scholarly journals Production Diversity and Constraints in Smallholder Farms in the Bamboutos Mountain

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 269-277
Author(s):  
Louis Nkembi ◽  
Njukeng Jetro Nkengafac ◽  
Tankou Christopher Mubeteneh
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Values ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Smallholder Farms ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Mountain Landscape ◽  
Small Holder Farmers ◽  
Household Heads ◽  
Production Diversity ◽  
Small Holder

Smallholder farmer agricultural productivity in developing countries is more often diverse and limited by diverse constraints. For optimal agricultural production and income crops for diversification must be carefully selected and the constraints properly addressed. The objective of this study was to establish a list of the major crops planted in the Bamboutos mountain landscape and the constraints faced by the smallholder farmers. During a survey, 261 household heads responded were randomly selected and the questions administered to them. A majority of the household heads were men and were literate and most of them were younger than 55 years. Crop and livestock production were the main income generating activities of the respondents. Most of the farmers` land sizes were less than 5a and land ownership was through inheritance, purchase or rent. The small holder farmers in the study area planted a variety of both annual and perennial crops. These crops were sold, consumed or had ornamental/cultural values. The farmers faced a number of problems in animal and crop production with the most cited constraints being lack of inputs, lack of capital, bad roads and climate change. The results of this study suggest that crop diversification should be encouraged within the study area, policy and stakeholder intervention should concentrate on solving the cited constraints for sustainable food production and conservation of biodiversity. Keywords: Crops, Constraints, Diversification, Smallholders.

Socio-Economic Characterisation of Resettled Smallholder Farmers in Rural Zimbabwe

2021 ◽  
pp. 002190962110588
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Ndhlovu
Keyword(s):  
Social Policy ◽  
Land Reform ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Fast Track ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Reform Programme ◽  
Small Holder Farmers ◽  
Small Holder ◽  
Blind Spots

The socio-economic characterisation of resettled small-holder farmers under the Fast Track Land Reform Programme (FTLRP) in Zimbabwe has blind spots in relation to the emergent transformative social policy features such as ‘social cohesion’, ‘cooperation’, ‘protection’ and ‘accumulation’ which are equally important among land beneficiaries. Using the Sangwe farm, this article departs from the conventional use of the political economy, sustainable livelihoods, human rights-based and neo-patrimonial approaches to experiment with the transformative social policy approach. Using both quantitative and qualitative data in an exploratory research design, the article shows that viewed from the transformative social policy approach, the FTLRP was neither a resounding success nor a complete disaster. The programme actually produced mixed results. The article thus, recommends the use of in-depth, ideologically free and neutral approaches in its analysis so as to reveal its detailed outcomes. Additional studies in which existing land reform policies can be considered in the collective efforts of improving the transformative agenda of the FTLRP across the country are needed.

scholarly journals Agricultural Food Production Diversity and Dietary Diversity among Female Small Holder Farmers in a Region of the Ecuadorian Andes Experiencing Nutrition Transition

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 2454
Author(s):  
Christopher L Melby ◽  
Fadya Orozco ◽  
Jenni Averett ◽  
Fabián Muñoz ◽  
Maria José Romero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Household Food Insecurity ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Small Holder Farmers ◽  
Production Diversity ◽  
Small Holder ◽  
Agricultural Food

Some rural areas of Ecuador, including the Imbabura Province of the Andes Highlands, are experiencing a double burden of malnutrition where micronutrient deficiencies persist at the same time obesity is increasing as many traditional home-grown foods are being replaced with more commercially prepared convenience foods. Thus, the relationships among agricultural food production diversity (FPD), dietary diversity (DD), and household food insecurity (HFI) of the rural small holder farmers need further study. Therefore, we examined these associations in small holder farmers residing in this Province in the Andes Highlands (elevation > 2500 m). Non-pregnant maternal home managers (n = 558, x age = 44.1, SD = 16.5 y) were interviewed regarding the number of different agricultural food crops cultivated and domestic animals raised in their family farm plots. DD was determined using the Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women Score (MDD-W) based on the number of 10 different food groups consumed, and household food insecurity (HFI) was determined using the 8-item Household Food Insecurity Experience Scale. The women reported consuming an average of 53% of their total food from what they cultivated or raised. Women with higher DD [MMD-W score ≥ 5 food groups (79% of total sample)] were on farms that cultivated a greater variety of crops (x = 8.7 vs. 6.7), raised more animals (x = 17.9 vs. 12.7, p < 0.05), and reported lower HFI and significantly higher intakes of energy, protein, iron, zinc, and vitamin A (all p < 0.05). Multiple regression analyses demonstrated that FPD was only modestly related to DD, which together with years of education, per capita family income, and HFI accounted for 26% of DD variance. In rural areas of the Imbabura Province, small holder farmers still rely heavily on consumption of self-cultivated foods, but greater diversity of crops grown in family farm plots is only weakly associated with greater DD and lower HFI among the female caretakers.

scholarly journals Influence of Training Method on Learning Ability of Smallholder Farmers: Case of Moisture Conservation Farming Training

2018 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Mafuse Never ◽  
Munyati Vincent Tinashe ◽  
Gadzirayi Christopher ◽  
Muhau Edgar ◽  
Manyumwa Dadirayic
Keyword(s):  
Course Design ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Learning Ability ◽  
Training Methods ◽  
Conservation Farming ◽  
Small Holder Farmers ◽  
The Look ◽  
Small Holder

This study sought to identify factors that influence learning during training among small holder farmers on the new moisture conservation innovations (conservation farming) by Agricultural Technical and Extension Services (AGRITEX) and the objectives of the study was to identify the training methods used by AGRITEX officers in training  Conservation agriculture and to find the effectiveness of the training methods in transferring knowledge The study took the form of a case study. Six small holder farmers trained on the new moisture conservation innovations were researched on. The study showed that AGRITEX to certain extent gave farmers some chance to participate during training especially in carrying out demonstrations, field days and during look and learn tours.  The look and learn tours were appreciated most by many farmers as they were saying they can learn much by visiting other farmers. However, AGRITEX can further improve its training to improve learning among farmers through participatory course design which can help in the improvement of training for farmers to improve on practicing what they have trained.

Socio-Economic Factors and Utilization of Formal Financial Services among smallholder Farmers in Kenya.

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 177-188
Author(s):  
Joseph Masinde Wabwire
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Economic Factors ◽  
Regression Equations ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Small Holder Farmers ◽  
Small Holder ◽  
Socio Economic Factors

The main aim of this research was to establish the effect of socio-economic factors on utilization of formal financial services among smallholder farmers in Kenya. Farmers in low-income counties encounter a number of challenges among them limited access to finance. Financing agriculture, therefore, becomes a critical service to enable the full realization of the sector’s potential. In Kenya, the advent of  innovative banking models through commercial banks such as Equity bank have seen a higher proportion of the rural population who were previously unreached being reached by financial services. That said, the subscription to formal financial services by small holder farmers is still low and many of them either shy away from formal financial institutions or are simply ineligible for the services due to lack of a banking profile with the institutions. Cross-sectional survey research design was adopted. The target population for this study were smallholder farmers from Nakuru, Busia and Kirinyaga Counties in Kenya. The study sample was determined using simple random sampling. The sample size was 560 smallholder farmers. The questionnaire and secondary information were the key instruments for data collection. Quantitative data was analysed using multiple linear regression equations with the aid of SPSS software. The study established that the socio-economic factors significantly affected utilization of formal financial services by the smallholder farmers in the country. Policy Makers should therefore, encourage small holder farmers by way of incentives to disclose their annual income so as to improve their chances of accessing formal financial services that can expand their enterprises.

scholarly journals Resolving the disconnect between market actors, agents and brokers and small-holder fresh produce farmers in Agribusiness

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 001-009
Author(s):  
P Mburu ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Labour Force ◽  
Fresh Produce ◽  
Food Chains ◽  
Farmers Market ◽  
Small Holder Farmers ◽  
Collective Entrepreneurship ◽  
Entrepreneurship Theory ◽  
Younger Generation ◽  
Small Holder

Farming contributes a good portion of African GDP and employs a substantial percentage of Africa’s labour force. African farming is characterised by smallholder farmers who sell to market actors’ agents and brokers. As a result, farmers complain of low returns on investments and cartel behaviour which discourage younger generation in venturing into farming or taking farming as business. The objective of this paper is to review the literature and suggest a model that could address the disconnect, based on the collective entrepreneurship theory. Keywords: small-holder farmers, market actors’ agents and brokers, cartel behaviour, collective entrepreneurship theory, African farming, agri-business, agro-food chains

scholarly journals Small-holder farmers knowledge and information on the impact of climate variability & extremes on livestock production in Limpopo & Mpumalanga Provinces

2022 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. 854-869
Author(s):  
Azwihangwisi E. Nesamvuni ◽  
Khuthadzo Ndwambi ◽  
Khathutshelo A. Tshikolomo ◽  
Gabriel R. Lekalakala ◽  
Thomas Raphulu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Contingency Plans ◽  
Small Holder Farmers ◽  
Almost All ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Small Holder ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

A study was carried out to investigate the level of awareness, knowledge and information of small-holder farmers (SHLF) on the impact of climatic change (CC) and extremes on livestock production in Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces. At least 366 smallholder farmers were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire to elicit responses on vulnerability. Almost all the farmers (96 %) have heard about CC only a few farmers (4 %) did not know CC. The medium for the conveyance of CC information was the main radio (94.32%). Newspapers and television were also efficient mediums in the conveyance of this information, each with the outreach of 16.76 and 32.67%, respectively. Central to the impact of CC was the fact that (90%) of the farmers confirmed that there was a change in grass availability; which contributed to major livestock fatalities of which over half of the farmers (55.19%) attested as the cause. The study found that 86.67% of SHLF who attended awareness meetings indicated that the discussions prioritized adapting to CC. However, SHLF (80.77%) did not have an early warning system. This was coupled with a lack of contingency plans by (84.36%) the farmers to deal with the impact of the said drought on their farms. SHLF (19%) who had facilitated contingency plans indicated that improved aspects of the plan should incorporate the support of their provision feeds, drilling of boreholes, and erection of dams. Based on SHLF perceptions there is a need for strategic shifts from grazing to small scale feed-lots.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document