Suchergebnisse

Most research on consumer attitudes does not consider that attitudes are likely influenced by people with whom we have some relationship even though socioeconomic, psychological and political theories recognize the importance of referent individuals' opinions in attitude formation. Knowledge on the role of referent individuals' opinions in attitude formation could improve the understanding of consumer acceptance of foods frequently associated with health or other concerns. This article examines the association of attitudes towards genetically modified (GM) crops and foods between young adults and their referent individuals using data collected in 2016 via surveys from the Czech Republic, Russia and Ukraine. Loglinear models of cell counts in contingency tables reveal a positive association of GM food attitudes between young adults and their referent individuals. This association was stronger in Russia and the Czech Republic than it was in Ukraine and stronger between female young adults and their referent individuals than between males and their referent individuals. Concordance in GM food attitudes with mothers is significantly stronger than concordance with best friends but not significantly different from concordance with fathers.

School feeding programs have been introduced with the aim to alleviate hunger and improve pupils' performance. This study investigates the effects of the school feeding program on pupils' enrollment, attendance and academic performance in northeastern Nigeria. Primary data were obtained from 180 class teachers at 60 participating primary schools, as well as secondary data from their school records. The linear regression results showed that the duration of the feeding program has a significant positive effect on pupils' academic performance. The propensity scores matching results revealed that the school feeding program has a positive effect on pupils' enrollment and class attendance. While the effect of the program was not significant on academic performance, perhaps because the sample size was small or a relatively short duration of the program, making it difficult to detect statistically significant differences in academic performance. Long-term school feeding programs are recommended to encourage pupils' school attendance which will, in turn, improve performance in the long term.

AbstractAdoption of agroforestry in the early spring under the green growth initiative programs, such as the Billion Trees Afforestation Project, has positively impacted crop productivity and plantation success in Pakistan. However, the timely adoption decision of agroforestry in the Hindu Kush Himalayan is still low, particularly among smallholders. Using a mixed-method approach, we examine the factors influencing smallholder households and community-level timely agroforestry adoption decisions. Findings show that the early and later decision-makers farmers had agricultural lands on riversides and primarily adopted agroforestry to protect their crops from devastating effects of winds and floods. In contrast, late adoption decision-makers adopted agroforestry for income diversification. Results of our logit model show that several household and community-level factors influence smallholders' timely adoption of agroforestry. The factors that positively affect the timely adoption of agroforestry include age-related factors, education, and the establishment/existence of functional community-based organizations. In contrast, political conflicts and tenure insecurity negatively affect smallholders' timely adoption of agroforestry. In-depth interviews with Village Development Committees members revealed that terrace farming, farms on riversides, communities without access to other energy sources, population growth, and low farm acreage ensured the timely adoption of agroforestry. The policy recommendations include strengthening collaborative efforts among community members, especially engaging educated old-aged farmers (elders of traditional communities) to increase adoption rates and land tenure security to ensure timely agroforestry adoption under the newly launched 10-BTAP.

Data from online survey among young adults in the Czech Republic, Russian Federation and Ukraine. about attitudes towards genetically modified (GM) crops and foods. Survey was carried out in October and November 2016.
Respondents indicate their own and their close referent persons' (father's, mother's and best friend's) degree of general approval of GM foods, each on 5-point Likert-type response format.
Additional variables: country (CZ, RU, or UA), gender of respondent, frequency of hearing news on GM-related issues.

AbstractA school feeding program (SFP) influences school attendance and performance because better nutrition by default implies better physical and mental performance. SFP is an important motivation to attend school, especially in an area of extreme poverty and food insecurity. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of SFP on school attendance of students in the North-Eastern region of Nigeria, based on data from a cross-sectional comparative study of 780 aged between 6 and 13 year old selected primary schools in the North-Eastern region of Nigeria, conducted between November 2020 and February 2021 in selected primary schools in the North-Eastern region of Nigeria. We used different matching techniques and an endogenous switching regression approach to analyze the average treatment effect (ATT). The results show that the school feeding program has consistently positive and statistically significant effects on school attendance in all three models. The positive effect of SFP is stronger for students from larger households and for those living in remote areas. The direction and magnitude of the estimated impacts are consistent across specifications. In order to increase school attendance, the government should expand SFP coverage throughout the country, with priority given to conflict areas.

AbstractThis study aimed to measure the food safety knowledge, attitude, and practices among food vendors engaged in Nigeria's ongoing Home-grown School Feeding Program. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in face-to-face interviews with 240 food vendors from 3 states in northeast Nigeria involved in the school feeding program using a structured questionnaire. Multiple linear regression results revealed that increased education and access to information through radio, television, and food inspection institutions increased food safety knowledge. Food safety attitudes score increased with more years of vending experience and accessing food safety information via radio, food inspection institutions, and the Internet. An increase in household size and food safety information from friends and colleagues negatively affected food safety attitude scores. As a result, we emphasize the need for dissemination of improved food safety information via radio, television and food safety inspection institutes. Food vendors in the SFP should be selected after passing a food safety training and gaining food handling experience. Higher education should be a priority criterion in the hiring process.