EatLOCAL: a platform that connects local farmers, consumers, municipalities and non-governmental organisations

AbstractNortheastern Thailand relies on agriculture as a major economic activity, and has used high levels of agrochemicals due to low facility, and salty sandy soil. To support soil recovery and sustainable agriculture, local farmers have used organic fertilizers from farmed animal feces. However, knowledge about these animal fecal manures remains minimal restricting their optimal use. Specifically, while bacteria are important for soil and plant growth, an abundance and a diversity of bacterial composition in these animal fecal manures have not been reported to allow selection and adjustment for a more effective organic fertilizer. This study thereby utilized metagenomics combined with 16S rRNA gene quantitative PCR (qPCR) and sequencing to analyze quantitative microbiota profiles in association with nutrients (N, P, K), organic matters, and the other physiochemical properties, of the commonly used earthworm manure and other manures from livestock animals (including breed and feeding diet variations) in the region. Unlike the other manures, the earthworm manure demonstrated more favorable nutrient profiles and physiochemical properties for forming fertile soil. Despite low total microbial biomass, the microbiota were enriched with maximal OTUs and Chao richness, and no plant pathogenic bacteria were found based on the VFDB database. The microbial metabolic potentials supported functions to promote crop growth, such as C, N and P cyclings, xenobiotic degradation, and synthesis of bioactive compounds. Pearson’s correlation analyses indicated that the quantitative microbiota of the earthworm manure were clustered in the same direction as N, and conductivity, salinity, and water content were essential to control the microbiota of animal manures.

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Chinese Technology Transfer to Local Farmers in the Russian Far East

American Journal of Economics and Sociology ◽

10.1111/ajes.12364 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (5) ◽

pp. 1483-1509

Author(s):

Fujin Yi ◽

Richard T. Gudaj ◽

Valeria Arefieva ◽

Renata Yanbykh ◽

Svetlana Mishchuk ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Technology Transfer ◽

Russian Far East ◽

Far East ◽

Local Farmers ◽

The Russian Far East

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Trade-offs between local farmers' demand for ecosystem services and ecological restoration of the Loess Plateau, China

Ecosystem Services ◽

10.1016/j.ecoser.2021.101295 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 49 ◽

pp. 101295

Author(s):

Xiaobin Dong ◽

Xiaowan Wang ◽

Hejie Wei ◽

Bojie Fu ◽

Jijun Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Services ◽

Ecological Restoration ◽

Loess Plateau ◽

The Loess Plateau ◽

Trade Offs ◽

Local Farmers

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Towards a Professionalism of Agricultural Extension: Key to Promoting Extension Effectiveness in Africa

Sustainable Agriculture Research ◽

10.5539/sar.v6n2p81 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 81

Author(s):

Robert Agunga ◽

Ruth Sleshi ◽

Rahwa Hassen

Keyword(s):

Agricultural Extension ◽

Small Sample ◽

Slow Process ◽

Collaborative Relationship ◽

Extension Services ◽

Level Of Education ◽

Governmental Agencies ◽

Communication For Development ◽

Significant Extension ◽

Local Farmers

A survey of a small sample of 123 extension workers in Ghana and Ethiopia may have revealed the key issue facing extension ineffectiveness in Africa—the paucity of extension training. Questions on job satisfaction showed that respondents were highly satisfied with: a) an opportunity to work in an area they are trained (N=88, 57%), b) level of education (N=75 (61%), c) enthusiasm towards their work (N=72 (58.5%), and d) opportunity to work with local farmers. However, they were highly dissatisfied with: a) their salaries (N=108 (87.8%), b) the process of decentralization (N=83 (75.6%), c) cooperation from non-governmental agencies (N=87 (70.7%), d) respect from peers in other sectors of government (N=83 (68.0%), e) training in development (N=79 (65.3%), and f) training in communication (N=65 (54.2%). We find their complaints on lack of or limited training in development and communication worthy to note because in the last 40 years extension performance has stressed facilitation among development partners. It can be argued, therefore, that the slow process of decentralization, the friction between extension workers and their NGO counterparts, and their inability to get along with their compatriots in other ministries can be traced to their limited or lack of training in development and communication, otherwise called “Communication for Development” (C4D). We conclude, therefore, that if extension workers are to be effective in their new role as development facilitators not only must their training in agriculture expand to include C4D but, equally significant, extension systems throughout the continent must operate as a profession. Therefore, the authors recommend the establishment of a professional association throughout Africa, under the rubric of “ExtensionAfrica,” which will address the need for extension effectiveness on the continent. We particularly recommend a collaborative relationship with the African Forum for Agricultural Services (AFAAS), which has a mandate for advising on extension services, to make this happen.

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Organization of Flint Sickle Blade Production at an Early Bronze Age Workshop in Anatolia

MRS Proceedings ◽

10.1557/proc-712-ii7.2 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 712 ◽

Author(s):

Britt E. Hartenberger

Keyword(s):

Bronze Age ◽

Complete Sequence ◽

Early Bronze Age ◽

Data Set ◽

Regional Center ◽

Period 2 ◽

The Social ◽

Titris Hoyuk ◽

Administrative Center ◽

Local Farmers

ABSTRACTA specialized workshop for the manufacture of flint sickle blades has recently been excavated at the site of Titris Hoyuk in southeastern Anatolia [1]. This paper will examine the sequence of production for the blades as well as the social context of this craft within the site. The workshop is the first example found containing evidence of the complete sequence of production for the ‘Canaanean blade,’ a type commonly used across the Near East in this period [2]. Since bronze was still new and relatively expensive, high-quality flint was used to manufacture sickle blades. Tabular flint was imported in the form of large slabs from several sources in the nearby hills. Specialists then prepared the blade cores, removed the blades, and then traded the final products to local farmers. A range of manufacturing debris has been found to illustrate the production sequence, including chunks of raw flint, core-shaping pieces, debitage pits, and stacks of exhausted and used cores. The large sample of over 1000 blade cores collected ensures a sizable data set for statistical analyses. Several types of raw flint were utilized for making the blades and production appears to vary slightly by these material types. The workshop is located within a household setting and is the only area within the excavated site containing debris from this craft. Spatial analyses of the types of flint used within the household workshop reveal its division into largely distinct areas for domestic versus specialist craft activities. The placement of the workshop in the suburbs far from the site's administrative center may indicate that its activities were independent of any elite. An estimate of the volume of blades produced combined with the location of the workshop at a major regional center suggest that it also supplied blades to other sites in the region.

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Temperature Effect on Seed Germination Performance of a Local Variety of Onion in Bangladesh

Plants and Ecosystem ◽

10.54479/pae.v1i01.6667 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (01) ◽

pp. 27-30

Author(s):

IRANI KHATUN ◽

RIYAD HOSSEN

Keyword(s):

Seed Germination ◽

Temperature Effect ◽

Performance Test ◽

Germination Rate ◽

Germination Percentage ◽

Optimum Range ◽

Local Variety ◽

Different Temperatures ◽

Local Farmers

Seed germination performance test of Taherpuri onion (a local variety of onion) under six different temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40°C) was the main goal of this experiment. Germination percentage (GP) was calculated at highest 60.25% at 25°C, and the highest germination rate 20.08 was observed in the same temperature condition. The lowest germination performance (13.25 % germi-nation and 3.32 seeds per day as germination rate) was found at 40°C temperature. Finally, the authors mentioned the temperature 20 to 30°C as optimum range, and suggested the temperature 25°C as best suited for obtaining highest results in case of both germination percentage and germination rate of these seeds. To produce maximum seedlings of the local variety of onion, the mentioned temperature should be followed by the local farmers.

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Farmer’s welfare in Telang’s integrated independent city: lesson learned from migrant and local farmers in tidal land, South Sumatera

IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science ◽

10.1088/1755-1315/122/1/012013 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 122 ◽

pp. 012013

Author(s):

D Adriani ◽

I Zahri ◽

E Wildayana ◽

Maryadi ◽

M Hamzah ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Local Farmers

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Effect of River Salinity on Crop Diversity: A Case Study of South West Coastal Region of Bangladesh

Nepal Agriculture Research Journal ◽

10.3126/narj.v8i0.11576 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. 29-37 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Animesh K. Gain ◽

Kul P. Aryal ◽

Pritish Sana ◽

Md Nazim Uddin

Keyword(s):

Negative Impact ◽

Saline Water ◽

Coastal Region ◽

Saline Water Intrusion ◽

South West ◽

Agricultural Diversity ◽

Structured Questionnaire ◽

Local Farmers ◽

Saline Zone

Saline water intrusion is a major problem and conflicting issue in south-west coastal region of Bangladesh. The increased salinity has negative impact on agricultural diversity in this region. The present study provides an assessment of perception of local farmers about changes of agricultural diversity mainly diversity of vegetable species (both summer and winter) and standing plants with the changes of salinity level in the nearby river. This study was carried out in January to August 2005 through semi-structured questionnaire in selected villages of different salinity prone areas such as high saline zone and moderate saline zone, namely Paikgacha and Rampal, respectively. The study has revealed that in Paikgacha, the salinity varies approximately within the range from 20,000 to 45,000 micro-mhos and in Rampal it is from 10,000 to 30,000 micro-mhos. Due to increased salinity, the summer vegetable species in Paikgacha and Rampal have been reduced from 16 to 2 and 15 to 9 respectively during the period 1975-2005. For winter vegetable species, this figure wasreduced from 13 to 9 in Paikgacha but in Rampal this number remained unchanged. Standing plant species in Paikgacha and Rampal have been reduced from 31 to 14 and 35 to21 respectively during that period. Agricultural diversity is reducing in substantial rate both spatially and temporally.Nepal Agric. Res. J. Vol. 8, 2007, pp. 29-37 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/narj.v8i0.11576

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FURNACES OF SALAMANCA: VERNACULAR BUILDING TECHNIQUES APPLIED TO SEMI-INDUSTRIAL TOBACCO PRODUCTION IN CHILE BETWEEN 1960 AND 1990

ISPRS - International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences ◽

10.5194/isprs-archives-xliv-m-1-2020-1057-2020 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol XLIV-M-1-2020 ◽

pp. 1057-1063

Author(s):

C. Gómez Maestro ◽

A. Rivera ◽

I. Olivares Miranda

Keyword(s):

Architectural Form ◽

Tobacco Production ◽

Earthquake Resistant ◽

Building Systems ◽

Vernacular Building ◽

Technical Instructions ◽

Construction Type ◽

Construction Knowledge ◽

Huge Variety ◽

Local Farmers

Abstract. The furnaces of Salamanca were built during the period in which the British Tobacco Company operated in this area of the Region of Coquimbo in Chile (1960's to 1990's). A semi-industrial model of tobacco production was inserted, in which local farmers received technical training and materials to grow tobacco plants. During a first period the company bought green tobacco leaves, while later encouraging the sale of dried tobacco. This meant that local producers had to build their own furnaces, under the company's technical instructions. These instructions were delivered through architectural plans produced by the company, which were interpreted by local farmers according to their own vernacular construction knowledge. This combination resulted in a huge variety of constructive techniques – primarily based on earth – represented in one only architectural form. A cadastre accomplished by the authors in 2019 registered examples of furnaces built with adobe, quincha, tabique and a combination of several of these building systems. Similar systems also present variations - expressed especially in the use of different earthquake-resistant devices. These attend to variable economic conditions and constructive cultures of the local farmers. This article presents the register of 24 furnace ensambles located in 7 areas of Salamanca, characterized according to their construction type and state of conservation. These entries provide information on the richness of vernacular construction of the area and the efficiency of case-specific building solutions.

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EXPLORING FARMERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURE: EVIDENCE FROM NORTHERN NIGERIA

FUDMA Journal of Sciences ◽

10.33003/fjs-2020-0403-353 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. 121-131

Author(s):

Fanen Terdoo

Keyword(s):

Rural Communities ◽

Climate Impacts ◽

Northern Nigeria ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Target Groups ◽

Increase Productivity ◽

Smart Agriculture ◽

Older Farmers ◽

Published Research ◽

Local Farmers

The aim of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is to help farmers increase productivity, adapt their methods, become resilient to climate impacts and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. However, there has been little published research on the perceptions and knowledge of farmers as to how this approach can fulfill its potential, especially in Africa. This paper presents a study based on interviews and group discussions conducted among farmers in some rural communities in Northern Nigeria. It reveals that the strength of CSA lies in its ability to integrate agricultural productivity with environmental targets and address the livelihood needs and cultural biases of local farmers. It also identified differences in the perception of different groups within society. For example, the younger farmers who possess little farmland showed optimism in the potential of the CSA approach to address livelihood and environmental challenges while the older farmers with larger farmlands were generally uncertain and suspicious. The analysis of interviews presented could be used to identify target groups on which to focus CSA, assuming that groups with a significantly greater proportion of farmlands could have more impact on the environment. The study suggests a continuous effort is made to develop knowledge and build capacity of local farmers and experts. Lessons from this study are important in developing the knowledge and capacities that will make CSA a reality. Further studies across Africa which take local specificities and priorities into consideration are needed.

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