An Analysis of Institutional Factors Influencing Vegetable Production amongst Small-Scale Farmers in Six Vegetable Projects of the Nkonkobe Local Municipality

ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to identify knowledge gaps and the level of knowledge on climate-smart agriculture among small-scale farmers in Mahikeng Local Municipality. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 170 respondents from a population size of1449. A descriptive and quantitative research design was used for this study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse data. Most respondents were males, married, had high school education and farming experience of more than 20 years. Livestock farming, was found to be the main agricultural activity amongst the respondents. Knowledge test statements revealed that, respondents had a low level of knowledge about climate-smart agriculture. Age, access to climate information, farm income per month and access to off-farm income had statistically significant relationships with respondents' level of knowledge on climate-smart agriculture. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that, there should be training and education activities which should be implemented to assist small-scale farmers in Mahikeng Local Municipality in increasing their knowledge on climate-smart agriculture. Keywords: Climate-smart agriculture, Knowledge, Small-scale farmers, Socio-economic characteristics

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Potential and Actual Water Savings through Improved Irrigation Scheduling in Small-Scale Vegetable Production

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy9120888 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (12) ◽

pp. 888 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Christoph Studer ◽

Simon Spoehel

Keyword(s):

Water Use ◽

Irrigation Water ◽

Drip Irrigation ◽

Water Productivity ◽

Irrigation Scheduling ◽

Small Scale ◽

Vegetable Production ◽

Usual Practice ◽

Irrigation Water Use ◽

Small Scale Farmers

Appropriate irrigation scheduling for efficient water use is often a challenge for small-scale farmers using drip irrigation. In a trial with 12 farmers in Sébaco, Nicaragua, two tools to facilitate irrigation scheduling were tested: the Water Chart (a table indicating required irrigation doses) and tensiometers. The study aimed at evaluating if and to what extent simple tools can reduce irrigation water use and improve water productivity in drip-irrigated vegetable (beetroot; Beta vulgaris L.) production compared with the farmers’ usual practice. Irrigation water use was substantially reduced (around 20%) when farmers irrigated according to the tools. However, farmers did not fully adhere to the tool guidance, probably because they feared that their crop would not get sufficient water. Thus they still over-irrigated their crop: between 38% and 88% more water than recommended was used during the treatment period, resulting in 91% to 139% higher water use than required over the entire growing cycle. Water productivity of beetroot production was, therefore, much lower (around 3 kg/m3) than what can be achieved under comparable conditions, although yields were decent. Differences in crop yield and water productivity among treatments were not significant. The simplified Water Chart was not sufficiently understandable to farmers (and technicians), whereas tensiometers were better perceived, although they do not provide any indication on how much water to apply. We conclude that innovations such as drip irrigation or improved irrigation scheduling have to be appropriately introduced, e.g., by taking sufficient time to co-produce a common understanding about the technologies and their possible usefulness, and by ensuring adequate follow-up support.

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A conceptual framework for the economic analysis of factors influencing decision-making of small-scale farmers in animal health management

Revue Scientifique et Technique de l OIE ◽

10.20506/rst.20.3.1302 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 20 (3) ◽

pp. 687-700 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

P. CHILONDA ◽

G. VAN HUYLENBROEK

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Economic Analysis ◽

Conceptual Framework ◽

Health Management ◽

Animal Health ◽

Small Scale ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Small Scale Farmers

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Factors Limiting Adoption of Technologies by Farmers in Catabola Municipality, Angola

Scientia Agriculturae Bohemica ◽

10.1515/sab-2016-0014 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 47 (2) ◽

pp. 97-104

Author(s):

K. Rušarová ◽

J. Mazancová ◽

B. Havrland

Keyword(s):

Technology Use ◽

High Rate ◽

Mechanical Power ◽

Primary Data ◽

Small Scale ◽

Small Farmers ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Parents And Children ◽

Small Scale Farmers ◽

Tool Technology

Abstract The objective of the paper is to define the factors influencing the adoption of animal traction and/or mechanical-power technology in the conditions of Catabola municipality where hand-tool technology is being used on 99.7% of the area cultivated by small farmers. Primary data collection was conducted in the period July–August 2011; semi-structured questionnaires and focus group discussions were the most frequent methods used. In total, 151 small-scale farmers from 9 villages participated in the survey. Ten factors influencing the dependent variable – level of technology used by farmers in combination with hiring of labour – were defined. The factors were statistically analyzed by ANOVA. The area of cultivated land and the educational level of both parents and children were found to be the factors limiting the process of animal traction or mechanical power adoption by small farmers in the Catabola municipality. In addition, a relatively high rate of child labour was observed. With the exclusion of childless families, 62.7% of small farmer families regularly use children aged 0–14 years for field operations. The results confirm that the factor of hiring extra labour is irrelevant in determining the development in technology use by small farmers in the Catabola municipality.

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Farmers’ Perceptions and Factors Influencing the Adoption of No-Till Conservation Agriculture by Small-Scale Farmers in Zashuke, KwaZulu-Natal Province

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su10020555 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 555 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

◽

Keyword(s):

Conservation Agriculture ◽

Small Scale ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

No Till ◽

Kwazulu Natal ◽

Small Scale Farmers

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Economics and Technical Efficiency of Maize Production Among Small Scale Farmers in Abuja, Nigeria: Stochastic Frontier Model Approach

European Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences ◽

10.24018/ejfood.2020.2.6.145 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2 (6) ◽

Author(s):

E. S. Ebukiba ◽

L. Anthony ◽

S. M. Adamu

Keyword(s):

Stochastic Frontier ◽

Farm Size ◽

Small Scale ◽

Stochastic Frontier Model ◽

Gross Margin ◽

Maize Production ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

The Mean ◽

Small Scale Farmers ◽

Model Approach

This study evaluated Economics and Technical Efficiency of Maize Production Among Small Scale Farmers in Abuja, Nigeria; Stochastic Frontier Model Approach; Multi-stage sampling technique was adopted and used. Primary data were collected through the use of well-structured questionnaire from one hundred and fifty (150) sampled respondents in the study area. Data were analyzed to achieve the specified objectives using the following tools of analysis, Descriptive Statistics, Stochastic Frontier, Gross Margin Analysis, Financial Analysis, Five Point Likert Scale, and Principal Components Analysis. The results show that majority 40.47% of the sampled respondents were among the age range of 41-50 years of age and 25.33% were within the age bracket of 31-40 years of age. The mean age of the sampled farmers is 44 years. Which indicated that Young and energetic farmers are able to withstand stress and adopt new innovations. Most 88.67% of the farmers were male. Majority 72.67% were married. The mean household size of the sampled respondents is 6 members per family. Majority (67%) of the small-scale maize farmers had 1-2 ha of land and the average farm size cultivated by the farmers was 2.576 ha. The factors influencing total output of maize were seed input (P<0.01), Farm Size (P<0.05), quantity of fertilizer (P<0.05), and labour input (P<0.01) were statistically significant variables. The results of the inefficiency components show that the factors influencing technical inefficiency includes: age (P<0.01), education (P<0.01), access to credit (P<0.05), farming experience, and household size (P<0.05) and were statistically significant. The total revenue realized by the sampled small-scale maize farmers was N238,317 on average. While the total variable costs on average basis was N109,702.93. The gross margin realized was N128667.07. The gross margin ratio was 0.54 while operating ratio calculated was 0.857 and the rate of return on investment (RORI) was 1.17. The retained component from the constraint’s analysis include Lack of Improve Seed, Lack of Transportation, Poor Storage Facilities, Inadequate Capital, and Cattle Herdsmen. The retained components explained 60% of the variation of the component included in the model. The study therefore, recommends that affordable loans and adequate capital should be made available to the small-scale maize farmers, farmers should be properly trained and educated by the non-governmental organizations and extension agents on chemical application, fertilizer use and pests and diseases control measures especially on integrated pest management (IPM). Inputs like improve seeds, fertilizer, and chemicals should be made available to farmers at subsidized rates and at appropriate time coinciding with production periods for proper usage. Provisions should be made for transportation and storage facilities for farmers, the issue of conflict between farmers and herdsmen should be brought to book and resolved amicably for peaceful coexistence.

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