scholarly journals Factors affecting the adoption of agricultural innovations on underutilized cereals: The case of finger millet among smallholder farmers in Kenya

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (36) ◽  
pp. 1888-1900 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerop Rebecca ◽  
Dannenberg Peter ◽  
Owuor George ◽  
Mshenga Patience ◽  
Kimurto Paul ◽  
...  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilton Mbinda ◽  
Agnes Kavoo ◽  
Fredah Maina ◽  
Margaret Odeph ◽  
Cecilia Mweu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Finger millet blast disease, caused by Pyricularia oryzae, is a serious constrain of finger millet production which is threatening global food security especially to the resource poor smallholder farmers in arid and semi-arid regions. The disease adversely affects finger millet production and consumption due to its wide distribution and destruction in all finger millet growing areas of southern Asia and eastern Africa. Here, we present a study that investigated the occurrence, impact, risk factors and farmers’ knowledge and perceptions of finger millet blast in Kenya. Methods We surveyed blast disease occurrence and interviewed farmers in Bungoma and Kisii Counties of Kenya during March–April 2019. Data were analysed using SPSS statistical program. Descriptive analysis was done by calculating means, percentages, frequencies, and standard errors. Comparative statistics, chi-square and t-tests, were used to evaluate differences existing among the farm characteristics and socio-demographics and the knowledge and perceptions of blast disease and its management practices. Results Our results show that blast disease is prevalent in all surveyed areas and adversely affects the productivity of the crop leading to poor yields. The disease occurrence varied from 92 to 98%, and was significantly higher in the major finger millet growing areas compared to the minor ones. Blast occurrence was associated with rainfall, altitude, planting density, intercropping and other farming practices. In all the surveyed regions, farmers had little knowledge about blast disease identification, its detection and spread. Further, the farmers’ awareness of blast disease control was inconsistent with established practices. Conclusions Our results show mitigation of finger millet blast disease should aim at improving farmers’ adoption of best practices through development of acceptable blast-resistant finger millet varieties, use of sustainable disease management practices, fostering linkages and creating new partnerships in the production-supply chain and maintaining a functional seed system. Findings from this study provide essential insights for effective decision making and management of the disease. This is fundamental to sustainable and secure food and income for finger millet growing farmers in Kenya.


Afrika Focus ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nsubili Isaga

Tanzania like many other developing countries is highly dependent on agriculture for income generation and job creation for its citizens. Because the sector is mainly composed of smallholder farmers, lack of finance remains the leading obstacle to development. This study seeks to determine factors that affect access to bank credit by smallholder farmers in the Mvomero District of Morogoro, Tanzania. The study used a cross-sectional design, with data being collected via the survey method. Purposeful sampling was used to obtain the respondents who fitted into the study objective. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a logistic regression model. The Logit regression model in particular was employed to determine factors that affect smallholder farmers’ access to bank services. The study reveals that the value of assets invested in farming activities, education and gender are significant factors affecting smallholder farmers’ access to bank credit. Policy recommendations include the establishment of a government bank that would exclusively provide financial services to agriculturalists by establishing a credit guarantee scheme, and the development of new financial products by the banks that would cater to the needs of smallholder farmers. Key words: access, bank credit, smallholder farmers, logit regression


Agro Ekonomi ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 196
Author(s):  
Armina Fariani ◽  
Jamhari Jamhari ◽  
Any Suryantini

This study aims to (1) identify the factors affecting the production of oil palm cultivation business by the smallholders and (2) identify the technical level as well as factors influencing business inefficiency of oil palm cultivation by the smallholders  in Air Sugihan Sub District of Ogan Komering Ilir Regency, South Sumatera Province.  This research uses the  basic method of analytical descriptive method.  The data were collected by way of observation and direct interviews in the field guided by a questionnaire.  The research location was determined purposively, that is in Pangkalan Damai Village, Air Sugihan Sub-district, Ogan Komering Ilir Municipality, South Sumatera Province. Sampling was conducted using non probabilistic sampling method (purposive sampling).  The research investigated 79 smallholder farmers of oil palm cultivation in Pangkalan Damai village of Air Sugihan Sub-district, Ogan Komering Ilir Municipality, South Sumatera Province.  On the basis of the analysis, it is revealed  that (1) the factors affecting the increase of palm production were labor, land area, TSP fertilizer, NPK fertilizer, organic fertilizer, herbicides and insecticides which also have an effect on decreasing  palm production. (2) Palm plantation business was technically efficient with the average technical level of smallholder palm farmers in Air Sugihan Sub-district of Ogan Komering Ilir Municipality of 0.86090.  Factors that decrease the technical inefficiency in smallholder palm cultivation in Air Sugihan Sub-district of Ogan Komering Ilir Regency were farmers’ education level.  This information can be used by the goverment to improve technical efficiency through education in the form of counseling and training to increase production.


Water Policy ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 581-594 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoping Dai ◽  
Jing Chen ◽  
Dan Chen ◽  
Yuping Han

This study aimed to find key factors influencing the decisions of farmers regarding the adoption of water-saving practices including the rice-controlling irrigation technique, drip irrigation under plastic film, and sprinkling irrigation in Heilongjiang Province, China. It was found that reliability of the water source and government promotion had very significant and positive associations with the probability of adoption. The number of household adults was a slightly significant factor that was positively associated with the probability of adoption. Risks of agricultural water-saving technologies, educational level of the respondents, soil texture, oil price, access to electric power, and access to labor were potential factors affecting the choice of agricultural water-saving technologies. Technical complexity, investment, water source, soil texture, oil price, and lack of electric power also impacted the adoption of these three agricultural water-saving technologies. These conclusions were obtained from a binary logistic model estimated from the results of a survey of 97 smallholder farmers from two typical cities in Heilongjiang Province. Finally, some recommendations are made to promoters of agricultural water-saving technologies.


2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 1367-1377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen Lowitt ◽  
Gordon M. Hickey ◽  
Arlette Saint Ville ◽  
Kaywana Raeburn ◽  
Theresa Thompson-Colón ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Tewoderos Meleaku ◽  
Degye Goshu ◽  
Bosena Tegegne

Efficiency is an important factor for increasing productivity which leads to increase market output to achieve the goal of food security. In economics where resources are scarce and opportunities to use new technologies are limited, increasing efficiency remains the most reasonable means to raise productivity without necessarily developing new technologies or increasing the resource base. So, this study aimed to investigate level of production efficiency, factors affecting production inefficiency of sorghum small holder farmers in Kafta-humera district of Tigray Ethiopia. A two stage sampling technique was used to select 289 sample farmers who were interviewed using a semi- structured questionnaire to obtain data pertaining to sorghum production during the year 2016/2017.Stochastic production frontier model was used to identify production efficiency levels, where as Tobit models was used to estimate factors affecting production efficiency levels. Accordingly, the mean technical, allocative and economic efficiencies were 78.01%, 65.21% and 39.91% respectively. This implies that output can be increased by 21.99% or cost can be reduced by 34.79% with the existing level of technology and resources. Input variables such as land, labor, tractor plow power, chemicals, DAP and Urea fertilizers positively affects production of sorghum. The discrepancy ratio (γ) implied that about 91.91% of the variation in sorghum production was attributed to technical inefficiency effects. Tobit model revealed that age, education, non-farm income, credit, extension service and training positively and significantly affected technical efficiency while age square and total livestock holding had negatively and significantly affected. Additionally, age square, education and frequency of farm visit positively and significantly affected allocative efficiency, while age, non-farm income, credit and extension contact have a negative and significant affect. Economic efficiency was positively and significantly affected by age, education, non-farm income, credit, extension contact and frequencies of farm visit but negatively affected by age square. These indicate that there is a room to increase in production efficiency of sorghum in the study area. Therefore, government authorities and other concerned bodies should take into consideration the above mentioned demographic, socioeconomic and institutional factors to increase efficiency of sorghum.


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