After many years of neglect, there is a renewed interest in agricultural mechanization in Africa. Since government initiatives to promote mechanization, e.g., by importing and subsidizing tractors, are confronted with major governance challenges, private-sector initiatives offer a promising...

All the scenarios and models made up by the most titled scientists in biology, agriculture, geophysics, and human health prove that the four main resources of the existence of the biosphere are so polluted that it is a matter of time until a major collapse of human existence occurs. The problem...

The efficacy of “gaseous” ozone in reducing numbers and re-growth of food-borne pathogens, (<i>Escherichia coli </i>and<i> Listeria </i>spp.), on leafy salads was investigated using spinach. A preliminary<i> in vivo</i> study showed 1-log reduction in six strains of <i>E. coli</i> and two species of <i>Listeria</i> spp. on...

<i>Listeria monocytogenes</i> contamination of cantaloupes has become a serious concern as contaminated cantaloupes led to a deadly outbreak in the United States in 2011. To reduce cross-contamination between cantaloupes and to reduce resident populations on contaminated melons, application of...

This paper examines the heavily supported Swiss food and agriculture sector. It reviews some of the key features and trends in the sector and reveals its low relative labour productivity in international comparison. It describes the existing policy regime, including its various forms of support...

At national economic level there is a fierce competitivity, experienced more and more perhaps due to the crisis. Functionality of the economy has been a challenge that many have failed to honor, but at least led us to try to. The chance to succeed was related to everyone's desire to ensure...

Food production in 2050 will be sufficient, globally, but many of the poor will remain food insecure. The primary cause of food insecurity will continue to be poverty, rather than inadequate food production. Thus, policies and investments that increase the incomes of the poor will remain the...

Excessive salt rate can adversely influence the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils, mainly in arid and semi-arid world regions. Therefore, salt-affected soils must be reclaimed to maintain satisfactory fertility levels for increasing food production. Different approaches have...

The European Union has a very rich experience in the field of research, innovation and knowledge transfer. In order to take advantage of this experience, the economic policies in this field should be able to efficiently use the national experience. This objective can be also reached by the best...

This paper tests whether structural change in US agriculture is an important channel to TFP growth and evaluate the relative impcat of (i) public research and education policies, (ii) private R&D and market forces, and (iii) government farm programs on structural change.