Journal of Agriculture and Ecology Research International
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Knowledge Level of Rural Dwellers on Sustainable Utilization of Forest Resources in Peri Urban Local Government Areas of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
No full textForest resources have been a major source of income for a sizeable number of the populace especially in the rural areas. This study therefore investigated the knowledge levels of rural dwellers on sustainable utilization of forest resources in Peri Urban Local Government Areas of Ibadan, Oyo State in which Oluyole and Akinyele Local Governments were purposively chosen. Using a multi-stage sampling procedure, 200 respondents were randomly sampled from the Study Area and data were collected using a structured questionnaire on their personal characteristics, knowledge level, accessibility and constraints faced in sustainable utilization of forest resources. Majority of the respondent 68.4% were males, had secondary education (34.7%). All the respondents (100%) were involved in forest resources utilization; majority (63.3%) sourced their information from forest workers. The high cost of forest resources (40.8%) ranked as the highest constraint faced in the utilization of forest resources.
Significant relationship (x2=15.76; p≤0.05) existed between household size and the knowledge level of respondents on forest resources utilization. Also, there was a significant relationship (r=-0.712, p= 0.000) between knowledge level and constraints associated with sustainable utilization of forest resources. The paper therefore recommends the use of public-private partnerships in creating awareness on sustainable utilization of forest resources
The Study of Profile Characteristics of Agro- Input Dealers Towards Agro Services in Junagadh District of Gujarat State
No full textAim: To study the selected characteristics of the input dealers.
Study Design: Ex-post facto research design.
Place and Duration of Study: The present investigation was undertaken in Junagadh district of Gujarat state.
Methodology: Junagadh district comprises of nine talukas out of which five talukas viz, Junagadh, Keshod, Mendarda, Vanthali and Maliya-hatina were randomly selected for the study. From each taluka thirty input dealers were selected randomly for the study. Thus, total 150 input dealers were selected randomly from five talukas.
Results: With regard to characteristics, approximately half (49.34%) of input dealers were in the middle age group, while nearly half (46.00%) had attained a graduation/post-graduation level of education. Around half (48.67 %) of input dealers had moderate social participation, and a majority (69.34 %) reported a high to very high annual income. Approximately 60.00%% of input dealers utilized sources of information at a moderate level, while 51.34%% had a medium level of mass media exposure. Only 16.64%% of input dealers had received training, and a majority (61.34 %%) had moderate extension contact. Additionally, 58.67 % of input dealers exhibited a moderate level of risk orientation, while 62.00%% displayed a medium level of management orientation. Approximately 75.34%% of agro-input dealers had a medium level of economic motivation, and slightly over half (58.67 %) demonstrated a medium level of progressivism.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that the majority of the respondents were from the middle age group with a graduation/post-graduation level of education. Additionally, more than half of the input dealers had medium social participation and belonged to the high to very high annual income bracket. Similarly, over half of the input dealers utilized sources of information and had mass media exposure at a moderate level. However, the data indicates that only a few input dealers received training from various institutes, while most had moderate extension contact and exhibited a medium level of risk and management orientation. Moreover, a significant proportion of agro-input dealers demonstrated a medium level of economic motivation and progressivism
Status, Diversity and Species Composition of Wetland Birds on Vaduvoor Bird Sanctuary, Tiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu, India
No full textBirds serve as the best indicators of wetland function and as measures of success in wetland management, restoration, and creation. This study was conducted from 2022 to 2024 in the Vaduvoor Bird Sanctuary of Tiruvarur district, employing the total count method to estimate the population of wetland birds. Year-wise species diversity, richness, relative diversity, evenness, density, and relative abundance were calculated. A total of 147 bird species belonging to 48 families and 18 orders were recorded. The maximum diversity and evenness were observed in 2024 (3.05 and 0.37), while the minimum values were recorded in 2023 (2.11 and 0.21). The total density was highest in 2023 (162.68/ha) and lowest in 2024 (27.82/ha), and species richness peaked in 2022 (117) and was lowest in 2024 (84). This sanctuary complex supports three IUCN Red-listed, four Near Threatened species: Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea), Spot-billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis), Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanosephalus), and Oriental Darter (Anhinga melanogaster), two vulnerable species: Yellow-throated Bulbul (Pycnonotus xantholaemus) and River Tern (Sterna hirundo), and one Endangered species – Lesser Sand Plover (Charadrius mongolus). This paper provides an overview of the current status and the IUCN status of wetland birds within the study area
Analysis of Sources and Diversification of Farmers\u27 Household Income Around PT Jembayan Muara Bara, Tenggarong Seberang Sub-district, Indonesia
No full textMost farming households depend entirely on sources of income from the agricultural sector, especially on-farm farming, this has the potential for quite a high risk of crop failure which results in a decrease in household income. Diversification of sources of income is aimed at creating wider employment opportunities, improving the economy in the agricultural and rural sectors, as well as developing services and service activities through linkages between agriculture and rural and non-agricultural sectors. The problem in realizing food security today is that the population continues to increase but rice production tends to decrease, thus affecting farmers\u27 income in spending to meet basic needs, namely food. This study was conducted to find out the sources of income earned and the proportion of food expenditure of farmer households around PT Jembayan Muara Bara in Tenggarong Seberang subdistrict., Kutai Kartanegara Regency. This research was conducted in Mulawarman, Buana Jaya, Suka Maju, and Bukit Pariaman Villages, Tenggarong Seberang subdistrict. It rans from July 2023 to March 2024. Site selection is done by Purposive Sampling. Sampling using the method (Non Proportional Random Sampling) The number of samples is equalized in each village taking 25 families per village so that the total number of samples is 100 families. The types of data collected are primary data and secondary data. Data collection techniques with observation, and interviews. The results showed that sources of income in the study area, apart from farming activities, namely by working as mining employees, traders, builders, stone diggers, masseurs, farm workers, RT heads, Honorary, and civil servants; The average total family income per month ranges from IDR 2,500,000.00 to IDR 8,800,000.00. The average per capita income per month ranges from IDR 910,152.00 to IDR 1,362,339.00, while the distribution of income per sample capita per month is between IDR 416,667.00 to IDR 2,500,000.00; and the proportion of food expenditure by farmer households ranges from 50.72% - 54.51%, while the proportion of non-food expenditure by farmer households ranges from 45.45 - 49.25%
Demonstration and Promotion of Improved Maize (Zea mays) Varieties for Green Ear Production: Evidence from the Central Highlands of Ethiopia
No full textMaize is the third most consumed cereal in the world and an important source of carbohydrates, making it an energy-producing food source. The main objective of this study was to demonstrate and promote the use of improved maize varieties for green ear production. Participatory action research was employed as the research design. Sites and farmers are selected purposefully based on maize production potential and farmers\u27 willingness to allocate their land and labor to implement the activity. Two improved maize varieties, Jibat and Ambo, were demonstrated and promoted using their full recommendation package. Green maize production has increased significantly because of its profitability. To ensure food security and revenue for urban and semi-urban populations, maize green ear production work was demonstrated and promoted in kebeles such as Mede Gudina, Birbirsa Siba, and Sademo on a land area of 0.6 ha. As a result, the findings of this study revealed that maize green ear production provided significant income and a high return for farmers. The production cost of maize green ear harvested at the dough stage in Mede Kebele is 38,610.80 ETB, but the income is 345,389.20 ETB. This shows that the maize green ear production business is profitable and feasible. However, production can be constrained by several factors, such as the time of harvest, fertilizer, irrigation requirements, variety selection, and disease. Therefore, the findings of this study suggest that future research and interventions should pay special attention to the factors mentioned earlier. Overall, expanding the green ear business to other study areas and similar agroecological regions can contribute to food security, income generation, and job opportunities, ultimately alleviating poverty
Understanding the Threat: A Detailed Review of Fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Biology and Management
No full textThe most destructive and rapidly proliferating pests in the world are native to southern America and are known as fall armyworms (Spodptera frugiperda) Since the first case was noted in 2016, it has grown to be a very dangerous and devastating pest for the entire planet. This pest is polyphagous. It is known as the "fall armyworm" because it wreaks havoc and damages crops by skeletonizing leaves and burrowing through the stems of maize leaves. Push and pull techniques play a significant part in the cultural procedures, which maintain output reductions of up to 53%. Neem powder and other plant species are essential in demonstrating the pest\u27s toxicity. The population decrease of fall armyworms is attributed to the parasitizing effects of Trichogramma on faw eggs, and it is reported that 87-90% of the entire population is reduced with the aid of Chlorpyriphos administration. A number of bio-insecticides are also essential in prevailing against this pest. The integrated prevention of the fall armyworm takes into account each of these strategies
Bridging the Gap: Factors Influencing Farmers\u27 Willingness and Behaviour in Biopesticide Application
No full textReplacing chemical pesticides with biopesticides is crucial for ensuring high-quality agricultural products and advancing environmental sustainability. This study examines farmers’ willingness and behaviors regarding the use of biopesticides. A survey of 127 farmers in Junagadh district, Gujarat, was conducted, and a logistic model was employed to analyze factors influencing deviations between farmers’ willingness and their actual behaviors. The findings revealed that 37% of farmers showed a discrepancy between their willingness to use biopesticides and their actual application. Factors significantly impacting this deviation included price affordability, peer influence, education level, land size, emergency conditions, awareness of biopesticides, knowledge of the harmful effects of chemical pesticides, and awareness of agricultural product safety and quality. The primary reason for the gap between willingness and behavior is the farmers’ insufficient knowledge about biopesticides and the incomplete market structure for these products. To address this issue, it is recommended to improve farmers’ professional skills, raise awareness about green production methods, and accelerate the development of the biopesticides market to boost their adoption
Combining Kitchen Waste and Cow Dung Bio-slurry have Synergistic Effects on Growth and Yield of Shade Net Grown Swiss Chard
No full textThis study aimed to evaluate the effect of bio-slurry fertilizer source feedstock on the growth and yield of Swiss Chard. The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Pwani University integrated biogas unit in Kilifi County. Treatments include a control (no fertilizer), 100% DAP+100% CAN, 100% kitchen waste bio-slurry, 100% cowdung bio-slurry, 50% DAP+50% CAN+50%kitchen waste bio-slurry, 50% DAP+50% CAN+50% cowdung bio-slurry and a combination of 50%kitchen waste bio-slurry and 50% cowdung bio-slurry. Data were analyzed using ANOVA at a 5%significance level. The results indicated that 100% kitchen waste bio-slurry led to the highest values in most growth parameters, while 100% inorganic fertilizer resulted in the highest chlorophyll content. Notably, the combination of 50%kitchen waste bio-slurry and 50% cowdung bio-slurry significantly increased leaf length (55.3%), plant height (58.9%) and yield (140.4%) compared to other treatments. The study concludes that a 50% kitchen bio-slurry and 50% cowdung bio-slurry mix is an effective alternative to inorganic fertilizers for growing Swiss chard
Effect of Spatial Arrangement on Growth of Okra in Maize/Okra Intercrop in Kilifi, Kenya
No full textOkra is an important vegetable cultivated for both local and export market in Kilifi County. The demand for the vegetable has recently been increasing. On the other hand, maize is the staple food crop for most households in Kenya, but yields have been on the decline due to limitations of poor soils, unpredictable rainfall and its cultivation in small parcels of land, resulting in poor yields and low income that exacerbate food insecurity and poverty in the County. In Kilifi, the two crops are intercropped in random mixtures and with inconsistencies in planting density. Field trials were undertaken during short rains (October 2020 - January 2021) and long rains season (April - July 2021), at Industrial Crops Research Institute (ICRI) research farm situated at Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) - Mtwapa in Kilifi County, Kenya. The objective was to evaluate the effect of spatial arrangement on growth of okra in maize/okra intercropping system in Kilifi County. There were four treatments consisting of sole maize, sole okra, maize/okra intercrop arranged in alternating rows of 1:2, and maize/okra intercrop arranged in 2:2 patterns, replicated three times in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Data collected in maize included: plant height, number of days to 50% tasseling, number of maize plants per plot; and number of leaves per maize plant. Data in okra included plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf area, number of branches per plant, number of plants per plot, and days to 50% flowering. Okra plant height, number of okra leaves per plant, okra leaf area, number of branches per plant, number of days to 50% flowering, were significantly affected (P ≤ 0.05) by spatial arrangement. Intercropping increased okra plant height after the sixth week. Leaf area, number of leaves and number of branches per plant, were negatively affected by intercropping. Intercropped okra took longer days to flower compared to sole okra. Maize is more competitive compared to okra. However, both two arrangements can be suitable for intercropping okra with maize
Seasonal Incidence of Sucking Pests and Their Natural Enemies on Moth Bean [Vigna aconitifolia(Jacq.) Marechal]
No full textA field experiment was conducted at the College of Agriculture, NAU, Bharuch (Gujarat) to study the seasonal incidence of sucking pests and their natural enemies and their correlation with weather parameters on moth bean during kharif -2023. The studies on seasonal incidence indicated that jassid infestation began in the 1st week of August (31st SMW) and peaked during the 1st week of September (35th SMW). Whitefly infestation also began in the 1st week of August (31st SMW) achieved its peak during 2nd week of September (36th SMW). The population of thripscommenced from 1st week of August (31st SMW) reached its peak during2nd week of September (36th SMW). The population of ladybird beetle appeared from 2nd week of August (32th SMW) and reached its peak during 2nd week of September (36th SMW). The population of chrysoperla appeared from 2nd week of August(32nd SMW) and reached its peak population during 2nd week of September (36th SMW). Among the different environmental factors, morning relative humidity had a significant positive impact on the jassid and whitefly population. Bright sunshine hours showed significant positive influence on thrips and whitefly population. However no significant correlation was observed between ladybird beetle and Chrysoperla population with weather parameters