Artykuły w czasopismach na temat „Smallholder agriculture”
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Yaseen, Asif, Kim Bryceson i Anne Njeri Mungai. "Commercialization behaviour in production agriculture". Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies 8, nr 3 (3.09.2018): 579–602. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/jadee-07-2017-0072.
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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of market orientation (MO) on the major determinants of commercialization behavior among Sub-Saharan smallholders. The study addresses the shortfalls in prior research on smallholder commercialization, which makes little difference between MO and market participation (MP). Design/methodology/approach The study reports on an empirical data set of 272 vegetable growers from Kiambu West District in Kenya and employs a partial least squares structural equation approach to test the hypotheses. Findings The results evidence that MO: fosters farmers’ ability to create value within commodity markets by capitalizing on market opportunities; changes the way in which farmers perceive the role of institution and infrastructure support and; and develops a drive for adopting business approach in farming operations. Research limitations/implications Fostering commercialization behavior among smallholders in Kenya requires implementing a two-pronged approach: improving MO to adopt business approach in farming operations; and facilitating MP at output level. The major limitation of this study is data collected only from high value vegetable producers in Kenya, signifying a need to include other agriculture produce across different Sub-Saharan countries. Originality/value Research on smallholder agriculture is replete with investigating institutional and technical constraints to make smallholders more productive, however, research on MO to adopt business approach in farming operations is scant. This study emphasizes that understanding MO, as a distinct and separate concept from MP, is vital for scaling up business approach among smallholder farmers.
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Soria, Maria del Puerto, Emilio Hernandez i Riccardo Ciacci. "Use of financial diaries to understand smallholder investment finance a cross country analysis in Mozambique, Tanzania and Pakistan". Agricultural Finance Review 80, nr 1 (28.11.2019): 110–33. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/afr-03-2018-0022.
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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the relative importance of different sources of finance for agricultural and non-agricultural investments using unique Smallholder Financial Diaries collected by Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP) in Mozambique, Pakistan and Tanzania at the individual and household level. Design/methodology/approach Following the analytical framework of variance decomposition developed in Samphantharak and Townsend (2010), this study develops a method to quantify how much each cash deficit associated to investments and expenses of interest co-move with different financing sources. Findings This paper finds that self-finance, rather than formal or informal finance from external providers, is the main financing source for long-term and short-term smallholder agricultural investments. Further, the paper finds that the main source of self-finance varies depending on the economic opportunities faced by smallholders, with non-agricultural income as the dominant financing source for some, while agricultural income dominating for others. Research limitations/implications Given CGAP’s Smallholder Financial Diaries is not nationally representative, research results should be interpreted carefully. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper to analyze financing sources for smallholder households making use of high frequency financial data for individuals in developing countries. Practical implications These findings imply that financial inclusion policies specifically targeting smallholders and the agricultural sector would benefit from enabling the development of an ecosystem of diverse financial services that respond simultaneously to both agriculture and non-agriculture needs. Originality/value This is paper furthers the authors’ knowledge on how smallholder households are financing their agricultural investments. Moreover, it applies methods in new ways to exploit a unique data set.
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Okello, Julius J., Ramatu Al-Hassan i Ruth M. Okello. "A Framework for Analyzing the Role of ICT on Agricultural Commercialization and Household Food Security". International Journal of ICT Research and Development in Africa 1, nr 1 (styczeń 2010): 38–50. http://dx.doi.org/10.4018/jictrda.2010010103.
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Lack of agricultural information has been attributed to the inability of smallholder farmers to transition from subsistence to commercial agriculture. Recent efforts to improve smallholder access to agricultural information have seen increased application of ICT technologies in developing agriculture. These efforts use ICT-based market information to reduce transaction costs of smallholder participation in markets, promote commercialization, and improve household food security. Emerging studies document the benefits of such ICT-based applications in agriculture, including increased incomes and improved performance of agricultural markets. Unfortunately these studies have been context specific and the link between provision of ICT-based market information, smallholder commercialization and household security remains unclear. This paper develops a framework that can be used to analyze the link between ICT application in smallholder agriculture, household commercialization, and food security. The paper generates testable hypotheses relating ICT application in agriculture and reduction in transactions costs, smallholder farmer commercialization, and household food security. It then provides illustrative cases where ICT application in agriculture has benefited smallholder production and improved market performance. However, more research must be done to test the generated hypotheses. The paper discusses the implications of the framework for practitioners.
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Franz, M., M. Felix i A. Trebbin. "Framing smallholder inclusion in global value chains – case studies from India and West Africa". Geographica Helvetica 69, nr 4 (11.12.2014): 239–47. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/gh-69-239-2014.
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Abstract. A resurrected interest in agriculture has brought in its wake growing interest in smallholders in the global South by scholars, companies, governments and development agencies alike. While non-governmental organisations and development agencies see the potential to reduce poverty, companies look upon smallholder agriculture as a widely untapped resource for the sourcing of crops and as a sales market for agricultural inputs. While the important role of large corporate buyers of agricultural produce as lead firms in value chains is often discussed and emphasised, the power of providers of technology and agricultural inputs is being rather neglected. In this paper, we analyse two case studies of technology and input providers in agricultural value chains and their role in smallholder inclusion with the aim of finding out how such companies impact the governance of the value chains. To do so we combine insights from the value chain literature with the concept of framing/overflowing.
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Hu, Yingjie, Jin Sun i Ji Zheng. "Comparative analysis of carbon footprint between conventional smallholder operation and innovative largescale farming of urban agriculture in Beijing, China". PeerJ 9 (29.06.2021): e11632. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11632.
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The sustainable development of agriculture is one of the key issues of ensuring food security and mitigating climate change. Since innovative large-scale agriculture is gaining popularity in cities in China, where the agricultural landscape is dominated by conventional smallholder farming, it is necessary to investigate the difference in carbon emissions between conventional smallholder operation and innovative largescale agriculture. This study evaluated the carbon footprint (CF) of conventional and innovative urban agriculture in Beijing using the cradle-to-consumption Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Two modes of greenhouse vegetable and fruit production were analyzed and compared respectively: conventional smallholder operated vegetable farms that sell in local markets versus largescale home-delivery agriculture (HDA) that deliver vegetables to consumers’ home directly, conventional smallholder operated fruit farms that sell in farm shops versus largescale pick-your-own (PYO) initiatives. Results showed that HDA and PYO can reduce CF per area in on-farm cultivation compared to smallholder operation, while may bring an increase in CF per product weight unit and the gap was wider if the supply chain was considered. This is mainly because innovative large-scale farming consumes fewer agricultural inputs (e.g., fertilizer, pesticides) and obtains lower yields than conventional smallholder operations. Plastic materials with high carbon emission, fossil energy dependence and transportation efficiency are CF hotspots of both modes and therefore can be prioritized and targeted for carbon reduction adjustment. The results of this work further advance understanding of how innovative largescale agriculture and conventional smallholder operation compare and which particular inputs and activities should be prioritized to effectively reduce the CF in China during agricultural transformation.
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Mdoda, L., S. T. C. Mdletshe, M. C. DYIKI i L. Gidi. "The impact of agricultural mechanization on smallholder agricultural productivity: Evidence from Mnquma Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province". South African Journal of Agricultural Extension (SAJAE) 50, nr 1 (2.11.2022): 76–101. http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2413-3221/2022/v50n1a11218.
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Smallholder agriculture is one of the imperative segments in the South African economy and it remains a vital sector for livelihood generation. Despite its numerous benefits and efforts, smallholder productivity has not improved as expected due to many underlying factors. This paper investigates factors influencing and the impact of agricultural mechanisation on smallholder agricultural production in Mquma Local Municipality located in the Eastern Cape Province. The study applied a descriptive survey research design. A stratified sampling procedure was used to gather information from 120 smallholder farmers using a semi-structured survey. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, a Logistic Regression Model, and Propensity Score Matching. The results of the study reveal that about 90% of the smallholder farmers were using agricultural mechanisation for farming. The use of agricultural mechanisation has an impact on smallholder agricultural production. It ensured a proliferation in smallholder productivity, farm returns, and crop intensity. The study recommends that government and relevant stakeholders must develop effective agricultural access to credit by farmers as a strategy for increasing the adoption attitude to agricultural mechanization. The study suggests that reinforcement of the promotion of innovative technology adoption will have a crucial role in improving smallholder agriculture.
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Moussa, Sangaré. "How to Restore Forest Areas in a Smallholder Agriculture-Dominated Country?" Journal of Management and Sustainability 7, nr 1 (25.01.2017): 40. http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/jms.v7n1p40.
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This study deals with ways of addressing more effectively the problems of forest restoration in a smallholder agriculture-dominated area like the southwest Côte d’Ivoire. An empirical estimation based on a probit model is used to analyze the farmer decisions concerning their eventual participation to the national program of forest development based on a policy of large-scale reforestation.The results show that the main explicative variables of smallholders’ adhesion to this project are agricultural training, ethnic group, access to credit, the age of the head of household and the household’s residence area. Contrary to all expectations, some variables such as literacy, out-farm income, and the status of landowner and whole-time farmer do not explain the decision of smallholder.
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Zulhaid, Nur Hikmah, Roslina Kamaruddin i Siti Aznor Ahmad. "Determinants of Livelihood Strategies Among Rubber Smallholders: Case Study in Kedah Malaysia". Journal of Sustainable Development 14, nr 1 (1.12.2020): 1. http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/jsd.v14n1p1.
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This study analyzes the determinants of alternative strategies undertaken by rubber smallholders in the state of Kedah. This study used primary data obtained through a survey of 343 smallholders using structured questionnaires in four districts. The information collected covers the demographic profiles and components of livelihood assets. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Chi-Square descriptive tests while inferential statistics were analyzed using Multinomial logit to identify determinants of strategy selection. The results showed that a majority of 44.9 percent of rubber smallholders opted for rubber and other agricultural activities while only 9.6 percent choose to use a combination of rubber and non-agricultural activities as their alternative strategies. The size of family dependence, duration of experience in agriculture, household income, technology, land size, assistance sources, gender, information sources, involvement in social associations and societies and money savings are all factors that contribute to the selection of smallholder alternative strategies. It is hoped that the government can focus on smallholder awareness measures in an effort to increase their involvement in alternative activities. Agricultural and non-agricultural activities are seen to improve the adaptive capacity of smallholders and thus increase their income.
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Cheteni, Priviledge. "Sustainable development: biofuels in agriculture". Environmental Economics 8, nr 2 (10.07.2017): 83–91. http://dx.doi.org/10.21511/ee.08(2).2017.09.
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Biofuels are socially and politically accepted as a form of sustainable energy in numerous countries. However, cases of environmental degradation and land grabs have highlighted the negative effects to their adoption. Smallholder farmers are vital in the development of a biofuel industry. The study sought to assess the implications in the adoption of biofuel crops by smallholder farmers. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 129 smallholder farmers who were sampled from the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. A binary probit model was used to investigate the determinants of smallholder farmers adopting biofuel crops. The empirical results showed that the variables, such as membership in association, occupation and incentives were statistically significant in influencing farmers’ decision to adopt biofuel crops. Furthermore, it was discovered that the studied areas have a potential to grow biofuel crops.
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Chinseu, Edna, Lindsay Stringer i Andrew Dougill. "Policy Integration and Coherence for Conservation Agriculture Initiatives in Malawi". Sustainable Agriculture Research 7, nr 4 (8.08.2018): 51. http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/sar.v7n4p51.
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In sub-Saharan Africa, development and dissemination of perceived new agricultural innovations dominate the development agenda yet hunger and poverty remain widespread. A conducive policy environment is essential to support these efforts. Despite that national policies are a critical component in the functioning of an agricultural innovation system, studies have often overlooked their relevance in farmers’ adoption of agricultural innovations. There is an urgent need to enhance understanding of how policies affect long-term adoption of agricultural innovations aimed at increasing productivity and incomes of smallholder farmers. This study utilises thematic content analysis to examine the extent of integration of Conservation Agriculture (CA) and coherence in Malawi’s national agricultural policies, and their implication for CA adoption among smallholder farmers.Results indicate that inadequate integration of CA in the National Agricultural Policy (NAP), coupled with a lack of coherence of agricultural department policies, undermines farmers’ CA adoption. While inadequate integration constrains resource allocation for supporting CA activities, lack of coherence of agricultural policies radiates conflicting and confusing agricultural extension messages to smallholder farmers. We argue that inadequate CA integration and incoherence of policies are institutional constraints which prevent farmers’ sustained adoption. To facilitate long-term adoption of CA among smallholders, there is need to: (1) strengthen CA integration in agricultural policies; (2) improve departmental coordination to enhance coherence of agricultural strategies and extension messages disseminated to farmers; and (3) strengthen government’s role in supporting multi-disciplinary research to generate and disseminate best practices capable of sustaining CA adoption.
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Mabeza-Chimedza, Ruvimbo. "Zimbabwe's smallholder agriculture miracle". Food Policy 23, nr 6 (grudzień 1998): 529–37. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0306-9192(98)00060-8.
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Kissoly, Luitfred, Anja Fasse i Ulrike Grote. "Intensity of commercialization and the dimensions of food security: the case of smallholder farmers in rural Tanzania". Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies 10, nr 5 (15.05.2020): 731–50. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/jadee-06-2019-0088.
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PurposeTransformation of smallholder agriculture from subsistence to more commercially-oriented production is one of the strategies advocated for improving rural households' food security and general welfare. The purpose of this paper is to assess potential differential effects of smallholder commercialization intensity on the different dimensions of food security.Design/methodology/approachUsing household data from rural Tanzania, the study employed Tobit regression and Generalized Propensity Score (GPS) approaches to analyze smallholder commercialization intensity and associated food security effects.FindingsResults show that smallholder commercialization has heterogeneous effects on the different dimensions of food security. Specifically, lower levels of commercialization are associated with lower food availability, access, utilization and stability. At higher intensities of commercialization, smallholders have higher food availability and access but modest improvements in food utilization and stability. Findings suggests that heterogeneous effects of commercialization on food security and the multi-dimensional nature of food security are important aspects to consider in the design of strategies to improve smallholder agriculture for enhanced food security and welfare.Research limitations/implicationsIt is important to point out that while food security is still a complex phenomenon, one that cannot be analyzed easily, so is commercialization. This study has used only one of the many definitions of commercialization.Originality/valueMost existing literature on smallholder commercialization groups farmers into commercial and subsistence-oriented households. However, smallholders commercialize at various levels of intensity. This paper, conversely, analyzes the potential effects of different levels of commercialization on the various aspects of food security. Further, unlike extensive literature that focus on a narrow definition of food security, this paper expands the evidence of the implications of smallholder commercialization on the different dimensions of food security namely, food availability, access, utilization and stability.
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Fredriksson, Lena, Marian Rizov, Sophia Davidova i Alastair Bailey. "Smallholder Farms in Bulgaria and Their Contributions to Food and Social Security". Sustainability 13, nr 14 (8.07.2021): 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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Ngu, A., i N. H. A. Bahar. "The potential of timber-agroforestry to meet Sarawak’s forestry demand". IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1053, nr 1 (1.06.2022): 012019. http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1053/1/012019.
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Abstract Many forest communities in Sarawak, and globally, practise some form of smallholder management system including agroforestry. Yet, agroforestry practitioners predominantly focus on non-timber crops as the major source of income while the timber output remains underutilized and understudied. Smallholder timber agroforestry systems, therefore, have huge potential to equitably meet the increasing demand for both timber and food while reducing the pressure on natural forests. We investigate the readiness of agroforestry smallholders in Sarawak to supply timber commercially, and the opportunities and challenges they face. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with Sarawak forestry stakeholders including agroforestry farmers, timber industry actors, civil society organizations, academia, and government agencies. Descriptive statistics are used to analyse the data. Our results demonstrate that smallholders in Sarawak lack technical silvicultural and horticultural knowledge and formal timber market access, despite majority smallholders expressing interest in timber production. The underutilization of smallholder timber is linked with conservation and protection objectives. Legal constraints, limited capacity building and lack of market information were cited as major barriers for smallholders. Key recommendations to lower barriers for smallholder participation include provision of resources and an enabling legal framework that harmonizes agriculture and forestry demands while being inclusive of smallholders’ perspectives and realities.
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Nkowani, Kenneth, Murray Mcgregor i Barry Dent. "The Stagnation of Smallholder Agriculture in the Northern Region of Zambia: Problems, Conflicts and Production Systems". Outlook on Agriculture 24, nr 2 (czerwiec 1995): 103–9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/003072709502400207.
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Food security is seriously threatened by the low productivity of smallholder farmers, endemic poverty and widespread land degradation in the Northern Region of Zambia, The challenge is how to raise smallholder productivity at farm level in the face of developmental conflicts caused by demographic change, economic growth, strife and insecurity. The government is caught between the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) drawn up to enable it to pay off its huge foreign debt on the one hand, and the need to cushion the vulnerable sections of society (mostly smallholder farmers) from the worst aspects of the monetary squeeze on the other, Current evidence points to a dangerous imbalance, with the poor being hit hardest, but there are further steps which could be taken to support smallholders.
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Harman, Rebecca Mattingly, Neal S. Eash, John E. Morrison, William E. Hart, Casey T. Sullivan i Dayton M. Lambert. "Finding the Technological Sweet Spot: The Smallholder Conservation Agriculture Maize Seeder". Journal of Sustainable Development 10, nr 5 (29.09.2017): 241. http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/jsd.v10n5p241.
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The seeder is integral to smallholder agricultural production. This technology seeks to lessen farmer labor requirements, meter seeds accurately, and minimize excessive soil disturbance. Hand seeders play a central role in conservation agriculture (CA) for the smallholder farmer as a means to plant through residue cover and penetrate non-tilled soil surfaces. Two trials in maize (Zea mays, L.) residue and soybean (Glycine max, L.) residue were conducted to test seven seeders of increasing mechanization levels: five hand operated, one mechanized, and one tractor-drawn control. The experiment site was in Mt. Gilead, Ohio, at the Eastern end of the US “Corn Belt” that had been under continuous no-till production for seven years. Experimental conditions at the site sought to mimic smallholder conditions through seeding and hand harvesting. Seeders were evaluated based on plant population establishment, crop growth stage, crop heights and final maize grain yield. The hand seeders were further evaluated based on their economic viability and usability – key challenges to the ultimate adoption of new seeding technologies. The study found that the seeders tested performed equally to the control, the John Deere MaxEmerge Conservation planter, the crop-seeding capacity and price evaluation identified the Haraka rolling planter ill-suited for smallholders while the OSU Greenseeder proved highest qualitative performance. In conclusion, all evaluations indicate that a medium level of mechanization is appropriate and necessary to be successful in a smallholder CA system although continued research is necessary.
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Zhu, Jieming, Chen Chen i Lie You. "Engaging Smallholders in Flower Agribusiness for Inclusive Rural Development: The Case of Yunnan, China". Sustainability 14, nr 5 (24.02.2022): 2614. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su14052614.
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Serious farmland scarcities make smallholders a default mode for China’s agriculture, which makes efficient and equitable rural development a great challenge. Tensions lead to alternation between autonomous family farming and coordinated collective agriculture. Rapid urbanization since the 1980s has strongly stimulated flower-growing and agribusiness in Yunnan, China. The organization for commercial flower-farming is, however, an issue. Officially promoted for collective farming, voluntary cooperatives are wrecked by the free-riding problem. Grower associations nevertheless spontaneously emerge, with the flexible entry and exit of members without binding joint-assets and joint-ownership, which is facilitated by technological changes to the transaction. Empirical investigation in Tonghai, Yunnan, unveiled the institution of agribusiness–smallholder partnership for inclusive rural development. Smallholders have actively participated in flower agriculture, which has contributed significantly to the development of rural economies. The high casualty of micro-smallholders suggests that farm size is an important and crucial factor for sustainable farming. Effective rural development has to be supported by endogenous non-agricultural jobs so that farm size can be increased.
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Cohn, Avery S., Peter Newton, Juliana D. B. Gil, Laura Kuhl, Leah Samberg, Vincent Ricciardi, Jessica R. Manly i Sarah Northrop. "Smallholder Agriculture and Climate Change". Annual Review of Environment and Resources 42, nr 1 (17.10.2017): 347–75. http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev-environ-102016-060946.
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Burkitbayeva, Saule, i Johan Swinnen. "Smallholder agriculture in transition economies". Journal of Agrarian Change 18, nr 4 (23.09.2018): 882–92. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/joac.12284.
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Huan, Meili, Yajuan Li, Liang Chi i Shaoguo Zhan. "The Effects of Agricultural Socialized Services on Sustainable Agricultural Practice Adoption among Smallholder Farmers in China". Agronomy 12, nr 9 (15.09.2022): 2198. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12092198.
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In recent years, a growing body of literature has explored the determinants and impacts of sustainable agricultural technologies. However, little is known about the relationship between agricultural socialized services that have reshaped the smallholder agricultural system and promoted scale operation in rural China and environmentally friendly agricultural innovation adoption of the farm. Our study examines the effects of agricultural socialized services on the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs). In this study, we capture the number of SAPs adopted, unlike most existing studies that analyze the dichotomous decision of agricultural technology adoption. We apply an endogenous-treatment Poisson regression model to analyze using a national representative farm-level survey data set with 1357 farm households from 132 villages in China. The results show that socialized service use has a significantly positive effect on the number of SAPs adopted. Our results suggest that agricultural socialized services can promote the adoption of sustainable agricultural technologies among smallholders, and thus help transform conventional agriculture into sustainable agriculture.
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Otekunrin, Olutosin A., Siaka Momoh i Idris A. Ayinde. "Smallholder Farmers’ Market Participation: Concepts and Methodological Approach from Sub-Saharan Africa". Current Agriculture Research Journal 7, nr 2 (26.07.2019): 139–57. http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/carj.7.2.02.
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This paper reviews the empirical evidence on smallholder farmers’ market participation focusing on cash/food crops and livestock in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) with special attention on the methodological approaches employed in this region in an attempt to x-ray these methods, identifying their advantages and limitations and possible means smallholder farmers would be able to transit from subsistence to commercialised agriculture capable of lifting them out of poverty trap that seems to have engulfed many rural SSA. This paper recommends interventions geared towards improving smallholder farmers’ organisation, producers’ association and ensuring appreciable reduction in transaction costs and also improving farmers’ access to productive assets and improved technologies capable of stimulating profitable smallholders’ market participation.
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Sims, Brian, Sandra Corsi, Gualbert Gbehounou, Josef Kienzle, Makiko Taguchi i Theodor Friedrich. "Sustainable Weed Management for Conservation Agriculture: Options for Smallholder Farmers". Agriculture 8, nr 8 (1.08.2018): 118. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/agriculture8080118.
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Land degradation and soil fertility deterioration are two of the main causes of agricultural production stagnation and decline in many parts of the world. The model of crop production based on mechanical soil tillage and exposed soils is typically accompanied by negative effects on the natural resource base of the farming environment, which can be so serious that they jeopardize agricultural productive potential in the future. This form of agriculture is destructive to soil health and accelerates the loss of soil by increasing its mineralization and erosion rates. Conservation agriculture, a system avoiding or minimizing soil mechanical disturbance (no-tillage) combined with soil cover and crop diversification, is considered a sustainable agro-ecological approach to resource-conserving agricultural production. A major objective of tillage is supposed to be weed control, and it does not require very specific knowledge because soil inversion controls (at least temporarily) most weeds mechanically (i.e., by way of burying them). However, repeated ploughing only changes the weed population, but does not control weeds in the long term. The same applies to the mechanical uprooting of weeds. While in the short term some tillage operations can control weeds on farms, tillage systems can increase and propagate weeds off-farm. The absence of tillage, under conservation agriculture, requires other measures of weed control. One of the ways in which this is realized is through herbicide application. However, environmental concerns, herbicide resistance and access to appropriate agro-chemicals on the part of resource-poor farmers, highlight the need for alternative weed control strategies that are effective and accessible for smallholders adopting conservation agriculture. Farmers in semi-arid regions contend with the additional challenge of low biomass production and, often, competition with livestock enterprises, which limit the potential weed-suppressing benefits of mulch and living cover crops. This paper reviews the applicability and efficacy of various mechanical, biological and integrated weed management strategies for the effective and sustainable management of weeds in smallholder conservation agriculture systems, including the role of appropriate equipment and prerequisites for smallholders within a sustainable intensification scenario.
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Hossain, Ishrat, Aliyu Dahiru Muhammad, Binta Tijjani Jibril i Simeon Kaitibie. "Support for smallholder farmers through Islamic instruments". International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management 12, nr 2 (30.04.2019): 154–68. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/imefm-11-2018-0371.
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Purpose In societies with strong presence of Islam, Islamic instruments with more scope for fairness and equity can be innovatively harnessed to play an increasing role in the development process and poverty alleviation schemes. Poor smallholder farmers dominate agricultural production in many developing countries and contribute a significant portion of global food production. This paper aims to develop a scheme to improve poor smallholder farmers’ vulnerable financial situation through the application of Zakah and Salam contract, using Bangladesh as a case study. Secondary goals are to show the effect of the scheme on food security and relevance to Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach The authors explore the existing traditional modes of financing available to poor smallholders, identify their challenges and propose an appropriate Islamic financing scheme. Findings With the Zakah-based Salam forward contract, the proposed scheme would procure food through Institutional Demand to offer interest free financing, fair price and access to new marketing channels and reduce income uncertainty for the rural smallholders. The discussions indicate that the local food security will be enhanced through incentivized farming activities and disbursement of food from the food bank to the Zakah-eligible food insecure local people. Research limitations/implications This proposal brings forth a potentially powerful idea that needs further empirical validation. Originality/value The religion-based Institutional Demand initiative to promote smallholder agricultural development and social protection is a novel one. The attempt to apply the framework to Nigeria context shows the potential of the framework to generalize for other Muslim developing countries with similar characteristics, especially the poorer agriculture-based countries.
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Burhansyah, Rusli. "KINERJA, KENDALA, DAN STRATEGI PROGRAM KREDIT USAHA RAKYAT SEKTOR PERTANIAN MASA DEPAN". Forum penelitian Agro Ekonomi 39, nr 1 (6.10.2021): 73. http://dx.doi.org/10.21082/fae.v39n1.2021.73-87.
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<p class="A04-abstrak2">Agricultural funding institutions need capital business. The challenge of the Agriculture Sector Public Credit Program is to increase reach program, institutional regulations, empowerment, and synergy. Some of the problems of the Agriculture Sector Public Program include low absorption rates, schemes, program coverage, assistance, and institutions. Policy recommendations among others; increase people business credit proposals agricultural, provide the people business credit scheme with a base and groups like the farmer's group, involving Agribusiness Micro Finance Institution and cooperatives, extending branch of the bank and the of a companion. Recommendations empowerment and synergies between other; addition and strengthening the role of Independent Smallholder Financing Facilitator, special programs the agricultural sector (people plantation and holder livestock) with the ceiling adjusted to the proposal, joint responsibility, business partner, Independent Smallholder Financing Facilitator in Sector Public Credit Program special enough important. Cooperation with the Field Agriculture Extension necessary for the socialization is at the farmer's group and gapoktan. The technical team's provincial and district role is to performance monitoring Independent Smallholder Financing Facilitator.</p>
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Whitfield, Stephen. "‘More vital to our future than we realize?’ Learning from Netting’s thesis on smallholder farming, 25 years on". Outlook on Agriculture 46, nr 4 (grudzień 2017): 258–64. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0030727017744931.
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Twenty-five years on from Netting’s paradigm challenging thesis about the dynamic efficiencies of household organization and the sophisticated nature of smallholder farming systems, the work continues to have relevance to contemporary debates about the future of smallholder agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This review is organized around four contemporary challenges for smallholder agriculture in SSA: (i) market centralization, liberalization and falling commodity prices; (ii) shifting agricultural research agendas and innovation funding; (iii) environmental degradation and climate change; and (iv) population pressures, large land acquisition and limited land availability. In each case, an argument inferred from Netting’s thesis is presented alongside recent evidence, predominantly from research in SSA that supports and challenges it. Based on the lessons of Netting, in this contemporary context, it is argued that smallholder systems continue to have value and relevance and that rather than implementing protectionist strategies based on generic assumptions about smallholder vulnerability, that effort should be made to learn from the diversity of smallholder systems, knowledges and experiences of adapting to change.
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Nassiwa, Florence, Joshua Kwonyike i David Mwangi Kung. "Government Agricultural Support Programs and Livelihood of Smallholder Vegetable Farmers in Kampala, District Uganda". International Journal of Weather, Climate Change and Conservation Research 8, nr 1 (15.01.2022): 20–35. http://dx.doi.org/10.37745/ijwcccr.15/vol8n1pp2035.
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This article explores government agricultural support programs and livelihood of smallholder vegetable farmers in Kampala district Uganda. Climate variability is a reality and poses severe effects on societal economy. The agriculture sector in developing countries will be hard hit because it is mostly rain-fed. The poor in such countries will face the brunt of climate variability because they are poor and less able to cope with its effects. Government agricultural programs may help smallholder farmers cope with climate variability and thus protect livelihood. Primary data was collected using questionnaires and complimented by face- to- face interviews. In this paper, multiple linear regression was used to analyze the effect of government agricultural support programs and livelihood of smallholder vegetable farmers. The results showed that out of 201 farmers only 16 (8.0%) received government support and was received in form of subsidized credit, agricultural inputs, agriculture training, extension services and market support. Correlation analysis using Pearson Correlation Coefficient showed a significant positive and weak correlation (r =0.423, p=0.000) between government support programs and livelihood of farmers. Whereas multiple linear regression results revealed that government agricultural support programs (β2= -0.037 and p>0.05) did not have a significant effect on livelihood of smallholder vegetable farmers. Consequently, the paper recommends increasing accessibility and affordability of government programs. Secondly, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries and NAADS should provide provide agricultural support as a full package to farmers.
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Chandra, Alvin, Karen E. McNamara i Paul Dargusch. "The relevance of political ecology perspectives for smallholder Climate-Smart Agriculture: a review". Journal of Political Ecology 24, nr 1 (27.09.2017): 821. http://dx.doi.org/10.2458/v24i1.20969.
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Abstract Climate-smart agriculture has emerged as a way of increasing food productivity, building resiliency to climate change and reducing carbon emissions. Despite rapid technical advances, research on climate-smart agriculture has arguably under-theorized the socio-political processes that continue to marginalize vulnerable groups such as smallholder farmers. This review discusses the potential usefulness of political ecology perspectives for improving climate-smart agriculture. Political ecology theory elucidates how three interrelated socio-political processes that perpetuate smallholder farmer vulnerability significantly influence climate-smart responses: inequality, unequal power relations and social injustice. The article discusses these three inter-connected political ecology factors using a number of examples from the Green Revolution, smallholder farming communities, and indigenous farmers. In comparison to conventional technical approaches, our article argues that Climate-Smart Agriculture needs to consider political ecology perspectives at different levels to explore the vulnerability of smallholder farmers to current and future climate change impacts. Interventions to support climate-smart agriculture should examine local risks, specificities and priorities of smallholder farmers. The article concludes with a renewed call for concepts of inequality, unequal power relations and social injustice to be embedded into both the policy and practice of climate smart agriculture. Keywords: climate-smart agriculture, equality, political ecology, power, smallholder, social justice
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Tschirley, David L., i Rui Benfica. "Smallholder agriculture, wage labour and rural poverty alleviation in land-abundant areas of Africa: evidence from Mozambique". Journal of Modern African Studies 39, nr 2 (czerwiec 2001): 333–58. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022278x01003585.
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This paper challenges the conclusions of earlier writers regarding the roles of smallholder agriculture, commercial agriculture and wage labour in rural poverty alleviation in Mozambique. We review literature from across Sub-Saharan Africa and use recently collected household level data sets to place Mozambique within this literature. Results show that, as in the rest of SSA, wage labour earnings are concentrated among the best-off rural smallholders; these earnings increase income inequality rather than reducing it. Results also suggest that the same set of households, who are substantially better-off than others, has tended to gain and maintain access to the ‘high-wage’ end of the labour market over time. Key determinants of access to ‘high-wage’ labour are levels of education and previously accumulated household wealth. Income from wage labour plays a key role in lifting out of relative poverty those ‘female-headed’ households that can obtain it, yet only about one in five such households earns wage income. We stress that the rural development question in Mozambique, and elsewhere in SSA, should not be framed as an artificial choice between promoting either wage labour opportunities or commercial agriculture or smallholder agriculture. The issue is what mix of approaches is needed to develop a diversified rural economy with growing total incomes, improving food security and rapid reductions in poverty. We suggest that commercial agriculture and increased rural wage labour are important components in any such strategy, but that this strategy will fail without substantial and sustained increases in the productivity and profitability of smallholder agriculture.
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Nyaplue-Daywhea, C., JK Ahiakpa, OA Mensah, F. Annor-Frempong i S. Adjei-Nsiah. "Mobile phone-assisted agricultural extension services: User competency and usage frequency in eastern Ghana". African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development 21, nr 105 (24.12.2021): 18886–911. http://dx.doi.org/10.18697/ajfand.105.20335.
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Adoption studies have mainly focused on econometric and quantitative modelling that usually assume smallholder farmers competently adopt agricultural technologies. This study provides novel insights on user competency and frequency of usage of mobile telephony for agricultural extension services among smallholder farmers and agricultural extension agents (AEAs) and key factors that impede the adoption process. The study examined users’ competencies and mobile phone usage frequency for access and delivery of agricultural extension services in Eastern Ghana. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 95 AEAs and 330 smallholder farmers in five districts of the Eastern region of Ghana and data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and regression analyses were performed to analyse the data. Results showed substantial differences between AEAs and smallholder farmers’ competency in the use of mobile phones for agricultural extension services. Socio-demographic characteristics of smallholder farmers and AEAs correlated with usage frequency of mobile phones for access to extension services and delivery. Educational level, amount of weekly expenditure of money on mobile phone use, mobile phone network quality, income level, and age of both AEAs and smallholder farmers had positive and significant correlations with frequency of usage of mobile phones. User competency differentially impacts the frequency of mobile phone use in agricultural extension services between AEAs and smallholders. High call tariffs and access to recharge cards are major challenges in using mobile phones for agricultural extension in the study areas. The study shows components of the adoption theory of compatibility, and complexity where an innovation fits within the socio-cultural framework and perceived difficulty of use. Thus, the frequent use of voice calls is indicative of early stages of the diffusion process and may diversify into other applications in the future. Farmer-based organisations should be resourced to support training of farmers to use mobile phones to improve access to agricultural information dissemination. Integrating voice-based agricultural information services (IVRs) into the current SMS-based agricultural extension services in Ghana could potentially boost extension service delivery to smallholder farmers in the Eastern region and across the country. The Ministry of Food and Agriculture may partner with key stakeholders and mobile service providers to offer hands-on capacity building to smallholder farmers and AEAs in video calling/conferencing, multimedia service, and social media to enhance their competencies for improved agricultural extension services.
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Okello, Julius J., Edith Ofwona-Adera, Oliver L. E. Mbatia i Ruth M. Okello. "Using ICT to Integrate Smallholder Farmers into Agricultural Value Chain". International Journal of ICT Research and Development in Africa 1, nr 1 (styczeń 2010): 23–37. http://dx.doi.org/10.4018/jictrda.2010010102.
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This article examines an ICT-based intervention (known as the DrumNet project) that has succeeded in integrating smallholder-resource and poor farmers into a higher value agricultural chain. The article assesses the design of the project, and how it resolves the smallholder farmers’ idiosyncratic market failures and examines member-farmers’ marketing margins. The article finds that the design of the DrumNet project resolves smallholder farmers’ credit, insurance and information market failures and enables them to overcome organizational failure. The article concludes that successful ICT-based interventions for integrating farmers into higher value agricultural value chains require an integrated approach to tackling smallholder farmers’ constraints. The findings have implications for the design of future ICT-based interventions in agriculture.
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Liao, Wangda, Fusheng Zeng i Meseret Chanieabate. "Mechanization of Small-Scale Agriculture in China: Lessons for Enhancing Smallholder Access to Agricultural Machinery". Sustainability 14, nr 13 (29.06.2022): 7964. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su14137964.
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Developing countries with small-scale agriculture have yet to exploit the untapped potential of agricultural mechanization. This is because of the misconception that mechanization is often seen as unworthy in small-scale agriculture. The purpose of this paper is to examine the development of agricultural mechanization in China and to provide evidence on how smallholder farmers can access agricultural machinery. A narrative approach was employed to conduct an in-depth analysis of the policies, strategies, and trends associated with agricultural mechanization development. The findings showed that: (1) the establishment and development of mechanization for smallholder agriculture is an evolutionary process that strongly opposes leapfrogging (technocratic behavior) and making large jumps; (2) the foundation of mechanization development should rely on a self-reliance system; (3) an appropriate mechanization theory is the key to inducing the rapid growth of mechanization in small-scale agriculture; (4) the successful application of agricultural machinery requires strong, target-oriented, and pro-farmer policies with effective leadership strategies. We present the key lessons on policy and institutional aspects for countries with small-scale agriculture and who are in the initial stages of agricultural mechanization.
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Umar, Bridget Bwalya. "A critical review and re-assessment of theories of smallholder decision-making: a case of conservation agriculture households, Zambia". Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems 29, nr 3 (23.05.2013): 277–90. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1742170513000148.
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AbstractDifferent theories have been posited that try to explain the decision-making process of smallholders especially regarding the adoption of new technologies or new agricultural techniques. The objective of this paper is to review and re-assess the dominant household production theories to explain the decision making of smallholders practicing conservation agriculture (CA) in the southern, eastern, and central provinces of Zambia. It also discusses the potential role of CA toward economic development. It finds that the CA smallholders studied did not aim to maximize profits but tried to secure household consumption from their own production before any other considerations in risky and uncertain environments. Their response to economic incentives was contingent on minimizing risks associated with securing a minimum level of livelihood and investing into local forms of insurance. This paper concludes that the ability for CA to contribute to rural livelihoods and economic development would depend on how adequately the factors that hinder smallholder agricultural development in general are addressed.
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Osewe, Maurice, Chris Miyinzi Mwungu i Aijun Liu. "Does Minimum Tillage Improve Smallholder Farmers’ Welfare? Evidence from Southern Tanzania". Land 9, nr 12 (11.12.2020): 513. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/land9120513.
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Conservation agriculture continues to be promoted in developing nations as a sustainable and suitable agricultural practice to enhance smallholder productivity. A look at the literature indicates that this practice is successful in non-African countries. Thus, this research sought to test whether minimum tillage (MT), a subset of conservation agriculture, could lead to a significant impact on smallholder households’ welfare in Southern Tanzania. Using cross-sectional data from 608 randomly selected smallholder households, we applied propensity score matching to determine the effects of adopting minimum tillage on smallholder households’ per capita net crop income and labor demand. Our results indicated that minimum tillage adoption has positive impacts on smallholder households’ per capita net crop income. Further, it reduces the total household labor demands, allowing households to engage in other income-generating activities. However, the adoption rate of minimum tillage is in the early majority stage (21.38%). Thus, we propose the government to support household credit access and extension-specific information to improve the probability of adopting minimum tillage.
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Haworth, Billy, Eloise Biggs, John Duncan, Nathan Wales, Bryan Boruff i Eleanor Bruce. "Geographic Information and Communication Technologies for Supporting Smallholder Agriculture and Climate Resilience". Climate 6, nr 4 (10.12.2018): 97. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/cli6040097.
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Multiple factors constrain smallholder agriculture and farmers’ adaptive capacities under changing climates, including access to information to support context appropriate farm decision-making. Current approaches to geographic information dissemination to smallholders, such as the rural extension model, are limited, yet advancements in internet and communication technologies (ICTs) could help augment these processes through the provision of agricultural geographic information (AGI) directly to farmers. We analysed recent ICT initiatives for communicating climate and agriculture-related information to smallholders for improved livelihoods and climate change adaptation. Through the critical analysis of initiatives, we identified opportunities for the success of future AGI developments. We systematically examined 27 AGI initiatives reported in academic and grey literature (e.g., organisational databases). Important factors identified for the success of initiatives include affordability, language(s), community partnerships, user collaboration, high quality and locally-relevant information through low-tech platforms, organisational trust, clear business models, and adaptability. We propose initiatives should be better-targeted to deliver AGI to regions in most need of climate adaptation assistance, including SE Asia, the Pacific, and the Caribbean. Further assessment of the most effective technological approaches is needed. Initiatives should be independently assessed for evaluation of their uptake and success, and local communities should be better-incorporated into the development of AGI initiatives.
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Chazovachii, Bernard. "DETERMINANTS OF CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE DISSEMINATION STRATEGIES IN CHIREDZI, ZIMBABWE". JOURNAL OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND DEVELOPMENT ALTERNATIVES 5, nr 3 (1.12.2020): 109–22. http://dx.doi.org/10.55190/fduv4368.
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The purpose of this article is to identify determinants of Climate-Smart Agriculture dissemination among different categories of smallholder farmers. It notes that climatic change is a global phenomenon that requires stakeholders to exercise their minds, as a collective, to find long-lasting solutions. Although the potential of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) is acknowledged in academia and among development agencies, it remains unclear whether smallholder farmers would be willing to adopt the initiative. Whereas CSA has been hailed as a way of cushioning smallholder famers from the vagaries of climate change, determinants of its dissemination are unclear to smallholder farmers. This article draws data from the smallholder farmer in Chiredzi, Zimbabwe; and it finds that categories in technology adoption are characterised by different levels of risks that farmers are keen to take, human capital, resource endowment and entitlements, reliability, and accessibility of the strategy and its geographical coverage in terms of space and time. Therefore, the article concludes that the uptake of the strategy is influenced by both extension officers’ and smallholder farmers’ capacity and capability to adopt and diffuse. The article recommends that a people-centered approach to strategy dissemination is pivotal for sustainable CSA uptake among smallholder farmers. Keywords: Climate-Smart Agriculture, Diffusion of Innovation Theory, Extension officer, Smallholder farming
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Cai, Baozhong, Fang Shi, Yuangji Huang i Meseret Abatechanie. "The Impact of Agricultural Socialized Services to Promote the Farmland Scale Management Behavior of Smallholder Farmers: Empirical Evidence from the Rice-Growing Region of Southern China". Sustainability 14, nr 1 (28.12.2021): 316. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su14010316.
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Farmland scale management (FSM) is an essential strategy to establish an appropriate management scale for agricultural production, enhance smallholder farmer production efficiency, and improve the utilization rate of farmland. The Chinese government promotes farmland transfer as a tool to establish modern and moderate-scale agriculture. However, farmers remain unable to afford agricultural services and inputs required for appropriate FSM after farmland is transferred-in. This paper aims to examine the impact of agricultural socialized services (ASSs) on the FSM behavior of smallholder farmers through farmland transfer. A theoretical framework for the farmer household production aspect of this relationship is developed. A weighted least squares (WLS) model is applied to empirically examine smallholder farmers’ decisions to expand the scale of farmland induced by the promotion of ASSs based on data collected from 741 households in 2020 in the rice-growing region of southern China. The findings reveal that ASSs have a positive and significant impact on small farmers’ FSM. Small farmers’ behavior regarding farmland transfer is affected positively by the promotion of ASSs. The increase of ASSs encourages small farmers to transfer-in more farmland. However, the impact of ASSs on various steps of agricultural practice varied according to the FSM of smallholder farmers. Our findings imply that the government should take the development of ASSs as one of the main methods for promoting the establishment of moderate and large-scale agriculture and rural revitalization. Strengthening policies and financial support for both private and public ASS providers through financial innovation subsidies and preferential tax policies will help smallholder farmers reduce input costs and increase the scale of production and profits. The findings of this paper will provide a scientific basis and reference for the development of moderate-scale agriculture and rural revitalization.
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Sarker, M. A., M. Hoque, A. H. Chowdhury i Z. Ferdous. "Can Organic Agriculture Feed the Smallholders? Experience from Rural Bangladesh". Asia-Pacific Journal of Rural Development 31, nr 1 (czerwiec 2021): 91–107. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/24551333211036938.
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This study empirically tests the benefit of the smallholders from organic farming in Bangladesh through their improved food security which is realised from their increased productivity and farm income. The respondent smallholders were picked up from two districts of Bangladesh namely Mymensingh and Bogra. The respondents (80) were the beneficiaries of the organic agriculture promotion project of Bangladesh Agricultural University. Three years data were collected by the project staff and were crosschecked with the base line. Findings of the study explored that before joining with the project extreme majority (93%) of the small farmers were involved in rice mono-culture and more than half (67%) of them were food deficit. The study also revealed that at the initial year of joining organic agriculture project their farm productivity was 10–12% lesser and it increased continually in the successive years. In some cases, it crossed the yield compared to conventional farming. The findings of the study showed that 100% of the farmers have followed crop diversification with high value vegetables and spices along with rice. Due to adoption of organic practices, the cost of production of the smallholders has declined from 27% to 36% and additionally they enjoy 10% to 15% premium prices which have enhanced their farm income significantly. The study shows that 62.5% of the smallholder farmers had attained household food security due to adoption of organic agriculture. Thus, adoption of organic agriculture effectively increased smallholders’ access to surplus safe food. However, the study also explored that farm size, extension media contact, access to assured market and access to institutional support are the most important factors in improving smallholders’ household food security through participation in organic agriculture programme. Thus, it can be concluded that organic agriculture can feed the smallholders in a better way.
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Kanter, David R., Andrew R. Bell i Sonali Shukla McDermid. "Precision Agriculture for Smallholder Nitrogen Management". One Earth 1, nr 3 (listopad 2019): 281–84. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2019.10.015.
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Ramanjaneyulu, G. V. "Adapting Smallholder Agriculture to Climate Change". IDS Bulletin 43 (lipiec 2012): 113–21. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1759-5436.2012.00353.x.
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Glover, Dominic, James Sumberg, Giel Ton, Jens Andersson i Lone Badstue. "Rethinking technological change in smallholder agriculture". Outlook on Agriculture 48, nr 3 (22.07.2019): 169–80. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0030727019864978.
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The concept of technology adoption (along with its companions, diffusion and scaling) is commonly used to design development interventions, to frame impact evaluations and to inform decision-making about new investments in development-oriented agricultural research. However, adoption simplifies and mischaracterises what happens during processes of technological change. In all but the very simplest cases, it is likely to be inadequate to capture the complex reconfiguration of social and technical components of a technological practice or system. We review the insights of a large and expanding literature, from various disciplines, which has deepened understanding of technological change as an intricate and complex sociotechnical reconfiguration, situated in time and space. We explain the problems arising from the inappropriate use of adoption as a framing concept and propose an alternative conceptual framework for understanding and evaluating technological change. The new approach breaks down technology change programmes into four aspects: propositions, encounters, dispositions and responses. We begin to sketch out how this new framework could be operationalised.
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Nhamo, Luxon, James Magidi, Adolph Nyamugama, Alistair D. Clulow, Mbulisi Sibanda, Vimbayi G. P. Chimonyo i Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi. "Prospects of Improving Agricultural and Water Productivity through Unmanned Aerial Vehicles". Agriculture 10, nr 7 (1.07.2020): 256. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/agriculture10070256.
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Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are an alternative to costly and time-consuming traditional methods to improve agricultural water management and crop productivity through the acquisition, processing, and analyses of high-resolution spatial and temporal crop data at field scale. UAVs mounted with multispectral and thermal cameras facilitate the monitoring of crops throughout the crop growing cycle, allowing for timely detection and intervention in case of any anomalies. The use of UAVs in smallholder agriculture is poised to ensure food security at household level and improve agricultural water management in developing countries. This review synthesises the use of UAVs in smallholder agriculture in the smallholder agriculture sector in developing countries. The review highlights the role of UAV derived normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) in assessing crop health, evapotranspiration, water stress and disaster risk reduction. The focus is to provide more accurate statistics on irrigated areas, crop water requirements and to improve water productivity and crop yield. UAVs facilitate access to agro-meteorological information at field scale and in near real-time, important information for irrigation scheduling and other on-field decision-making. The technology improves smallholder agriculture by facilitating access to information on crop biophysical parameters in near real-time for improved preparedness and operational decision-making. Coupled with accurate meteorological data, the technology allows for precise estimations of crop water requirements and crop evapotranspiration at high spatial resolution. Timely access to crop health information helps inform operational decisions at the farm level, and thus, enhancing rural livelihoods and wellbeing.
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Mago, Stephen, i Costa Hofisi. "Microfinance as a pathway for smallholder farming in Zimbabwe". Environmental Economics 7, nr 3 (21.10.2016): 60–66. http://dx.doi.org/10.21511/ee.07(3).2016.07.
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Microfinance has been viewed as a pathway for smallholder farming. This paper aims to investigate the impact of microfinance on smallholder farming. It examines the role of microfinance in the development of smallholder farming. This paper employs the integrated view of microfinance study as opposed to the ‘credit only’(minimalist) view. Using qualitative research methodology, the paper relies on literature review and primary data. Household level data (primary) were collected from a rural district (Masvingo Rural District) of Masvingo province in Zimbabwe. Data were collected from 250 microfinance participants (household heads) using questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. The findings show that microfinance had positive effects on accumulation of agricultural assets, income from agriculture, agricultural education, agricultural productivity, agri-business, consumption and health. However, the impact is limited due to lack of finance. Basic financial services are essential for the management of their smallholder farming activities. The practical implications are that the study results could be used by the government and development agencies for policy making. The paper recommends that microfinance should be harnessed as a useful intervention that can be employed to economically empower the smallholder rural agricultural sector. Keywords: microfinance, smallholder farming, integrated view, minimalist view. JEL Classification: G21, O13
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Mthembu, Bonginkosi E., Xolile Mkhize i Georgina D. Arthur. "Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on Agricultural Food Production among Smallholder Farmers in Northern Drakensberg Areas of Bergville, South Africa". Agronomy 12, nr 2 (21.02.2022): 531. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12020531.
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COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected social and economic activities in the agriculture systems. The extent of pandemic disruptions on agriculture food production systems is lamentably scanty in rural areas. A survey was carried out in the Northern Drakensberg areas of Bergville, and it assessed the impact of COVID-19 on agricultural food production in smallholder farming systems comprising crop-livestock systems. A survey was conducted using structured questionnaires that measured the impact of COVID-19 within farming operations and average crop yield trends pre-COVID-19 and during COVID-19. Most farmers (77.1 to 92.4%) reported having limitations in accessing agricultural inputs of seeds, fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results indicated a continuous decrease in yields of maize, dry beans, and soybeans across two years of cropping seasons during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study demonstrated that COVID-19 lockdowns accompanied by movement restrictions negatively impacted food production of staple crops (maize, dry beans, soybeans) despite suitable rains received during COVID-19 production periods. COVID-19 policies and legislations sensitive to the plight of poor rural communities are necessary as these communities are more reliant on local agricultural food production for their livelihoods and income. Strong co-operations must be established among input suppliers, smallholder farmers associations, extension services, and local retailers to assist smallholders to obtain inputs at local retailers even during COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.
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Nyawo, Jabulani C., i B. C. Mubangizi. "Perception of Agricultural Smallholder Farmers on Public Extension and Advisory Services in Ethekwini Municipality, Kwazulu-Natal Province". Journal of Southwest Jiaotong University 56, nr 3 (30.06.2021): 499–518. http://dx.doi.org/10.35741/issn.0258-2724.56.3.42.
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The government’s inability in South Africa to ensure that formulated programs, structures, and policies adequately accommodate smallholder farmers hinders the sector’s ability to grow and develop. This study examines the agricultural smallholder farmers’ perception of the service delivered by the extension and advisory officers. The researchers obtained the primary data from fifteen focus group discussions with the smallholder farmers and three senior government officials under the Department of Agriculture & Rural Development who willingly responded to face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Using thematic analysis, the authors found that the public extension &advisory Officers do not provide substantial support to smallholder farmers seeking access to markets. The study results also show that the agricultural smallholder farmers are dissatisfied with the public extension and advisory officers’ services. Smallholder farmers continue to experience numerous challenges, although the extension and advisory program was implemented to help farmers deal with some challenges for growth and sustainability. New results are expected to provide empirical evidence regarding the performance of extension and advisory officers on smallholder sectors’ development. Furthermore, study results can be used as guidelines for the government when considering the best approaches and capacity building for smallholder farmers.
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Zhang, Peng, Shougeng Hu, Weidong Li, Chuanrong Zhang i Peikun Cheng. "Improving Parcel-Level Mapping of Smallholder Crops from VHSR Imagery: An Ensemble Machine-Learning-Based Framework". Remote Sensing 13, nr 11 (29.05.2021): 2146. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/rs13112146.
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Explicit spatial information about crop types on smallholder farms is important for the development of local precision agriculture. However, due to highly fragmented and heterogeneous cropland landscapes, fine-scale mapping of smallholder crops, based on low- and medium-resolution satellite images and relying on a single machine learning (ML) classifier, generally fails to achieve satisfactory performance. This paper develops an ensemble ML-based framework to improve the accuracy of parcel-level smallholder crop mapping from very high spatial resolution (VHSR) images. A typical smallholder agricultural area in central China covered by WorldView-2 images is selected to demonstrate our approach. This approach involves the task of distinguishing eight crop-level agricultural land use types. To this end, six widely used individual ML classifiers are evaluated. We further improved their performance by independently implementing bagging and stacking ensemble learning (EL) techniques. The results show that the bagging models improved the performance of unstable classifiers, but these improvements are limited. In contrast, the stacking models perform better, and the Stacking #2 model (overall accuracy = 83.91%, kappa = 0.812), which integrates the three best-performing individual classifiers, performs the best of all of the built models and improves the classwise accuracy of almost all of the land use types. Since classification performance can be significantly improved without adding costly data collection, stacking-ensemble mapping approaches are valuable for the spatial management of complex agricultural areas. We also demonstrate that using geometric and textural features extracted from VHSR images can improve the accuracy of parcel-level smallholder crop mapping. The proposed framework shows the great potential of combining EL technology with VHSR imagery for accurate mapping of smallholder crops, which could facilitate the development of parcel-level crop identification systems in countries dominated by smallholder agriculture.
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Yin, Yulong, Rongfang Zhao, Yi Yang, Qingfeng Meng, Hao Ying, Kenneth G. Cassman, Wenfeng Cong i in. "A steady-state N balance approach for sustainable smallholder farming". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 118, nr 39 (23.09.2021): e2106576118. http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2106576118.
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Hundreds of millions of smallholders in emerging countries substantially overuse nitrogen (N) fertilizers, driving local environmental pollution and global climate change. Despite local demonstration-scale successes, widespread mobilization of smallholders to adopt precise N management practices remains a challenge, largely due to associated high costs and complicated sampling and calculations. Here, we propose a long-term steady-state N balance (SSNB) approach without these complications that is suitable for sustainable smallholder farming. The hypothesis underpinning the concept of SSNB is that an intensively cultivated soil–crop system with excessive N inputs and high N losses can be transformed into a steady-state system with minimal losses while maintaining high yields. Based on SSNB, we estimate the optimized N application range across 3,824 crop counties for the three staple crops in China. We evaluated SSNB first in ca. 18,000 researcher-managed on-farm trials followed by testing in on-farm trials with 13,760 smallholders who applied SSNB-optimized N rates under the guidance of local extension staff. Results showed that SSNB could significantly reduce N fertilizer use by 21 to 28% while maintaining or increasing yields by 6 to 7%, compared to current smallholder practices. The SSNB approach could become an effective tool contributing to the global N sustainability of smallholder agriculture.
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Astier, Marta, Quetzalcóatl Orozco-Ramírez, Robert Walker, Yankuic Galván-Miyoshi, Carlos González-Esquivel i Cynthia S. Simmons. "Post-NAFTA Changes in Peasant Land Use—The Case of the Pátzcuaro Lake Watershed Region in the Central-West México". Land 9, nr 3 (5.03.2020): 75. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/land9030075.
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Rural life in México has changed drastically over the past several decades in the wake of structural reforms in the 1980s and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) implemented in 1994. Researchers predicted dire consequences for smallholder farmers following trade liberalization and in certain respects the prophecies have been fulfilled. Indeed, many regions experienced significant out-migration as smallholders, unable to compete with global maize imports without price subsidies, sold or abandoned their lands, making way for the expansion of industrial agriculture into forests, secondary vegetation and primary crops. Nevertheless, many smallholders have adapted to the new economic environment with farming systems that manage risk by diversifying portfolios to incorporate commercialized maize and livestock production. This article examines the evolution of smallholder farming systems since the mid 1980s, when the impact of neoliberal reforms emerged, using data collected from field research on 130 smallholder farms in the Pátzcuaro Lake Watershed (PLW) in the State of Michoacán. Farmers in the PLW have been characterized as traditional peasant farmers, planting crops for subsistence, including a diverse array of domestic maize varieties and practicing limited animal husbandry with chickens, turkeys, pigs, an oxen and a cow or two for milk. But the results presented in this article show that the traditional peasant farming systems in the region have changed substantially to a highly diversified agriculture-cattle-forest system. Most notable changes include the use of fertilizers and pesticides; and the increase in livestock herd and reorientation to beef production. The results demonstrate the resilience of smallholder farmers, while at the same time raising potential concern that increased reliance on livestock and beef production specialization, might lead to shifts in farming systems that replace domestic maize varieties with hybrid corn used primarily for animal feed and thereby leaving vulnerable the genetic reservoir of traditional maize landraces.
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Silici, Laura, Andy Rowe, Nanthikesan Suppiramaniam i Jerry W. Knox. "Building adaptive capacity of smallholder agriculture to climate change: evidence synthesis on learning outcomes". Environmental Research Communications 3, nr 12 (1.12.2021): 122001. http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/2515-7620/ac44df.
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Abstract Increasing climate uncertainty coupled with more frequent extreme events poses a serious threat to the sustainability of smallholder communities dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods. Whilst there is extensive literature on adaptation options, there is a pressing need to understand what interventions have been successful in building smallholder’s adaptive capacity, and how these have been transferred (nationally and internationally) through learning outcomes. The aim of this rapid evidence assessment was to assess the extent to which learning outcomes have supported initiatives to mainstream adaptation, focussing on three key areas, (i) scaling up climate sensitive adaptive interventions, (ii) the role of knowledge management to promote effective adaptive solutions, and (iii) human-ecosystem interactions in climate change adaptation. A protocol for the review was defined, from which 806 sources of evidence were retrieved. After screening for relevance using inclusion criteria, 91 were selected and the salient evidence extracted and synthesised. Access to knowledge remains one of the most important determinants of smallholders’ decisions to respond to climate risk and a critical element in building adaptive capacity. The way knowledge is generated and exchanged is also directly relevant to securing effective scaling-up pathways. Learning platforms through participatory action research, farmer field schools and community-based initiatives were found to be particularly effective. However, knowledge based on local practices alone may be insufficient to prompt transformative action. Bridging local and external knowledge is critical because it widens the smallholders’ knowledge base and encourages ‘proactive’ adaptation alongside more typical ‘reactive’ strategies. The contribution of evidence reviews to provide new insights to inform decision-making and investment in international development and the implications for advocating climate-sensitive policies at national and global levels are discussed.
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Phiri, Austine, George T. Chipeta i Winner D. Chawinga. "Information needs and barriers of rural smallholder farmers in developing countries". Information Development 35, nr 3 (31.01.2018): 421–34. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0266666918755222.
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The purpose of the study was to investigate the information needs and barriers of rural smallholder farmers in Mzimba North in Malawi. A mixed methods approach was adopted for the study and the Wilson’s Model of Information Behaviour (1996) guided the study. A questionnaire and focus group discussion guide were used to collect data from 202 rural smallholder farmers. The study found that the major information need of rural smallholder farmers was crop husbandry as revealed by the majority of rural smallholder farmers 149 (77.6). The study found that majority of rural smallholder farmers 180 (94.8%) were aware of information sources. The study also found that the predominant information sources consulted by rural smallholder farmers were personal experiences as indicated by the majority of rural smallholder farmers 185 (96%). The major challenge faced by rural smallholder farmers was lack of mobility as revealed by the majority of rural smallholder farmers 147 (76.6). The study recommends that the Department of Agriculture Extension Services (DAES) should empower the social structures such as families in rural settings with agricultural information.
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Gassner, A., D. Harris, K. Mausch, A. Terheggen, C. Lopes, RF Finlayson i P. Dobie. "Poverty eradication and food security through agriculture in Africa: Rethinking objectives and entry points". Outlook on Agriculture 48, nr 4 (21.11.2019): 309–15. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0030727019888513.
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Agriculture in Africa is expected to meet the dual objectives of providing food and helping people to escape poverty. African agriculture is dominated by smallholdings and donors generally target their agricultural support at the smallholder sector. The expectation is that if the gap between actual and potential yields can be closed, smallholders will grow sufficient crops to feed their families, with a surplus to sell, thus meeting food security needs and bringing in an income to move them out of poverty. In practice, this is often not possible. While technologies already exist that can raise smallholder farmers’ yields 3 or 4 times, even under rainfed conditions, the small size of land available to them limits how much can be grown and the per capita income from agriculture is insufficient to allow people to move above the current World Bank-defined poverty line of US$1.90 per day. We link this finding with farmer typologies to further explain that there are large differences between individual farming households themselves in terms of their investment incentives and capability to benefit from field-level technologies that are aimed at increasing farm productivity. We argue for more differentiated policies for agricultural development in Africa and suggest that policymakers should be much more aware of the heterogeneity of farms and target interventions accordingly. It is important to understand where and for whom agriculture will have the main purpose of ensuring food and nutritional security and where and for whom there is the potential for significant increases in incomes and a contribution to wider economic growth. Let us recognize the distinctiveness of these targets and underlying target groups and work towards solutions that address the underlying needs.