Asian Research Journal of Agriculture
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Business Intention and Gendered Role on Implication of the Resource-based View: Quantitative Context on Agribusiness
No full textPurpose: This paper analyses the moderating effects of farm owner’s gender and business intention which could impact on the resource-capability-competitive advantage linkage in agribusiness. The study adopts the resource-based view in combination with dynamic capabilities.
Design: The sample of the consisted of the farm owners who have experience in commercial cultivation of minor export crops in Sri Lanka. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data.
Findings: Based on the data collected from 456 farm owners, results of the multiple regression analysis suggest farm owner’s business intention has moderating effects upon the relationship between resources, capabilities and competitive advantage. However, statistically significant moderation effect of farm owner’s gender on the relationship between resources, capabilities and farm’s competitive advantage was not reported.
Research implications: The result gives positive sign that gender is not a constraint factor to gain competitive advantage at firm level and psyche of the leaders regarding their business intention which can lead to enhance the link between resources, dynamic capabilities and competitive advantage.
Originality: The literature gap in competitive advantage literature by highlighting the potential roles of gender and business intention play in the resource-capability-competitive advantage interaction has been addressed. The results provide practical implications for policy makers, government and local communities with regard to selecting suitable resources and integrating them with proper capabilities for greater competitive advantage of the agribusiness sector
Growth and Yield Performance of Six Aman Rice Varieties of Bangladesh
No full textA field experiment was conducted with six rice varieties to determine their growth and yield performance. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. All the growth and yield contributing attributes varied significantly among the six rice varieties. The results revealed that in all rice varieties maximum growth performance observed at 58-68 Days after transplanting and maximum dry matter production was observed at 68 days after transplanting. Maximum number of filled spikelet observed in Binadhan-17 (164.89/ penical) and that was significantly different from other varieties. Percent of sterile spikelet was highest in BRRI dhan39 (12.9%) and that was statistically similar with Binadhan-16 (11.96%) and BRRI dhan33 (12.36%). Maximum 1000-seed weight was observed in Binadhan-17 (27.25 g). Highest grain yield was obtained from Binadhan-17 (6.13 t/h) that was significantly different from other varieties. Lowest grain yield observed in BRRI dhan39 (4.49 t/h) that was statistically similar to BRRI dhan33 (4.57 t/h) and Binadhan-7 (4.86 t/h)
Assessment of a Climate-smart Cropping Combination for Integrated Crop and Livestock Production System
No full textAims: To investigate sustainable climate-smart cropping combinations for integrated production of crops and livestock.
Study Design: The mother baby trial design was used. The mother trial being an on-station experiment and the on-farm being baby trials. The experiment was arranged as a split plot design. The main plots were 3 types of soil amendments; cattle manure, fertilizer and a control. The subplots were eight (8) crop combinations, arising from velvet bean, cowpea, rhodes grass and ryegrass.
Place and Duration of Study: The on-station field experiment was located at Liempe farm of the University of Zambia, in Chongwe district. The on-farm experiments were laid in Mazabuka and Chibombo districts of Zambia for two consecutive seasons, 2016/17 and 2017/18 cropping seasons.
Methodology: The cropping combination responses were measured based on variable performance of maize test-crop. The ‘soil amendments type’ and ‘crop combination’ performance were evaluated using analysis of variance. Means were separated using Fisher protected Least Significant Difference (LSD) at α = 0.05. Principal component analysis (PCA), was also undertaken to further understand responses among crop combinations. Farmers reactions arising from experimental implementation was qualitatively analysed using content analysis.
Results: Significant differences (P = .05) across cropping combinations on measured variables (for maize test crop) were exhibited among soil amendments type at an on-station trial during the 2017/ 18 season. Fertilizer soil amendment type was the best performer followed by manure and the control. Significant differences (P = .05) were also obtained among crop combinations across soil amendment type in all experimental sites. Crop combinations with velvet bean performed better than others. Qualitative grass inspection showed that rhodes grass was a better performer than rye grass.
Conclusion: Maize grown in combination with legumes particularly velvet beans and rhodes grass are a viable option as a smallholder farming practice in a changing climate
Total Phenolic Compounds Extraction in Leaves of Ocimum gratissimum L. and Their Potential Activity against Some Agricultural Contaminants
No full textAims: Phenolic compounds are secondary metabolites that are important in the plant due to their role in plant defense and their antioxidant activity with other biological properties such as antipyretic, analgesic and antimicrobial activities. This study focused on the biological potential activity of total phenolic compounds extracted by soxhlet method from Ocimum gratissimum leaves (Lamiaceae), a popular medicinal plant harvested at Daloa (Côte d’Ivoire).
Study Design: Activities were directed on the in vitro antifungal and antioxidant activities combined to phenolic compounds analysis.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the Department of Environment and Plant Protection, and Laboratory of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine (USAMV) between March to July 2014, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Microbiology (Bioactives Natural Substances Unit), Jean Lorougnon Guédé University between September 2014 to January 2015.
Methodology: The extract obtained named TPCOG was tested against Fusarium species for its antifungal activity by applying agar slant double dilution method and for its antioxidant activity by DPPH radical scavenging assay. Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of phenolic compounds were carried out by HPLC analysis method with sigma chemical standards.
Results: Tests showed that TPCOG was a powerful antifungal extract with MIC and MFC ranging between 3.125 µg/mL to 12.5 µg/mL. This extract was fungicidal and its antioxidant activity reached F= 541.25± .25 mM Trolox/mL (I= 70 ±1.85%) with a total phenolic content equal 195.70±1.33 mg GAE/g. Radical scavenge and antifungal activities correlated very well with total phenolic compounds. Phenolic content analysis showed presence of phenolic acids and flavonoids with a higher concentration for Quercetin (393.475 mg/100 g sample).
Conclusion: All this results demonstrated the biological potential activity of total phenolic compounds extracted from leaves of O. gratissimum and the possibility to use it in replace to essential oil for the formulation of biofungicides and nutraceuticals by industries
Analyzing Rice Farmers’ Intention to Adopt Modern Rice Technologies Using Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)
No full textThis paper analyzes rice farmers’ intention to adopt modern rice technologies using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Quantitative data were gathered through a survey among 404 rice farmers selected using three-stage sampling design. The empirical analysis was done using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) via WARP PLS software version 3.0. The outcome of the hypothesized framework shows that perceived usefulness and relative advantage have a direct and significant influence on farmers’ attitude towards modern rice technologies. This implies that the perceived usefulness and relative advantage of the technology influences the positive or negative attitude of the farmers toward the technology. On the other hand, the model suggests that perceived convenience of the technology does not influence farmers’ attitude. Nevertheless, the hypothesized model demonstrates that farmers’ intention influences their decision to adopt modern rice technologies. The paper suggests that further studies be conducted to incorporate external variables in TAM
Analysis of Consumers’ Preference for Local Rice among Households in Ekiti State, Nigeria
No full textConsumers’ preference for local rice determines its demand. Therefore, the study was carried out to analyze consumers’ preference for local rice among households in Ekiti State. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select respondents for this study. A total of 240 women were randomly selected from three Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the State. Primary data were obtained with the use of a well-structured interview schedule. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics as well as inferential statistic like logistic regression. The mean age of the respondents was 38 years and more than half (53.3%) of the respondents were females. Most (70.0%) of the respondents had a mean family size of 7 persons. Most (87.0%) preferred local rice and factors influencing consumers’ preference for local rice include good nutritional value, quality of rice and good taste. Local rice was very much preferred by the respondents. Logistic regression shows that significant influence exists between price, taste, availability of rice and presence of particles and preferred choice of rice. Therefore, efforts should be made by the government to formulate price control policy on local rice for its affordability by the consumers and there should be improvement on processing technology of local rice to eliminate presence of particles for improved quality and good taste to enhance the consumers’ preference for choice of rice. Also, the government should support farmers through provision of incentives and credit facilities so as to produce more local rice for its availability all year round
Selection of Genotypes and Contributing Characters to Improve Seed Cotton Yield of Upland Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)
No full textThe experiment was conducted at Cotton Research Centre, Chowgacha, Jessore during 2015-2016 with twenty genetically diverged genotypes, with a view to select desirable genotypes and important characters enhancing seed cotton yield in upland cotton. The experiment was laid out in RCBD with three replications. The unit plot size was 4.5 m x 4.5 m and the spacing, 45 cm ×90 cm. Data were recorded from randomly selected ten plants on monopodial branches plant-1, primary sympodial branches plant-1,secondary sympodial branches plant-1, main stem nodes plant-1, days to 1st (5%) flowering, days to 1st boll splitting, bolls plant-1, single boll weight (g), unburst bolls plant-1, plant height (cm), seeds boll-1, seed cotton yield (kg ha-1). The genotype JA-08/D produced the highest seed cotton yield (3430 kg ha-1) followed by two genotypes JA-08/C (3329 kg ha-1) and JA-08/E (3226 kg ha-1). Though high heritability (90.36-97.46%) were estimated for four characters but high heritability along with high genetic advance values were observed for bolls plant-1, boll weight and seeds boll-1. The moderate heritability (83.58%) with high genetic advance (48.54%) suggests seed cotton yield is controlled by additive and non-additive genetic factors. In general, genotypic correlation coefficient was higher than corresponding phenotypic correlation coefficient due to inherent potential of the genotypes for expressing the individual characters. However, six characters, secondary sympodial branches plant-1, main stem nodes plant-1, days to 1st flowering, bolls plnat-1, boll weight and seeds boll-1 showed positive and significant association. Upon partitioning the correlation coefficients of seed cotton yield with other characters confirmed significant contribution of three characters like bolls plant-1, boll weight and seeds boll- 1. Therefore, three genotypes, JA-08/D, JA-08/C and JA-08/E and three characters, bolls plant-1, boll weight and seeds boll- 1 may be considered by the breeders for improving seed cotton yield in upland cotton
Seed Coating with Organomineral Fertilizer, an Alternative Method to Improve the Efficiency of Farming
No full textSeed and fertilizer are two important farming inputs, which are commonly available and used separately. Combining both materials into a unit of fertilizer-coated seed may improve farming efficiency. However, the appropriate seed coating method must be found out, and this research was the first effort of finding the method. A glasshouse experiment was carried out to identify the growth and yield of the coated seeds of rice and groundnut with organomineral fertilizer in three different sizes, i.e., small (SS), medium (MS), and big sizes (BS). Four sets of experiments were prepared, two of those were for testing two varieties of rice and the others were for testing two varieties of groundnut. Each experiment was laid out in a complete randomized design; the treatment was the size of coated seeds (SS, MS, BS, and a control - uncoated seeds) in triplicates. Results reveal that the seed coating delayed the germination of rice seeds for 2 – 3 days and groundnut seeds for 7 – 16 days, suppressed the growth and yield of rice but improved the growth and yield of groundnut. The highest yield of groundnut was the grown groundnut from the small and medium sizes of coated seeds (weight ratios of 1:4 and 1:9). The reduces of growth and yield of rice were most probably due to the direct contact of the high concentration of nutrients, especially nitrogen, with the seeds. In conclusion, the seed coating with organomineral fertilizer was a potentially developed method to improve farming efficiency. Further efforts were needed to fix the composition of organomineral fertilizer, especially the type N substances used and the steps of applying the materials onto the seeds
Impacts of Agroforestry in Agricultural Sustainabilty and Food Security in Nigeria
No full textThe first essential component of social and economic justice is adequate food production. Food plays a vital role in the life of mankind and it keeps the body functioning. Nigeria is a country richly blessed with abundant natural and human resources that if properly utilized can feed its people, yet it is experiencing persistent food crisis both in terms of quantity and quality. Food security is the ability of people to meet their required level of food consumption at all times. Food insecurity has been a major concern in Nigeria where peasant farmers lack the skill and capital to produce large quantity of farm produce that will meet the nation’s need. Agroforestry which combines growing of trees with the production of other crops or animal has been a widely used system for combating food insecurity which also reduces the risk of crop failure during adverse conditions such as prolong drought period and other natural calamities due to climate change. Through agroforestry practices, food production, improved soil fertility, health and increasing economic income of rural people can be properly tackled in the country. Research into agroforestry practices should be properly disseminated to rural farmers so that they can adopt the system. Also, government policies, research institute and other agricultural schemes that has been set up by the government should work towards making farmers adopt and apply agroforestry strategies in the country
Effect of Packaging Materials and Storage Periods on the Vigor Parameters of Some Selected Varieties of Soybeans in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria
No full textThis study was carried out in 2017 at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi Nigeria. The study was aimed at evaluating the effect of packaging materials and storage period on the vigor parameters of some selected varieties of soybeans in Makurdi. The experimental design was 3x5x6 factorial CRD comprising 3 varieties, 5 storage periods and 6 packaging materials by 3 replicates. Samples were collected from National Cereal Research Institute, Yandev sub-station. The soybeans were cleaned, dried and the moisture content noted. Five hundred grams was measured into the various packaging material stored and at Strategic Grains Reserve, Federal Ministry of Agriculture Makurdi. The seeds in storage was sampled periodically (2, 4, 6 and 8 months) to determine quality by conducting standard germination test with 100 seeds (100 seeds/rep). The investigation revealed that V3 (TGx 1448-2E) stored for 2 months had the highest Shoot seedling length while V1 (TGx 923-3F) stored for 8 months had the least shoot seedling length. Soybeans stored in cloth had a very high Shoot seedling length at 2 months but dropped thereafter and turned out to be the lowest at the end of the storage period. V2 (TGx 1904-6F) stored in laminate paper produced the longest Shoot seedling length and also produced the shortest with V1. The seedling root length was longest in V3 stored for 2 months and least in V1 stored for 8months.Soybeans stored in cloth for 2 months produced very high SRL 2 months but dropped to 0.00 at the end of the storage period. V2 did better in LDPE than all the packaging materials. V1 had the shortest SRL in soybeans stored in bottle. The highest seedling vigor was recorded in V3 stored for 2 months while the lowest seedling vigor was recorded in V1 stored for 8 months. V2 in plastic container had the highest seedling vigor whileV1 in plastic had the lowest. However, significant differences were observed at (P< 0.05) in the interaction effect. In the present study, LDPE proved to be the best packaging material and the variety that had more resistance to deterioration was V2 (TGx 1904-6F). Soybeans that are stored at ambient should be in storage material that are impervious to air and moisture otherwise the seeds will lose viability and vigor. In addition, varieties that are prone to fast deterioration should not be stored longer