AGRO - KNOWLEDGE JOURNAL

Farmers’ perceptions of climate change impacts on agriculture: A regional analysis

2026-05-04T12:31:15+02:00

This study analyses agricultural producers’ perceptions of climate-related hazards and their impacts on agricultural production across regions of the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The main objective is to identify dominant climatic stressors, examine regional differences in perceived impact intensity and damage experienced, and assess the role of selected farm characteristics in shaping these perceptions. Primary data were collected through a cross-sectional survey of agricultural producers operating under diverse agro-climatic and socio-economic conditions. Respondents assessed the intensity of major climate-related hazards and the damage experienced during the previous five years using ordinal scales. The analysis combined descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and a Weighted Impact Index to enable a comparative regional assessment. The results indicated that drought and high temperatures were perceived as the most severe and damaging climate-related hazards across all regions, with particularly pronounced impacts reported in northern and north-western areas. Other hazards, including floods, hail, storms, frost, and snow, were generally perceived as having weaker and more localized effects, despite statistically significant regional differences. Although the awareness of climate change among agricultural producers was high, the adoption of adaptation and risk management measures remained limited. Perceptions of climate-related risks were primarily influenced by regional climatic conditions and economic exposure, with commercial farms reporting higher perceived impacts and damage. The findings highlighted substantial regional disparities in perceived climate risks and emphasized the importance of region-specific adaptation strategies in agricultural policy and practice.

The impact of farm size, production type, and incentives allocated on the productivity and profitability of agricultural enterprises in the Republic of Srpska

2026-05-04T12:23:18+02:00

This paper investigates the impact of farm size, production type, and incentives allocated on the productivity and profitability of agricultural enterprises in the Republic of Srpska. Using a sample of approximately one hundred enterprises from financial reports and agricultural databases between 2020 and 2024, the study employed variance analysis (ANOVA) and regression analysis to examine variations in the total factor productivity (TFP), the partial factor productivity (PFP), and profitability metrics. Results have indicated that neither the farm size nor the production type significantly affected productivity, with larger enterprises having generally shown higher profitability per hectare. Future research should explore specific factors influencing productivity, such as management practices and access to technology. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of agricultural dynamics in the Republic of Srpska, emphasizing the need for comprehensive databases and tailored policies that address the diverse needs of agricultural enterprises to enhance economic viability and growth.

A comparative analysis of sensory and chemical properties of grape rakija from different Macedonian producers

2026-05-04T12:35:47+02:00

Rakija is a strong alcoholic beverage, deeply rooted in Macedonian cultural heritage, where quality varies significantly between industrial, small-scale, and traditional home producers. This study evaluated sensory and chemical differences among three types of producers using 30 samples of rakija from grapes (10 per group). The chemical analysis included gas chromatography (GC) for volatile compounds and analytical methods for alcohol content, specific gravity, and extract. The sensory analysis was performed by a trained panel (6 assessors) following OIV 100-point scoring scale. Spearman’s rank correlation was used for statistical data analysis. Sensory results revealed greater variability in odour and taste (CV 14–29%). Isobutanol showed a significant negative correlation with quality (ρ = -0.43 to -0.46, p < 0.017), while extreme variability in esters (CV >100%, ethyl acetate up to 5,654 mg/L) and furfural (CV 383%) was detected. In contrast, the extract content positively influenced the balance (ρ = 0.43–0.50, p < 0.017) in all of the samples. Between the producer’s groups, the traditional samples had more unpleasant aromas due to improper distillation and fermentation, as confirmed by the chemical analysis results where ethyl acetate reached up to 5,654 mg/L. Routine sensory-chemical correlations can aid quality assessment, linking traditional heritage with modern distillation methods in Macedonian rakija production.

Morphology and ultrastructure of pollen exine in hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) cultivars grown in Bosnia and Herzegovina

2026-05-04T12:27:14+02:00

The morphology and ultrastructure of the pollen exine were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in 14 hazelnut genotypes (Corylus avellana L.). Pollen measurements were performed in a dry stage at magnifications ranging from 500 × to 15,000 ×, during which the following parameters were analyzed: pollen grain height and width (μm), estimated pollen grain volume (μm³), type and ultrastructure of the exine, and the frequency of microexcrescences per 10 μm². Pollen samples were collected for analysis at two locations in the Banja Luka region (Bosnia and Herzegovina), and the following cultivars were analyzed: Multiflorum, Tankoljuskasti, Tonda Gentile Romana, Merveille de Bollwiller, Avellino, Ludolph Zellernuss, Apolda, Hall's Giant, Romai I, Romai II, Istarski okrugli, Imperial de Trebizonde, Gustav Zellernuss, Jean's. The research results have indicated that the pollen grains were of the triporate type, subspheroidal in shape, with dimensions ranging from 19.91 μm in Imperial de Trebizonde to 32.29 μm in Tonda Gentile Romana. The lowest pollen volume was determined for the Tankoljuskasti cultivar (5417.40 μm3), and the highest for the Tonda Gentile Romana cultivar (12645.70 μm3). Measurements of exine ultrastructure have indicated the presence of certain differences among the observed cultivars. The available literature states that the pollen exine in cultivated hazelnut cultivars is uniform and characterized by a verrucate-type exine. In this study, differences were identified at the level of microexcrescences in the Gustav Zellernuss and Tonda Gentile Romana cultivars, in which clustering of microexcrescences positioned on shallow reticula was observed. The question of genotypic specificities of hazelnut exine ultrastructure remains open in this study, and future research should focus on the characteristics of interspecies hybrids resulting from the crossing of different species within the genus Corylus (Corylus avellana L., Corylus pontica Koch., and Corylus maxima Mill.).