scholarly journals Determinants of sorghum adoption and land allocation intensity in the smallholder sector of semi-arid Zimbabwe

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. e0105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph P. Musara ◽  
Lovemore Musemwa ◽  
Munyaradzi Mutenje ◽  
Abbyssinia Mushunje ◽  
Charles Pfukwa
Keyword(s):  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Land Allocation ◽  
Arid Environments ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Local Networks ◽  
Adoption Decision ◽  
Small Holder ◽  
Semi Arid ◽  
Storage Facilities

Sorghum is important for sustainability of smallholder farmers’ subsistence, social and economic livelihoods in semi-arid and arid environments of Southern Africa. However, production of the crop has been on the decline in the smallholder communities of semi-arid Zimbabwe. The study examines factors affecting smallholder farmers’ inclination towards producing sorghum and allocating differential land proportions towards the crop. The paper uses a double hurdle estimation approach with cross-sectional survey data from 380 small holder sorghum farmers in the Mid Zambezi region. Frequency of contact with relatives, duration of receiving subsidies and the number of groups to which household members belonged had a robust influence (p<0.01) on the adoption decision. Market frequency, availability of storage facilities and the number of buyers in the market significantly (p<0.01) influenced the land allocation decision. Variables influencing the two decisions are not necessarily the same showing independence in the decisions. However, information flow from networks and conditions of market platforms remain important variables in the two decisions. It is important to decentralise sorghum markets, strengthen local networks of kinships and increase the scope of inclusive and responsive formal extension delivery systems. Storage facilities can also be developed in partnership with private players to allow for sales during market windows which generates higher returns for the small holder sorghum farmers.

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 Local Institutions in Climate Change Adaptation by Smallholder Farmers: A farm level study in Homabay County, Kenya.

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 189-199
Author(s):  
Danice Otieno Awinda; Raphael Kapiyo; Jackson John Kitetu
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Climate Change Adaptation ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Local Level ◽  
External Support ◽  
Local Institutions ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significance Level ◽  
Adaptation Practices

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of local institutions in climate change adaptation by smallholder farmers in Homabay County, Kenya. The study employed cross-sectional survey design in which data was collected from smallholder farmers in one survey round. Quantitative data was collected from 398 smallholder farmers, while 48 key informant interviews and 12 focus group discussions were used to collect qualitative data to buttress information from farmers. Data was analysed using frequencies, percentages, cross-tabulations and chi-square at 0.05 significance level. The study established that local institutions and social networks had a positive influence on climate change adaptation by smallholder farmers. Local institutions and social groups enable smallholder farmers to deploy specific climate change adaptation practices. Local institutions pursue adoption of effective adaptation strategies relevant to local needs of the smallholder farmers. They also provide information on climate change adaptation options and give some external support to enable farmers cope with climate change. The study recommended the need to promote institutional partnership to enhance climate change adaptation at local level. Partnerships among local institutions are associated with area specific adaptation practices and communal pooling. The study also recommended the need to enhance the capacity of local institutions as the impacts of climate change are likely to intensify with time. Support in the form of new information and technology aimed at improving effective coping mechanisms and financial support will be necessary.

scholarly journals KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS ANTHRAX AT THE ANTHRAX BELT SIRAJGONJ DISTRICT IN BANGLADESH

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. M. Rahman ◽  
M. S. Hossain ◽  
M. S. Haque ◽  
M. R. Nabi ◽  
M. G. Morshed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Questionnaire Survey ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Zoonotic Diseases ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Survey Knowledge

Background: Anthrax is one of the most important endemic zoonotic diseases due to its negative impact on the smallholder farmers associated with mortality in livestock and disease in humans in Bangladesh. Objective: The main objective of this investigation was to assess the extent of knowledge, awareness, attitude and practices addressing anthrax in animals and humans in the communities of Bangladesh Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted in the ‘anthrax belt’ Sirajgonj district where several anthrax outbreaks have been reported in both the livestock and humans. A total of 26 household were selected randomly for sampling from each of four villages during the period from August to December 2013. A total of 104 adult respondents participated in the questionnaire survey and the data were calculated by using the formula 4 pq/d2 and Chi-square test using software. Results: Result shows that 55.8% of the community respondents had knowledge of anthrax, while 44.2% of them did not. Analysis of anthrax cases record obtained from respondents showed 49.8% animals, 44.0% humans and 6.2% birds affected with this disease. Only 18.3 to 28.2% respondents knew the clinical signs cutaneous, gastro-intestinal and pulmonary forms, whereas 13.3 to 25.5% respondents knew more than one transmission routes in animals and humans. A certain percentage (2.9 to 16.8% & 8.9 to 20.9%) of community people obtained information on the outbreaks of anthrax in animals and humans from communication media, NGO workers and community health workers. Conclusions: The knowledge on anthrax of the participants was low with no consistent understanding of the disease. The educated family members in farming practices could improve the awareness and knowledge towards zoonotic diseases including anthrax. These findings could be useful for the decision makers to build technical capacity of veterinary medical services and to foster a ‘One Health’ approach especially a continued infection prevention and control training program for animal owners and local residents with close surveillance and reporting, burying or cremation of dead animal carcasses and decontamination and disinfection procedures as well as immunization of animals against anthrax to prevent the infection in endemic areas. Keywords: Anthrax, Bangladesh, Questionnaire survey, Knowledge, Attitude, Anthrax belt district

scholarly journals Utilization of Post-Harvest Technologies for Improved Food Security: Case of Maize and Mangoes among Smallholder Farmers in Kerio Valley Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya

2021 ◽  
pp. 17-27
Author(s):  
L. Chepwambok ◽  
W. Adede ◽  
D. Bunyatta ◽  
V. K. Mugalavai ◽  
A. O. Onkware
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Extension Services ◽  
Processing Technologies ◽  
Post Harvest ◽  
Inappropriate Use

Limited availability of improved post-harvest technologies or inappropriate use of available technologies leads to spoilage of food resulting to post-harvest losses. The losses contribute to food insecurity in the sense that availability and accessibility of food will be limited. Adoption of post-harvest harvest technologies boosts the agricultural sector, and has been seen as a pathway out of poverty and food insecurity. The study assessed the utilization of post-harvest technologies among smallholder farmers in Kerio Valley Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya and their correlation to food security. The main objective of the study was to determine factors that influenced adoption of post-harvest technologies for both maize and mango among the farmers. A cross sectional survey was used to collect data using self-administered questionnaire and interview schedules on 217 respondents. There was a significant relationship between gender (r- .264, P<0.001), age(r=.350, P<.05), education level(r=.956, P<.001), income(r=656, P<.001) and extension services(r=.907, P<.001) and adoption of post-harvest technologies. Adoption and use of improved post-harvest and processing technologies need to be promoted to curb post-harvest losses thus improving food security. In addition, there is need for intense extension services on post-harvest technologies to enhance awareness and adoption.

Effect of on-farm testing on adoption of banana production technologies among smallholder farmers in Meru region, Kenya

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Florence Kaumi Kirimi ◽  
Charles Nyambane Onyari ◽  
Lucy Karega Njeru ◽  
Hezron Rasugu Mogaka
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Banana Production ◽  
Production Technologies ◽  
On Farm

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of on-farm testing on the adoption of banana production technologies among smallholder farmers in the Meru region, Kenya.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted a pragmatic paradigm and a cross-sectional survey design, sampling 370 and 30 farmers proportionately from 269,499 to 19,303 smallholder banana farmers in Meru and Tharaka-Nithi Counties of Kenya, respectively.FindingsThe study revealed that there was an association between belonging to a banana farming testing group and the adoption of banana technology. The study also revealed that most farmers were not interested in adopting banana technologies as they preferred the use of conventional methods, due to unstable market prices, lack of subsidized banana production input, inaccessibility to technological materials, few extension experts and lack of enough demonstrations.Research limitations/implicationsSome respondents were not willing to freely offer the information required for this study. This was delimited by assuring the informants of the confidentiality of their responses.Originality/valueThe authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. The agricultural extension service providers will have more light on the underlying issues that need to be considered if meaningful interventions are to be done on various aspects of the banana value chain.

Determinants of adoption of organic rice production: a case of smallholder farmers in Hai Lang district of Vietnam

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hung Gia Hoang
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Rice Production ◽  
Rice Farming ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organic Rice

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate factors that affect smallholders' adoption of organic rice production in the Hai Lang district of Vietnam.Design/methodology/approachThis study employed a cross-sectional survey research design. A sample size of 215 was drawn from a total of 455 smallholders. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including a binary logistic regression, were used to analyse the data.FindingsThe study concludes that younger female smallholders participating in credit/training programs and community-based organisations, who have a high level of education, a large household size and more experience in rice farming, and who grow mixed crops, have a greater tendency to adopt organic rice production.Research limitations/implicationsA combination of demographic, socio-economic and institutional characteristics of rice smallholders should be considered when promoting organic rice farming practices by smallholders and when choosing organic agricultural development strategies for smallholders in developing countries.Originality/valueThis research provides significant understanding of the determinants of organic rice adoption by smallholder farmers and highlights factors that need to be considered when designing policies to enhance the uptake of organic farming in developing countries.

scholarly journals Adaptation to drought in arid and semi-arid environments: Case of the Zambezi Valley, Zimbabwe

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Mavhura ◽  
Desmond Manatsa ◽  
Terence Mushore
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Rainfall Variability ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Arid Environments ◽  
Water Shortages ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Semi Arid ◽  
Zambezi Valley

Small-scale rain-fed agriculture is the main livelihood in arid to semi-arid regions of subSaharan Africa. The area is characterised by erratic rainfall and frequent droughts, making the capacity for coping with temporal water shortages essential for smallholder farmers. Focusing on the Zambezi Valley, Zimbabwe, this study investigates the impact of drought on food security and the strategies used by smallholder farmers to cope with drought. We used meteorological data and interviews to examine the rainfall variability in the study area and the drought-coping mechanisms employed by smallholder famers respectively. The results show that there are various strategies used by smallholder farmers to cope with the impact of drought. These strategies include drought-tolerant crop production, crop variety diversification, purchasing cereals through asset sales, non-governmental organisations’ food aid and gathering wild fruit. However, consecutive droughts have resulted in high food insecurity and depletion of household assets during droughts. Smallholder farmers in the valley have also resorted to a number of measures taken before, during and after the drought. Still, these strategies are not robust enough to cope with this uncertainty

scholarly journals Smallholder Farmers’ Livelihood Security Options amidst Climate Variability and Change in Rural Ghana

Scientifica ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sampson Yamba ◽  
Divine O. Appiah ◽  
Lawrencia Pokuaa-Siaw ◽  
Felix Asante
Keyword(s):  
Climate Variability ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Sustainable Livelihood ◽  
Climate Variability And Change ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Alternative Livelihood ◽  
Household Food

Farming as a livelihood activity in the Bosomtwe District is threatened by climate change. This paper ascertained the alternative livelihood options of smallholder farmers against climate variability and change in the Bosomtwe District. Using a cross-sectional survey, 152 smallholder farmers were sampled from 12 communities using a multistage sampling procedure. The quantitative data collected were subjected to binary logistic regression analysis, contingency tables, frequencies, and Nagelkerke tests of association, embedded in the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) v.17. The results indicate that farmers are resorting to alternative livelihood activities that are less capital intensive and require less skill in order to secure income and household food supply. Significant determinants of farmers’ alternative livelihood are age, household size, and household food supply, which were significant at p<.030, p<.019, and p<.012, respectively. At a 95% confidence interval (CI), these variables had lower to upper CIs for each of the EXP (B), respectively, at CI = 1.134–12.524, CI = 1.359–30.224, and CI = 1.781–104.561, respectively. The paper recommends that government institutes policies that will create opportunities and draw on various local/grassroots opportunities and resources to expand farmers’ asset base for sustainable livelihood strategies.

scholarly journals Trends and constraints in the production and utilization of cowpea leaves in the arid and semi-arid lands of Kenya

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 325-334
Author(s):  
Joshua Ombaka Owade ◽  
George Ooko Abong’ ◽  
Michael Wandayi Okoth ◽  
Agnes Wakesho Mwang’ombe
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Vigna Unguiculata ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Changing Trends ◽  
Indigenous Vegetables ◽  
Postharvest Management ◽  
Semi Arid

AbstractCowpea (Vigna unguiculata) leaves are nutritious indigenous vegetables that are produced and consumed among local communities in Kenya. However, seasonal production limits their utilization. The study investigated the changing trends in the consumption and utilization of cowpea leaves among cowpea producing households in arid and semi-arid land (ASAL) areas. A cross-sectional survey of randomly selected households producing and consuming cowpea leaves was carried out in Eastern and Coastal ASALs of Kenya to determine the trends and constraints in the production and utilization of the vegetable, thus evaluating its efficiency as a food security crop. The average household production in a season was found to be 3.03 ± 0.9 of 90 kg bags. Lesser severity of the constraints, poor soils, drought, lack of access to seeds and massive spoilage with an odds ratio of 0.4, 0.9, 2.0 and 2.3, respectively, significantly (p < 0.05) predicted the production quantities among households, R2 = 0.21. The study also found that the reliance on own production among households for sourcing the leaves in-season and off-season was 97.5% and 24.9%, respectively. The households consumed the leaves in boiled (87.5%), sundried (27.5%) or blanched (13.6%) forms. Households in the coastal ASALs significantly (p < 0.05) consumed more of dried forms (odds ratio: 3.3) but less of boiled ones (odds ratio: 0.1) than those in the Eastern parts. Households that had more members or a female deciding the food to be bought had significantly (p < 0.05) higher frequency of consumption of cowpea leaves. Marketing challenges, lack of access to inputs and inadequate postharvest technologies for preservation of the vegetables constrained the production and utilization of cowpea leaves. In order to promote the availability and utilization of cowpea leaves both in and out of season, accessibility of good quality seeds and postharvest management are necessary.

scholarly journals Estimating Land Expectation Value of Smallholder Farmers’ Eucalyptus Woodlot Products in Wogera District, Northern Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
yordanos sete deresse ◽  
Getahun Abreham Assefa
Keyword(s):  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Land Allocation ◽  
Urban Landscapes ◽  
Northern Ethiopia ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Expectation Value ◽  
Eucalyptus Plantation ◽  
Crop Land ◽  
Land Expectation Value

Abstract Background: The area of Eucalyptus plantations has expanded greatly and the species dominates many rural and urban landscapes as it suits the limited resources of smallholder farmers, yields higher income than other tree crops and increasing demand for woodlot products. The study conducted in Wogera District within three purposively selected kebele administrations. Smallholder farmers at the study area are converting their crop land to Eucalyptus plantation. Therefore there should need to deal the pushing factors for the allocation of Eucalyptus. This study aims at identifying the factors influencing decision of land allocation for eucalyptus woodlot production, and estimating the land expectation value. Method: Cross sectional data was collected through semi-structured interview schedule. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics and Faustman formula. Results: The results of the household survey revealed that land degradation and neighbor influence are the main factors for smallholders’ land allocation decision for Eucalyptus plantation. Therefore, as per the results, most of the crop land has been converted to Eucalyptus plantation. However, this a rapid land conversion issue made a threat on most farmers in related to losing of indigenous crops so as it leads them to be food insecured. Conclusion: Farmers in the study area are rational in their land allocation for production of either annual or perennial crops including Eucalyptus woodlots. Finally the study recommends government intervention in the separate land management issue is mandatory to make balance in production of both Eucalyptus and crops.

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