Average Plot Size Research Articles

RICE FARMER'S USING MOBILE IN MARKETING OPERATIONS: AN ANALYTICAL STUDY IN THE SPECIFIC REGION OF BANGLADESH

Rice is a major staple crop in Bangladesh, and its production has a profound effect on the country's agricultural sector. Large distribution networks in Bangladesh may drive up rice prices. The scarcity of marketing information prevents farmers from making decisions when planning their output and sales. This study aimed to analyze the variables that influence mobile usage and the effects of mobile use in rice marketing. 100 farmers were selected by two steps sampling procedure from the rural area of Upazilla, Bangladesh. 100 farmers in all, mostly small-scale rice farmers with an average plot size of 1.88 acres, were approached using a concise interview format & questionnaires. The data was evaluated using a variety of statistical methods, including correlation and regression analysis using a binary logistic regression model. The analysis was carried out utilizing the SPSS. Studies showed that 75% of mobile phone owners utilize it for paddy marketing. Income and education have a significant influence on cellphone usage, as shown in regression analysis. In the Likert scale study, there was a highly positive impact on having access to a broad variety of information, the accuracy of that information, negotiating power, and reducing market intermediaries' and transportation corporations' oppressiveness. Most farmers can save time and money by acquiring information themselves. It can be concluded that the adoption of mobile phones facilitates marketing activities and all potential consequences for rice farmers. Assuring mobile phone utilization could be essential in this area to improve the calibre of rice marketing.

Characterization of shifting cultivation, trends, and diversification of livelihood patterns: A case study from forest villages in Barak valley, Assam, Northeast India

Shifting cultivation is a traditional agricultural system and predominant land use in the mountainous regions of many parts of the world. Recently, there has been a change in traditional shifting cultivation practice. The purpose of the current study is to map the spatial distribution of shifting cultivation plots in forest villages of Barak Valley, Assam, Northeast India, document the socio-economic profile of cultivators, and examine how traditional shifting cultivation is transitioning towards other agricultural systems, leading to livelihood diversification. The study included both primary and secondary data. The shifting cultivation plots were digitized using Sentinel 2 image of 2022. A total of 146 respondents from nine forest villages were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The plots were concentrated in the southern part of Barak Valley and sparsely distributed in the Northern part. The average plot size was 1.35±0.02 ha. A positive correlation was observed between family size and size of jhum plot. The villages were located in remote areas with little access to basic amenities such as metalled roads and schools. The duration of fallow was lesser in villages located nearer to the market, as it was easier for them to sell their produce. Diversification of livelihoods among the younger members was observed, who were engaged in activities other than cultivation. The reason cited by respondents for this was earning additional income. Shifting cultivation combined with commercial farming on fallow land was the most common form of livelihood. The fallow period ranged between 2 to10 years. Weed infestation and loss of fertility were cited as major reasons by all respondents for leaving jhum plots fallow. Species such as Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck (Orange), Musa sp (Banana), Piper betle L. (Betel Leaf), Parkia timoriana (DC.) Merr. (Tree bean), Thysanolaena latifolia (Roxb. ex Hornem.) Honda (Asian Broom Grass) and other economically important species were cultivated in the fallow lands. This has increased the pressure on remaining forest lands that are being converted into shifting cultivation areas. Although conversion of fallow for monoculture and agroforestry may not be the solution to every problem, it holds promise for both ecological and economical sustainability, if managed judiciously. However, transition to other livelihood systems must occur with minimal degradation of ecosystem services.

Economic Consequences of Land Fragmentation on Farm Production: Empirical Evidences from Bangladesh

This study examines the impact of land fragmentation on farm productivity in northern Bangladesh. To achieve that objective, primary data were collected from 193 farm households through a direct interview method from Mymensingh and Dinajpur districts. A combination of analytical tools was employed like perception index, fragmentation index, Simpson index and multiple linear regression model. Most of the farm lands in the study area were severely fragmented. The decreasing rate of average farm size was more prevalent for those farmers whose lands were less fragmented. Moreover, farmers, having more fragmented land, incurred more costs in farm production. Regression results revealed that the number of parcels, average plot size and average distance from plots to homestead were found to have significant negative impact on rice production. Policy implications include developing effective land consolidations program by the spread of commercialization of farming by public or private authority and spread of mechanization through machine service providers at the local level and creating employment opportunities to release pressure on the land.

Does Increasing Farm Plot Size Influence the Visual Quality of Everyday Agricultural Landscapes?

The increase in farm plot size is one of the most apparent and significant trends that have influenced central and eastern European agricultural landscapes since the 1950s. In many countries where the average plot size in traditional land-use systems did not exceed several hectares, present-day plots reach the size of 200 ha or more. In recent times, efforts have been made to reverse this trend to restore important ecosystem functions and to re-establish the aesthetic values of everyday landscapes. Visual landscape quality is becoming a major driving force in the development of agricultural landscapes with known effects on people's well-being and health, and this quality plays an increasingly important role in agricultural policies. However, no comprehensive research has been carried out to establish the links between perceived visual landscape quality and the scale of the farm plot pattern. The current study was therefore designed to determine whether greater farmland pattern heterogeneity, i.e., smaller farm plot sizes, is consistent with higher visual preferences. The results showed that people preferred a small-scale plot pattern in landscapes characterized by a flat relief and a low proportion of woody vegetation. These homogeneous landscapes were also overall considered significantly less beautiful than more diverse landscapes. However, even a moderate decrease in plot size notably improved these low beauty scores. These preferences were displayed consistently by all respondents, and most strongly by older respondents, respondents with a higher level of education, and those professionally engaged in landscape design or conservation. The high level of consensus among respondents in rejecting further land consolidation in homogeneous landscapes, which form a large proportion of European farmland, underlines that the results of this study provide a valid argument for discussing sustainable agricultural plot sizes as part of agricultural policy-making.

Increasing crop richness and reducing field sizes provide higher yields to pollinator‐dependent crops

Abstract Agricultural landscapes cover >60% of terrestrial landscapes. While biodiversity conservation and crop productivity have been seen as mutually exclusive options for a long time, recent research suggests that agricultural landscapes represent significant opportunities for biodiversity conservation outside of traditional protected areas. Here, we use a unique dataset that includes annual monitoring of 12,300 permanent 25‐ha plots over two decades across Spain to assess how agricultural landscapes are changing over time. We focus particularly on landscape composition and configuration variables such as the diversity of crops grown within a landscape, average plot size or the cover of natural habitats and assess how changes to these variables affect the ability of agricultural landscapes to ensure high yields. We find potential synergistic strategies that are good for biodiversity conservation and can also lead to increasing crop yields. Specifically, we find that management practices that favour increasing biodiversity values such as maintaining small field sizes and high crop richness values at the landscape scale actually led to the greatest average yield values across 54 crops, 41% of which depend on pollinator activity for reproduction. Policy implications: While our analysis does not factor in economic costs and benefits, we show that synergy scenarios that are good for biodiversity conservation and crop productivity are possible, yet not as widespread as they could be.

Allelopathic effects of sunflower water extract integrated with affinity herbicide on weed control and wheat yield

The aim of present study was to investigate the allelopathic impact of sunflower water extract integrated with affinity herbicide on weed management and production of wheat variety TD-1 under field condition. The trial was carried out in a three replicated and the average plot size was kept at 3x5m (15 m2). The obtained data showed that the all the treatments considerably (P<0.05) minimized weed density, weed fresh weight, weed dry weight and weed control up to 90.33, 89.31, 89.61, 90.33% with application of sunflower water extract (1:10) @ 20 L ha-1 (One spray at 25 DAS) + Affinity 50 WP @ 0.75 kg ha-1 (One spray at 25 DAS) than control treatment. The application of sunflower water extract (1:10) @ 20 L ha-1 (One spray at 25 DAS) + Affinity 50 WP @ 0.75 kg ha-1 (One spray at 25 DAS) significantly increased number of tillers (32.34%), plant height (14.59%), spike length (27.89%), grains spike-1 (16.80%), grain weight plant-1 (47%), seed index (19.60%) and grain yield (51%) of wheat as compared with control. Overall results indicated that the sunflower water extract integrated with herbicide can be successfully used to control the narrow and broad leaves in wheat crop.

Maize Yield Estimation in Intercropped Smallholder Fields Using Satellite Data in Southern Malawi

Satellite data provide high potential for estimating crop yield, which is crucial to understanding determinants of yield gaps and therefore improving food production, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) regions. However, accurate assessment of crop yield and its spatial variation is challenging in SSA because of small field sizes, widespread intercropping practices, and inadequate field observations. This study aimed to firstly evaluate the potential of satellite data in estimating maize yield in intercropped smallholder fields and secondly assess how factors such as satellite data spatial and temporal resolution, within-field variability, field size, harvest index and intercropping practices affect model performance. Having collected in situ data (field size, yield, intercrops occurrence, harvest index, and leaf area index), statistical models were developed to predict yield from multisource satellite data (i.e., Sentinel-2 and PlanetScope). Model accuracy and residuals were assessed against the above factors. Among 150 investigated fields, our study found that nearly half were intercropped with legumes, with an average plot size of 0.17 ha. Despite mixed pixels resulting from intercrops, the model based on the Sentinel-2 red-edge vegetation index (VI) could estimate maize yield with moderate accuracy (R2 = 0.51, nRMSE = 19.95%), while higher spatial resolution satellite data (e.g., PlanetScope 3 m) only showed a marginal improvement in performance (R2 = 0.52, nRMSE = 19.95%). Seasonal peak VI values provided better accuracy than seasonal mean/median VI, suggesting peak VI values may capture the signal of the dominant upper maize foliage layer and may be less impacted by understory intercrop effects. Still, intercropping practice reduces model accuracy, as the model residuals are lower in fields with pure maize (1 t/ha) compared to intercropped fields (1.3 t/ha). This study provides a reference for operational maize yield estimation in intercropped smallholder fields, using free satellite data in Southern Malawi. It also highlights the difficulties of estimating yield in intercropped fields using satellite imagery, and stresses the importance of sufficient satellite observations for monitoring intercropping practices in SSA.

Uncontrolled urbanization and expected unclogging of Congolese cities: Case of Bukavu city, Eastern DR Congo

This study was conducted to contribute to improvement and sustainable development of Congolese cities, particularly Bukavu city. GIS and Remote Sensing technics were used to estimate the built-up suitable areas in Bukavu taking into account the slopes, rivers, exclusion zones, protected zones, lakes, roads, identified landslides areas, erosion and flooding. These exclusion areas were subtracted from the total city area to determine the suitable areas. 2030 and 2050 population projections were made based on 2016 estimations. The results obtained show that only 68.6% (∼29.7 km2) are suitable for built-up. Based on 2016 estimation, the population will double by 2030 and triple by 2050. While the areas that can be developed for settlements can accommodate only ∼186 000 people, the surplus will be relocated in two selected satellite cities, namely Nyatende and Miti-Murhesa centres, having ∼38 and ∼125 km2 of suitable areas, respectively. Both vertical and horizontal development with an average plot size of 350 m2 would reduce the negative impacts and ensure a sustainable city environment. To maintain the sustainability of Bukavu and its former name of “green city”, both horizontal and mixed extensions will be considered while the two selected zones have to be well planned for new satellites cities and new Bukavu city development.

Positive impacts of farmland fragmentation on agricultural production efficiency in Qilu Lake watershed: Implications for appropriate scale management

Farmland fragmentation can be influenced by factors that operate at different scales. It is not only a spatial boundary pattern of farmland use and management rights shaped by macro policies but also a self–organisation process that determines the utilisation and management of farmland units. Farmland fragmentation is generally considered ineffective for improving agricultural production efficiency, whilst its positive effects are ignored by policymakers because the forms, scenarios and causes of farmland fragmentation are not clearly defined. The historical process and various heterogeneous conditions in the Qilu Lake watershed, Yunnan Province, China make the area an interesting case to investigate the relationship between farmland fragmentation and agricultural production efficiency. Using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) images and a field survey, we (i) determined forms, scenarios and the causes of existing farmland fragmentation; (ii) measured the level of farmland fragmentation and agricultural production efficiency; and (iii) analysed the impact of farmland fragmentation on agricultural production efficiency by using the Tobit regression model. The results indicate that the forms of farmland fragmentation include physical (internal, use and location) and tenure (ownership/usership) fragmentation in the Qilu Lake watershed. The average plot size, the number of plots and the distance amongst plots all indicate that the physical and tenure fragmentation is serious and heterogeneous. Farmland fragmentation in the Qilu Lake watershed is the result of self–organisation and appropriate scale management adaptation. The distribution of farmland ownership and usership as a response to regional characteristics of topography, natural disasters and dense population in a farmland scare area leads to the initial stage of location fragmentation. Internal and use fragmentation caused by planting multiple crops can adapt to the local heterogeneous ecological conditions, high population density, imperfect markets and market–oriented agricultural systems. The resilient practice is considered to be an effective risk management strategy that can promote agricultural production. Land transfer related to usership fragmentation has no effect on agricultural productivity in the Qilu Lake watershed. In addition, the social attributes of households also impact agricultural production efficiency. Our findings have two key policy implications, namely, (i) expanding the semantics of farmland fragmentation helps design policies for environment–friendly farmland utilisation and promote sustainable watershed development, and (ii) environmental and agricultural macro policies should give equal consideration to the negative and positive effects of farmland fragmentation as resilient solutions of appropriate scale management.

364 Blood Profile of Kiko Does Raised on Grass-legume-mixed Pastures vs. Sole-grass Pastures During Fall

Abstract Goats raised in pastures dominated with perennial grasses in the southeast United States commonly show poor health and performance. Addition of legumes to grass pastures may improve nutrient content and enhance animal performance. However, how legume addition to pastures would impact blood profile in goats has not been documented well. The objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of legume-grass mixed pastures on the blood profile of Kiko does. The study was conducted in fall 2020 using 10 fenced plots (average plot size: 0.44 ha). Five plots were sown to southern peas (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.)-browntop millet (Urochloa ramosa L. Nguyen) 50:50 mix) and remaining five plots to sole browntop millet. Nineteen Kiko does (initial age 15–16 months and live weight - 34 ± 1.4 kg) were divided into two uniform groups: Group 1 and Group 2. Does in Group 1 were allocated to legume-grass plots and Group 2 to sole grass plots; they were rotationally stocked in their respective plots for 87 days. Blood samples were collected on Day 1 before allowing them to their respective plots, Day 47, and Day 87. Samples were analyzed for different cellular and metabolic parameters. GLM procedure in SAS 9.4. was used to analyze the data. Group-1 does had higher level of basophil, glucose, and blood urea nitrogen, but lower level of globulin concentration was significantly higher in compared to Group 2 (P < 0.05). Interaction effect of group and sampling date occurred for 21 variables (P < 0.05). Results indicated that addition of legume forage in pastures can alter blood profile of grazing goats. Further investigation on the impact of mixing legumes with grass pastures on animal performance, economics, and soil health will be helpful to understand the holistic effect of legumes on animal agriculture.

Legume-grass Pastures Enhanced the Performance of Kiko Does

Abstract Inadequate and poor-quality pastures dominated with perennial grasses are one of the major reasons for poor performance of goats in the Southeastern United States. Legume addition to grass pastures may improve performance of goats. However, such information is not documented well. The objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of legume addition to pastures on goat performance. The study site consisted of 10 plots (average plot size: 0.44 ha). Five plots were sown to southern peas (Vigna unguiculata)-browntop millet (Urochloa ramosa) 50:50 mix) and remaining plots to sole browntop millet. Forage biomass samples were collected, dried, and weighed for dry matter (DM). Nineteen Kiko does (initial age: 15–16 months; live weight (LWt): 34 ± 1.4 kg) were divided into two groups: 10 to legume-grass plots and nine to grass-only plots; allocation of does to either group was based on their initial LWt, FAMACHA (5-color card) score (1–5: 1–2 – not anemic, 4–5 anemic), and body condition score (BCS: 1–5, 1 extremely lean, 5 obese) to create uniform groups. Does were rotationally stocked based on available forages in their respective plots for 87 days starting mid-August 2020. Does’ LWt, FAMACHA score, and BCS were collected just before they were deployed to research plots, in every 14 d during the study, and at the end. Forage dry-matter data and animal-performance data were analyzed using Mixed and GLM procedures, respectively, in SAS 9.4. Legume-grass and grass-only plots yielded similar DM. Does in legume-grass group gained more weight (37.4 ± 0.50 kg vs. 35.7 ± 0.53 kg; P = 0.0209) and better FAMACHA score (2.1 ± 0.06 vs. 2.4 ± 0.07; P = 0.0044) and BCS (2.6 ± 0.02 vs. 2.5 ± 0.03; P = 0.0008) versus grass group. Results showed that legume-grass-mixed pastures promote the performance of growing does than sole-grass pastures.

Adoption of phytodesalination as a sustainable agricultural practice for improving the productivity of saline soils

Due to the strong impact of soil salination on the productivity of crops, the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs) such as phytodesalination is intended to reverse its effects. While this practice is used in most Middle Eastern countries, Mexico has just begun envisaging its benefits and potential. This study evaluated factors promoting the adoption of phytodesalination among agricultural producers based on the municipality of Villamar, Mexico. Two hundred forty-five semistructured surveys were designed and applied to farmers who participated in various events to disseminate the practice of phytodesalination. Information was gathered on the socioeconomic/demographic characteristics and affectation levels of their parcels due to the effects of salinity. Through a logistic regression using Lasso restriction, the factors influencing the farmers’ decisions to adopt phytodesalination in their specific productive models were evaluated. The results show that more than 87% of the surveyed farmers are male, that their average age is 52 years, that more than 82% have at most an elementary or high school education, that the average plot size in the study area is roughly 4 ha, that more than 76% of the farmers are native to the area and that approximately of 84% use their production exclusively for sales. According to the model employed [prediction of 90% and AUC (area under the curve) of 0.97], the surveyed farmers are mostly influenced by institutional (advice on implementing desalination), organizational (skills and competencies to spread halophyte species in accordance with parcel length and access to halophyte plants) and economic (time to implement phytodesalination) factors. The promotion of this approach and commitment of the region’s various institutions are recommended so that farmers can extend their knowledge of SAPs through a comprehensive strategic approach that allows them to address their specific challenges.

Land acquisition and crop market participation among farmers in Peri-Urban areas of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

This study examined the relationship between land acquisition and crop market participation among farmers in peri-urban areas of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select 200 respondents. Data were collected using structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Land Ownership Index (LOI), Crop Market Participation Index (CMPI) and Tobit regression model. Majority (77.5%) of the crop farmers were male, married (80.5%), natives (71.0%), and had an average household size of 7. Also, 81.0% of the respondents had formal education and on the average, famers had 29 years of farming experience. The existing means of plot acquisition were inheritance (53.4%) - the most common, gift (2.6%), purchase (9.0%), rent (20.1%) and lease (14.9%). The prominent transaction-based land acquisition was rent (45.7%) while that of non-transaction based acquisition was inheritance (95.4%). The average plot size was 2.1hectares and most (53.5%) of the farmers had full ownership of their total land holding (LOI=1). The cultivation methods adopted by farmers were mixed cropping (79.0%), monocropping (12.3%), intercropping (7.3%) and shifting cultivation (1.4%). The household CMPI was found to be 64.1% and maize was the major crop driving market participation with CMPI of 84.7%. The Tobit regression results indicated that at p<0.05, sex, years of education, farming experience and use of improved maize planting material had positive effects on crop market participation. However, land ownership index (p<0.1) had negative effect on crop market participation, implying that land ownership did not translate to crop market participation. Policy effort aimed at making farmers, both natives and non-natives, to acquire land through transactions (rent and lease) will be a potent tool in increasing crop production, thereby also increasing their crop market participation.

Influential factors and classification of cultivated land fragmentation, and implications for future land consolidation: A case study of Jiangsu Province in eastern China

Cultivated land fragmentation (CLF) is one of the main obstacles hindering the development of agricultural modernization and mechanization. Systematically exploring the general distribution characteristics, influential factors and classification of CLF are of great significance for improving regional agricultural production capacity, promoting resource conservation and intensive use, and ensuring national food security, especially at the regional scale. In this study, we established a new conceptual index system using multivariable linear regression, geographical detectors, and magic cube model for CLF assessment as well as an analysis of the spatial differentiation characteristics, driving mechanism and management zoning trade-off of CLF in Jiangsu Province in eastern China based on multi-source data characterizing geographic, land-use and socio-economic information. The results showed that the connotation of CLF has spatial-scale characteristics due to the differences in functions positioning of cultivated land resources in macro-social security and micro-livelihood maintenance. At the national/regional scale, CLF mainly covers the natural (resource), spatial and utilization attributes of cultivated land. Based on this, the CLFI in Jiangsu presents a spatial pattern that gradually increases from north to south, with significant spatial differences. Besides, the CLFI within built-up areas is significantly higher than that outside built-up areas, and its fractal dimensions both within and outside the urban planning built-up areas show the spatial pattern of "spatial distribution > resource endowment > convenience of utilization". Furthermore, average plot size, the proportion of industry and service industry, gross domestic product, slope, grain output, and plot distance from town are the dominant factors driving the spatial differentiation of CLF, with the influence power (q) is 0.472, 0.204, 0.133, 0.129, 0.097 and 0.084, respectively. Location conditions and socio-economic activities have significant effects on the spatial differentiation of CLF within the built-up areas while highlighting the role of rural settlements outside urban built-up areas on CLF. Finally, we propose a two-level zoning system for diminishing the CLF and optimizing the utilization of cultivated land resources in Jiangsu based on influencing factors and fragmentation characteristics. The findings of this study will assist the government in developing appropriate regional context and land consolidation policies and coping strategies to CLF and food insecurity issues, and achieve sustainable development goals.

A company-dominated pattern of land consolidation to solve land fragmentation problem and its effectiveness evaluation: A case study in a hilly region of Guangxi Autonomous Region, Southwest China

Since late 1970s, the implementation of the household contracted responsibility system (HCRS) has raised farmers’ enthusiasm for production and effectively enhanced China’s agricultural productivity. However, the absolutely equal distribution of quantity and quality of farmland has also resulted in the problem of land fragmentation, which has currently become a major obstacle to the realization of economy of scale and agricultural modernization. Land consolidation has traditionally been taken as a necessary approach for solving this problem. This study takes Long’an County of Guangxi Autonomous Region in Southwest China as a case study, to examine the effectiveness of a newly introduced company-dominated model for land consolidation. Contrasted to commonly-adopted government-dominated models, in this model a company would lease scattered farmlands from farmers, and carry out a land consolidation project to merge small plots into large plots, then use consolidated land for scale operation. In this whole process, local governments only play an assistant role by subsidizing the project and supervision. The evaluation results show that after land transfer and consolidation, farmland fragmentation degree in Langwan project area is effectively reduced, with the total number of plots decreasing from 1738 to 92 and the average plot size increasing from 0.11 to 2.00 ha, and plot shape tends to be enlarged and regular, which is conducive to large-scale and mechanized operation. Besides, agricultural infrastructure and soil quality are both improved, which facilitate the implementation and mechanization of field work, such as transportation, irrigation, tillage, pesticides and fertilizers application. The improvement of land productivity and government subsidy kindles entrepreneurial enthusiasm for investment and participation in agriculture, which promoted crop structure transformation from sugarcane to high value-added dragon fruit (pitaya), resulting in a great increase in profit from 5212.5 to 57,000 Yuan/ha/a. Meanwhile, local government can free themselves from the cumbersome work of project design, implementation and supervising scattered individuals. Farmers can also gain revenue from land leasing and employment opportunities on the field provided by the company. This new company-oriented model proves itself as a more efficient and effective approach of incentive-based middle-out strategy to deliver multi-agents, multi-goals benefits, which is in line with recent call for self-organized and collaborative resource governance, and can be extended to other regions and contribute to rural revitalization in China and other countries.

LAND FRAGMENTATION AND IT DETERMINANTS IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN IKENNE AGRICULTURAL ZONE, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Land fragmentation is a major obstacle to agricultural development in Nigeria. The objective of this study is to examine land fragmentation and its determinants by smallholder farmers. In Nigeria through the use of Ikenne Agricultural zone of Ogun State. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 120 smallholder farmers in the study area. Descriptive statistics, Simpson index and Stepwise Multiple Linear Regression were used. The results of the Simpson’s Index showed that the average land fragmentation index was 0.38 which implies that smallholder farm lands are highly fragmented. Household average annual income (p<0.01), per capita arable land (p<0.01), size of land rented in and out by household (p<0.01), labour force of household (p<0.05), total available land area (p<0.05) and farming experience (P<0.01) were the significant factors affecting average plot size owned by farmers. Also, household average annual income (p<0.01), per capita arable land (p<0.05), size of land rented in and out by household (p<0.01), labour force of household (p<0.05) were the ones contributing to the number of plots cultivated by the farmers. Land consolidation, application of specific land protection policies to prevent agricultural land from being developed for non-agricultural purposes are recommended.

Forty years later: Assessment of the long-lasting effectiveness of land consolidation projects

The high cost of implementing land consolidation projects (LCPs) justifies investigation of the question about the duration of economic effects of farmland merging. The assessment of economic effectiveness of LCP can be an essential argument in budgeting proceedings and in discussion of the importance of land relocation in the sustainable development of rural areas.The main aim of this research was to verify the hypothesis of persistence of favourable basic parameters of land fragmentation (LF) and other factors affecting the efficiency of agricultural production that are still observed even several decades after LC. The aim was also to confirm that the parameters of LF within merged area are still much more favourable than those in neighbouring areas that have never been subjected to LC. The additional goal was to determine the scale and intensity of changes in LF that took place after farmland merging, and to estimate the influence of LC to farmland abandonment by analysing the intensity of secondary forest succession. The research was focused on the Jabłonka commune located in the southern Poland.The results demonstrated the long-lasting effects of farmland merging, which are still evident even 40 years after the project has been completed. This is the most evident regarding the average plot size, road accessibility and land fragmentation indicators, which are calculated based on the area of the land parcel. Additionally, within the merged village the lowest level of land abandonment was observed, which was indicated by analysis of the areas covered by secondary forest succession and afforestation processes within formerly agriculturally areas. The results clearly indicated a multi-generational and positive impact of LCP on the development and functioning of rural areas.

An approach to understanding persistent yield variation—A case study in North China Plain

Abstract Large gaps between maize yields on average farmers’ fields and the highest yields achieved by either experiment or farmers are typical throughout the developing world, including in the North China Plain (NCP). Understanding the underlying causes to this yield gap is important for prioritizing strategies for shrinking this gap and improving food security. Quzhou county in Hebei province is typical of the winter-wheat summer-maize system in NCP where the average plot size is only 0.25 ha. To analyze this cropping system amidst the challenge of substantial heterogeneity, we identified fields that were either persistently higher or lower yielding according to remote sensing yield estimates, and then conducted detailed field surveys. We found irrigation facility to be a major constraint to yield both in terms of irrigation water quality and farmers’ access to wells. In total, improving the access to unsalty water would be associated with a 0.32 t/ha (4.2%) increase in multi-year average yield. In addition, farmers’ method of choosing cultivar, which likely relates to their overall knowledge level, significantly explained yield variation. In particular, those choosing cultivars according to technician advice, personal experiences and high yielding neighbors’ advice had on average higher yield than farmers that either followed seed sellers’ advice or collectively purchased seeds.

Comparative analysis of influence factors on arable land use intensity at farm household level: A case study comparing Suyu District of Suqian City and Taixing City, Jiangsu Province, China

Using data from the farm household survey conducted in 2009, arable land use intensity (ALUI) and its influence factors at farm household level were investigated by the Tobit model. Suyu District of Suqian City and Taixing City of Jiansu Province, China were chosen as the regions for comparison. The results show that: 1) On the average, the ALUI, labor intensity, yield-increasing input, and labor-saving input are 15 238.14 yuan (RMB)/ha, 192 d/ha, 7233.01 yuan/ha, and 2451.32 yuan/ha in the less economically developed Suyu District, and 13 020.65 yuan/ha, 181 d/ha, 5871.82 yuan/ha, and 2625.97 yuan/ha in more economically developed Taixing City. The figures indicate that Suyu District has higher ALUI and labor intensity input but lower labor-saving input. 2) Comparing all the influence factors, the total arable land area in available and average plot size have bigger effects on arable land intensive use; to a small degree, family’s non-farm income affects labor intensity, yield-increasing input, and labor-saving input; the yield-increasing input decreases significantly when the householder has higher education attainment; the commercialization rates of agricultural products and the planting proportion of cash crops both have unstable influence on ALUI; the share of arable land rented in has few impacts on labor intensity, yield-increasing input, and labor-saving input. 3) There are no differences found in the internal impact mechanism of influence factors on the arable land intensive use behaviors of farm households. However, there are conspicuous disparities in the impact degrees and statistical significance based on varying economic levels. 4) Using the results as bases, this study proposes that the government should implement land management and agricultural policies according to local condition. And these policies should decrease land fragmentation to promote scale management of land and arable land use intensification.

Impact of land fragmentation on rice producers’ technical efficiency in South-East China

Rice farming is important for income generation in large parts of China and Asia. This paper uses detailed household, crop- and plot-level data to investigate the levels and determinants of rice producers’ technical efficiency for three villages with different characteristics in a major rice-growing area of South-East China, focusing in particular on the impact of land fragmentation. Empirical results obtained by applying a stochastic frontier model showed statistically significant differences in technology level among villages, with the remotest village having the lowest technology level. Within villages average technical efficiency was generally high, ranging from 0.80 to 0.91 for the three types of rice that are grown in the region. For late-rice producers, no statistically significant variation was found in their technical efficiencies. Land fragmentation was found to be an important determinant of technical efficiency in early-rice and one-season rice production. An increase in average plot size increased rice farmers’ technical efficiency. Given average plot size, an increase in the number of plots was found to increase technical efficiency, indicating the presence of variation effects. A larger distance between homesteads and plots contributed to technical inefficiency in early-rice production. The high levels of technical efficiency found in our study support the view that to raise rice productivity in the long run, new technologies need to be introduced.