scholarly journals Resource-use efficiency in maize production: the case of smallholder farmers in Ghana

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 406-417
Author(s):  
Frank Osei Danquah ◽  
He Ge ◽  
Lady Nadia Frempong ◽  
Bright Asiamah Korankye

This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency with which smallholder maize farmers use their input resources such as land, labor, capital, fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and improved seed in maize production. The study used the multi-stage sampling technique to collect cross-sectional data from 600 smallholder maize producers from the northern, Brong-Ahafo, eastern, and central regions of Ghana. This study employed the marginal value product (MVP) to marginal factor cost (MFC) ratio (MVP/MFC) of the input resources. The results revealed an increased return to scale, meaning smallholder maize farmers in the pooled sample and the studied regions should enlarge their production scale by about 3.2%, 2.2%, 7.6%, 6.8%, and 2.8%, respectively, to maximize productivity. The results also revealed that resource inputs like fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides, improved seed, and land were underutilized. Therefore, these resources need to be increased if smallholder maize farmers in the pooled sample want to be efficient in their production. Labor and capital were over-utilized and needed to be reduced to increase efficiency in the farmers' maize production.

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 20
Author(s):  
Besufekad Belayneh ◽  
Tewodros Tefera ◽  
Thomas Lemma

This research was aimed to study the common bean (Phaseolus vulagris L.) marketed surplus among smallholder farmers in the Humbo and Damot Gale Woredas. A multi-stage sampling technique was used in order to determine the sample respondents. By using simple random sampling technique four sample Kebeles were selected. Cross sectional data were collected from 182 farm households who produced common bean in 2016 production season. Primary data were collected from sample households using structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and econometric model were employed to analyze the data. To identify determinants of marketed surplus of common bean, Ordinary Least Square (OLS) model was employed. The study suggest interventions such as intensification strategies which increase yields through proper management and use of inputs, rural infrastructure improvement increases the likelihood of market orientation and marketed surplus of common bean.


Author(s):  
Besufekad Bassa

This research was aimed to study the chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) production among smallholder farmers in Damot Gale and Humbo Woredas. A multi-stage sampling technique was used in order to determine the sample respondents. By using simple random sampling techniques four sample Kebeles were selected. Cross sectional data were collected from 182 farmer households who were chickpea producers in 2016 production season. Primary data were collected from sample households using structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and econometric model were employed to analyze the data. To identify the production function of chickpea crops Cobbe-Douglas production function was employed. The study suggest interventions such as intensification strategies which increase yields through proper management and use of inputs, rural infrastructure improvement increases the likelihood of production of chickpea.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 380-387
Author(s):  
Saad Ahmed Ali Jadoo ◽  
Adil H. Alhusseiny ◽  
Shukr Mahmood Yaseen ◽  
Mustafa Ali Mustafa Al-Samarrai ◽  
Anmar Shukur Mahmood

Background: Since the 2003 United States–British Coalition military invasion, Iraq has been in a state of continuous deterioration at all levels, including the health sector. This study aimed to elicit the viewpoints of the Iraqi people on the current health system, focusing on many provided health services and assessing whether the public prefers the current health system or that was provided before the invasion. Methods: A cross-sectional survey designed to explore the Iraqi people’s opinions on their health system. A self-administered questionnaire using a multi-stage sampling technique was distributed in five geographical regions in Iraq to collect the data from the head of household between 1st October and 31st of December 2019. Multiple logistic regressions were recruited to determine the significant contributing variables in this study. Results: A total of 365 heads of households (response rate: 71.7%) with the mean age of 48.36 + 11.92 years (ranged 35-78) included in the study. Most of the respondents (61.4%) complained of healthcare inaccessibility, 59.7% believed that health resources were not available, 53.7% claimed a deterioration in the quality of care, and 62.2% believed that the political / media position did not contribute to positive changes during the past two decades. Indeed, most respondents (66.0%) believe that the current healthcare system is worse than before. In the multivariate analysis, there was a statistically significant relationship between the characteristics and opinions of the respondents. Young age group (p = 0.003), men (p = < 0.001), unmarried (p = 0.001), high educated (p = < 0.001), rural resident (p = < 0.001), unemployed (p = 0.003), monthly income of less than USD 400 (p = < 0.001), consider themselves to be unhealthy (p = 0.001),  and those who think that people are unhappy now than two decades ago (p = 0.012) have a more negative opinion of the health system. Conclusions: Most Iraqis surveyed expressed disappointment from the health system after the 2003 US-led invasion. The current health system is faltering at all levels and does not meet the citizens' basic needs. Health Transformation Program (HTP) has become inevitable to develop an accessible, affordable, high-quality, efficient, and effective health system.


Author(s):  
Murad Mohammed

In Ethiopia, maize is the second largest in production areas and first in its productivity but there are high yield gaps between the actual yield currently producing and the potential yield. Therefore, this study was aimed to identify factors that affecting maize production of smallholder farmers at the farm level in the Meta district in the east Hararge zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. A two-stage random sampling technique was employed and a total of 200 smallholder farmers were randomly and proportionally selected to collect primary data. Multiple linear regression models were used to analysis factors that affect maize production among smallholder farmers. The result showed that the production of maize was influenced by several factors. The coefficient provided that as the farmers obtained 1 dollar from non-farm activity, the maize production of farmers increased by 293.2 kg, keeping other factors constant. Thus, the farmers who had money from non-farm sources used as additional income to gain agricultural inputs for maize production and thus generate more maize quantity. The result was pointed out that the size of the cultivated areas of land had a positive influence on the quantity of maize production of farmers. The coefficient entailed that as the size of the cultivated areas of land increased by one hectare, the farmer’s quantity of maize production increased by 140.4 kg by keeping other factors constant. The result was also indicated that other factors being constant, the maize crop production of smallholder farmers of Meta district was decreased by 4 kg as Development Agent’s (DA’s) office distance increased by one minute. The possible explanation was that extension services were a critical source of information on agronomic practices. Therefore, policy makers should encourage the current maize production and supplying improved seed and chemical fertilizer which support to improve smallholder farm households’ welfare by increasing their sources of income.


2017 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Uchenna C. Atowa ◽  
Alvin J. Munsamy ◽  
Samuel O. Wajuihian

Aim: To study the prevalence of myopia among school children in Aba, Nigeria.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in public and private (primary and secondary) schools. A multi-stage random sampling technique was used for selecting participants aged between 8 and 15 years from 12 schools in Aba, Nigeria. Data were analysed for 1197 children who underwent a comprehensive eye examination. The children were divided according to the following criteria: age groups (group 1 [8–11 years] or group 2 [12–15 years]), gender (male or female), level of education (primary or secondary) and type of school (public or private). Myopia was defined as spherical equivalent refraction (SER) ≤ -0.50 D in the poorer eye.Results: The prevalence of myopia was estimated to be 2.7%. Of the 96 children with refractive error, 78.1% were uncorrected. In using logistic regression analysis, risk of developing myopia was associated with older age groups (odds ratio [OR]: 1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.16–9.11; p < 0.010) and higher level of education (OR: 1.73; 95% CI, 1.05–2.86; p < 0.030). There was no significant difference in myopia prevalence between male and female children (p = 0.89).Conclusion: Although the prevalence of myopia and overall prevalence of refractive error in school children in Aba were low, the high prevalence of uncorrected refractive error is a significant public health problem. An effective and sustainable children’s vision screening programme is needed to prevent visual impairment and blindness.


1970 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-65
Author(s):  
Muhammad Faisal Qureshi ◽  
Aneeta Rathore ◽  
Nandlal Seerani ◽  
Sumera Qureshi ◽  
Bisharat Faisal ◽  
...  

Background: Children's health is very important for their better learning and timely nourishment everywhere in the world. Malnutrition among school going children has remained a big challenge in under developed countries. Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 children of four Government Primary schools of Qasimabad, district Hyderabad after taking the proper consent and administration approval from the head of school. Multi stage simple random sampling technique was adopted. Study was approved from Institutional review board of Health Services Academy Islamabad. Results: Out of total, 217 (51.4%) were boys and 205 (48.6%) were girls. Mean Height of boys and girls were 128.09 cm (±SD 12.90) and 130.36 cm (±SD 12.50) respectively. Mean Weight of boys was 25.27 Kgs (±SD 6.17) while in girls mean Weight was 26.83 Kgs (±SD 7.03). 17.57 cm (±SD 2.34) was mean MUAC for all participants and mean BMI was 15.42 (±SD 2.02). Prevalent of stunting and wasting were 24.4% and 18.3% respectively. While in 13.7% thinness (BMI for age) was seen. Stunting was statistically significant in girls 9-10 year (p value=.015, CI: .118-.823, OR=.311) and 11-≥12 years (p value=.018, CI: .215-.874, OR=.434). Pallor was more in girls (17%) and Dental caries were higher in boys (20.8%). Insufficient breakfast was done by 347 (82.2%), whereas 75 (17.8%) were doing sufficient breakfast. 341 (80.8%) students became ill during last year, out of that 80 (19%) were having history of hospitalization. Conclusion: Poor polices and lack of food aid interventions regarding health of primary school going children was assessed during this study.


Author(s):  
Fasoranti Afolabi Joseph

Background: Hepatitis B, which is caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV), is a global health problem that has resulted in high morbidity and mortality with knowledge and awareness about the occurrence and mode of transmissions relatively low among the populace. Therefore, this study examined knowledge on the mode of transmission and preventions of hepatitis B among undergraduate students in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods: The cross-sectional descriptive research was used, and a multi-stage sampling technique was adopted to select three hundred respondents which comprised male and female from three tertiary institutions in Lagos state in 2019. Hepatitis B Knowledge Questionnaire with a reliability index of 0.74 was used for data collection. The descriptive statistics of frequency count and percentages was used to analyse the demographic characteristics of respondents while the chi-square test was used to determine associations between categorical variables Results: The results revealed that a high proportion of the respondents had poor knowledge about the transmission and prevention of hepatitis B.. The result revealed that the p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically insignificant. Therefore, the study revealed that there is no significant relationship between gender and hepatitis B Conclusion: A critical level of public awareness and vaccination coverage, particularly among students, is essential to decrease Lagos' burden.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Uswatun Khasanah ◽  
Esyuananik Esyuananik ◽  
Anis Nurlaili

Abstract : Parents Factors, Decisions, Selection Of Delivery Places. Maternal and Infant Mortality Rate in Indonesia remains high. Approximately 95% of maternal deaths occur during labor due to obstetric complications. Efforts are made by doing delivery in health facilities so it does not happen late referred and handled and can be anticipated if maternity in health facilities. Factors that are considered to influence the decision of maternity selection by maternity mothers are socio-demographic factors, namely education & culture. High knowledge about health services causes individuals to tend to use health care facilities. This study aims to analyze the Sociodemografi Factors that Affect Decision Selection Place Birth to Maternity Mother. The research design using explanatory survey method with cross sectional design. This population are maternity mother in August-2016 with 51 samples of with multi stage sampling technique at coastal cluster, town and mountains, is Sepuluh health centers, Arosbaya health center and Galis health center. The data were taken by using quesioner and analized by Chi-Khuadrat. The results showed that the sociodemographic factor did not significantly influence the decision of maternity selection in maternal mother (p value>0,05). It is recommended that midwives further improve counseling in pregnant women in the third trimester related to preparing for the delivery process, among othersthrough. 


Author(s):  
Sreedevi C.

Background: Immunization is an important cost effective tool for preventing the morbidities and mortalities caused by vaccine preventable diseases. The objectives of this study were to assess the universal immunization programme coverage of children of 12–23 months of age in Kozhikode district and to study the factors associated with immunization coverage.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in 30 randomly selected electoral wards of Kozhikode district which were selected using multi stage cluster sampling technique during April 2013 to May 2014.Results: 469 children were studied from 30 clusters. 75.5% was fully immunized while 1.5% was unimmunized. Dropout rate for DPT 3 to Measles was the highest accounting to 20.2%. Most common reason for failure of immunization among unimmunized was that the parents didn’t feel the need (57.1%) and for partially immunized was the illness of the child (27.8%) followed by lack of awareness of the time of immunization (22.2%). Religion, early age of the mother at marriage and first delivery and high birth order were significantly associated with a higher proportion of partially immunized while higher education of the parents (>12th standard), health worker’s home visit in the first year of the child and presence of immunization card were significantly associated with a high full immunization coverage (p<0.05).Conclusions: Immunization coverage of 75.5% is far behind the target to be achieved. 1.5% of the children didn’t get any of the vaccinations. It is very important to increases the coverage to prevent the re-emergence of vaccine preventable diseases.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nureni Azeez ◽  
Aishat Bukola Usman ◽  
Adebowale Ayo Stephen ◽  
Abubakar Muhammad Jibo ◽  
Zubairu Iliyasu

Abstract Background Worldwide, uniformed personnel have been recognized as a population at high risk for sexually transmitted infections because of their high mobility, power differentials and affluence. However, limited studies have been conducted on risky sexual behaviour (RSB) among male uniformed personnel in Nigeria. We conducted this study to determine the prevalence and identify the predictors of RSB among male immigration and correctional personnel in Kano State.Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study among 306 male immigration and correctional personnel using multi-stage sampling technique. A pre-tested self-administered structured questionnaire containing sociodemographic and variables associated with RSB was used for data collection. Indicators of RSB included transactional sexual intercourse, sexual intercourse with casual acquaintances and multiple non-regular sexual partners over the last 12 months. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and logistic regression (α=0.05).Results Mean age of the respondents in the immigration and correctional services was 37.9±9.3 and 38.0±8.1 years respectively. Overall prevalence of RSB was 15.1% (9.2% and 20.9% among correctional and immigration workers respectively). The identified predictors of RSB were service group, marital status and attending club house prior to sexual intercourse. The likelihood of RSB was lower among the correctional personnel (aOR=0.38, CI=0.17-0.80) than the immigration officers. Being married is protective of RSB (aOR=0.38, CI=0.18-0.81) while attending club house prior to sexual intercourse predisposes the uniform personnel to RSB (aOR=3.90, CI=1.30-11.68). Conclusions Risky sexual behaviour was highly prevalent among the investigated uniform men but was higher among immigration officers than the correctional personnel.


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