scholarly journals What Does Gender Yield Gap Tell Us about Smallholder Farming in Developing Countries?

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 77
Author(s):  
Eileen B. Nchanji ◽  
Odhiambo A. Collins ◽  
Enid Katungi ◽  
Agness Nduguru ◽  
Catherine Kabungo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Selection Bias ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Smallholder Farming ◽  
Yield Gap ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Research Issues ◽  
Farm Work ◽  
Lower Productivity

This study examines the extent of the productivity gap between male and female bean producers, its discriminatory nature and implications for the policymakers in agriculture in Tanzania. Generally, women are distinctively “invisible” in agriculture, due to social norms and even from the national agricultural policy perspective. Their discrimination arises from uncounted and unaccounted for farm work, and their productivity is reduced by triple roles, limited access to education, having triple effects on access to technology, training and land rights. In research, issues of concern to them such as nutritious food crops, varietal selection on important attributes, household food security, convenient home storage and small-scale processing are widely ignored through unfavourable policy design. Given the above discriminatory issues surrounding women in agriculture, they are hypothesised to be less productive and often lag behind male counterparts in crop production. To test the above hypothesis, a three-stage stratified sampling method was used to collect cross-sectional data in 2016 across four regions of Tanzania. Then, an Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition method (at means) was used to apportion the sources of the difference between men and women into explained and unexplained variations. Further improvements through the newly developed Re-Centered Influence Functions (RIFs) remarkably improved outcomes as the differences were analysed through unconditional partial effects on quantiles. Using a counterfactual approach and correcting for selection bias, the model provided consistent estimates for easy comparison of the two groups. Besides this, it emerged that interventions such as providing improved bean seed varieties and training farmers on good agricultural practices reduced the gender yield gap and provided a potential avenue for addressing the discrimination observed in productivity among males and females. Controlling for selection bias also improved the model, but the real discrimination was observed at the 50th percentile, where the majority of the respondents lay within. However, if a female’s age, family size, additional years of schooling and discretion to spend income from beans were taken away, they would be worse off. Our study finds that females comprised 25 percent of the sample, had 6 percent lower productivity, provided 64.70 percent on-farm labour and had 0.32 hectares less land compared to males, ceteris paribus. Access to improved varieties contributed to a 35.4 percent improved productivity compared to growing indigenous/local varieties. The implication is that the gender yield gap can be reduced significantly if efforts are focused on preventing or correcting factors causing discrimination against women.

scholarly journals Determinants of Food Security Among Small-Scale Soybean Households in Butere Sub-County, Kenya

2020 ◽  
Vol 69 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 90-101
Author(s):  
Robert Ouko Gwada ◽  
Kevin Okoth Ouko ◽  
Zephaniah Ongaga Mayaka ◽  
Bandiougou Dembele
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Household Head ◽  
Safety Net ◽  
Sampling Procedure ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Economic Market ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Household Food

SummaryFood and nutritional (in)security remain an important matter of concern, especially in developing countries. Despite the efforts to enhance food security among smallholder soybean households, the proportion of the undernourished population in Butere Sub-County still remains high for unknown reasons. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to examine the determinants of food security among smallholder soybean households in Butere Sub-County, Kenya. The study adopted the exploratory research design. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select a sample of 201 respondents. Cross-sectional data were gathered through face-to-face interviews using pretested semi-structured questionnaires and analyzed using ordered logistic regression model. Household Food Insecurity Access Scale was used to measure and categorize the soybean household food (in)security status. The results revealed that the household food (in)security status differed across soybean households and was greatly influenced by an interplay of socio-economic, market, and institutional factors. Age of the household head negatively influenced food security, whereas the level of soybean commercialization, education, livestock units, network density, extension visits, and credit access were positively associated with household food security. The study recommends policy interventions that seek to ensure intensive literacy development, frequent extension and training, improved access to credit, and reinvestment in productive assets or inputs for increased production, commercialization and food security. Strengthening of social ties and increased allocation to safety net programs for the aged, vulnerable, and resource-poor households are also recommended.

scholarly journals WHOSE GAP COUNTS? THE ROLE OF YIELD GAP ANALYSIS WITHIN A DEVELOPMENT-ORIENTED AGRONOMY

2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 311-338
Author(s):  
JOÃO VASCO SILVA ◽  
JOSHUA J. RAMISCH
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Labour Productivity ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Yield Gap ◽  
Western Kenya ◽  
Farm Work ◽  
Local Livelihoods ◽  
Yield Gaps

SUMMARYYield gaps have become a useful tool for guiding development-related agronomy, especially in the global South. While critics have challenged some aspects of the yield gap methodology, and the relevance of food security advocacy based on yield gaps, very few studies question the actual relevance, application and scalability of yield gaps for smallholder farmers (and researchers) in the tropics. We assess these limitations using two contrasting case studies: maize-based farming systems in Western Kenya and rice-based farming systems in Central Luzon, the Philippines. From these two cases, we propose improvements in the use of yield gaps that would acknowledge both the riskiness of crop improvement options and the role that yield increases might play within local livelihoods. Participatory research conducted in Western Kenya calls into question the actual use and up-scaling of yield measurements from on-station agronomic trials to derive estimates of actual and water-limited yields in the region. Looking at maize yield gaps as cumulative probabilities demonstrates the challenges of assessing the real magnitude of yield gaps in farmers’ fields and of deciding whose yield gaps count for agricultural development in Kenya. In the case of rice-based farming systems, we use a historical dataset (1966–2012) to assess changes in rice yields, labour productivity, gross margin and rice self-sufficiency in Central Luzon, the Philippines. While large rice yield gaps persist here, there appear to be few incentives to close that gap once we consider the position of crop production within local livelihoods. In this context, economic returns to labour for farm work were marginal: labour productivity increased over time in both wet and dry seasons, but gross margins decreased in the wet season while no trend was observed for the dry season. Since most households were rice self-sufficient and further increases in crop production would offer minimal returns while relying increasingly on hired labour, we question who should close which yield gap. Our case studies show the importance of contextualising yield gaps within the broader livelihood context in which farmers operate. We propose that this should be done at farm and/or farming systems level while considering the risks associated with narrowing yield gaps and looking into multiple performance indicators.

scholarly journals PENINGKATAN DAYA SAING USAHA PERKEBUNAN TEBU RAKYAT DI JAWA: TANTANGAN DARI PERSPEKTIF KEBIJAKAN / Improving the Competitiveness of Sugarcane Farming in Java: Challenges from Policy Perspectives

Perspektif ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Agus Wahyudi
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Cane ◽  
Resource Scarcity ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Sugar Production ◽  
Smallholder Farming ◽  
Dry Land ◽  
Lower Productivity ◽  
Productivity Potential ◽  
Scarcity Of Resources ◽  
Economic Constraints

<p align="center">ABSTRAK</p><p align="center"> </p><p>Produksi gula dari usaha perkebunan tebu rakyat di Jawa hingga saat ini masih menjadi andalan produksi gula nasional, tetapi dalam lima tahun terakhir kontribusinya menurun sejalan dengan semakin menurunnya areal tebu. Kondisi ini menunjukkan bahwa daya saing usaha tebu rakyat semakin menurun yang diindikasikan oleh tingkat keuntungan yang terus menurun dan lebih rendah daripada usaha tani lainnya. Untuk meningkatkan daya saing usaha tebu rakyat diperlukan kebijakan pemerintah dalam rangka membantu memecahkan masalah atau mengatasi kendala-kendala, baik yang bersifat teknis maupun ekonomi. Tulisan ini bertujuan untuk mempelajari alternatif kebijakan teknis yang diperkirakan dapat membantu mengatasi kelangkaan sumber daya yang kemungkinan terjadi; serta mempelajari kemungkinan diperlukannya kebijakan pemberian insentif agar kebijakan teknis secara efektif dapat berjalan, melalui simulasi penetapan harga jual tebu dan gula. Alternatif kebijakan teknis yang bisa diterapkan untuk membantu mengatasi kelangkaan sumber daya yang terjadi pada sumber daya lahan, tenaga kerja, pupuk, benih tebu dan modal. Kelangkaan lahan mendorong terjadinya pergeseran budidaya tebu ke lahan kering, dengan potensi produktivitas lebih rendah, sehingga perlu pengembangan infrastruktur irigasi sederhana.  Kelangkaan tenaga kerja terjadi berulang pada saat kegiatan puncak, sehingga perlu pola tanam tebu yang memungkinkan penerapan mekanisasi. Kelangkaan pupuk sering terjadi karena kegiatan pemupukan tebu bersamaan dengan usaha tani lainnya, sehingga perlu koordinasi antar lembaga terkait untuk menyediakan pupuk khusus untuk usaha tebu. Benih tebu bermutu sangat langka, sehingga perlu penyederhanaan peraturan penjenjangan kebun benih tebu, agar produksi benih dapat berjalan. Modal usaha tebu rakyat masih langka dan belum sepenuhnya dapat dipenuhi dengan penyaluran KUR Khusus Tebu, sehingga perlu kebijakan operasional untuk meningkatkan akses terhadap KUR. Selain itu masalah ketidakpastian harga tebu juga harus diatasi, melalui kebijakan penetapan harga jual tebu, yang sekaligus sebagai insentif bagi pekebun untuk meningkatkan produktivitas tebu.</p><p align="center">ABSTRACT</p><p align="center"> </p><p>Sugar production from smallholder farming in Java still has significant contribution to the national sugar production, however, in the last five years the contribution has decreased in line with the decreasing sugar cane area. This condition indicates that the competitiveness or profitability rate is decreasing and lower than other farmings. To improve the competitiveness, government policies are needed in order to assist in relaxing the constraints, both technical and economic constraints.  This paper aims to study the technical policies that are expected to overcome the scarcity of resources that are likely to occur; as well as to study the possible incentive policies applied to support the technical policies, through simulations of the pricing of sugar cane and sugar.  Alternative technical policies are applied to overcome resource scarcity in land resources, labor, fertilizer, sugar cane seeds and capital. Land scarcity has encouraged the shift of sugarcane cultivation to dry land, with lower productivity potential, so it needs the development of simple irrigation infrastructure.  Labor scarcity occurs repeatedly during peak activities hence it is necessary to cultivate sugarcane patterns that allow the application of mechanization. Fertilizer scarcity often occurs because of sugarcane fertilization activities in concurrence with other farmings, so it is necessary to coordinate between related institutions to provide special fertilizer for sugar cane farms. Quality sugar cane seeds are very rare, so it is necessary to simplify the regulation of the classifications of sugarcane seeds, in order the seed production can run. The capital is still scarce and can not be fully fulfilled with the KUR (small scale credit program), so it needs operational policies to improve the access to KUR. In addition, the problem of sugarcane price uncertainty must also be addressed, through the policy of pricing of sugarcane, which also as an incentive for farmers to increase the productivity.</p>

scholarly journals Small-scale irrigation and its effect on food security of rural households in North-West Ethiopia: A comparative analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beneberu Assefa Wondimagegnhu ◽  
Biazin Alemu Bogale
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Rural Households ◽  
Safety Net ◽  
Balance Model ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Small Scale Irrigation

Agriculture is a limiting factor for food security in Ethiopia as more than 80% of the population depends on it for livelihoods. In many parts of the country, the frequency and distribution of rainfall and the principal source of water for crop production are getting more unreliable and inadequate and frequent droughts, make irrigation farming indispensable. Despite the high potential for irrigation, the study area remained to be one of the food insecure districts in the region and currently it is supported by the productive safety net program. Information is also missing on the extent to which households who have access to irrigation produce more than those who depend on rainfed agriculture. The study contributes to a comparative analysis of the effect of small scale irrigation. The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of small scale irrigation on the food security of rural households. Data were collected from 185 randomly selected rural households in the Goncha-SisoEnesie district of northwest Ethiopia. Descriptive analysis, household food balance model and binary logit regression were employed as tools of data analysis. The result revealed that out of all sampled households, 74% were food secured and 26% were not. The gap in food calorie availability was high ranging from 753-6659 kcal/adult equivalent/day in the study area. Out of 84 irrigation users, 84.5% of them were food secured; whereas only 65.3% of the total 101 non-irrigation users were food secured. In this study, household size, farmland size, access to irrigation, access to credit services, and income from rainfed crop production were the determinant factors of household food security. Small scale irrigation had a direct and indirect positive effect on enhancing household food security status. Thus, the concerned development partners and policymakers should consider the promotion and expansion of irrigated farming in the area.

scholarly journals The effect of small-scale irrigation on household food security of Kindo Didaye District, Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Israel Balta Bakalo ◽  
Desalegn Dawit Assele ◽  
Nejuma Mohamed ◽  
Abayneh Ayele
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Household Head ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Southern Ethiopia ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Small Scale Irrigation

Abstract This study aimed to assess the effect of small-scale irrigation on household food security in the Kindo Didaye district. Community-based comparative cross-sectional survey was conducted at Kindo Didaye district, Wolaita zone from September 1st to 30, 2020. Data were collected by using structured questionnaires from 160 irrigation users and 163 non-users. Binary logistic regression analyses were fitted to identify factors associated with household food security. The prevalence of household food security was (87.5% Vs 66.8%, p = < 0.001) for irrigation users and irrigation nonusers, respectively. Family labor, TLU, cultivated land size, training, access to irrigation, and participation in Off-farm activities were positively associated with household food security. While the age of household head and dependency ratio negatively affected household food security.

MEASURING THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON AFRICAN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

2010 ◽  
Vol 01 (01) ◽  
pp. 33-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHARLES NHEMACHENA ◽  
RASHID HASSAN ◽  
PRADEEP KURUKULASURIYA
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mixed Crop

This study measured the economic impacts of climate change on crop and livestock farming in Africa based on a cross-sectional survey of over 8000 farming households from 11 countries in east, west, north and southern Africa. The response of net revenue from crop and livestock agriculture across various farm types and systems in Africa to changes in climate normals (i.e. mean rainfall and temperature) is analysed. The analyses controlled for effects of key socioeconomic, technology, soil and hydrological factors influencing agricultural production. Results show that net farm revenues are in general negatively affected by warmer and drier climates. The small-scale mixed crop and livestock system predominantly typical in Africa is the most tolerant whereas specialized crop production is the most vulnerable to warming and lower rainfall. These results have important policy implications, especially for the suitability of the increasing tendency toward large-scale mono-cropping strategies for agricultural development in Africa and other parts of the developing world in light of expected climate changes. Mixed crop and livestock farming and irrigation offered better adaptation options for farmers against further warming and drying predicted under various future climate scenarios.

scholarly journals PARE0006 WORK PRODUCTIVITY LOSS IN PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1289.2-1289
Author(s):  
T. Pilgaard ◽  
B. A. Esbensen ◽  
S. E. Stallknecht
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Arthritis ◽  
Productivity Loss ◽  
Work Productivity ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Work Hours ◽  
Limited Data ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Lower Productivity ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Hours Of Work

Background:Limited data exist of work productivity loss in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Psoreatic Arthritis (PsA) and Spondyloarthritis (axSpA).Objectives:The objective of this research was to assess productivity loss and absenteeism in patients with RA, PsA and axSpA.Methods:The study was designed as a cross-sectional study aimed to collect patient-reported outcomes from patients with RA, PsA and axSpA in Denmark via a nurse administered questionnaires and patient journals. Patients ≥18 years with RA, PsA or axSpA were consecutively recruited for the study over a 6-month period via routine visits to outpatient rheumatology clinics. Descriptive statistics were analyzed using SAS.Results:Of 488 respondents, 62% were women and mean age was 53.5 years (RA:57.4; PsA:52.6; axSpA:43.6). Average time since diagnosis was 11-15 years, however, for PsA and axSpA most patients answered 6-10 and 0-5 years, respectively. 280 (57%) answered that they had a job and completed the WPAI questionnaire (RA: 149 (51%); PsA: 48 (56%); axSpA: 83 (75%)). Average work hours was 31.9 in the last week (RA:31.2; PsA:33; axSpA:32.4). Average missed work hours were 4.3 in the last 7 days ((RA:4.0; PsA:4.2; axSpA:4.8), of which 32% was missed due to their inflammatory arthritis (RA:30%; PsA:38%; axSpA:32%). Mean absenteeism was highest for patients with PsA (mean=6.8; SD=17.7) followed by patients with axSpA (mean=5.4; SD=15.1) and with RA (mean=3.4; SD=12.2). Mean productivity loss was 20.5 (SD=23.8) for patients with RA, 27.6 (SD=25.8) for PsA and 26.3 (SD=25.8) for axSpAConclusion:We found that patients with PsA or axSpA miss more hours of work compared with patients with RA and when they are at work they have a higher absenteeism/lower productivity. This even though that both the group of patients with PsA and the axSpA were younger and had lived less time with their diagnosed disease compared with the group with RA.Disclosure of Interests:Trine Pilgaard Shareholder of: Pfizer, Employee of: Pfizer, Bente Appel Esbensen: None declared, Sandra Elkjær Stallknecht Consultant of: Pfizer

scholarly journals Wheat yield gaps across smallholder farming systems in Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
João Vasco Silva ◽  
Pytrik Reidsma ◽  
Frédéric Baudron ◽  
Moti Jaleta ◽  
Kindie Tesfaye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stochastic Frontier Analysis ◽  
Stochastic Frontier ◽  
Wheat Yield ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Smallholder Farming ◽  
Yield Gap ◽  
Frontier Analysis ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
Yield Gaps

AbstractWheat yields in Ethiopia need to increase considerably to reduce import dependency and keep up with the expected increase in population and dietary changes. Despite the yield progress observed in recent years, wheat yield gaps remain large. Here, we decompose wheat yield gaps in Ethiopia into efficiency, resource, and technology yield gaps and relate those yield gaps to broader farm(ing) systems aspects. To do so, stochastic frontier analysis was applied to a nationally representative panel dataset covering the Meher seasons of 2009 and 2013 and crop modelling was used to simulate the water-limited yield (Yw) in the same years. Farming systems analysis was conducted to describe crop area shares and the availability of land, labour, and capital in contrasting administrative zones. Wheat yield in farmers’ fields averaged 1.9 t ha− 1 corresponding to ca. 20% of Yw. Most of the yield gap was attributed to the technology yield gap (> 50% of Yw) but narrowing efficiency (ca. 10% of Yw) and resource yield gaps (ca. 15% of Yw) with current technologies can nearly double actual yields and contribute to achieve wheat self-sufficiency in Ethiopia. There were small differences in the relative contribution of the intermediate yield gaps to the overall yield gap across agro-ecological zones, administrative zones, and farming systems. At farm level, oxen ownership was positively associated with the wheat cultivated area in zones with relatively large cultivated areas per household (West Arsi and North Showa) while no relationship was found between oxen ownership and the amount of inputs used per hectare of wheat in the zones studied. This is the first thorough yield gap decomposition for wheat in Ethiopia and our results suggest government policies aiming to increase wheat production should prioritise accessibility and affordability of inputs and dissemination of technologies that allow for precise use of these inputs.

scholarly journals Agricultural Technical Efficiency of Smallholder Farmers in Ethiopia: A Stochastic Frontier Approach

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 246
Author(s):  
Markose Chekol Zewdie ◽  
Michele Moretti ◽  
Daregot Berihun Tenessa ◽  
Zemen Ayalew Ayele ◽  
Jan Nyssen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Technical Efficiency ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Stochastic Frontier ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Stochastic Frontier Approach ◽  
Small Scale Irrigation

In the past decade, to improve crop production and productivity, Ethiopia has embarked on an ambitious irrigation farming expansion program and has introduced new large- and small-scale irrigation initiatives. However, in Ethiopia, poverty remains a challenge, and crop productivity per unit area of land is very low. Literature on the technical efficiency (TE) of large-scale and small-scale irrigation user farmers as compared to the non-user farmers in Ethiopia is also limited. Investigating smallholder farmers’ TE level and its principal determinants is very important to increase crop production and productivity and to improve smallholder farmers’ livelihood and food security. Using 1026 household-level cross-section data, this study adopts a technology flexible stochastic frontier approach to examine agricultural TE of large-scale irrigation users, small-scale irrigation users and non-user farmers in Ethiopia. The results indicate that, due to poor extension services and old-style agronomic practices, the mean TE of farmers is very low (44.33%), implying that there is a wider room for increasing crop production in the study areas through increasing the TE of smallholder farmers without additional investment in novel agricultural technologies. Results also show that large-scale irrigation user farmers (21.05%) are less technically efficient than small-scale irrigation user farmers (60.29%). However, improving irrigation infrastructure shifts the frontier up and has a positive impact on smallholder farmers’ output.

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