Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics (JARTS)
Not a member yet
469 research outputs found
Sort by
Food security status and its determinants: A comparative study between farm households under government and non-government agricultural extension services in Bangladesh
Full text linkThe ability to obtain food security is essential to human existence. Secure food access can have a variety of positive effects, such as economic expansion, the creation of jobs, and the eradication of poverty. This study assessed the food security status of farm households and its determinants in the Dinajpur district of Bangladesh. Efforts were also made to assess and compare the socio-economic demographics and item-wise calorie intake among households receiving government and non-government agricultural extension services. One hundred twenty-five (125) farm households receiving government or non-government extension services were selected using a multi-stage random sampling procedure. The percentages, means, and standard deviations were employed to summarise the data gathered during the interviews. The inferential statistical investigation involved using the independent sample t-test, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. The findings revealed that 68.8 percent of the families in the study area were food secure, while food insecurity was more prevalent for those receiving non-government extension services. In addition, significant differences existed between the selected characteristics of the two groups of farmers in terms of age, household head’s education, average family education, household size, farm size, farming experience, annual household income, annual household expenditure, knowledge on food and nutrition, and extension sources contact. There were also large discrepancies between the food item-wise calorie consumption between the two groups of farmers. The major determinants of household food security were dependency ratio, household size, training exposure, annual household income, knowledge on food and nutrition, and extension sources contact. It is recommended that both government and non-government agricultural extension organisations work together in an effective, transparent, and unbiased manner to reduce food insecurity
Effect of different diets containing varying inclusion levels of Moringa oleifera leaf meal on growth, mineral composition and meat quality of the edible land snails Archachatina marginata and Achatina fulica
Full text linkThis study examined the effect of different dietary inclusion levels of Moringa oleifera leaf meal on growth, haemolymph mineral composition and meat quality of Archachatina marginata and Achatina fulica. A total of one hundred and forty four (144) juvenile snails of A. marginata= 72 and A. fulica= 72, were used for the study. Eighteen (18) snails of each species were subjected to four dietary treatments (0 %, 10 %, 15 % and 20 %) of M. oleifera leaf meal in three replicates of six (6) snails per replicate over a period of 16 weeks. Growth was measured using growth indices while haemolymph mineral composition and meat quality were determined spectrometrically and by proximate method. A. marginata and A. fulica fed diets containing 20% M. oleifera leaf meal showed the best growth performance compared to the other treatments with increase in mean weight gain of 132.14 % and 62.95 %, mean shell length gain of 51.87 % and 59.47 %, mean shell circumference gain of 22.81 % and 47.53 % and mean shell thickness gain of 2.18% and 83.43 %, respectively, as compared to the control diet. The haemolymph mineral composition results of the two species showed that magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron, phosphorus and chlorine were highest in snails fed diet with 20% M. oleifera leaf meal. However, copper and sodium were recorded highest in A. marginata fed with control diet. The results of the proximate meat analysis showed that the highest crude protein contents were recorded in A. marginata and A. fulica fed with 20 % M. oleifera leaf meal, with an increase in crude protein content of 80.42 % and 114.28 %, compared to the control diet. Based on the results of this study, the inclusion of Moringa oleifera leaf meal in the snail diet up to 20 % is recommended for optimum productivity of the two snail species
Evaluating growth performance, haematological indices, and serological responses in weaner rabbits fed flesh coontail leaf (Ceratophyllum demersum)
Full text linkEffect of fresh coontail leaf (FCL) feeding on growth performance, haematology indices, and serological responses was assessed in weaned rabbits. A total of 120 unsexed crossbred rabbits with an average initial weight of 650 g were allocated to 5 dietary treatment groups with three replicates each and 24 rabbits per group. In a fully randomised design, the inclusion percentages for FCL were (control), 30 %, 50 %, 70 %, or 100 % of the basal diet. The results show that feeding a diet with 50 % FCL significantly improved total weight gain, while complete feeding of FCL decreased total weight gain compared to the control. Feeding FCL at 30, 50, and 70 % of the diet significantly increased total feed intake compared to the control or 100 %FCL feeding. Feed conversion ratio was significantly the best with 50 % FCL of the diet. Haematological measurements indicated that white blood cell (WBC) counts were significantly higher when feeding FCL 30 or 50 % of the diet, red blood cell (RBC) counts were significantly higher when feeding FCL at 30, 50, or 70 % of the diet, while mean corpuscular volume (MCV) was significantly higher when feeding FCL at 50 % of the diet. It could be recommended to feed FCL up to 50 % of the diet to weaning rabbits without a negative effect on growth performance
Effect of storage conditions on soybean seed quality produced by smallholder farmers within two districts of Gauteng, South Africa
Full text linkSeed quality comprises of physical, physiological, and health attributes. Moreover, significant aspects of seed quality include seed viability and vigour. Maintaining good seed quality under sub-optimal storage conditions is one of the major challenges smallholder soybean farmers face. Hence, this study aimed to determine the effect of on-farm storage conditions on the seed quality of soybeans from smallholder farmers within the Gauteng Province, South Africa. The objectives of this study were to i) evaluate and compare the viability and vigour of farm-saved soybean seeds, and ii) evaluate the effect of seed moisture and simulated storage period on the rate of deterioration of the seeds. Farm-saved seed samples collected from the twenty-two smallholder farmers from two districts within the Gauteng Province showed significant variations in terms of seed moisture, viability, vigour [accelerated aging (Aa) and conductivity], and in the rate of deterioration. The seed moisture content ranged from 7.8-30.8 %. The majority of the farm-saved seed samples had a germination percentage significantly higher than 75 %, irrespective of the storage conditions. On the other hand, seeds subjected to Aa and to the controlled deterioration test resulted in less vigourous seedlings. Seeds that were subjected to 24 hr Aa had a significantly (p 0.05) higher germination than those subjected to 72 hr Aa. The 72 hr Aa results verified the reduction of seed vigour as the storage period increased. A similar declining germination trend was observed on seeds subjected to deterioration tests under high moisture content levels. The study gives an indication of how the sub-optimal storage facilities used by smallholder soybean farmers affect seed quality. Based on the vigour tests, it can be assumed that storing seeds with high SMC under high relative humidity coupled together with high temperatures for prolonged periods tends to deteriorate the seeds rapidly and thus reduce seed vigour
Determinants of smallholder farmers’ satisfaction with agricultural extension services in Embu County, Kenya
Full text linkAgricultural extension services (AES) positively foster agricultural sustainability through knowledge transfer of agricultural technologies, hence enhancing household food security among the rural poor. However, information on farmers’ satisfaction with AES is limited in many areas within Kenya, although these services have been offered to farmers for decades. This study assessed smallholder farmers’ satisfaction with AES in Embu County in Kenya and identified its associated household demographic, socio-economic, and institutional determinants. Data were collected from 396 farmers using a structured interview schedule through a cross-sectional survey with a multistage stratified sampling procedure. Data analyses were performed using the Cumulative Link Mixed Models (CLMMs) with a random effect for the village ID to adjust the results for the correlation of farmers’ satisfaction within the village. This study revealed that 10.1%, 38.6%, 43.2%, and 8.1% of the farmers were very satisfied, moderately satisfied, moderately dissatisfied and very dissatisfied with AES, respectively. The results of the multivariate CLMM analysis identified education level, off-farm income, the land tenure system, frequent extension contact, and access to credit as significant determinants of farmers’ satisfaction with AES. The findings will help policy makers and extension workers to develop context-specific AES that take into account farmers’ extension needs, thereby improving the AES delivery system and enhancing agricultural development in the area
Carcass trait, meat lipid profile and meat quality of broiler chickens fed diets containing high inclusion level of high quality cassava (Manihot esculenta) peel meal
Full text linkThe current hike in price of conventional energy feedstuff warrants an intensified effort for a sustainable alternative that would not compromise performance and meat quality of poultry birds. The study evaluated the carcass trait and meat quality of finisher broiler chickens fed diets containing highly processed cassava peel meal at 50% inclusion level in replacement of maize. Three hundred and twenty Cobb500 broiler chickens were allocated to 4 dietary treatments on a weight equalisation basis. Diet 1 = control diet (corn-soybean meal based diet) containing 4.0 g kg-1 digestible methionine (MET), 0.96 g kg-1 digestible lysine, diet 2 = diet containing 50% replacement of maize in diet 1 with high quality cassava peel meal and containing 4.0 g kg-1 digestible MET, 0.96 g kg-1 digestible lysine, diets 3 and 4 are similar to diet 2 except with higher MET and lysine concentrations. Diet 3 contains 4.4 g kg-1 digestible MET, 1.02 g kg-1 digestible lysine, and diet 4 contains 4.8 g kg-1 digestible MET, 1.08 g kg-1 digestible lysine. The study lasted for 3 weeks (finisher phase). The highest slaughtered, carcass, and small intestinal weight were recorded in birds fed diet 2 while the birds fed diet 3 had the least abdominal fat value (p 0.05). The water holding capacity and cooking loss percentage was highest in the meat of the chickens fed diet 4. The meat colour (redness, yellowness, and lightness) of chickens fed diet 4 recorded the highest value. The very low density of lipoprotein and triglyceride concentrations were least in the meat of chickens fed diet 2 (p0.05). It can be concluded that supplementation of methionine/lysine to high quality cassava peel meal improved the carcass trait and meat quality of the broiler chickens.
Influence of season and phytochemicals on the elemental composition of kobs’ diets in Old Oyo National Park, Nigeria
Full text linkPhytochemicals or plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) are known to counteract mineral nutrients (MNs) utilisation in herbivorous wildlife, yet studies on the interactions between PSMs and MNs in relation to herbivory, particularly for kobs (Kobus kob) are scarce. Composite samples of each of five major forage plants of kobs’ (Grewia mollis, Afzelia africana, Gardenia aqualla, Maranthes polyandra and Andropogon gayanus) were randomly collected in and around feeding sites of kobs in both dry and wet season. Using standard procedures, samples were analysed for PSMs (alkaloids, phenols, saponins and tannins) and MNs [copper (Cu2+), iron (Fe2+), manganese (Mn2+), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), zinc (Zn2+), sulphur (S2-), sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+)]. With appropriate statistical tools, data obtained were analysed, compared and correlated. Almost all plants were significantly higher in all the tested MNs and PMSs in the wet season, except for Maranthes polyandra which showed the inverse trend for Cu2+, Mn2+, S2-, Na+ and K+. Apart from tannins that were absent, the concentration of other PSMs (in Grewia mollis) and Ca2+ (in Gardenia aqualla and Andropogon gayanus) were significantly higher in the dry season. In conclusion, the concentration of Na+, K+, S2-, Fe2+ and Zn2+ in selected forage plants of kobs were highly influenced by the presence of PSMs
Performance of pacu (Colossoma macropomum) fed varying dietary inclusion levels of fish visceral and duckweed (Lemna minor) as replacement for fish and soybean meals
Full text linkThe performance of Colossoma macropomum subjected to a six-month feeding trial using duckweed (Lemna minor) and fish visceral as partial replacements for soybean meal and fishmeal respectively was evaluated in this study. A total of one thousand five hundred (1500) nearly same sizes (average size 45 g) juveniles of C. macropomum were sourced from the nearby research man-made lake and subjected to proper acclimatisation for two weeks prior to the commencement of the feeding trial. One hundred (100) juveniles per experimental pond (EP) were stocked in triplicate with EPi-iii0% (control), EPi-iii25%, EPi-iii50%, EPi-iii75%, and EPi-iii100%. The formulated diets with varying dietary inclusion levels (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) of duckweed as a substitute for soybean meal, and at the same levels, fish visceral meal was used as a substitute for fishmeal. The formulated diets were fed to the experimental fishes on a twice-daily schedule (7 am and 5:30 pm). The control diet contained the conventional protein sources (fishmeal and soybean) while the other diets had fish visceral and duckweed as dietary replacements for fishmeal and soybean, respectively. A biweekly sampling of growth parameters such as body weight was carried out on twenty (20) randomly selected juveniles from each EP and data collected from the feeding trial was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) (SPSS version 26) while Duncan's multiple ranges test distinguished the means at p 0.05 significant level. The highest value for mean body weight gain at 6 months was observed at a 50% dietary inclusion level of the test ingredients (1411.7 g), while at a 100% inclusion level, the lowest value was recorded (1213.6 g). Water quality parameters sampled were within the acceptable standards indicating no adverse effect of the test ingredients on the culture medium. In general, no adverse effect was recorded across treatments. Conclusively, C. macropomum culture in Nigeria using the test diets at a 50% dietary inclusion level to replace the conventional protein sources is feasible and can help improve fish availability and sustainability through species diversification and reduced production cost since the test ingredients are obtained at minimal cost from fish traders (fish visceral) and fallow earthen ponds (duckweed)
Land degradation and the upper hand of sustainable agricultural intensification in sub-Saharan Africa - A systematic review
Full text linkSub-Saharan Africa (SSA) faces severe land degradation, driven by a combination of human and natural factors. Deforestation, inadequate land management practices, and unsustainable farming methods are the primary causes. The historical trends reveal the impact of soil erosion and nutrient depletion on 70% of the soil and 65% of its total land area. Unchecked degradation poses a critical threat to economic growth and poverty reduction initiatives. The region's food security is intricately linked to the complex interplay between land degradation and a rapidly growing population. Escalating demand for agricultural resources raises concerns about the ability to meet the needs of SSA's population. The adoption of sustainable agricultural intensification practices (SIAP) emerges as a crucial strategy to address land degradation and enhance food security. SIAP involves innovative and ecologically sensitive techniques, such as agroforestry and organic farming, targeting to optimise resource use and minimise negative impacts on soil health. The interconnectedness between factors of land degradation, food security, and the contribution of SIAP underscores the urgency of adopting sustainable practices to ensure a balanced relationship between agricultural productivity and environmental conservation in SSA. While SIAP holds promise, challenges such as socio-economic barriers, low adoption rates, and contextual variations necessitate continuous support and well-designed policies for successful implementation
Sustainable management practices and soil quality in strawberry cultivation in Norte de Santander, Colombia
Full text linkIn Pamplona, Norte de Santander, strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch) producers face a dual challenge: ensuring the safety of their products and conserving natural resources. Nine farms belonging to the Association of Rural Women (ASMUR) were assessed, representing approximately 20% of the total affiliated production units within the association. The level of implementation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) was analysed in accordance with the 2020 Resolution of the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA), alongside sustainable soil management as per the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) guidelines on good practices for the management and sustainable use of soils in rural areas. Field tests and laboratory analyses were carried out to evaluate soil quality. The results revealed that none of the farms meet the requirements for GAP certification, with notable limitations in infrastructure, training, personnel protection, and traceability. On the other hand, the soils exhibited high organic matter content, acidic pH, and low biological activity. To overcome these limitations and achieve GAP certification, it is crucial to develop a specific action plan, provide advisory and training in GAP and sustainable soil management, make investments in key infrastructure, implement soil monitoring, adjust pH with amendments, encourage agroecological practices, promote the use of bio-inputs, and establish partnerships with entities for access to resources and technical-financial support