Authors:Muhammad Bilal, Jan Barkmann, Bernhard Brümmer Pages: 1 - 11 Abstract: Despite the use of Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) cotton in Pakistan, the country is still far behind in farm harvest per unit compared to other cotton-producing countries such as China and Turkey. Cotton is a pest-sensitive crop, and inappropriate crop protection products contribute to lower agricultural sustainability. This issue attracts additional attention in developing countries such as Pakistan, where generic formulation/sub-standard crop protection products are easily and abundantly available. However, the impact of the application of crop protection products of multinational brands in contrast to generic formulation/sub-standard crop protection products on total farm revenue is explicitly not documented. We employ a stochastic frontier production framework using a survey of smallholder farming households in the cotton-growing zone in Pakistan (N=266). The estimates of stochastic frontier production models show a positive relationship between the use of crop protection products of multinational brands and total farm revenue. The estimates of technical inefficiency models show that specialisation and regional dummy, among others, emerge as the key to determining the smallholders’ technical inefficiency. To get higher farm revenue and technical efficiency, we propose the agricultural policy makers of Pakistan to explicitly focus on the quality of crop protection products. Moreover, agricultural policy makers are advised to revisit the cropping system in the study area. This revisit may positively contribute to agricultural sustainability. PubDate: 2022-01-25 DOI: 10.17170/kobra-202201195568 Issue No:Vol. 123, No. 1 (2022)
Authors:Oluwamayokun Anjorin Fadeyi, Anoma Ariyawardana, Ammar A. Aziz Pages: 13 - 30 Abstract: Smallholder agriculture has been identified to be critical in the creation of employment, improving food security and improving the economy. However, smallholder agriculture in Africa is characterised by a low production level which has been linked to the limited use of technologies. Several factors influence the adoption of technologies among smallholder farmers in Africa. This systematic literature review focuses on the factors influencing technology adoption among smallholder farmers in Africa and identified 128 peer-reviewed papers in English between January 2000 to December 2019. The majority were carried out in Kenya, Uganda, and Malawi, with the major crops being maize, legumes and rice. This review identified 29 factors that were broadly classified into five main categories: (i) farmers’ characteristics; (ii) farm characteristics; (iii) technology characteristics; (iv) institutional factors; and (v) finance. Of these, finance (81 articles), gender of household head (71 articles), age (68 articles), education (64 articles), farm size (62 articles) and extension access (59 articles) are the most prominent factors mentioned. The factors identified in this review were then related to existing technology adoption theories, and it was concluded that finance does not adequately feature in any of these extant theories. As illustrated by the relatively high occurrence of finance, this review puts forward a comprehensive framework for technology adoption and also provides critical recommendations to improve technology adoption among smallholder farmers in Africa. PubDate: 2022-01-25 DOI: 10.17170/kobra-202201195569 Issue No:Vol. 123, No. 1 (2022)
Authors:Nader Papi, Hassan Fazaeli, Seyyed Javad Alimohamadi Pages: 31 - 38 Abstract: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of using total mixed ration silage based on citrus pulp on feed intake, growth performance, serum metabolites and ruminal fermentation of growing female lambs. For this purpose, sixty-eight female Zel lambs (5-6-months) with an initial body weight of 20.65 ± 3.71 kg were randomly divided into two equal groups (n=34). Two isonitrogenous and isoenergetics diets were formulated based on corn silage (TMRC) and citrus pulp silage (TMRPS), respectively. To prepare TMRPS, first the citrus pulp and wheat straw were poured into A feed mixer, after which the concentrate was added. After thoroughly homogenising all components, the resulting mixture was ensiled into a permanent horizontal silo (a concrete bunker) and was covered with plastic shortly after the silo was filled. Each diet was randomly assigned to a group of lambs. Feed was offered two times a day (at 08:00 and 16:00 h) ad libitum. Daily dry matter intake (DMI) averaged 1067 g for the TMRC and 924 g for the TMRPS group. No significant differences were observed in the Kleiber ratio (6.9 versus 6.6) and average daily gain (ADG; 86 g versus 91 g) between the TMRC and TMRPS group. There was no difference in serum glucose and total protein concentration between treatments, but serum concentrations of urea-N and cholesterol in lambs fed the TMRC diet (80.5 and 47.1 mg/dl, respectively) were higher than in lambs fed the TMRPS diet (65.5 and 22.8 mg/dl, respectively). Ammonia-N content of the rumen fluid was reduced by changing the diet from TMRC to TMRPS. It can be concluded that TMRPS can be used as a low-cost diet for lambs without negative impact on the growth performance. PubDate: 2022-01-26 DOI: 10.17170/kobra-202201195570 Issue No:Vol. 123, No. 1 (2022)
Authors:Jules Ngango, Fabrice Nkurunziza, Saidi Rumanzi Mbaraka, Athanase Rusanganwa Cyamweshi Pages: 39 - 50 Abstract: Sustainable agricultural intensification (SAI) involves those farming systems that produce in ways that improve or maintain productivity with minimal effects on the environment so that critical farm resources can endure. The objective of this paper is to investigate the determinants and impacts of the adoption of three interdependent sustainable agricultural intensification practices (crop residue retention, minimum tillage, and maize-legume diversification) and their combinations on household productivity and consumption in Rwanda. We used data obtained from a survey of 327 households conducted in 2020 in the districts of Kirehe, Bugesera, and Nyagatare of the Eastern Province. The study uses a multinomial endogenous switching regression model to control for selection bias and endogeneity arising from observable and unobservable factors. The results reveal that the adoption decisions are driven by factors such as education; farm size, livestock ownership; group membership, extension services, soil fertility, slope, and drought stress. The adoption of interdependent and a combination of sustainable agricultural intensification practices increases maize yields, maize income, household total expenditure, and household food expenditure. From a policy perspective, the findings of this study suggest that government and other development partners should promote the adoption of these practices through the provision of extension services that enable farmers to better understand the benefits of alternative sustainable agricultural intensification practices. To increase the adoption of SAI, policies should also geographically target regions that experience frequent droughts and that are characterised by steep slopes and good fertile soils since they determine the need for adoption. PubDate: 2022-01-31 DOI: 10.17170/kobra-202201195571 Issue No:Vol. 123, No. 1 (2022)
Authors:Yanuarita Hendrani, Siwi Nugraheni, Noknik Karliya Pages: 51 - 62 Abstract: In developing countries, agriculture’s burden is not just ensuring enough food for the people but also securing net income for the farmers to alleviate poverty and to conserve the environment at the same time. Consumption shift towards staples, particularly during economic crisis or pandemic, requires a policy that could make food growers respond to the demand appropriately. Initially, from soil science, an argument asserts that mixing organic and synthetic fertilisers can increase yield/productivity and be safe for the environment. Previous studies showed that, on average organic farming produced lower yield compared to conventional farming using synthetic fertilisers. The objective of this study was to investigate if the farming method using mixed fertilisers could outperform the conventional method. This study used the 2014 household survey data of paddy farmers in West Java, part of a more extensive survey on main agricultural sub-sectors conducted by Statistics Indonesia every ten years. Applying the Stochastic Frontier Analysis and the Generalised Linear Model, this study found that the combination of organic and synthetic fertilisers could yield an efficiency level as high as 9% over the conventional method. The Logit model results also showed that improving efficiency reduced the likelihood of farmer households being in a state of poverty. Therefore, the government should encourage farmers to apply the mixed fertiliser method rather than using only synthetic fertilisers. PubDate: 2022-02-08 DOI: 10.17170/kobra-202201195572 Issue No:Vol. 123, No. 1 (2022)
Authors:Kablan Antoine Effossou, Moses Azong Cho, Abel Ramoelo, Matilda Azong Cho Pages: 63 - 73 Abstract: One of the main difficulties facing agribusiness development in Cote d’Ivoire, is the issue of benefit sharing. Although communal land is expected to be equitably beneficial to all who have a stake on the land, unclear benefit sharing principles and modalities affect the implementation of benefit sharing to the disadvantage of the rural communities. Using a qualitative research approach, the study investigates if the benefit sharing approach practiced by oil palm plantations investors in South Comoé align with globally established standards of access and benefit sharing (ABS). To this end data for the study was collected from 50 participants: rural community members (N=36), agribusiness developers (N=6) and local government authorities (N=8). The results revealed inequality in the land acquisition and benefit sharing negotiation process in favour of local elites. Lack of fairness experienced in the benefit sharing approach in the districts of Aboisso, Bonoua and Adiaké was attributed to the lack of institutional, policy and legal frameworks to guide a fair benefit sharing. Inequality in benefit sharing scheme affects the working relationship between the parties thus generating tensions with consequences on the stability of commercial farming. The study contributes to the debate on the marginalisation of smallholders in the distribution of benefits from agribusiness investments. Therefore, the designing of policies and practical measures that bring together rural communities and agribusiness developers to negotiate fair benefit sharing terms in line with international standards including honesty, inclusive participation of rural community in land acquisition process are recommended. PubDate: 2022-03-07 DOI: 10.17170/kobra-202201195573 Issue No:Vol. 123, No. 1 (2022)
Authors:Daniel Callo-Concha, Issoufou Liman Harou, Laura Krings, Jasmin Ziemacki Pages: 75 - 85 Abstract: In sub-Saharan Africa, the long-awaited fuelwood gap, resulting of the unbalance between a declining supply of firewood and the increasing demand of households, remains a latent social-ecological challenge. As its quantitative basis remains elusive, we have assessed agroforestry parklands, assumedly main providers of firewood, and firewood consumption in Dassari, Benin and Dano, Burkina Faso, both in the West African savannah. Data collected included botanical inventories, tree biomass estimations, householders’ firewood collection habits and consumption. Our findings show a drifting in preference for firewood-provider species, either by resource exhaustion or as preventive strategy. Tree biomass stock is a misleading proxy of firewood availability, by the increased use of other species, and the bias in calculations caused by non-used larger species. Firewood gathering has expanded towards communal lands and even natural reserves and its trade is emerging, what aside the ecological harm, started to weaken regulatory institutions and the internal social networks. Although the estimated firewood per capita consumption rounds 1 kg day-1 (inferior to precedent estimations), the signs of forest degradation persist. Commercial uses, like local breweries, pose the main challenge, as their demands are disproportional, up to one third of the whole; their demand of larger pieces that leads to more detrimental chopping, and contributes to emerging firewood markets fed by pieces of doubtful origin. PubDate: 2022-03-15 DOI: 10.17170/kobra-202203085848 Issue No:Vol. 123, No. 1 (2022)
Authors:Kafayat Omowumi Adebayo, Muhammed Abiola Mustapha, Risikat Mojisola Akinbode, Oludotun Olusegun Adelusi, Ronke Yemisi Aderinboye, Olubukola Ajike Isah Pages: 87 - 95 Abstract: Medicinal plants are used in animal feeding as natural antimicrobial to improve nutrient utilisation and health status of animals. This study assessed the effects of varying concentration of Petiveria alliacea leaf extract (PLE) on fermentation parameters, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen utilisation and faecal worm egg count of growing West African dwarf goats. Twenty- four (24) growing West African dwarf bucks with average body weight of 8.50 ± 0.55 kg were divided into four treatment groups with six bucks each in a completely randomized design. Each treatment group were administered varying concentrations (0, 2, 4 and 6 %) of PLE at 5 ml per animal and day and fed wilted Panicum maximum as basal feed and concentrate supplement. Results showed that oral administration of varying concentrations of PLE did not significantly (p>0.05) influence ammonia-N, pH and total volatile fatty acids concentration of the rumen fluid of the experimental goats. Dry matter intake, weight gain and dry matter digestibility were also not affected (p>0.05) by administration of PLE. Crude protein, NDF and ADF digestibility were higher (p<0.05) in goats on 0 and 2 % concentrations and lower in those administered 4 and 6 % concentrations. Urinary N and total N excretion values were lowest in goats administered 6 % concentration of PLE. Nitrogen retained (% of N intake) was highest (p<0.05) in goats administered 4 and 6% concentration of PLE. Highest reduction (55.6%) in faecal worm egg count was obtained at 6% concentration of PLE. Petiveria alliacea leaf extract could be administered to West African dwarf goats at 4 % concentration for increased nitrogen retention and at 6 % concentration as anthelminthic. PubDate: 2022-03-21 DOI: 10.17170/kobra-202203085849 Issue No:Vol. 123, No. 1 (2022)
Authors:Tri Minh Pham Pages: 97 - 108 Abstract: The study identifies the influencing factors of the performance of agricultural cooperatives (ACs) in the Mekong Delta (MD) of Vietnam. The study used a disproportionate stratified sampling method, with 308 valid samples collected from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in the districts and the Management Boards of ACs in 9 provinces in MD. Performance of AC is measured against five indicators, namely return on sales (ROS), return on assets (ROA), return on equity (ROE), responsiveness to cooperative members’ needs, and generation of jobs. Multivariate regression method was used for data analysis. The estimated results identified four factors that are positively correlated with cooperatives’ performance (namely management competency; contributed capital; membership size; and members’ participation) while indicating interaction between independent variables (management competency and contributed capital; management competency and membership size) in the relationship to performance of cooperatives. The study findings showed that the degree of influence of management competency on performance of cooperatives in fruit tree farming is always higher compared with those in rice farming. In addition, a number of recommendations are proposed to help the ACs' management boards make appropriate improvements to the support policy and performance evaluation indicators of the cooperatives. Cooperatives should also innovate in the use and optimization of resources. PubDate: 2022-03-22 DOI: 10.17170/kobra-202203085850 Issue No:Vol. 123, No. 1 (2022)
Authors:Opeyemi Obafemi Adelesi, Olayinka Isiaka Baruwa Pages: 109 - 120 Abstract: Nigeria is the largest (total) fish consumer in Africa and among the highest consumers in the world. The domestic fish production is short of the consumption demand despite the vast potentials in the fishery sector. Harnessing these potentials rightly will help to increase employment and increase food fish production and availability. It is clear given the importance of aquaculture in fish production that efforts must be made to encourage entrepreneurs to go into the business. Many have cast doubts on the profitability of aquaculture production, particularly on a smallholder level. This paper determines the profitability of smallholder aquaculture farmers in Lagos State, Nigeria, with a specific focus on catfish farmers. Eighty catfish farmers were interviewed using random sampling among farmers in fish farm estate in Ikorodu, Lagos. The study used enterprise budgeting, investment and sensitivity analysis to determine the profitability of catfish production in the study area. The study showed that current farmers are having positive cash flow. However, the investment analysis showed that investment in catfish production is not profitable. The enterprise became profitable due to the expansion of the farm enterprise by constructing at least five additional ponds. PubDate: 2022-04-06 DOI: 10.17170/kobra-202203085851 Issue No:Vol. 123, No. 1 (2022)
Authors:Le Thi Hoa Sen, Nguyen Tien Dung, Md. Mainul Hasan Pages: 121 - 130 Abstract: The use of pesticides is increasing rapidly and the pesticide use crisis is badly damaging the environment, the economy, and public health in Vietnam. However, the country is yet to become successful in reducing pesticide use mostly because of policy implementation and inadequate understanding of farmers. This study examined and discussed the perceptions and safety level of using pesticides by applying a widely used index of 39 indicators equivalent to 39 safety measures grouped into four categories to assess the safety behaviour of rice farmers in the central region of Vietnam. A field survey of 320 rice farmers and 12 local leaders was conducted in Quang Tri and Thua Thien Hue provinces. The result revealed that there exists a significant difference (p<0.001) between the perception and practices of pesticide safety measures of rice farmers in the study area. The overall score appears relatively high (4.09 and 3.89 out of 5.0 for perception and practices, respectively), indicating that farmers believe what they are doing is safe, though there are significant variations among the categories and among farmers in practicing pesticide safety measures. Regarding the farmers’ safety level, it was observed that there are still 18.1% and 34.4% of rice farmers are under unsafe and potentially unsafe conditions, respectively. Hence, an effective extension and communication program regarding the management and safety use of pesticides is the most vital policy solution to protect the rice farmers from potential health risks and ensure the sustainability of agriculture. PubDate: 2022-04-19 DOI: 10.17170/kobra-202203085852 Issue No:Vol. 123, No. 1 (2022)
Authors:Marble Nkadimeng, Este van Marle-Köster, Nkhanedzeni Baldwin Nengovhela, Mahlako Linky Makgahlela Pages: 131 - 145 Abstract: Farm practices of beef cattle smallholders in South Africa are characterized by poor management practices with limited advisory services. This study aimed to assess current beef cattle farming practices and limiting factors for improved beef production in South African smallholder farmers. A questionnaire was administered to 460 individual smallholder farmers purposively selected from seven provinces of South Africa (SA). The questionnaire captured information on demographics and farm profiles, constraints on production, marketing, ecological and reproduction management. Frequency procedure and logistic regression were used for data analysis. The majority of farmers were males (77%), fully committed to cattle farming (92%) and participated in informal markets (61%). Farmers constraints included extreme weather events, disease outbreaks, lack of access to information on farm management, supply of cattle nutrition and fair market pricing. The majority (93%) of farmers had no knowledge on body condition scoring (BCS) prior breeding and recorded inter-calving periods of two years (77%). Only 17% of farmers kept calving records and 80% practices culling of old cows. The regression model revealed that lack of information and understanding of farm business, and information communicated by government were among the dominating factors associated with the constraints. The study confirmed the need to enhance the approach of farm information dissemination and skills transfer to mitigate farming challenges and improve productivity. Policy makers may ensure adoption of farm information chains through more implementations of open platforms such as farmer's schools and farmers days. PubDate: 2022-05-01 DOI: 10.17170/kobra-202204216054 Issue No:Vol. 123, No. 1 (2022)
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