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Publisher: U of Kassel (Total: 3 journals) [Sort by number of followers]

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	Future of Food : J. on Food, Agriculture and Society (Followers: 21, SJR: 0.187, CiteScore: 0)
	Intl. J. of Recent Contributions from Engineering, Science & IT
	J. of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics (Followers: 4, SJR: 0.186, CiteScore: 1)

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Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics
Journal Prestige (SJR): 0.186

Citation Impact (citeScore): 1
Number of Followers: 4

This is an Open Access Journal

Open Access journal
ISSN (Print) 1612-9830
Published by U of Kassel

[3 journals]

Contribution of dairy goat farming to household dietary diversity among
smallholder farmers in the Central Highlands of Kenya
- Authors: Priscilla Nyaguthii Njue, Hezron Nyarindo Isaboke, Salome Atieno Migose
  Pages: 1 - 11
  Abstract: In Kenya, dairy goat farming has highly been practiced for food provision and as an income-generating enterprise. However, there is scanty information on the contribution of dairy goat farming to the quality of diets consumed at household level especially among rural smallholder farmers. This study therefore analysed the contribution of dairy goat farming to household dietary diversity of the smallholder farmers. Data was collected at the end of the wet season (April-May) from a sample of 385 households in Kirinyaga County, using structured questionnaires programmed in the KoboToolbox. Household dietary diversity scores (HDDS) was used as a measure for food security, where 12 food groups commonly consumed in the area were considered. Propensity to score matching (PSM) with a probit regression framework was used to minimize the selection bias while determining the effect that dairy goat farming (treatment) had on dietary diversity. The nearest neighbour matching (NNM) estimated the average treatment effect on the treated (ATT). Results revealed that vegetables, cereals, beverages, fats and oils were consumed more compared to meat, fish and eggs. Age, gender, title deed ownership, and monthly household income significantly influenced the likelihood of practicing dairy goat farming. The ATT showed that dairy goat farmers had higher HDDS by 1.014, an implication of diversified diets. The results suggest that dairy goat farming should be encouraged and improved among smallholder farmers in an effort to minimize malnutrition. Besides, there is need to conduct training on the optimal intake of the different food groups.
  PubDate: 2023-02-21
  DOI: 10.17170/kobra-202302217524
  Issue No: Vol. 124, No. 1 (2023)
Small-scale farmers’ coping strategies to extreme weather events in
Upper Guinea
- Authors: Demba Aïssata Samoura, Bolanle Wahab, Olalekan John Taiwo, Alpha Issaga Pallé Diallo, Obadia Kyetuza Bishoge
  Pages: 13 - 21
  Abstract: Extreme weather events pose a serious threat to subsistence farming and food security in Upper Guinea, where most farmers rely heavily on rain-fed agriculture. Following crop failures, farmers use what is available to them to try to maintain household food security. This paper investigated the coping strategies chosen by farmers in Upper Guinea and the motivating factors behind them. A multistage sampling method was used to select a purposive random sample of 1,500 farm households within nine selected livelihood zones (Bassando, Dion-Niandan Inter-River, Fié basin, Foutanian Piémont, Kolokalan High Valley, Middle Plateau, Solima's High Plateau, Soudanese Plateau and Woulada plateau) of Upper Guinea affected by extreme weather events. Approaches including household surveys, focus group discussions, key informant interviews and field observations were used to collect data. The multivariate probit regression (MVP) model was used to identify factors influencing small-scale farmers’ choice of coping strategies during periods of extreme weather events. Results from the MVP model showed that differences in the perception of risk factors and socioeconomic characteristics of farm households determined these choices. The main factors motivating farmers’ choice of coping strategies were awareness of extreme weather events, gender, the experience of crop failures, and ownership of assets. Other factors such as age, farming experience, household size, and educational level, were also determinants of farmers’ choice of coping strategies. Local institutional support to farmers that could drive widespread adoption of climate-smart agriculture could improve livelihood production and community resilience in this region.
  PubDate: 2023-03-06
  DOI: 10.17170/kobra-202302217525
  Issue No: Vol. 124, No. 1 (2023)
Intervention options for small-scale family poultry development in
south-eastern Madagascar: an expert survey
- Authors: Barbara Kurz, Jonathan Steinke, Stefan Sieber
  Pages: 23 - 36
  Abstract: The diets of resource-poor farmers in the Atsimo Atsinanana (AA) region of south-eastern Madagascar have limited diversity and are low in animal protein. Although poultry farming is widespread, productivity is low, and consumption of eggs is uncommon. To enable effective development interventions targeting poultry value chains, this study pursues two goals: (i) to describe current challenges in small-scale poultry rearing and egg consumption in AA, and (ii) to explore viable options for promoting poultry production. We employ a survey approach, carrying out semi-structured interviews with 16 international and 12 local key informants (KIs) on small-scale poultry development. We find that poultry production in AA is critically constrained by high mortality due to diseases and predation, poor husbandry, and lack of veterinary services. The major health constraint is the Newcastle disease. Given the high mortality rates and low egg-laying potential of local chicken breeds, only small numbers of eggs are consumed, as farmers prioritise hatching. The main identified solutions include improvements in veterinary health and animal husbandry. KIs emphasised the development of animal health support services, including village vaccinators, upgrading feed with locally accessible protein sources, and the need for biosecure housing. Furthermore, training for farmers on poultry management, marketing, and vaccinations was suggested, in addition to creating awareness about the nutritional benefits of poultry products. Our findings are relevant to local development practitioners, as achieving food and nutrition security requires a multifaceted approach that fits local conditions. Our study provides actionable recommendations for improving small-scale family poultry production in AA.
  PubDate: 2023-03-14
  DOI: 10.17170/kobra-202302217526
  Issue No: Vol. 124, No. 1 (2023)
Exploring inclusiveness of vulnerable and marginalized people in the
cassava value chain in the Lake Region, Kenya
- Authors: Simon Wanjala Omondi, Paul Tana, Cosmas Lutomia, Felister Makini, Lusike Wasilwa
  Pages: 37 - 46
  Abstract: Vulnerable and marginalised groups (VMGs) who comprise widows, orphans, people living with disability and HIV, have not been given sufficient attention in agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) by policy makers, development partners, research, and extension, yet they comprise nearly one-quarter of all smallholder farmers. This study explored inclusion of VMGs in cassava value chain in the Lake Region of Kenya. Formal survey, focus group discussions (FGD), and key informant interviews (KIIs) were used to collect data from VMGs, common interest groups (CIGs) and stakeholders in the cassava value chain. The results showed that the majority of VMG farmers were women, mainly widows, orphans, people living with HIV, and difficulty in mobility. Compared to CIGs, there were significant differences (P< 0.05) in access to value chain support services. Key barriers reinforcing marginalization were policy, socio economic and technological in nature. It is argued that affirmative action that aims to reach the marginalised farmers and actors in cassava value chain should entail national and institutional policy frameworks to enhance visibility and involvement of VMGs in technology development and innovation as well as in the design and implementation of projects geared towards improving livelihoods of smallholder farmers. The findings of this study suggest the need for mapping and assessing VMGs for targeted value chain institutional support to access inputs, training, financing and market linkages in order to close gaps in cassava production and marketing. It is concluded that the cassava value chain in the Lake Region is less inclusive for VMGs. Thus, the study recommends affirmative action and establishment of a platform for VMG farmers to increase their voice in decision making.
  PubDate: 2023-03-21
  DOI: 10.17170/kobra-202302217527
  Issue No: Vol. 124, No. 1 (2023)
Plantain mycorrhization with native consortium of arbuscular mycorrhizal
fungi (AMF) induce solubilisation of metals (Fe2+ and Al3+) in soil from
Azaguié (south-east of Côte d’Ivoire)
- Authors: Emile B. Bolou-Bi, Antoine Koua N'Guetta, Edwige-Gwladys K. Gnimassoun, Jean Baptiste D. Ettien
  Pages: 47 - 56
  Abstract: New agroecological practices propose to manage soil fertility using soil microorganisms such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). However, few studies have been conducted on the impact of plantain mycorrhization and metal (Fe2+ and Al3+) solubilisation in soil. This study evaluates the effectiveness of native AMF on plantain growth and metal leaching from soil. Trap plants (maize, sorghum and cowpea) were grown to produce various inoculums. Then, plantains were grown under controlled conditions, with six treatments (control, plantain without inoculum, plantain with maize root inoculum, vigna root inoculum, sorghum root inoculum and mixed root inoculum) replicated five times. Growth parameters were measured, and the rate of plantain root colonization was evaluated by determining the frequency or intensity of infection. The contents of metals in leached solutions were analyzed using ICP-OES. Results indicated the rate of plantain roots colonization by fungi was not significantly different between the different treatments. Plantain biomass remained very low whatever the treatment. However, plant inoculated with vigna roots inoculum had the highest biomass while plant inoculated with sorghum root inoculum showed the lowest biomass. Leached solutions from soils with inoculated plants had on average a pH value of one pH unit lower than leached solutions from soils without inoculum. In addition, plantain mycorrhization can promote the leaching of Fe2+ from the soil by acidification, whereas the difference between treatments was not significant for the concentration of Al3+ in solutions. These results suggest that the association of plantain with microorganisms remains a way for agroecological banana production in Côte d’Ivoire.
  PubDate: 2023-04-28
  DOI: 10.17170/kobra-202302217528
  Issue No: Vol. 124, No. 1 (2023)