Crop Certification - Functions, Benefits and Usage For Agri-Businesses
16 Aug 2011 | Category: agriculture | Author: admin
The certification of agricultural products is being increasingly discussed in contemporary agribusiness. There are still many uncertainties regarding the value it adds, considering the relatively high costs and efforts related to implementing a certification of international credibility. This contribution aims to discuss the value of certification by comparing the concept with one of the most important concepts of marketing: the brand of products.
Brands have been defined as a name, term, symbol or combination thereof, with the intention of identifying goods or services of one seller and differentiate them from competition. For companies, the main functions of brands are:
- Positive product associations, together with a perception of quality and consequently sales increases;
- Increased product price and a lower price sensitivity;
- Higher interest of the consumer into the communication of the product and thus a higher efficiency of communication;
- Increased shelf space at the point of sales and a preferred access to distributors.
For consumers, brands help the visual identification and differentiation of the product and thus increase the speed of making purchasing decisions. Moreover, brands ensure consistent quality and thus reduce the risk of consumers becoming disappointed with the product performance. Psychologically, brands meet the basic human need for control and safety. When buying a branded product, the consumer knows what he/ she receives, thus brands help taking control over a part of the world. People also use brands to express their identity and self-image. When using a brand they communicate what they need, want or aspire to and thus gain acceptance and access to social groups. In short, brands offer several functions and benefits for the company and for consumers. It seems that most of these are shared with the functions and benefits of crop certification.
Crop certification demonstrates the compliance with certain principles, criteria or rules by a pre-established resource, through audits and other monitoring procedures. It should be understood as an economic tool, based on the market that aims to differentiate products and companies, providing incentives for both consumers and producers. Besides international certifications, certification schemes are often created by governments or by the processing industry. In most cases, agricultural companies use certification for the marketing of agricultural products because the customer requires it. Thus a certification, like a brand, ensures the quality level desired by the consumer. It also generally enables a premium price for the agricultural produce. The communication of a certified product is also easier since, in most cases, certification bodies have already pre-defined a certain message. In the case of the certification Fairtrade, for example, the product has been produced by small-scale family producers who receive a fair price for it. This helps the food industry to benefit from these established communication messages. Also, this way, companies needs to spend less on communication. Finally, certifications help with product distribution because certification bodies often have already established buyers or shelf space with distributors.
For consumers, certification ensures quality and food safety throughout the production process, thus helping in decision making. They also can rely on the certification's originality since the certification is audited by independent bodies. With the acquisition of a certified product, the consumer demonstrates that he is aware of, and cares, about social, environmental, or cultural issues.
Comparing the functions of certifications to the functions of brands, it thus appears that they are very similar. There are however two important differences between the concepts. Brands represent the characteristics of the product. Certification, on the other hand, deals with the production process. Additionally, a brand is created by someone who can define any of its characteristics. A certification, on the other hand, is accredited by an independent body, which gives it an even higher credibility.
Despite the differences that exist between the concepts of certification and branding, they are comparable with regards to the functions and benefits they offer to sellers and consumers. Certification has to be seen as yet another marketing tool for modern agribusiness. It can be used embedded in a marketing program, alongside a product brand, and thus enhance it. Alternatively, the brand may be based on the sociological, environmental or cultural characteristics of the product, which the certification proves, if that is what most interests the buyer. Thus, the product brand benefits from the certification. Either way it can be concluded that certification does add value to the agricultural product and is therefore a tool that every producer should consider for its production.
How to Select a Farm and Construction Machinery Freight Broker
26 Jun 2011 | Category: agriculture | Author: admin
If your business requires the moving of large equipment over great distances, you know that it's not always easy to find a shipper that can both handle such shipments as well as offer you a reasonable price to do so. Here are some things to look for when selecting a company to broker the shipment of your farm and construction machinery.
- It must be able to ship from anywhere to anywhere. If you live in Dubuque, you can probably find a shipper in Dubuque to move your equipment. But what if you need to ship needed machinery from Sacramento for a job in Milwaukee? Instead of dealing with multiple shippers, find one that is large enough to be able to ship to and from any city in the United States.
- It should be an all-purpose shipper. You need to move a ditch digger, but what if you have dry goods that also need to go with it? A good shipper that specializes in moving machinery will also be versatile enough to offer shipping services for a wide range of other goods.
- Choose customer service. The safe transfer of your machinery is important to you, so choose a shipper whose customer service department reflects your own philosophy. They should keep you informed and on top of things every step of the way.
- Great prices. It goes without saying that shipping costs are one of your primary concerns. When a large shipping broker contracts with thousands of carriers, he will be in a position of being able to offer you the most competitive quotes in the business.
-Do they export too? Because of the downturn in the economy, your being able to compete in foreign markets is more important than ever. Choose a shipper that you can trust who can help you get your goods overseas quickly and securely.
The Reasons Agriculture is Important
06 May 2011 | Category: agriculture | Author: admin
Why is agriculture important? The concept of 'food security' is fundamentally important, and for that reason, agriculture is important. The task of feeding its people has been perhaps the first priority of its rulers throughout history. As such, agriculture is considered to be the very basis of political and social stability of a nation since times immemorial.
Moreover, the agricultural sector plays an important role in the sphere of providing large scale employment to people. Large and moderately large farms employ workers to undertake the various jobs relating to cultivation of crops and care of farm animals. In most of the countries of the world, agriculture still remains the biggest sector responsible for the employing and feeding a large percentage of the population.
Agriculture is also important from the point of view of appraising the standard of a country's development, based on the competence of its farmers. Poorly trained farmers cannot apply the advanced methods and new technologies. The prominence of science and technology in the development of agriculture is quite clear from the words of Deng Xiaoping -
The development of agriculture depends first on policy, and second on science. There is neither any limit to developments in science and technology, nor to the role that they can play in the field of agricultural growth'.
Though agriculture often plays a contributory role in the 'Gross Domestic Product' - GDP - of most countries, it nevertheless requires a substantial boost from both the local and the international community.
Agriculture is traditionally based on bulk manufacturing. Harvesting is done once a season, most of the times, and stocked and used later. In fact, some thinkers opine that people have begun to adopt 'batch processing' and 'stocking' in manufacturing, as a result of the practices from agricultural thinking. Before industrialization, people with the biggest stocks of food and other supplies were considered more stable, and they were able to face challenges of nature without having to starve.
So important is the role of agriculture that new concepts keep 'cropping up' to give the traditional activity a modern turn. One such new concept the world is raving about these days is - the importance of 'organic farming'. There is evidence that, apart from their numerous other benefits, organic farms are more sustainable and environmentally sound, giving agriculture a new dimension.
The importance of agricultural practices was further established when 'Organic food' began as a small movement decades ago, with gardeners and farmers rejecting the use of conventional non-organic practices. With the growth of the Organic food market now outpacing much of the food industry, many big companies have ventured into it. With the emergence of multi-national companies, and with the creation of a legal certification framework such as the Soil Association, there is every doubt that the very definition of organic food will change, making it more of a commercial activity than ever before!
In fact, modern agriculture has already undergone a sea-change from the ancient times. Today, the importance of agriculture lies in the fact that it is practiced both for subsistence as well as commercial reasons!
Quality Agriculture Machineries And Tools Suppliers
16 Mar 2011 | Category: agriculture | Author: admin
Agriculture machineries and tools suppliers specialize in the manufactures of agricultural implements and specialized equipment for a variety of farming needs. The manufacturers like Toro, Coronet, New Holland, Unverferth, Woods Equipment Co., Worksaver Inc., Yetter Farm Equipment Co., Ag-Chem, AGCO, Automatic Ag Products, Beard Industries, Orthman, Seedburo, Bigham Brothers, Blu-Jet, Bomford Turner, Brillion Iron, Northwest Tillers, Stover Equipment Co. Inc., Sukup Manufacturing Co. Brownie Manufacturing Co. and Butler Mfg. Co. have an established presence in this niche market and are standing up to competition from the majors. The Agricultural Suppliers have some of the latest and most modern models of equipment in their stocks. These models have been well received in the market and are worth the money.
Since agriculture farming equipment is considered a market for consumer durables, the market also looks at the price. The American and European markets are quality conscious and are not very price sensitive. The market capturing depends on the quality of the product. There are other Agriculture machineries and tools suppliers like Case, Murray and Snapper. These manufacturers are very popular in the North America segment and in Europe. Most of the suppliers are good with the quality and production range they have. Also they have the capacity to make it big and stand up to the giants like Honda, Ford, John Deere.
The farming equipment makes the tasks associated with farming easier and the operations more productive. Such equipment mostly includes Tractors, Combines, Hay Equipment and the like. Agriculture machineries and tools suppliers offer many listings for equipment used in agricultural farming, cattle ranching, dairy and poultry to name a few. From planting all the way through to harvesting these farm equipment dealers have the proper equipment that farmers need. Whether the buyers are searching for new or used tractors by John Deere, Case IH, New Holland, Agco, Massey Ferguson, Kubota, McCormick or others, along with combine, forage harvester, planter, tillage equipment, or other agricultural equipment, you can find the listing at Fuzing.
The fuzing agriculture chemical suppliers directory is a leading B2B portal for global buyers searching manufacturers, exporters and suppliers. There is an agriculture chemical page bringing you to our handpicked agricultural chemical manufacturers, exporters and suppliers from various regions. If you are an agricultural chemical supplier, exporter, manufacturer, factory, vendor or trading company/agent, and want to list in this supplier directory, please click Fuzing.com.
Dairy Industry of India
24 Jan 2011 | Category: agriculture | Author: admin
The dairy industry plays an important role in the socio-economic development of India. The dairy industry in India is instrumental in providing cheap nutritional food to the vast population of India and also generates huge employment opportunities for people in rural places.
The Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying, and Fisheries, which falls under the central Ministry of Agriculture, is responsible for all the matters relating to dairy development in the country. This department provides advice to the state governments and Union Territories in formulating programmes and policies for dairy development. It also looks after all the matters relating to production and preservation of livestock farms (cattle and sheep). To keep focus on the dairy industry a premier institution known as the National Dairy Development Board was established. This institution is a statutory body that was established in 1987. The main aim to set up the board was to accelerate the pace of dairy development in the country and attract new investments.
India is a wonderland for investors looking for investment opportunities in the dairy industry. The dairy industry holds great potential for investment in India and promises high returns to the investors.
The reasons why the industry has huge potential for attracting new foreign investment are:
1. There is a basic raw material need for the dairy industry; that is, milk is available in abundance.
2. India has a plentiful supply of technically skilled laborers.
3. There is an easy availability of technological infrastructure.
4. India has all the key elements required for a free market system.
There are different sectors within the dairy industry that promise great business investment opportunities:
• Biotechnology:
1. The Indian cattle yield less milk as compared to their foreign counterparts. The Indian cattle breeders are on the lookout for ways to improve their milk yield through cross-breeding. Thus, there is a huge potential available for foreign investors to invest in dairy cattle breeding of high-quality buffaloes with hybrid cows.
2. There is also great scope for investment in different dairy cultures, including dairy biologics, enzymes, probiotics, and other coloring materials for food processing.
3. Producing biopreservative ingredients based on dairy fermentation, such as pediococcin, aciophilin, bulgarican, and Nisin contained in dairy powder, also promise great investment opportunity.
• Dairy/Food Processing Equipment:
Great potential lies for foreign investment for manufacturing and marketing of cost-effective, top-quality food processing machinery.
• Food Packaging Instruments:
There is a tremendous investment opportunity for foreign investors in the manufacturing of both machinery and packaging materials that aid the development of brand loyalty and gives a clear edge in the marketing of dairy products.
• Retailing:
Retailing of dairy products also promises great investment opportunities for standardization and upgrading dairy products in the main metropolitan cities.
• Manufacture of Ingredients:
Several ingredients are involved in the making of different dairy products like ghee, condensed milk, and cheese. Manufacturing of ingredients for these products offers a great potential for foreign investment in India.
• Finished Products:
There is a great scope for investment in the manufacturing of finished dairy products such as cheese sauce and cheese powders.
• Technically Advanced Manufacturing Units:
There is a great opportunity for foreign investors to invest in establishing manufacturing units for dairy products. The investors can build world-class manufacturing units and let them for hire. Building manufacturing units supports specialized dairy-related activities, such as cheese slicing, cheese packaging, butter printing, and dicing lines, which hold greater potential over other activities.
Thus, the dairy industry in India has huge investment opportunities in a variety of sectors. The investors are all set to gain profitable returns on their investment.
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