approximation convergence test. Two approaches were used to estimate the empirical model. In the first, the traditional approach, the symmetry and homogeneity conditions were imposed beforehand and then the system of equations was estimated using the ITSUR procedure in SAS. Following common practice, a joint Rao test of these conditions was conducted, implicitly assuming that the test statistic has a Fisher distribution or, stated differently, assuming that parameter estimators are normally distributed. The test results indicate that the conditions are met. A second approach, proposed by McGuirk, et al., was also used in this study. The approach proposed by McGuirk, et al., requires that, before imposing and/or testing any theoretical assumption, the unrestricted model is estimated and tested to see if all the underlying statistical assumptions of the linear regression are met. The misspecification tests suggested that the model is not statistically adequate. This finding indicated that the theoretical test conducted in the traditional approach was invalid. An alternative estimation procedure is proposed in the study for cases when a statistically adequate model cannot be specified. Named the sub-sample or the bootstrapping method, this procedure consists of randomly selecting a large number of sub-samples from the cross-sectional sample and running a regression for each of them. The large number of estimates for each of the coefficients serves as a basis for estimating 95-percent confidence intervals. An inspection of the supply and input demand elasticities calculated based on coefficients estimated through the sub-sample method revealed that half of them have wide 95 percent confidence intervals. Therefore, predicting policy impacts across all output and input equations is not possible. However, elasticities that have narrow confidence intervals and make economic sense can be used to predict isolated policy impacts, if Albania returns to the conditions that prevailed before the political turmoil of 1997. / Ph. D.

Le renforcement des préoccupations vis-à-vis des problématiques de développement, de bien-être des populations et de qualité des écosystèmes, génère de nouvelles pressions économiques (labels, cahiers des charges, etc.), normatives (règlements, fiscalité), et de la société civile (consom'action, boycott), et impose aux entreprises de prendre en compte ces problématiques, c'est-à-dire d'identifier, d'évaluer, et d'améliorer leurs impacts. De nombreux outils existent pour évaluer les impacts des chaînes de produits mais seules les méthodes d'Analyse de Cycle de Vie permettent d'avoir une évaluation multicritère et globale, et de rendre compte des transferts d'impacts d'une étape à l'autre du cycle de vie et d'un impact à l'autre. Le développement de l'ACV sociale est vivement souhaité et réclamé par les acteurs. La problématique de cette thèse a consisté à s'interroger sur les principes d'élaboration d'une telle méthode, son cadre conceptuel, théorique et méthodologique. Les besoins de recherche identifiés étant nombreux, les contributions spécifiques de cette thèse ont été triples : i) proposer un nouveau cadre théorique et conceptuel adressant les problématiques de bien-être et de développement, ii) élaborer une relation permettant d'évaluer les impacts de la création d'activité économique et de revenus sur la santé des populations, le « pathway Preston » iii) proposer un cadre méthodologique articulant le Modèle à Capitaux Multiples et le concept de capabilités. Les filières agroalimentaires et plus particulièrement les filières d'importation de fruits et légumes tropicaux, ont servi de cadre empirique à ce travail. / Strengthening concerns regarding development issues, well-being and quality of ecosystems, generates new economic pressures (labeling, specifications, etc.), standards (regulations, taxation) and also pressures from civil society (“consom'action”, boycott); it requires companies to take into account these issues, that is to say, to identify, assess and improve their impacts. Many tools exist to assess the impacts of product chains but only the method of Life Cyle Assessment allows a comprehensive and multicriteria evaluation, covering transfers of impacts from one stage of the life cycle to the other and from one impact to the next. The development of Social LCA is highly desired and demanded by the actors. The core question of this thesis has been to examine the principles for developing such a method, its conceptual, theoretical and methodological framework. As the identified needs in terms of research are numerous, specific contributions of this work were threefold: i) proposing a new theoretical framework addressing the issues of well-being and development. ii) developing a relationship assessing the impacts of creating economic activity and income on the health of populations, the “Preston Pathway” iii) proposing a methodological framework articulating the Multiple Capitals Model and the Capabilities concept. Food chains, and most specifically, import fruit and vegetables chains, have served as the empirical framework for this thesis.

The Government of Senegal is attempting to liberalize the groundnut market. In the past, this market was highly regulated with government-set producer prices, groundnut oil processing mills owned by parastatals, and requirements that all groundnuts be sold to these quasi-governmental organizations. In recent years, these rules are being relaxed, and farmers are allowed to sell groundnuts on the open market. However, farmers continue to sell most of their groundnuts, as before, to the mills. This study attempts to shed light on the effects of this market liberalization. First, an attempt is made to provide estimates of the farmers' short-run output supply and input demand responses to price changes. A quadratic profit function model is estimated using data collected for the current study and a similar dataset collected by Akobundu [1997]. Second, a quadratic programming model is used to examine the effects of eliminating pan-territorial prices. Results indicate that the elimination of the pan-territorial price system will have an overall benefit to Senegalese society. However, as expected, groundnut producers in areas remote from the groundnut oil processing mills would face lower prices. The effects on producers and consumers in the major producing regions, however, were found to be minimal. Finally, the dissertation provides an extensive description of the economic activities of small-scale farm households in Senegal's Groundnut Basin. Differences between males and females and between household heads and other males in the household are also examined. Although females are not as involved in groundnut production, they do not seem to face discrimination in either the official or the open market. The description of the situation facing small-scale farmers provided in this dissertation is not encouraging. The quantity and timing of the rains in the Groundnut Basin add an unwelcome uncertainty to farming. Increases in population are adding pressure to the environment and are placing heavy demands on wood and grazing lands. Only eight percent of the farmers had groundnut seed multiplication ratios less than one, and sixty-seven percent had ratios less than five. The dissertation also indicates that farmers are not producing enough to feed their families. Fewer than twelve percent of the households produce a caloric surplus. Sixty percent produced less than fifty percent of their caloric needs. The study indicates that farmers are not earning enough from agricultural production to take care of normal expenses throughout the year. Thus, when combined with uncertain rains and a worsening environment, the farmers have little margin of safety. Therefore, any government policies affecting groundnut production in particular or agricultural production in general should take into account the situation already facing the farmers. / Ph. D.

Master of Science / Department of Agricultural Economics / Andrew Barkley / This research identifies and quantifies the impact of biophysical and economic variables on Kansas crop acreage and yields for the period 1977- 2007. Due to long production time requirements, agricultural producers must make vital decisions with imperfect information, based on expectations of future agronomic and economic conditions. This research analyzes the impact of price, climate, and yield expectations on crop acreage allocations and yield responses for the four major commodities produced in Kansas: corn, soybeans, wheat, and grain sorghum (milo). By modeling and analyzing both biophysical and economic variables, total supply response can be estimated for potential future changes in prices, yields, climate, and weather outcomes. The analysis of both biophysical and economic conditions allows for the estimation of supply response in the short and long run. The results provide updated, more precise results than previous research, which has often separated acreage and yield response.

Yes / The present study examines the multidimensional effect of the maritime cabotage that regulates the maritime transport between United States of North America and Puerto Rico’s markets. The objective of the study was to analyze the effects that this non-tariff measure has on the agro-industrial sector in Puerto Rico. The research methodology consisted of semi-structured interviews and secondary data analysis from the agricultural category of greater import. The results conclude that it is the interaction of non-tariff measures inherent to the business relationship between the two countries that has an impact on the efficiency and competitiveness of the agro-industrial sector in Puerto Rico. / Universidad ICESI

Food waste in agricultural production is a key topic in sustainability studies. The goal of this study was to look at the structural elements that contribute to food waste of fruits and vegetables and provide solutions to solve the multifaceted problem based on what the role of distributors is in that matter. The study was founded on the philosophy of sustainability and justice, and it used a qualitative technique that included interviews with farmers and stakeholders from France. The findings indicate that economic profitability, environmental effect, social fairness, and policy governance are all interrelated causes of food waste in agricultural supply chains. Organizations may utilize these insights to create strategies for minimizing food waste, encouraging responsible consumption, production, and valorization, and creating more fair and sustainable agricultural systems.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / Access to markets is an essential requirement for smallholder farmer development. The limited access to formal value chains for smallholder farmers in South Africa is a key challenge that is facing both public and private value chain actors. Despite the substantial investments by government, the performance of smallholder farmers in South Africa remains poor. Several studies have been done to understand the key challenges facing smallholder farmer value chain integration. This study takes a unique view by understanding the challenges and opportunities facing farmer integration from a public and private stakeholder perspective, specifically analysing the Western Cape. The study showed that the most influential constraints for smallholder farmer value chain integration are access to informal and formal markets, resources and infrastructure, and the functioning of local institutions. The study also showed that the key opportunities to improve value chain integrations are in improving the non-financial and financial support provided to smallholder farmers. The results of the study are in line with the value chain theory around integration of smaller producers.

The increasing trend in frequency of natural disasters in tandem with globalization of business makes the agricultural supply chain significantly vulnerable to disruption. This thesis presents a pragmatic approach for creating a Business Continuity Model that can notify supply chain planners when there is an increase in risk of agriculture supply chain disruption due to natural disasters. The methodology presented in this thesis applied big data analytics and machine learning algorithms along with agriculture product related exponential decay function to create a regionalized composite risk score, that incorporated both direct and indirect risk associated with the Agriculture Fresh Supply Chain. This model will aid supply chain planners in creating and implementing contingency plans, at the right time per given food production location. This risk score can help food manufacturing organizations to have a Business Continuity Plan that alleviate agriculture business supply chain interruptions. An example application of this model is illustrated with a melon packaging industry.

<p>     Farmers face significant uncertainty, like weather and prices. Micro-economic theory tells us that when facing uncertainty, an agent, or farmer, makes economic decisions based upon their expectations. This primitive is important for agricultural economics. The “classic” agricultural economic problems: acreage allocation, commodity storage, technology adoption, household labor engagement, etc., are all influenced by the expectations of farmers. Despite expectations pervasive inclusion in economic theory and the decades of attention from agricultural economists, we still know relatively little about how farmers form expectations. This Dissertation is aimed at this opportunity.</p> <p>     The first chapter estimates the degree to which information is incorporated in farmland value expectations. Theoretically, an agent’s expectation should represent all available information. However, there are reasons to believe that an agent may not possess all the pertinent information or they may not be able to interpret the information. Macroeconomists have developed two models to explain the degree to which information may not be incorporated into expectations, The Sticky and Noisy Information Models. I use expectations and actual values of Iowa farmland from 1964 to 2021 to estimate the degree to which new information is not reflected in expectations, or exhibit information rigidities. I find that Iowa farmland market participants do experience information rigidities. From a practical standpoint, farmland is farmers’ most important collateral, the presence of public, simple farmland information may help mitigate lending challenges as a result of farmland value expectations.</p> <p>     The second chapter addresses how commodity price information is incorporated into the financial expectations of farmers. I estimate how unknown or surprise information from a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) report changes farmers’ attitudes and expectations of their financial conditions. This chapter, synthesizes literature from macroeconomics and commodity price analysis, and uses a unique source of data, the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. The Ag Economy Barometer reflects the aggregate sentiment of farmers across the US. Like the consumer sentiment index from the University of Michigan, the Ag Economy Barometer can provide a snapshot of sentiment, a measure outside of fundamental economic indicators. Using the corn ending stocks values from the USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE), I find that</p> <p>farmers’ short– and long–term expectations and attitudes toward large farm investments are increased by information implying a higher corn price. However, this relationship does not exist in the reverse direction and when corn is not actively growing. As a result, if farmers are acting on these changes in expectations, they may be engaging in suboptimal decision making.</p> <p>     The third and final chapter explores the degree to which previous experience is reflected in expectations. The tales of the financial hardship during 1980’s Farm Financial Crisis have been shared across farmers’ dining room tables for decades. The most prominent anecdote relates to the rapid decline in farmland prices. As mentioned in the first chapter, the asset value of farmland is important to farmers. As a result, if experiences like the 1980’s Farm Financial Crisis have created a downward bias toward farmland values, the asset may be undervalued and frictions may exist in the farmland lending market. Macroeconomists show that consumers’ inflation expectations are directly related to their life experiences. I use a panel of farmland market participants in the Purdue Land Value and Cash Rent Survey to estimate the effect of previous experience on farmland value expectations. I find no</p> <p>significant effects. However, my estimates are using variation in cross sectional data. This modeling choice does not rule out the potential of the Farm Financial Crisis effecting all market participants in a similar way, a question outside of my analysis.</p> <p>     Each chapter of this Dissertation addresses how an agent forms their expectations, a necessary first step in my journey as a researcher. I am interested in the link between expectations and economic outcomes. I have built considerable knowledge on expectation formation and will deploy this knowledge exploring the role of expectations in farm outcomes, like acreage allocation, commodity storage, technology adoption, and household labor engagement. In my next step as a researcher, I plan to use the current theoretical advancements in behavioral economics, the explosion in empirical methods and computing, and the availability of data to re-visit the role of expectations in “classic” farm economics problems.</p>