Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics & Sociology
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An Analysis of Performance Drivers in the Food MSME Sector: Evidence from Nay Pyi Taw
No full textFood Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (Food MSMEs) constitute a vital sector of Myanmar’s economy by generating employment and supporting household incomes. Despite their importance, the growth of these enterprises is often constrained by owner demographics, business characteristics, and institutional factors. This study employed multiple regression analysis using survey data from 158 Food MSMEs in the Nay Pyi Taw region to examine determinants of their performance, measured as sales revenue, and the explanatory variables are shaped by the demographic characteristics of owners and managers, business characteristics, and the institutional characteristics of these MSMEs. The findings reveal that firm size, firm age, current capital, fixed assets, enterprise type, and geographical distribution significantly and positively influence sales revenue. Conversely, owner and manager characteristics (age and education) are negatively and marginally significant, and external support factors (training participation and access to business information) were not statistically significant, although some showed positive directional effects. The R-squared value of the model is 0.723, highlighting the strength of the model among these variables. These results highlight the limited effectiveness of current support initiatives and indicate the need for better-targeted interventions. Policy implications include strengthening access to capital, promoting market expansion strategies, and tailoring training programs to address the practical needs of Food MSMEs. Such measures are essential for enhancing competitiveness and ensuring the sustainable development of the food sector
Documentation and Empirical Assessment of Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) for Pulse Storage in Tamil Nadu, India
No full textThe significance of pulses in nutritional security, crop diversity, and sustainability within crop production systems is widely acknowledged. Estimates suggest that post-harvest losses in pulses range between 25% and 30%. Proper storage techniques can aid in preventing these losses and increase the availability. Being rich source of protein, pulses are easily attracted by storage insects. Damage ranging from 30–70% of the grain has been reported in various publications. The current study aims to record Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) concerning the methods used in pulse storage within rural regions of Karur, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, and Salem Districts in Tamil Nadu. Data was gathered from 120 farmers using a structured questionnaire. Among the various ITK methods implemented in the study area, a significant number of farmers (96 percent) widely adopted the practice of mixing red gram seeds with red earth slurry, drying them, and storing to prevent storage pests upto one year. This was followed by the practice of dusting ash with pulse seeds to manage storage pests at 93.00 percent. The study finds that traditional indigenous knowledge and practices are beneficial for sustenance, and these custodians of such knowledge play a vital role in agricultural advancement. To prevent the loss of such valuable knowledge, it is wise to protect and promote indigenous wisdom and understanding broadly for self-sufficiency with a principle aimed at reducing scarcity and hunger among local communities
Climatic Determinants of Shrimp Yields in Tamil Nadu, India: A Transfer Function Analysis
No full textShrimp aquaculture in Tamil Nadu plays a critical role in supporting livelihoods and contributing to exports but is increasingly vulnerable to climatic variability. This study investigates how seasonal precipitation, extreme temperatures, and lagged production impact shrimp yields in four key districts—Tiruvallur, Cuddalore, Thanjavur, and Nagapattinam—over the period 2015–2023. Using statistical models, we identify major trends and district-specific sensitivities. For instance, excessive summer and winter precipitation coupled with high maximum temperatures reduced yields in Tiruvallur, whereas warmer summer nights boosted production. In Cuddalore, yields were hampered by seasonal precipitation, elevated minimum temperatures, and the lingering effects of previous yields. Thanjavur’s production suffered from extreme temperatures and winter rainfall but benefited from milder winter nights. Nagapattinam showed unique dynamics, where winter precipitation and summer maximum temperatures enhanced yields, while summer rainfall and lagged production had adverse effects. These findings highlight the need for tailored, district-specific strategies to manage climate risks and sustain shrimp farming. For example, adaptive measures such as optimizing water management or selecting climate-resilient shrimp varieties could mitigate negative impacts. Future research could integrate factors like water quality and disease outbreaks to strengthen the sector’s resilience further
Farmer Research Networks and Dissemination of Agroecological Knowledge and Practices in Singida District of Tanzania
No full textThe paper explores different methods used by Farmer Research Networks (FRNs) to disseminate agroecological knowledge and practices in Singida District, Tanzania. The study used cross-sectional research design, using a qualitative research approach. Data were collected from 75 participants of focus group discussions, 19 key informants, 26 in-depth interviewees and personal observations. The data collected were analysed using thematic analysis, a structured method to identify patterns and themes based on the study topic. The use of natural pesticides (bio-pesticides), use of organic fertilizer (mainly compost), intercropping, crop rotation, mixed cropping, nine seed planting methods, Zambian hoe, soil conservation techniques (mainly mulching), timely planting as well as application of recommended spacing are common and major practices in Singida district. FRNs used farmer field schools (FFSs), village government meetings, demonstration plots, farmer-to-farmer knowledge sharing, and community groups as the main methods for disseminating agroecology knowledge and practices to farmers. These methods create a wide awareness of agroecological knowledge and practices among farmers in the study villages. It is recommended that local government authorities and development organisations should utilize FRNs to disseminate agroecological evidence-based knowledge and practices to farmers and scale up the utilization of the FRN approach to communicate and disseminate recommended agroecological and agricultural practices for sustainable farming and food systems in Tanzania
Status and Performance of e-NAM in India: An Overview
No full textThis paper reviewed National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) initiative in India, focusing on its impact, challenges, and potential for transforming agricultural marketing. With 1409 Agricultural Produce Marketing Committees (APMCs) integrated into the platform as of 2024, a notable increase from the initial 585, the e-NAM initiative has significantly expanded its reach. The highest number of APMC’s were found in Rajasthan (165), followed by Tamil Nadu (157), Gujarat (144), Madhya Pradesh (139), Maharashtra (133) and Uttar Pradesh (125). With the addition of 6 new commodities total 209 of it are available for trade. As on 31.12.2024, total 1.75 crore farmers, 2.43 lakh traders and 1.09 lakh commission agents, 2575 FPOs and 79 service providers have been registered on e-NAM. It has achieved positive outcomes, including steady growth in both the quantity and value of commodities traded and an increase in the number of registered stakeholders, encompassing farmers, traders, commission agents, and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). The research highlighted the need for enhanced awareness and training programs to equip farmers with a better understanding of e-NAM, emphasized the importance of knowledge dissemination regarding various phases of the e-NAM process, such as quality assessment and e-bidding. Overall, e-NAM is a pivotal policy initiative aimed at modernizing agricultural marketing in India, with the potential to further enhance its impact through improved stakeholders’ education and engagement
Assessment of Training Programmes for the Fish Farmers and Its Impact on Fish Production, Fish Seed Production and Revenue Generation
No full textRajasthan is the largest state of the country and blessed with abundant aquatic resources in the form of reservoirs, lakes, rivers, canals etc. which are used for fisheries and contribute 79.286 thousand metric tonnes in the fishing year 2022-23. In this manuscript, the impact of training conducted on fisheries technology including fish production, fish seed production and revenue generation from the aquatic resources of the state is analysed. It is observed that training programmes (75-1729, 728 number), fish production (12141.00-79286.00, 34931.78 MT), fish seed production (186-1197, 639.73 million fries) and revenue ((₹570.00-7350.53, 3082.56 Lakh) was generated form the fisheries sector of the state during the fishing year 1999-2000 and 2022-23. The statistical analysis of the relevant fisheries data, linear equation (Training = 1.2687 Fish production + 34008, Training = -0.1402 Fish seed production + 741.75, and Training = -0.5453 Revenue + 3479.4) depicted that training are slightly affect the fish production while it was clearly indicated that conducted trainings were not affect the fish seed production and revenue generation. The correlation coefficient (R2) 0.0008, 0.0265 and 0.0089 of training number v/s fish production, fish seed production and revenue generation reveal the positive while weak relationship. These findings are clearly indicating that the number of trainings are not significantly affected to increase the fish production, seed production and revenue generation that may be due to insufficient extension services and irregular orientation of these trainings, organised on particular technology based rather than broader spectrum of fish farming. It is emerged that trainings and extension programmes are more effective so it is suggested that extension services and training activities should be regulate, specific technology based trainings should be conducted, state government should offer sufficient support to implement the extension services and conduction of public awareness programme related fish farming certainly encourage fish farming community in the state
Assessment of Acreage Response of Chickpea to Price and Non-price Factors in Gujarat, India
No full textThe study focused on assessing the acreage response of chickpea to price and non-price factors in Gujarat. The analysis aimed to determine how farmers allocate acreage and production in response to price and non-price factors. The study used time series secondary data from 1995-96 to 2022-23 for districts including Junagadh, Rajkot, Jamnagar, and Ahmedabad. The Nerlovian Partial Adjustment Model (1956) was employed to analyze the acreage response. Results showed that lagged price had a positive and significant effect in Rajkot (0.09) and Jamnagar (0.06) districts. Factors such as lagged area, lagged price, price risk, and yield risk played a significant role in chickpea acreage response. Short-run and long-run elasticities were mostly found to be inelastic, with short-run price elasticity positively significant in Rajkot district (1.32). Long-run price elasticities were more elastic in every district compared to short -run elasticity
The Role of Farmer Field and Business School (FFBS) in Improving Access to Agricultural Extension Services to Smallholder Farmers in Iringa Rural District, Tanzania
No full textInnovative and holistic approaches, such as the Farmers Field and Business School (FFBS), are essential for advancing agricultural practices and improving smallholder farmer livelihoods. In Tanzania, while evidence suggests that FFBS enhances access to extension services, its specific role remains undocumented. This study used an exploratory sequential mixed method to explore FFBS\u27s role in improving smallholder farmers\u27 access to extension services. The study involved 43 FFBS beneficiaries from CARE International’s FFBS scale-up project, selected through snowball sampling until data were saturated. This approach was chosen due to the challenges of accessing a comprehensive list of active participants and of ensuring that diverse perspectives are included. Data were collected using in-depth interviews, key informant interviews, focus group discussions (FGD), document review, and observation. Findings suggest that FFBS significantly enhances access to extension services through capacity-building in agronomy, climate resilience through sustainable agricultural practices, market linkages, gender empowerment, and information dissemination. The FFBS programme utilizes innovative experiential learning techniques, including hands-on training in sustainable agricultural practices, to equip farmers with practical knowledge and skills. Despite the positive outcomes, FFBS has not fully facilitated the transition of smallholder farming into large-scale commercial agriculture, highlighting challenges in scaling up production. The study suggests that all FFBS elements need to be fully applied to realize their innovative benefits. Policy implications include the need to improve resource access, particularly capital, technology, and markets for smallholder farmers, integrate FFBS into national extension programs, and promote gender-inclusive capacity-building to scale up agricultural productivity and sustainability
Gender Disparities in the Adoption of Akilimo Cassava Advisory Tools and Productivity in Ogun State, Nigeria
No full textThis study investigates Nigeria\u27s low digital agricultural technology acceptance rates by studying gender disparity and developing inclusive policies for both sexes. It presents empirical evidence on the use of the Akilimo Cassava Advisory Tool, a digital tool that provides cassava farmers with agronomic guidance to help them make better decisions. The data for this study was collected through interviews and questionnaires distributed to 329 farmers who cultivate cassava and who were chosen randomly through multistage sampling technique. Descriptive statistics, logit regression model and Average Treatment Effects (ATE) model served as the basis for conducting the analysis. The study reveals that male farmers had higher adoption rates of the Akilimo tools at 33.03% compared to female farmers who adopted at 27.93%. Overall, only 31% of cassava farmers adopted the tools. Their low rate of adoption are due to low awareness of the tool, inability to get the recommended cassava and maize varieties, high herbicide prices and tool skepticism. The barriers to adoption particularly oppressed female farmers which intensified the gender gap in adoption rates. Factors influencing adoption included household farming members, income contributors, native status, cooperative membership, marital status (single), and food expenditure. Male farmers showed superior advantages from Akilimo than female farmers because they received better resources coupled with advisory information. The statistical evidence validates that Akilimo tool adopters achieved higher cassava yields at a significance level (p-value = 0.048). All agricultural farm sizes derive improved productivity benefits from implementing Akilimo cassava advisory tools. Therefore, the Akilimo tool developers should team up with various government agencies to develop new training initiatives to teach farmers about the platform usage. To achieve widespread coverage of these programs, farmer cooperatives and radio broadcasts, along with community demonstrations, should be used. Also, the Akilimo tools developer should develop offline capabilities, which will minimize data expenses
Determinants of Consumer Choice of Dairy Products
No full textDairy products play a vital role in every individual of the Indian country. Everyone may consume the dairy knowingly and unknowingly in different ways and in different consistency like solid, semi-solid and liquid forms. Despite the benefits of dairy products, their consumption has dropped over the past decade. It may be attributed to changes in consumer behavior and the low shelf life of fresh dairy. The main objective of this study is to analyze the factors that influence consumer preferences for dairy products. This study was conducted during the years 2020 to 2021 to find out the major objectives, and the data was collected from the 120 sample respondents through random sampling method during the months of November and December of 2020. Tools such as percentage analysis and factor analysis were used to analyse the factors influencing the consumers’ choice preferences of dairy products, and twenty-eight statements were used related to consumer choice. The factors influencing the consumer choice and preferences are emotional factor, nutrient factor, promotional, packaging factors, affordable price factor, conditional factor, taste factor, diet factor, social factor and self-motivational factor. Emotional and nutritional factors are the most influential components, explaining why people are most concerned about their health. It is highly important for increasing all the nutrients in the dairy product. This study provides useful information for dairy producers and marketers to frame strategies that align with evolving consumer preferences. Understanding key influencing factors enables stakeholders to enhance product formulation, packaging, and promotional efforts to attract and retain consumers