The Comparison of Agricultural Knowledge and Information Systems (Akis) For Adopters and Non-Adopters of Good Agricultural Practices in Bafra District of Samsun, Turkey

The purpose of the study is to compare Agricultural Knowledge and Information Systems (AKIS) for adopters and non-adopters of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) in the Bafra district of Samsun, Turkey. The main materials of this study are the data obtained from a survey and interview with adopters and non-adopters of GAPs in Bafra district. The research data were collected from 77 farmers contained both adopters and non-adopters of GAPs. Statistical analysis, such as Chi-square and t-test was used. The study results presented the socio-economic characteristics of farmers. There was a significant difference between adopters and non-adopters of GAPs, according to household size, organizational membership, farm size, livestock and crop production. Meanwhile, the information sources such as a district agricultural manager/personnel, adviser of the farmers’ union association (GAPs) and pesticide/fertilizer dealers were preferred the main sources of agricultural information for adopters of GAPs. However, it recommended that information sources like research institute, university and cooperatives needs to be improved by strengthening their way of information dissemination. In terms of usefulness of AKIS for this study, it seems that this system was insufficient to analyze this study. Even though the functions of this system are essent ial elements, they are insufficient for establishing a network of complex innovation-oriented institutional arrangements. In the future, this study suggests to analyze GAPs it needs to use Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS) approach, because this system have many interaction networks that can facilitate the researchers to reach the innovation easily to the intended farmers.

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Socio-economic Factors Influencing Profitability of Rice Seed Production in Selected Areas of Bangladesh

The Agriculturists ◽

10.3329/agric.v12i1.19578 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 33-40

Author(s):

MZ Hoque ◽

ME Haque

Keyword(s):

Seed Production ◽

Crop Production ◽

Information Sources ◽

Economic Benefits ◽

Influential Factor ◽

Farm Size ◽

Economic Factors ◽

Rice Seed ◽

The Government ◽

Socio Economic Factors

Seed is the foundation of agriculture for enhancing crop production. The economic benefits from the improved quality seed production help scaling up the livelihood standard as well as nutritional status of the common people. The study was carried out in three districts namely Jamalpur, Gazipur and Manikganj to identify the socio-economic dimensions of the government seed production project beneficiaries persuading profitability of rice seed production. Data were collected through intensive survey of randomly selected 211 sample respondents using pre-tested interview schedule. To examine the profitability of rice seed production, the gross margin and cost benefit analysis were carried out. Co-efficient of correlation and multiple stepwise regressions were employed to find out the determinants of profitability in rice seed production. Rice seed production was not found to be so profitable as investment in rice seed cultivation can produce average BCR of only up to 1.44, where highest BCR was found in Jamalpur (1.58) compared to Manikganj (1.48) and Gazipur (1.26). The results revealed that socio-economic factors have a profound influence on profitability of rice seed production as these factors combined explained 54.9 percent variation. Farm size, contact with information sources, knowledge on quality rice production and age of the respondents were identified as significant contributors in profitability of rice seed production, whereas contact with information sources was the single most influential factor (24.6%). Therefore, steps may be taken so that the seed-growers could directly be linked with more information sources dealing with seed production and marketing through the government initiatives to boost up the production as well as to ensure appropriate price of the farmers home grown seed. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/agric.v12i1.19578 The Agriculturists 2014; 12(1) 33-40

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Exploring the Major Climate-smart Agricultural Practices for Dry Season Crop Production in Salinity Affected Fallow Land in the Coastal Areas of Bangladesh

International Journal of Environment and Climate Change ◽

10.9734/ijecc/2021/v11i1030506 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 185-192

Author(s):

Md. Abdul Awal

Keyword(s):

Crop Production ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

Conservation Agriculture ◽

Safety Net ◽

Coastal Areas ◽

Dry Season ◽

Fallow Land ◽

Short Life Span ◽

Crop Varieties ◽

Study Results

The landmasses of the coastal areas of Bangladesh still remains under-utilized, thus cropping intensity is much less than the national average. Most areas remain fallow during dry (rabi) season from December to May due to presence of higher concentration of salts in soil and water, and scarcity of suitable irrigation water. Available adaptation options or technologies are not capable to solve these problems at all. Nevertheless, the areas receive a lot of water from monsoon rain, most of that rainwater is drain-out as surface runoff. The present study results suggest that the use of harvested rainwater and conservation agriculture either in combination or alone could mitigate the problem for bringing huge areas under crop cultivation. The public social safety net programmes such as cash-for-work, food-for-work etc. can be deployed for excavating or re-excavating the abandoned coastal ponds, ditches or canals for storing rainwater. Salt-, drought- and/or heat-tolerant crop varieties with short life span can also be cultivated to get the better results. Early plantation or growing crops with early-maturing varieties can ensure safer harvest in ahead of stress arrives. The avenues have immense potential as climate-smart practices for growing crops preferably non-rice crops during dry season in vast fallow land that will not only ensure food security for coastal people but could turn the entire southern Bangladesh as a food surplus zone. The findings refer the broad recommendation, therefore, specific research works based on the locations and resources available are necessary.

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Adoption of Vietnamese Good Agricultural Practices (VietGAP) in Aquaculture: Evidence From Small-Scale Shrimp Farming

Asian Fisheries Science ◽

10.33997/j.afs.2021.34.4.012 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 34 (4) ◽

Author(s):

NGUYEN THI KIM QUYEN ◽

◽

TRAN THI BACH YEN ◽

ANNA KARIA LERØY RIPLE

Keyword(s):

Cost Benefit Analysis ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

Shrimp Farming ◽

Production Costs ◽

Farm Size ◽

Small Scale ◽

Good Agricultural Practices ◽

Cluster Membership ◽

Net Profit ◽

Shrimp Farms

The increasing demand by international customers for high-quality shrimp products has led to the introduction of various certificates of traceability intended to validate quality products in Vietnam. The Vietnamese good agricultural practices (VietGAP), better known in aquaculture as the Vietnamese good aquaculture practices, has emerged as a reliable certificate for small-scale farmers and a prerequisite for international certification. This study investigates factors affecting applications for VietGAP by small-scale shrimp farmers in Vietnam. Cost-benefit analysis and binary logistic regression approaches were used to categorise shrimp farms with and without VietGAP certification. Findings indicated that while the adoption of VietGAP raised production costs by 14.5 %, it could increase net profit by up to 22 %. The increase in net profit is from increased productivity and antibiotics and chemical-free products in shrimp farming, helped fetch better prices. The results also revealed three factors that positively influenced the farmers’ decision to acquire VietGAP; education, farm size, and production system. Shrimp farmers with longer schooling years, larger farms, and those who possess cooperative/farming cluster membership are more likely to acquire VietGAP certification. The results imply that the VietGAP certification should be better promoted to cooperative production forms of farming, by strengthening the schooling year of farmers and increasing awareness of VietGAP certification to farmers who operate shrimp farms of 5,000–9,000 m2.

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SELECTION OF CROP TECHNOLOGIES: APPROACHES AND METHODS APPLICABLE IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Vestnik of Kazan state agrarin university ◽

10.12737/2073-0462-2020-52-58 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 52-58

Author(s):

Victor Alt ◽

Svetlana Isakova ◽

Elena Balushkina

Keyword(s):

Information Systems ◽

Mathematical Models ◽

Crop Production ◽

Web Applications ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

Management Decision ◽

Grain Production ◽

Agricultural Technologies ◽

Cloud Technologies ◽

Production Conditions

The studies were carried out in order to justify the possibilities of increasing crop production based on the effective use of approaches and methods used in information systems for the choice of agricultural technologies, taking into account the agroecological, soil-climatic and production conditions of agricultural producers. Evaluation of information systems developed for the farms of the Russian Federation was carried out according to the following indicators: consideration of factors limiting grain production; availability of criteria for assessing agricultural technologies; type of information system. Agroecological, soil, climatic and production conditions, as well as the level of intensification, are identified as factors limiting grain production. The selection includes both search databases and management decision support systems that highlight approaches and methods for solving the problem of choosing agrotechnology for the production of grain crops. In approaches based on the general principle of taking into account the influence of factors of the location of the economy and its production conditions, economic evaluation of options is carried out after the choice of agricultural technology. When using economic and mathematical models, the choice of agricultural technologies is based on the economic assessment of alternative options. These approaches are implemented both in the form of local information systems, and systems based on cloud technologies. Based on the research results, systems based on economic-mathematical models and made in the form of web applications are recognized as the most promising. A generalized architecture of applications executed in the form of Web applications is given. The use of information systems (cloud technologies) for the analysis of natural factors, the use of technology and the potential of agricultural practices, crops and varieties will allow us to predict the possible result from making managerial decisions aimed at increasing grain production due to the integrated consideration of the agroecological, soil-climatic and production conditions of a particular agricultural producer.

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Farmers’ Perception of Good Agricultural Practices in Rice Production in Myanmar: A Case Study of Myaungmya District, Ayeyarwady Region

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture10070249 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 249 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Soe Paing Oo ◽

Koichi Usami

Keyword(s):

Low Income ◽

Crop Production ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

Principal Component ◽

Rice Production ◽

Extension Agents ◽

Agricultural Policies ◽

Good Agricultural Practices ◽

Access To Credit ◽

And Cluster Analysis

Although the Myanmar Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MOAI) implemented Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) in rice production, farmers’ application of GAPs is decreasing. This study was conducted to examine farmers’ perception of GAPs and the determinants of that perception. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire from a random selection of 315 farmers. By applying principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis, the study found that all component technologies of GAPs have relative advantages and visible benefits. However, these component technologies of GAPs in rice production are perceived as relatively difficult to apply by farmers. According to the result of the binary logit model, determinants of farmers’ perception were gender, education, farmland size, access to credit, income from crop production, contact with extension agents, receiving agricultural information, and receiving training in GAPs in rice production. Some agricultural policies and extension activities are needed to enhance farmers’ perceptions of the compatibility of GAPs in rice production. First, the implementation of GAPs in rice production should focus mainly on low-income farmers who own small amounts of farmland. Second, MOAI should reform the credit plan for farmers who wish to accept GAPs in rice production. Third, extension workers should have regular contact with farmers to enhance farmers’ perception of the compatibility of GAPs in rice production. Finally, more agricultural information should be provided, especially for farmers who have larger farms and higher income, concerning the advantages of using GAPs in rice production.

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Economic outcomes in relation to farmers’ age in the Czech Republic

Agricultural Economics (Zemědělská ekonomika) ◽

10.17221/117/2019-agricecon ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 66 (No. 4) ◽

pp. 149-159

Author(s):

Zuzana Hlouskova ◽

Marie Prasilova

Keyword(s):

Czech Republic ◽

Crop Production ◽

Age Groups ◽

Value Added ◽

Farm Size ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Farm Accountancy Data Network ◽

The Relationship ◽

Net Value Added

The current paper aims to assess farming enterprise outcomes in the Czech Republic from a socio-economic perspective. The relationship between the age of a farms’ managers and its economic results has been analysed for 1 351 farms using the FADN (Farm Accountancy Data Network) database in order to determine whether farms’ economic results differ on the basis of the age of their managers. Our analysis confirms that there is indeed a correlation between manager age and a farming enterprise’s economic results. The results have been analysed in detail according to the age groups of managers and farm owners, farm specialization, and farm size. The farm net value added per annual work unit reached the best values in businesses managed by young farmers in crop production (EUR 34 445) and young farmers in large enterprises (EUR 43 400). The oldest farmers, specializing in milk production, had the highest level of indebtedness (0.39). The data reveal that the age of farmers is inversely proportional to the level of indebtedness, with level of debt decreasing with increasing farmer age. A Mann-Whitney U test (with Bonferroni correction) confirms a statistically significant difference between young farmers and the remaining three age groups in the ratio of production to cost.

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Response of some wheat genotypes to different salinity levels of Irrigated water

Plant Omics ◽

10.21475/poj.13.01.20.p2268 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 37-45

Author(s):

Soleman M. Al Otayk

Keyword(s):

Salt Stress ◽

Crop Production ◽

Agricultural Research ◽

Kernel Weight ◽

Limiting Factor ◽

Water Control ◽

Wheat Genotypes ◽

Study Results ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Salinity Levels

Salinity is one of the major constraints for crop production across the world. Saudi Arabia is dominated with desert environment with high salinity in the central region of the country. Therefore, salinity has a limiting factor for cereal crops in this region. The objective of this study was to assess the productivity and quality characters for some wheat (Triticum aestivum L) genotypes under different salinity levels of Irrigated water (control, 4000, 8000 ppm NaCl). The experiment was conducted during 2011 and 2012 seasons. The trial was conducted under greenhouse environmental condition at Qassim University Agricultural Research and Experimental Station during 2011 and 2012 seasons. Twenty wheat genotypes including: 5 genotypes from ICARDA, 7 genotypes from Pakistan, 5 Australian genotypes, one American genotype (Yocora Rojo), one Egyptian genotype (Sakha 93) and one local genotype (Sama) were used in this study. Results from wheat genotype trial showed a significant difference (p<0.05) for all traits due to increased salinity in irrigation water from 4000 to 8000 ppm. There was a significant difference between the varieties for plant height, 1000-kernel weight, number of kernels spike-1 and Na for grain and straw. The interaction effect was significant in number of spikes, 1000-kernel weight and Na for grain and hay and Na / K cereal. The results showed that Auqab 2000, Bhan 2000 and Shaka 93 have the highest yield at high level of salt and Sis 13, P2 and Local were the least in yield. Moreover, the results of principle component analysis (PCA) indicated that the superior wheat genotypes for grain yield under salt stress in the two seasons (Auqab 2000, Bhan 2000, Yocara Rojo and Sakha 93) are clustered in group D. These genotypes can be considered as salinity resistant varieties. The maximum reduction over control under salt stress was recorded in Australian genotypes (P6 and P9) and local genotype 'Sama'.

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Effect of Action Against Hunger intervention on crop farmers' production level in climate change affected areas of Kita, Kayes region of Mali

The Journal of Quality in Education - The improvement of Quality in Education ◽

10.37870/joqie.v8i11.159 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (11) ◽

Author(s):

MAHAMADOU DEMBELE

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Crop Production ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Farm Size ◽

Chi Square ◽

Climate Change Effects ◽

Multi Stage ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Before And After ◽

Relevant Variables

Cereal crop production in Kita, Kayes region of Mali is on a serious decline due to climate change effects. Hence, Action Against Hunger (AAH) intervention was launched towards addressing climate change effects in Kita in view of increasing level of agricultural production and standard of living of the local farmers. Therefore, the study examined the effect of AAH intervention on crop farmers' production. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 223 from 1,226 beneficiaries of AAH intervention in Kita circle while 101 non-beneficiaries were randomly selected from Bafoulabé circle where no similar projects were going on. Data collected were subjected to statistical analysis using frequency counts, mean, charts and percentages. Chi-square and Pearson Product Moment Correlation were used to determine relationships between relevant variables. T-test was used to determine significant difference between beneficiaries' level of production before and after intervention and between beneficiaries' and non-beneficiaries' level of production after intervention. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine significant contribution of the independent variables to dependent variable. Attitude towards AAH intervention (r=0.198, p<0.05) had significant relationship with change in beneficiaries' production. Significant difference existed between level of production of beneficiaries before - =2138.6748 and after =2445.6098 intervention (t=11.929, p<0.01) but the level of change was low (65.0%). Difference also exists between beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries level of production. Major determinants of change in level of production were monthly income (Î²= 0.499, p<0.01) and farm size (Î²=0.374, p<0.01).

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Source Selection Among Information Seekers: Ideals and Realities

Proceedings of the Annual Conference of CAIS / Actes du congrès annuel de l'ACSI ◽

10.29173/cais16 ◽

2013 ◽

Author(s):

Heidi Julien ◽

David Michels

Keyword(s):

Information Systems ◽

Information Sources ◽

Daily Life ◽

Information Behavior ◽

Source Characteristics ◽

Source Selection ◽

Study Results ◽

Formal Information

In a study examining the information behavior of 9 individuals over 10 weeks in daily life contexts, participants were asked to identify ideal sources of help for the questions and issues they faced. The data show how people’s expectation of the usefulness of information sources varies by the information seeker’s gender, and source characteristics such as accessibility, trustworthiness, and reliability. Usefulness of sources has both cognitive and affective aspects. Further, discrepancies between participants' stated ideals, and the sources actually used, are analyzed. The study results suggest ways to encourage use of formal information systems and services.

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The Effectiveness of Audio Media in Enhancing Farmers’ Knowledge: The Case of Smallholder Banana Farmers in Western Uganda

International Journal of Recent Contributions from Engineering Science & IT (iJES) ◽

10.3991/ijes.v7i2.10847 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 68

Author(s):

Mark Kaahwa ◽

Chang Zhu ◽

Moses Muhumuza ◽

Rodgers Mutyebere ◽

Charles Karemera

Keyword(s):

Information Dissemination ◽

Baseline Survey ◽

Knowledge Gain ◽

Farming Practices ◽

Agricultural Knowledge ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Before And After ◽

Line Survey ◽

Source Of Information ◽

Audio Media

Although audio media has been presented by previous research as a suitable medium for conveying agricultural information, there is limited research in assessing its effectiveness in assisting farmers’ gain agricultural knowledge. This study thus undertook to carry out that investigation by involving 1000 smallholder banana farmers in the study which involved a baseline survey, an intervention, and an end line survey. The preliminary survey results showed that 456 farmers had relevant knowledge of farming practices and were removed from the study. However, 541 farmers were lacking the required knowledge regarding proper banana farming practices. This group was assigned to an intervention of radio broadcasts for one month. All broadcasted content was recorded on CDs and circulated to the participants for continued revision. This was followed by the end line survey and the two datasets were compared to establish the change in knowledge levels of the farmers. The tests of variances before the intervention and after the intervention indicated that the two groups being compared are assumed to be approximately equal (p >0.05). Results showed a significant difference in the mean knowledge scores before and after the intervention. Furthermore, independent t-test results reveal a statistically significant difference in the pre- and post-knowledge tests of farmers. In addition, results from Pearson Correlations show that farmers’ characteristics such as age, gender, and level of education do not influence the uptake of knowledge on farming practices by farmers. However, results reveal a statistically significant association between the source of information (Radio Broadcast & audio CDs) and knowledge gain regarding most banana farming practices by farmers. This study provides further evidence that audio media in the form of radio broadcasts and audio CDs is a vital source for agricultural information to the rural farmers. Moreover, it can be concluded that farmers’ characteristics do not influence knowledge gain for banana farming practices when audio media is used as a medium of information dissemination. And thus, audio media remains a vital source of information for resource-poor farmers and can greatly enhance their agricultural knowledge when audio media is used as an intervention.

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