scholarly journals Comparative Analysis of the effectiveness of Project and Conventional Extension Approaches on Levels of Maize Production among Smallholder Farmers, A Case of One-Acre Fund in Seme Sub-County, Kenya

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 67-74
Author(s):  
 Otieno Stephen Otieno ◽  
David K. Bunyatta ◽  
Evans A. Basweti
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Maize Production

scholarly journals Developing sustainable summer maize production for smallholder farmers in the North China Plain: An agronomic diagnosis method

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 1667-1679 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guang-feng CHEN ◽  
Hong-zhu CAO ◽  
Dong-dong CHEN ◽  
Ling-bo ZHANG ◽  
Wei-li ZHAO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North China Plain ◽  
North China ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Summer Maize ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
The North ◽  
The North China Plain ◽  
Diagnosis Method ◽  
Agronomic Diagnosis

scholarly journals Drought-tolerant Varieties as an Adaptation Strategy in the Context of Climate Change: Insight from Maize Production Systems in Benin

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Mohamed Nasser Baco
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Value Chains ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Drought Tolerant ◽  
Agro Ecological Zones

Previous studies suggested that maize is set to become a cash crop while ensuring food security better than any other crop. However, climate change has become one of the key production constraints that are now hampering and threatening the sustainability of maize production systems. We conducted a study to better understand changes here defined as adaptations made by smallholder farmers to ensure food security and improve income through maize production in a climate change context. Our results show that maize farmers in northern Benin mainly rely on traditional seeds. Drought as abiotic stress is perceived by farmers in many agro-ecological zones as a disruptive factor for crop production, including maize. When drought is associated with pest damages, both the quantity (i.e. yield) and the quality (i.e. attributes) of products/harvests are negatively affected. The adverse effects of drought continue to reduce production in different agro-ecological zones of the country, because of the lack of widespread adoption of tolerant varieties. The study suggests actions towards the production of drought-tolerant maize seeds, a promotion of seed companies, the organization of actors and value chains. Apart from climate change, the promotion of value chains is also emerging as one of the important aspects to take into account to sustain maize production in Benin.

scholarly journals Empirical Analysis of the Factors that Affecting Maize Production of Farmers among Smallholders: The Case of Eastern Oromia, Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 137-145
Author(s):  
Murad Mohammed
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Potential Yield ◽  
Maize Crop ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Smallholder Farm

In Ethiopia, maize is the second largest in production areas and first in its productivity but there are high yield gaps between the actual yield currently producing and the potential yield. Therefore, this study was aimed to identify factors that affecting maize production of smallholder farmers at the farm level in the Meta district in the east Hararge zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. A two-stage random sampling technique was employed and a total of 200 smallholder farmers were randomly and proportionally selected to collect primary data. Multiple linear regression models were used to analysis factors that affect maize production among smallholder farmers. The result showed that the production of maize was influenced by several factors. The coefficient provided that as the farmers obtained 1 dollar from non-farm activity, the maize production of farmers increased by 293.2 kg, keeping other factors constant. Thus, the farmers who had money from non-farm sources used as additional income to gain agricultural inputs for maize production and thus generate more maize quantity. The result was pointed out that the size of the cultivated areas of land had a positive influence on the quantity of maize production of farmers. The coefficient entailed that as the size of the cultivated areas of land increased by one hectare, the farmer’s quantity of maize production increased by 140.4 kg by keeping other factors constant. The result was also indicated that other factors being constant, the maize crop production of smallholder farmers of Meta district was decreased by 4 kg as Development Agent’s (DA’s) office distance increased by one minute. The possible explanation was that extension services were a critical source of information on agronomic practices. Therefore, policy makers should encourage the current maize production and supplying improved seed and chemical fertilizer which support to improve smallholder farm households’ welfare by increasing their sources of income.

Subsistence Sustained: Swidden or Milpa Cultivation

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Klepeis ◽  
Colin Vance
Keyword(s):  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Ornamental Plants ◽  
Central Element ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Swidden Cultivation ◽  
Maize Crop ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Long Term Prognosis ◽  
Maya People ◽  
House Gardens

From the modern settlement of the southern Yucatán peninsular region to the present, smallholder farmers have followed a system of cultivation variously labeled swidden, slash-and-burn, or shifting within agricultural typologies (Watters 1971; but see Denevan 1992), and known as milpa in the Yucatán and Maya lowlands. Milpa cultivation has been so pervasive historically and geographically throughout the peninsula and the subject of such an extensive literature, that its description is only briefly reviewed here. Understanding the character and dynamics of this system of cultivation, including its long-term prognosis for continued use within the development of the region, is essential for understanding land changes and modeling them, although recent changes in cropping strategies portend the emergence of a ‘new’ kind of milpa. Swidden cultivation in the region, as elsewhere in Middle America, is invariably undertaken as an outfield activity—located at some distance from the farmstead—and is accompanied by small but complex housegardens or solares adjacent to and surrounding the house (e.g. Killion 1992; but see Gómez-Pompa 1987). The house-garden not only provides shade for the abode, it provides fruits, nuts, medicinal and ornamental plants, and a place for cropping experiments (Keys 1999). The extent and elaboration of house-gardens in the southern Yucatán peninsular region appears to be tied to the length of residency and, perhaps, ethnicity of the resident. Maya people, for example, tend to maintain large and elaborate solares. House-gardens tend to be smaller, even unrecognizable to the untrained eye, in the few densely settled communities in the region (e.g. Xpujil). As these gardens are not yet a central element of the broader dynamic of land change in the region, they are not given further attention here. The outfield or swidden supplies maize (Zea mays L.), planted in several varieties and serving as the consumption staple. Depending on the household, some portion of the maize crop may be sold. This ‘dual’ production function has been part of swidden in the region at least since the opening of Highway 186, reflecting government policy promoting commercial maize production (Ch. 7) and the abundant land awarded to individual ejidatarios at that time.

scholarly journals Monitoring of Soil Water Content in Maize Rotated with Pigeonpea Fallows in South Africa

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 2761
Author(s):  
Misheck Musokwa ◽  
Paramu L. Mafongoya ◽  
Paxie W. Chirwa
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Soil Water Tension ◽  
Continuous Maize ◽  
Water Tension

Maize production under smallholder systems in South Africa (RSA) depends on rainfall. Incidences of dry spells throughout the growing season have affected maize yields negatively. The study examined water distribution and water use efficiency (WUE) of maize rotated with two-year pigeonpea fallows as compared to continuous maize without fertilizer. A randomized complete block design, replicated three times, was used with four treatments, which included continuous unfertilized maize, natural fallow-maize, pigeonpea + grass-pigeonpea-maize, and two-year pigeonpea fallow-maize. Soil water mark sensors were installed 0.2; 0.5; and 1.2 m on each plot to monitor soil water tension (kPa). Soil samples were analyzed using pressure plates to determine water retention curves which were used to convert soil water tension to volumetric water content. Maize rotated with two-year pigeonpea fallows had higher dry matter yield (11,661 kg ha−1) and WUE (20.78 kg mm−1) than continuous maize (5314 kg ha−1 and 9.48 kg mm−1). In this era of water scarcity and drought incidences caused by climate change, maize rotated with pigeonpea fallows is recommended among smallholder farmers in RSA because of its higher WUE, hence food security will be guaranteed.

Are conservation agriculture (CA) systems productive and profitable options for smallholder farmers in different agro-ecoregions of Zimbabwe?

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Mupangwa ◽  
M. Mutenje ◽  
C. Thierfelder ◽  
I. Nyagumbo
Keyword(s):  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Direct Seeding ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Production Risk ◽  
Conventional Practice

AbstractContinuous conventional tillage coupled with unsystematic cereal/legume rotations has promoted low crop productivity on smallholder farms. A multi-locational study was established in three agro-ecoregions (AEs) of Zimbabwe. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of four tillage systems (conventional plowing, planting basins, rip-line and animal traction direct seeding systems) on maize (Zea mays L.), cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] yields, and evaluate the economic performance of the conservation agriculture (CA) systems relative to conventional plowing. Each farmer was a replicate of the trial over the three cropping seasons. In the high (750–1000 mm per annum) and low (450–650 mm) rainfall AEs, conventional practice and CA systems gave similar maize grain yield. Under medium rainfall conditions (500–800 mm) planting basins, rip-line and direct seeding systems gave 547, 548 and 1690 kg ha−1 more maize yield than the conventional practice. In the high and low rainfall AEs, conventional practice and planting basins had the lowest maize production risk. Cowpea yield was 35 and 45% higher in the rip-line and direct seeding than conventional practice. Soybean yield was higher in rip-line (36%) and direct seeding (51%) systems than conventional practice. Direct seeding system gave the highest net benefits in all AEs. A combination of long-term biophysical and socio-economic assessments of the different cropping systems tested in our study is critical in order to fully understand their performance under different AEs of Zimbabwe.

scholarly journals Potentials of hybrid maize varieties for small-holder farmers in Kenya: A review based on swot analysis

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (57) ◽  
pp. 7562-7586
Author(s):  
C Schroeder ◽  
◽  
T Onyango K’Oloo ◽  
NB Ranabhat ◽  
NA Jick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Marginal Areas ◽  
Maize Varieties ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
Hybrid Maize

Maize is the primary staple crop in Kenya and plays an important role in the livelihood of the people of Kenya. Its availability and abundance determines the level of welfare and food security in the country. In Kenya, future increases in maize production to meet domestic demand will have to rely on improvements in yield per hectare rather than on the expansion of maize production area. Enhanced maize productivity can be achieved by increased use of modern production techniques such as the adoption of hybrid maize varieties, the use of chemicals and fertilizer application. Small-scale maize prodcution plays a major role in Kenya’s maize economy and adoption of hybrid technology by small-scale farmers would have the potential to address sustainability and supply issues. However, such modern technologies are still rarely used by Kenya’s small-scale farmers, particularly by those in marginal areas. This study, therefore, tries to review the reasons for the low rate of adoption of hybrid maize varieties among small-scale farmers with focus on those smallholders in Kenya’s marginal areas. Lack of awareness of existing or newly released hybrid varieties, lack of hybrid varieties adapted to marginal areas, lack of confidence in the quality of some hybrid maize seeds, poor access to stockists, low profitability due to high seed cost, inadequate access to credit, the need for fertilizer application and low literacy level have been found to be important factors explaining the low adoption rates by smallholder maize producers in marginal areas. In addition, these constraints might also explain the widespread practice of recycling hybrid grain among small-scale farmers once they have adopted hybrid maize varieties. Therefore, it is hoped that by overcoming these constraints, the adoption of hybrid maize varieties among smallholder farmers could be greatly enhanced, which in turn could lead to a significant positive impact on the country’s food security situation.

scholarly journals Effect of the Push-Pull Cropping System on Maize Yield, Stem Borer Infestation and Farmers’ Perception

Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 452
Author(s):  
Teshome Kumela ◽  
Esayas Mendesil ◽  
Bayu Enchalew ◽  
Menale Kassie ◽  
Tadele Tefera
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Stem Borer ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Maize Productivity ◽  
Livestock Feed

The productivity of maize in Ethiopia has remained lower than the world average because of several biotic and abiotic factors. Stemborers and poor soil fertility are among the main factors that contribute to this poor maize productivity. A novel cropping strategy, such as the use of push-pull technology, is one of the methods known to solve both challenges at once. A push-pull technology targeting the management of maize stemborers was implemented in the Hawassa district of Ethiopia with the ultimate goal of increased food security among smallholder farmers. This study evaluated farmers’ perception of push-pull technology based on their experiences and observations of the demonstration plots that were established on-farm in Dore Bafano, Jara Gelelcha and Lebu Koremo village of the Hawasa district in 2016 and 2017. This study examined farmers’ perception of the importance of push-pull technology in controlling stemborers and improving soil fertility and access to livestock feed. In both cropping seasons, except for Jara Gelelcha, the maize grain yields were significantly higher in the climate-adapted push-pull plots compared to the maize monocrop plots. The majority (89%) of push-pull technology-practising farmers rated the technology better than their maize production methods on attributes such as access to new livestock feed and the control of stemborer damage. As a result, approximately 96% of the interviewed farmers were interested in adopting the technology starting in the upcoming crop season. Awareness through training and effective dissemination strategies should be strengthened among stakeholders and policymakers for the sustainable use and scaling-up of push-pull technology.

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