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Ageing and Resultant Changing Gender Roles of Farmers’ Involvement in Cocoa Production in Ekiti State, Nigeria
Ayodele Omowunmi Veronica
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, June 2020
Pages:
39-44
Received:
24 October 2019
Accepted:
21 November 2019
Published:
28 May 2020
Abstract: Ageing is inevitable and it will undoubtedly affect farmers’ involvement in agricultural activities. The study examined the changing patterns of involvement of male and female in cocoa production activities as they age in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 90 males and 50 females cocoa farmers who were below 50 years and above 50 years for the research and were interviewed with structured questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Results showed that the mean age for males was 54 years and 52 years for females. Involvement in organisation decision making was higher for male (48.8%) than for female (29.1%). The result of the four point Likert rating scale on changing pattern of involvement with respect to age showed that both male and female were always involved in all cocoa production activities when they were less than 50 years old. “Always involved” had the least of 55.8% for choosing of farm site and highest of 81.4% for marketing, hiring of labourers and sourcing for fund. However, females had low level of involvement for all the activities when they were above 50 years, while the males had high level of involvement for only two activities; marketing and sourcing for fund when above 50 years. The t-test result revealed a difference in the level of involvement of respondents when below 50 years and above 50 years with mean of 2.8 and 1.68 respectively, (t=4.68, p ≤ 0.05). Conclusively, age affected the involvement of farmers in most cocoa production activities. As a result, recruitment of younger farmers in cocoa production was recommended.
Abstract: Ageing is inevitable and it will undoubtedly affect farmers’ involvement in agricultural activities. The study examined the changing patterns of involvement of male and female in cocoa production activities as they age in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 90 males and 50 females cocoa farmers who were below 50 ...
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Effect of Planting Depth and Mulching Materials on Yield and Yield Attributes of Potato in Dadeldhura, Nepal
Binod Joshi,
Roshan Dhakal,
Santosh Bharati,
Shiva Chandra Dhakal,
Khem Raj Joshi
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, June 2020
Pages:
45-53
Received:
26 August 2019
Accepted:
18 September 2019
Published:
28 May 2020
Abstract: Potato, a staple crop for hill and mountainous region has significant contribution in maintaining food and nutrition security. It alone shares around 2.17% of Gross Domestic Product. With phenomenal climate change, pest and disease are increased, hills are and mountains are getting dried leading to moisture deficit which in turn are decreasing the yield of potato. So, with this existing trouble this study has focused to discover innovation in major two agronomic practices: planting depth and mulching. But, the farmer of Nepal often uses haphazard planting depth and mulching which contribute to the low yield. Thus, in order to study, its effect on planting depth and mulching, a research was conducted in the Dadeldhura district of Nepal in 2019. The research was carried out in factorial 2×3 Randomized Complete Block Design which consist of mulch and un-mulched condition as 1st factor and three different planting depth of (10cm, 15cm and 20cm) as 2nd factor. So altogether there are six treatments with four replications. Data were collected on growth, tuber yield and quality parameter and analyzed using R-studio software. Regarding 1st factor, mulched treatment was found significantly superior than un-mulched treatment in case of all yield attributes like plant height, stem number, canopy and leaves number. Total tuber yield was found 3.626 kg/m2 in mulch treatment which was highly significant (P<0.01). In case of 2nd factor, tuber planted at a depth of 15cm produced maximum number of aerial stem per plant 5.2 (P<0.001) number of large size tuber per plant 9.025 (P<0.01) and tuber yield 3.82kg/m2 (P<0.01) as compared to other planting depth of 10cm and 20cm. There was no any significant difference in case of interaction between the two factors. Therefore, it can be concluded from the result that with the use of mulching and planting depth of 15cm all yield attributes and yield of potato was found to be superior under the climatic condition of Dadeldhura, Nepal.
Abstract: Potato, a staple crop for hill and mountainous region has significant contribution in maintaining food and nutrition security. It alone shares around 2.17% of Gross Domestic Product. With phenomenal climate change, pest and disease are increased, hills are and mountains are getting dried leading to moisture deficit which in turn are decreasing the ...
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Impact of Parkland Trees (Faidherbia albida Delile and Cordia Africana Lam) on Selected Soil Properties and Sorghum Yield in Eastern Oromia, Ethiopia
Musa Abdella,
Lisanework Nigatu,
Ayele Akuma
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, June 2020
Pages:
54-66
Received:
12 February 2020
Accepted:
7 May 2020
Published:
4 June 2020
Abstract: The study was conducted to investigate the impact of Parkland trees in farmland on selected soil physicochemical properties and sorghum grain yields in Fedis District, Oromia, Ethiopia. For the experiment of soil physicochemical properties, three factors: distance from tree trunk with three levels (at 2.5m of crown, edge of crown radius and open field), soil depth with two levels (0-20cm and 20–40cm depth) and tree species with two levels with factorial arrangement in RCBD replicated six times were employed. For sorghum grain yield only two factors; distance from tree trunk with three levels (at at 2.5m of crown, edge of crown radius and open field) and tree species (F. albida and C. africana) with two levels in RCBD replicated six times were used. The result revealed soil texture was not influenced significantly (P>0.05) by tree species. Soil bulk density was significantly (p<0.05) lower under canopy of trees than open field, and in surface than in subsurface soils. As well as soil moisture content was significantly (p<0.05) higher under canopy of trees than open fields. Soil chemical properties (EC, SOC, OM, Soil Carbon Stock, total N, available P, exchangeable Na, exchangeable K, exchangeable Ca, exchangeable Mg and CEC) were significantly (p<0.05) higher in canopy than open field and in surface than subsurface. Soil pH was not significantly (p>0.05) influenced by both tree species. The grain yield of sorghum (sorghum bicolor) were significantly (P<0.05) higher under canopy of both trees species as compared to the open field. In general, the nutrients contents increased by 84.3% and 71.5% for OC, 84.2% and 70.8% for OM, 66% and 59% for SOC Stocks, 82% and 84% for TN, 96% and 79% for AP, 15.6% and 34.2% for CEC, 30% and 10% for EC, 82% and 27.2% for Na, 41% and 30.4% for K, 33.8% and 28.2% for Ca and 58% and 87% for Mg and 13.22% and 13.15% for MC and by 43% and 41% for Sorghum yield were detected under the canopies of F. albida and C. africana tree species respectively. It can be concluded that these tree species have the potential to improve soil fertility and moisture beneath its canopy. Thus, retaining these tree species and in particular F. albida on crop field in the study area is of paramount importance for soil fertility enhancement so as to improve food security of small farming households.
Abstract: The study was conducted to investigate the impact of Parkland trees in farmland on selected soil physicochemical properties and sorghum grain yields in Fedis District, Oromia, Ethiopia. For the experiment of soil physicochemical properties, three factors: distance from tree trunk with three levels (at 2.5m of crown, edge of crown radius and open fi...
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Smallholder Farmers Agricultural Commercialization in Ethiopia: A Review
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, June 2020
Pages:
67-74
Received:
27 March 2019
Accepted:
25 February 2020
Published:
4 June 2020
Abstract: The agricultural production sector is a backbone of the Ethiopian economy. In Ethiopia 95% of the total area is cultivated by smallholder farmers and contribute 90% of the total agricultural output. As reviewed from different literatures household demographic characteristics, household resource endowments, social, cultural, infrastructural, institutional and economic factors influence the level of smallholders’ commercialization. In this regard, to enhance smallholder’s commercialization generating improved high yielding varieties and adoption of these newly released technologies through agricultural research is crucial, public investments in infrastructural development and government policies that improve institutional arrangements are essential. Development agents at rural peasant association have to be properly advice farmers on agricultural production and marketing, farmers’ cooperative and farmers’ organization are required to enable smallholder farmers collectively accessing agricultural inputs, credit, information and marketing of their produce. In general, based on the review of smallholders’ commercialization rigorous efforts of all stakeholders including governments, research institutions, universities, farmers, NGOs, and development practitioners are essential to eliminate the existing bottlenecks to improve the livelihood of smallholder farmers.
Abstract: The agricultural production sector is a backbone of the Ethiopian economy. In Ethiopia 95% of the total area is cultivated by smallholder farmers and contribute 90% of the total agricultural output. As reviewed from different literatures household demographic characteristics, household resource endowments, social, cultural, infrastructural, institu...
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Factors Affecting Loan Repayment Performance of Smallholder Farmers in Ethiopia
Simachew Dubale,
Hassen Beshir
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, June 2020
Pages:
75-85
Received:
25 January 2020
Accepted:
25 May 2020
Published:
8 June 2020
Abstract: Farm credit has been described as one of the pre-requisites for farmers to increase the agricultural production. However, the majority of Ethiopian population comprises small farmers, who cannot implement a technology without credit. Even though, there are attempts to solve these rural financial difficulties by government being collateral and extending microfinance institution, associated to different factors, a number of farmers are becoming defaulters and the lending institution faces a problem. This study focused on the analysis of factors affecting loan repayment performance of farmers in Simada District, South Gondor Zone and Amhara Regional State. In this study primary data collected from 150 randomly selected borrowers using structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation, maximum, minimum and percentages were used to describe socio-economic and institutional characteristics of the respondents. The t-test and Chi-square test statistics were employed to compare defaulter and non-defaulter groups with respect to some explanatory variables. Finally, a Tobit regression model was employed to identify factors affecting loan repayment and intensity of loan recovery among smallholder farmer. Variance inflation factor and coefficient of contingency were calculated to detect multicollinearity and association among the continuous and discrete variables, respectively. A total of 14 explanatory variables were included in the empirical model and out of these, 8 were found to be statistically significant. Education level, Land holding size, total livestock holding, non farm income, expenditure on social festivals, number of years of experience in agricultural extension services, saving habit and source of credits were highly important in influencing loan repayment performance as evidenced by the model statistic. Therefore, the study suggests that improving the livestock sector, educating households, giving attention in promoting non-farm activities and saving habit, minimize traditional ceremonies are some of the important priority areas for the success of future intervention strategies aimed at the promotion technological transformation, increasing production and to minimize loan defaults..
Abstract: Farm credit has been described as one of the pre-requisites for farmers to increase the agricultural production. However, the majority of Ethiopian population comprises small farmers, who cannot implement a technology without credit. Even though, there are attempts to solve these rural financial difficulties by government being collateral and exten...
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Optimization in Water Management for Sustainable Irrigated Rice Production in Central Côte d’Ivoire Under Rainfall Variability
Sawadogo Kouyate Zounabo,
Brou Yao Casimir,
Soro Gneneyougo Emile,
Goula Bi Tié Albert,
Traore Farid
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, June 2020
Pages:
86-96
Received:
19 December 2019
Accepted:
1 June 2020
Published:
17 June 2020
Abstract: Irrigation is a major challenge of food self-sufficiency because of the demographic conditions of Ivorian cities, combined with climate variability. The aim of this study is to analyze and optimize practices management of rice irrigation in Nanan, at the central Côte d’Ivoire under rainfall variability. Methodological approach adopted was multidisciplinary and participatory. Climatic, agro-pedological, hydrometric and sociological data was used in this study. Results showed that rainfall variability is a reality and is characterized by alternating dry and wet periods. Agricultural practices analysis showed low value of crop intensity with 108% and 88% in 2016 and 2017 respectively. Irrigation efficiency is estimated at 37%. The results also showed a mismatch between water withdrawals and water needs, which vary between 4% and 80%. A poor annual distribution of rice transplanting with almost no transplanting during the first cycle was observed. Facing to these malfunctions, a reorganization of farming practice was recommended. This starts with harmonization of transplanting date and implementation of optimized water management methods. The periods from March to April, and September to October was identified as the optimal transplanting periods for the first and second cycles respectively. In addition, Height-Flow -Turn of Valve curve was carried out to help valve manager estimate water needed quantities. Finally, telephone fleet was proposed as communication way, to improve water distribution method by rotation between rice farmers.
Abstract: Irrigation is a major challenge of food self-sufficiency because of the demographic conditions of Ivorian cities, combined with climate variability. The aim of this study is to analyze and optimize practices management of rice irrigation in Nanan, at the central Côte d’Ivoire under rainfall variability. Methodological approach adopted was multidisc...
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