Market chain analysis of goat in south omo zone of SNNPR, Ethiopia

This study was initiated to identify market chain actors and their function in the market, investigate the structure conduct and performance of goat marketing in south omo zones of SNNPR, Ethiopia during the year 2018. Primary data were collected from sampled pastoralists and agro pastoralists, traders and brokers. Before the household survey, key informant interview and focus group discussions were conducted with producers, traders and brokers. Descriptive Statistics and qualitative data analysis techniques were employed to analyze the goat market structure, conduct and performance. The results show that producers, brokers, traders and consumers were the major goat market actors. Regarding the market structure, cattle market is known to be dominated by few traders. Although the degree of competition varies, goat market structure in the study area has an oligopolistic nature. This shows that only few traders have the majority of market share and earn abnormal profit. Besides, goat market is characterized by entry barriers, distant market point, high trucking cost, seasonality of marketing, information asymmetries and unfriendly relation between actors. As the pastoralists and agro pastoralists mainly depend on goat for their livelihoods and other cultural values, traders take advantage of the asymmetric market information towards them. The larger share of the market gains remains with end traders thereby limiting the pastoralists and agro pastoralists chance to realize the economic gains in goat production. Thus, linking producers to market and its benefits, establishing cooperatives and development of infrastructure could play a significant role for optimization of the sector. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 11(2): 52-60, Dec 2021

Identification of plant genetic resources affected by shrimp farming in the southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh

The main purpose of the study was to identify the plant genetic resources (PGRs) affected by shrimp farming and to determine their magnitude of vulnerability. Data were collected from randomly selected 100 respondents, through personal interview, using an interview schedule, at Dumuria upazila of Khulna district, during 16 November 2009 to 15 February 2010. The fruit PGRs were more affected by shrimp farming than that of timber yielding and other types of PGRs. Among the 18-fruit PGRs available, all were endangered, except indigenous velvet apple, Diospyros peregrine (Gaertn.) Gürke, which was in threatened condition. Among the fruit species, banana, Musa acuminate; guava, Psidium guajava L.; jackfruit, Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.; sapota, Manilkara zapota L. and betel nut, Areca catechu L. were in highly endangered. Among the 17-timber yielding and other plant species, only 7-PGRs were affected by shrimp farming while majority (10-PGRs) had been available in different extents. Among the vulnerable PGRs, bamboo, Bambusa bambos (L.) Voss; flame of the forest, Delonix regia (Boj. ex Hook.) Raf.; teak, Tectona grandis L.f. and banyan, Ficus benghalensis L. were endangered, while Indian ash tree, Lannea coromandelica (Houtt.) Merr.; ipil-ipil, Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit and cool mat, Schumannianthus dichotomus (Roxb.) Gagnep. were in threatened condition. In general, the total fruit trees decreased in numbers (-74.17%) after inception of shrimp farming. On the other hand, the total numbers of timber yielding plants increased by 15.45%. From the overall consideration (irrespective of types), the number of plant population decreased (-58.10%) after inception of shrimp farming. It means that the plant species were affected by shrimp farming and became endangered. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 11(2): 18-26, Dec 2021

Mulberry leaves as a feed source for livestock in Kenya: A Review

In Kenya, Mulberry is grown in less than a piece of an acre by most of the farmers. Current acreage of mulberry stands at 250, spread over Western, Nyanza, and Rift Valley and Coastal regions. Mulberry leaves are highly palatable and digestible (70-90%) to ruminants and can be fed to non-ruminants as part of feed ingredient. Protein content and essential amino acid profile in the leaves and young stems varies from 15 to 35% depending on the variety. The Mulberry leaves are highly applicable as supplements replacing concentrates for dairy cattle, as the main feed for goats and sheep, and as an ingredient in rabbits and pigs’ diets. Farmers growing mulberry fodder offer higher protein content to livestock than those relying on different varieties of Napier grass, which have failed to boost milk production despite the amounts fed. In non-ruminant production, fishmeal and soybean meals are the main source of protein. In ruminant production, cottonseed meal and canola meal are the main source of protein. These meals are expensive, inadequate in supply and of variable quality. This often leads to low egg production and poor-quality eggs, hence low income and poverty among farmers. Therefore, efforts have been made to identify locally available protein feed resources that can be used as a protein supplement for livestock. Mulberry leaf meal (MLM) has been identified as a locally available alternative protein and mineral source that are beneficial to livestock and have been proven to improve production. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 11(2): 1-9, Dec 2021

Farmers’ choice of varieties and demand for improved cassava stems in Nigeria

In this study, we used a household level survey to assess choices of varieties and demand for improved cassava varieties. A multivariate probit model was used to examine the determinants of choice decisions of the farmers for different varieties preventing potential endogeneity and measurement error. A Linearized Almost Ideal Demand System (LA/AIDS) model was used to analyze the demand system for improved cassava varieties. The results of the (LA/AIDS) model indicated farmers were very price sensitive to changes in improved stem prices and incomes. We suggest that intervention program that will improve the purchasing power of the farmers should be targeted towards the smallholder cassava farmers to accelerate adoption of improved cassava varieties. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 11(2): 42-51, Dec 2021

Evaluation of blended fertilizer rates for improving production of food barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in Semen Ari District, Southwestern Ethiopia

Depletion of soil fertility, depletion of macro- and micro-nutrients and soil organic matter and inappropriate and imbalanced fertilizer application are among the most important factors that reduces the food barley production in Ethiopia. Therefore, the experiment was conducted to evaluate NPSB blended fertilizer rate effect on improving production of food barley in Semen Ari District, Southwestern Ethiopia during main cropping season. Control, (142 NPS + 159 Urea) kg ha-1, (150 NPSB + 41 Urea) kg ha-1, (200 NPSB + 72 Urea) kg ha-1, (250 NPSB + 102 Urea) kg ha-1 and (100 NPSB + 161 Urea) kg ha-1 treatments were used for the experiment which laid out in RCBD following three replication with spacing of 20 cm between rows; and HB 1307 improved food barley seeds were drilled on prepared rows. Full dose of blended and potassium fertilizers were applied at planting time and urea was applied in two split. The result revealed that food barley responded well to application of N, P, S and B than the unfertilized one. Application of 100 kg ha-1 NPSB + 161 kg ha-1 Urea resulted in highest grain yield of 3806.3 kg ha-1, while the lowest grain yield of 1939.2 kg ha-1 was recorded from the nil. Moreover, the highest net benefit of 32124.56 ETB ha-1 and economic returns of 942.2% was recorded in response to application of 100 kg ha-1 NPSB + 161 kg ha-1 Urea. Application of 100 kg ha-1 NPSB + 161 kg ha-1 Urea gave 49.05% yield increment and 40.24% increment in economic return over the control. Therefore, we recommend application of 100 kg ha-1 NPSB + 161 kg ha-1 Urea for farmers and investor’s in study area and similar agro-ecologies as it was optimum for improving food barley production. Further studies and investigation should be done on plant nutrient uptake, nutrient use efficiency and over location. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 11(2): 10-17, Dec 2021

Performance evaluation of a flatbed maize dryer with a biomass heat source

The technical performance of a 3-tonne capacity flatbed grain dryer was assessed based on its drying rate and drying efficiency. In addition, the quality of maize grains dried in the drying system was investigated through stress-crack analysis and germination test. Maize grains at an initial moisture content of 18.4% ± 0.1% (wb) were dried to a safe moisture content of 13.3% ± 0.2% (wb) in 5 hours, resulting in a drying rate of 1.02%/h at a drying efficiency of 67.35%. The average temperature observed in the plenum (55.8°C±1.5°C) was about twice higher than the ambient temperature during the drying period. The use of the flatbed dryer did not have any adverse effect on the viability of grains dried with a stress-crack index of 75 and percentage germination of 90%. This study demonstrated the viability of using the flatbed biomass-assisted dryer for drying maize and can reduce post-harvest losses of maize at the smallholder level. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 11(2): 37-41, Dec 2021

Assessing emerging beef farmers participation in high-value market and its impact on cattle sales in South Africa

The participation of emerging farmers in high-value agricultural markets in South Africa cannot be over-emphasized. It is one of the objectives of the government to assist emerging farmers with the necessary resources and programmes to enable them to meet the requirements and participate in high-value markets. The study investigated the impact of participation in the high-value market on cattle production (cattle sold). A systematic random probabilistic sampling technique was used to obtain a sample of 55 emerging beef farmers. Interviews were undertaken using questionnaires to collect data. Descriptive statistics and econometric methods such as Tobit model and a treatment effect model using propensity score matching estimator were employed for the data analysis. The results of binary logit regression from the PSM revealed that participation in a high-value market was significantly affected by age, household size, years of farming and difficulty accessing a high-value market. The average treatment effect of the treated showed a negative impact and decreases the number of cattle sold by 58%. The recommendations informed by the findings from the study are that youth in the study area should be involved in beef farming, appropriate training should be given to the farmers and farmer's advisor should motivate farmers to sell more cattle and participate in a high-value market, and educate them about the requirements to participate in the high value markets. The DARD lease assistance should continue and include the lease of more land. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 11(2): 27-36, Dec 2021

Investigation of soil properties and pesticide intensity in crop lands at Tangail region of Bangladesh

The study was conducted to investigate the soil properties and pesticide intensity in rice, banana and brinjal growing agricultural land of Delduar and Sakhipur upazila of Tangail district during July 2019 to June 2020. Forty five soil samples were collected from different crop land at the study area and analyzed in the Soil Resource Development Institute to determine the soil properties as pH, total organic matter (OM), total nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), available sulfur (S), available zinc (Zn), exchangeable potassium (K), exchangeable magnesium (Mg) and exchangeable calcium (Ca). However, pesticide used intensity was also evaluated through questionnaire survey with farmers and stakeholders in the study area. Results showed that pH, OM, available N, exchangeable Ca and exchangeable Mg content were significantly higher in rice growing land than banana and brinjal. On the other hand, available P, exchangeable K and available Zn content were substantially higher in brinjal growing land than rice and banana. The OM showed significant positive correlation with soil pH, available N, available S, exchangeable Mg and exchangeable Ca (r=0.37, 0.99, 0.31, 0.59 and 0.63, respectively), indicated rice growing land built up these soil properties through increasing soil OM. The available P showed significant and positive correlation with K and Zn (r=0.55 and 0.74, respectively), but negative correlation with exchangeable Mg and exchangeable Ca (r=-0.53 and -0.32, respectively). The exchangeable K showed significant and positive correlation with available Zn (r=0.45) but negative correlation with exchangeable Mg (r=-0.37). The Mg showed significant negative correlation with available Zn (r=-0.45) but positive correlation with exchangeable Ca (r=0.87). Results also revealed that pesticide used intensity was higher in brinjal followed by banana and minimum in rice crop. Study suggests that farmers require up-to-date information on soil nutrient status so that they may use the proper utilization of fertilizers and avoid using excessive amounts of fertilizers and pesticides in their crop land. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 11(2): 85-94, Dec 2021

Soil supplementation with Si, B and Zn and their synergetic effects in reducing severity of wheat blast (Magnaporthe oryzae Triticum)

Wheat blast (Magnaporthe oryzae Triticum) in Bangladesh and South America is recognized as one major limiting factor of wheat production. Its control using chemical pesticides raises concerns about food safety and pesticide resistance, which have dictated the need for alternative blast management approach, nutrient supplementation could be an ecofriendly alternative. Experiments were carried out under confined net house condition for two consecutive cropping seasons. Single doses of the nutrients (Si, B and Zn) were incorporated during soil preparation. Plants of the wheat blast susceptible variety BARI Gom-26 were inoculated with spores (1 x 107 spores ml-1) of Magnaporthe oryzae Triticum at blast vulnerable pre-heading stage of 52 days age. Typical wheat blast symptoms of spike bleaching from top to downward appeared on sight 14 days after inoculation i.e., 66 days age of the crop. Incidence and severity of blast bleaching of spike were scored for four times starting from 68 days age @ three day’s interval. None of the nutrients could stop the incidence of blast on wheat; however, some nutrients reduced the blast incidence significantly. Solo application of Si, B and Zn or combination of two caused significant reduction of spike bleaching. With the mixed application of Si, B and Zn, > 47% reduction of wheat blast severity was obtained. The results revealed that the soil application of silicon, zinc and boron had a synergistic effect on the intensity of blast disease of wheat. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 11(2): 76-84, Dec 2021

Market chain analysis of smallholder coffee producers in debub ari district of south omo zone, SNNPR, Ethiopia

This study mainly aimed at analyzing market chain analysis of coffee in the Debub Ari District. The descriptive and S-C-P model was used. Both primary and secondary data were collected from the study area. The multi-stage sampling technique employed for this study. A total of 194 coffee producer household heads have been randomly selected and interviewed with the help of pre-tested structured questionnaire. The focus group discussion and key informants interviews were conducted to supplement the formal data. The results of S-C-P model indicated that the four firms concentration ratio (CR4) result in the study area was found to be tight oligopolistic for both red and dry coffee which accounts 89.2 and 80.0%, respectively. About 72% of price setting was done by buyers, 27% negotiation and 1% by the producers. There are seven market channels, which have been identified in the study area. The computed marketing margin among different actors and channels indicated that the total gross marketing margin (TGMM) of coffee is high in channel I, II, III whereas the producers marketing margin (GMMp) was highest in channel VII. Therefore, the intervention is needed to improve coffee marketing chain through promoting cooperatives, infrastructural development and timely market information for efficient marketing system in the study area. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 11(2): 61-68, Dec 2021