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Synthetic biology applied in the agrifood sector: Societal priorities and pitfalls
89-95Views:657Synthetic biology offers potential for innovation in the agrifood sector, although concerns have been raised consumer rejection of applications will occur similar to that associated with the introduction of genetically modified foods. Risk-benefit assessment should address socio-economic, as well as health and environmental impacts. Ethical issues may be of particular relevance to the application synthetic biology, and may also resonate with societal concerns. A case-by-case analysis of relevant issues may be needed, and innovation must be driven by societal and consumer preferences as well as technological possibilities. Research into consumer and societal priorities is required early in the innovation trajectory.
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What differentiates the entrepreneurs from non-entrepreneurs on nature and nurture?
45-52Views:1021Based on the importance and contribution of entrepreneurship in economic development, it is vital to know that what underlying factors may promote the spirit of entrepreneurship? The entrepreneurship literature suggests two kinds of broader influencers or predictors for entrepreneurs and non-entrepreneurs “nature” and “nurture”. In this study “nature” includes the psychological or personality related factors; self-confidence, locus of control, risk-taking propensity and trust levels. The “nurture” is explained by the effects from society in general and friends and family in particular. To answer the question “What differentiates the entrepreneurs from non-entrepreneurs on nature and nurture?” we collected data through questionnaire from 155 respondents. The 70 respondents were entrepreneurs and 85 were non-entrepreneurs. Step-wise discriminant analysis was used to determine the discriminating factors for entrepreneurs from non-entrepreneurs. Results indicate that societal impacts, risk taking propensity and trust levels were significantly discriminating the two groups; entrepreneurs and non-entrepreneurs. The study has important implications for policy makers, academicians, researchers and potential entrepreneurs.
JEL Code: L26, M13
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THE PLACE OF AGRICULTURE IN YOUNG PEOPLE'S LIVELIHOOD ASPIRATIONS
Views:92This study examines the dynamics of youth livelihood choices and aspirations in agriculture, focusing on how combined socio-economic, individual, and household characteristics in Bure Zuria Woreda, a rural community in West Gojjam, Northwest Ethiopia, influence youths' future-oriented livelihood decision-making. In the study, we employed a sample survey of 232 randomly selected young farmers, purposively selected 12 focus group discussions (FGD), 12 in-depth interviews (IDI), and 16 key informant interviews (KII). Using both individual and household data, we conducted a multi-stage analysis to understand the impacts of socioeconomic factors on youth livelihood choices. The study used a mixed method to triangulate the qualitative and quantitative analysis, specifically descriptive statistics and a multinomial logistic regression model along with thematic analysis for qualitative data. We contextualize young people in agriculture by exploring how changing access to land, educational levels, gender, the conditions of agriculture, the economic viability of the agricultural sector, and the perceptions of the status of agriculture influence livelihood decision-making. The result shows that youth livelihood choices and aspirations in agriculture are affected by socio-demographic factors at the individual, household, and societal levels. Farming land size, educational level, gender, the conditions of agriculture in the locality, the economic viability of agriculture, and nearby family career preferences were found among the factors that determine the aspirations and livelihood of young people in agriculture. Therefore, targeted interventions are essential to improve youth livelihood options in agriculture.
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