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Aligning Climate Action and Biodiversity Conservation in Nigeria: Implications of the Paris Agreement
No full textThe Nigeria’s ecological diversity ranges from savannas, montane forests to wetlands and mangrove coasts, supporting a wealth of biodiversity, environmental stability and human well-being. However, the nation faces threats from climate change, such as: deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and unsustainable land use. This study examines the implications of the Paris Agreement for biodiversity conservation in Nigeria from the view of the Social-Ecological Systems (SES) Framework, supported by Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) and resilience thinking, using interdisciplinary data and institutional analysis for both governments, corporate and non-governmental. The research identifies and characterises Nigeria’s major ecosystems and resource units, such as forests, wetlands, and non-timber forest products, along with the governmental systems that regulate them. The findings further highlight the interdependencies between biodiversity, ecosystem services, and socioeconomic resilience. Also analyses interactions among key stakeholders, including governmental bodies, private sectors, international organisations, and civil societies. The study revealed the multifaceted governance landscape influencing conservation outcomes and also emphasised the urgency of aligning Nigeria’s biodiversity strategy with its climate commitments under the Paris Agreement. The integrated adaptation strategies, such as EbA, help identify for enhancing the resilience in vulnerable ecosystems, particularly in biodiversity hotspots. The research concludes that successful biodiversity conservation in Nigeria needs an inclusive governance, effective implementation of climate policies, and the recognition of ecosystems as national sustainability and global climate goals
Social Media as a Catalyst for Agricultural Extension: Analyzing Farmers’ Information Utilization Patterns from KVKs in North Karnataka
No full textSocial media has emerged as one of the most significant communication tools in the modern world, facilitating the rapid exchange of information across various sectors. Agriculture has not remained untouched by this transformation. Agricultural extension services, in particular, have witnessed significant changes in the methods of information dissemination due to the growing use of social media platforms. The present study was conducted to analyze the content and extent of information disseminated by selected Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in North Karnataka through social media. A total of six KVKs from North Karnataka were purposively selected for the study. From these, 12 villages were chosen, with two villages representing each KVK. A random sampling method was employed to select 10 respondents from each village, resulting in a total sample size of 120 farmers. Data collection was carried out using a structured interview schedule and the collected data were analyzed using appropriate statistical tools like descriptive statistics. The findings revealed that nearly half (49.16%) of the respondents reported a medium level of social media usage frequency. Notably, more than three-fourths (76.66%) of the respondents used WhatsApp on a daily basis. Regarding the perceived usefulness of information shared via social media, approximately half (49.16%) of the respondents indicated a medium level of utilization. Furthermore, it was observed that, three-fifths (60.00%) of the farmers typically discussed the information obtained from social media with progressive farmers in their community. Based on the study findings, it is recommended that agricultural extension centers continue to actively engage in social media platforms to enhance awareness among farmers. There remains significant potential to improve the reach and effective use of social media, as some farmers are still unaware of such platforms. Strategic efforts are needed to promote the use of social media as a valuable source of agricultural information, thereby empowering the farming community
The Nexus between Women's Access to Financial Resources and Household Food Security in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya
No full textGlobally, food insecurity remains a significant challenge. Women are disproportionately affected due to limited access to financial resources. In Kenya's arid regions like Tharaka, gendered financial exclusion, poverty, and climate shocks further weaken household food security (HFS). This study examined how women's access to financial resources (WAFR) influences HFS in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. The study sample comprised 341 women participating in the Uwezo Fund and the Women Enterprise Fund (WEF), across three constituencies: Chuka Igamba Ng'ombe (143), Tharaka (99), and Maara (99). WAFR was proxied by an 8-item scale, rated on a 5-point Likert scale from strongly disagree to agree strongly. HFI had three outcomes: 1) Food Security proxied by the 18-item Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS); 2) Food Availability and Food Utilization proxied by the Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) scale; and 3) Food Stability proxied by a 9-item Coping Strategies Index (CSI). The study adopted a correlational research design to establish how WAFR influences HFS. The simple linear regression results showed that WAFR had a significant negative effect on HFS, b = - 0.040, p = 0.041, R-square = 0.04, but has a positive significant effect on HDDS, b =0.112, p = 0.048, R-square = 0.020, and CSI, b = 0.089, p = 0.043, R-square = 0.014, at a 5% significance level. The findings showed that WAFR had no significant effect on food accessibility and availability (HFIAS), but significantly improved household dietary diversity (HDDS) and coping strategies (CSI). This was attributed by the fact that women mainly used loans for children’s education (53.1%), purchase farm inputs (36.4%), purchase food (31.1%), and starting small businesses (29.3%). While this enhanced dietary quality and resilience, immediate food security outcomes did not significantly improve, likely due to prioritization of finances on long-term investments. Policy interventions should therefore focus on flexible, low-interest loans with repayment schedules that account for seasonal food shortages, enabling women to balance investment and immediate household needs
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
A Case Study Approach to Evaluate Economic Costs and Benefits of Winter Cover Crop Adoption in Arkansas Furrow-Irrigated Rice Soybean Rotation
No full textThis study examines the economics of three rice cropping systems: furrow-irrigation with winter cover crops (FRCC), furrow-irrigation without cover crops (FRNCC), and multiple-inlet rice irrigation (MIRI) serving as the rice control, followed by soybeans with (SBCC) and without cover crops (SBNCC) for two locations in Arkansas during 2019-2020 (Burdette) and 2020-2021(Walcott). Net returns at Burdette were higher in FRNCC, 2019 and SBNCC, 2020. Net returns were higher at Walcott in MIRI, 2020 and SBCC, 2021. The cost-benefit ratio was higher for soybean than rice. Partial budgets revealed positive net effects for changing from MIRI to FRNCC at Burdette, and for changing from FRNCC to FRCC at Walcott. Sensitivity analysis of the total seed, cover
crop seed, herbicide, and fertilizer costs revealed that profit margins for both rice and soybeans were stable with few minor exceptions at one location
An Agronomic and Economic Analysis of Annual Ryegrass Management Practices in North-Texas Soybean Production
No full textAn analysis of the effect of pre-season ryegrass management practices including herbicides, forage utilization, and cover cropping on no-till soybean yield, grain density, and height. The profitability of forage utilization based on production and price is explored. Annual ryegrass is a cool-season annual bunchgrass, which due to its high palatability and digestibility is valuable for forage. Grazing cover crops is economically viable when the returns offset establishment costs without reducing crop yields. Six ryegrass management practices prior to planting soybean were evaluated: volunteer ryegrass as a cover crop, ryegrass forage harvested for hay, ryegrass forage grazing simulation, and three different herbicides applications that vary in timing (December, February, and March application). All forage and cover crop plots were terminated with glyphosate or paraquat two weeks prior to planting soybeans. There were no statistical differences in soybean yields, soybean height, and soybean grain density between annual ryegrass cover cropping and herbicide treatments averaged over the two years evaluated. The results also indicated that ryegrass forage can produce up to 2,741 kg ha-1 of dry
matter that if sold as hay can generate a profit between 244 ha-1. Similarly, if land is leased for grazing, ryegrass could generate a profit of $63 ha-1 if its dry matter production is 1,006.70 kg
Fruit Industry and Trade of Chile
No full textExcerpt: There has been considerable discussion during the past two years on the subject of the fruit industry in Chile with special reference to the possibility of building up a market for Chilean fresh fruit in the United States. Fruit of practically every kind grows in Chile. Chile has a fertile soil, is well irrigated in the central zones, with abundant moisture in the southern provinces, and is fortunate in having the three climatic essentials for the development of fruit, i.e, light heat, and a dry atmosphere. That country would be admirably fitted for shipping fruit to the United States during our winter months were it not for the lack of labor and adequate transportation facilities, as the countries have opposite seasons. In fact, during her winter season, which corresponds to our summer months, Chile imports lemons, oranges and apples from California. The Chilean exporters of fresh fruit at present find their best markets in Argentina, Peru, and Ecuador
Production Economics Publications Currently Available
No full textThis is a list of the currently available publications of the Production Economics Research Branch, Agricultural Research Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture. The Production Economics Research Branch carries on a national program of economic and statistical research on farm problems involving the economic use of labor, land, buildings, and equipment in farm production, and adjustments in farming to technological developments and changing market outlets
Publications of the Department of Agriculture (Bulletins, Circulars, and Yearbook Articles) Arranged by Lines of Activities
No full textSubject areas: Departmental and General Agricultural Matters --- Weather --- Animals --- Birds and Mammals --- Insects --- Plants --- Crop Estimates --- Forestry --- Soils --- Chemical Technology --- Markets --- Rural Organization
