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1
Ngongo, Yohanis, Tony Basuki, Miqdoth S. Abola, Noldy R. E. Kotta, and Evert Y. Hosang. "Towards Commercial Orientation of Maize Farming In East Nusa Tenggara." E3S Web of Conferences 232 (2021): 02007. http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202123202007.
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Maize constitute dominant food crop in upland semi-arid region of East Nusa Tenggara (ENT) and as a main staple for majority of rural farmers. This paper examines Provincial Government programs to increase maize production and to reform maize production orientation. Data and information being used from the recent program: “Maize Planting, Cattle Harvest (MPCH)”. The survey was conducted in all villages in Districts of Timor and Sumba Island as pilot project. The study showed that: 1). Maize farmers keen to change production orientation from subsistence to semi and fully commercial as long as there are surplus production and better access to the market, 2). Average maize productivity of farmers under program (5 – 8 ton/ha) higher than traditional practices (1 – 2 ton/ha), 3). Most farmers under the program have access to have own cattle 1- 2 head/household from surplus production of maize sold with contract price IDR 3,200/kg. This result implies that incorporated farmer into the market from the beginning of the program, technical assistance to apply appropriate innovations, organized farmers groups to enhance business scale and government support to minimize production cost lead farmers to adopt new innovation, increase maize production and change maize production orientation (commercial).
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Naharki, K., and M. Jaishi. "Documentation of Indigenous Technical Knowledge and Their Application in Pest Management in Western Mid Hill of Nepal." SAARC Journal of Agriculture 18, no. 1 (July 25, 2020): 251–61. http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sja.v18i1.48397.
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Indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) are based on the experiences of the local people being passed on from one generation to next and has been used for management of pest since ancient times. A study was conducted to collect and document the ITK and their application in pest management from indigenous communities in western mid hill of Nepal. A total sample size of seventy-five respondents from the indigenous communities of Magar, Gurung, and Newar in Tanahun, Lamjung and Kaski districts of Nepal were interviewed with a semi structured questionnaire. The study revealed that subsistence farmers and semi commercial farmers usually made the most use of ITK while commercial farmers rarely used such indigenous knowledge. Use of ITK was highest (85%) by the subsistence farmers, followed by semi-commercial farmers (60%), and lowest (10%) by commercial farmers in pest management. The transfer of ITK was mostly found to be through past generations. The indigenous technological knowledge being applied in pest management should be documented, promoted, and encouraged in combination with scientific knowledge among the farming communities.
SAARC J. Agri., 18(1): 251-261 (2020)
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Hasan, Jabed, Md Hafijur Rahman, Md Rahamat Ullah, and Md Mahamudul Hasan Mredul. "Availability of aqua drugs and their uses in semi intensive culture farms at Patuakhali district in Bangladesh." Archives of Agriculture and Environmental Science 5, no. 3 (September 25, 2020): 368–76. http://dx.doi.org/10.26832/24566632.2020.0503019.
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A survey was undertaken to examine the accessibility of aqua-drugs and their applications in the semi-intensive aquaculture farms in Patuakhali district. A total of 83 stakeholders were selected and data gathered from aqua-medicine stores, representatives of different pharmaceuticals and semi-intensive aqua-farms owners via questionnaire interviews. PRA tools like focused group discussion, cross-checking, and key informant interviews were also used. Results show that 78% of farmers conduct polyculture and rest executes monoculture. Among the total fish farmer majority, 38% used lime for pond preparation and water quality management and potash used by 44% farmer as a disinfectant. For increasing dissolve-oxygen Oxy-rich (26%) was vastly used while 28% of farmers don’t use any oxygen supplier in their pond. However, 14% of farmers use commercial Megavit-Aqua growth promoters and 14% farmer used probiotics. For disease control, 52% and 14% of farmers use Renamycin and Renamox respectively due to its easy availability and affordability compared to probiotics. Several issues have been reported due to improper use of aquatic medications, such as lack of information about chemical use, sufficient dosage, form of application and indiscriminate use of antibiotics. This research result will help the policymaker to understand the requirement of fishers for healthy and sustainable aquaculture practices.
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LANÇON, J., S. LEWICKI, M. DJABOUTOU, J. CHAUME, E. SEKLOKA, L. ASSOGBA, D. TAKPARA, and B. I. OROU MOUSSE. "DECENTRALIZED AND PARTICIPATORY COTTON BREEDING IN BENIN: FARMER-BREEDERS' RESULTS ARE PROMISING." Experimental Agriculture 40, no. 4 (October 2004): 419–31. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0014479704002078.
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Institutional changes in Benin have brought to light farmers' demand for varieties better suited to local growing conditions than existing ones. In response, we initiated a participatory cotton breeding experiment in 1996 to evaluate the relevance of such a methodology for the improvement of a commercial crop grown under rain-fed, semi-intensive cropping systems. This paper compares the performance of the first four mass-selection cycles, implemented by three farmer-breeders (F-B) and one formal breeder, with the original population and two commercial controls over three sites and two years. First results show that genetic changes occurred in all the F-B populations. The highest yielding F-B population (Savalou) was also more exuberant and later maturing than the others. Within the relatively narrow range of environments considered in the trial, there is no evidence that decentralized breeding results in better local adaptation. In Benin, participatory cotton breeding may be considered as complementary to formal on-station breeding and useful for enlarging the genetic variability offered to the farmers. Although the farmers want the approach to be scaled-up, its sustainability relies on a formal partnership between research and farmers institutions.
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Asindu, Marsy, Emily Ouma, Gabriel Elepu, and Diego Naziri. "Farmer Demand and Willingness-To-Pay for Sweetpotato Silage-Based Diet as Pig Feed in Uganda." Sustainability 12, no. 16 (August 11, 2020): 6452. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su12166452.
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Smallholder livestock farmers across Sub-Saharan Africa are racing against time to find cheaper, nutritious, and sustainable feed alternatives to the more pronounced and expensive commercial concentrates amidst the increasing global demand for livestock products. Lately, many prominent feed conservation technologies have been developed, with a notable example being the sweetpotato silage technology that turns wasted sweetpotato components into a palatable and nutritious livestock feed. However, despite the potential benefits associated with these technologies, the level of demand and acceptance among smallholder farmers remains largely unknown. Thus, this paper assesses the farmer demand and willingness-to-pay (WTP) for sweetpotato silage-based diet as pig feed by smallholder farmers in Uganda. The information for the study was collected through secondary data review and semi-structured interviews to assess farmer WTP. The 256 semi-structured interviews were randomly drawn from 16 purposive clusters formed at a radius of 3 km around 16 farmers piloting sweetpotato silage-based diets for pig feed. The results show that pig farming is mainly the responsibility of women, with farmers’ mean willingness-to-pay price amounting to 0.20 USD per kilogram of sweetpotato silage-based diet. At the mean price, the annual demand for silage was estimated at 17,679 tons, with a market potential of approximately 3.59 million USD. The study concludes that, at the mean willingness-to-pay price, there is a substantial market potential that can be exploited by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) venturing in the livestock feed industry.
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Darwis, Valeriana. "KAJIAN ANALISIS USAHATANI PENGGUNAAN PUPUK ORGANIK NON KOMERSIAL TERHADAP HASIL DAN PENDAPATAN PETANI PADI." SEPA: Jurnal Sosial Ekonomi Pertanian dan Agribisnis 10, no. 2 (September 4, 2017): 286. http://dx.doi.org/10.20961/sepa.v10i2.14140.
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Policy of providing chemical fertilizers at low prices through the subsidies continue to increase every year, causing inefficient use of fertilizers by farmers and in turn lower the productivity of the land. The study was conducted in the province of West Java and Central Java in 2012, aims to (1) evaluate the costs and revenues of non commercial organic fertilizer and (2) analyzing farm income and the factors that affect rice production. Total farmer respondents interviewed 60 farmers with 30 farmers who earn program Organic Fertilizer Processing Unit (UPPO) and 30 farmers who do not follow the program UPPO. To determine the effect of the use of organic fertilizers used in rice cultivation model of linear production function CobbDouglas and financial analysis or benefit cost ratio (B/C). The results showed good organic fertilizer production enterprises in the form of solid or liquid organic fertilizer is quite profitable. Farmers earn net income of Rp. 83-112 per kg of organic fertilizer in 6 weeks. The amount of chemical fertilizers used on semi-organic rice farming is reduced by approximately 50% of the amount of chemical fertilizers used in nonorganic farming. The use of labor in semi-rice organic farming is higher than nonorganic farming, especially at the stage of cultivation and weeding. R/C ratio of semiorganic rice farming is greater than non-organic rice which indicates that the semiorganic rice farming more profitable financially.
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Zantsi, S., and T. Nkunjana. "A review of possibilities for using animal tracking devices to mitigate stock theft in smallholder livestock farming systems in rural South Africa." South African Journal of Agricultural Extension (SAJAE) 49, no. 1 (April 19, 2021): 162–82. http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2413-3221/2021/v49n1a10784.
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Stock theft is among the major challenges faced by livestock farmers in South Africa. It has severe consequences especially for smallholder farmers, who collectively own a large share of the South African livestock herds but individually keep small herds. In recent years, technological improvements and innovations have made it possible to track livestock movements by using GPS animal tracking devices. Low-cost GPS has been developed and used elsewhere and in the local commercial sector. Given the well-known role of extension, i.e. information and technology dissemination, the possibility that smallholders adopt GPS animal tracking devices should be evaluated. However, very few studies have made a case for using this technology in curbing stock theft among smallholder farmers. This review therefore addresses the likelihood that smallholder livestock farmers in South Africa adopt GPS animal tracking devices to mitigate the impact of stock theft. Using a semi-systematic and a snowball literature review approach, we consulted and reviewed the relevant literature and official statistics relating to stock theft and smallholder livestock farming. Results from the reviewed literature suggest that the likelihood of GPS animal tracking device adoption by smallholders will depend on a) the awareness about the devices and how they work, b) the acuteness of stock theft for a farmer and how livestock contributes the farmer’s livelihood, and c) the income level, access to mobile phones and risk behaviour of farmers. Our literature findings identify areas for future research and may help agricultural extension personnel with future research topics.
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Udo, Henk. "Relevance of Farmyard Animals to Rural Development." Outlook on Agriculture 26, no. 1 (March 1997): 25–28. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/003072709702600106.
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The relevance of farmyard animal development activities is debatable. Is there a middle course that can be followed between free-ranging systems, where animals have to fend for themselves, and large-scale commercial units? From a technical point of view there are many possibilities for increasing production in free-ranging or semi-commercial farmyard animal keeping in developing countries. The inputs required and the increase in production mean that farmers will have to become more market-oriented, and to compete with other small farmers and large-scale operators. It is of the utmost importance that the socio-economic setting for farmyard animal interventions is properly understood and appreciated.
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Gopalasundar, R. "A Study on Production and Marketing of Poultry Products in Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu State." Shanlax International Journal of Economics 9, no. 3 (June 1, 2021): 15–19. http://dx.doi.org/10.34293/economics.v9i3.4018.
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The rural scenario in India is undergoing a rapid change, from the traditional concept of farming as a subsistence activity into a vibrant, commercial, economic venture enabling the farmers to live in dignity and prosperity. During the past four decades, the annual output of eggs has gone up by over eight times, and hence the marketing of poultry is the fast-growing industry. The development of farming has been given priority to help small rural farmers in the unorganized sector. It is also planned to ensure easy access to all necessary facilities, including inputs, credit and marketing. Hence, a study of the poultry industry and its commercial viability is of particular importance. Poultry farming is undertaken by thousands of rural as well as semi-urban masses. Poultry farming with low capital investment generates employment opportunities for rural and semi-urban people. With the new occupation and employment generation, the standard of living has considerably created a social impact.
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Shrestha, Gautam. "Soil Properties and Soil Management Practices in Commercial Organic and Conventional Vegetable Farms in Kathmandu Valley." Nepal Journal of Science and Technology 15, no. 1 (February 1, 2015): 13–22. http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njst.v15i1.12005.
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Soil management practices determine the long term productivity of soil. A comparative study of commercial organic and conventional vegetable farming systems was carried out to find out impact of different farming systems on soil properties. This study was executed in Kathmandu valley (Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur districts) among 30 organic and 30 conventional commercial vegetable farmers. Semi-structured questionnaire survey and soil physical and chemical analysis were performed to gather the required information. Results showed that bulk soil pH was significantly higher in the organic field than in the conventional field. Soil organic matter and available soil potassium were significantly higher in amount in the organic farm than in the conventional farm. Total soil nitrogen content and available soil nitrogen content were significantly higher in amount in the conventional farm than in the organic farm. Conventional farmers were applied significantly higher amount of chicken manure and biozyme as compared to organic farmers. Organic farmers applied significantly higher amount of urban compost and bone meal as compared to conventional farmers. Farmers perceived productivity was increasing in trend in the organic farms whereas it was declining in the conventional farms.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njst.v15i1.12005 Nepal Journal of Science and TechnologyVol. 15, No.1 (2014) 13-22
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Karki, S. "Effects of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 Outbreak in Nepal from Financial and Social Perspectives: A Case Study." Nepalese Veterinary Journal 34 (December 21, 2017): 26–35. http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nvj.v34i0.22861.
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The outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 have serious public health, economic and social implications. After the first two report of HPAI H5N1 outbreak in Nepal in Jhapa in 2009, a third outbreak was reported in Pokhara the following year where more than 11,000 birds were culled to control the disease. However, the financial and social effects of the Pokhara bird flu outbreak were never assessed. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the local financial and social effects of HPAI H5N1 outbreak in Pokhara and to understand farmers and consumers perceptions on bird flu and the control measures implemented by the government. A total of 200 people including poultry farmers, butchers, veterinary drug dealers, feed suppliers, and consumers were interviewed using the semi-structured questionnaire. The result showed that the direct loss of Pokhara bird flu outbreak from the culling of birds was more than 4.5 million Nepali rupees. The small scale commercial and backyard farmers and the butchers were the most affected from this outbreak. A large proportion of the consumers temporarily stopped to consume chicken meat and shifted to other meat sources. Most of the participants in this study had at least heard about the bird flu. The farmers were unhappy by the compensation provided by the government and perceived that the government control efforts were not satisfactory and were provided little assistance for their rehabilitation. In conclusion, there was a momentary local financial and social effect of the Pokhara bird flu outbreak which may not very important from the macroeconomic point of view but is important for the affected small-scale farmers and the butchers. It is recommended that the government review their policy and provide small scale commercial and backyard farmer a compensation that is closer to the market price and promote largescale poultry farmers to go for insurance.
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Bhandari, Sandesh, Sushma Paneru, Shailesh Pandit, Sramika Rijal, Hira Kaji Manandhar, and Bishnu Prasad Ghimire. "Assessment of pesticide use in major vegetables from farmers’ perception and knowledge in Dhading district, Nepal." Journal of Agriculture and Natural Resources 3, no. 1 (January 8, 2020): 265–81. http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/janr.v3i1.27180.
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A field study was carried out to assess the pesticide use status in major vegetable crops from farmers’ perception and knowledge in Dhading, Nepal in 2019. Field study was carried with 100 commercial farmer’s using semi-structure questionnaire by face to face interview. This study was analyzed by categorization of farmers into small holder (51) and large holder (49) groups on the basis of mean area of vegetable cultivation (6.48 ropani). The highest amount of pesticides is needed in tomato in both large holders and small holders according to the farmer’s experience. Among the study farmer’s, 41% of them spray the pesticides by making a cocktail or mixed method and 56% follow the waiting period of 3-5 days in both of the cases. A significant positive correlation was found at 5% level of significance between the knowledge and practice pattern of waiting period of the pesticides and negative correlation was found between the Personal Protective equipment score and health hazard score. Headache was the major health hazards faced by the farmers which was higher in small holders (66.7%) as compared to the large holders (46.9%). Mask was the most used PPE by the farmer’s i.e. by 83% in overall. Fourty three percent of the farmer’s throw the pesticide containers in secret place after using of it.The use of PPE was seen lower in small holders as compared to the large holders. This study reveals the necessities of suitable program and policies regarding the knowledge, safe handling and use of pesticide among the farmer’s level.
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Olbrich,, Roland, Martin F. Quaas,, and Stefan Baumgärtner. "A Survey of Commercial Cattle Farmers in Semi-arid Rangelands of Namibia on Risk, Management and Sustainability." Schmollers Jahrbuch 132, no. 3 (July 2012): 463–71. http://dx.doi.org/10.3790/schm.132.3.463.
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Joshi, KR. "A Survey on Marketing Potential of Maize Seed Production in the Western Hill of Nepal." Nepal Agriculture Research Journal 7 (May 22, 2009): 82–87. http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/narj.v7i0.1873.
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A Marketing Rural Rapid Appraisal Survey (MRRA) was conducted from 12-16 June 2002 inBhakimli (1725 masl), Myagdi district. Two factors namely gender (male and female) and wealthcategory rich, medium and poor were considered in accessible area of Bhakimli. Semi-structuredquestionnaires and checklist were used to collect information on maize seed production, marketingopportunities and marketing system for producers, traders and consumers. The objectives of thestudy were to understand existing maize seed production, demand and supply; to identify theproblems associated with the seed marketing system and policy options for sustainable maize seedproduction. Farmers groups in Bhakimli were involved in maize seed production and managementof marketing. Successful seed production for long-term would ensure a continuous supply of openpollinated variety (OPV) seed in farmers' level. Seed production as a new commercial enterprisecreated employment opportunities as well as income generating in the Western hills of Nepal.Keywords: Commercial enterprises; community seed production; employment; income generating;marketing potentialDOI: 10.3126/narj.v7i0.1873Nepal Agriculture Research Journal Vol.7 2006 pp.82-87
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Amadhila, Elina, and Sylvanus Ikhide. "Unfulfilled loan demand among agro SMEs in Namibia." South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences 19, no. 2 (May 13, 2016): 264–81. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/sajems.v19i2.1398.
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Using a qualitative methodology approach, a case study research design by way of in-depth semi-structured interview(s) was followed to interview farmers, commercial banks, development banks, venture capitals and private equities to determine the financing options available for farmers and provide reasons why some financial institutions shy away from providing finance to agricultural enterprises. This study deviates from prior studies which have focused on small-scale farmers and subjected farmers’ access to finance to rural credit markets, mostly informal money lenders using secondary information mostly from household surveys to build econometric models. The study indicates that only about 33 percent of formal financial institutions are providing finance to agricultural SMEs. The lack of expertise and perception of risk were cited as top reasons why formal financial institutions find it hard to provide finance to agricultural SMEs. Building on opinions from other authors cited in this paper, we maintain that new financing mechanisms can be achieved by all types of financial institutions through learning from experiences by other successful countries.
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Balcão, Lucas F., Cibele Longo, João H. C. Costa, Cintia Uller-Gómez, Luiz C. P. Machado Filho, and Maria J. Hötzel. "Characterisation of smallholding dairy farms in southern Brazil." Animal Production Science 57, no. 4 (2017): 735. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/an15133.
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Smallholder dairy farmers that are responsible for 90% of the milk produced in Santa Catarina State, in southern Brazil, transitioned in recent decades from milk production for self-consumption to commercial dairying. The objective of this study was to identify groups sharing common characteristics, potentials and limitations and compare their main management practices, milk production and milk quality. We collected data from 124 farms distributed in 24 municipalities, using semi-structured interviews, inspection of the housing and milking environment, and live observations during one complete milking. Multivariate analyses revealed three groups of farmers: ‘Semi-Intensive’ (n = 51), ‘Pasture-Based’ (n = 50), and ‘Extensive’ (n = 23). Group differences included land and herd size (both larger in Semi-Intensive, P < 0.002); feeding management of dairy cows (e.g. greater use of pasture improvement techniques in Extensive and Pasture-Based, and more efficient rotational grazing management in Pasture-Based, P < 0.04); use of external inputs (e.g. lower use of concentrate and silage in Pasture-Based, P < 0.001); milking infrastructure and hygiene practices (better in Semi-Intensive, P < 0.04), and milk productivity (greater in Semi-Intensive, P < 0.001). The Extensive group conserves several features of the subsistence, traditional mode of milk production, and makes inefficient use of costly feeding practices, which threatens its sustainability. The two other groups of farms took different, almost opposite directions to deal with the limitations in farm area: the Semi-Intensive group have adopted an entrepreneurial farming style and the Pasture-Based, a more agroecological path. These results highlight the need to develop specific strategies and policies to help these different types of producers to coexist in the dairy production chain.
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T.M, Venter, Antwi M.A, and Oduniyi O.S. "The Right-Sized Cow for Emerging and Commercial Beef Farmers in Semi-Arid South Africa: Connecting Biological and Economic Efficiency." Asian Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development 11, no. 1 (February 15, 2021): 79–104. http://dx.doi.org/10.18488/journal.ajard.2021.111.79.104.
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The study investigates the right size of cow in terms of both biological and economic efficiency under a typical production system in semi-arid South Africa. Cow size influences biological efficiency of individual animals, which influences herd composition and stock flow on a predetermined resource base. This in turn influences the economic efficiency of the herd. Individual cows were classified as either small, medium, or large and their individual biological efficiency determined. When similar reproduction and growth rates were assumed, large cows were the most biologically efficient, followed by medium and small cows. Income from the herd of small cattle was the lowest, as fewer kilograms of beef were available to sell. Allocated costs for the herd of small cattle were the highest, due to a large number of expenses being charged per head of cattle. Subsequently, when economic efficiency was calculated, the herd of large cattle was more profitable than its smaller counterparts. The herd of large and medium cattle would become less profitable than the herd of small cattle at lower reproduction rates, and these reproduction rates were calculated. Smaller cattle have a faster maturity rate than larger cattle. A faster maturity rate provides the opportunity for early breeding. The effect of limiting feed intake of small, medium, and large cattle was compared and yielded varying results. The study concluded that cattle size influences biological efficiency, biological efficiency influences economic efficiency however there are many more variables that influence biological and economic efficiency other than size, such as reproduction rates.
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Grossman, Jake J. "A case study of smallholder eucalyptus plantation silviculture in Eastern Paraguay." Forestry Chronicle 88, no. 05 (October 2012): 528–34. http://dx.doi.org/10.5558/tfc2012-101.
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Smallholder eucalyptus (Eucalyptus species) plantation forestry is common among rural farmers in Eastern Paraguay. Yet there has been no systematic study of the silvicultural practices utilized by smallholder plantation owners in the region. In response, I conducted a case study of semi-structured interviews with 45 eucalyptus-owning smallholders. My study characterizes the households that have adopted eucalyptus forestry and the management of these plantations. Silvicultural practices varied among households and, for some parameters, among regions. Improved extension efforts could enable eucalyptus plantation owners in the study population to improve production both for commercial sale and domestic use.
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Thapa, Chandra Bahadur. "Survey of Cultivated Vegetable Crops in Rupandehi District, Nepal." Himalayan Biodiversity 5, no. 1 (December 28, 2017): 24–31. http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hebids.v5i1.36150.
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Vegetable is very nutritious food and is considered to be protective food since it contains high amount of vitamins and minerals and also possesses medicinal value. In the present study, documentation of farmer’s knowledge on cultivated vegetable crops was carried out in Rupandehi district during the year 2016. The objective of this paper is to identify, enumerate and to know the status of vegetable crops in this district. It was carried out by conducting semi-structured interview with the vegetable growing farmers, local people, members of Community Based Organizations with the help of standard questionnaire, checklist, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and key informant interview. Altogether 50 plant species have been found to be cultivated in commercial scale as vegetable crops in Rupandehi district. Out of 50 plant spp.; 2 families, 4 genera and 5 spp. were monocots; and 9 families, 30 genera and 45 spp. were dicots. It is also found that fruit (55%) is the widely used part of plant as vegetable. Other parts like leaf (21%), inflorescence (4%), root (8%), tuber (2%), corm (6%), and bulb (4%) are also used as vegetable. Most of the vegetable growing farmers (91%) are economically benefited by the cultivation and selling of vegetable than other crops due to easily available seeds, fertilizers and pesticides in market; good facility of irrigation and accessible market in the study area.
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Tilahun, Assefa, Jema Haji, Lemma Zemedu, and Dawit Alemu. "Commercialization of Smallholder Pulse Producers in East Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia." Sustainable Agriculture Research 8, no. 4 (October 31, 2019): 84. http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/sar.v8n4p84.
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This study examines pulse producers’ commercialization using a cross-sectional data obtained from 385 randomly and proportionately selected sampled households from East Gojjam zone, Amhara National Regional State of Ethiopia. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and econometric model to characterize sample households and identify factors affecting pulse output commercialization. The mean commercial index for the sample households was 0.345 which indicates that on average a household sold 34.5% of his/her total pulse produce. As a result, farm households’ output commercialization levels fall in semi-commercial farming system. Two limit Tobit model result indicated that farm households’ crop output commercialization was positively and significantly influenced by access to improved seed, cooperative membership, land size, access to market information and pulse yield and was negatively and significantly influenced by family size and livestock owned. Based on the findings, improved seed/new varieties should be released and accessed to smallholder farmers, deliver market information timely, land owned allocation should be intensified so that smallholder producers can increase their crop output commercialization, strengthening the existing farmers’ cooperatives and finally cut and carry livestock feeding system should be practiced in order to manage farm land properly.
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Muller, Claudette, and Sheona E. Shackleton. "Perceptions of climate change and barriers to adaptation amongst commonage and commercial livestock farmers in the semi-arid Eastern Cape Karoo." African Journal of Range & Forage Science 31, no. 1 (December 18, 2013): 1–12. http://dx.doi.org/10.2989/10220119.2013.845606.
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Telles, Carolini Dos Santos, Cristiane Maria Tonetto Godoy, Paulo Henrique de Oliveira, and Thiago De Oliveira Vargas. "¿Semillas criollas que opinas sobre ellas? Un estudio sobre la percepción de los agricultores familiares del municipio de Saudade Iguaçu/ PR." Revista Eletrônica em Gestão, Educação e Tecnologia Ambiental 22 (August 23, 2018): 6. http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/2236117032459.
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In the current scenario loss of genetic variability is a serious problem, due to the current production model that recommends the use of genetically modified and hybrid seeds. In this sense, there are proposals for sustainable agricultural systems and production, one of the existing strategies to guarantee the food and environmental security of the populations is the use of creole seeds, opposing conventional production. The present article aims to address the perception of family farmers in the municipality of Saudade do Iguaçu, Paraná, in relation to the use and importance of creole seeds in the production of properties. To achieve this goal, the semi-structured interview technique was used with 26 family farmers. The results show that there are some cultivars of creole seeds in the rural properties, mainly the beans Creole. However, the farmers' perception of these seeds is still linked to the notion of low productivity, believing that commercial seeds are the best, allied to the application of agrochemicals. In this sense, it is important to demystify this perception created by the modernization of agriculture, so that sustainable rural development can be achieved.
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Santosa, Imam, Muslihudin Muslihudin, Wiwiek R. Adawiyah, and Dinda Dewi Aisyah. "Commercialization of Work Relation Between Land Owner and Landless Peasant in Central Java." SHS Web of Conferences 86 (2020): 01005. http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/20208601005.
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This research aims to explore the shifting of work relations between land owners and landless peasants in Central Java. Besides, it also proposed to find the trend of the impact of shifting work relations between them. The research is designed using the semi-grounded method and phenology based on qualitative approach. This research is intentionally conducted in Purbalingga and Banyumas Regency, Central Java Province. Based on the research results, farmers in rural areas that are relatively far from the city have working relationships that tend to be exploited and are asymmetrical. On the other hand, the relationship of farmers in rural areas near cities tends to be more rational and commercial and symmetrical. The suggestion that can be given is the working relationship between the land owner and the cultivator who is beneficial to both parties needs to be maintained, but for the exploitative nature of work relationship there needs to be continuously empowered so that it does not bring damage to each of the party
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Diehl, Jessica Ann. "Growing for Sydney: Exploring the Urban Food System through Farmers’ Social Networks." Sustainability 12, no. 8 (April 20, 2020): 3346. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su12083346.
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Growing urban populations’ increased demand for food coupled with the inherent risks of relying on the global food system has spurred planning strategies by city governments for implementing urban agriculture at different scales. Urban agriculture manifests in a variety of different forms, often with different functions. However, within each type, embeddedness in the socio-ecological urban system can vary substantially as a result of specific characteristics and actors involved. This has a profound impact on the feasibility and sustainability of individual farm practices and, consequently, when scaled up to the urban food system as a whole. In this paper, I apply the concept of social networks to understand how commercial urban farmers gain access to and make use of tangible and intangible resources available to them in the context of the urban food system. Using a qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 farmers in Sydney, Australia. The question guide, developed based on the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, captured farm traits and access to resources through social networks. Findings illustrate three emergent patterns leveraging urban-local, rural-local, and urban-global networks as farmers pursued sustainable livelihoods. In conclusion, land is only one driver, among many, of the sustainability of the local food system.
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Machado, Túlio de Almeida, Hiago Henrique Moreira De Medeiros, Ricardo Pereira Da Silva, Fábio Lúcio Santos, and João Paulo Barreto Cunha. "ANALYSIS OF THE LONGITUDINAL DISTRIBUTION OF TOMATO SEEDLINGS TRANSPLANTED AS A FUNCTION OF OPERATIONAL SPEED." REVISTA ENGENHARIA NA AGRICULTURA - REVENG 28 (November 4, 2020): 293–301. http://dx.doi.org/10.13083/reveng.v29i1.8873.
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The semi-mechanized transplanting of industrial tomato seedlings has become a viable alternative for the farmers. The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of operating speed in the transplanting process of tomato seedlings. The work was conducted in a commercial area with 58 ha irrigated by a center pivot. The operating speeds evaluated were of 1.62; 3.15 and 4.00 km h-1, being the measurement of the distribution and the number of transplanted seedlings carried out after the passage of the mechanized set. The means of the distances between seedlings determined at each operating speed, before and after the passing on, were analyzed by Tukey test at 5% probability. For lower operating speeds of transplanting, it was observed a greater distance between the seedlings.
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Lagneaux, Elisabeth, Merel Jansen, Julia Quaedvlieg, Pieter A. Zuidema, Niels P. R. Anten, Mishari Rolando García Roca, Ronald Corvera-Gomringer, and Chris J. Kettle. "Diversity Bears Fruit: Evaluating the Economic Potential of Undervalued Fruits for an Agroecological Restoration Approach in the Peruvian Amazon." Sustainability 13, no. 8 (April 20, 2021): 4582. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su13084582.
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Agroforestry systems with a range of native and often neglected and underutilized tree species (NUS) are increasingly recognized for their potential role in restoration, simultaneously providing ecological and livelihood benefits. Successful adoption of these systems requires knowledge about beneficial species, system-level potential profitability, and barriers faced by farmers. Such information is essential but lacking for most NUS. We analyzed the economic potential of NUS in diverse smallholder-managed agroforestry systems in the Peruvian Amazon. Through semi-structured surveys with local stakeholders (n = 40), we identified 10 native Amazonian NUS fruit with ecological, nutritious and commercial benefits. We then simulated the potential revenue per species and system-level profit of an agroforestry system designed with the 10 NUS. Our projections suggest that a diverse NUS-based agroforestry system can outcompete most alternative land-uses in the region on a per hectare profit basis. This shows that including NUS in restoration efforts could provide economic benefits for smallholders. To realize this potential, we recommend adapted interventions, e.g., increased farmer access to planting material, technical support for production and capacity building with a focus on high-potential NUS.
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Rodrigues, Gustavo Araújo, Breno De Jesus Pereira, Anacleto Ranulfo dos Santos, Francielle Medeiros Costa, and Gilvanda Leão dos Anjos. "PIGEON PEA INITIAL GROWTH UNDER DIFFERENT CONCENTRATIONS OF ALUMINUM AND COMMERCIAL SUBSTRATE." JOURNAL OF NEOTROPICAL AGRICULTURE 7, no. 4 (November 30, 2020): 1–6. http://dx.doi.org/10.32404/rean.v7i4.5046.
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The incorporation of organic substrate into the soil can reduce aluminum toxicity in pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) plants, making it a viable alternative for use by small farmers in acidic soil regions such as the northeast semi-arid regions of Brazil that contain toxic aluminum in the soil. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of increasing aluminum doses and different commercial substrate concentrations on the initial growth of the pigeon pea. The experiment was undertaken in a greenhouse using a completely randomized design with a 5 × 3 factorial scheme. The first factor consisted of five doses of aluminum (0, 13.5, 27, 54, and 108 mg L-1) and the second factor consisted of three percentages of commercial substrate Vivato Slim Pro® (0%, 10%, and 20%), with five replicates per treatment, totaling 60 experimental units. The variables evaluated were plant height; total chlorophyll; shoot, root, and total dry matter; and root volume. The use of the commercial substrate attenuated the aluminum toxicity and favored the initial growth of pigeon pea plants, regardless of the concentration used. Thus, the aluminum was detrimental to the initial plant growth at all tested concentrations and showed more pronounced signs of toxicity on the root volume.
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Figueroa-Sandoval, Benjamín, Martín A. Coronado-Minjarez, Eduviges J. García-Herrera, Artemio Ramírez-López, Dora M. Sangerman-Jarquín, and Katia A. Figueroa-Rodríguez. "Production System Diversification and Livelihood in the Drylands of North Central Mexico." Sustainability 11, no. 10 (May 14, 2019): 2750. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su11102750.
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Drylands (arid and semi-arid regions) are important regions in the world; they have been disregarded and considered poor undeveloped regions due to their ecological limitations. Farmers in these regions tend towards diversification of production systems in order to achieve livelihood security, and this phenomenon has not been extensively studied. The objective of this study was to create a typology of the production systems present in the Mexican north central drylands, using variables related to production, socioeconomics, and social capital. 1044 interviews were conducted in the semi-arid region of north central Mexico. Analysis of the data allowed for the observation of nine types of production systems distributed in three groups: Subsistence, commercial, and off-farm income systems. The differences observed within these systems are due to generational gaps, gender differences, market orientation, and social capital. It can be concluded that the diversification of the dryland production systems allows for an understanding of why generic public policies have failed to mitigate poverty in these regions. The implications of the study refer to the reconfiguration of Mexican policies for the development of the drylands.
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Anderson, WK, and WR Smith. "Yield advantage of two semi-dwarf compared with two tall wheats depends on sowing time." Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 41, no. 5 (1990): 811. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/ar9900811.
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Slow adoption by farmers in Western Australia of new wheat cultivars led us to propose that their grain yield advantage over the old cultivars may not be evident under the traditional agronomic practices used in the State. The experiments, including both tall (rht) and semi-dwarf (Rht) commercial cultivars, were sown from early to mid-May, up to early July at five locations each year in the central wheatbelt of southwestern Australia in 1986, 1987 and 1988. Semi-dwarf outyielded tall cultivars more when sown in May (0.65 t ha-l) than in early June (0.35 t ha-1) and did not outyield them at later sowings. It is postulated that the yield advantage of the semidwarfs is dependent on early sowing. The yield advantage of the semi-dwarfs was related to greater ear and kernel numbers. The relative reduction in kernel size with later sowing was greater in the semi-dwarfs than in the tall cultivars. The semi-dwarfs had larger harvest indices at the May sowings but the talk equalled or exceeded them at the sowings in June. We concluded that the semi-dwarfs used in our experiments were more sensitive to the stresses associated with later sowing in this environment than the tall cultivars. The optimum flowering period for the study area over the three seasons was 7 to 29 September. However, there was considerable variation from season to season, and we concluded that an adequate definition of the optimum flowering period should be based on time-of-sowing experiments over a range of seasons.
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Sciarretta, Andrea, Maria Rosaria Tabilio, Armando Amore, Marco Colacci, Miguel Á. Miranda, David Nestel, Nikos T. Papadopoulos, and Pasquale Trematerra. "Defining and Evaluating a Decision Support System (DSS) for the Precise Pest Management of the Mediterranean Fruit Fly, Ceratitis capitata, at the Farm Level." Agronomy 9, no. 10 (October 2, 2019): 608. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/agronomy9100608.
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A Decision Support System (DSS) was developed and evaluated to control the Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly), Ceratitis capitata (Wiedermann), by incorporating a semi-automatic pest monitoring and a precision targeting approach in multi-varietal orchards. The DSS consists of three algorithms. DSS1, based on the degree days calculation, defines when the traps should be deployed in the field initiating the medfly population monitoring. DSS2 defines the areas to be treated and the type of treatment based on the number of adult medfly captures, harvesting time, and phenological stage of the host cultivar. DSS3 defines the spraying procedure considering the technical registration properties of the selected insecticide (e.g., withholding period and efficacy duration time) and weather conditions. The DSS was tested in commercial orchard conditions near Rome, central Italy, with a randomized complete blocks experimental design, comparing DSS-assisted and conventional management. In the DSS-assisted plots, a semi-automatic adult medfly monitoring system was deployed, composed of real-time, wireless electronic traps. The output of the functioning DSS is a map of spraying recommendation, reporting the areas to be treated and the treatment type (bait or cover insecticide spraying). The farmer was left free to follow, or not, the DSS indications. The first medfly captures were observed on June 30, whereas the DD threshold was reached on July 3 when the DSS started to operate. The field test produced 29 DSS decisions from July 3 to September 1 and confirmed that medfly management using the DSS substantially reduced the number of pesticide applications, the treated area, and the volumes of pesticide utilization. No significant differences in infested fruit were observed between DSS-assisted and conventional management. The level of acceptance of the DSS by the farmer was 78%. This evidence confirmed the requirement of fully involving farmers and pest managers during the evaluation process of DSS.
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Gouveia, Aurora M. G., Marcelo B. Molento, Marcos X. Silva, Humberto M. Brandão, Gabriela C. Gouveia, Jorge B. Morlán, and Alessandro S. Guimarães. "Management practices to control gastrointestinal parasites in sheep farms in Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil." Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 33, no. 4 (April 2013): 464–68. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/s0100-736x2013000400009.
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Parasite related problems are considered one of the major health problems for sheep breeding, causing considerable economic losses to commercial husbandry. The aim of this study was to determine the technological level and the level of knowledge of farmers regarding management practices to control gastrointestinal parasites in sheep in Minas Gerais state, southeastern Brazil. The analysis was based on 213 questionnaires applied by official veterinarians of the State Government Agency for Animal Health (Instituto Mineiro de Agropecuária, IMA), covering 16.6% of all counties. From two hundred and thirteen sheep farms sampled, 117 farms had their technological level determined. From the samples, 0.9% were characterized as high level, 45.3% as medium, and 53.0% as low technological level. The flock size ranged from 2 to 1843 with an average of 80.5 sheep per farm. The majority of the sheep production systems was extensive/semi-extensive (74.5%). The management practices adopted by the farmers to reduce parasitism were: split young and adult animals (5.6%), change pasture after deworm the animals (5.2%), use quarantine for incoming animals (2.3%), deworm newly arrived sheep (1.5%), and have regular technical assistance (31.9%). Although 76.5% of the farmers medicate the animals, treatments were performed without any major technical criteria, with an average interval of 4.6 months. The most commonly used drug families were macrocyclic lactones (38.5%) and benzimidazoles (24.9%). The management practices adopted in Minas Gerais are based on old recommendations and may not return in a good set of strategies to prevent parasite infections. Field observations reinforce the finding where farmers have obtained unsatisfactory results in maintaining the health and productivity level of their enterprises.
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Shrestha, Kamal, Gautam Shrestha, and Pradyumna R. Pandey. "Economic analysis of commercial organic and conventional vegetable farming in Kathmandu Valley." Journal of Agriculture and Environment 15 (June 1, 2014): 58–71. http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/aej.v15i0.19816.
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Economics of a farming system is the key determinant of its sustainability. Organic and conventional farming systems are two distinct types of production systems having contrasting farm management practices and output price as well. Furthermore, organic farming system is promoted for environmental protection and conventional farming system is cursed for the environmental degradation. The present study was conducted to compare the economics of organic and conventional vegetable production in Kathmandu valley. Thirty farmers each involved in commercial organic and conventional vegetable farming were selected randomly for the study. Data were collected through survey method using semi-structured questionnaire. The estimated per ropani per year cost of cultivation of vegetables in the organic farm (NPR 69,170) was lesser than in conventional farm (NPR 1,00,562). The gross return per ropani in a year in the organic vegetable farm (NPR 1,01,536) was significantly lesser than from conventional farms (NPR 1,35,747). Benefit to cost ratio (BCR) was higher in organic farm (1.47:1) in comparison to conventional farm (1.35:1). This study revealed that organic vegetable farming was more profitable than conventional vegetable farming in Kathmandu valley. To expand commercial agriculture: quality inputs, input and output price stability, co-operative or corporative marketing should be promoted.
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Yao, Anoumou Hortense, Ahou Rachel Koumi, Boua Célestin Atsé, and Essetchi Paul Kouamelan. "Contribution Des Femmes A La Production Piscicole En Côte D’Ivoire." European Scientific Journal, ESJ 12, no. 19 (July 29, 2016): 325. http://dx.doi.org/10.19044/esj.2016.v12n19p325.
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Women play a major role in the accession to food security because of their significant contribution to agriculture. However, very few data exists on women’s contribution to the Cote d’Ivoire fish production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of fish farms owned by women to contribute to the fish production in Cote d'Ivoire. A survey has been conducted on women fish farms characteristics and their production capacity. Only 5.98% of 301 farms belonged to women with a contribution to the total production of 2.89%. They are mostly farmers (44.44%) aged 30 to 60 years (88.89%), native of the regions (66.67%) where they had their farms. Tilapia and catfish are the main species produced with a semi-intensive (83.33%) farming system in pond. The area of production is less than 1 hectare (77.78%). Commercial or farms-made feeds are preferably used as fish feeds. Women-owned farms production is characterized by the tilapia commercial weigh over 300 g (66.67%) and a yield of 1000 kg/ha/year (77.78%). By their choice of production system, feeds and their production capacity, women can contribute to set up a sustainable production environment of farm fish in Cote d'Ivoire.
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Okpeku, M., MB Nodu, and C. Jumbo. "Goat management systems and peste des petits ruminant (PPR) incidence in rivers and Bayelsa states, Nigeria." Journal of Agriculture, Forestry and the Social Sciences 11, no. 2 (February 18, 2015): 181–86. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/joafss.v11i2.21.
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This study was conducted to evaluate goat management systems and the prevalence of PPR in two States in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria-Rivers and Bayelsa. The study was conducted in the Bayelsa and Rivers States located in the rainforest zones of the South-Southern part of Nigeria. Three Local Government Areas from each State were randomly selected; Ahoada East, Abua/Odual and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Rivers State and Ogbia, Yenagoa, and Southern Ijaw LGAs in Bayelsa State. Using purposive sampling techniques, private and commercial goat farmers, households and markets were identified and interviewed across the selected LGAs in the study areas. The management system most adopted is the semi-intensive system. Pest des petits ruminants (PPR) was found to have occurred annually from 2008 to 2012, with the highest incidence recorded in 2012 in Bayelsa and Rivers States at a frequency of 22 and 26 % respectively . Poor disease control methods and the neglect of veterinary services by many of the farmers as well as the effect of flooding in 2012 are reasons propounded to have predisposed the goats to the high rate of PPR incidence in 2012.Key words: flood, goat, Management system, Pest des petits ruminants
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Silva, Danillo Olegário Matos da, Carlos Antonio Fernandes Santos, Sirando Lima Seido, Washington Carvalho Pacheco Coelho, and Deisy Aiane Lima de Aquino. "Retention of proteins and minerals after cooking in cowpea genotypes1." Pesquisa Agropecuária Tropical 47, no. 3 (September 2017): 353–59. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1983-40632016v4747261.
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ABSTRACT Cowpea is a tolerant crop to water deficit, with moderate protein and mineral contents, as well as fast cooking, which are important requirements for semi-arid regions. This study aimed to evaluate the retention of total proteins and minerals after cooking in cowpea genotypes, in order to select those that best preserve these nutrients contents. Twenty-four genotypes were evaluated, being ten lines, five commercial cultivars and nine landraces maintained by farmers. Cooking had a reduced effect on the contents of protein, potassium, calcium, iron and zinc in cowpea grains, with significant effects only in a few genotypes. A significant and positive correlation was observed only for grain yield x zinc content and protein content x cooking time. The line CPCR3F6L17 presented a high grain yield and high levels of protein, potassium, iron and zinc after cooking, showing to be a promising option for the studied region.
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Kokko, Tiina, Kati Partanen, Hilkka Kämäräinen, Ardita Jahja-Hoxha, and Jussi Juhola. "Development Needs of Dairy Farms in Kosovo." Suomen Maataloustieteellisen Seuran Tiedote, no. 30 (January 31, 2014): 1–5. http://dx.doi.org/10.33354/smst.75398.
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The Republic of Kosovo in Western Balkans has raised agriculture as one of its development priorities. Farms are still mainly small and agricultural production poorly developed. Most of the agricultural products in retail stores are imported. The goal of this study was to define development needs of Kosovan dairy farms by observing farm operations. Observations were made in March 2012 by following the work of a farmer in 13 different sized dairy farms. Farmers were also interviewed. The results show that most development needs in milk production are milking hygiene, cleanliness of the milking facility, feeding and heat detecting. For example hoof care and animal welfare were usually at a good level in the observed farms. The size of the observed farms varied between 6 to 115 dairy cows. Milking was done in the smallest farm by hands, ninehad bucket milking system and threepipeline milking system. The observed farms can be classified as semi-commercial and commercial farms which deliver most of their milk to the processor. The main problems in the observed farms were poor milking hygiene and poor cleansing of the milking equipment. This can be also seen from the milk quality of the observed farms: according to somatic cells five farms were in Extra class and 5 in I-class (no information available in 3 farms). In number of bacteria 3 farms were in Extra class, 6 in I-class, 2 in II-class and 1 in III-class (no information available in 1 farm). Especially bucket milking system and in some cases the milking tank seemed to be difficult to clean. In some farms the condition of the milking machine seemed to be poor. The time between calvings was long, on average 432 days. There might be lack of heat detection. Also fertility may be low due to wrong feeding of the cows. The time between calvings was lowest on farms using only natural insemination (396 days) and longest in farms using both natural and artificial insemination (470 days). In farms using only artificial insemination the time between calvings was 444 days. Lactations per cow was on average 3,86. None of the interviewed farmers had agricultural education. An average farm size in Kosovo is about 2,2 hectares of field and about two milking cows. The average milk yield is estimated to be around 2200 kg / year. The biggest problems in milk processors are poor quality of milk and variations in milk received during the year: in summer processors have troubles in using all the milk and in winter the milk production of farms is too low. Only about 10 % of the milk produced is delivered to the processors. The future of agriculture looks bright in Kosovo as all interviewed farmers were willing to develop their farm and saw the future positive. Agricultural advisory (extension) services and the availability of training for farmers play a vital role in improving the basic environment for farming as well as farm profitability.
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Vourdoubas, John. "Possibilities of Using Semi-Transparent Photovoltaic Modules on Rooftops of Greenhouses for Covering Their Energy Needs." Journal of Agricultural Studies 4, no. 1 (December 9, 2015): 90. http://dx.doi.org/10.5296/jas.v4i1.8694.
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Semi-transparent photovoltaic cells allow the transmittance of solar irradiance through them and they have been used in building’s skylights and facades. Their use on rooftops of greenhouses can result in electricity generation which can cover part or all of their energy needs without affecting the growth of the plants. This also results in the decrease of cooling requirements during the summer since less solar irradiance is entering the greenhouse and lower CO2 emissions due to energy use in it. However, their current prices are high compared with the prices of opaque PV cells. The purpose of the present work is to investigate the possible use of semi-transparent PV modules placed on the roof of energy intensive greenhouses in Crete-Greece in order to cover their energy requirements and sell the surplus electricity into the grid. Two different cases have been studied where greenhouses of 1,000 m2 each cover their high heating needs using heat pumps and solid biomass. PV modules of 42.5 KWp can be placed on their roofs covering slightly less than 50 % of their surface allowing enough solar irradiance to enter the greenhouse. In the first case the generated electricity can cover more than 80 % of total energy needs and in the second all the energy needs offering the possibility of selling the surplus electricity to the grid. However, the current high prices of semi-transparent PVs do not favour their use by farmers since their installation costs are high. Future financial support from the government could increase their attractiveness for commercial applications in greenhouses.
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NUNES, RENATO LEANDRO COSTA, FRANCISCO BEZERRA NETO, JAILMA SUERDA SILVA DE LIMA, ARIDÊNIA PEIXOTO CHAVES, JOSIMAR NOGUEORA DA SILVA, and ELIZÂNGELA CABRAL DOS SANTOS. "EFFECT OF GREEN MANURING WITH MERREMIA AEGYPTIA ON AGRO-ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY OF RADISH PRODUCTION." Revista Caatinga 33, no. 4 (October 2020): 964–73. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1983-21252020v33n411rc.
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ABSTRACT The introduction of new crops in northeastern Brazil, associated with the use of the green manure, can become an alternative for family farmers. Thus, the objective of this work was to determine the effect of green manuring with M. aegyptia L. on the agro-economic efficiency of radish production. The experimental design was a randomised complete block with four treatments and five replicates; the treatments were composed of four doses of M. aegyptia (20, 35, 50 and 65 t ha-1 on a dry basis) incorporated into the soil in three cropping periods. In radish plants, we evaluated plant height, fresh and dry mass of shoots, total and commercial productivity of roots, productivity of scrap roots, dry mass of roots and root diameter. The economic indicators gross income, net income, rate of return and profit margin were used to evaluate the agro-economic efficiency of the system. The maximum agronomic efficiency was reached with a commercial root productivity of 7.86 t ha-1 and the addition of 49.29 t ha-1 of green manure. The maximum economic efficiency was obtained with a net income of 11,955.46 R$ ha-1 when a green manure dose of 46.00 t ha-1 was added. The use of M. aegyptia as green manure is economically viable in the production of radish in the semi-arid region of Northeast Brazil.
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Munguti, Jonathan M., James G. Kirimi, Kevin O. Obiero, Erick O. Ogello, Josiah A. Sabwa, Domitila N. Kyule, David M. Liti, and Levi M. Musalia. "Critical Aspects of Aquafeed Value Chain in the Kenyan Aquaculture Sector- A Review." Sustainable Agriculture Research 10, no. 2 (April 20, 2021): 87. http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/sar.v10n2p87.
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This article reviews critical aspects of the aquafeed value chain in the Kenyan aquaculture sector. Aquaculture production in Kenya has grown steadily in recent years, to more than 18,000 tons in 2019. Due to the growing demand for fish and fish products, there has been a gradual shift from extensive to semi-intensive to moderately intensive aquaculture systems, leading to an increased demand for high quality commercial fish feeds. The current annual demand for fish feed in Kenya is estimated at 34,000 tons. It is the lack of sufficient and high-quality local fish feed production that has created a market for fish feed importers, which is currently estimated at 7,000 tons annually. However, the imported fish feed is expensive for most fish farmers, leading to low production. Local fish feed production through home-based formulation should be driven by fish farmers to contain the rising cost of feeds. Most cottage feed manufacturers produce mash, crumbles or sinking pellets because they lack extruder for making floating pellets, hence the need for quality control in the aqua-feed sector. Fish feed producers are weakly covered by financial services providers, hence the inability to compete effectively with other value chains. The paper outlines five key actors in the aqua-feed value chain from production to marketing. These include; raw material (ingredients) suppliers, feed manufacturers (feed formulators), distributors/wholesalers, retailers, and customers who are fish farmers. We recommend intensification of local aqua-feed production using locally available materials to reduce the importation. This will ensure the long term economic and ecological sustainability of the aquaculture sector. There is a need for favourable policies to lower importation rates for raw materials as a way of boosting the availability of additional feed resources and inputs.
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Jones, A. Teifion, P. Lava Kumar, K. B. Saxena, N. K. Kulkarni, V. Muniyappa, and Farid Waliyar. "Sterility Mosaic Disease—the “Green Plague” of Pigeonpea: Advances in Understanding the Etiology, Transmission and Control of a Major Virus Disease." Plant Disease 88, no. 5 (May 2004): 436–45. http://dx.doi.org/10.1094/pdis.2004.88.5.436.
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Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan), is a grain legume that is a very important subsistence crop in marginal farming systems adopted by millions of smallholder farmers in the Indian subcontinent. It is grown for its seed for human consumption and for income generation by trading surpluses in local and commercial markets, but is widely used for diverse purposes, including as animal fodder and for soil conservation. Sterility mosaic (SMD) is the most damaging disease of pigeonpea endemic in the Indian subcontinent. It causes yield losses of >US$300 million per annum in India and Nepal alone. SMD-affected plants show severe stunting and mosaic symptoms on leaves, with complete or partial cessation of flowering. The SMD causal agent is spread by the arthropod mite vector Aceria cajani (Acari: Eriophyidae). Cultivating SMD-resistant genotypes is the most viable way to manage this serious disease of pigeonpea. Progress in developing broad-based SMD resistant material has been hindered by the lack of knowledge of the causal agent, the absence of diagnostic tools, and factors influencing host-plant resistance. After seven decades of research, vital breakthroughs made on the identification, detection, transmission, and epidemiology of the SMD causal agent, Pigeonpea sterility mosaic virus (PPSMV), are enabling the development of broad-based durable resistant pigeonpea cultivars. These breakthroughs will contribute greatly to sustainable pigeonpea production and enhance the income and livelihood of poor farmers in the semi-arid tropics of the Indian subcontinent.
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Romagnoli, Federica, Juan Molina, and Álvaro Parrado. "How to improve smallholder market access: Evaluation of Mercados Campesinos in Colombia." Agronomía Colombiana 36, no. 1 (January 1, 2018): 79–87. http://dx.doi.org/10.15446/agron.colomb.v36n1.67970.
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This paper presents an analysis of the results obtained in the project called “Mercados Campesinos” carried out in the central region of Colombia between 2004 and 2015. This analysis was performed to evaluate the impacts of this short food value chain experience and its influence on economic, social and political dimensions of smallholders’ market access.The analysis included two complementary research methods: quantitative and qualitative approaches. These methods were stated to identify the benefits accrued to participants usingthree different methodologies: i) t-test analysis; ii) an impact evaluation known as difference-in-difference and iii) multilevel regressions. On the other hand, qualitative analysis was based on semi-structured interviews and informal dialogues to investigate the perceptions of a selected group of beneficiaries regarding how project goals have been achieved. The results showed that one of the most influential elements in smallholders’market access has been the role of peasant organizations, associations and local farmer committees. These administrative structures greatly affected the economic efficiency, political participation and, to a lesser extent, commercial improvements. Project outcomes have been extremely influenced by participants’ expectations of improvements in wellbeing, life quality, production rates, and income. The project was not able to reach a good level of financial sustainability; however, it provided peasants with well-designed tools to self-coordinate their actions. Proof of that is that farmers started to organize themselves autonomously to exert pressure at municipal and local levels.
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Torres-Ávila, Angélica, Jorge Aguilar-Ávila, Vinicio Horacio Santoyo-Cortés, and Enrique Genaro Martínez-González. "Trayectoria del sistema de innovación del cultivo de girasol en México, 1965-2018." Historia Agraria Revista de agricultura e historia rural, no. 83 (February 23, 2021): 191–224. http://dx.doi.org/10.26882/histagrar.083e06t.
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The evolution of sunflower cultivation in Mexico within the framework of global agri-food transitions related to fat consumption is explained. The innovation system approach (IS) was used to study an emerging crop in the context of the traditional national food production patterns. The information was collected from publications and statistical data published between 1965-2018 and from semi-structured interviews with key actors. The information collected was ordered chronologically, identifying relevant actors and events that have affected the crop's trajectory and the IS configuration. The results show that the introduction of sunflower responded to the demand for vegetable oil and fats as a viable alternative for farmers and the agri-food industry. However, its development as a commercial crop has been subordinated to the use of other oilseeds from which by-products are obtained, which by adding their value to that of vegetable oil are more attractive to the industry. Nevertheless, the genetic improvement of sunflower has resulted in new genotypes from which oil is obtained with desirable properties for human health. This opens a new possibility of crop expansion.
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Sami Ahmed Mohammed, Arabi and Adam Ahmed Ibrahim. "Causes and percentage of commercial poultry mortality in ElFashir Locality North Darfur State, Sudan." Open Access Research Journal of Science and Technology 1, no. 1 (March 30, 2021): 029–41. http://dx.doi.org/10.53022/oarjst.2021.1.1.0016.
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The study was conducted in ElFashir locality, North Darfur State, Sudan, to investigate the main causes of poultry mortality under the opened and semi-opened systems of current poultry farms conditions. The data were collected through a systematic questionnaire distributed to 21 farms representing all farms in the locality. A simple random sampling method was used to select farms. Respondents put land transport at 71.4% as the highest cause of death during the first week of life, and diseases (52.4%). Newcastle disease was identified as the most destructive disease in the study area. Malnutrition caused 47.6%, and lack of biosecurity and cannibalism (15.8%) as major causes of mortality in poultry older than a week. Poor management (51.9%) The density of birds over fodders and drinkers exceeds the recommended number (67.8%) of respondents. Graduates from colleges of animal production and veterinary medicine make up the percentage (73.7%), while graduates of other colleges make up 21% of those who perform the production process and supervision. The study concluded that birds in the study area died due to poor transport condition, diseases, malnutrition, mismanagement and lack of biosecurity measurements. Therefore, it is necessary for authorized sectors to induce intensive extension services and training of farmers and workers about the importance of adopting restrict biosecurity measurements in addition to good nutritional and health management of poultry flocks to sustain commercial production of poultry in ElFashir Locality.
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Santos, Marllon Fernando Soares dos, Antonio Felippe Fagherazzi, Juliana Martins de Lima, Bruna Miranda Costa, Francine Regianini Nerbass, Aike Anneliese Kretzschmar, and Leo Rufato. "Agronomic performance of new strawberry cultivars in southern Brazil." Revista de Ciências Agroveterinárias 20, no. 2 (July 2, 2021): 149–58. http://dx.doi.org/10.5965/223811712022021149.
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The choice of cultivars to be used by strawberry farmers is essential since it could determine the success of the crop. The present study aimed to evaluate the productive and qualitative performance of strawberry genotypes grown in Vacaria, RS, Brazil. Twelve strawberry genotypes were compared, constituting the different treatments: cultivars Strawberry Festival, Oso Grande, Jonica, and Pircinque, and selections FRF PA3, FRF CE 51, FRF CE 56, FRF PIR 29, FRF PIR 54, FRF 85.04, FRF 149.18, and FRF 102.21. The seedlings were transplanted on May 13, 2014, in a semi-hydroponic cultivation system, adopting a randomized block design with four blocks and an experimental unit of ten useful plants. The variables evaluated were the number of fruits, total production per plant, productivity, commercial productivity, fresh fruit mass, commercial percentage, soluble solids, titratable acidity, soluble solids to total acidity ratio, pulp firmness, and production seasonality. The mean values were subjected to an analysis of variance and multivariate analysis, and their means were compared by the Scott-Knott test at a 5% error probability. Cultivar Strawberry Festival and selection FRF 102.21 showed higher productions (1138 g plant-1 nd 1019 g plant-1, respectively) and quantities of fruits produced (85 un plant-1 and 87 un plant-1, respectively). Cultivar Jonica and selection FRF 85.4 showed higher percentages of marketable fruits. The Pircinque cultivar was prominent for sugar content, presenting a value 24% superior to the general average of the cultivars. Cultivars Strawberry Festival, Jonica, and Pircinque and selection FRF 102.21 showed the highest qualitative and quantitative gains for the region of Vacaria, RS, Brazil.
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Palczynski, LJ, ECL Bleach, ML Brennan, and PA Robinson. "Giving calves 'the best start': Perceptions of colostrum management on dairy farms in England." Animal Welfare 29, no. 1 (January 1, 2020): 45–58. http://dx.doi.org/10.7120/09627286.29.1.045.
Full textAbstract:
Good colostrum management can confer protective immunity to newborn calves, making calves less susceptible to infectious disease, and fundamentally improving both their short- and long-term health, welfare and productivity. Industry recommendations commonly refer to 'The Three 'Q's' of colostrum management: the need for calves to receive sufficient 'Quantity' of high 'Quality' colostrum 'Quickly' after birth; some also include 'sQueaky clean' and 'Quantification of passive transfer'. However, research to date suggests that the failure of passive transfer of colostral antibodies is common on commercial dairy farms, contributing to sub-optimal calf health and mortality. This paper explores why this may be the case by investigating stakeholder perceptions of colostrum management and how these perceptions might affect the practice of ensuring adequate colostrum administration to newborn calves. Calf rearing and youngstock management practices on English dairy farms were investigated using 40 in-depth semi-structured interviews: 26 with dairy farmers and 14 with advisors (including veterinarians, feed and pharmaceutical company representatives). Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and thematically coded for analysis. 'The Three 'Q's' were found to act as useful reminders about the goals of colostrum management, and a case can be made for further publicising the inclusion of 'sQueaky clean' and 'Quantification of passive transfer' as there remains a lack of focus on colostrum hygiene and measurement of successful antibody transfer. Knowledge of the 'Q's' did not guarantee implementation, and time and labour constraints alongside farmer misconceptions must be addressed when offering professional advice on improving calf health. Further research to encourage on-farm collection and analysis of monitoring data including rates of passive transfer is particularly needed. Advisors must not overlook the importance of colostrum management when assessing farm practices and ensure that they promote evidence-based recommendations if dairy calf morbidity and mortality is to be reduced.
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Rodriguez Castillo, Nohra Cecilia, Xingbo Wu, María Isabel Chacón, Luz Marina Melgarejo, and Matthew Wohlgemuth Blair. "Genetic Diversity of Purple Passion Fruit, Passiflora edulis f. edulis, Based on Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism Markers Discovered through Genotyping by Sequencing." Diversity 13, no. 4 (March 27, 2021): 144. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/d13040144.
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Orphan crops, which include many of the tropical fruit species used in the juice industry, lack genomic resources and breeding efforts. Typical of this dilemma is the lack of commercial cultivars of purple passion fruit, Passiflora edulis f. edulis, and of information on the genetic resources of its substantial semiwild gene pool. In this study, we develop single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers for the species and show that the genetic diversity of this fruit crop has been reduced because of selection for cultivated genotypes compared to the semiwild landraces in its center of diversity. A specific objective of the present study was to determine the genetic diversity of cultivars, genebank accession, and landraces through genotyping by sequencing (GBS) and to conduct molecular evaluation of a broad collection for the species P. edulis from a source country, Colombia. We included control genotypes of yellow passion fruit, P. edulis f. flavicarpa. The goal was to evaluate differences between fruit types and compare landraces and genebank accessions from in situ accessions collected from farmers. In total, 3820 SNPs were identified as informative for this diversity study. However, the majority distinguished yellow and purple passion fruit, with 966 SNPs useful in purple passion fruits alone. In the population structure analysis, purple passion fruits were very distinct from the yellow ones. The results for purple passion fruits alone showed reduced diversity for the commercial cultivars while highlighting the higher diversity found among landraces from wild or semi-wild conditions. These landraces had higher heterozygosity, polymorphism, and overall genetic diversity. The implications for genetics and breeding as well as evolution and ecology of purple passion fruits based on the extant landrace diversity are discussed with consideration of manual or pollinator-assisted hybridization of this species.
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Gavrilova, Galina S., and Larisa N. Kim. "Efficiency of scallop Mizuhopecten yessoensis cultivation in the Ussuri Bay (Japan Sea)." Izvestiya TINRO 185, no. 2 (June 30, 2016): 240–50. http://dx.doi.org/10.26428/1606-9919-2016-185-240-250.
Full textAbstract:
Data on cultivation of scallop Mizuhopecten yessoensis in the Ussuri Bay are generalized. The marine farms are located in the shallow waters at depths of 2-18 m, their plantations occupy different areas with different hydrodynamics. Complex structure of the plantations (collectors, cages and bottom facilities) is formed in the semi-closed Sukhodol Bay, but bottom plantations only for growing of scallop and sea cucumber are mounted in two other bays. The local broodstocks of scallop were formed by juveniles transported from the Posyet Bay, after that at least 20 million individuals of scallop spat were collected in three bays in 2000-2014, and their growing gave the total commercial output about 216 t (111 t in the Sukhodol Bay, 70 t in the Ilmovaya Bay, and 35 t in the Malye Kushi Bay). This is rather weak result that shows that the area has limited abilities for development of this type of aquaculture. The main reason was low density of spat on substrata: it never exceeded 200 ind./collector and did not increase during the farms development, so the farmers were forced to increase the number of collectors to obtain required number of spat; moreover, some years were unfavorable for collecting of juvenile scallops. There is concluded that environmental conditions in the eastern Ussuri Bay are not optimal for the scallop cultivation by extensive method.
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Fredriksson, Lena, Marian Rizov, Sophia Davidova, and Alastair Bailey. "Smallholder Farms in Bulgaria and Their Contributions to Food and Social Security." Sustainability 13, no. 14 (July 8, 2021): 7635. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su13147635.
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Bulgaria has a long tradition of smallholder farming, predominantly producing for self-consumption. As a result of land reform and farm restructuring, many rural households received agricultural land. Some developed commercial farms but most households stayed as subsistence farmers and used their small pieces of land to produce for self-consumption and market the excess output to top up their non-farm incomes or meagre pensions. They had little capital and insecure access to markets. The paper employs semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 10 smallholders for obtaining detailed information about individuals’ behaviour and exploring issues in greater detail. In particular, the study looks at the drivers of the diverse strategies pursued by smallholder farms, their importance for household food security and incomes, and the prospects of smallholder farms in the future, especially the possibilities for productivity increases. The Bulgarian study on contemporary smallholder farms shows that subsistence production constitutes a valuable safety net for households with low incomes, and therefore, it acts as an extension of the limited social security system of the country. Despite all the challenges faced by smallholders, half of the interviewed households succeeded to commercialise and increase marketable surplus. Policies for increased commercialisation of smallholder farms and a structural change in agriculture should address, besides market factors, the socioeconomic aspects which contribute to the persistence of subsistence farming. Furthermore, when prioritising different policies, the chosen livelihood strategies of the households should be taken into account.
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Flay, Kate J., Anne L. Ridler, Chris W. R. Compton, and Paul R. Kenyon. "Ewe Wastage in New Zealand Commercial Flocks: Extent, Timing, Association with Hogget Reproductive Outcomes and BCS." Animals 11, no. 3 (March 11, 2021): 779. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani11030779.
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Ewe wastage is the combination of on-farm mortality and premature culling. Internationally, there is limited research on actual wastage incidence and causes in commercial sheep flocks. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that reports both lifetime wastage and detailed annual wastage in a sample of commercial New Zealand flocks. This study utilized data collected from 13,142 ewes from four cohorts on three commercial New Zealand farms (Farm A 2010-born, Farm A 2011-born, Farm B, Farm C), during the period 2011–2017, as they aged from replacement hoggets to 6-year-old ewes (Farm A and Farm B) or 3-year-old ewes (Farm C). Data collection visits occurred at three or four key management times each year, namely pre-mating, pregnancy diagnosis, pre-lambing and weaning. At each visit, body condition score (BCS) was assessed and any ewes that were culled or had died on farm were recorded. As this was a lifetime study, each ewe was assigned an outcome and corresponding ‘exit age’. By the end of the study, all ewes that had exited their respective flocks, were classified as either prematurely culled, or dead/missing, or if still in the flock, as censored, and either the exact date or interval in which they exited the flock was recorded. Semi-parametric competing risk (premature culling vs. dead/missing), interval-censored survival models were developed to: 1. describe the association between hogget reproductive outcomes and risk of subsequent wastage, and 2. assess pre-mating BCS as a predictor of wastage in that production year. Of the 13,142 enrolled ewes, 50.4% exited their respective flocks due to premature culling and 40.0% due to on-farm dead/missing, giving a total of 90.4% that exited due to wastage. Annual mortality incidence ranged from 3.5 to 40.2%. As a hogget, wastage incidence ranged from 7.6 to 45.4%. Pregnancy or rearing a lamb as a hogget did not increase risk of subsequent wastage. In all years, pre-mating BCS was a predictor of ewe wastage, with odds of wastage lower with increasing BCS. Therefore, farmers should focus on improving pre-mating BCS to 3.5/5.0 by assessing ewe BCS at weaning, allowing poorer-BCS ewes to be managed to gain BCS before re-breeding.
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Tosquy, Oscar, Mauro Sierra, Flavio Rodríguez, Ramón Castillo, Joaquín Castillo, Carlos Tinoco, Alfredo Sandoval, and Sergio Uribe. "Validación del híbrido de maíz (Zea mayz L.) de cruza doble H-512 en el estado de Veracruz, México." Agronomía Mesoamericana 6 (June 2, 2016): 93. http://dx.doi.org/10.15517/am.v6i0.24812.
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The outstanding results of the corn research program, with respect to the production of more efficient genotypes in the use of the available resources, as well as the development of the technology needed for its application, call for the establishment of semi-commercial plots, where such results can be tried and its kindness verified under the climate, soil and the farmers' management. The objective of this trial was to validate and show the performance of the H-512 corn hybrid on the tropical region of the State of Veracruz. Validation plots were established during the Spring-summer of 1992 at the localities of Cotaxtla, Acayucan, San Andres Tuxtla and Papantla, Yeracruz. The H-512, HCSV-23, D-471 x TTC-63, D-471 x ST- 549 and the controls VS-536, 8-830 and C-343 genotypes were included. The plots’ area was 2 hectares each, thus every genotype was planted on 0.25 ha and the cultural practices applied were the ones suggested for each zone. The H-512 hybrid registered the highest yields in Cotaxtla and Acayucan with 7605 and 6438 kg/ha, respectively. This hybrid was surpassed by the simple-cross experimental hybrid HCSV-23 in San Andres Tuxtla and Soledad de Doblado. As an average of the five localities, the H-512 showed the highest yields and registered an intermediate plant height, good husk cover, good plant and ear health and lodging resistant. It can be concluded that the H-512 hybrid adapts well to the tropical zones of Veracruz.