Policy Alternatives to Protect Against Crop Failure in U.S. Agriculture

Author(s):  
Jerry R. Skees ◽  
Daniel B. Smith
2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 30-36
Author(s):  
E. Amankwah, V. Hans-Jürgen

Agriculture in the Upper West region is primarily subsistence and rain-fed, and irrigation practice is significantly furrow andthe use of traditional watering can. This historical approach to agriculture is predicted to suffer severe setbacks due to climatechange. This research therefore explores farmers’ perception of climate change and its impact and how the farmers can cope withthe changing climate. The primary data was gathered through field observation, interviews and administration of questionnairesto about 400 irrigation farmers in three districts of the Upper West region. The data was analysed using 1. Statistical Packagefor Social Sciences (SPSS) and basic statistical tools. It was discovered that 62% of the farmers had no formal education withmajority above 50 years of age. Over 80% have observed rising temperatures and declining rainfall over the last few decades.This has led to higher evaporation and siltation of irrigation dams, higher transpiration of crops and water stress resultingin low crop yield, crop failure and food insecurity. The research also highlights anthropogenic activities that have influencedclimate variability and food production in the region. The research was concluded with suggested strategies to facilitate farmers’adaptation to climate variability.


2021 ◽  
pp. 146801812110191
Author(s):  
William Hynes

New economic thinking and acting through a systemic approach could outline policy alternatives to tackle the global-scale systemic challenges of financial, economic, social and environmental emergencies, and help steer our recovery out of the current crisis. A systemic recovery requires an economic approach that balances several factors - markets and states, efficiency and resilience, growth and sustainability, national and global stability, short-term emergency measures and long-term structural change. To achieve this, we need to think beyond our policy silos, comprehend our interconnections, and build resilience into our systems.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saba Baba Mohammed ◽  
Daniel Kwadjo Dzidzienyo ◽  
Muhammad Lawan Umar ◽  
Mohammad Faguji Ishiyaku ◽  
Pangirayi Bernard Tongoona ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Low plant density and wide intra-plant spacing in traditional cowpea cropping systems are among the factors responsible for low yield on farmers’ fields. Sole cropping and improved intercropping systems have been advocated in the last few years to increase yield in the dry savannah areas of Nigeria. This study investigated the level of adoption of high yielding cowpea cropping systems including factors that influenced their use and farmers’ perceived production constraints and preferences. A total of 420 farmers across 36 villages of northern Nigeria were interviewed, and data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics to appraise farmers predominant cowpea cropping systems and factors that determine the use of sole versus intercropping were identified with the aid of binary logit regression. Furthermore, pairwise comparison ranking was deployed to understand farmers’ view of cowpea production constraints and preferred traits. Results The results revealed that, many of the farmers (42%) still grow cowpeas in the traditional intercropping and a good number (25%) cultivate the crop as a sole crop, while 23% had fields of cowpeas in both sole and intercropping systems. Farmers reported the incidence of high insect pests, limited access to land, desire to have multiple benefits, and assurance in the event of crop failure as reasons for preference for intercropping over sole planting. The pairwise comparison ranking of constraints and preferences revealed insect pests, Striga, drought and poor access to fertilizers as major constraints to increased productivity. Many farmers indicated high yield as the most preferred trait. Conclusions Findings indicate a need for increased education and training of cowpea farmers on the importance of growing cowpeas in sole cropping and or improved intercropping systems. Genetic improvement efforts should focus on developing cowpea varieties that address farmers production constraints and reflect the diversity of consumers’ preferences for the crop. Hence, breeding for resistance to insect pests and high yield is recommended as an important priority of cowpea breeding programmes in the region.


2009 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Bergman ◽  
Susan Logan ◽  
Arlene Fink ◽  
David A. Ganz ◽  
Mark A. Peterson ◽  
...  

1981 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 42-42
Author(s):  
John A. Halloran ◽  
Howard P. Lanser

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