scholarly journals Characterization of rice farming systems, production constraints and determinants of adoption of improved varieties by smallholder farmers of the Republic of Benin

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yêyinou Laura Estelle LOKO ◽  
Charlemagne D.S.J. GBEMAVO ◽  
Gustave DJEDATIN ◽  
Eben-Ezer EWEDJE ◽  
Azize OROBIYI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Farm Households ◽  
Rice Farming ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Rice Varieties ◽  
Production Constraints ◽  
Livestock Farming System ◽  
Republic Of Benin ◽  
The Republic

Abstract The Republic of Benin has the potential to reduce its heavy dependence on rice imports to meet the needs of its population. For that, the identification of technological and policy interventions allowing to improve the performance of Beninese rice systems is necessary. This study therefore characterized the Beninese rice farming systems and identified the production constraints in the country's different rice-growing areas, and determinants of the adoption of improved varieties by farmers. Four hundred eighteen rice farm households were surveyed across 39 villages using participatory research tools and methods. An hierarchical cluster analysis were used to classify the surveyed farm households into rice farming systems based on household socio-demographic characteristics, farm resources, farming practices and access to agricultural extension services. The cluster analysis revealed four typologies of rice farming systems differentiated by 8 variables. These are, the semi-intensive rice farming system (cluster 1), subsistence rice farming (cluster 2), integrated rice–livestock farming system (cluster 3), and intensive rice farming system (cluster 4). The integrated rice–livestock farming system was the dominant type practiced in the northern Benin, while, it is the intensive rice farming system in the south. Fifteen production constraints across rice-growing areas were recorded, with the lack of agricultural machinery and credits as the most important. The land ownership, risk aversion, production of off-season rice, and contact of farmers with non-governmental organizations positively influenced the adoption of improved rice varieties. Our results suggest that initiatives to boost rice production in Republic of Benin should prioritize the establishment of formal agricultural credit and mechanization option policies. We recommend training of rice farmers on modern production techniques. To increase adoption of improved rice varieties, agricultural extension services should target landowners’ farmers practising off-season rice production, and having in addition to agricultural income, other income from various activities.

Opportunities for plant improvement to increase the value of forage shrubs on low-rainfall mixed farms

2014 ◽  
Vol 65 (10) ◽  
pp. 1057 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Monjardino ◽  
A. Bathgate ◽  
R. Llewellyn
Keyword(s):  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Agricultural System ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Economic Returns ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Small Areas ◽  
Feed Quality ◽  
Livestock Farming System ◽  
Feed Value

Plantings of forage shrubs such as saltbush (Atriplex spp.) in the drier part of the crop–livestock zone of southern Australia have the potential to help fill feed autumn gaps, provide valuable feed during drought periods, and provide year-round groundcover, shelter for livestock and options for management of saline soils. However, the proportion of farms with forage shrub plantings and the extent of those plantings remain relatively low, with the rate of new plantings slowing over the past decade. Development of new forage-shrub options has been occurring with the aim of improving the feed value and adoption of forage shrubs. Using a whole-farm bio-economic optimisation model for a crop–livestock farming system in the low-rainfall Mallee region of southern Australia (Mallee MIDAS—model of an integrated dryland agricultural system), we explored how key attributes of forage-shrub plantings and the associated pasture understorey, such as biomass growth, digestibility and ease of establishment, can make forage shrub plantings economically more attractive to farmers. We found that saltbush types and forage-shrub options with improved feed quality characteristics will offer the opportunity for improved economic returns and increased profitability from larger plantings compared with existing options. Improving feed quality was more important than increasing the growth rates of saltbush plants. Results still indicate only a niche role in farming systems, with profit typically being greatest when using relatively small areas (<10% of farm area) on the less productive soils of the farm. The results suggest that the profitability of forage shrubs will be greatest for those growers with larger areas of marginal cropping soils and greater reliance on livestock than cropping. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that, if cereal prices or yields fall significantly and/or lamb prices rise, the value of a forage shrub planting can increase substantially. The principles revealed have wide application beyond the region, although these need to be adapted on-farm and widely disseminated before potential contribution to Australian agriculture can be realised.

scholarly journals Nutritive attributes of Sesbania parchycapa fodder in a crop-livestock farming system

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 306-312
Author(s):  
J. A. Akinlade ◽  
A. Larbi ◽  
A. A. Awojide ◽  
I. O. Adekunle ◽  
O. O. Ojebiyi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
N Balance ◽  
Panicum Maximum ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Livestock Farming System ◽  
Agro Forestry ◽  
Small Holder

Two experiments were conducted to investigate and compare the nutritive attributes of Sesbania parchycapa (SP) in a crop-livestock farming system. In Experiment 1, the feeding attributes of Sesbania parchycapa (SP) fodder was investigated with 15 West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep, by feeding Panicum maximum (PM) alone and P. maximum supplemented with S. parchycapa (SP) in the ratio of 70:30. The study lasted 28 days, during which feed intake was monitored daily. In Experiment 2, the nutritive value of SP was investigated with WAD sheep and goats by feeding them as sole diets. The study lasted 15 days consisting of 10 days adjustment and 5 days of data collection using 5 each of bucks and rams in a completely randomised design. In the first trial, DM intake (99.5g/kgBW0.75) was higher for the control PM and least (72.8g/kgBW0.75) for SP. Total DM intake followed similar trend. In the second trial, DM (185g/kgBW0.75), CP (40%) and NDF (645g/kgBW0.75) intakes were generally higher (p<0.05). for sheep than for goats. DAM (562), CP (421) and NDF 680g/kg digestibility coefficients were also higher (p<0.05)for sheep than for goats. The N balance and retention (g/h/d) was higher in sheep. Results indicated that intake, digestibility and N- utilisation of S. parcyhcapa by sheep is better than goats although both had a positive N-balance. It could be concluded that apart from the well known positive impact of S. Parchycapa in agro forestry and alley farming systems, it can effectively serve as protein supplement in a small holder crop-livestock farming system.

scholarly journals Quality Labels as Drivers of Peri-Urban Livestock Systems Resilience

Land ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 211
Author(s):  
Rosalia Filippini ◽  
Sabine Gennai-Schott ◽  
Tiziana Sabbatini ◽  
Sylvie Lardon ◽  
Elisa Marraccini
Keyword(s):  
Urban Area ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Local Food ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Food Supply Chains ◽  
Livestock Farming Systems ◽  
Livestock Farming System

Livestock farming systems have an important role in the territorial systems of the Mediterranean, but in the last twenty years the sector has undergone serious changes with an important decrease in the number of farms. The purpose of this study is to show the contribution of a local food certification to the resilience of peri-urban livestock farming system and of its food supply chain at territorial level. The focus is on the “Carne Bovina di Pisa” project, a private label promoted by the local livestock producers’ association, with the purpose of preserving biodiversity and provide farmers with an opportunity to strengthen their local marketing power. The case study is the peri-urban area of Pisa (Tuscany, Italy), representative of the urbanized Mediterranean coastal plains with high urban pressure on agricultural land and increasing agricultural abandonment in the peri-urban area. The analysis is based on the qualitative analysis of interviews to stakeholders and the quantitative figures about the changes in livestock system. Results show that the label has positively sustained both the resilience of farming systems and the local food supply chains.

scholarly journals Assessment of ecosystem services provided by livestock agroecosystems in the tropics: a case study of tropical island environment of Guadeloupe

2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
J.-L. Gourdine ◽  
A. Fourcot ◽  
C. Lefloch ◽  
M. Naves ◽  
G. Alexandre
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Tropical Island ◽  
Cultural Aspects ◽  
Livestock Farming System ◽  
Agroecological Zones ◽  
The Tropics ◽  
Cluster 2

AbstractThe present study aims to assess (1) the ecosystem services (ES) provided by LFS and (2) the differential ES between local (Creole) and exotic breeds from pig, cattle and goat. The ES are defined as the benefits that humans derive from LFS. They were summarized in 12 ES indicators that cover services related to provisioning, ecological and socio-cultural aspects and territorial vitality. A total of 106 LFS units that covers the five agroecological zones of Guadeloupe were analysed. Functional typologies of LFS per species were created from surveys. The effect of breed on the ES indicators was tested. Results showed that the 40 pig LFS units were separated into 3 clusters that were differentiated in ES according to provisioning ES (cluster 1), cultural use and sale to the neighborhood (cluster 2) and pork self-consumption (cluster 3). The typology of the 57 farms with cattle distinguished 4 clusters with differences in ES provided in self-consumption (cluster1), ecological ES (cluster 2), socio-cultural ES for racing or draught oxen (cluster 3) and ES associated with territory vitality (cluster 4). The 66 goat LFS units were classified into 3 clusters different in ES concerning self-consumption (cluster 1), cultural aspects (cluster 2) and provisioning ES (cluster 3). Our study highlights that ES indicators are not breed dependent (P > 0.10) but rather livestock farming system dependent. The ES rely more on the rearing management than on the breed type, and up to now, there are no specifications in Guadeloupe to differentiate management between breeds.

scholarly journals A dataset for sustainability assessment of agroecological practices in a crop-livestock farming system

Data in Brief ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 107078 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Jouan ◽  
Matthieu Carof ◽  
Rim Baccar ◽  
Nathalie Bareille ◽  
Suzanne Bastian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Livestock Farming System

scholarly journals MOTIVASI PETANI DALAM MEMPERTAHANKAN SISTEM TRADISIONAL PADA USAHATANI PADI SAWAH DI DESA PARBAJU JULU KABUPATEN TAPANULI UTARA PROPINSI SUMATERA UTARA

2011 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-62
Author(s):  
. Reflis ◽  
M. Nurung ◽  
Juliana Dewi Pratiwi
Keyword(s):  
Formal Education ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Rank Correlation ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Rice Farming ◽  
Traditional System ◽  
Size Number ◽  
Rainfed Farming

This research aims to identify factors correlated significantly to the motivation of farmers in perseving traditional rainfed farming systems, such as using local seeds and planting once a year.  The population of this study is farmer who still perform the traditional paddy farming system in the Village of North Tapanuli Parbaju Julu County North Sumatra Province. As much as 48 respondents randomly selected from 160 farmers.  A descriptive analyse and Spearman rank correlation are applied in this study.   The study showed that formal education, farmers' perception of the traditional system of rice farming are correlated significantly to farmer motivation in preserving tradional farming system while non-formal education, the traditional system of farming experience, farm size, number of family members are not.  Factors that correlated significantly to farmer motivation in maintaining local seed is non-formal education, farming experience, while the traditional system of formal education, farmers' perception of traditional rice farming system, farm size, number of family members are not correlated significantly.  Furthermore, the number of family members is merely factor that correlated significantly to the farmers motivation in maintaining once a year plantings while others factors are not correlated. Key words: farmer motivation, preserving, traditional farming

scholarly journals The Use of Lupin as a Source of Protein in Animal Feeding: Genomic Tools and Breeding Approaches

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 851 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleni Abraham ◽  
Ioannis Ganopoulos ◽  
Panagiotis Madesis ◽  
Athanasios Mavromatis ◽  
Photini Mylona ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Quality ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Antinutritional Factors ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Biotic And Abiotic Stress ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Alternative Source ◽  
Genomic Tools ◽  
Animal Feeding

Livestock production in the European Union EU is highly dependent on imported soybean, exposing the livestock farming system to risks related to the global trade of soybean. Lupin species could be a realistic sustainable alternative source of protein for animal feeding. Lupinus is a very diverse genus with many species. However, only four of them—namely, L. albus, L. angustifolius, L. luteus and L. mutabilis—are cultivated. Their use in livestock farming systems has many advantages in relation to economic and environmental impact. Generally, lupin grains are characterized by high protein content, while their oil content is relatively low but of high quality. On the other hand, the presence of quinolizidine alkaloids and their specific carbohydrate composition are the main antinutritional factors that prevent their use in animal feeding. This research is mainly related to L. albus and to L. angustifolius, and to a lesser extent, to L. lauteus and L. mutabilis. The breeding efforts are mostly focused on yield stabilization, resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, biochemical structure associated with seed quality and late maturing. Progress is made in improving lupin with respect to the seed quality, as well as the tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress. It has to be noted that modern cultivars, mostly of L. albus and L. angustifolius, contain low levels of alkaloids. However, for future breeding efforts, the implementation of marker-assisted selection and the available genomic tools is of great importance.

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