Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics (JARTS)
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Smallholder goat production in the Namaacha and Moamba districts of southern Mozambique
Get PDFGoat rearing is one of the most common livestock farming activities in Mozambique and has the potential to play a powerful role in improving the livelihoods of resource-poor farmers. This study was conducted to investigate the status of goat husbandry practices in rural areas of southern Mozambique. Data were collected from a total of 45 smallholder goat keepers in three different villages through questionnaires complemented by interviews. Most households were dependent on crop production and livestock as their main source of income. Goats were reared under extensive systems where free grazing and tethering were the common feeding management practices with limited supplementation during the dry season. The flock sizes per household were predominantly small (13 ± 2.4) with uncontrolled breeding of goats. The goats were reared mainly as a source of meat for home consumption and a means of reserve cash income. All household members were involved in goat production but women and children had a minor role in terms of decision making. The main constrains limiting goat production were diseases, lack of veterinary services, limited size of grazing land and scarcity of feed resources. Intervention programs focused on improving the husbandry practices and veterinary assistance should be initiated to improve goat production and thereby improve the income and livelihood of the resource-poor farmers in Mozambique. This paper presents a summary of the results of a baseline study in the Namaacha and Moamba districts of Mozambique
Comparison of decent work status among smallholder pig farmers in Kenya; An empirical approach using Principal Components
Get PDFAgricultural production in Kenya is dominated by smallholder enterprises which provide up to 60% of the country's workforce. The agrarian transition to enhance smallholder participation in neoliberal capitalistic markets demands compliance to sanitary and phytosanitary standards and with codes for worker's welfare and thus the concept of decent work. Evaluation of decent work deficits in the informal economy however remains a challenge associated with sector uniqueness and differences in socio- cultural attributes of labour. Nevertheless, there is need to build on analytical methods prescribed by the International Labour Organisation of the United Nations that make use of sector specific data and indicators. This study used 27 variables from a survey of 144 pig enterprises in three geographically and demographically distinct Counties in Kenya to develop five indices using Porter's diamond methodology. The five indices were subjected to Principal Component Analysis using SPSS statistical software to extract two components which were latent variables for decent work. The two components were then subjected to Analysis of variance with Tukey's test to separate the means. Results showed that decent work deficits were more pronounced (p ≤ 0.05) in pig enterprises in Busia County as compared to enterprises in Nakuru or Kiambu Counties. Decent work deficits became more pronounced (p ≤ 0.05) as the education level of household head reduced. Decent work deficits were also more pronounced (p ≤ 0.05) in enterprises where the age of the household head was 35 years and below. The study identified enterprises in Busia County as deficient in their decent work status with low technology adoption and production efficiency, weak market access and quality control as the most important determinants of decent work status. This study recommends that approaches to address decent work deficits should focus on training farmers to improve technology use and improve production efficiency as well as enhancing surveillance for quality. For further research, the study recommends that evaluation of decent work in smallholder systems could be done through aggregation of the many indicators around the concept of competitiveness where PCA can be used for data convergence
Socio-economic aspects of irrigation agriculture as livelihood for rural families in Brazil’s semi-arid northeast
Get PDFAlong the lower-middle São Francisco River, in the semi-arid region of northeast Brazil, irrigated agriculture contributes to reduce rural poverty. In the framework of the Itaparica Reservoir construction, three irrigation schemes were implemented in the Pernambuco state to compensate the local population for flooded land. Despite favourable production conditions for irrigated agriculture, many smallholders in the irrigation schemes are facing poverty. To identify socio-economic key indicators on farm income, expert interviews (n=16) and a household survey (n=120) were conducted. The effect of socio-economic factors and crop choice on farm income was investigated by analysis of variance. Insufficient infrastructure, limited market access and low market power, volatility of producer prices, lack of credit availability, unequal distribution of irrigable land, and insufficient social capital and knowledge about irrigated fruit production threatened the smallholders’ livelihoods. Crop choice and availability of irrigable areas were the main characteristics of prosperous smallholders, whereas knowledge intensive and capital intensive perennials as well as high value annual cash crops with high risks of yield losses were the most profitable crops. Thus, wealthier farmers were more likely to generate high farm income. Agricultural extension, investments in infrastructure, especially in improved market access and value-adding facilities, and off-farm income alternatives are recommended to provide adequate income to the local population and prevent rural exodus
Farm and farmer capital foster adoption of improved quality agrochemical inputs in the cotton-wheat zone of the Punjab, Pakistan
Get PDFAdoption of yield-enhancing agricultural inputs fosters agricultural intensification in low-income countries. In Pakistan, initial adoption of agrochemicals is already widespread; the low quality of much of the inputs contributes to severe health, environmental and enduring pest problems, however. While the positive influence of farm capital and farmer capital on initial adoption is well documented, the adoption of improved quality inputs is little researched. We reduce the knowledge gap investigating smallholder adoption of improved quality agrochemical inputs in the Punjab, Pakistan. Using multi-stage random sampling, a pre-tested and piloted farming household survey was administered to smallholder farming households from 18 villages across three districts of the cotton-wheat zone (N=275). Ordered probit models show that several farming and farm capital variables (cotton crop area, farm machinery, no-tillage farming, adoption in the neighbourhood) as well as several farmer capital variables (age, education, off-farm income, agricultural extension services, source of agricultural credit) influence adoption of improved quality agrochemical inputs. Of these variables, an intensification of agricultural extension service visits appears as the most promising policy option. From a fundamental science point of view, our results provide, for the first time, evidence that adoption of improved quality agrochemical inputs is influenced principally by the same variables as initial adoption
Effect of salt stress on muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) seeds
Get PDFCucumis melo is one of the most appreciated and consumed vegetables in the world, however, producing areas have been suffering from increased salinity in irrigation water. Therefore, accesses of melon, from the germplasm bank of the Federal Rural Semi-Arid University (UFERSA), were tested for salinity and the physiological responses of the seedlings were evaluated. For the 24 accesses of C. melo, salinity of 0.06 and 3.45 dS m-1 was applied. For this, four subsamples of 25 seeds per access were used, which were seeded in polystyrene trays having as a substrate washed and sterilized sand, initially moistened at 50% field capacity. The design was completely randomized in a factorial scheme (two salinity levels and 24 accesses). Salinity affected the physiological quality (germination and mean germination time) of melon seeds, germinating on average 62%, with an average germination time of 4 days, mean height of 10.5 cm and reduction of dry matter accumulation. The saline treatment increased the EC of the soil saturation extract, indicating the presence of stress. The accesses that presented intolerance to salinity were: A35, A24, A41, A31, A09, A28 and A43. The moderately tolerant accesses were: A16, A19, A15, A17, A34, A25, A27, A18, A42. The salinity tolerant accesses were: A45, A08, A37, A50, A14, A36, A07, A39 which may serve as a basis for genetic improvement
Socio-economic, political, and institutional sustainability of agroforestry in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala
Get PDFPromoting sustainable agricultural practices such as agroforestry (AF) could improve long-term productivity, enhance a sustainable rural livelihood and reduce pressure on natural resources and ecosystems in the tropics. However, AF seems to have adoption problems due to external market forces, lack of skills, financial resources and know-how ending in low flexibility and discontinuity of farmers in practicing AF. The objective of this study is to identify social, institutional, and economic factors that influence the adoption of AF on the household and community level, taking the region Alta Verapaz in Guatemala as a case study. Alta Verapaz is amongst the poorest regions in the country but also a tropical biodiversity hotspot where current agricultural practices are threatening forest environments and social development objectives. Our study explores how capital accessibility and institutional incentives are related to farmer’s livelihood sustainability and AF compositions. The methodology is composed by semi-structured interviews with nineteen farmers and field observations. The interviews have been analysed based on a qualitative content analysis by using the inductive category development. Based on these outcomes, the study found that human and economical capitals are favoured in communities were institutions are present especially through AF training offers, creation of farmers cooperatives and economic incentives. The role of institutions resulted to be crucial in the promotion of organic AF methods, forest protection and creation of long-term income. The combination of agricultural diversification with institutional incentives is one key livelihood strategy adopted by the farmers in order to achieve a socio-economic and ecological sustainability of their households. The further promotion of community forestry projects, expansion of networks and ongoing agricultural trainings as well as the diversification of agricultural systems could be beneficial for farmers in Alta Verapaz
Determinants of participation in rural non-farm economy in Zvimba District, Zimbabwe
Get PDFThe capacity of agriculture to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities is exceeded by the rural populations of developing countries, and with limited opportunities available in urban centres, the rural non-farm economy (RNFE) becomes pivotal in improving rural livelihoods. Within an empowerment agenda, it is important for policy makers to understand why households enter into the RNFE. We investigated participation in the RNFE of farm worker livelihoods along with the motivation for participation in RNF employment. Moreover, we sought to determine the key barriers and enablers to the adoption of high return strategies in RNFE activities by rural farm workers in Zimbabwe. Quantitative household surveys and qualitative focus group discussions were used to investigate levels of household dependency, education and skills, income accumulation and enterprising, expenditure and household assets. Our results showed that the primary motivation for entry into the RNFE was distress-pushed diversification. Our study found that market dynamics, limited skills, education level, and lack of capital are the paralysing factors towards significant income returns from RNFE for households. This information is critical for policy development for sustainable rural livelihoods, especially for rural farm workers who constitute the most vulnerable of the entire African rural population
A value chain analysis of baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) products in Eastern and Coastal Kenya
Get PDFA growing demand for the highly nutritious baobab fruit pulp from Europe and North America raises the question whether the marketing of baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) products could be an opportunity as an income source for rural communities in Kenya, or if the increased demand from overseas would disturb domestic baobab use. To gain an idea of domestic baobab use, a value chain analysis of edible baobab products was performed, using qualitative methods. By using a non-probability sampling, 134 baobab value chain respondents from producers to retailers of baobab products were interviewed on sales data, volumes and profits. Results from an additional household survey, key informant interviews and participatory research were used to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of and to the baobab business. The main actors of the baobab value network were farmers, collectors, wholesalers, processors and retailers; 72% of the respondents were female. The products most traded were unprocessed pulp-covered seeds and mabuyu, a candy made out of baobab pulp-covered seeds, sugar and food colour. The average value of the product along the mabuyu value chain increased from 0.07 USD per kg of raw pulp-covered seeds paid to the farmer to up to 1.50 USD per kg paid by the end consumer for the mabuyu candy. For farmers, the harvesting and trading with baobab products is an additional source of income during the dry season.Increased commercialisation of baobab products and better integration of farmers into value chains may enhance income, particularly of women
Assessment of varietal diversity and production systems of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) in Southwest Nigeria
Get PDFCowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) is the most important source of plant protein consumed in Nigeria with major supplies coming from the northern part of the country. However, reduction in supplies due to insurgency resulted in sharp increases in price, especially in Southwest Nigeria where cowpea is relished in different delicacies. Sustainable production increase in suitable Southwest agro-ecologies depends on suitability of cultivated varieties and production practices of the farmers. A study was conducted to identify cowpea varieties cultivated by farmers, the varietal attributes, farmers’ preferences, and production constraints. Data were generated through a farm survey of 120 farmers selected by multi-stage sampling technique in Ondo and Oyo States of Southwest Nigeria. Cowpea production was male dominated, with 20.8 % of cultivated area allocated to its production, averaging 0.96 ha per farm household, fragmented over circa three locations. Local varieties were cultivated by 51.6 % of the farmers with seeds sourced mainly from local markets (62.7 %). Cowpea was mainly cultivated as intercrop (55.1 %) notably with cassava. Herbicides and insecticides were prominently used by the farmers while fertiliser was hardly used for cowpea production (12.8 %). Notable attributes cherished by farmers included brown or white coat colour, smooth texture and medium sized grains, erect or creeping growth pattern, and long pod length. Average yield of cowpea on farmers’ field was 530 kg ha−1 while inadequate access to quality seeds, incidence of field insect pests, and rodents (storage pest) were identified as the most severe production constraints by the farmers. Community-based seed production systems should be introduced for improved access to quality seed
Competitive interaction between guava and weeds: Effect on initial growth
Get PDFGuava (Psidium guajava L.) is one of the 50 most consumed fruits in the world. However, weed competition compromises fruit production in cultivation areas. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the competitive interaction between guava plants and common infesting species on initial growth. Guava seedlings were cultivated during 60 days with Bidens subalternans DC., Waltheria indica L. or Commelina benghalensis L. in a randomized block design with four replicates. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse condition from February to May 2017 in Mossoró city, Brazil. The following variables were analysed: number of leaves; shoot and root length; stem diameter; root, stem, shoot and total dry mass; and leaf area. As a result, only guava plants suffered negative effects on growth due to the competition. W. indica and C. benghalensis were the most competitive species, reducing the number of leaves, leaf area and total dry matter of guava plants. However, guava and W. indica produced more root biomass when in competition. In contrast, B. subalternans and C. benghalensis was not affected by the presence of guava. In conclusion, competition with W. indica or C. benghalensis reduces the growth of guava after transplanting