scholarly journals Assessing the Effectiveness of Selected Aspects of Extension Approaches Across Different Agro Ecological Zones

2021 ◽  
pp. 53-66
Author(s):  
Washington Ochola ◽  
Mary Orinda
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Agricultural Extension ◽  
P Value ◽  
Inferential Statistics ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Agricultural Technologies ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Farmer Behaviour ◽  
Agro Ecological Zones

Aims: Understanding how different agricultural organisations implement extension approaches across different Agricultural Ecological Zones is very critical for the success and impact in agricultural sector. This paper therefore assessed the effect of Agro-Ecological Zones on implementation of agricultural extension approaches to provide an insight into how to improve dissemination of improved technologies.  Study Design: A cross-sectional survey combining quantitative and qualitative data collection methodologies was used. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in six counties of western Kenya: Nyamira, Kisii, Homa-bay, Migori, Kisumu, and Siaya counties. The study was conducted between September to December 2019. Methodology: 12 agricultural institutions within the study area were sampled. A multi stage random sampling technique was used to identify 492 respondents comprising; 12 head of agriculture in the institutions, 120 extension personnel and 360 household heads across different Agricultural Ecological Zones (AEZs). Data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics.  The inferential statistics were set at the 0.05 level for significance. Kruskal Wallis test and Dunn-Bonferroni Post Hoc test were used to test significant differences on the implementation aspects of the extension approaches across the different AEZs. Results: Climatic conditions, average age, land size, and value of household assets as factors of AEZs influenced how various aspects of agricultural extension approaches were implemented. Level of implementation of aspects influenced uptake of agricultural technologies. Kruskal Wallis test result (H (5) = 126.679, p value < 0.001) indicated that there were significant differences in the level at which smallholder farmers improved their agricultural practices in different AEZs. Conclusion: For effective dissemination of agricultural technologies, farmer situation, specifically agro ecological zone must be taken into consideration when recommending extension dissemination approaches to be used. Multivariate analysis needs to be done to inform how to implement various aspects of extension approaches to achieve optimum results in terms of farmer behaviour change.

scholarly journals The factors influencing farmers’ choice of improved maize seed varieties in Tanzania

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (04) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ange Pacifique Mutanyagwa ◽  
Alida Isinika ◽  
Aloyce R. Kaliba
Keyword(s):  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Agricultural Extension ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Maize Seed ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression Model ◽  
Agricultural Technologies ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Maize Seeds ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Agro Ecological Zones

The study examined the factors that influence farmers’ choice of improved maize seed variety in Tanzania. Using purposive sampling data were collected from 930 households. The binary logistic regression model was used to choose respondent who had used improved maize seed from all seven agro-ecological zones of Mainland Tanzania. The results showed that agro-ecological zones, farm size, household size and yield positively influence the likelihood of farmers’ choice of improved maize seed varieties. Based on these findings, it is recommended that researchers and suppliers of seed should consider the attributes of farmers’ preference in the production of improved maize seeds and put more emphasis on facilitating the delivery of agricultural extension services for more effective uptake of agricultural technologies

Analysis of smallholder farmers’ vulnerability to climate change and variability in south Wollo, north east highlands of Ethiopia: An agro-ecological system-based approach

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yimer Mohammed ◽  
Kindie Tesfaye ◽  
Menfese Tadesse ◽  
Fantaw Yimer
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Adaptive Capacity ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Scale Level ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Micro Scale ◽  
Climate Change And Variability ◽  
North East ◽  
Agro Ecological Zones

Abstract Background: Climate change and variability has been significantly affecting the Ethiopian agricultural production and thereby smallholder farmers livelihoods. The level of vulnerability varied across agro-ecological zones (AEZs). Identification of difference in the level of vulnerability of a system is important in selecting appropriate and effective adaption options to climate change. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the level of vulnerability of agricultural communities to climate change and variability at micro-scale level in five agro-ecological zones (AEZs) of south Wollo, north east highlands of Ethiopia. Data was collected from a representative of 502 sample households from five AEZs through multi stage random sampling methods. Focus group discussion and key informant interviews were also carried out to supplement and substantiate the quantitative data. The indicator based approach was used to empirically calculate vulnerability. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to give weight for indicators and generate index of vulnerability contributing factors. Results: The results showed that each of the vulnerability contributing factors (exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity) varied across the AEZs. M3, SM2 and SM3 are the most exposed AEZs but having a relatively better adaptive capacity whereas M1, M2 and M3 are the most sensitive AEZs with relatively low adaptive capacity to climate variability and change. Overall, SM2 is the most vulnerable AEZ which exhibited high sensitivity and low adaptive capacity followed by M1. Conclusions: The study explored sources and levels of vulnerability to each agro-ecology. Since the study is conducted at micro-scale level, it helps decision makers and development partners to have context-specific understanding of the impact of climate change and variability and design appropriate adaptation measures to address the specific situations.

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 Variability and Trends of Temperature and Rainfall Over Three Agro-Ecological Zones in North Shewa, Central Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashenafi Hailu Shekuru ◽  
Arega Bazezew Berlie ◽  
Yechale Kebede Bizuneh
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Upward Trend ◽  
Central Ethiopia ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Annual Minimum Temperature ◽  
Rainfall Anomalies ◽  
Agro Ecological Zones

Abstract This study aims to analyze variability and trends of temperature and rainfall over three agro-ecological zones (AEZs) in Central Ethiopia. Gridded rainfall and temperature data, recorded on daily basis for 35 years (1979 - 2013) at 30 meteorological stations, were used for analysis. While Mann–Kendall test was applied to analyze the trends in rainfall and temperature, Sen’s slope estimator was used to determine the magnitude of change. The study detected an upward trend of 0.07°C/annum (p < 0.001) in mean annual maximum temperature at Kolla AEZ. It also showed an upward trend of 0.06/year (p < 0.001) for both Dega and Woina Dega AEZs. Mean annual minimum temperature exhibited an upward trend of 0.03°C/year at Kolla (p < 0.001), Woina Dega (p < 0.05), and Dega (p < 0.01), signifying a 1.05°C increase between 1979 and 2013. Results from precipitation concentration index (PCI) revealed highest percentage (97.1%) of irregular distributions in annual rainfall pattern at Kolla AEZ, followed by Woina Dega (82.9%). Standardized rainfall anomalies (SRA) computed in the study also showed higher percentage (28.6%) of drought in Kolla AEZ, which experienced drought once in every 3 or 4 years. The study revealed negative annual rainfall anomalies for 18 years in Kolla and 16 years in both Dega and Woina Dega AEZs. The reduced precipitation and rise in temperature could trigger wide-ranging influences on agricultural practices and crop production of smallholder farmers. Policymakers and stakeholders should give priority in designing and introducing pro-poor plus geographically differentiated adaptive strategies.

Evaluation of information needs of agricultural extension agents in Ghana

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 463-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel Sam ◽  
Simon K. Osei ◽  
Lucy P. Dzandu ◽  
Kirchuffs Atengble
Keyword(s):  
Information Needs ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Survey Methodology ◽  
Decisive Role ◽  
Agricultural Extension ◽  
Information Infrastructure ◽  
Extension Agents ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Inadequate Information ◽  
The Right

The agricultural sector plays a decisive role in Ghana’s economy, employment, and food security. The study set out to assess the information needs of agricultural extension agents across all the agro-ecological zones of Ghana, in order to provide them with the right information. A structured field survey methodology was used for the study and 472 agricultural extension agents from 40 districts in Ghana served as the respondents. The findings of the study revealed that agricultural extension agents regularly sourced for information from books and reports; visual or pictorial information was the most preferred format for package of information. The AEAs used agricultural extension information to assist in the discharge of their work, and as a basis for advice to farmers on general farm planning and consultancy among others. Challenges identified in accessing information included inadequate information infrastructure and training avenues. The AEAs suggested that critical information infrastructure such as libraries, information centers, and databases be provided as measures to offset the challenges. The study recommended that efforts should be directed at improving extension agents’ access to information infrastructure and that different and wide-ranging media should be developed to supply information to the AEAs.

scholarly journals Quantifying Ecosystem Service Supply, Social Demand and Their Link With Smallholder Farmers' Well-Being in Contrasting Agro-Ecological Zones of East African Rift Valley.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haile Ketema ◽  
wu wei ◽  
Abiyot Legesse ◽  
Zinabu Wolde ◽  
Tenaw Endalamaw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Service ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Social Demand ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Semi Arid ◽  
Agro Ecological Zones

Abstract Background Ecosystem service supplies (ES) have experienced progressive decline mostly due to increased ES social demand. Identifying ecosystem supply (ES), social demand, and their impacts on smallholder farmers' well-being is essential to ensure sustainable utilization of ES. Quantitative studies assessing ES mostly focused on ES supply with little attention given to social need and its effects on human well-being. Methods We assessed and mapped selected ES supply, social demand and their mismatches, and evaluated their impacts on subjective well-beings of smallholder farmers in contrasting agro-ecological zones (AEZ). We used a questionnaire survey to analyze and map six provisioning ecosystem services (ES) focusing on ES supply, social demand and their mismatches. Using the universal soil loss equation (USLE), we mapped the rate of soil loss in the contrasting agro-ecological zones (AEZ). A participatory approach was employed to evaluate smallholder farmers' well-being in the study region. Radar diagram was used to identify the links between ES supply, social demand and smallholder farmers' well-being. Results The results showed that a high supply of provisioning ecosystem goods such as cereal crops, fruits and coffee occurred in humid AEZ, while less supplies were seen in semi-arid AEZ of the study region. The ES supply was not in accordant with ES social demand and different factors such as population size and level of production are among the main factors causing ES supply-demand mismatches. Due to the undulating topography, high rate of soil loss was seen in humid AEZ. Smallholder farmers have given higher values for soil erosion control compared with individuals from semi-arid AEZ. Of all indicators of smallholder farmers well-being, income had the highest weight while receiving the least well-being satisfaction level both in humid and semi-arid AEZs. Conclusion The mismatches between supply and demand in provisioning ecosystem supply had strong and immediate impacts on smallholder farmers well-being. Therefore, we suggest policies that effectively control population growth, applying intensive crop production and strengthening integrated watershed management. These policies would help ES to recuperate and enhance its continuous flow and improve smallholder farmers' well-being both in the humid and semi-arid AEZ of the study region.

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.

Responses of Irish potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) to mineral and organic fertilizer in various agro-ecological environments in Kenya

1997 ◽  
Vol 33 (01) ◽  
pp. 91-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Recke ◽  
H. F. Schnier ◽  
S. Nabwile ◽  
J. N. Qureshi
Keyword(s):  
Solanum Tuberosum ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Organic Fertilizer ◽  
Nutrient Use Efficiency ◽  
Farmyard Manure ◽  
P Value ◽  
Calcium Ammonium Nitrate ◽  
K Value ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Agro Ecological Zones

The response of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) to application of inorganic and organic fertilizer was studied in long-term field experiments between 1987 and 1994. Responses to phosphorus and nitrogen were tested at 27 sites and to potassium at 17 sites. The sites represented various agro-ecological zones in Kenya. Phosphate (triple superphosphate, TSP) and nitrogen (calcium ammonium nitrate, CAN) fertilizer were applied at 0, 25, 50 or 75 kg P2O5 ha−1 and 0, 25, 50 or 75 kg N ha−1. Potassium (muriate of potash) was tested mainly on sites with low levels of K in the soil at rates of 0 or 50 kg K2O ha−1. Farmyard manure was applied at 0 or 5 t ha−1 with or without N and/or P2O5 fertilizer.Over the study period average yields varied considerably between sites and agro-ecological zones. At 16 of the 27 sites, potatoes responded strongly to the application of P2O5 and at 9 sites to N application. A significant response to K2O application was found at three out of the 17 sites. Nutrient use efficiency ranged from 13 to 214 kg tubers per kg P2O5 and from 20 to 113 kg tubers per kg N applied. In the majority of the sites, both N and P response followed a linear function which suggests that application rates higher than 75 kg N ha−1 and/or 75 kg P2O5 ha−1 could be beneficial. Economic analysis revealed that in most cases fertilizer application was highly profitable for potatoes.The critical soil P value was about 15 ppm (mod. Olsen) for optimal potato nutrition; on soils with higher P levels generally no P response was found. The respectively critical soil K value was found to be about 0.55 meq 100 g−1 (modified Olsen). Farmyard manure at 5 t ha−1 significantly increased yields of potatoes at 9 of the 27 sites. On soils with P levels below 12 ppm, there was a positive effect on potato yields with a combination of 50 kg P2O5 ha−1 and farmyard manure, although significant differences were achieved in only one out of the 19 sites.

scholarly journals Challenges and opportunities of information and communication technologies for dissemination of agricultural information in Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-65
Author(s):  
Abebaw A. Getahun
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Agricultural Extension ◽  
Extension System ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Related Service ◽  
Information And Communication

This review paper analyses the challenge and opportunities of information and communication technologies for dissemination of agricultural information in Ethiopia. Understanding the challenges and opportunities of information and communication technologies enables to solve the problem of information problem to smallholder farmers. The data was collected, assessed and reviewed from recent secondary data sources from Central statistical agency, and scholarly articles published on the issue of information and communication technology in agriculture (ICT 4 Ag).Compared to the other sector like governance, health and education sectors, ICT-adoption in the agricultural sector has started relatively late in Ethiopia. Even though it is in infant stage, there are many agricultural ICT related service and application in Ethiopia. The current radical penetration of ICTs like mobile phone, website, social media and other internet/online services brings an immense prospect to farmers to create, share, store, process, interpret and preserve agricultural information and knowledge. ICT related agricultural extension system is the solely choice for dissemination of agricultural knowledge and information. Ethiopia is the country which has more than 65000 extension personnel for agricultural extension. But this extension system is not sustainable since it is very costly and inefficient. Thus, agricultural extension policy and intervention should focus on ICT based extension system.

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