scholarly journals A Strategic Approach to Value Chain Upgrading—Adopting Innovations and Their Impacts on Farm Households in Tanzania

Horticulturae ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 32
Author(s):  
Jesse Steffens ◽  
Kathleen Brüssow ◽  
Ulrike Grote
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Durable Goods ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Adaptive Lasso ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Farm Households ◽  
The Impact

The level of agricultural productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa remains far below the global average. This is partly due to the scarce use of production- and process-enhancing technologies. This study aims to explore the driving forces and effects of adopting innovative agricultural technologies in food value chains (FVC). These enhancing FVC technologies are referred to as upgrading strategies (UPS) and are designed to improve specific aspects of crop production, postharvest processing, market interaction, and consumption. Based on cross-sectional data collected from 820 Tanzanian farm households, this study utilized the adaptive lasso to analyse the determinants of UPS. To measure the impact of their adoption on well-being, this study applied the propensity score matching approach (PSM). Results from the adaptive lasso suggested that access to credit, experience of environmental shocks and social capital were the main drivers of UPS adoption. In contrast, the engagement in off-farm wage employment impeded adoption. The results from the PSM suggested that UPS adoption has a positive and significant impact on well-being among sampled households, especially with respect to their total value of durable goods and commercialization. The paper suggests that the promotion of social capital and access to financial capital is pivotal in enhancing the adoption of innovative UPS in the farming sector.

A Macroeconomic Analysis of Agricultural Sector in Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-25
Author(s):  
Isah Funtua Abubakar ◽  
Umar Bambale Ibrahim
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Time Series Data ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Series Data ◽  
Size Analysis ◽  
The Real ◽  
Real Gdp ◽  
The Impact

This paper attempts to study the Nigerian agriculture industry as a panacea to growth as well as an anchor to the diversification agenda of the present government. To do this, the time series data of the four agriculture subsectors of crop production, livestock, forestry and fishery were analysed as stimulus to the Real GDP from 1981-2016 in order to explicate the individual contributions of the subsectors to the RGDP in order to guide the policy thrust on diversification. Using the Johansen approach to cointegration, all the variables were found to be cointegrated. With the exception of the forestry subsector, all the three subsectors were seen to have impacted on the real GDP at varying degrees during the time under review. The crop production subsector has the highest impact, however, taking size-by-size analysis, the livestock subsector could be of much importance due to its ability to retain its value chain and high investment returns particularly in poultry. Therefore, it is recommended that, the government should intensify efforts to retain the value chain in the crop production subsector, in order to harness its potentials optimally through the encouragement of the establishment of agriculture cottage industries. Secondly, the livestock subsector is found to be the most rapidly growing and commercialized subsector. Therefore, it should be the prime subsector to hinge the diversification agenda naturally. Lastly, the tourism industry which is a source through which the impact of the subsector is channeled to the GDP should be developed, in order to improve the impact of such channel to GDP with the sole objective to resuscitate the forestry subsector.

Nonfarm diversification and the well-being of rural farm households in developing countries: Evidence from Ghana using new dataset

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 207-229
Author(s):  
Bernardin Senadza ◽  
Edward Nketiah-Amponsah ◽  
Samuel Ampaw
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Household Consumption ◽  
Empirical Method ◽  
Farm Households ◽  
Consumption Expenditure ◽  
Switching Regression ◽  
Rural Ghana ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
The Impact

Abstract This paper examines the impact of participation in both farm and nonfarm activities on both household consumption expenditure per adult equivalent and household per capita income, in rural Ghana. The objective is to ascertain whether the results are sensitive to the choice of well-being measure. We use a nationally representative dataset on 8,059 rural farm households collected in 2012/13. In order to account for potential selectivity and endogeneity biases, which previous studies failed to correct for, we adopt the endogenous switching regression (ESR) estimation technique. We find diversified households to be systematically different from their undiversified counterparts in terms of socioeconomic and demographic centeracteristics, thus justifying the empirical method used. Our results indicate a higher observed mean consumption for the diversified sub-sample compared to its counterfactual, implying that households participating in nonfarm enterprise activities in addition to farming have greater mean consumption compared to households engaged solely in farming. Similar conclusions are reached when income instead is used as the well-being indicator. Our findings, thus, indicate that the well-being implication of farm-nonfarm diversification is insensitive to the choice of well-being measure.

scholarly journals Food security impacts of industrial crop production in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review of the impact mechanisms

Food Security ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcin Pawel Jarzebski ◽  
Abubakari Ahmed ◽  
Yaw Agyeman Boafo ◽  
Boubacar Siddighi Balde ◽  
Linda Chinangwa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Industrial Crop ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Impact

Gamification of nutrition: A preliminary study on the impact of gamification on nutrition knowledge, attitude, and behaviour of adolescents in Nigeria

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 137-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Obidimma Ezezika ◽  
Jessica Oh ◽  
Ngozi Edeagu ◽  
Warami Boyo
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Eating Behaviour ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Nutrition Knowledge ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Dietary Behaviour ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
The Impact

Background: In Nigeria and many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, the availability of foods that are high in salt, sugar, and saturated fat is steadily increasing. This has led to an increase in the consumption of such foods among Nigerians, particularly among adolescents. Aim: This pilot study was undertaken to understand whether, and how, gamification of nutrition can have an impact on addressing the problem of unhealthy eating among Nigerian adolescents. Methods: Gamification of nutrition through board games, clubs and vouchers was introduced in three secondary schools in Abuja, Nigeria over a span of three to four months. Semi-structured focus groups were conducted with grade 11 and 12 students in the three secondary schools. Participants were asked about their perceptions of the intervention and how it influenced their eating behaviour, attitudes and knowledge about nutrition. Results: A total of 31 students participated in four focus groups. Participants reported that the intervention shifted their perceptions and preferences, leading them to alter their behaviour by incorporating more nutritious foods (such as fruits and vegetables) into their diet and engaging in more physical activity. Five themes emerged from the analyses: improved eating behaviour; increased physical activity; improved overall well-being; increased nutrition knowledge; and influencing others. Conclusions: The results from the focus groups suggest that gamification of nutrition can lead to improvements in dietary behaviour among adolescents over the short-term. More studies are needed to evaluate the long-term effects of nutrition interventions that use gamification techniques.

The Fountain of Love Credit Union: A Vibrant Microfinance Institution in a Hostile Inter-Ethnic Society

2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (01) ◽  
pp. 93-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rochman Achwan
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Ethnic Group ◽  
Ethnic Groups ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Credit Union ◽  
Microfinance Institutions ◽  
Financial Organization ◽  
Mandatory Requirement ◽  
Microfinance Institution

The Fountain of Love Credit Union (FLCU) is a rare example of a vibrant microfinance institution in Indonesia. Located at the heart of a hostile inter-ethnic society in the province of West Kalimantan, the FLCU invents unique types of social capital and financial organization that bolster its unparallel financial performance. In recognition of this achievement, the Indonesian government presented the FLCU with the 2005 Award for Small-Medium Corporate Excellence. Decades of inter-ethnic hostility inspired school teachers to establish the FLCU in 1987. They dreamt of creating a big microfinance institution and promoting the economic well-being of the Dayak ethnic group. The Dayak, one of Kalimantan's two largest ethnic groups, defines itself as disadvantaged. A sense of grievance evolving around these issues culminated in a series of ethnic conflicts. Today, after more than two decades of operations, the FLCU has not only won the trust of most Dayak people but also inspires other ethnic groups to establish microfinance institutions. This environment has allowed unique types of social capital and financial organization to flourish. The Fountain of Love Foundation (FLF), the parent organization of the FLCU, has set up a variety of social and economic organizations. They work in partnership with the FLCU in all aspects of its business, from recruiting, disciplining, and empowering clients to weaving organizational networks with other microfinance institutions. The latter plays a vital role in curbing the penetration of modern micro banking in the province. The FLF, therefore, has become an ethnic-based conglomerate in which the FLCU functions as one of its driving forces. However, the FLCU faces a number of hurdles. Almost all FLCU clients, in rural and urban areas, are of the Dayak ethnic group. From organizational and policy points of view, the legal status of the FLCU is vulnerable as its assets grow beyond the mandatory requirement of the current banking law.

scholarly journals EVALUATION OF THE EU SUPPORT FOR RURAL RESIDENTS OF LITHUANIA: RURAL ELDERS APPROACH

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 384-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gediminas Kuliešis ◽  
Lina Pareigienė
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Rural Landscape ◽  
Local Authorities ◽  
Rural Residents ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Eu Support ◽  
The Eu

After joining EU Lithuania started to receive the support for modernization of agricultural production processes, to maintain farmers' income, upgrade rural infrastructure, improve people's quality of life. Farmers, the local authorities, as well as rural communities had to absorb EU support administration procedures, what formed a new culture of communication. That is why it is important to analyze what was the EU support impact on rural residents, especially their social capital, which is one of the sources to improve life quality and well-being. The purpose of this article is to assess the impact of EU support on rural residents’ social capital. To achieve the set goal Lithuanian rural wards’ elders were selected as representatives of the local authorities. Survey results showed that the rural communities residents became more motivated, self-reliant, the number of cultural and other events increased, the residents began to build their leisure. And pay more attention and resources for the maintenance of living environment and rural landscape.

scholarly journals Toward improving household livelihoods using rain water harvesting technologies in Matungulu sub-county, Machakos, Kenya

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Wekesa ◽  
John Muthama ◽  
Jane Mutune
Keyword(s):  
Significant Influence ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Rain Water ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
County Government ◽  
Water Harvesting ◽  
Rain Water Harvesting ◽  
Household Livelihoods ◽  
The Impact

Better utilization of rainfall through rainwater harvesting can greatly increase agricultural productivity, improve food security and alleviate poverty. Water is the main limiting resource for crop production in arid sub-Saharan Africa. The biggest challenge currently is growing water shortage and dwindling rivers. This has impacted the livelihoods of rural population in arid and semi-arid counties. The introduction of novel rain-water harvesting (RWH) is, however, seeking to mitigate the effects of perennial droughts in arid areas. Successful adoption of such technologies has the potential to alleviate water problems faced by rural households. In Kenya, very little research has been conducted about adoption of water harvesting technologies and their role in curbing water shortages. Therefore, there was a need to interrogate the extent to which adoption of water harvesting technologies has impacted households in Matungulu Sub-County. Focus group discussions, interview with key informants, and structured questionnaires were used to collect data for the study which were then analyzed using SPSS version 22 software. The findings indicated that overall, a composite mean of 4.04 and a standard deviation of 0.699 of the respondents agreed that incentives from the county government significantly promoted water harvesting technologies. This was confirmed by a positively strong and significant correlation between the integration of RHT in the county development agenda and the impact on household livelihoods. A further regression analysis indicated that Integration of RHT had a positive and significant influence on household livelihoods (β= 0.755, t=22.351, p=0.000<0.05). Results of this survey indicate that rainwater technologies are financed mostly by household heads and county government initiatives have not been adequately felt. There is a strong indication from the study that water harvesting technologies had a statistically significant influence on the impact on household livelihoods. To ensure sustainability of rainwater harvesting technologies, the study recommends that Machakos

scholarly journals Smallholder African farms in western Kenya have limited greenhouse gas fluxes

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (18) ◽  
pp. 15301-15336 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. E. Pelster ◽  
M. C. Rufino ◽  
T. Rosenstock ◽  
J. Mango ◽  
G. Saiz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
N2o Emissions ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Western Kenya ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Few field studies examine greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from African agricultural systems resulting in high uncertainty for national inventories. We provide here the most comprehensive study in Africa to date, examining annual CO2, CH4 and N2O emissions from 59 plots, across different vegetation types, field types and land classes in western Kenya. The study area consists of a lowland area (approximately 1200 m a.s.l.) rising approximately 600 m to a highland plateau. Cumulative annual fluxes ranged from 2.8 to 15.0 Mg CO2-C ha−1, −6.0 to 2.4 kg CH4-C ha−1 and −0.1 to 1.8 kg N2O-N ha−1. Management intensity of the plots did not result in differences in annual fluxes for the GHGs measured (P = 0.46, 0.67 and 0.14 for CO2, N2O and CH4 respectively). The similar emissions were likely related to low fertilizer input rates (≤ 20 kg ha−1). Grazing plots had the highest CO2 fluxes (P = 0.005); treed plots were a larger CH4 sink than grazing plots (P = 0.05); while N2O emissions were similar across vegetation types (P = 0.59). This case study is likely representative for low fertilizer input, smallholder systems across sub-Saharan Africa, providing critical data for estimating regional or continental GHG inventories. Low crop yields, likely due to low inputs, resulted in high (up to 67 g N2O-N kg−1 aboveground N uptake) yield-scaled emissions. Improving crop production through intensification of agricultural production (i.e. water and nutrient management) may be an important tool to mitigate the impact of African agriculture on climate change.

scholarly journals How Does Internet Usage Influence On Social Capital, Connectedness, Success And Well-Being Of Grassroots Level Inventors In Sri Lanka?

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chaminda Nalaka Wickramasinghe ◽  
Nobaya Ahmad
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Internet Usage ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
The Social ◽  
Grassroots Level ◽  
The Impact

Internet has been recognized as the world largest knowledge depositary. Therefore, there is overwhelming expectation over the Internet to be influenced the social and technological development of marginalized communities of less developed countries. However there were no published studies that investigate the nature of the innovation systems and the impact of internet on the inventors in developing countries. Therefore, the existing knowledge of how the internet usage of influence on social capital, connectedness, success and subjective well-being of inventive community in developing countries is vague. Present study explores the influence of the internet usage on social capital, community connectedness, inventive achievements and subjective well-being of the grassroots level inventive community of Sri Lanka. Findings suggest that internet has been significantly influenced on the social capital, connectedness and subjective well-being of grassroots level inventors in Sri Lanka. However, internet usage is not significantly influence on the objective inventive achievements of the inventors.

scholarly journals Modelling the impact of climate change on maize yield in Victoria Nile Sub-basin, Uganda

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joash Bwambale ◽  
Khaldoon A. Mourad
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Adaptation Measures ◽  
Impact Of Climate Change ◽  
Aquacrop Model ◽  
Supplementary Irrigation ◽  
The Impact

AbstractAgriculture is the backbone of Uganda’s economy, with about 24.9% contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) as per the Uganda National Household Survey 2016/17. Agricultural productivity (yield per hectare) is still low due to the high dependence on rain-fed subsistence farming. Climate change is expected to further reduce the yield per hectare. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the potential impact of climate change on maize yield in the Victoria Nile Sub-basin using the AquaCrop model. It further assesses the possible adaptation measures to climate change. The Hadley Centre Global Environmental Model version 2–Earth System (HadGEM2-ES) data downloaded from the Coordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX) was used to simulate maize yield in the near future (2021–2040), mid future (2041–2070) and late future (2071–2099). Results show that maize yield is likely to reduce by as high as 1–10%, 2–42% and 1–39% in the near, mid and late futures, respectively, depending on the agro-ecological zone. This decline in maize yield can have a significant impact on regional food security as well as socio-economic well-being since maize is a staple crop. The study also shows that improving soil fertility has no significant impact on maize yield under climate change. However, a combined application of supplementary irrigation and shifting the planting dates is a promising strategy to maintain food security and socio-economic development. This study presents important findings and adaptation strategies that policymakers and other stakeholders such as farmers can implement to abate the effects of climate change on crop production.

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