Competitiveness of the Ghanaian vegetable sector: Findings from a farmer survey

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
Keyword(s):  
Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 480
Author(s):  
Zhichao An ◽  
Chong Wang ◽  
Xiaoqiang Jiao ◽  
Zhongliang Kong ◽  
Wei Jiang ◽  
...  

Increasing plant density is a key measure to close the maize (Zea mays L.) yield gap and ensure food security. However, there is a large plant density difference in the fields sown by agronomists and smallholders. The primary cause of this phenomenon is the lack of an effective methodology to systematically analyze the density loss. To identify the plant density loss processes from experimental plots to smallholder fields, a research methodology was developed in this study involving a farmer survey and measurements in a smallholder field. The results showed that the sowing density difference caused by farmer decision-making and plant density losses caused by mechanical and agronomic factors explained 15.5%, 5.5% and 6.8% of the plant density difference, respectively. Changing smallholder attitudes toward the value of increasing the plant density could help reduce this density loss and increase farm yields by 12.3%. Therefore, this methodology was effective for analyzing the plant density loss, and to clarify the primary causes of sowing density differences and plant density loss. Additionally, it was beneficial to identify the priorities and stakeholders who share responsibility for reducing the density loss. The methodology has wide applicability to address the sowing density differences and plant density loss in other areas to narrow crop yield gaps and ensure food security.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (18) ◽  
pp. 10305
Author(s):  
Susanne Padel ◽  
Stefano Orsini ◽  
Francesco Solfanelli ◽  
Raffaele Zanoli

This paper considers European organic seed as a market in the sense of economic theory and explores factors impacting seed supply and demand. Under the organic regulation, farmers have to use seed multiplied in organic farming or apply for a derogation. We evaluated the functioning of the organic seed market, based on case studies of seed supply chains for arable, vegetable and forage crops; a farmer survey; and a status-quo analysis of the organic seed sector from the European LIVESEED project. The organic seed market is characterised by small size, great diversity of crops grown, unsolved technical problems for some crops and limited capacity of breeding varieties adapted to organic farming conditions. Demand vastly outstrips supply for most crops, but strong regional and sector differences were observed. A lack of information about availability and price for organic seed is likely to act as barrier to investment. Full enforcement of the regulation to use only organic seed might have unforeseen consequences, such as a reduction of agrobiodiversity in organic farming, rather than supporting an increase in supply. We conclude that the market alone is not likely to deliver 100% organic seed and government intervention is justified.


2009 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 225-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muneki TOMITA ◽  
Tomomichi MIZUKAMI ◽  
Masamitsu TAKAHASHI ◽  
Shigeyoshi TSUKAMOTO
Keyword(s):  

2011 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 25-30
Author(s):  
K.N. Tozer ◽  
C.A. Cameron ◽  
E.R. Thom

Information is presented on farmer perceptions and concerns regarding key factors leading to poor persistence of sown pasture species. Forty-seven farmers from four regions viz. Northland (beef, sheep), Waikato (dairy), Taranaki (dairy) and North Canterbury (beef, sheep, deer) were asked for their opinions on the 'keys' to persistence and 'killers' of sown species; i.e., factors leading to a decline in sown species. In all regions, grazing management was perceived to be the most important key to persistence and insect pests the top killer of sown species. Better industry dissemination of existing information and further research on forage herbs and insect pest issues are future requirements. In each region, presence of sown species was also assessed in 30 paddocks belonging to the surveyed farmers. There was a significant decline in pasture chicory presence, but no decline in that of cocksfoot or plantain. Ryegrass, white clover and tall fescue were present in nearly all paddocks in which they were sown. Chicory may be best used as a crop, while plantain shows greater potential for persistence as part of a pasture mix. Keywords: chicory; farmer survey; information gaps; plantain; research needs


2009 ◽  
Vol 65 (9) ◽  
pp. 1030-1039 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alastair S Bailey ◽  
Marco Bertaglia ◽  
Iain M Fraser ◽  
Abhijit Sharma ◽  
Elodie Douarin

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