Rapid Response Indicators for Predicting Changes in Soil Properties Due to Solarization or Biosolarization on an Intensive Horticultural Crop in Semiarid Regions

Agriculture practices developed since the middle of the last century have led to the degradation of different resources and made it necessary to promote agricultural models that are less aggressive towards nature. Sustainable agricultural growth requires a more efficient use of land. An experimental model was designed with four treatments in the Campo de Cartagena area (SE Spain): biosolarization with manure (BSM), biosolarization with brassicas (BB), solarization (S), and a pilot test (PT). The general objective was to determine by means of rapid response indicators the changes occurring in soil properties as a consequence of the implementation of these solarization or biosolarization practices and their influence on the quality and yield of a lettuce crop. The results show that there was no significant response in the physical and biological properties of the soil. Physicochemical properties such as pHw, and electrical conductivity (ECe), as well as chemicals such as total nitrogen (TN) and the content of some macro and micronutrients, can be considered as rapid response indicators. The highest yields (Yc) and highest commercial quality (Mc) of lettuce were obtained in the BB and BSM treatments (Yc > 23,000 kg ha−1; Mc > 413 g). These treatments resulted in biological NO3− sequestration and, in the case of BB, salt immobilization (ECe: 6 dS m−1). According to these results, BSM and BB can be recommended for sustainable agriculture and even as valid methods for the recovery of soils affected by salts and NO3−. Our results should increase the feasibility of these techniques in semiarid areas.

Rethinking the Prospects of Sustainable Finance and Challenges of Agribusiness Transformation in Nigeria

The chapter explicates the need to rethink the prospects of sustainable finance (SF) for agribusiness transformation in spite of the challenges facing the sector in Nigeria. It extends to highlighting the implications of the nexus on entrepreneurship development. After a triangular data analysis using the world development indicators (2000-2016) and scholarly articles, the authors found that the prospects of SF are enormous: (1) Nigeria has a modest agricultural growth performance in the crop, food, livestock, and cereal production that could support SF; and (2) SF options such as green loans, green bonds, green credit, green investment funds, green mortgage scheme, and other green financial support instruments could be suitable for agribusiness transformation in the country. Also, the content analysis revealed there are 13 challenges facing agribusiness transformation in the country, and these have harmed the vegetation, farmland, and ocean leading to low productivity. The authors contribute to the literature by identifying SF options as a game-changer for agribusiness transformation.

Effect of different fertilizer doses on the production of Chaite-5 paddy variety in Dhanusha District, Nepal

The application of inorganic nutrient sources is necessary for proper agricultural growth that can ensure high quality food production. A field experiment was carried out in Hansapur, Dhanusha from March 2021 to July 2021 to study the effect of different fertilizer doses on the growth and yield of rice. The experiment was set up in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 7 different treatments following three replications. The treatments were named as T1: Control, T2: RDF (Recommended dose of fertilizers - 100:30:30 kg NPK/ha), T3: Double dose of RDF (200: 60: 60 kg NPK/ha), T4: A half dose of RDF (50: 15: 15 kg NPK/ha), T5: 125% dose of RDF (125: 37.5: 37.5 kg NPK/ha), T6: Locally available Azolla (300 kg/ha), and T7: FYM (6 ton/ha), respectively. Different doses of RDF showed a significant effect on growth, yield, and yield contributing characters of Chaite-5 variety. Results of the study showed that the application of a double dose of RDF (200: 60: 60 kg NPK/ha) gave the maximum yield (9.50 ton/ha). It was also recorded that 125% dose of RDF, recommended dose of fertilizers and FYM gave satisfactory results. Results revealed that the highest plant height, effective tillers/hill, panicle number, panicle length, total spikelet/hill, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, and straw yield were obtained from the use of a double dose of RDF (200: 60: 60 kg NPK/ha). It was observed that yield of rice can be increased substantially with the application of higher doses of nitrogenous fertilizers. Hence, a double dose of fertilizer can be the best supplement for improving growth and yield in rice.

Agricultural Growth Diagnostics: Identifying the Binding Constraints and Policy Remedies for Bihar, India

Agriculture plays a significant role in economic development of underdeveloped regions. Multiple factors influence the performance of agricultural sector but a few of these have a strong bearing on its growth. This study develops a growth diagnostics framework for agricultural sector in Bihar, located in eastern India, to identify the most binding constraints. The study results show that poor functioning of agricultural markets and low-level of crop diversification are the important reasons for low agricultural growth in Bihar. Rise in price instability of agricultural produces indicates a weak price transmission across the markets even after repealing the Agricultural Produce Market Committee Act. Poor market linkages and non-functioning producer collectives at village-level affect the farmers’ motivation for undertaking crop diversification. Hence, policy suggestions to overcome these binding constraints include the state provisioning of basic market infrastructure to attract private investment in agricultural marketing, strengthening the Farmer Producer Organisations, and framing a comprehensive policy on crop diversification.

Impact of Agricultural Input Supply on Agricultural Growth in Nigeria

Improving the production capacity of agriculture in Nigeria through agricultural input supply is an important policy goal in a country where agriculture represents an important sector in the economy. The agricultural sector provides livelihood to a significant portion of Nigerian population, especially in rural areas, where poverty is more pronounced. Thus, a growing agricultural sector contributes to both overall growth and poverty alleviation. The study specifically examined the effects of agricultural input supply on agricultural growth in Nigeria from 1990 to 2017. The objective of this study is to examine agricultural input supply in Nigeria and its implications on the growth of agricultural growth in Nigeria. The study used time series data covering 1986-2016 obtained from FAOSTAT, World Development Indicator and Central Bank of Nigeria data base. This study utilized Auto-Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach to investigate the variables. The finding of the study shows that there is co-integration between the variables. The result of the study shows that gross capital formation and Fertilizer supply to agriculture were significant in influencing agricultural growth in Nigeria with coefficient values of (-0.002468), and (0.001506), with P- values of (0.0222) and (0.0171) respectively. Given the robust nature of the result, it is evident that agricultural input supply contributes in great measure to agricultural growth in Nigeria. The study then conclude that agricultural input is essential for the growth of agricultural sector in Nigeria and recommend that given the lean resources available to government, attention should be given to the inputs that contributes significantly to the growth of the sector.

Impact of Agricultural Input Supply on Agricultural Growth in Nigeria

Improving the production capacity of agriculture in Nigeria through agricultural input supply is an important policy goal in a country where agriculture represents an important sector in the economy. The agricultural sector provides livelihood to a significant portion of Nigerian population, especially in rural areas, where poverty is more pronounced. Thus, a growing agricultural sector contributes to both overall growth and poverty alleviation. The study specifically examined the effects of agricultural input supply on agricultural growth in Nigeria from 1990 to 2017. The objective of this study is to examine agricultural input supply in Nigeria and its implications on the growth of agricultural growth in Nigeria. The study used time series data covering 1986-2016 obtained from FAOSTAT, World Development Indicator and Central Bank of Nigeria data base. This study utilized Auto-Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach to investigate the variables. The finding of the study shows that there is co-integration between the variables. The result of the study shows that gross capital formation and Fertilizer supply to agriculture were significant in influencing agricultural growth in Nigeria with coefficient values of (-0.002468), and (0.001506), with P-values of (0.0222) and (0.0171) respectively. Given the robust nature of the result, it is evident that agricultural input supply contributes in great measure to agricultural growth in Nigeria. The study then conclude that agricultural input is essential for the growth of agricultural sector in Nigeria and recommend that given the lean resources available to government, attention should be given to the inputs that contributes significantly to the growth of the sector.

AGRICULTURAL GROWTH AND SUBSIDIZED POWER SUPPLY – FARMER CONSUMER'S PERSPECTIVE

There is a growing demand of electrical energy for agricultural usage requirements in India.Electrical Utilities of many states have been facing acute power shortage which led to unrest in the farmers in many states.It is observed in the last few decades,the underground water levels have been falling down drastically and cultivated area has been increasing by cutting the forests. Hence, there is growing demand for electricity consumption for the purpose of irrigation. The generation is not growing proportionately to the growing demand. On the other side, the available energy is also not properly utilized for Agricultural purposes. The farmers have to be educated in the area of energy conservation and effective utilization of available resources in the country. This paper highlights the role of power in agricultural development and throws light on review of literature with regard to farmers’ perception on free farm electricity and groundwater extraction.