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Influence of Fertilizer Subsidy Policy on Land Allocation for Rice Production in Western Kenya
No full textIt is recognized that one of the factors that hinders realization of the goals set out in the Kenya’s Agricultural Policy, is the high cost of farm inputs that limits smallholder rice farmers’ capacity to expand area under rice cultivation. This study, therefore, examines how Kenya’s fertilizer subsidy policy influences land allocation for rice cultivation among smallholder farmers in Kisumu and Busia Counties, Western Kenya. A cross-sectional research design was employed targeting a sample of 480 smallholder farmers, who were randomly selected in the study area. Primary data was collected using structured questionnaires. After adjusting for labor inputs and irrigation status, land distribution patterns were analyzed under various fertilizer use categories, namely; subsidized, unsubsidized, both subsidized and unsubsidized and none. The statistical techniques (descriptive analysis and non-parametric tests (Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U)) revealed that land use was dominated by rice (62%) as opposed to maize (37%). Farmers who used only one category of fertilizer, allocated 1.70-1.31 acres of land, while farmers who used both subsidized and unsubsidized fertilizer categories dedicated a much larger amount of land of 1.91 acres to rice cultivation. Irrigated ecosystems had significantly larger rice acreage (2.25 acres) than rain-fed ecosystems (1.64 acres) which were significantly different (P>=0.005). The results indicated that land allocated to rice production was influenced by access to both fertilizer categories ( a combination of subsidized and unsubsidized). The study however, found that subsidized fertilizer did not significantly influence land allocation to rice cultivation
Sustainability Analysis of Livestock Agribusiness Area Development in Sukabumi Regency
No full textThis studi aims to analysize the sustainable index and status of the livestock agribusiness area in Sukabumi Regency based on five dimension of sustainability. This studi was contucted in sub-district designated as Livestock Agribusiness Areas (Kagrisnak) in 2012, with the research undertaken from June to December 2019. Some of the advantages of making beef cattle a source of regional economic growth include not demanding high-quality labor, income-elastic products, and employment opportunities. However, the sustainability of the area is necessary to ensure that the commodity contributes to regional economic growth. The result of study showed that the sustainability analysis revealed that the ecological dimension was moderately sustainable (52,77), while the economic dimension was poor (25,17). The socio-cultural (45,06), technological and infrastructural (34,71), as well as legal and institutional (32,63) dimensions were categorized as low. Of the 54 attributes analyzed, 20 were identified as priority attributes due to their sensitivity in influencing the improvement of the sustainability index and status at a 95 % confidence level
Perceived Constraints in the Adoption of Green Products: Evidence from Fast Food Packaging in Assam, India
No full textThe growing dependence on non-biodegradable packaging, fuelled by the fast-food industry, is becoming an urgent environmental challenge. Although green marketing has been promoted for decades, the actual use of eco-friendly products remains disappointingly low. This study set out to explore the key obstacles that prevent wider adoption of green packaging in fast food outlets. The research was carried out in the Kamrup Metropolitan district of Assam between August and October 2024, covering 16 outlets and engaging 115 consumers as well as 30 managers and staff. Using Garrett Ranking analysis, the results show that consumers are most concerned about the lack of trust in green claims, limited availability, and the high cost of eco-friendly options, while they worry least about understanding eco-labels. On the other hand, managers and staff point to high costs, supply shortages, and resistance to change as their main challenges, with regulatory issues having the least impact. These findings underline the need for practical strategies that can build trust, strengthen supply chains, and make green products more affordable, paving the way for greater acceptance and sustainable practices in the food service sector
Comparative Effectiveness of Online and Blended Learning for Digital Literacy Training among Agricultural Extension Workers
No full textBackground: The integration of digital technologies—from mobile applications to data analytics and smart farming tools—offers unprecedented opportunities to enhance productivity, improve resource management, and increase sustainability. At the forefront of this transition are agricultural extension workers, who play a pivotal role as intermediaries between technological innovation and farming communities.
Aims: The study aimed to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of online-only and blended learning interventions in enhancing the digital literacy of agricultural extension workers, particularly in the context of agricultural digital transformation.
Methodology: A quasi-experimental, pre-test-post-test control group design was adopted. The study was conducted at the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia, between February 2025 and July 2025. A total of 158 agricultural extension workers were recruited and systematically assigned to one of three groups: an online-only training group (n=49), a blended learning group (n=54), or a control group (n=55). Participants in the intervention groups received structured training designed to improve essential digital competencies. Digital literacy competency was rigorously measured using a validated assessment tool administered both before and after the interventions. Data analysis was performed using a mixed-design ANOVA.
Results: A Difference-in-Differences (DiD) analysis revealed significant positive treatment effects for both the online-only (Effect = +15.15, P = .001) and blended learning groups (Effect = +11.07, P = .004) compared to the control group, with no significant difference found between the two training modalities (P = .37). Critically, a moderation analysis revealed that these treatment effects were highly conditional on participants' baseline knowledge. The training's impact was largest for participants with low initial literacy and diminished to non-significance for those who were already proficient.
Conclusion: Both online-only and blended learning are equally effective modalities for significantly enhancing the digital literacy of agricultural extension workers. These findings suggest that resource-efficient, scalable online training can be as impactful as more resource-intensive blended models, offering important strategic implications for the design of future capacity-building programs in the agricultural sector
Community Engagement and Renewable Energy Transitions in Agricultural Landscapes: A Comparative Analysis of Global North and South
No full textThis article aims to analyze community engagement processes in renewable energy transitions within agricultural landscapes from a socioeconomic perspective, with particular attention to the Global South. An integrative literature review was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, enabling a structured synthesis of empirical and theoretical evidence related to renewable energy, governance, and rural development. The review was carried out between June and September 2025 and included studies published between 2007 and 2025 from Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Australia. A comprehensive search was conducted in Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, PubMed, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar using Boolean operators and controlled descriptors. A total of 238 studies were identified, 68 were fully reviewed, and 20 met the eligibility criteria for final synthesis. Data were coded according to region, energy source, engagement strategies, governance models, and socioeconomic outcomes. Most studies originated from Europe (37%) and North America (26%), with comparatively fewer studies from Asia (12%), South America (9%), and Africa (5%). Solar and wind energy were the most studied technologies. Four major thematic clusters emerged: community engagement and social acceptance (38%), governance and participatory models (30%), socioeconomic impacts (22%), and integrated socio-technical approaches (10%). The findings indicate clear asymmetries in research production between the Global North and South. While Northern studies often emphasize structured governance frameworks and technological innovation, Southern contexts highlight local participation, community ownership, and social equity challenges. However, important limitations persist, including language bias, geographical concentration of studies in developed regions, and the predominance of short-term research designs. These gaps highlight the urgent need to expand research agendas, strengthen participatory approaches, and promote equitable renewable energy transitions
Farmers' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices on Safflower Production: A Case of Mukulu Ward, in Iramba District, Tanzania
No full textAims: Guided by the Knowledge-Attitude-Practice (KAP) framework, this study assessed farmers’ knowledge of safflower production, examined their attitudes toward cultivation, and identified key challenges in Mukulu Ward, Iramba District, Tanzania.
Place and Duration of Study: Iramba District, conducted between June 2024 and October 2024.
Study design and methodology: A mixed-methods design was used, involving a census of 105 safflower farmers. Quantitative data from structured questionnaires were analysed using descriptive statistics in SPSS and MS Excel, complemented by thematic analysis of qualitative data from three Focus Group Discussions and three Key Informant Interviews.
Results: Results showed that all farmers (100%) exhibited low knowledge of safflower practices, 57% held negative attitudes, and 85% showed low adoption of recommended practices, primarily due to limited extension services and market access, despite safflower’s economic and climatic potential.
Conclusion: The study concludes that low knowledge and negative attitudes significantly constrain safflower adoption in Mukulu Ward. Addressing gaps in extension support, input supply, and market access is essential for promoting safflower as a viable climate-resilient crop. The findings reaffirm the relevance of the KAP framework in explaining smallholder technology adoption
Perceived Impact of Climate Change and Adaptation Strategies of Dairy Farmers in Drought-prone Districts of Tamil Nadu, India
No full textClimate change has emerged as a global challenge for sustainable development since its effects provide significant threats to achieving economic, social, and environmental sustainability goals. This study underscores the multifaceted impacts of climate variability, particularly drought, on dairy farming across the selected vulnerable districts in Tamil Nadu. Periodic drought is a major challenge in drought-prone areas of India. A sample survey of farmers (n = 60) from a highly vulnerable district was conducted to study the farmers’ perception about climate change and to document the drought adaptation index. Drought Adaptation Index (DAI) was calculated. The escalating severity of drought in Tamil Nadu underscores the critical importance of documenting the perceived impact of farmers regarding climate variability on dairy production and documenting the farmers' led adaptation strategies. While existing research has examined drought measurement and impact assessment in agriculture, there remains a significant gap in empirical studies analysing farmers' adaptation practices and their policy implications pertaining to dairying. Hence, research indicates an urgent need for comprehensive initiatives to enhance dairy farmers' resilience. The absence of robust empirical evidence on drought adaptation practices poses a significant threat to dairy farming sustainability and food security. To address this challenge, research efforts must focus on identifying and evaluating effective adaptation policies that can sustain agricultural productivity through drought periods. The most significant adaptation strategies adopted by the farmers were Selection of appropriate fodder varieties for drought (0.95) and selection of recommended breeds (0.93), Feeding crop residues and tree leaves (0.67), Tethering the animals under trees (0.57) and Spreading coconut / palmyrah leaves on the roof top (0.55). Very low DAI scores were recorded for usage of wet sacks (0.07), growing trees around sheds (0.05), changing grazing times (0.05), and preference for tree fodder (0.03). These strategies, while potentially beneficial, lack perceived usefulness and self-efficacy among the surveyed respondents. The study highlights the economic strain caused by reduced milk yield, reduced forage availability and rising input costs, further exacerbating vulnerability in dairy systems
Science-Based And Interest-Driven? Harmonising Agricultural Carbon Footprint (CF) Methods – The Case Of Manure
No full textThe demand for carbon footprint (CF) studies of agricultural products is increasing, but the calculation methods differ. At the example of manure, we compare two methodological options: the 'cut-off approach' outlined in the International Dairy Federation's (IDF) LCA guidelines, whereby all emissions of manure application are excluded from the animal and assigned to the plant system; and the approach outlined in the FAO-LEAP guidelines, whereby the share of manure which is applied in excess of plant nutrient requirements (“over-fertilisation”) is attributed to the animal system. We find that the choice of methodological approach has a significant impact on the carbon footprint (CF) of winter wheat and cow milk, with the FAO-LEAP method resulting in an increase of nearly 3% of cow milk CF. We then analyse how the consideration of manure in CF studies is linked to scientific and normative principles, which are intertwined with interests and incentives. We argue that in order to facilitate harmonization and reach widespread acceptance, a normative concept for decision making would need to be developed that considers stakeholder views
New Port Fee Policy Raises Costs for U.S. Agricultural Exports; However, Significant Reduction from Earlier Proposal
No full textOn April 17, 2025, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) finalized a Section 301 action targeting China’s dominance in shipbuilding and maritime logistics by imposing new port fees on Chinese-operated (Annex 1) and Chinese-built (Annex 2) vessels arriving at U.S. ports. This white paper evaluates the implications of these fees for U.S. agricultural exports, using 2024 data on port calls and vessel characteristics. We simulate the counterfactual costs that would have been incurred under the final policy, finding that, absent shifts in routing or vessel choice, annual shipping costs could initially rise by 6.2 billion by 2028. For major commodities such as corn, wheat, and soybeans, the added fees translate to an estimated 5 to 7 cents per bushel
Relative Purchasing Power of Farm Products
No full textIncludes: Grains – Fruits and Vegetables – Meat Animals – Dairy and Poultry Products – Cotton and Cotton Seed – Unclassified – All Groups