Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics (JARTS)
Not a member yet
469 research outputs found
Sort by
Roles and optimisation rate of potassium fertiliser for immature oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) on an Ultisol soil in Indonesia
Get PDFPotassium (K) is an essential macronutrient needed in large amounts by oil palm as it is directly involved in physiological processes. This research focused on the influence of K fertiliser on the vegetative growth of oil palm and determined the optimum rate of K fertiliser for immature plants (aged 1 to 3 years). The study was conducted at IPB-Cargill Oil Palm Teaching Farm, Jonggol, Bogor, Indonesia, from March 2013 to March 2016. The application rates were 0, 196, 392, 588, and 784 g K_2O plant^(−1) year^(−1) during the first year; 0, 384, 768, 1152, and 1536 g K_2O plant^(−1) year^(−1) during the second year; and 0, 450, 900, 1350, and 1800 g K_2O plant^(−1) year^(−1) during the third year of the immature oil palms. This experiment used a randomized complete block design with three replications. The optimum fertiliser rate was calculated by differentiating the regression equation of the quadratic response curve for variable growth. Potassium fertiliser significantly affected plant morphology, and increased plant height, stem girth, frond number, frond length, and leaf area of frond 17. Potassium application also significantly increased chlorophyll content, stomatal density, and K nutrient content of the leaves of immature oil palm. The optimum K fertilizer rate for 1-, 2-, and 3-year-old immature oil palm was 512, 966, and 1430 g K_2O plant^(−1) year^(−1), respectively. Application of K fertiliser provided the amount of K needed to support oil palm growth
Applying phosphorus indices at a small agricultural watershed in Southern Brazil
Get PDFBest management practices at watershed scale are essential to mitigate water pollution. The objectives of this study were: (1) to estimate the P-index in a small watershed with intensive agricultural use applying five P-index versions at three scales (watershed, sub-basin and agricultural field); (2) to assess the effect of the connectivity factors (distance between the agricultural field and the stream and width of riparian native vegetation) in estimating the risk of P loss. The five P-index versions resulted in a similar risk of P loss, 75 to 83 % of the whole watershed scale (agricultural plus forest areas) was classified as low or very low risk for P loss. At the agricultural area scale, 79 to 100 % of this area was classed as high and very high risk for P loss. The low risk of P loss at watershed scale is explained by the high occurrence of forest vegetation. The reduced distance between agricultural land and streams and/or the reduced width of riparian native vegetation increased the risk of P loss. Estimated P-index values at a sub-basin scale indicated lower risk of P loss compared to agricultural field scale. In order to better estimate the risk of P loss at an agricultural field scale, we advise using a P-index which considers also connectivity factors
In the search for low-cost year-round feeds: Pen-level growth performance of local and crossbred Ugandan pigs fed forage- or silage-based diets versus commercial diet
Get PDFSmallholder pig farmers in East Africa report that lack of feed, seasonal feed shortages, quality and cost are key constraints to pig rearing. Commercially prepared pig diets are too expensive and people and pigs compete for food. Smallholder farmers typically feed nutritionally unbalanced diets, resulting in low average daily gain (ADG) and poor farmer profits. Our objective was to compare the ADG of Ugandan pigs fed forage- or silage-based or commercial diets. Ugandan weaner-grower pigs were randomly assigned to forage- or silage-based diets or commercial diet. Pigs were weighed every 3 weeks from 9 to 32 weeks of age. Pen-level ADG and feed conversion were compared across diets using multiple linear regression. The ADG of pigs fed forage- or silage-based diets was lower than those fed commercial diets between 9 and 24 weeks of age (p 0.05). Between 28 and 32 weeks, pigs fed forage-based diets had lower ADG than those on other diets (p 0.05). Least squares mean ADG (g/pig/day) for pigs fed forage- or silage-based diets or commercial diet were 36, and 52, and 294 respectively at 9–15 weeks; 163, 212, 329 at 15–19 weeks; 112, 362, 574 at 20–24 weeks and 694, 994, and 1233 at 28 to 32 weeks of age. It was concluded that forage- and silage-based diets are unsuitable for small, newly weaned pigs. Feeding forage- or silage-based diets to finishing pigs is more suitable. Forage- and silage based diets are year-round low-cost pig-feeding strategies that will improve the growth performance of East African pigs, thereby increasing pig farmer income and food security
Nutrient utilisation and blood chemistry of Red Sokoto bucks fed on diets with different inclusion levels of raw and soaked roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) seeds
Get PDFThis study evaluated nutrient utilisation and blood chemistry of Red Sokoto bucks fed a 10 and 20 % inclusion level of raw, water- and lime-soaked Hibiscus sabdariffa L. seeds in rice bran based diets. 21 Red Sokoto bucks aged 8–10 months and weighing 9–13 kg were randomly allotted into six treatments with three bucks each, while a seventh dietary treatment with zero inclusion of seeds served as control in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement using a complete randomised design. The results indicated that increase in dietary inclusion levels of soaked H. sabdariffa seeds increased (P 0.05) the nutrient utilisation of bucks as compared to the control, while a decrease was observed with increasing dietary inclusion levels of raw seeds. Dietary inclusion of both raw and water-soaked H. sabdariffa seeds increased (P 0.05) the packed cell volume. Soaking also influenced the white blood cell value which increased with increasing inclusion levels of H. sabdariffa seeds. However, values of haemoglobin and red blood cells were only affected by 20 % inclusion of raw and water-soaked H. sabdariffa seeds (P 0.05) compared to control. Inclusion of H. sabdariffa seeds furthermore reduced serum protein, albumin, globulin, glucose and urea levels compared to control. It is therefore concluded that H. sabdariffa seeds support haematopoiesis in Red Sokoto bucks. While both inclusion levels of water-soaked and 10 % raw H. sabdariffa seeds improved nutrient utilisation compared to control and 20 % inclusion of raw seeds, the 20 % inclusion of water-soaked H. sabdariffa seeds recorded the best nitrogen utilisation efficiency
Beekeeping adoption: A case study of three smallholder farming communities in Baringo County, Kenya
Get PDFIn Kenya, beekeeping offers benefits which could make it attractive to smallholder farmers as a possible strategy for making their livelihoods more sustainable. However, its potential remains largely unexploited and the lack of new entrants is thought to be one key reason for a decline in beekeeping. This paper reports on a study that examined the factors affecting beekeeping adoption in Baringo County, Kenya with a focus on three smallholder farming communities. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 90 informants in these communities, including 41 new beekeepers, 21 non-adopters, 13 group leaders, 10 village elders and 5 teenagers. In addition, 28 key stakeholders at national and local levels were approached. The findings show that in high traditional beekeeping areas apprenticeship pathway is predominant, while in low traditional beekeeping areas most of the beekeepers follow the traineeship pathway. The main factors affecting the decision of smallholder farmers to take up beekeeping were access to information, land and beehives, availability of alternative income generating activities, perceptions of beekeeping outcomes and performance, access to market, feelings towards bees, and cultural norms. The importance of these factors varies according to interviewee demographics (gender, age and level of education) and location. The findings suggest that to increase the uptake of beekeeping the following should be considered: (a) increasing awareness and knowledge in all locations but particularly in the low traditional beekeeping areas; (b) improving access to improved harvesting tools (e.g. smokers and protective clothing) and to movable comb or frame hives, especially for young people and women; and (c) supporting local social networks
Optimising contract design in modern food supply chains: The case of paprika sector in Central Malawi
Get PDFContract farming remains one of the most efficient tools for integrating small-scale farmers into modern food markets. However, the literature lacks evidence on best practices in designing contracts for food supply chains in developing countries. The purpose of this study is to analyse the design of an existing contract in the emerging Malawian paprika sector using a qualitative analytical approach. The study compared a contract design in Malawi’s paprika supply chain with four similar contracts from the horticultural sector in Malawi, India, Zambia and Cape Verde. This study employed a thematic qualitative analysis and developed 17 categories for analysing contracts. The findings showed that the Malawian contract contained in total eleven defined clauses. There were missing clauses that influenced the risk and power distribution between parties in the contract. The comparison of the Malawian contract with other contracts revealed that none of the analysed contracts included all clauses necessary for a sustainable and fair relationship. The study proposed improved contract design and future actions to contribute to decreasing inequalities between parties engaged in the Malawi’s paprika supply chain. The implications of the study include initiation of changes in public policies related to contract farming strategies as the findings suggest that vulnerable small-scale farmers might be left unprotected and generate low gains through supply contracts due to poorly formulated contract clauses
Adoption of an improved bean seed variety and consumption of beans in rural Madagascar: Evidence from a randomised control trial
Get PDFThis paper studies access to, and adoption of improved seed, as well as the diffusion of improved seed information in a remote area of central Madagascar. The analysis is based on panel data gathered from 2012 to 2014 from 390 households in three villages. In 2013, a randomised control trial was applied. Half of the 390 households were randomly assigned to receive improved lima bean seed (Phaseolus lunatus), which were specifically bred for dry regions. Of the seed-receiving households, 50 % were randomly assigned to receive information on how to store, plant, and cultivate the improved seed, as the variety was unfamiliar in the region. The control group and the two treatment groups are compared with respect to baseline characteristics, bean cultivation, information exchange with other farmers, legume consumption, and willingness to pay (WTP) for improved bean seed. To account for non-compliance, contamination and spillover effects, local average treatment effects (LATE) are estimated. Of the seed-receiving households, 54 % cultivated the seed, reaping an average yield of 6.3 kg per kg of seed obtained. Seed information did not lead to higher yields. A small significant positive impact of seed distribution on legume consumption is found. WTP is 171 % of the local market price for bean seed, free provision of seed and information did not result in a higher WTP
Evaluation of cassava leaf meal protein in fish and soybean meal-based diets for young pigs
Get PDFThe unavailability and high cost of traditional ingredients calls for more research into alternative sources for pig feeding in the South Pacific region. The effect of replacing feed protein with cassava leaf meal (CLM) protein in weaner and growing pigs’ diets was investigated in two experiments. In experiment 1, three diets in which CLM protein replaced 0, 15 and 30% of feed protein were fed each to five replicate pens of weaner pigs. Feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were improved and feed cost of gain reduced (P0.05) on 30% while dressing percentage was maximized (P0.05) on 15% protein replacement diets. In experiment 2, three diets containing 0, 30 and 45% CLM protein as replacement for feed protein were fed as in experiment 1 to grower pigs. FI and BWG were reduced while FCR and feed cost of gain were increased (P0.05) above 30% protein replacement. Dressing percentage assumed the highest value (P0.05) on 30% replacement. It was concluded that replacing 30% of feed protein with sun-dried CLM protein will maintain growth and reduce cost of pork production. Efficient use of CLM in the diet will be an alternative way of value addition to this by-product
The effect of feeding restriction with cassava flour on carcass composition of broilers
Get PDFIn order to promote poultry farming in resource-limited rural areas, the effects of feeding restriction with cassava flour on the carcass composition of broilers was studied. After three weeks on a restrictive diet (step 1), the broilers were re-fed during four weeks according to their physiological needs (step 2). In total, 75 four-weeks old chicks were randomly divided into three lots of 25 subjects. Lot I (control) is fed without cassava flour. The lots II and III are fed with diets containing respectively 10 and 30 % of cassava flour, with energetic and protein density of 85 and 70 % of the control. Eight broilers of each lot have been randomly selected and slaughtered at the end of each step. At the end of the restrictive step, the carcass yields and the weights of the digestive tracts are 67.1, 66.3, and 64.7 % and 178.5, 170.0, and 113.3 g respectively for the lots I, II, and III with a significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) between lot I and III and then between lots II and III. After 4 weeks of re-feeding, the lots I, II, and III had respectively 69.9, 73.2, and 67.7 % of carcass yield as well as digestive tract weights of 178.3, 180.8, and 156.0 g. The carcass yield had been entirely made up (p ≥ 0.05) to the broilers previously submitted on a restrictive diet. However, the weight of the empty cold carcass was not fully compensated (p ≤ 0.05)
Droughts and debts: The domestic tea value chain and vulnerable livelihoods in Girimukti village, West Java, Indonesia
Get PDFThis article is concerned with the linkages between the livelihoods of tea smallholders and domestic value chains in Indonesia. Theoretically, our empirical inquiry is informed by an integration of the sustainable livelihoods approach and value chain analyses. This enables a better investigation of micro (livelihoods) — meso (industry) — macro (national and international trends and political economy) interdependencies and interactions. In addition to value chains and socioeconomic challenges, tea smallholders in Indonesia are also confronted with droughts due to climate change and the 2015–2016 El Niño. The empirical work consisted of 36 semi-structured interviews in Girimukti village in West Java; a remote village relatively far from urban markets. Overall, our analysis demonstrates that tea smallholders are not poor, but are in a vulnerable position and remain far below the level of a stable lower-middle class. The smallholders lack human and financial capital and growing tea is not supported by horizontal coordination/social capital. In contrast, a few wealthy tea agripreneurs have established themselves as providers of inputs, intermediaries, tea drying factories, informal rural banks and village philanthropists. In other words, Girimukti is host to a process of increasing rural inequality driven by endogenous actors who are able to accumulate and concentrate tea assets and position themselves as essential nodes within the domestic tea value chain. The adaptive strategy of rural-urban migration from Girimukti to escape rural marginalisation is unattractive because of relatively low human capital levels