Complex Approach to Conceptual Design of Machine Mechanically Extracting Oil fromJatropha curcasL. Seeds for Biomass-Based Fuel Production

One of important sources of biomass-based fuel isJatropha curcasL. Great attention is paid to the biofuel produced from the oil extracted from theJatropha curcasL. seeds. A mechanised extraction is the most efficient and feasible method for oil extraction for small-scale farmers but there is a need to extract oil in more efficient manner which would increase the labour productivity, decrease production costs, and increase benefits of small-scale farmers. On the other hand innovators should be aware that further machines development is possible only when applying the systematic approach and design methodology in all stages of engineering design. Systematic approach in this case means that designers and development engineers rigorously apply scientific knowledge, integrate different constraints and user priorities, carefully plan product and activities, and systematically solve technical problems. This paper therefore deals with the complex approach to design specification determining that can bring new innovative concepts to design of mechanical machines for oil extraction. The presented case study as the main part of the paper is focused on new concept of screw of machine mechanically extracting oil fromJatropha curcasL. seeds.

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Opportunities and Scope for Botanical Extracts and Products for the Management of Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) for Smallholders in Africa

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants9020207 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 207

Author(s):

Naomi B. Rioba ◽

Philip C. Stevenson

Keyword(s):

Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Fall Armyworm ◽

Production Costs ◽

Small Scale ◽

South American ◽

Specific Knowledge ◽

African Context ◽

Small Scale Farmers ◽

Short Time

Fall Armyworm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a polyphagous and highly destructive pest of many crops. It was recently introduced into Africa and now represents a serious threat to food security, particularly because of yield losses in maize, which is the staple food for the majority of small-scale farmers in Africa. The pest has also led to increased production costs, and threatens trade because of quarantines imposed on produce from the affected countries. There is limited specific knowledge on its management among smallholders since it is such a new pest in Africa. Some synthetic insecticides have been shown to be effective in controlling FAW, but in addition to the economic, health and environmental challenges of pesticide use insecticide resistance is highly prevalent owing to years of FAW management in the Americas. Therefore, there is a need for the development and use of alternatives for the management of FAW. These include plant-derived pesticides. Here we review the efficacy and potential of 69 plant species, which have been evaluated against FAW, and identify opportunities for use among small-scale maize farmers with a focus on how pesticidal plants might be adopted in Africa for management of FAW. The biological activities were diverse and included insecticidal, insectistatic (causing increased larval duration), larvicidal, reduced growth and acute toxicity (resulting in adverse effects within a short time after exposure). While most of these studies have been conducted on American plant taxa many South American plants are now cosmopolitan weeds so these studies are relevant to the African context.

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Production Costs and Benefits of Japonica Rice in Mwea, Kenya

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture11070629 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. 629

Author(s):

Mamoru Watanabe ◽

Yutaka Sumita ◽

Issaku Azechi ◽

Kengo Ito ◽

Keigo Noda

Keyword(s):

Cost Benefit Analysis ◽

Market Price ◽

Cost Benefit ◽

Rice Production ◽

Production Costs ◽

Small Scale ◽

Japonica Rice ◽

Costs And Benefits ◽

Production Stage ◽

Small Scale Farmers

From the perspective of national food security, strengthening domestic rice production is an urgent issue for Kenya. For this purpose, it is helpful to consider varieties that generate novel and competitive values different from those of conventional varieties. Recently, domestic japonica rice, which is now being distributed, has become an attractive variety with a high market price and its production is expected to increase. Although it is competitive and promising as a crop for small-scale farmers, the production stage costs and benefits are not clear. Thus, a study was conducted to perform a cost–benefit analysis of japonica rice in comparison to conventional rice at the production stage and evaluate strategies for strengthening the domestic production of rice. We conducted an experimental cultivation of japonica rice in the Mwea region, Kenya, where japonica rice is produced. As a result, although production costs for japonica rice are higher than costs for conventional varieties (24.46 KSh/kg versus 22.63 KSh/kg), when a high-yielding variety is grown (6.44 tons/ha for japonica rice compared to 6.07 tons/ha for conventional rice), a larger net profit can be obtained (65.54 KSh/kg versus 32.37 KSh/kg). We believe that initiatives to improve difficulties at the production stage would make the production of both japonica rice and conventional rice more economically viable and facilitate strengthening of the overall domestic rice production.

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Importance of Beef Cattle Farming Model and Appropriate Benefits for Small-Scale Farmers in Nakhon Sawan Province, Thailand

Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.5539/jas.v13n7p101 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 101

Author(s):

Thunwa Wiyabot ◽

Piyalap Manakit

Keyword(s):

Beef Cattle ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Production Costs ◽

Primary Data ◽

Small Scale ◽

Specific Method ◽

Economic Returns ◽

Feeder Cattle ◽

Cattle Farming ◽

Small Scale Farmers

The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility and reasonable production costs for small cattle farmers in Nakhon Sawan Province of Thailand. Small-scale beef cattle are naturally reared by farmers without planning. Studying the primary data of beef cattle farming models and comparing the economic return costs of each form of beef cattle farming among smallholder farmers in Nakhon Sawan Province of Thailand shows that the yields are not worthwhile. By applying the specific method to 25% of the area of all farms in Nakhon Sawan Province and comparing the descriptive statistical yields, the results showed that two types of cattle with 4 characteristics predominate. The first is rearing pregnant mother cows for sale and buying mother cows. The second category is feeder cattle, release cattle and fattening cattle. A study of the costs and economic compensation of suitable small-scale beef cattle farmers in Nakhon Sawan Province of Thailand found that cattle farms should raise cattle because the yield from farming is valued and because of the economic returns and the time spent. The payback for this form is faster than other forms of investment.

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What drives small-scale farmers to adopt conservation agriculture practices in Tanzania?

10.1079/9781789245745.0017 ◽

2022 ◽

pp. 284-292

Author(s):

John E. Sariah ◽

Frank Mmbando

Keyword(s):

Social Capital ◽

Conservation Agriculture ◽

Soil Disturbance ◽

Production Costs ◽

Small Scale ◽

Average Area ◽

Input And Output ◽

Small Scale Farmers ◽

On Farm

Abstract Conservation Agriculture (CA)-based Sustainable Intensification (CASI) practices in this study comprised minimum soil disturbance, permanent soil cover, intercropping of maize and legumes, and use of improved crop genotypes and fertilizers, and were tested on-farm in different agroecologies in northern and eastern Tanzania. The results for six consecutive years of study indicate increased adoption of CASI practices compared to the baseline year (2010). The major impacts of these practices were reduced production costs, labour savings and overall increased crop and land productivity. The average area allocated to improved maize-legume (ML) intercrop rose during the project period by 5.28 ha per household, of which 15% was under complete CASI practices. Adoption trends show that, on average, 6.5% of adopters across the study and spillover communities started adoption in the 2nd year and about 14% of farmers adopted the practices over the next 3-5 years. Demographic and human capital (family size, education, age and farming experience), on-farm CASI demonstrations, farmer to farmer exchange visits, social capital (farmers' group or a cooperative), access to input and output markets (improved seeds, herbicides, fertilizers, insecticides and equipment) and food security were found to have positive and significant effects on adoption of a range of CASI practices. These results suggest continued and long-term efforts in investments in demonstrations, institutionalizing CASI practices in NARS, and good links to input and output markets, including appropriate machinery, are necessary to achieve sustained adoption.

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What Makes a Small Farm Successful? A Review of Success Factors, Needs, and Challenges

Journal of Extension ◽

10.34068/joe.59.02.18 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Katie Tritsch ◽

Ken Mix ◽

Michelle Edwards ◽

Manuel Piña

Keyword(s):

Success Factors ◽

Systematic Approach ◽

Future Research ◽

Small Scale ◽

Small Farms ◽

Small Farm ◽

Diverse Range ◽

Needs Assessments ◽

Small Scale Farmers

Small-scale farmers face unique challenges. In this review, we conceptualize small farm success by aggregating and categorizing results from recent (post-2000) literature on small farm success factors and producer needs assessments. Our findings suggest that small farm success is multifaceted and not limited to profitability. We find that small farms have a diverse range of needs, though little has been done to rank their importance. We conclude that future research would benefit from increased methodological transparency and a systematic approach to needs evaluation. We consider the role of Extension professionals regarding the continued success of small farms.

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Improving management as a way to increase labour productivity

Upravlenie ◽

10.26425/2309-3633-2020-8-4-24-30 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 24-30

Author(s):

A. O. Ivanov

Keyword(s):

Productivity Growth ◽

Labour Productivity ◽

Production Costs ◽

Managerial Practices ◽

Industrial Enterprises ◽

Labour Productivity Growth ◽

Period 2 ◽

Main Factors ◽

The Moment

The article gives an overview, performs analysis and classification of successful managerial practices applied at Russian industrial enterprises in the framework of the national project “Labour productivity and employment support”. The paper emphasizes the main factors of labour productivity growth as follows: investment policy, growth of human capital, and efficient use of managerial capital of enterprise. In order to determine the need of enterprises to increase labour productivity, the author proposes four universal criteria that signal the existing inefficiency even before the loss of competitiveness: 1) the dynamics of labour productivity in the company is not positive during a given period; 2) the company is behind competitors by labour productivity indicator; 3) the company is behind competitors by labour productivity growth rates indicator for a certain period; 4) unit production costs rise. These criteria allow you to take into account the situation both within the enterprise and in comparison with other enterprises. Each criteria can be considered separately or in combination with the others, applied to enterprises of different industries, specialization, and scale. Criteria indicate the direction of development in which the company is experiencing difficulties at the moment, or may experience them in the future.

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Researching Alternative Cash Crops for Small Scale Farmers in Southern Ohio

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.33.3.530a ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 33 (3) ◽

pp. 530a-530

Author(s):

Brad Bergefurd ◽

Gary Gao

Keyword(s):

Applied Research ◽

Small Scale ◽

Extension Agents ◽

Research Projects ◽

Cash Crops ◽

Grant Program ◽

Culinary Herbs ◽

Small Scale Farmers

Speciality crops are great alternative cash crops for small scale farmers. Small scale farmers are constantly searching for viable economic crops to grow. We have been conducting applied research on the production and marketing of culinary herbs, oriental vegetables, colored peppers, and muskmelons to name a few. These crops show excellent potential for southern Ohio. Field demonstration, seminars, and surveys were used to gather and disseminate information on these speciality crops. More than 230 people attended our seminars on alternative cash crops. More than 150 people attended our field days. In addition, we had identified many chefs that are willing to purchase from local speciality crop growers. It will be a win-win situation for both chefs and growers. Growers will be able to maximize their profitability while chefs will receive fresh and unique produce. As a result of our research, we were able to show small scale growers what they can grow successfully and how they can market their crops for most profit. These applied research projects received a combined funding of $10000.00 from OSU Extension-Innovative Grant program. These projects are a great way to establish credibility among clients. We would also like to demonstrate how other extension agents can help their clients. A lecture utilizing slides and overhead transparencies will be the format of the seminar.

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