scholarly journals Estimating the Productivity and Profitability of Rice and Pepper on Fields of the Irrigation Company Upper Region (ICOUR) in Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 106-119
Author(s):  
James Anaba Akolgo
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Rice Field ◽  
Water Delivery ◽  
Soil Fertility Management ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Farm Level ◽  
Fertility Management ◽  
Level Data ◽  
Gross Margins ◽  
Margin Analysis

This study evaluates the Estimating the Productivity and Profitability of Rice and Pepper on the Project fields of the Irrigation Company Upper Region (ICOUR) in Ghana. Gross margin analysis was employed to estimate farm level profits at the two sites. Then, paired t-test (mean-comparison test) was applied to compare the productivity and profitability of rice and pepper farms at the two irrigation sites. Farm level data was collected from 113 (ie. 77 from Tono and 36 from Vea) crop farmers for the study. The finding shows that 0.53ha rice field and 0.34ha pepper field would yield averagely 1.6tons and 1.4tons of paddy rice and fresh pepper, respectively. This gives gross margins (profits) of Ghȼ1,041.06 and Ghȼ10,316.75 per hectare from the rice and pepper fields, respectively. The average productivity from the rice and pepper fields were 3.088Mt ha-1 and 4.286Mt ha-1, respectively. The study concludes that it is more productive and profitable to produce rice and pepper at Tono as compared to the Vea irrigation site. The gross margin was, however, higher on pepper fields as compared to the rice fields at both irrigation sites. The study recommends that crop farmers in the study areas should invest more on the production of pepper at both irrigation areas. Also, there is the need for the farmers to adopt yield-boosting practices such as the use of improved seeds, adopt good soil fertility management practices, efficient irrigation water delivery system and mechanisation services for optimum yields and higher income.

scholarly journals Integrated soil fertility management in sub-Saharan Africa: unravelling local adaptation

SOIL ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 491-508 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Vanlauwe ◽  
K. Descheemaeker ◽  
K. E. Giller ◽  
J. Huising ◽  
R. Merckx ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Local Adaptation ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Soil Fertility Management ◽  
Integrated Soil Fertility Management ◽  
Farm Level ◽  
Fertility Management ◽  
Sub Saharan

Abstract. Intensification of smallholder agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa is necessary to address rural poverty and natural resource degradation. Integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) is a means to enhance crop productivity while maximizing the agronomic efficiency (AE) of applied inputs, and can thus contribute to sustainable intensification. ISFM consists of a set of best practices, preferably used in combination, including the use of appropriate germplasm, the appropriate use of fertilizer and of organic resources, and good agronomic practices. The large variability in soil fertility conditions within smallholder farms is also recognized within ISFM, including soils with constraints beyond those addressed by fertilizer and organic inputs. The variable biophysical environments that characterize smallholder farming systems have profound effects on crop productivity and AE, and targeted application of agro-inputs and management practices is necessary to enhance AE. Further, management decisions depend on the farmer's resource endowments and production objectives. In this paper we discuss the "local adaptation" component of ISFM and how this can be conceptualized within an ISFM framework, backstopped by analysis of AE at plot and farm level. At plot level, a set of four constraints to maximum AE is discussed in relation to "local adaptation": soil acidity, secondary nutrient and micronutrient (SMN) deficiencies, physical constraints, and drought stress. In each of these cases, examples are presented whereby amendments and/or practices addressing these have a significantly positive impact on fertilizer AE, including mechanistic principles underlying these effects. While the impact of such amendments and/or practices is easily understood for some practices (e.g. the application of SMNs where these are limiting), for others, more complex processes influence AE (e.g. water harvesting under varying rainfall conditions). At farm scale, adjusting fertilizer applications to within-farm soil fertility gradients has the potential to increase AE compared with blanket recommendations, in particular where fertility gradients are strong. In the final section, "local adaption" is discussed in relation to scale issues and decision support tools are evaluated as a means to create a better understanding of complexity at farm level and to communicate appropriate scenarios for allocating agro-inputs and management practices within heterogeneous farming environments.

scholarly journals Integrated soil fertility management in sub-Saharan Africa: unravelling local adaptation

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1239-1286 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Vanlauwe ◽  
K. Descheemaeker ◽  
K. E. Giller ◽  
J. Huising ◽  
R. Merckx ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Local Adaptation ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Soil Fertility Management ◽  
Integrated Soil Fertility Management ◽  
Farm Level ◽  
Fertility Management ◽  
Sub Saharan

Abstract. Intensification of smallholder agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa is necessary to address rural poverty and natural resource degradation. Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) is a means to enhance crop productivity while maximizing the agronomic efficiency (AE) of applied inputs, and can thus contribute to sustainable intensification. ISFM consists of a set of best practices, preferably used in combination, including the use of appropriate germplasm, the appropriate use of fertilizer and of organic resources, and good agronomic practices. The large variability in soil fertility conditions within smallholder farms is also recognised within ISFM, including soils with constraints beyond those addressed by fertilizer and organic inputs. The variable biophysical environments that characterize smallholder farming systems have profound effects on crop productivity and AE and targeted application of limited agro-inputs and management practices is necessary to enhance AE. Further, management decisions depend on the farmer's resource endowments and production objectives. In this paper we discuss the "local adaptation" component of ISFM and how this can be conceptualized within an ISFM framework, backstopped by analysis of AE at plot and farm level. At plot level, a set of four constraints to maximum AE is discussed in relation to "local adaptation": soil acidity, secondary nutrient and micro-nutrient (SMN) deficiencies, physical constraints, and drought stress. In each of these cases, examples are presented whereby amendments and/or practices addressing these have a significantly positive impact on fertilizer AE, including mechanistic principles underlying these effects. While the impact of such amendments and/or practices is easily understood for some practices (e.g., the application of SMNs where these are limiting), for others, more complex interactions with fertilizer AE can be identified (e.g., water harvesting under varying rainfall conditions). At farm scale, adjusting fertilizer applications within-farm soil fertility gradients has the potential to increase AE compared with blanket recommendations, in particular where fertility gradients are strong. In the final section, "local adaption" is discussed in relation to scale issues and decision support tools are evaluated as a means to create a better understanding of complexity at farm level and to communicate best scenarios for allocating agro-inputs and management practices within heterogeneous farming environments.

Economics of Soil Fertility Management Practices in Nigeria

2018 ◽  
pp. 236-263
Author(s):  
Ibukun Joyce Ogwu ◽  
Olubunmi Abayomi Omotesho ◽  
Abdulazeez Muhammad-Lawal
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Soil Fertility Management ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Fertility Management ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Organic And Inorganic Fertilizers

The production of cereals, tubers, and vegetables largely depends on the application of organic and inorganic fertilizers to offset their nutrients requirement. In this chapter, the authors identify different soil fertility management practices the maize farmers are using and examine the economic benefits of such practices in maize production. To complete the study, 237 maize farmers across Kogi and Kwara States, Nigeria were investigated. Descriptive statistics, gross margin, and multinomial logit tools were used to analyze the data. The results show that majority of the maize farmers (41.40%) use only inorganic material. Labour employed in the application of fertility materials, distance to the source of fertility materials, the quantity of seed planted, educational attainment, and gender of the maize farmer were the determinants of the use of fertility management practices relative to integrated soil fertility management (ISFM). The analyses of the results show that the use of ISFM for maize production is the most profitable method with a profitability ratio of 2.29.

scholarly journals Awareness of Integrated Soil Fertility Management Practices in the Savelugu Municipal of the Northern Region of Ghana

2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (338) ◽  
pp. 35-41
Author(s):  
Ammal Abukari ◽  
Rahamatu Abukari
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Household Size ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Inorganic Fertilizer ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Soil Fertility Management ◽  
Appropriate Use ◽  
Integrated Soil Fertility Management ◽  
Fertility Management

AbstractIn sub-Saharan Africa intensifying small-scale farming is essential in addressing poverty related issues in rural communities and the degradation of natural resources. Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) are the best practices used to improve the productivity of crops whilst maximizing agronomic efficiency of inputs applied and hence contributing to sustainable intensification. ISFM usually include the appropriate use of inorganic fertilizer and organic resources, good agronomic practices and appropriate use of germplasm. The survey was carried-out on the awareness of Integrated Soil Fertility Management practices in the Savelugu Municipal of Northern Ghana to study the awareness of integrated soil fertility management practices amongst farmers through the administration of questionnaires. A multistage method of sampling was used in selecting thirty (30) respondents randomly from five (5) selected communities namely Jana, Yapalsi, Diari, Nabogu and Gushie to make up a total sample size of 150 respondents. Frequency distribution and percentages were used to represent the data. Correlation analysis was used to test for the relationship between awareness, educational level and household size. The survey showed that majority of the respondents at ages between 21 and 30 years were married and majority with household size of 3 to 5 as well as primary and secondary education. Farming activities were carried-out by hand (80%). Majority of the respondents (43.3%) were informed about ISFM through demonstrations and 20% of the farmers apply inorganic fertilizer. About 85.5% of the respondents were aware of ISFM. The research also revealed that ISFM improves production and supports finances of respondents. The assessment of respondents’ perception of ISFM revealed a positive agreement of the effect of ISFM on soil health as well as improved production. In conclusion, it is thus suggested that it is needful for the involvement of the government on the adoption of ISFM via Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) locally and or internationally for a suitable advancement and to guarantee a sustainable environment with a world-wide corporation for improvement.

scholarly journals Biophysical and socio-economic tools for assessing soil fertility: A case of western hills, Nepal

2013 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
BP Tripathi ◽  
JE Jones
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Soil Management ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Integrated System ◽  
Residue Management ◽  
Soil Fertility Management ◽  
Fertility Management ◽  
Early Results

The middle mountain region of Nepal, which occupies some 30% of the total land, is the homeland of 45% of the total population, with agriculture being the main source of their livelihoods. Hill farming is primarily based on organic manure with livestock, forest and crops being major components of an integrated system. The aim of this study is to develop and promote improved methods for research and development organizations to identify cost-effective and appropriate soil fertility management strategies through; providing an improved understanding of the biophysical and socio-economic factors affecting the adaptability of sustainable soil management strategies in hillside systems, developing methodologies for evaluating soil fertility technologies and management systems for differently resource farmers in different farming systems, and strengthening the capability of local professionals in collaborating institutions to provide useful information to farmers. The work is placing emphasis on promoting cost-effective methods of soil fertility management, building on farmers' own knowledge and systems. Participatory techniques have been used for gaining a better understanding of fertility indicators, trends and existing soil management practices during 2000/01 in the western hills of Nepal. Farmers are now concerned that increasing amounts of chemical fertilizer at increasingly higher cost have to be applied, soils are becoming “harder” and production is declining. As a result farmers in four agro-ecological zones opted to either test methods for “improving” the quality of farm yard manure (FYM), or “improve” crop residue management. Early results show that through covering the FYM with black plastic sheets, yield increases of over 30% can be achieved. The use of participatory farm management techniques is providing a basis for local NGOs and farmers to evaluate their own experiments and develop soil fertility technologies and systems for their environments.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajn.v1i0.7536 Agronomy Journal of Nepal (Agron JN) Vol. 1: 2010 pp.1-9

scholarly journals Soil Fertility Management for Better Crop Production

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1349
Author(s):  
John Havlin ◽  
Ron Heiniger
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Nutrient Use Efficiency ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Soil Fertility Management ◽  
Fertility Management

Increasing crop productivity per unit of land area to meet future food and fiber demand increases both soil nutrient removal and the importance of replenishing soil fertility through efficient nutrient management practices. Significant progress in enhancing nutrient-use efficiency in production agriculture requires improved estimates of plant-available nutrients in the root zone, enhanced crop response to applied nutrients, and reduced offsite nutrient transport. This special issue, Soil Fertility Management for Better Crop Production, presents 15 manuscripts that advance our knowledge of interrelated soil, plant, and management factors important to increasing the nutrient availability and crop recovery of applied nutrients.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document