Asian Research Journal of Agriculture
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Marketing of Banana Varieties in Thiruvananthapuram District of Kerala, India
No full textAims: This study aims to evaluate the marketing structure, price spread, marketing costs, and marketing efficiency of Red banana and Njalipoovan (syn. Neypoovan) in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, with an emphasis on understanding the factors influencing marketing decisions and economic returns across major marketing channels.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, India, during the 2024-2025 agricultural year.
Methodology: A multi-stage purposive sampling technique was adopted. Two major banana-producing blocks were purposively selected based on the highest production, and from each block two panchayats with the highest banana production were chosen, covering a total of 160 farmers (80 cultivating Red banana and 80 cultivating Njalipoovan) and 50 intermediaries, forming an overall sample size of 210. Data were collected through structured interviews. Major marketing channels were identified, and marketing cost, marketing margin, price spread, producer’s share, and efficiency were estimated following standard methodologies (Acharya’s and Shepherd’s methods).
Results: Analysis revealed a strong preference among farmers for organized sales channels, with 40 per cent of Red banana and 42.5 per cent of Njalipoovan growers primarily marketing through VFPCK. Co-operatives and private traders were also significant, while direct retailing was relatively limited. Diversification of produce was prominent among Red banana farmers, with 18.75 per cent selling ‘kulavazha’ and 13.75 per cent engaging in sucker sales. For Njalipoovan, 20 per cent of farmers marketed both fruit and leaves, indicating notable variety-specific ancillary market potential. For both varieties, fruit sales contributed over 84 per cent to average total income, though by-product sales provided valuable supplementary revenue. Five marketing channels were identified for both Red banana and Njalipoovan. Price spread and marketing efficiency varied across channel and Channel V with fewer intermediaries (producer-retailer-consumer) demonstrated the highest producer shares (up to 84.27%) and marketing efficiency, whereas Channel I (producer-VFPCK-wholesaler-retailer-consumer) incurred the greatest marketing costs, lowest efficiency, and reduced producer share (70.38%).
Conclusion: The findings suggest that reduced intermediary participation enhances farmer’s net returns and channel efficiency. Institutional and technological improvements in procurement models, such as strengthening VFPCK and co-operative outlets, implementing transparent purchase policies and leveraging digital direct marketing platforms are recommended to optimize banana marketing efficiency and income stability
Natural Rubber Prices - Behaviour and Volatility: Evidence from Indian and International Markets
No full textNatural rubber (NR) is a strategically important agricultural commodity in India and the global market, and its prices are characterised by significant variability, posing income risk to producers and market participants. The present study examined the behaviour and volatility of NR prices in domestic and international markets with the objective of analysing long-term trends, seasonal patterns, cyclical movements, irregular variations and price instability. Monthly price data for different grades of Ribbed Smoked Sheet (RSS) in the Kottayam market of India and RSS3 in the Bangkok market were analysed for the period from 1985 to 2025 using classical time series decomposition techniques along with intra-annual and inter-annual volatility measures. The results revealed a strong secular upward trend in NR prices across all grades, with a pronounced peak during the global financial crisis period (2008–2012), followed by a decline and subsequent recovery after 2020. Seasonal price behaviour remained stable over time, with higher prices during monsoon months due to reduced tapping activity and lower prices during periods of increased supply. Cyclical fluctuations intensified in the post-liberalisation period, particularly in the international market, reflecting stronger integration with global trade. Volatility analysis indicated that both intra-annual and inter-annual price instability increased across Period I (1985–1994), Period II (1994–2003), and Period III (2003–2015), with the highest volatility observed during Period III, while inter-annual volatility consistently exceeded intra-annual volatility. The international RSS3 series exhibited greater volatility than domestic prices, highlighting higher global market sensitivity. A moderation in price volatility during Period IV (2015–2025) coincided with the implementation of the Rubber Production Incentive Scheme, suggesting its stabilising influence. The findings indicate that although NR prices have increased over the long run, volatility remains an inherent feature of the market, underscoring the need to strengthen price stabilisation mechanisms and improve market intelligence systems to mitigate income instability among rubber growers
Crop Residue Management Practices and Trade-offs among Smallholder Farmers in Kassena Nankana Municipality, Upper East Region, Ghana
No full textCrop residues serve a crucial role in both livestock feeding and soil fertility management. Proper management of crop residues can provide feed for livestock, improve soil fertility in smallholder farms in sub-Saharan Africa. This study evaluated the trade-offs in crop residues use among small-holder farmers and its implications for sustainable farming in the face of climate vulnerability in the savanna ecological zone of Ghana. The study used a cross-sectional survey involving 450 farming households. Descriptive statistics were employed to identify the main sources of crop residues, the different uses of crop residues and the factors accounting for burning of crop residues as a management practice. A multivariate probit model was used to analyze the factors that influence farmers crop residue management practices. The results indicated that crop residues were used as livestock feed (20.44%), as cooking fuel (19.56%), left on the farm land to decompose as manure (40%) or burned to clear the farm land (20%). The study showed that cowpea haulms recorded the highest mean value of crude protein (74g DM kg-1) while sorghum recorded the lowest mean crude protein value of 37g DM kg-1). The results from the multivariate probit analysis indicated that household and farm variables, institutional and socio-psychological factors and climatic variability influence farmers choice of crop residue management practices. Crop residues utilization and management practices chosen were determined by factors such as the type of crop grown, challenges the farmers face and the technology available to the farmers. The study recommends government should provide the needed technical know-how and the appropriate technology for sustainable use of crop residues. Efforts should also be geared towards increased access to agricultural extension services because this would greatly influence farmers decision to adopt sustainable crop residues utilization methods
Impact of Water Table Depth Fluctuation, Irrigation and Groundwater Quality on Occurrence of Salt Affected Soils in Amibara Districts of Afar Region, Ethiopia
No full textThis assessment work was done to investigate the impact of depth of water table dapeth, irrigation and groundwater quality on the occurrence of salt affected soils in Amibara irrigation scheme. Depth of water table and water sample were taken for five consecutive months from 30 sampling piezometers. Totally 180 soil samples were collected at the months of August, October and December, at depths of 0-30 cm and 30-60 cm in 2017. The Correlation analysis result between irrigation water ECw and soil ECe revealed the presence of significant correlation (r = 0.99) in Vertisols at 30-60 cm depth at (P ≤ 0.05) level of significance. Correlation analysis result between depth of water table and soil salinity revealed significant correlation in Fluvisols, but not in Vertisols. The correlation result between ground water ECw and soil ECe showed a significant correlation (r = 0.73 and 0.71) and (r = 0.89 and 0.74) at 0-30 and 30-60 cm, respectively, in Fluvisols, while it showed a significant correlation (r = 0.86, 0.96 and 0.95) at 0-30 cm along the sampling months in Vertisols. The correlation result between ground water and soil SAR showed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.75, 0.55 and 0.66) and (r = 0.62, 0.58 and 0.69) at 0-30 and 30-60 cm soil depths, in Fluvisols area but it showed a significant correlation (r = 0.93) at 0-30 cm only at October in Vertisols area. Generally, in addition to quality reduction of Awash River water, poor management of irrigation, absence of adequate surface and subsurface drainage structures were aggravating soil salinity in the study area. Therefore, efficient irrigation practice and maintenance and construction of surface and subsurface drainage structures should be implemented as soon as possible to alleviate the expansions of soil salinity and sodicity problem in Amibara irrigation
Management of Leaf Blight and Node Blight Diseases Indian Barnyard Millet (Echinochloa frumentacea (Roxb)
No full textA study on the management of important diseases of rainfed kuthiraivali was carried out through biological control and fungicides in combination with seed treatment and foliar application methods and different intervals of diseases incidence. The leaf blight pathogen was isolated from the affected leaf; the isolated fungus\u27s dark grayish-colored, fluffy mycelia were observed on the PDA medium. The mycelium was grey to olivaceous green, profusely branched, and septate. Conidiophores were single or in small groups, straight to flexuous, septate, smooth, and dark brown. Measuring 3.5 µm x 0.865 µm (1 µm), The disease incidence was observed at 15-day intervals using the percent disease index. Among three years, the seed treatment (10gm/kg) of Pseudomonas fluorescens (TNAU Pf1) followed by foliar application of Carbendazim + Mancozeb 2 gm/lit decreases the leaf blight diseases (63.63% reduction over control) and also recorded an increased yield of 1075 kg/ha of kuthiraivali. Seed treatment with Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf1 combined with foliar fungicide sprays significantly enhances yield and cost-benefit ratio under rainfed conditions while effectively managing seed-borne and foliar diseases
Grain-borne Fungi on Farmer Saved Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.)
No full textSorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is an under-utilized cereal crop grown mainly in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) with various uses as human food, fodder, feed, fuel and industrial use but its yield and quality is influenced factors during and after production. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of grain borne fungi on farmer saved sorghum cultivars at pre-and post-harvest value chain. Using direct-plating technique, four fungi genera and 12 species were identified in sampled sorghum grains from farmers and experimental plots. The influence of moisture content (MC) is crucial in growth and development on grain surfaces. Prevalent fungi isolated and identified from the grains were Aspergillus spp., Fusarium spp., Penicillium spp. and Rhizopus spp. An analysis using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) revealed that 30% of the tested samples revealed B1 and B2 strains of aflatoxin. The existence of mould on grains showed mycotoxin strains which result in deterioration of sorghum grains thus food insecurity among the small holder farmers
Resistance of Selected Rice Varieties against Brown Plant Hopper (Nilaparvata lugens) at Raisen District of Madhya Pradesh, India
No full textThe brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens) is one of the most economically damaging pests in rice cultivation, causing significant yield losses across major rice-growing regions. In this study, eighteen rice varieties were field-screened under natural infestation conditions in Madhya Pradesh to assess their resistance levels against BPH. Eighteen varieties of paddy (Oryza sativa L.) were screened under field condition during Kharif 2022 & 2023, to evaluate their performance against BPH. The trial was laid out in randomized block design with three replications, at RNTU ARC farm, Raisen. Susceptible and resistant check varieties were TN-1 and PTB-33, respectively. The population of Nilaparvata lugens, was recorded throughout the crop period at 10 days intervals. MTU 1060 recorded the lowest brown planthopper density, indicating it was the least preferred by the pest. Close behind were the genotypes PTB-33 and Poornima, which had similarly low populations of 1.16 and 1.47 hoppers per plant, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that the differences in pest density among MTU 1060, PTB-33, and Poornima were not significant, indicating that these three genotypes exhibited similar levels of resistance to brown planthopper infestation. These findings provide valuable insights for selecting region-specific resistant genotypes and could be effectively utilized in rice breeding programs and integrated pest management strategies to combat BPH in a sustainable manner
Biological Control of Sweet Potato Weevil Using Metarhizium anisopliae: A Step Toward Eco-friendly Pest Management
No full textThis study aims to evaluate the potential of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae as a biological control agent against sweet potato weevil. Sweet potato weevil (Cylas formicarius) is a major pest of sweet potato crops, causing severe economic losses due to its ability to infest both storage roots and vines. Concerns regarding the ecological health risks posed by chemical insecticides in sweet potato farming, a natural approach were tested as an alternative method for controlling this pest. This study evaluates the potential of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae as a biological control agent against sweet potato weevil. Laboratory experiments were conducted to compare the effectiveness of different strains of M. anisopliae and other entomopathogens, using two application techniques: "dipping" and "ingestion." Results demonstrated that M. anisopliae significantly increased Sweet potato weevil (SPW) mortality, with the "ingestion" method rather than "dipping" method across all treatments. Among the tested strains, M. anisopliae (MR) showed the highest mortality rate (62.47%) when applied through ingestion. The findings highlight that both the choice of fungal strain and application technique are critical for optimizing pest control outcomes. The study also underscores the advantages of M. anisopliae as an eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides, with potential to reduce environmental impact while maintaining effective pest management. Furthermore, the results emphasize the importance of integrating biological control agents with precise application methods to enhance pest control efficacy. This research contributes to sustainable agriculture by promoting the use of entomopathogenic fungi as part of integrated pest management strategies. Further research is suggested to assess the field-level use of M. anisopliae under varying environmental conditions, aiming to establish its effectiveness in large-scale sweet potato cultivation in order to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides. However, field studies are needed to reach a good conclusions and practical applications
Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Nutrient Uptake and Post-Harvest Soil Nutrients in Irrigated Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.)
No full textThe field experiment was conducted during kharif season of the year 2024 at Experimental Farm, Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai university to study the effect of Integrated nutrient management on nutrient uptake and post-harvest available nutrient status of irrigated Sorghum. The treatment T7 with 50% RDF + Vermicompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 + ZnSO4 @ 20 kg ha-1 + FeSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1 + Azophos @ 20 kg ha-1 recorded higher values of nutrient uptake with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and treatment (T4) recorded least values of nutrient uptake. The postharvest soil N, P and K were found to be significantly higher-Use word lower with the treatment (T7) - 50% RDF + Vermicompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 + ZnSO4 @ 20 kg ha-1 + FeSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1 + Azophos @ 20 kg ha-1. The lower-use word higher postharvest soil available nutrients were estimated under treatment (T4) -50% RDF + Azophos @ 20 kg ha-1. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications and seven treatments with Sorghum CO 30 as test variety. There were altogether seven treatments viz., T1-100% RDF (90:45:45 kg N: P2O5: K2O ha-1), T2-50% RDF + Vermicompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 , T3-50% RDF +ZnSO4 @ 20 kg ha-1 + FeSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1, T4-50% RDF + Azophos @ 20 kg ha-1, T5-50% RDF + Vermicompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 + ZnSO4 @ 20 kg ha-1 + FeSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1, T6-50% RDF + Vermicompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 + Azophos @ 20 kg ha-1, T7-50% RDF + Vermicompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 + ZnSO4 @ 20 kg ha-1 + FeSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1 + Azophos @ 20 kg ha-1
Influence of Sowing Windows on Growth and Yield of Fodder Oat Varieties in Southern Agro-climatic Zone of Andhra Pradesh, India
No full textThe present experiment was carried out at dryland farm of Sri Venkateswra Agricultural College, Tirupati, ANGRAU-India during rabi, 2024-25 on sandy loam soils. The experiment laid out in the randomized block design with factorial concept and replicated thrice. The results of the experiment showed that the variety RO-11-1 sown during November II FN exhibited superior performance in terms of all growth parameters such as plant height, leaf to stem ratio, leaf area index and dry matter production. Furthermore, this treatment produced significantly higher green and dry fodder yields (18104 kg ha-1 and 4735 kg ha-1 respectively) compared to all other treatments