scholarly journals Factors Influencing the Adoption of Agricultural Practices in Ghana’s Forest-Fringe Communities

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 266
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Opoku Acheampong ◽  
Jeffrey Sayer ◽  
Colin J. Macgregor ◽  
Sean Sloan
Keyword(s):  
Crop Yields ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Animal Manure ◽  
Extension Services ◽  
Income Source ◽  
Forest Reserves ◽  
Land Sparing ◽  
Pests And Diseases ◽  
Fringe Communities ◽  
Forest Fringe

Two-thirds of rural Ghanaians are farmers, and farming is almost the only income source for Ghana’s forest-fringe communities. Some farmers adopt some agricultural practices to augment their operations while others do not. We examined the factors that influence farmers’ adoption and intensity of adoption of agricultural practices, namely, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, improved seeds, animal manure, and crop rotation. We surveyed the agricultural systems and livelihoods of 291 smallholder households in forest-fringe communities and developed a multivariate model (canonical correlation analysis) to test the degree to which social, economic, and institutional factors correlate with adoption and intensity of adoption of the above practices. We found that 35.4% of the farmers do not adopt any of the practices because they perceive them to be expensive, not useful, and difficult to adopt. The rest (64.6%) adopt at least one of the practices to control weeds, pests and diseases, and consequently increase crop yields. Our results indicate that farmers that perceive the aforementioned practices to be more beneficial, cultivate multiple plots, and have access to extension services adopt more of the practices. Farmer age and distance to source of inputs negatively correlate with adoption and intensity of adoption of agricultural practices. Almost two-thirds each of adopters and non-adopters do not have access to agricultural extension services and this could pose threats to the sustainability of the forest reserves within and around which the farmers cultivate. Educating farmers on agricultural practices that are forest-friendly is critical in the forest-fringe communities of Ghana. The correct application of practices could double outputs and minimize threats to forests and biodiversity through land-sparing.

scholarly journals Application of Landscape Approach Principles Motivates Forest Fringe Farmers to Reforest Ghana’s Degraded Reserves

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 411
Author(s):  
Emmanuel O. Acheampong ◽  
Jeffrey Sayer ◽  
Colin Macgregor ◽  
Sean Sloan
Keyword(s):  
Forest Cover ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Agricultural Expansion ◽  
Landscape Approach ◽  
Natural Forests ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Forest Reserves ◽  
Farmer Behaviour ◽  
Fringe Communities ◽  
Forest Fringe

Research Highlights: Landscape approach principles were developed to address competing claims on resources at local scales. We used the principles to address agricultural expansion in Ghana’s forest reserves. Background and Objectives: Agricultural expansion is a major cause of Ghana’s forest-cover loss. Cultivation has totally deforested some forest reserves. The situation in Ghana illustrates the trade-off between attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDG 1—reduction of poverty, and 2—achieving food security, are in conflict with SDG 15—protecting and restoring forests. We examined how farmers in forest fringe communities could be engaged in restoring degraded forests using the landscape approach and whether their livelihoods were improved through the use of this approach. Materials and Methods: The Ongwam II Forest Reserve in the Ashanti region of Ghana is encroached by farmers from two communities adjacent to the reserve. We employed the 10 principles of the landscape approach to engage farmers in restoring the degraded reserve. The flexibility of the landscape approach provided a framework against which to assess farmer behaviour. We encouraged farmers to plant trees on 10 ha of the degraded reserve and to benefit through the cultivation of food crops amongst the trees. Results: Access to fertile forest soils for cultivation was the main motivation for the farmers to participate in the reforestation project. The farmers’ access to natural and financial capital increased and they became food secure in the first year of the project’s operation. Conclusions: Effective implementation of several small-scale reforestation projects using the landscape approach could together lead to a forest transition, more trees in agricultural systems and better protection of residual natural forests while improving farmers’ livelihoods, all combining to achieve the SDGs.

Agricultural practices and diffuse nitrogen pollution in Denmark: empirical leaching and catchment models

1999 ◽  
Vol 39 (12) ◽  
pp. 257-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans E. Andersen ◽  
Brian Kronvang ◽  
Søren E. Larsen
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Animal Manure ◽  
Annual Runoff ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
N Loss ◽  
Total N ◽  
Model Calculations ◽  
N Removal

An empirical leaching model was applied to data on agricultural practices at the field level within 6 small Danish agricultural catchments in order to document any changes in nitrogen (N) leaching from the root zone during the period 1989-96. The model calculations performed at normal climate revealed an average reduction in N-leaching that amounted to 30% in the loamy catchments and 9% in the sandy catchments. The reductions in N leaching could be ascribed to several improvements in agricultural practices during the study period: (i) regulations on livestock density; (ii) regulations on the utilisation of animal manure; (iii) regulations concerning application practices for manure. The average annual total N-loss from agricultural areas to surface water constituted only 54% of the annual average N leached from the root zone in the three loamy catchments and 17% in the three sandy catchments. Thus, subsurface N-removal processes are capable of removing large amounts of N leached from agricultural land. An empirical model for the annual diffuse N-loss to streams from small catchments is presented. The model predicts annual N-loss as a function of the average annual use of mineral fertiliser and manure in the catchment and the total annual runoff from the unsaturated zone.

Technical Efficiency in Seed Potato Production Systems in Uganda

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3(J)) ◽  
pp. 122-140
Author(s):  
Ambrose Rwaheru Aheisibwe ◽  
Razack B. Lokina ◽  
Aloyce S. Hepelwa
Keyword(s):  
Technical Efficiency ◽  
Seed Potato ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Stochastic Frontier ◽  
Potato Production ◽  
Maximum Likelihood Estimates ◽  
Farm Income ◽  
Seed Potato Production ◽  
Extension Services ◽  
Income Source

This study established the level of technical efficiency and its determinants among the informal and formal seed potato producers in the southwestern highlands agro - ecological zone of Uganda. A multi- stage sampling procedure was employed to select 636 households (499 informal seed producers and 137 formal seed producers) from which data was collected for two seasons using a semi - structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using the stochastic frontier approach with a one - step approach. Maximum likelihood estimates for the efficiency parameters showed that both informal and formal seed potato producers were not fully efficient. The mean technical efficiency for informal and formal seed potato producers was 8 1 .4 and 80.4 percent respectively. In terms of yield loss, informal and formal seed potato producers respectively lost an average of 981 and 1,208 kg/acre of seed potato tubers due to inefficiency factors . Specifically, off- farm income source, scale of production, seasonal variation, access to extension services and seed producer being male positively influenced informal seed producers’ technical efficiency while producers’ level of education and seed potato variety diversity negatively influenced their efficiency. For formal seed producers, technical efficiency was influenced positively by producers’ education and negatively by household size. The study suggests that there is an opportunity to improve technical efficiency of informal and formal seed producers by 19 and 20 percent respectively. Therefore, this calls for increased investment in developing and promoting high yielding varieties, provision of extension services, input intensification and addressing gender issues in seed potato production in the context of limited arable land .

scholarly journals Application of Nematode Community Analyses-Based Models towards Identifying Sustainable Soil Health Management Outcomes: A Review of the Concepts

Soil Systems ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 32
Author(s):  
Haddish Melakeberhan ◽  
Gregory Bonito ◽  
Alexandra N. Kravchenko
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Cycling ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Nematode Community ◽  
Parasitic Nematodes ◽  
Worst Case ◽  
Pests And Diseases ◽  
Water Holding

Soil health connotes the balance of biological, physicochemical, nutritional, structural, and water-holding components necessary to sustain plant productivity. Despite a substantial knowledge base, achieving sustainable soil health remains a goal because it is difficult to simultaneously: (i) improve soil structure, physicochemistry, water-holding capacity, and nutrient cycling; (ii) suppress pests and diseases while increasing beneficial organisms; and (iii) improve biological functioning leading to improved biomass/crop yield. The objectives of this review are (a) to identify agricultural practices (APs) driving soil health degradations and barriers to developing sustainable soil health, and (b) to describe how the nematode community analyses-based soil food web (SFW) and fertilizer use efficiency (FUE) data visualization models can be used towards developing sustainable soil health. The SFW model considers changes in beneficial nematode population dynamics relative to food and reproduction (enrichment index, EI; y-axis) and resistance to disturbance (structure index, SI; x-axis) in order to identify best-to-worst case scenarios for nutrient cycling and agroecosystem suitability of AP-driven outcomes. The FUE model visualizes associations between beneficial and plant-parasitic nematodes (x-axis) and ecosystem services (e.g., yield or nutrients, y-axis). The x-y relationship identifies best-to-worst case scenarios of the outcomes for sustainability. Both models can serve as platforms towards developing integrated and sustainable soil health management strategies on a location-specific or a one-size-fits-all basis. Future improvements for increased implementation of these models are discussed.

scholarly journals Does Traditional Agroforestry a Sustainable Production System in Bangladesh? An Analysis of Socioeconomic and Ecological Perspectives

Conservation ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-35
Author(s):  
Kazi Kamrul Islam ◽  
Mohammad Saifullah ◽  
Kimihiko Hyakumura
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Sustainable Land Use ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Benefit Cost Ratio ◽  
Pests And Diseases ◽  
The Social ◽  
Traditional Agroforestry ◽  
Benefit Cost

In the tropics, products and services provided by the traditional agroforestry systems (TAS) support the basic needs and promote the livelihood of millions of rural people. However, the outcomes and mitigation of TAS, in particular, the social and environmental issues are not systematically addressed. Thus, the objective of the study was to assess the economic, social and environmental outcomes of two important TAS in Bangladesh. This study reports results on prospective analyses using the Date palm and Jackfruit-based TAS practiced in the Jashore and Mymensingh districts of Bangladesh. The results revealed that the TAS enhanced farm productivity and the benefit–cost ratio of both systems were much higher than the general agricultural practices in Bangladesh. The TAS also improved resilience of rural farmers through more efficient water utilization, enhancing soil fertility, improving microclimate, controlling pests and diseases, and diversifying products. At the same time, the farmers’ problems were neglected due to the absence of farmers’ platforms, and also tradeoffs may arise; thus, the social aspects of the TAS farmers had not developed equally. Therefore, the study would recommend minimizing the tradeoffs through enhancing the conservation strategies at farmers’ levels to make the TAS more viable and sustainable land-use practices.

Effects of temperature rise (+5°C) on millet growth and mycorrhization and soil microbial community of culture

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally Diatta ◽  
Hassna Mboup-Founoune ◽  
Sidy Diakhaté ◽  
Diégane Diouf
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Community ◽  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Pennisetum Glaucum ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Soil Fertility Management ◽  
Vegetation Growth

<p>Our planet is marked by significant climatic variations, particularly with the warming of temperatures and the variation in rainfall. In sub-Saharan Africa, the impacts of climate change are more pronounced because agriculture is highly dependent on climate, hence its vulnerability to climate variability (Vanluwe et al., 2011). In the context of changing environmental conditions, the use of innovative agricultural practices to contribute to plant adaptation is necessary to support food security challenges. Agroecological practices to improve crop yields and sustainable soil fertility management. Soil is the main reservoir of biodiversity as it hosts a very high diversity of interacting living species, which can be distinguished according to their size, macrofauna, mesofauna and microorganisms that constitute a particularly important component of soil (Brady and Weil, 2002), particularly for the provision of ecosystem services to humans. This work is therefore interested in studying the contribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to the growth of millet (<em>Pennisetum glaucum</em>) under warmer temperature conditions and the behaviour of microbial community in soil of millet growing.</p><p>Millet is grown in a plant climate chamber and inoculated with a selected mycorrhizal strain.  These millet growing conditions were carried out in two different temperatures: 32°C (normal temperature) and 37°C (warmer temperature).</p><p>The results showed that in conditions of warmer temperature the inoculation induced a significant vegetative growth of millet even with a low intensity of mycorrhization and so it improves microbial nutrient mineralization mediate vegetation growth.</p><p>In soil of millet growing, a significant increase in microbial biomass with 42.7 in warmer temperature condition compared to control temperature 16.7. Results of DGGE shows also a soil abundance and SMB diversity of the total fungal community was noted under warmer temperature condition.</p><p>This study showed that climate variation may affect soil symbiosis but not the potential for promoting plant growth of fungi. The use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the one hand as a biofertilizer can be an alternative in the context of reducing chemical inputs in agriculture and developing ecologically intensive agriculture (EIA) and on the other hand an adaptive practice  to apprehend the predicted climate changes.</p>

scholarly journals Estimate of changes in agricultural terrestrial nitrogen pathways and ammonia emissions from 1850 to present in the Community Earth System Model

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 3397-3426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stuart Riddick ◽  
Daniel Ward ◽  
Peter Hess ◽  
Natalie Mahowald ◽  
Raia Massad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Animal Manure ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Reactive Nitrogen ◽  
Biogeochemical Model ◽  
Community Land Model ◽  
Synthetic Fertilizer ◽  
Rain Events ◽  
Percentage Basis

Abstract. Nitrogen applied to the surface of the land for agricultural purposes represents a significant source of reactive nitrogen (Nr) that can be emitted as a gaseous Nr species, be denitrified to atmospheric nitrogen (N2), run off during rain events or form plant-useable nitrogen in the soil. To investigate the magnitude, temporal variability and spatial heterogeneity of nitrogen pathways on a global scale from sources of animal manure and synthetic fertilizer, we developed a mechanistic parameterization of these pathways within a global terrestrial land model, the Community Land Model (CLM). In this first model version the parameterization emphasizes an explicit climate-dependent approach while using highly simplified representations of agricultural practices, including manure management and fertilizer application. The climate-dependent approach explicitly simulates the relationship between meteorological variables and biogeochemical processes to calculate the volatilization of ammonia (NH3), nitrification and runoff of Nr following manure or synthetic fertilizer application. For the year 2000, approximately 125 Tg N yr−1 is applied as manure and 62 Tg N yr−1 is applied as synthetic fertilizer. We estimate the resulting global NH3 emissions are 21 Tg N yr−1 from manure (17 % of manure production) and 12 Tg N yr−1 from fertilizer (19 % of fertilizer application); reactive nitrogen runoff during rain events is calculated as 11 Tg N yr−1 from manure and 5 Tg N yr−1 from fertilizer. The remaining nitrogen from manure (93 Tg N yr−1) and synthetic fertilizer (45 Tg N yr−1) is captured by the canopy or transferred to the soil nitrogen pools. The parameterization was implemented in the CLM from 1850 to 2000 using a transient simulation which predicted that, even though absolute values of all nitrogen pathways are increasing with increased manure and synthetic fertilizer application, partitioning of nitrogen to NH3 emissions from manure is increasing on a percentage basis, from 14 % of nitrogen applied in 1850 (3 Tg NH3 yr−1) to 17 % of nitrogen applied in 2000 (21 Tg NH3 yr−1). Under current manure and synthetic fertilizer application rates we find a global sensitivity of an additional 1 Tg NH3 (approximately 3 % of manure and fertilizer) emitted per year per °C of warming. While the model confirms earlier estimates of nitrogen fluxes made in a range of studies, its key purpose is to provide a theoretical framework that can be employed within a biogeochemical model, that can explicitly respond to climate and that can evolve and improve with further observation.

scholarly journals Organic Vegetable Cultivation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Usha Nandhini Devi Harinarayanan ◽  
Pugalendhi Lakshmanan
Keyword(s):  
Green Manure ◽  
Human Population ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
International Markets ◽  
Chemical Fertilizers ◽  
Pests And Diseases ◽  
Organic Cultivation ◽  
Premium Price ◽  
Green Manure Crops

Present day agricultural practices are posing a serious threat to the human population due to unscrupulous use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Conventional agricultural practices wherein large quantities and unscrupulous use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides are no longer safer as it directly enter the food chain. Hence, organic cultivation of vegetables is gaining momentum among the growing population. Organic practices rely on crop rotations, crop residues, plant and animal manures, growing of legume and green manure crops and biological control of pests and diseases. It aims to combine tradition, innovation and science in a balanced proportion to utilize the environment in safer manner and maintain ecological balance. Organic cultivation assures protection of the environment and plays a major role on the economy of a nation. Sustainable production of organic vegetables needs to be ensured to fetch premium price in the domestic as well as international markets. Organic farming has shown expansion in the recent years in the European countries offering scope for a better price in the international market.

scholarly journals Evaluating farmers’ perception toward the effectiveness of agricultural extension services in Ghana and Zambia

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert Novas Somanje ◽  
Geetha Mohan ◽  
Osamu Saito
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Agricultural Extension ◽  
Mixed Method Research ◽  
Extension Services ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Access To Credit

Abstract Background In this study, we present the current situation and the role of agricultural extension services for farmers and indicates the potential solutions for the optimum effectiveness of these services. Thus, we investigate the vital determinants influencing the farmers’ attitudes toward using agricultural extension services in Ghana and Zambia. Methods In this study, we used a mixed-method research analysis of data from a household survey of 240 farmers and 8 key informant interviews in the Upper West Region of Ghana and the Southern Province of Zambia. Results The significant factors affecting the association of agricultural extension officers with farmers are regular meetings, demand for services and productivity, and the adoption rate of technology. Notably, approaches based on information communication technology indicators include owning cell phones; further, having radio access significantly affects agricultural practices. However, the role of gender, access to credit, and owning a television would influence food safety and nutrition. Conclusions Understanding the critical determinants will provide potential solutions to national agricultural research institutes, private research entities, and policymakers to scale-up the effectiveness of agricultural extension services, particularly in Ghana and Zambia.

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