Analysis of the benefits and production challenges of working donkeys in smallholder farming systems in Kenya

Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the benefits of keeping donkeys and associated production challenges under a smallholder farming system in Kenya. Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was conducted with smallholder farmers keeping donkeys in 13 administrative locations in Kirinyaga County. Data were collected using a questionnaire guide in 13 focus group discussions (FGDs) using participatory epidemiological methods. The FGDs comprised 8-12 participants who were donkey owners. Data were collected through listing, pair-wise ranking, and probing on the benefits of keeping donkeys, challenges faced by working donkeys and the common diseases that affect donkeys in these farms. Data analysis was performed using Kruskal–Wallis non-parametric method to test whether median ranks were significantly different. Other farm level data were also collected using the structured questionnaire and these were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods. Results: The identified benefits included income obtained from the use of donkeys in transportation (Z=5.80) and manure production (Z=3.47), which enabled the farmers to participate in trade activities and improve crop farming. The identified challenges included theft for slaughter (Z=5.99), disease incidence (Z=3.03), road accidents (Z=2.83), and malicious cutting (Z=2.32). Some of the diseases identified were tetanus (Z=5.35), hoof problems (Z=4.55), helminthiases (Z=3.10), and mange (Z=2.24). Participants ranked diseases based on their effects on work output for the donkeys, reducing productivity and often causing death. Addressing these production challenges would optimize donkey use among smallholder farmers. Conclusion: The results presented can be important for policymakers and extension agents regarding the health and welfare of donkeys kept under similar settings.

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MANURE MANAGEMENT BY SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN THE KANO CLOSE-SETTLED ZONE, NIGERIA

Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1017/s0014479701003040 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 37 (3) ◽

pp. 319-332 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

F. Harris ◽

M. A. Yusuf

Keyword(s):

Management Practices ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Farming Systems ◽

Nutrient Content ◽

Farming System ◽

Arid Environment ◽

Production Quality ◽

Manure Management ◽

Smallholder Farming ◽

Application Rates

Manure is a key input to smallholder farming systems, especially in the semi-arid environment of West Africa where cost and availability limit the use of inorganic fertilizers. This paper considers manure management by farmers in an intensive integrated farming system in the Nigerian savanna. The paper reports farmers' indigenous knowledge concerning manure production, quality and application, chemical analysis of manure nutrient content and application rates of manure. The potential manure supply of the livestock population of the Kano close-settled zone is calculated and compared with application rates. Recommendations are made concerning methods for improving manure quality through changes in management practices.

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Can Enhancing Efficiency Promote the Economic Viability of Smallholder Farmers? A Case of Sierra Leone

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13084235 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (8) ◽

pp. 4235

Author(s):

Silvia Saravia-Matus ◽

T. S. Amjath-Babu ◽

Sreejith Aravindakshan ◽

Stefan Sieber ◽

Jimmy A. Saravia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sierra Leone ◽

Technical Efficiency ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Crop Production ◽

Structural Equation Models ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Farming Systems ◽

Economic Viability ◽

Necessary Condition ◽

Smallholder Farming

By developing meta-frontier efficiency and structural equation models, the paper examines whether farm economic viability is positively associated with technical efficiency in a highly food insecure context, such as that of rural Sierra Leone. The findings show that technical efficiency can be a sufficient but not necessary condition in determining economic viability of smallholder farming. It is possible to breach reproductive thresholds at the cost of reduced technical efficiency, when the crop diversification strategy of smallholders includes market-oriented high-value crops. This calls for a dual policy approach that addresses farmers’ internal needs for self-consumption (increasing efficiency of food crop production) while encouraging market-oriented cash crop production (diversification assisted through the reduction of associated transaction costs and the establishment of accessible commercialization channels of export related crops and/or high-value crops). The work also calls out for a move-up or move-out strategy for small holders to create viable farming systems in developing world.

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Transaction Costs and the Marketable Surplus of Milk in Smallholder Farming Systems of the Gambia

Outlook on Agriculture ◽

10.5367/000000005774378784 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 34 (3) ◽

pp. 189-195 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Jacques Somda ◽

Eric Tollens ◽

Mulumba Kamuanga

Keyword(s):

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Farming Systems ◽

The Gambia ◽

Perfect Competition ◽

Subsistence Farming ◽

Smallholder Farming ◽

Economic Paradigm ◽

Marketable Surplus ◽

Milk Marketing ◽

Cost Factors

The neoclassical economic paradigm views market linkages as efficient mechanisms for trading. However, the validity of this position is questionable, as markets frequently do not possess the structural conditions necessary for perfect competition. In subsistence-farming systems, factors that prevent greater participation of smallholders in markets can be found from the production level to the access to markets themselves. This study investigates the transaction-cost factors operating in smallholder dairy farms in The Gambia. The results indicate that access to market at the farm gate, the number of local cows and the distance to the nearest city increase the likelihood of market participation by producers and the marketing of surpluses of dairy products. Increases in home consumption lead to decreases in sales and of farmers' participation in milk marketing. To achieve pro-poor rural growth, it is therefore essential to address explicitly the low productivity of dairy cattle, low capital endowments and market accessibility for smallholder farmers.

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Efficacy of Neem Tree (Azadirachta indica A. Jusieu) Extract on White Cabbage Aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae L. (Hem: Aphididae) Control in the Field

Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.5539/jas.v10n3p370 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 370

Author(s):

Amongi Evaline Stella ◽

Murongo Marius Flarian ◽

Mwine Julius Tedson

Keyword(s):

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Block Design ◽

Farming Systems ◽

Root Bark ◽

Economic Injury Level ◽

High Concentration ◽

Smallholder Farming ◽

Neem Tree ◽

Neem Extract ◽

Cabbage Aphid

Neem tree extracts from root, bark and leaves have generally been used in the control of pests. The extracts’ efficacy in the control of aphids in cabbages under smallholder farming systems formed the subject of the study. The dose of the admixture of the extract that effectively controlled aphids was determined through experimental methods that involved harvesting and crashing 0.1 × 10-4 of Neem tree parts. The extract was fermented for 18-48 hours.Treatment tests solutions varied were 20 mL, 30 mL and 40 mL of the extract respectively in 10litres of water and applied to cabbage in the field at intervals of once a week, twice a week and once in 2 weeks in a triplicated completely Randomized Block Design. The treated plants were observed for average number of live aphids, number of dead aphids, degree of leaf perforation, leaf curls, stunting, and finally the yield of the cabbage visa vis treatments. Aphid counts at the concentration of 30mL in 10L of water were significantly lower for live aphids and higher for dead aphids (P < 0.05), Although all treatments revealed significant differences from the control in terms of Aphid mortality, overall mean aphid counts showed a reduction in number (implying high mortality) with an increase in the concentration of Neem extract applied and cabbage vigour increased with increase in the frequency of admixture application, with a bi-weekly application producing significant results (P < 0.05). High concentration (40 mL) more effectively controlled aphids but resulted in mild scorched leaves. Smallholder farmers should take advantage of the naturally available Neem tree concoctions of 30 mLs in 10litres of water twice a week to keep aphid’s population below the economic injury level.

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Responsible Agricultural Mechanization Innovation for the Sustainable Development of Nepal’s Hillside Farming System

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12010374 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 374 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Rachana Devkota ◽

Laxmi Prasad Pant ◽

Hom Nath Gartaula ◽

Kirit Patel ◽

Devendra Gauchan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Alternative Pathway ◽

Historical Context ◽

Farming Systems ◽

Farming System ◽

The Body ◽

Responsible Innovation ◽

Small Scale ◽

Agricultural Mechanization

Agricultural mechanization in developing countries has taken at least two contested innovation pathways—the “incumbent trajectory” that promotes industrial agriculture, and an “alternative pathway” that supports small-scale mechanization for sustainable development of hillside farming systems. Although both pathways can potentially reduce human and animal drudgery, the body of literature that assesses the sustainability impacts of these mechanization pathways in the local ecological, socio-economic, cultural, and historical contexts of hillside farms is either nonexistent or under-theorized. This paper addresses this missing literature by examining the case of Nepal’s first Agricultural Mechanization Promotion Policy 2014 (AMPP) using a conceptual framework of what will be defined as “responsible innovation”. The historical context of this assessment involves the incumbent trajectory of mechanization in the country since the late 1960s that neglected smallholder farms located in the hills and mountains and biased mechanization policy for flat areas only. Findings from this study suggest that the AMPP addressed issues for smallholder production, including gender inequality, exclusion of smallholder farmers, and biophysical challenges associated with hillside farming systems, but it remains unclear whether and how the policy promotes small-scale agricultural mechanization for sustainable development of agriculture in the hills and mountains of Nepal.

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Understanding the Dynamic of Rice Farming Systems in Southern Mozambique to Improve Production and Benefits to Smallholders

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11051018 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 1018

Author(s):

Fátima Ismael ◽

Aires A. Mbanze ◽

Alexis Ndayiragije ◽

David Fangueiro

Keyword(s):

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Farming Systems ◽

Multinomial Logit Model ◽

Farming System ◽

Rice Production ◽

Rice Farming ◽

Subsistence Farming ◽

Rice Farmers ◽

Crop Types ◽

Mixed Crops

Rice farming systems (RFSs) in southern Mozambique are very heterogeneous and diversified, which has implications for smallholders’ adoption of each RFS, as well as on rice production and productivity in the region. In this regard, it is important to understand: (i) which RFS typologies can be leveraged to improve rice production and productivity; (ii) the drivers for smallholder farmers’ decisions to adopt an RFS; and (iii) which policies/incentives could enhance existing RFSs. The present study was based on surveys of 341 smallholder rice farmers in the Chókwè Irrigation Scheme (CIS), southern Mozambique. Data on the productivity of rice, size of the herd, and total other crop types were used to frame the RFS typologies. A multinomial logit model (MLM) and multiple linear regression (MLR) were applied to determine the driver for each RFS, and predict the constraints for production and yield. Based on cluster analysis, four typologies of RFSs were identified: the subsistence farming system (FS), specialised rice FS, mixed crops FS, and rice–livestock FS. Farms with longer experience reported applying more fertiliser and seedlings per unit hectare. The availability of labour increased the likelihood of adopting the mixed crops FS and rice–livestock FS. Older households were more likely to adopt the subsistence FS, and live closer to the farming fields. Yield of rice was positively associated with inputs such as fertilisers, pesticides, and seedlings, as well as years of experience of the household. Our results suggest that smallholder farmers need more assistance and technical support to identify and adopt more productive and less costly RFSs in this region.

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Challenges of Smallholder Farming in Ethiopia and Opportunities by Adopting Climate-Smart Agriculture

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture11030192 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 192

Author(s):

Gebeyanesh Zerssa ◽

Debela Feyssa ◽

Dong-Gill Kim ◽

Bettina Eichler-Löbermann

Keyword(s):

Land Tenure ◽

Crop Production ◽

Crop Yields ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Farming Systems ◽

Greenhouse Gas Mitigation ◽

Extreme Weather Events ◽

Smallholder Farming ◽

Smallholder Farming Systems ◽

Smart Agriculture

Agriculture is the backbone of the Ethiopian economy, and the agricultural sector is dominated by smallholder farming systems. The farming systems are facing constraints such as small land size, lack of resources, and increasing degradation of soil quality that hamper sustainable crop production and food security. The effects of climate change (e.g., frequent occurrence of extreme weather events) exacerbate these problems. Applying appropriate technologies like climate-smart agriculture (CSA) can help to resolve the constraints of smallholder farming systems. This paper provides a comprehensive overview regarding opportunities and challenges of traditional and newly developed CSA practices in Ethiopia, such as integrated soil fertility management, water harvesting, and agroforestry. These practices are commonly related to drought resilience, stability of crop yields, carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas mitigation, and higher household income. However, the adoption of the practices by smallholder farmers is often limited, mainly due to shortage of cropland, land tenure issues, lack of adequate knowledge about CSA, slow return on investments, and insufficient policy and implementation schemes. It is suggested that additional measures be developed and made available to help CSA practices become more prevalent in smallholder farming systems. The measures should include the utilization of degraded and marginal lands, improvement of the soil organic matter management, provision of capacity-building opportunities and financial support, as well as the development of specific policies for smallholder farming.

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Crop diversification analysis on red pepper dominated smallholder farming system: evidence from northwest Ethiopia

Ecological Processes ◽

10.1186/s13717-019-0203-7 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Abebe Birara Dessie ◽

Tadie Mirie Abate ◽

Taye Melese Mekie ◽

Yigrem Mengist Liyew

Keyword(s):

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Farming System ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Northwest Ethiopia ◽

Primary Data ◽

Farm Income ◽

Northwestern Part ◽

Crop Diversification ◽

Infrastructure Development ◽

Smallholder Farming

Abstract Background Ethiopia is the homeland of various crops due to its diverse and suitable agro-ecological zones. As a result, smallholder farmers grow multiple crops on a small piece of land both for consumption and commercial purposes in different portions of Ethiopia, including the northwestern part of the country. However, crop diversification status and extent of farmers were not well understood. Therefore, this study examined determinants of crop diversification in a pepper-dominated smallholder farming system in northwest Ethiopia. Methods Primary data was collected through a semi-structured interview schedule administered on 385 crop producers selected using a systematic random sampling technique. Moreover, the survey was supplemented by using secondary data, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. Methods such as the descriptive, inferential statistics, and econometrics model were used for analyzing the data. Results The average crop diversification index was 0.77, and most smallholder farmers (92.46%) used crop diversification as a strategy for risk reduction, nutritional improvement, consumption, and commercial needs. Moreover, the Tobit model result revealed that the status and intensity of crop diversification were significantly influenced by farmland, sex, age, land fragmentation, distance to development center, market distance, and non-/off-farm income participation. Conclusion Generally, most farm households used crop diversification as a norm and best strategy for minimizing risk, income source, nutritional and livelihood improvement. Therefore, crop producers, agricultural experts, the Ethiopian government, and partner organizations should give special attention to extension service, market, and infrastructure development to enhance the role of agricultural diversification for households.

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Economic risk analysis of alternative farming systems for smallholder farmers in central and north-east Thailand

International Journal of Social Economics ◽

10.1108/ijse-11-2012-0223 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 41 (4) ◽

pp. 294-320 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Satit Aditto ◽

Christopher Gan ◽

Gilbert Nartea

Keyword(s):

Risk Analysis ◽

Central Region ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Farming Systems ◽

Farming System ◽

Accurate Information ◽

Risk Averse ◽

Content Type ◽

North East ◽

Study Results

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate farmers’ risk aversion using the equally likely certainty equivalent approach and the negative exponential utility function to identify risk preference classification. Design/methodology/approach – Stochastic efficiency with respect to a function is applied to determine the risk efficient farming systems for the farmers in central and north-east regions of Thailand. Findings – The study results showed that maize followed by sorghum is the most risk efficient farming system for the extremely risk averse rain-fed farmers in the central region of Thailand. Intensive planting of wet rice and dry rice cultivation is preferred by the extremely risk averse central region irrigated farmers. Wet rice and cassava together with raising small herd of cattle is the most economically viable farming system for the extremely risk averse rain-fed farmers in the north-east region, while two rice crops with raising cattle is preferred by the extremely risk averse north-east irrigated farmers of Thailand. Originality/value – The findings of this study provide useful information to reinforce the empirical basis for risk analysis for Thai farmers. The results will provide more accurate information regarding risk at the farm level to policy makers and researchers.

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Do Digital Climate Services for Farmers Encourage Resilient Farming Practices? Pinpointing Gaps through the Responsible Research and Innovation Framework

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture11100953 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (10) ◽

pp. 953

Author(s):

Elisabeth Simelton ◽

Mariette McCampbell

Keyword(s):

Production Systems ◽

Global Climate ◽

Farming Systems ◽

Farming System ◽

Responsible Research And Innovation ◽

Smallholder Farming ◽

Climate Services ◽

Research And Innovation ◽

Agricultural Revolution ◽

Responsible Research

Digital climate services can support agricultural management decisions under uncertain climatological conditions and may contribute to achieving the ambitions of the fourth agricultural revolution. However, do they encourage social and environmental aspects? Our analysis builds on the four dimensions of the Responsible Research and Innovation framework and evaluates, among other things, which production systems are promoted in climate service apps; how the services contribute to or challenge (inter)national targets for sustainable development, ecosystem restoration, and climate resilience. From a longlist of apps, we present the best documented ones as case studies: nine weather-based and two non-weather-based digital services. We target apps of relevance for Southeast Asian smallholder farming systems, where both supply of and demand for such apps have this far been limited in contrast to the access to phones, and where particularly the supply of apps is poorly documented. The key findings point out several gaps. First, digitalization in Southeast Asia’s farming system is driven by foreign investments, while partnerships with public agencies, in particular national Met Offices, were rare. Services were developed for farmers but not necessarily with farmers, thereby overlooking needs and social factors such as (digital) literacy and trust. While some of the weather-based apps included more than one crop, they primarily support single solutions and none of them targeted mixed or integrated farming systems. This calls for developers of digital climate services to innovate applications in an inclusive manner, and to support governments in achieving their commitments to global climate, biodiversity, and sustainability goals. Difficulties in generating comparable information about the reviewed apps regardless of the study’s geographical focus demonstrates a need for more transparent means and protocols for users to assess and compare digital climate services.

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