Effect of conservation agriculture on soil properties and maize grain yield in the semi-arid Laikipia county, Kenya.

Low and unreliable rainfall, along with poor soil health, is a main constraint to maize production in the semi-arid parts of Kenya that account for over 79% of the country's land area. In the vast county of Laikipia, farmers continue to plant maize despite the predominantly low quantities of precipitation. Participatory farmer experimentation with Conservation Agriculture (CA) was undertaken for six consecutive growing seasons between July 2013 and December 2016 to determine the effectiveness of CA as a method of improving soil properties and enhancing maize yields with the limited rainfall quantities received in these parts of Kenya. The main CA practices tested include chisel tine furrow opening (ripping) and live legume (Lablab purpureus) cover crop, as well as maize stover mulches, all implemented under varying inorganic fertilizer rates. The research was done across 12 administrative locations of Laikipia County where soils are mainly Phaeozems and Vertisols with a clay-loam texture. The research design used was researcher-designed and farmer-managed. In each of the 12 trial sites, participatory farmers' assessments and field days were carried out as a way of outreach to the bigger farming communities around the trial sites. The research findings obtained demonstrated that the use of CA impacts positively on soil properties and is a viable practice for enhancing maize yields in these moisture deficit-prone parts of the country. Soil chemical analysis assessment results showed that CA impacted positively on a number of soil mineral components including organic carbon, total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and pH. Midseason chlorophyll content assessment of the maize crop showed that there was good response to fertilizer application, as well as to mulching with crop residues for soil cover. Maize grain yield data also showed that the use of a CA package comprising chisel tine ripping combined with mulching by plant residues and use of mineral fertilizer resulted in a two- to threefold increase in grain yields above the farmer practice control. Mean maize grain yield in farmer practice plots was 1067 kg ha-1 compared with the CA-treated plot with mineral fertilization that yielded 2192 kg ha-1.

Behavioural Determinants of Functionality of Farmer Producer Organisations in Punjab

Small and marginal farming communities of Indian agriculture account for more than 85%of the total farming households. They face the challenges of land fragmentation, high costof inputs and inability to market their produce efficiently. To tackle these challenges, policymakers came up with the model of farmers’ mutual cooperation through Farmer ProducerOrganisations (FPOs). This study conducted in Punjab analyses the behavioural factorsresponsible for functionality of FPOs. A random selection of 150 members from 5 functionaland 5 non-functional FPOs (i.e., 15 respondents from each selected FPO) was made andthe respondents were interviewed personally. The findings revealed that the members(including management) of the functional FPOs had higher risk bearing capacity, greatereconomic motivation and more innovativeness as compared to the respondents from non-functional FPOs. Similarly, respondents from functional FPOs were socially, economicallyand managerially more empowered than the non-functional FPOs. Business skills of themembers, including the managerial members, of functional FPOs were also better ascompared to those from the non-functional FPOs. Regression estimates revealed that thefunctionality, better academic qualification, bigger land holding and joint family systemwere responsible for the higher net annual income of the respondents.

Impact analysis of coffee production in reducing poverty in Aceh Tengah

The plantation is a strategic sector in poverty alleviation. In the Aceh Tengah district, coffee is one of the leading plantation commodities that can increase the pace of the regional economy. Gayo coffee has a distinctive aroma and has a high price. Although generally, the people there are active in producing coffee, there are still poor people. It is necessary to analyse the impact of coffee production in reducing poverty in farming communities in Aceh Tengah district. This study uses a probit regression analysis method to see the characteristics of coffee farmers with significantly different non-coffee farmers. It then uses a Propensity Score Matching (PMS) analysis to see the impact of coffee production in reducing poverty farming communities in Aceh Tengah district. This study indicates that the characteristics significantly differ between coffee farmers and non-coffee farmers are age, education, access to food, eating little food, and assets having a motorbike. The per capita consumption of coffee farmers is not higher than that of non-coffee farmers, but the holdings of coffee farmers are more than those of non-coffee farmers.

Perception and use of Contraceptives among Women in Farming Households of Rural Oyo State, Nigeria

The objective of this study was to investigate the extent and perception of contraceptive use among women from farming households in Oyo state, Nigeria. Descriptive statistics were used in profiling the socioeconomic characteristics of respondents, a multinomial logistic model was used to estimate the determinants of contraceptive usage, while the Likert scale was used to measure their perception towards the use of contraceptives. A total of 150 women were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The results obtained indicated that while only 27% of the women were aware of contraceptives, 23% of them had used them. Cost was the most important consideration among the women for choosing a method as indicated by 41% of them. Further, among those who had not used any contraceptive, traditional and religious beliefs were their major considerations. The regression analysis showed formal education to be a significant factor (at α0.05) that increased the probability of women embracing contraception. Perception towards contraceptives among women in rural Oyo State, Nigeria was seen to be generally positive, although convenience of the methods (mean score 1.49) and side effects (means score 1.35) were considered to be drawbacks. It was recommended that more awareness needed to be created on birth control along with the introduction of modern methods of contraception with fewer side effects. Also, family planning interventions in Nigeria should be made context-specific and culturally appealing so as to increase their acceptability in rural farming communities.

Pembelajaran Masa Pandemi pada Anak Masyarakat Petani Pedalaman di Aceh Selatan

This study aims to determine the community's response to the pandemic and learning practices during the pandemic for the children of rural farmers in South Aceh. This study uses a qualitative approach with a descriptive model. Data obtained from observations, interviews, and relevant literature studies, then analyzed the data, researchers will use interactive analysis techniques. The results of this study indicate that 1) The public's perception of risk for a pandemic is low, but the community continues to respond well to this pandemic, namely complying with health protocols by using masks when going out to public places. 2) Learning activities for children from rural farming communities in Kluet Tengah continued as usual. Like other schools that adhere to the education bureaucracy, schools in rural areas also implement health protocols and shorten teaching and learning time in class, even though the community in the school environment considers pandemics to be a natural reality.AbstrakPenelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui respons masyarakat terhadap pandemi dan praktik pembelajaran masa pandemi pada anak petani pedalaman Aceh Selatan. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan model deskriptif. Data diperoleh dari hasil observasi, wawancara, dan studi literatur yang relevan, kemudian dianalisis data, peneliti akan menggunakan teknik analisis interaktif. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa 1) Persepsi risiko masyarakat terhadap pandemi tergolong rendah, namun masyarakat tetap merespons pandemi ini dengan baik yaitu mematuhi protokol kesehatan dengan menggunakan masker ketika keluar menuju ke tempat-tempat umum. 2) Kegiatan pembelajaran anak-anak masyarakat petani pedalaman yang ada di Kluet Tengah berlangsung seperti biasa. Sebagaimana sekolah lainnya yang patuh pada birokrasi pendidikan, maka sekolah di pedalaman juga menerapkan protokol kesehatan dan mempersingkat waktu belajar mengajar di dalam kelas, meskipun masyarakat dilingkungan sekolah tersebut menganggap pandemi sebagai realitas yang biasa.

Unpacking Negative Externalities of Social Capital in the Sustainability of Smallholder Rural Irrigation Farming: The Case of Rozva Irrigation Scheme in Bikita District, Zimbabwe

The article examines the negative externalities of social capital in the sustainability of smallholder irrigation farming. Smallholder irrigation farming has become one of the main sources of rural livelihood in Zimbabwe given the deficiencies in rainfall triggered by climate change among other factors. The establishment of smallholder irrigation schemes, refurbishment of irrigation infrastructure, introduction of new technology and the subsidization of farm inputs are several initiatives taken by the government of Zimbabwe, Non-Governmental organisations and the private sector to improving agricultural productivity among smallholder irrigation schemes. Despite these efforts, smallholder irrigation farming has remained unsustainable. Resultantly, most rural communities in Zimbabwe continue to face hunger and poverty, two overarching sustainable development goals (SDGs 1 & 2) one and two. This study examined the negative externalities of social capital on efforts to improve productivity and sustainability of Rozva smallholder irrigation scheme. The article argues that linking social capital, which includes partnerships between Rozva irrigation farmers and donor agencies, has created dependency syndrome that is inimical to the sustainability of the irrigation scheme. The article concludes some social connections detrimental to the sustainability of the scheme tend to create divisions among farmers. The article argues there is need for awareness on negative externalities of social capital and reduce these effects on the sustainability of the smallholder irrigation to realise social capital benefits among irrigation farming communities in Zimbabwe.

ROLE OF FARMERS GROUPS IN INCREASING SUSTAINABLE RICE PADDY FARMING BUSINESS IN LUBUK BAYAS VILLAGE OF PERBAUNGAN SUBDISTRICT

Farmer groups as a forum for organization and collaboration between members have a very important role in the life of the farming community, because all activities and problems in farming are carried out by groups simultaneously. With the existence of farmer groups, farmers can jointly solve problems which include the fulfillment of agricultural production facilities, technical production and marketing of products. Seeing this potential, farmer groups need to be fostered and empowered further in order to develop optimally. In increasing rice production, it is necessary to preserve the production environment, one of which is through the use of organic fertilizers. Various forms and materials of organic fertilizer can be applied depending on the availability at the farm location. In an effort to improve sustainable farming, The things that are applied are increasing productivity in farming activities and the use of superior seeds, the use of fertilizers, pesticides and the application of cooperation for the manufacture of fertilizers so that group members do not need to buy fertilizer. The existence of institutions/KUD in a village is very helpful for farming communities because these institutions can also take capital loans for farmers so that farmers are able to provide good production facilities, which so far farmers have only relied on outside capital, which is not certain whether they can afford it. continue to cooperate with farmer groups.