Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics & Sociology
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Economic Viability and Yield Determinants of High-yielding Rice Varieties in Rangpur District of Bangladesh
No full textThis study investigates the economic viability and yield determinants of high-yielding rice varieties in Rangpur district of Bangladesh. Examining primary data from 100 high-yielding varieties rice producers from Rangpur Sadar and Kaunia, the socio-economic characteristics, cost, economic viability and the factors affecting the yield of rice varieties are explored by this study. The study used descriptive statistics, cost-benefit analysis, and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression to determine the socio-economic characteristics, economic viability, and yield determinants of high-yielding rice varieties. The findings indicate high-yielding rice varieties as an economically viable choice for the farmers. The benefit cost ratio (BCR) was 1.70 on full cost and 2.18 on variable cost basis, with a net return of Tk 73535/ ha. The gross margin was Tk 96649/ha. Here, fertilizer, irrigation, labor, education, and training services have a major favorable impact on the production of high-yielding rice varieties, even though seed rate, farm size, and extension services did not show any significant influence. Several constraints including unavailability of seeds, high costs of inputs, lack of capital, pest and disease had negative impact on the yield as well as adoption rate. The study highlights the importance of adopting high yielding rice varieties and provides emphasis on quality seeds, timely and accurate input supply and management, education, training services and effective policies to increase the rice production of Bangladesh and to ensure food security
Policy Interventions and Community-Based Initiatives: A Mixed-Methods Study on Food Security and Resilience in Rural Tigray
No full textThe study analyzes the interplay between governmental measures and community-based efforts in promoting food security and resilience in rural Tigray. Using mixed techniques, including ethnography, surveys, interviews, and secondary data analysis, the study analyzed the contributions of external and local efforts on household adaptive ability. The study\u27s results indicate great variety in community participation: women-led savings and credit groups had the most engagement (46%), seed-sharing cooperatives 39%, while grain banks had the lowest at 16%. Government support, such as food aid (61%) and the Productive Safety Net Programme (52%), were vital in the near term but inadequate for sustainable resilience. Areas with greater local efforts such as Beleso and parts of Agazi had better recovery rates (63%) and food security levels (48%) compared to areas depending mostly on foreign help (Guahgot: 42% recovery and 28% food security). Generally, these results emphasize that long-term resilience is most successfully obtained when community-driven methods are improved and supported by properly coordinated governmental measures
Conditional Cash Transfer and Vulnerability to Poverty in Rural Southwestern Nigeria
No full textConditional Cash Transfer (CCT) schemes have become a key policy tool for reducing rural poverty and strengthening household resilience in Nigeria. This study investigated conditional cash transfer and vulnerability to poverty in rural Southwestern Nigeria. The objective of the study encompasses purposes for which households use the provided cash resources, participation in CCT activities and vulnerability to poverty of rural households. The research design for this study was a mixed method design. The study employed an extensive six-stage sampling approach to collect data from 242 household beneficiaries and 242 non-beneficiaries of CCTs. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistic at p =0.05. The findings reveal that a majority of CCT beneficiaries (99.2%) allocate their cash stipends towards essential needs such as food and cooperative savings. Additionally, 75.2% of beneficiaries use the funds for educational expenses while only 48.4% of beneficiaries invest in agricultural activities. Participation in CCT activities, particularly in life skills training and empowerment programs, was strong, with 76.4% of beneficiaries actively engaged. The study identified a significant correlation between beneficiaries\u27 participation in CCT activities and reduced vulnerability to poverty, as beneficiaries experience a lower rate of poverty-related challenges compared to non-beneficiaries (r=-0.257**, p≤0.05) and a statistically significant difference in poverty vulnerability between beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries, underscoring the effectiveness of CCT in reducing household poverty (t=7.312*, p<0.05). However, while CCT has contributed to immediate poverty alleviation, challenges remain in sustaining long-term improvements, particularly in agriculture and debt repayment. The study recommends expanding CCT coverage to non-beneficiaries, enhancing agricultural support, and strengthening educational and health-related components to ensure sustainable poverty reduction
Improving Cucumber Marketing Channels in Nigeria
No full textThis study investigated cucumber (Cucumis sativus) marketing channels, constraints and improvement strategies in Nigeria. Using multistage sampling, 300 producers and marketers completed a structured questionnaire. Respondents were 54% female and largely smallholders operating micro-plots. Market-path analysis showed a plurality of sales flow through intermediaries: the producers → middlemen →retailers → consumers and producers → retailer → consumers routes were most common (about 33% and 29% of reported channels, respectively), while direct producer consumer sales were less frequent but yielded the highest unit price (mean = 500 currency/kg). One‑way ANOVA indicated marketing channel significantly affected price, transport cost and time from harvest to sale (F = 145, p < .001), with clearer margins and shorter times in shorter channels. The large effect sizes (η² ≈ 0.596) indicated that about 59.6% of the variance was attributable to marketing channel, which far exceeded conventional thresholds for a "large" effect. Major constraints were perishability and post‑harvest infrastructure: short shelf‑life (mean = 3.91, top‑box 77%), variable quality/poor grading (mean = 3.89, top‑box 74.5%) and inadequate cold‑chain/storage (mean = 3.84, top‑box 73%). Preferred strategies emphasized market linkages and direct sales: farm‑gate‑to‑table (mean = 3.87) and partnering with businesses (mean = 3.81) ranked highest, while value addition and e‑commerce scored lower. We recommend investment in simple post‑harvest infrastructure (packhouses, cold storage), support for producer cooperatives and business partnerships, and mechanisms for improved market information to reduce intermediary capture and post‑harvest losses
Climate Smart Agriculture in Food Insecurity Mitigation in Nigeria: A Conceptual Evaluation
No full textClimate-Smart agriculture and its impact on food security have been topical issues in policy and food security discusses by successive governments in Nigeria however, the extent of its awareness among the farmers as a food insecurity mitigation measure has not been adequately represented in contemporary local literature hence the need for this research to ascertain the extent of awareness through: an examination of literary works by scholars in the field, assessing the extent of climate-smart procedures in agriculture and suggest where possible ideas to enhance its adoption. The study therefore evaluated secondary data and studies on the impacts of climate change on agriculture and how it can be mitigated through the adoption of climate smart approaches. Climate-Smart Agriculture is an emerging agricultural strategy initiated to tackle the consequences of climate change in food security and sustain agriculture. It involves the combination of approaches in the management of agricultural lands, forests, fisheries and livestock. The study in this regard took a holistic view of the adoption of climate smart agriculture by the farmers, its benefits and approaches and considered objectives such as accessing and assessing other scholars works and views on climate smart agricultural practices utilized by rural farmers in parts of Nigeria, discussing climate smart agriculture and food security, deliberating on climate smart agriculture and resource use efficiency and, viewing the constraining factors hampering the adoption of Climate Smart Agricultural practices in Nigeria. This is because climate change presently is one of the challenges and problems facing the world and an important factor in agricultural productivity. Variations in climatic factors will have ripple effects on crop yield and animal production. Farmers may have been facing weather variability and uncertainty patterns, however, the increasing pace of these uncertainties caused by climate change exacerbate food insecurity and hunger incidences and will require some degree of flexibility and rapid response capacity that climate smart agriculture offers. Building resilience in agricultural and farming practices will reduce the risk of food insecurity outside increasing the adaptive capacity and coping capabilities of the farmers
Resources Use Efficiency and Resources Utilization Efficiency of Major Crops in North Gujarat, India
No full textA study was examined to resource use efficiency and resources utilization efficiency of major crops in North Gujarat. Utilizing both canal and tube-well irrigation systems. Cobb-Douglas production function and MVP/MFC ratio was used for calculation of resources use efficiency and resources utilization efficiency, respectively. Primary data were collected from 160 respondents with the pretested interview schedule during 2023-24. The research revealed that, nitrogen, phosphorus and machinery as pivotal resources influencing yield outcomes. In wheat production, nitrogen and phosphorus had significant positive effects on yield in canal-irrigated fields, while over-irrigation negatively impacted tube-well-irrigated yields. Cotton analysis highlighted nitrogen’s positive yield impact under tube-well irrigation in Mehsana, while excessive machinery uses reduced productivity across both irrigation types. For castor, nitrogen and phosphorus boosted yield in canal-irrigated systems, although machinery use adversely affected output, particularly in Patan. Labor was found to positively influence castor yield under tube-well irrigation, underscoring the need for balanced mechanization. Higher R² values in Mehsana and Patan showed a robust model fit. Overall, the resources utilization efficiency revealed that, major input such as nitrogen, phosphorus and machinery was underutilization in selected crops and irrigation and labour was found as over-utilization. Therefore, the research suggests that increasing the use of underutilized inputs and reducing the use of overutilized resources could improve production, farm management and cost-effectivenes
Economic Analysis and Feasibility of Turmeric Processing Units in Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh, India
No full textThe present study aims to analyze the economics of turmeric processing units in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. The study focused on cost and returns associated with turmeric processing units and constraints faced by the turmeric processors in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. The data was collected from 10 processing units using purposive random sampling from three mandals in Guntur district viz., Duggirala, Kollipara and Mangalagiri. The processing units were divided into organized and unorganized units based on their processing capacity. The economic viability of both sectors is confirmed through positive Net Present Value (NPV) and favorable Benefit-Cost (BCR) ratios at varying discount rates. There is high Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 58.24% in unorganized units and 49.52% in organized units indicating the profitability in the turmeric processing units. Break-even analysis further underscores the efficiency of both sectors, with actual production significantly exceeding the break-even output, confirming the economic sustainability of turmeric processing in the region. The findings demonstrate that despite the higher costs associated with organized units, both organized and unorganized turmeric processing units are profitable and viable enterprises in Guntur district. The turmeric processing industry in Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, faces significant challenges that impact its efficiency and profitability. Key processing constraints include price fluctuations, procurement instability, and labor shortages. The turmeric processing industry in Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, faces significant challenges that impact its efficiency and profitability. Key processing constraints include price fluctuations, procurement instability, and labor shortages
Economic Analysis of Marketing of Paddy in Northern Tamil Nadu, India
No full textAims: This study aims to identify different marketing channels of paddy followed by farmers of Northern Tamil Nadu and analyze their cost and efficiency in marketing.
Study Design: Multi-stage random sampling method was used to collect primary data.
Place and Duration of Study: Ranipet district, Tamil Nadu, India between December 2022 and February 2023.
Methodology: Primary data from 120 farmers and 30 market intermediaries including wholesalers, processors and retailers were collected. Secondary data was collected from published government documents. Marketing margin and Modified marketing efficiency were calculated by the Acharya Approach
Results: Four different marketing channels were identified in which marketing through regulated market was found to be the most efficient channel as farmers received the highest net price for paddy. Farmers incurred more costs on labor and transportation among marketing costs. Unsatisfactory prices, lack of timely availability of credit, lack of storage and market information were found to be the constraints faced by farmers in marketing paddy
Conclusion: Improving the credit facilities available to farmers immediately after harvest will enable them to get better prices for their produce. Increasing awareness of marketing practices and farmers’ training programs will improve marketing efficiency
Constraint and Suggestion among Trained and Untrained Soybean Growers in Madhya Pradesh, India
No full textSoybean is a species of legume botanically known as Glycine max native to Asia. It is also known as Golden Bean, well as yellow jewels of America and wonder crop. It is a most important crop of twenty first century, occupying premier position among oilseed crops of the country since 2006. It is also the most important oil bearing leguminous crop of the world. It is counting as an oilseed as well as pulse crop due to its high oil and protein content. Recently, it has been recognized for its health and well-being properties. The productivity of soybean is higher than other legumes. It contains around 42 % protein and 18-20% oil. It has also contributed in the socio-economic upliftment of soybean growers of central part of our country and is poised to repeat the similar success story in other part of country too. Soybean has largely been responsible in uplifting soybean grower’s economic status in many areas of the country but soybean crops low yield may create problem in uplifting of economic condition of the untrained soybean growers. The study was entirely concerned Constraint and Suggestion among Trained and Untrained Soybean Growers. In view of the objectives of the study two types of soybean growers, trained and untrained were selected. A total 200 soybean growers in which 100 trained soybean growers and 100 untrained soybean growers were selected through random sampling method from the selected village panchayats. Data were collected by researcher through an interview schedule method by open ended response of respondents. An appropriate statistics measures has been used to draw inferences.It was reported from the research that most important constraints faced by the trained and untrained soybean growers is lack of money to purchase useful inputs and measure suggestions reported by the trained and untrained soybean growers is improved seeds and inputs should be provided in timely. Suggestions were made by soybean growers are important to consider in training programme by extension agencies, government department to minimize the constraints which hinders the adoption of improved practices of soybean cultivation technology
Resource-use Efficiency in Raw Cashew Nut Production in Kerala, India
No full textAim: To analyze the Resource use efficiency related to raw cashew nut production in Kerala
Study Design: Data was collected using a structured questionnaire administered to 120 randomly selected respondents.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the Kannur and Kollam districts of Kerala from 2023-2024.
Methodology: The analysis employed production function analysis through the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) method using the mathematical form of the Cobb-Douglas production function. The simple descriptive statistics were used to analyze the Socio-economic profile of sample farmers.
Results: The findings revealed that most farmers were elderly and dependent on agriculture (72.5%), with marginal (47.5%) followed by small farmers (31.7%), and had a good literacy level. The study stated that manure (p-value; 1.4E-13), and human labour, (0.032), were found to be significant and positively impacted cashew output, and the age of plants (0.019) was found to be significant but negatively related to the yield. This states that with an increase in the age after reaching the yield decreasing phase i.e. of age (> 30 years) the yield starts declining. The analysis also indicated inefficiencies in resource use: manures were underutilized (r>1 i.e. 3.65) whereas labour (r<1 i.e. 0.143) was overused.
Conclusion: Raw cashew cultivation efficiency was analyzed using the Cobb-Douglas function, showing organic manure and labour as significant factors. With increasing returns to scale, better resource use can boost production. Extension programs can enhance farmers\u27 knowledge, improve labour efficiency, reduce costs, and increase profitability. Youth involvement is vital for sustaining cashew production