scholarly journals COST AND BENEFITS OF RUNNING A TEA-BASED FARMER FIELD SCHOOL IN KENYA

2012 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 165-177
Author(s):  
Stephen Wambugu Maina ◽  
John Gowland-Mwangi ◽  
Dave Boselie
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Good Agricultural Practices ◽  
Development Agency ◽  
Farmer Field Schools ◽  
Training Cost ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
Field Schools

The Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), through its extension workers, has been educating tea producers on good agricultural practices using Farmer Field Schools (FFS). Information on training cost and benefits of running a tea-based FFS in Kenya were not readily available. Such information would enable tea stakeholders to develop a strategy for up-scaling FFS. This study sought to determine and describe the cost and benefits of running a tea-based FFS among small-scale farmers in the Rift Valley. The study used a Cross-Sectional research design to collect data from 514 small-scale tea growers drawn randomly from KTDA factories. A questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.92α was used after validation by extension experts. Face-to-Face interviews and a stakeholders’ workshop were used for triangulation purposes. Data were analyzed qualitatively and reported using descriptive statistics. The results indicated that training a farmer in a tea-based FFS in a year costs Ksh 6,076/= (US$71). The training gave farmers skills to improve their tea husbandry, yields, level of empowerment and leadership skills. The researchers concluded that training tea farmers in FFSs was cheap, sustainable and effective in changing their behavior. Stakeholders in the tea-value chain should increase funding and use of FFS in training tea farmers. Key words: benefits, cost, farmer field schools, good agricultural practices, Kenya Tea Development Agency.

scholarly journals UP-SCALING FARMER FIELD SCHOOLS AND RAINFOREST ALLIANCE CERTIFICATION AMONG SMALLHOLDER TEA PRODUCERS IN KENYA: OPTIONS, OPPORTUNITIES AND EMERGING LESSONS

2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-158
Author(s):  
Stephen Wambugu Maina ◽  
John Gowland-Mwangi ◽  
Dave Boselie ◽  
Davies Onduru ◽  
Betty Chelang’at Buses
Keyword(s):  
Human Resource Development ◽  
Current System ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Good Agricultural Practices ◽  
Development Agency ◽  
Farmer Field Schools ◽  
Rainforest Alliance ◽  
Field Schools ◽  
Up Scaling

The Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) has been encouraging small-scale tea (Camellia sinensis) producers through Farmer Field Schools (FFS) to adopt good agricultural practices since 2006. The up-scaling of FFS and Rainforest Alliance (RA) certification to 560,000 tea producers remains a big challenge. Hence the need to learn about options, opportunities and emerging lessons for up-scaling FFS and RA certification among smallholder tea producers in Kenya. This study sought to improve tea stakeholders’ understanding on how successful innovations such as FFSs and RA certification can be up-scaled to more stakeholders and how to produce tea sustainably. It also sought to describe the options, opportunities and emerging lessons related to up-scaling. The study used a Cross-Sectional design to collect data from a two-stage random sample of 514 small-scale tea growers drawn from KTDA factories. A semi-structured questionnaire validated by extension experts, whose 0.92α reliability was above the 0.70 acceptable was used to collect data. Face-to-Face interviews, document analysis, record reviews, site visits, observations, living the system and a stakeholders’ workshop were carried out to ensure triangulation. Data were analyzed using Chi-square at 0.05α set a priori. The results indicated that maintaining the current system with some improvements was the best option for up-scaling FFS and RA certification. The researchers concluded that FFSs and RA certification can be up-scaled by increasing resources, improving communication, training and educating non-FFS members using different methods. They showed that up-scaling training for certification and FFS come with a need for additional investments and eventually will alter KTDA’s cost and revenue model of the sustainable tea production. To sustain this system, the true costs and benefits of sustainable tea are incorporated in the KTDA business model, which implies that donors strategically move from subsidizing costs to strategic investments in human resource development, capacity building and extension technologies. Key words: certification, emerging lessons, farmer field schools, good agricultural practices, Kenya Tea Development Agency, Rainforest Alliance, opportunities, options.

scholarly journals KINERJA AGRIBISNIS MANGGA GEDONG GINCU DAN POTENSINYA SEBAGAI PRODUK EKSPOR PERTANIAN UNGGULAN

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 49
Author(s):  
Ening Ariningsih ◽  
NFn Ashari ◽  
Handewi P. Saliem ◽  
Mohamad Maulana ◽  
Kartika Sari Septanti
Keyword(s):  
Economic Value ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Harvest Management ◽  
Good Agricultural Practices ◽  
Farm Level ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
On Farm

<p>Gedong gincu mango is a specific mango variety in West Java Province, which has a high economic value and the prospect of being a superior export commodity of Indonesia. Despite its increasing production and high market prospect, gedong gincu mango agribusiness still faces various problems, both in on-farm and off-farm aspects. This paper aims to study the agribusiness of gedong gincu mango, covering both on-farm and off-farm aspects and export prospects. In general, gedong gincu mango farmers are small-scale farmers who practice traditional cultivation, harvest, and post-harvest management; are not yet market-oriented; practicing conventional marketing that relies on collecting traders, and have weak institutional. These conditions cause low productivity and diverse quality of gedong mango and are not continuously available throughout the year, which hinder the potential for wide-open exports from being appropriately utilized. It needs improvement in both on-farm and off-farm to improve the production and marketing of gedong gincu mango. At the on-farm level, efforts to increase competitiveness can be made by improving fruit production, productivity, quality, and continuity, by applying good agricultural practices. At the off-farm level, this can be done through improving facilities and infrastructures, institutions, and regulations. These efforts should involve all parties, including farmers (producers), marketing agents (collectors, traders, exporters), and policymakers.</p>

scholarly journals Applying the Best-Fit Framework to Assess and Strengthen National Extension and Advisory Services

2017 ◽  
pp. 80-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin Davis ◽  
David J. Spielman
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Extension Agents ◽  
Performance Incentives ◽  
Advisory Services ◽  
Innovative Solutions ◽  
Cross Country ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
Best Fit

Agricultural extension and advisory services are critical to supporting technological and institutional changes that can improve the livelihoods of small-scale farmers in developing countries. However, many extension services are under-resourced, out of date, and need of structural and content changes. However, efforts to systematically strengthen local extension systems often fall into the trap of promoting blueprints that are insufficiently adapted to local context. To that end, researchers developed the best-fit framework in the 2000s to provide impetus for pursuit of more locally-tailored extension solutions. Today, almost a decade later, researchers test the framework under real-world conditions in a cross-country application. This paper examines the application of this framework across six dimensions and seven countries to formulate a set of best-fit recommendations that are also broadly appreciable. The findings show that it is possible to apply the framework to the analysis of EAS across countries while also maintaining a very localized perspective on recommendations. Across the seven countries, certain obvious commonalities exist: The growth in pluralism in extension providers, the persistence of weak incentives for extension agents, and the lack of enabling policies. At the same time, innovative solutions to many of the challenges held in common—ICT-enabled extension, performance incentives, and value-chain oriented extension—are heterogeneous. The framework allows users to pursue change processes in EAS in response to their own local realities.

scholarly journals Linking small-scale farmers to the durum wheat value chain in Ethiopia: Assessing the effects on production and wellbeing

Food Policy ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 79 ◽  
pp. 77-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Biggeri ◽  
Francesco Burchi ◽  
Federico Ciani ◽  
Raoul Herrmann
Keyword(s):  
Durum Wheat ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

scholarly journals The timing of agricultural production in hazard-prone areas to prevent losses at peak-risk periods: A case of Malawi, Madagascar and Mozambique

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leandri Kruger
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Mixed Method Research ◽  
Residual Moisture ◽  
Resilient Communities ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

Hazard-prone areas in southern Africa experience many natural hazards, which include cyclones, floods and droughts. The severe climatic conditions of southern Africa have an especially large impact on the agricultural practices of small-scale farmers. These hazards should be mitigated to ensure more resilient communities and food security. This study mainly focuses on the timing of agricultural production in hazard-prone areas to prevent losses at peak-risk periods by adapting the agricultural cycle. This study focuses on the agricultural activities of small-scale farmers in Malawi, Madagascar and Mozambique. A literature review is presented, and a mixed-method research design were followed to determine the timing of production followed by these small-scale farmers and its impact on production and food security. Although this study found that the small-scale farmers generally plant with the first rains, it is recommended by literature that early planting should be practised to ensure optimal production. It is also recommended that small-scale farmers should implement watermanagement techniques for dry periods, and when farmers practice late planting, the use of residual-moisture retention should be utilised as a mitigation measure. This will in effect ensure that the communities are less vulnerable during peak-risk periods by improving or ensuring food security. Therefore, adapting the planting and production time in these hazardprone areas at peak-risk periods could limit losses and increase communities’ resilience.

Who and what set the price of walnuts for small-scale farmers in Southwest China?

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mei Yan ◽  
Anne Terheggen ◽  
Dagmar Mithöfer
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Tree Planting ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Village Level ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
The Village

Purpose Domestic demand for walnuts has been on the rise for the last decades. Consumption outstrips domestic production capacities, which led to increasing prices until recently. Small-scale farmers are at the centre of walnut tree planting and walnut collection efforts. Farmers are now integrated into rapidly expanding agrifood value chains. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the walnut value chain originating in Yunnan (the dominant producer of walnuts in China). The authors are especially interested in the position of small-scale farmers in the chain and the factors affecting the price that they receive. Design/methodology/approach Price and intra-chain governance information were collected through structured interviews with value chain actors like certified and conventional small-scale farmers, traders, processors, food manufacturers and wholesalers. The resultant price data set was analysed using a multiple regression analysis. Findings Timing of harvest, distance to market and sales volume are correlated with the village-level price. Farmers are in a market governance segment of the chain. Lead firms (e.g. supermarkets) are price-setters and determine the value distribution, with farmers receiving a smaller share relative to downstream actors’ shares. Research limitations/implications Improved connectivity to markets, transparency of standards and price (formation), processing and certification could improve farmers’ profits. Originality/value The authors contribute to the growing literature of value chain studies focussing on farmers’ integration into food systems at different scales. The authors investigated the price determinants at the village level and additionally provide information on an organic marketing arrangement.

From the field: Empowering women to improve family food security in Afghanistan

2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clair Sophia Wilcox ◽  
Stephanie Grutzmacher ◽  
Rebecca Ramsing ◽  
Amanda Rockler ◽  
Christie Balch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Poultry Production ◽  
Farmer Field Schools ◽  
Extension Educators ◽  
Kitchen Gardens ◽  
Food Security And Nutrition ◽  
Field Schools ◽  
The University ◽  
Women In Agriculture

AbstractKitchen gardens may improve family food security and nutrition. While these gardens are the domain of women in Afghanistan, women face unique challenges accessing training and resources to maximize small-scale agricultural output. The University of Maryland's Women in Agriculture Project builds capacity among female extension educators to work with vulnerable women to implement and maintain kitchen gardens. Extension educators use experiential methods to teach vegetable gardening, apiculture, small-scale poultry production, post-harvest handling and processing, nutrition and marketing through workshops, demonstration gardens and farmer field schools. This paper explores contextual factors related to women's food security and agricultural opportunities, describes key project activities and approaches and discusses project success and challenges, sustainability and implications for future programs.

scholarly journals Review of good agricultural practices for smallholder maize farmers to minimise aflatoxin contamination

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
F. Xu ◽  
R.C. Baker ◽  
T.B. Whitaker ◽  
H. Luo ◽  
Y. Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Aflatoxin Contamination ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Good Agricultural Practices ◽  
Livestock Feed ◽  
Drought Tolerant

Maize is consumed world-wide as staple food, livestock feed, and industrial raw material. However, it is susceptible to fungal attack and at risk of aflatoxin contamination under certain conditions. Such contamination is a serious threat to human and animal health. Ensuring that the maize used by food industry meets standards for aflatoxin levels requires significant investment across the supply chain. Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) form a critical part of a broader, integrated strategy for reduction of aflatoxin contamination. We reviewed and summarised the GAP of maize that would be effective and practicable for aflatoxin control within high-risk regions for smallholder farmers. The suggested practicable GAP for smallholder farmers were: use of drought-tolerant varieties; timely harvesting before physiological maturity; sorting to remove damaged ears and those having poor husk covering; drying properly to 13% moisture content; storage in suitable conditions to keep the crop clean and under condition with minimally proper aeration, or ideally under hermetic conditions. This information is intended to provide guidance for maize growers that will help reduce aflatoxin in high-risk regions, with a specific focus on smallholder farmers. Following the proposed guidelines would contribute to the reduction of aflatoxin contamination during pre-harvest, harvest, and post-harvest stages of the maize value chain.

scholarly journals AGRIBUSINESS CHALLENGES TO EFFECTIVENESS OF CONTRACT FARMING IN COMMERCIALIZATION OF SMALL-SCALE VEGETABLE FARMERS IN EASTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA

2018 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Musa Khapayi ◽  
Pieter Van Niekerk ◽  
Phillip Retief Celliers
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Contract Farming ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Vegetable Farmers ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Frame Work ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

The study investigated the key factors that influ- ence small-scale vegetable farmers’ participation in contract farming arrangements. A sample of 70 small-scale vegetable farmers and 15 key informants of agribusiness firms involved in contract farming production of vegetables were selected in Amathole and Sarah Baartman (formerly Cacadu) district municipalities in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were chosen as data collection tools to identify the factors that influence small-scale vegetable farmers’ participation in contract farm- ing arrangements with agribusiness firms. The data was ana- lyzed using open multi-stage coding with an inductive frame- work approach. Atlas.ti was used to sort and organize data. The findings indicated availability of farm assets, hydrologi- cal conditions, farming skills and distance of producer to the markets as key determinants of contract farming participation. The use of unmarketable cultivars, inappropriate agricultural practices and inconsistent supply in quality and quantity of vegetables were found to be bottlenecks to contract participa- tion. The study recommends a more meaningful state support and incentives for agribusiness firms; otherwise, growth of small-scale farmers in contract farming is unlikely because of the financial implications for private sector companies.

scholarly journals An Impact Analysis of Farmer Field Schools on Hog Productivity: Evidence from China

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 972
Author(s):  
Jinyang Cai ◽  
Fengxiang Ding ◽  
Yu Hong ◽  
Ruifa Hu
Keyword(s):  
Conversion Ratio ◽  
Feed Conversion Ratio ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Chinese Government ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Crop Cultivation ◽  
Farmer Field Schools ◽  
Hog Production ◽  
Field Schools ◽  
The Impact

In recent decades, pigs and pork have been the central elements of Chinese agricultural systems, food security, and diet. China’s rapid income growth has induced a significant change in food consumption patterns, and hog production has received utmost attention from both, the Chinese government and the public. While the impact of Farmer Field Schools (FFS) on crop cultivation has been widely studied, few studies have examined the impact of FFS on hog production. This study uses data collected from 222 hog farmers in Beijing to examine the impact of FFS on the productivity of hog production, focusing on its three main indicators: feed conversion ratio and the mortality of sows and piglets. We found that farms that participated in FFS programs significantly improved the feed conversion ratio of hog production, particularly in small scale hog farms. On average, FFS reduced the feed conversion ratio for herd sizes of 1000, 500, and 200 by 6.8%, 10.7%, and 14.0%, respectively. We did not find evidence that farms that participated in FFS programs had a significant impact on minimizing the mortality of sows and piglets. This study suggests that the knowledge training model of the FFS program could also work in fields other than crop cultivation. Furthermore, we suggest that more attention could be paid to extension services diffusing knowledge of vaccination and disinfection in hog FFS programs.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document