Agricultural Population Research Articles

Middle to late Holocene human societies on the eastern margin of the Eurasian Steppe, and their adaptation to environmental changes

The impact of environmental changes on the development of human societies in the Eurasian Steppe is not well understood over the Holocene timescale. In this study, we have reported the phytoliths, grain size, and weight loss on ignition for an aeolian soil profile in the Liao River Basin at the eastern margin of the Eurasian Steppe. The profiles spanned the middle and late Holocene based on AMS 14C dating. By employing the summed radiocarbon probability distribution of archaeological sites and kernel density analysis, the spatial and temporal distributions of human populations and settlements were investigated in order to analyze the rise and fall of ancient cultures. Our findings indicated that the environment in the Liao River Basin underwent three stages of change. From 6700 to 5400 cal yr BP, the climate was warm and humid. The climate suddenly became cold and dry from 5400 to 4900 cal yr BP. The climate fluctuated, with a general tendency towards cold and dry conditions, from 4900 cal yr BP to 1700 cal yr BP. In addition, human societies in the region underwent significant changes, with rapid agricultural development and population growth in the warm and humid environment of the Middle Neolithic (6700–5000 yr BP). However, during the Late Neolithic (5000–4000 yr BP), the living environment suddenly became cold and dry, which limited the development of human society and drastically reduced its population. Nevertheless, the resilience of human societies continued to increase, and in the Bronze Age (4000–2000 yr BP), even in an overall cold and dry living environment, human societies still developed and their population increased sharply. Changes in the East Asia Summer Monsoon were an important driver of cultural change, and our study emphasizes the complex human-environment interactions that shaped societal development on the Eurasian Steppe.

Innovations of Rural Areas as a Necessity of Green Economy and Sustainable Development

Abstract Increasing the competitiveness of agricultural products, sustainable management of rural resources, and demographic aspects of rural development are issues that unite both science and practice in thinking. The relevance of the topic is confirmed by data on the increase in population and demand for food, as well as changes in consumption habits of agricultural products. Research highlights the importance of applying the principles of the green economy using the example of plum production and marketing in the Republic of Serbia. Observing the average rate of fluctuation and the coefficient of variation of plum production around the calculated average value, we notice an uncertain market placement. The importance of the demographic picture of villages due to changes in rural population is depicted through the constant decrease in the agricultural population in the Republic of Serbia. The process of joining the European Union further emphasizes the importance of the green economy and sustainable development as priority areas for Serbia. Accession to the EU obliges the country to align with European standards, including those related to environmental protection and sustainable development. Thus, sustainable development represents a link between economic policy and environmental protection processes. The process of implementing the green economy in the agricultural sector in Serbia requires an active role of the state, regulatory framework, and support from international partners. Institutional support is the basis for successful implementation of efficient solutions. Additionally, it is important to promote innovation, short marketing channels, and knowledge exchange. Concrete measures involve organizing advisory services, training farmers through the modernization of agricultural holdings.

Examining resilience indices and influencing factors in Xishuangbanna Community Conserved Areas, southwest China

Community Conserved Areas exemplify a harmonious interplay between human and nature, contributing to biodiversity conservation. Nonetheless, their sustainability faces jeopardy due to social disruptions. Taking Xishuangbanna as an example, we explore the social-ecological system resilience of Community Conserved Areas at the regional level, taking the disturbances caused by human social activities as the entry point, and construct a resilience evaluation index system based on the pressure-state-response model, evaluating its resilience, and analyzing in depth the factors influencing it. Taking into consideration the pressure, status and response, the percentage of townships with resilience levels ranging from Level V to Level I are 20 %, 23 %, 20 %, 27 % and 10 %, respectively. Among the prominent social factors affecting the resilience of Xishuangbanna’s Community Conserved Areas, the hierarchy of influence, ranked in descending pressure, encompasses: agricultural development, population growth and urbanization rate. The status hierarchy is largely dependent on the quality of resources and the condition of the community. Within the response hierarchy, we have explored factors such as education, traditional culture and forest conservation are key. Our study extends the comprehension of socio-ecological resilience within Community Conserved Areas to encompass the regional scale. This clarification underscores the pivotal role of management systems in fortifying social-ecological system resilience, laying a foundation for regional conservation and management efforts.

Seeing the wood for the trees: active human–environmental interactions in arid northwestern China

Abstract. Due largely to demographic growth, agricultural populations during the Holocene became increasingly more impactful ecosystem engineers. Multidisciplinary research has revealed a deep history of human–environmental dynamics; however, these pre-modern anthropogenic ecosystem transformations and cultural adaptions are still poorly understood. Here, we synthesis anthracological data to explore the complex array of human–environmental interactions in the regions of the prehistoric Silk Road. Our results suggest that these ancient humans were not passively impacted by environmental change; rather, they culturally adapted to, and in turn altered, arid ecosystems. Underpinned by the establishment of complex agricultural systems on the western Loess Plateau, people may have started to manage chestnut trees, likely through conservation of economically significant species, as early as 4600 BP. Since ca. 3500 BP, with the appearance of high-yielding wheat and barley farming in Xinjiang and the Hexi Corridor, people appear to have been cultivating Prunus and Morus trees. We also argue that people were transporting preferred coniferous woods over long distances to meet the need for fuel and timber. After 2500 BP, people in our study area were making conscious selections between wood types for craft production and were also clearly cultivating a wide range of long-generation perennials, showing a remarkable traditional knowledge tied into the arid environment. At the same time, the data suggest that there was significant deforestation throughout the chronology of occupation, including a rapid decline of slow-growing spruce forests and riparian woodlands across northwestern China. The wood charcoal dataset is publicly available at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8158277 (Shen et al., 2023).

The Impact of Agricultural Socialized Service on Grain Production: Evidence from Rural China

Although China’s grain production has reached nineteen consecutive harvests, the uncertainty of the current domestic and international environment has put more pressure on further increasing grain production in the future. For the past few years, agricultural socialization services have been crucial in boosting grain production and farmers’ revenue by addressing the issue of land cultivation and farming methods. In this regard, the question of whether and how agricultural socialized services may resolve the present grain production conundrum is extremely practical. Therefore, the study employs the China Rural Revitalization Survey data of 3709 households. Based on the 2SLS model, stepwise regression method, and moderated effects model, it creatively takes into account a variety of agricultural production segments, investigates the mechanism of services on grain production from the standpoint of improved production efficiency and plot concentration, and further examines the effects of aging populations and regional variations in grain production areas. The study found the following: (1) The average proportion of grain production area of farmers in the sample is 49%, and 42% of farmers have purchased agricultural socialization services. (2) Agricultural socialization services can significantly promote farmers’ grain cultivation behavior by facilitating connected transfers in and inhibiting connected transfers out to take advantage of plot concentration, and boosting the use of agricultural machines to enhance output efficiency. (3) The aging of the agricultural population will, to a certain extent, strengthen the promoting effect of agricultural socialization services on grain cultivation. Agricultural socialization services affect grain cultivation more in main grain-producing areas. Therefore, emphasizing the role of agricultural socialization services in accelerating the shift to moderate-scale operations, decreasing the non-grain component of the planting structure, and promoting the implementation of policies tailored to actual production needs are important steps to safeguard the production capacity of grain in different regions.

Resilience of communal water management in La Gomera (Canary Islands): discussing with Hardin and Ostrom

ABSTRACT We analyse the main keys of the traditional agroecosystem of the palm grove (Phoenix canariensis) in irrigated terraces in Valle de Arriba in the municipality of Valle Gran Rey (La Gomera, Canary Islands, Spain). Here, irrigation water is not only associated with the land but is also being managed as a communal resource by the inhabitants. The change in the economic model from agriculture to tourism is putting the survival of this traditional agrarian system at risk (agricultural exit, population ageing and economic touristification). The need for preservation is then suggested, but the question that leads us to a re-edition of the so-called “Tragedy of the Commons” arises again: What actors should carry out this preservation? Private agents or the State, as suggested by Hardin, or the rural community, as maintained by Ostrom? We conclude that for the case studied of La Gomera, the rural community has kept managing the communal water resource but at the expense of the secular class struggles won by the farming community against the privatisation of water by private agents and/or the State.

Effectiveness of Trained Community Lay Workers on Glycemic Control, Knowledge, and Self-Efficacy Among Agricultural Workers with Diabetes in the Texas Panhandle

Systemic health barriers, economic challenges, and lack of follow-up care exacerbate self-management of chronic diseases like diabetes among Hispanic agricultural workers. The primary objective of this pilot project was to determine the benefit of using community coaches to decrease A1C levels and increase diabetes knowledge among agricultural workers with diagnosed diabetes in the Texas Panhandle. A longitudinal study design with two phases was used to create, deliver, and evaluate a diabetes coaching program. Phase 1 was the development of the program and community coaches training (n = 4). In Phase 2, the coaches then delivered the program over 12 weeks to thirteen clients. Phase 1: All coaches were Hispanic females, 28.3 (SD 3.8) years of age, half had at most a high school education level and the other half had a vocational certification (n = 4). Mean DKQ-24 score was 54.2% (SD = 29.7) at baseline and 75.0% (SD = 31.4) after training (t (4) = 4.6, P < 0.05). We observed a very large difference between mean baseline and exit DKQ-24 scores relative to the pooled standard deviation, resulting in an effect size estimate of 0.59 indicative of a medium to large learning effect. Phase 2: Clients were Hispanic Spanish-speaking, predominantly female (55%), 44.4 (SD 6.8) years of age with at most a high school level of education (88.9%) and occupations varied from dairy farm worker (33.3%), meat processing worker (33.3%), and other agriculture or manufacturing position (33.3%). The mean SKILLD score was 40.0% (SD = 28.7) at baseline, increasing to 72.2% (SD = 25.4) at 12 weeks upon completion of the coaching program (t (9) = 2.956, P < 0.05). We observed a very large difference between mean baseline and exit SKILLD scores relative to the pooled standard deviation, resulting in an effect size estimate of 1.13 indicative of a large learning effect. The mean A1C levels at baseline screening was 8.3% (SD = 3.0) and 7.6% (SD = 3.0) at exit screening, representing a 0.7% decrease (p = 0.4730). No statistically significant differences were observed between depression (p = 0.786) or anxiety (p = 1.000) measures at baseline compared to exit. Training and coaching programs for hard-to-reach agricultural and meat processing workers must be culturally, linguistically, and literacy appropriate for both coaches and clients. The program must be feasible and sustainable, focus on empowering community members, capitalize on technological advances and persisting new-normals from the COVID-19 pandemic as well as dismantle common systemic barriers to health and understanding lived-experiences of agricultural working populations in rural regions.

Wellbeing and collective grievances among farmers: The case of Flanders, Belgium

Media coverage and policy at both national and EU level is increasingly paying attention to how farming populations in multiple countries in Europe are facing problems in terms of wellbeing. Similar attention is also being paid to this issue in Flanders (Belgium), although research data on this problem is lacking. The present study fills this gap by investigating what type of stressors farmers are experiencing in their daily activities. Through qualitative interviews (15) and focus group discussions (9), reaching 81 Flemish farmers, 2 categories of stressors are identified as negatively impacting on farmers wellbeing. The first category encompasses regulations and administrative burdens which are understood to be increasingly strict and complex, adding to workload and reducing the autonomy of the farmer. A second category relates to financial insecurity, including points such as anxieties as to the overall future of the farm enterprise and price volatility. These stressors and their direct impact can also be retrieved in other countries.In addition to these findings, this article will argue that these stressors are inextricably tied to perceptions by Flemish farmers about a changing socio-political climate that is understood to be increasingly anti-farming. Throughout the individual and group interviews on stress and wellbeing, a discourse emerges about a lack of societal respect towards farming in which farmers express increasingly feeling alienated from society. Hence, these individual stress factors cannot be detached from a set of collective grievances about the place of farmers as a professional group in the larger societal fabric. The point on regulations and administrative burdens is put in a framework wherein farmers indicate increasingly being misunderstood and disrespected. A specific symbol of contention in this regard are so-called ‘green regulations’ centred around biodiversity, animal welfare, climate … The issue of financial insecurity is tied to a larger moral critique wherein society supposedly no longer wishes to pay a fair price for honest labour and healthy food products.

Efficacy of different rhizobia strains with specific common beans landraces in biological nitrogen fixation

Bean production in Tanzania barely meets half of the domestic demand because of low yield attributed to low fertility, nitrogen being the most common deficient. The use of rhizobia inoculants can substantially increase bean yields. However, less than 1% of the farming population is aware of inoculants. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of different rhizobia strains with specific common beans landraces in biological nitrogen fixation and yields. Four experiments were conducted during in a screen house at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA). Two experiment consisted Leonard jar and the other two were pot experiments in which the soil used were either sterilized or unsterilized. The landraces collected were Kasuka Nywele, Msafiri and Manjano from Mbeya; Nyayo, Soya and Kachumbaa from Arusha; and Kabungu, Nyamungu and Karanga from Morogoro. Two sets of Leonard jars were arranged in completely randomized block design in triplicate and the other two pot experiments were arranged in split split plot design. Inoculants in pot experiments used were Nitro-SUA, Underwood Biostacked as commercial and native. Landrace were the main plot, soil sterilization as a sub plot and inoculants as sub sub plot replicated three times. Data were subjected to analysis of variance using GENSTAT software. Significance differences in N2 fixation were observed among all landraces in all experiments, promising results were observed from Nyayo, Nyamungu, Msafiri and Kabungu. Native rhizobia had comparable symbiotic effectiveness to commercial inoculants in unsterilized soils and vice versa in sterilized soils conditions though soil sterilization was not significant. The findings on this study provide rooms for further research especially on the promising landraces to nodulation and explore their effectiveness.

Increases in regional brain volume across two native South American male populations

Industrialized environments, despite benefits such as higher levels of formal education and lower rates of infections, can also have pernicious impacts upon brain atrophy. Partly for this reason, comparing age-related brain volume trajectories between industrialized and non-industrialized populations can help to suggest lifestyle correlates of brain health. The Tsimane, indigenous to the Bolivian Amazon, derive their subsistence from foraging and horticulture and are physically active. The Moseten, a mixed-ethnicity farming population, are physically active but less than the Tsimane. Within both populations (N = 1024; age range = 46–83), we calculated regional brain volumes from computed tomography and compared their cross-sectional trends with age to those of UK Biobank (UKBB) participants (N = 19,973; same age range). Surprisingly among Tsimane and Moseten (T/M) males, some parietal and occipital structures mediating visuospatial abilities exhibit small but significant increases in regional volume with age. UKBB males exhibit a steeper negative trend of regional volume with age in frontal and temporal structures compared to T/M males. However, T/M females exhibit significantly steeper rates of brain volume decrease with age compared to UKBB females, particularly for some cerebro-cortical structures (e.g., left subparietal cortex). Across the three populations, observed trends exhibit no interhemispheric asymmetry. In conclusion, the age-related rate of regional brain volume change may differ by lifestyle and sex. The lack of brain volume reduction with age is not known to exist in other human population, highlighting the putative role of lifestyle in constraining regional brain atrophy and promoting elements of non-industrialized lifestyle like higher physical activity.

Climate mitigation technology for holistic resource management in sub-Saharan Africa: Impact on greenhouse gas emissions

This study investigates the impact of climate change mitigation technologies, specifically agricultural land management and renewable energy consumption and production, on greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) over the period of 1991 to 2015. Our analysis was conducted using an ARDL panel data model with data from 26 countries representing four sub-regions. The results demonstrated that an increase in renewable energy consumption is significantly associated with a decrease in GHG emissions, with a long-term coefficient of -0.422 and a short-term coefficient of -0.757. Additionally, natural resource rents, agricultural land use and population density have a positive impact on greenhouse gas emissions, with coefficients of 0.0605, 0.392 and 0.690, respectively. However, renewable energy production does not have a significant effect on greenhouse gas emissions. This suggests that promoting renewable energy consumption can be an effective way to combat greenhouse gas emissions in the region, and policymakers should implement policies and programs that encourage and facilitate the adoption of renewable energy whilst taking into consideration the impact of agricultural land use. Overall, this study emphasizes the importance of promoting renewable energy consumption and managing agricultural land use as a viable approach to combating greenhouse gas emissions in sub-Saharan Africa, and highlights the potential of climate mitigation technology as a tool for regulators to optimize policy development and counter climate change.

Origins of Russian fishing business in the Lower Reaches of the Volga region (late XV – early XVII century)

Abstract: The article considers peculiarities of development of Russian commercial fishing in the Lower Reaches of the Volga region in the epoch of formation of the united Russian state. To study this process, the water area of the river from the influx of Bolshoy Cheremshan in it to the Volga-Don Portage. Researchers of fish resources of the European Southeast of Russia believe that in terms of their riches valuable species of fish these fishing grounds were inferior only to the lower Volga and Northern Caspian. The chronological framework of the work covers the period from the first attempts of penetration of Russian fishermen into the Volga in the late XV century. and continued until the appearance of regular fishing business after the annexation of the Middle and Lower Volga region to the Moscow state. The source for the study of the topic are archival materials from the Russian State Archive of Ancient Acts, as well as written sources already introduced into the scientific circulation and published. The latter include descriptions of foreign and Russian travelers, chronicles, legislative and act material, business and production documents, etc. This problem was practically not subjected to special systemic study in the selected chronological framework. The author concludes that even in the second half of the XVI and early XVII century in the coastal zone of the river, there has been little or no permanent development of fishing and farming populations. The State has only just begun to regulate the allocation of fishing grounds and the regulation of their exploitation. The conclusions obtained during the course of the work provide an initial evolution of the fishing development of this vast region

Sustainable livestock farming practices in Punjab, Pakistan: Insights from demographic analysis and disease prevalence

This study investigates the socio-economic landscape and disease prevalence among livestock farmers in Punjab, Pakistan, focusing on Muzaffargarh and Rahim Yar Khan districts. A sample of 400 farmers was randomly selected using a multistage sampling technique. The demographic analysis reveals a predominantly middle-aged and older farming population, with small to medium landholdings. Specifically, 43.3% of farmers were categorized as old (&gt;50 years), while 65.0% were small-scale landholders (less than 12.5 acres). Regarding disease recognition, foot and mouth disease and hemorrhagic septicemia emerged as the most recognized diseases, with mean scores of 3.30 and 3.22 respectively, on a scale of 1 to 5. Additionally, ticks were identified as the primary external parasite affecting livestock, with a mean score of 3.19. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions to address disease management and improve farming practices in the region. Strengthening veterinary services, promoting disease prevention measures, and enhancing access to quality fodder are crucial steps toward ensuring sustainable livestock farming in Punjab, Pakistan.

Role of Education and Training to Make Agritourism A Success Story in India

: The paper explores the role of entrepreneurship education and training amongst women entrepreneurs to promote agritourism sector of the Indian economy. This study employ qualitative and quantitative approaches to gather data questionnaires survey and in-depth face to face interviews, based on a semi-structured questionnaire. The research involved a matched sample of 10 registered farmers (from the Punjab Heritage Tourism Promotion Board) and 200 unregistered male and female farmers selected randomly from the Indian State of Punjab. Quantitative analysis suggests that there is a direct and significant impact of EET on the management, efficiency, and use of farming land. The findings also suggested that the fall in the agricultural productivity due to labour shortages; revenue losses are rising as commodity prices are falling. Therefore, it is not a surprise that farmers seek to supplement income through alternative means to enhance their socio-economic stability and viability. The findings suggest that there is high incidence of migration amongst male farming population and female farmers lack EET and reluctance on their part to work with external male population. However, analysis of male owner-managers of micro and small agritourist firms also reported to have lower levels of EET and hence the need for EET male and females; thus, EET and adequate access to finance were two major determinants of agritourist firms’ success in Indian Punjab.

Use of the HEC RAS model for the analysis of exceptional floods in the Ouémé basin

Abstract. The Ouémé River basin extends over almost half of Benin's territory, entirely located in a humid tropical climate. This river system includes a deltaic zone (delta of the Ouémé) known for its high agricultural potential and thus subject to a socio-economic development agenda. The Ouémé delta is facing recurrent floods that maintain rural agricultural population into a retrograding crisis with significant damages such as losses of properties. The objective of this study is to improve decision-making in the Ouémé basin through the simulation of exceptional floods using the HEC-RAS model. The HEC RAS model is a conceptual model, which works through mathematical and physical formulas to implement environmental phenomena for forecasting, understanding and analysis purposes. The model inputs used are basin GIS data, hydro-meteorological data, characteristics of existing hydraulic structures, etc. The targeted outputs include 1D/2D/3D view plans with support of satellite images, tables, graphs and curves. It is worth mentioning that the model provides outputs compatible with other tools, such as civil engineering (Civil 3D, Revit, Infraworks, etc.) and GIS, that help to expand the valorization fields. The implementation of the model in the Ouémé basin has made it possible to note: (i) that the recurring effect of losses and damages is justified by the settlement of the population on the river banks; (ii) that there is an important agricultural production in areas of high flood risk; (iii) that depending on the occurrence of the phenomenon, the flooded extent and the height of submersion remains variable, and more important for extreme flooding; (iv) about 12.07 % occurrence of river flood against 13.24 % for flash flood at a return period of 30 years. Moreover, it is very relevant to note that most of flood waters converge to the western part of the basin (an area with a low risk of flooding, stretched over 63.68 km2) and to the eastern part around the Damè-Wogon depression (an area at high risk of flooding, stretched over 10.49 km2).

Missing history of a modern domesticate: Historical demographics and genetic diversity in farm-bred red fox populations.

The first record of captive-bred red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) dates to 1896 when a breeding enterprise emerged in the provinces of Atlantic Canada. Because its domestication happened during recent history, the red fox offers a unique opportunity to examine the genetic diversity of an emerging domesticated species in the context of documented historical and economic influences. In particular, the historical record suggests that North American and Eurasian farm-bred populations likely experienced different demographic trajectories. Here, we focus on the likely impacts of founder effects and genetic drift given historical trends in fox farming on North American and Eurasian farms. A total of 15 mitochondrial haplotypes were identified in 369 foxes from 10 farm populations that we genotyped (n = 161) or that were previously published. All haplotypes are endemic to North America. Although most haplotypes were consistent with eastern Canadian ancestry, a small number of foxes carried haplotypes typically found in Alaska and other regions of western North America. The presence of these haplotypes supports historical reports of wild foxes outside of Atlantic Canada being introduced into the breeding stock. These putative Alaskan and Western haplotypes were more frequently identified in Eurasian farms compared to North American farms, consistent with historical documentation suggesting that Eurasian economic and breeding practices were likely to maintain low-frequency haplotypes more effectively than in North America. Contextualizing inter- vs. intra-farm genetic diversity alongside the historical record is critical to understanding the origins of this emerging domesticate and the relationships between wild and farm-bred fox populations.

Existing Challenges and Opportunities for Advancing Drought and Health Research.

Drought is one of the most far-reaching natural disasters, yet drought and health research is sparse. This may be attributed to the challenge of quantifying drought exposure, something complicated by multiple drought indices without any designed for health research. The purpose of this general review is to evaluate current drought and health literature and highlight challenges or scientific considerations when performing drought exposure and health assessments. The literature revealed a small, but growing, number of drought and health studies primarily emphasizing Australian, western European, and US populations. The selection of drought indices and definitions of drought are inconsistent. Rural and agricultural populations have been identified as vulnerable cohorts, particularly for mental health outcomes. Using relevant examples, we discuss the importance of characterizing drought and explore why health outcomes, populations of interest, and compound environmental hazards are crucial considerations for drought and health assessments. As climate and health research is prioritized, we propose guidance for investigators performing drought-focused analyses.

Impact of Young Farmers Supports on the Young Farmers’ Willingness to Continue Farm Activities: A Case of TR52 Region in Türkiye

There has been an increase in the demand for agricultural products and different support programs are implemented by countries to keep a sufficient, economically active population in agriculture. The aim of this study was to examine the impacts of the Young Farmer Support Program (YFP) in Türkiye. The primary data for this study was obtained from face-to-face surveys conducted with 155 young farmers. The logit model was used to analyse the factors affecting the willingness of young farmers to continue agricultural activities. The results showed that about half of the young farmers were not satisfied with the provided support, and 23.7% of them considered exiting the agricultural sector. The results of the Logit model showed that the satisfaction from the Program, the presence of social facilities in the rural areas, crop diversity, agricultural insurance, and investments in the farms were statistically significant and had an impact on the willingness of young farmers to continue their farm activities. Diversifying and expanding the scope of support policies for young farmers could make significant contributions to keeping young farmers in the agricultural sector and rural areas.

The tales of contradiction: A thematic analysis of British sheep farmers’ perceptions of managing sheep scab in their flocks

Sheep scab is endemic in Great Britain with an estimated national herd-level prevalence of 10.9% from a surveyed population of sheep farms. Previous studies have investigated how sheep farmers manage sheep scab on their farms in Great Britain, but there have not been any qualitative studies investigating sheep farmers perceptions on the roles different stakeholders have in the management of sheep scab. This qualitative study aims to explore how sheep farmers perceive their role and the different stakeholders’ roles in the management of sheep scab, and how they would like sheep scab to be managed going forward. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 43 sheep farmers from England, Scotland, and Wales. The data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, through the theoretical lens of Foucault’s notion of ‘biopower’. Two themes were generated: ‘The feeling of powerlessness leads to a need of rules and regulations’, with sub-themes: ‘The need for governmental rules and regulations’ and ‘The need for rules and regulation at livestock markets’, and ‘An apparent lack of sheep scab surveillance’, with sub-themes: ‘The farmers perceive that the veterinarians have control over surveillance’ and ‘The farmers have control over surveillance on their farms’. In the first theme, the respondents suggested that more rules and regulations to control the management of sheep scab was required. This included reinstating of sheep scab as a notifiable disease in England and Wales, as well as more regulations at livestock markets to prevent the trading of infested sheep; both of which would subject the farmers to regulatory power mechanisms. The second theme centred around who has the control of surveillance on the farms. Most of the respondents perceived that the veterinarians had knowledge and expertise of the local area on sheep scab, which they were able to relay to the farmers. Thus, veterinarians exerted disciplinary power by creating ‘docile’ bodies. However, it also appeared that veterinarians were not regularly called onto farms. Although disciplinary power flows through the interactions between the farmer and veterinarian, the techniques currently used are not always having their desired effect. The study demonstrated that how sheep farmers want sheep scab to be managed is, at times, conflicting and contradictory, which highlights the complexity of sheep scab as a disease to manage.

Seeds of Change: Assessing Wheat Knowledge and Socio-profile in Rural Areas of Kharar, Tehsil of Punjab, India

This study investigates the socio-profile status, agricultural practices, and knowledge acquisition among farmers in rural villages of the Punjab region, India. Employing a cross-sectional survey design, data was collected from farmers residing in five villages through structured questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. The demographic analysis revealed a balanced gender distribution, with a significant proportion falling within the 40-60 years age bracket, highlighting the maturity of the farming population. Educational attainment varied, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to enhance access to higher education and vocational training programs. Findings indicated a high prevalence of smartphone usage among farmers, presenting opportunities for leveraging digital technology in agricultural extension services. Family compositions leaned towards nuclear families, while landholding patterns showcased the varied socio-profile landscape within the farming community. Peer networks and institutional support emerged as significant sources of agricultural information, underscoring the importance of collaborative approaches in knowledge dissemination. A notable increase in knowledge was observed among farmers after video presentations on wheat varieties, highlighting the efficacy of multimedia approaches in agricultural education. The study aimed to assess the impact of a video presentation on wheat cultivation on farmers' knowledge. Data from 60 farmers showed significant improvements in various aspects of wheat cultivation knowledge, including identifying suitable wheat varieties, understanding sowing and harvesting timing, and recognizing common wheat diseases. The mean percentage increase in knowledge was 103%, indicating the effectiveness of the educational program. These findings underscore the importance of targeted educational initiatives in promoting sustainable agriculture and improving farmers' livelihoods. Continued support and education efforts are essential for sustaining and enhancing these positive outcomes. However, the preference for sowing previous year's seeds over newly released varieties indicates the persistence of traditional practices and the need for targeted interventions to promote varietal adoption. Overall, this study provides valuable insights for policymakers and development practitioners to design context-specific interventions aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and ensuring food security for rural populations in the Punjab region and beyond.