Bean Farmers Research Articles

Variasi Pemberian Pupuk Organik Kotoran Sapi dan Ayam terhadap Tanaman Buncis sebagai Upaya Meningkatkan Produktivitas Usahatani Buncis

One of the important things in bean farming is the use of superior seeds supported by the use of organic fertilizers with the right type and dosage so that the productivity of beans will be optimal. This study aims to study the interaction between types and doses of cow manure and chicken manure on the growth and yield of bean pods and to find out the optimum dose of manure fertilizer which has the most optimum effect on the production of bean varieties of Balitsa-2 (Phaseolus vulgaris). The study was carried out at the Lembang Vegetable Research Institute (BALITSA) by using a design of two different average factorial patterns with two factors and three replications and quadratic regression analysis with response surface models. The results of the study on each component of growth and yield of pod production showed significant differences from each treatment at d3 (15 tons / ha) and there was an interaction between the treatment and the dose given to the yield. The treatment of p1 (cow manure) and p2 (chicken manure) by dosing d3 (15 tons / ha) gave the most optimum results of fresh pods and was not significantly different, respectively 10,549 tons / ha and 10.726 tons / ha based on quadratic regression analysis. Thus, it is expected that bean farmers use superior bean seeds and fertilize organically both using chicken manure or cow manure at a dose of 15 tons / ha in order to obtain optimal bean production.

KONTRIBUSI PENERIMAAN USAHATANI KACANG PANJANG DI LAHAN SAWAH TADAH HUJAN PADA BERBAGAI POLA TANAM (Kasus di Kecamatan Pondok Kelapa, Kabupaten Bengkulu Tengah)

Long bean is an important crop for vegetable farmers on rainfed ricefield in Pondok Kelapa District, Bengkulu Tengah Regency because its cultivated in various cropping patterns. This study aims to analyze the contribution of long bean farming revenue in various vegetable cropping patterns. The study was conducted from May to August 2019 through a census of 50 vegetable farmers in the villages of Srikuncoro and Pekik Nyaring, Pondok Kelapa District. Data collected in the form of production costs and sale of the yields. The contribution of long bean farming is analyzed descriptively by calculating the revenue percentage in each cropping pattern. The results showed that there were six vegetable planting patterns practiced by farmers in Pondok Kelapa District, namely: (1) cucumber - pariah - long bean, (2) cucumber - gambas - long bean, (3) cucumber - long bean - long bean, (4) long bean - pariah - long bean, (5) long bean - gambas - long bean, and (6) long bean - long bean – pulled kale – pulled kale. Farmers always plant long bean in all of the cropping patterns. The biggest farming benefit is obtained from cropping pattern 1 which is Rp. 120,244,000/hectare with an R/C ratio of 1.95, while the smallest profit on a cropping pattern of 6 with an R/C ratio of 1.55. The planting pattern of cucumbers - long beans - long beans nominally gives the largest farm receipts from all cropping patterns namely Rp. 120,000,000/hectare, meanwhile, the long-bean-long-bean-spinach-pull-out cropping pattern is a cropping pattern which contributes the largest revenue from long-bean farming to 64.00%.
 Keywords : long bean, planting pattern, contribution, revenue.

Improve Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Yield through Cattle Manure in Nioka Region, Ituri Province, DRC

The agricultural production of common bean farmers in the DRC is deficient due to several factors: lack of plant disease control, poor farming practices, declining soil fertility and limited use of soil conservation measures such as the application of cattle manure to restore soil fertility. A complete randomized block experiment design with three replicates was carried out in Rimba and Lekpa sites in Ituri Province in order to observe the seed yield of three varieties of common bean (M’Sole, AFR 708 and Shabi rouge) during two cropping seasons (seasons B 2016 and A 2017) following the effects of using organic manure at dose of 0 and 5 t/ha. Results showed that seed yield of common bean varieties fluctuated significantly according to the season, variety, manure input (P

Determinants of Red Bean Commercialization by Smallholder Farmers in Shalla Districts, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Smallholder farmers face many constraints that impede them to derive benefits from market participation. This study assessed factors that influence output side commercialization decision and level of commercialization of red bean crop in Shalla Districts, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. In this study multi stage sampling techniques were employed to select 150 bean producers from five sample kebeles in the study area. Both descriptive and econometric methods were used to analyze the data. Heckman’s two step sample selection model was applied to analyze factors determining commercialization decision and level of commercialization in the bean market. The first-stage probit model estimation results revealed that age of household head, years of schooling, membership cooperative, family size, off-farm activities and active labor affected probability of market participation. Second-stage Heckman selection estimation indicated that age of household head, family size, farm size and years of schooling significantly determined volume of red bean supply. The results also showed that most of the factors determining decision of participation in red bean farm also determine level of participation, suggesting that the two decisions were made simultaneously by red bean producers. Finally, stakeholders should be designing appropriate policies, creating better credit services and agricultural extension services to households, advancing market infrastructure and delivering of marketing incentives to smallholder farmers which would encourage the farmers to participate in the food market.

English

The study determined factors affecting income-poverty among French bean farmers in Kirinyaga County, Kenya. Results show that 72.6% of French bean farmers were poor. Relative to the poor households, non-poor had the highest net French bean income per acre (KES. 24,133), total net crop income (KES. 150,608), total net livestock income (KES. 21,674), and off-farm income (KES. 198,070). Aversion to risks (p=0.051 and β=-2.802), household size (p=0.000 and β=-5.032), daily household expenditure per adult equivalent (p=0.001 and β=2.016), net annual household income (p=0.000 and β=7.733), access to credit (p=0.086 and β=1.187), household annual asset value (p=0.051 and β=-0.482) and age of household head (p=0.066 and β=-2.009) statistically and significantly influenced poverty status of French bean farmers. The results suggest that crop insurance, farm diversification and expansion of acreage under Global-GAP certified French bean are necessary strategies for French bean farmers to alleviate household poverty. Key words: Smallholder farmers, French bean, global-GAP standards, determinants, income-poverty

Assessment of French Beans Production at Kariua in Kandara, Murang’a County- Kenya

A sample survey research was conducted in November 2017 to January 2018 at Kariua area in Murang’a county, Kenya, with a sole aim to assess the current situation experienced by the French bean farmers in the area as well as form basis for further research, in which 43 farmers were interviewed. The parameters of interest were the average input levels of various factors (manure, fertilizers and water), average spacing of the crops in the field, the average output of the beans, the general plants’ health- all these were per crop point, land sizes under French beans cultivation as well as the demographic factors like age, gender and family size. The questionnaire was the main data collecting tool. Analysis of the data collected was carried out using both descriptive and inferential statistics: Using both R software and Ms-Excel. The results showed that farmers are experiencing very low yields at peak on average and poor plant health (harvest=13.4 g, infected leaves= 8 and immature pods= 15, all per crop point). Average land size under French beans farming, D.A.P and C.A.N fertilizers applied, manures applied, crop spacing and water for irrigation were found to be approximately 79.80 m2, 4.75 decigrams, 2.49 decigrams, 24.69 grams, 9.81 cm by 27 cm and 4.38 litres respectively. Low yields and poor crop health, scarce resources, pests, infections, diseases and intercropping and were also evident in the region.

Characterization of Hymenopteran Parasitoids of Aphis fabae in an African Smallholder Bean Farming System through Sequencing of COI 'Mini-Barcodes'.

Parasitoids are among the most frequently reported natural enemies of insect pests, particularly aphids. The efficacy of parasitoids as biocontrol agents is influenced by biotic and abiotic factors. For example, hyperparasitoids can reduce the abundance of the primary parasitoids as well as modify their behavior. A field study was conducted at three contrasting elevations on Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, to identify the parasitoids of aphids in smallholder bean farming agroecosystems. Sentinel aphids (Aphis fabae) on potted bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris) were exposed in 15 bean fields at three elevations for 2 days. The sentinel aphids were then kept in cages in a greenhouse until emergence of the parasitoids, which were collected and preserved in 98% ethanol for identification. Of the 214 parasitoids that emerged from sentinel aphids, the greatest abundance (44.86%) were from those placed at intermediate elevations (1000–1500 m a.s.l), compared to 42.52% from the lowest elevations and only 12.62% from the highest elevation farms. Morphological identification of the parasitoids that emerged from parasitized aphids showed that 90% were Aphidius species (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae). Further characterization by sequencing DNA ‘mini-barcodes’ identified parasitoids with ≥99% sequence similarity to Aphidius colemani, 94–95% sequence similarity to Pachyneuron aphidis and 90% similarity to a Charipinae sp. in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database. These results confidently identified A. colemani as the dominant primary aphid parasitoid of A. fabae in the study area. A Pachyneuron sp., which was most closely related to P. aphidis, and a Charipinae sp. occurred as hyperparasitoids. Thus, interventions to improve landscapes and farming practice should monitor specifically how to augment populations of A. colemani, to ensure any changes enhance the delivery of natural pest regulation. Further studies are needed for continuous monitoring of the hyperparasitism levels and the dynamics of aphids, primary parasitoids, and secondary parasitoids in different cropping seasons and their implications in aphid control.

Factors Affecting Adoption of Integrated Pest Management Technologies by Smallholder Common Bean Farmers in Kenya: A Case Study of Machakos and Bungoma Counties

Common Bean is an important pulse crop in Kenya. The yields of common beans in Kenya have been low and declining. The decline in Common Bean yields has been due to biotic and abiotic stresses. Research was carried out to determine factors that influenced the adoption of Integrated Pests and Disease Management technologies in Bungoma and Machakos counties, Kenya. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to randomly sample 502 smallholder farmers in Bungoma and Machakos counties. Primary data were collected from sampled farmers by carrying out face to face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Logistic regression using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 20 Software. Descriptive statistics results showed that farmers in the two study sites used both modern and indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) to control pests and diseases on their bean crops and produce. The Logistic regression results showed that five factors significantly influenced the choice of IPM technologies by farmers. These were: region, level of education of the household head, access to extension services, household food security status and availability of markets for beans. Access to extension and region were highly significant at 1% significance level. To achieve high yields the factor that significantly increased adoption of IPM in bean production such as access to extension should be enhanced.

Farmers’ Knowledge, Perceptions and Practices in Managing Weeds and Insect Pests of Common Bean in Northern Tanzania

Weeds and insect pests are among the serious constraints in common bean production in most rural communities. A survey of 169 smallholder farmers was conducted in two common bean-growing districts in northern Tanzania. The aim was to assess farmers’ knowledge, perceptions, current management practices and challenges in order to develop sustainable weed and insect pest management strategies. The results revealed that 83% of farmers perceived insect pests as the major constraint in common bean production, while 73% reported weeds as the main drawback. Insect pest management was mainly achieved through the use of synthetic pesticides, however, only 24% of farmers were able to apply, the rest could not afford due to high cost, limited access and lack of knowledge. Only 6.5% of farmers were aware of non-chemical methods and 2.1% did not practice any method in managing insect pests, both in the field and during storage. Moreover, farmers generally relied on experience in managing insect pests and weeds, and about 43% did not see the need to consult extension officers. These findings indicate that there is a need to sensitize and train farmers on the sustainable methods for pest and weed management in common bean farming systems in northern Tanzania.

Market arrangements used by small scale bean farmers in Kenya: What needs to change for sustainable trade volumes?

Markets and marketing of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a major issue of concern to small scale farmers and other actors in the bean value chain in Kenya, particularly inconsistency in supplying sufficient volumes required for trade. This case study assessed market arrangements used by small scale farmers in the Lake Basin and Lower Eastern bean corridors of Kenya, to determine which markets work for rural producers and what changes are needed to produce and supply sufficient quantities for trade. Using exploratory research, data were collected through Focus Group Discussions with six farmer groups, representing a total of 1255 bean farmers; and key informant interviews with extension staff. The results indicated that 94% of the farmers produced beans before identifying buyers, while only 6% participated in group marketing. Though spot-market transactions with brokers and traders provided ready cash for the farmers, formal buyers were perceived to be more reliable, but difficult to find, and operated the stringent requirements, which were a barrier to entry. Based on the study findings, sustainable production and supply of sufficient volumes for trade should entail a transformation agenda at four levels of the value chain; namely intensification of production through pure stand models with greater use of certified high yielding varieties; stable price guarantees; market-driven research and extension service; and an enabling policy and business environment in the bean value chain. Further research is needed to pilot these changes in a case control study.Key words: Phaseolus vulgaris, spot-marketing, value chain

Determinants of Vulnerability to Expected Poverty among French Bean Farmers in Kenya

Poverty is increasing in rural areas of Kenya. The study examined factors influencing vulnerability of French beans farmers to expected poverty using Vulnerability to Expected Poverty approach on 492 randomly selected respondents. The study found a mean vulnerability to expected poverty of 19.6% which is below vulnerability threshold of 50% indicating that majority of French bean farmers irrespective of Global-GAP certification status were invulnerable to expected poverty. However, majority of those who were expenditure (56.3 percent) and income poor (92.2 percent) are vulnerable to future poverty. Factors influencing vulnerability to expected poverty are asset value (P=0.000), net crop income (P=0.000), off-farm income (P=0.000), household size (P=0.000), age of household head (p = 0.088), gender of household head (P=0.001) and distance to market (P=0.000). French beans farmers should practice farm diversification and expand acreage under Global-GAP certified French beans in order to increase income and expenditure and hence alleviate future poverty. Key words: French Beans, Vulnerability, Poverty, Global-Gap Standards DOI : 10.7176/JESD/10-10-14 Publication date :May 31 st 2019

Is it More Profitable to Sell Ground Coffee?


 
 
 Robusta coffee is a superior commodity from Tanggamus District which has promising market opportunities.The research was conducted in one of the Robusta coffee centers in Tanggamus District, in Argopeni and Datarajan village, Sumberejo and Ulubelu sub-district. The purposes of this research were (1) to determine the income and profits of grade 4 coffee farmers in Robusta coffee plantations in Tanggamus Regency, (2) to find out the best decision for farmers in continuing process of grade 4 coffee into ground coffee. The sampling tech- nique of this research used purposive from 68 coffee farmers. The techniques of data collection were structured interviews using questionnaires and direct obser- vation. Farm business analysis was used to determine the income and profits of coffee bean farmers, differential analysis was used for the best decision to sell coffee beans or to process them into ground coffee. The results of the study showed that coffee farm bussiness of the grade 4 coffee coffee beans earned Rp24,532,081/ year and earned a profit of Rp10,503,837/1.390 kg/year farmers are better if they continue the production process from the grade 4 coffee into ground coffee. The further processing of ground coffee earned profit of Rp33,002,568/year.
 
 

Integrating Conventional and Participatory Breeding Approaches in Assessment of Common Bean Varieties for Farmer Preffered Traits

It is estimated that over 75% of rural households in Tanzania depend on common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) for daily subsistence. Recently, farmers have been increasingly looking for improved bean varieties which meet specific market demands characterized with yellow seed colour, early maturing and/or adapted to local agro-ecologies. Study focused on assessing the performance of bean varieties for agronomic traits through variety and environmental interactions by identifying high yielding, ealy maturing and market demand seed classes among the tested materials. For testing adaptability and stability, experiments were conducted in low to high altitudes for two consecutive years using randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. Eight common bean varieties KG98, Navy line 1, KATB9, SABRYT, KATB1, Lyamungu 85, JESCA and Calima Uyole were used. Absolute, matrix and pairwise ranking were used integratively for farmers’ and researcher’s assessment and selection. Participatory variety selection approach gave farmers an opportunity to assess and select varieties from a range of near finished materials in the breeding process. As part of the Farmers’ participatory variety selection process, seventeen participants as among the consumers 46% being women were selected to participate in a focused group discussion. Results revealed that, days to flowering, days to maturity and yield across the tested environments showed significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) as well as yield and diseases interactions for genotype, environment and season. Field data and farmers’ assessment data showed two varieties of KATB1 (yellow round) and KATB9 (red round) for better performance (high yield) and grain preference respectively. It showed that, early maturing; seed type and marketability varieties are highly demanded by bean farmers in Tanzania.

Farmers’ Perceptions of Mexican Bean Weevil, Zabrotes subfasciatus (Boheman), and Pest Management Practices in Southern Ethiopia

The common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L., is one of the most important sources of protein in Ethiopia and other developing countries. However, the Mexican bean weevil, Zabrotes subfasciatus (Boheman), is a major constraint of stored common bean that causes qualitative and quantitative losses. This study was conducted to assess farmers’ knowledge and perceptions of Mexican bean weevil, to examine farmers’ pest management practices, and to identify challenges of pest management practices to develop integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. A survey of 148 smallholder common bean farmers was conducted at Mareka and Loma districts in southern Ethiopia. The majority (75%) of the farmers stored common bean in polypropylene bags while less than 10% of the farmers stored beans in ‘Diya’ (a traditional storage structure). Most (60.8%) farmers stored their beans in seed (threshed) form, and the majority (63.5%) of them stored their beans for 3-5 months. The majority of the farmers had knowledge about the Mexican bean weevil; they could identify damaged seeds based on the ‘holes’ on the seed (72.3%) and circular ‘windows’ on the seed (20.0%). About 45% of the farmers mentioned the high amount of loss at the time of storage. In addition, most farmers (53.4%) estimated 26-50% loss in storage. Most farmers reported the use of pesticidal plants for control of Mexican bean weevil, while only a few farmers reported they had applied insecticide in their store. Education level and family size had a positive and statistically significant impact on the use of pesticidal plants for the control of Mexican bean weevil. Furthermore, education level also influences the use of chemical insecticide. Results highlighted the need to use improved storage technology and to train farmers in postharvest handling practices as a component to develop IPM approach in order to minimize losses occurring along the value chains of the common bean.

ANALYSIS OF LONG BEANS (Vigna Sinesis. L) FARMING IN AMBULU SUBDISTRICT OF JEMBER REGENCY

Long beans are horticultural products that have good economic prospects, because they have a growing number of requests. While on the other hand the economic prospect has not been supported by a better level of farm management and adequate product selling value. This study aims to (1) calculate the benefits of long bean farming in Ambulu District, Jember Regency, (2) to calculate the efficiency of using long bean farming costs in Ambulu District, Jember Regency, (3) to analyze the factors that influence the production of peanut farming length in Ambulu District, Jember Regency. This study uses descriptive methods and surveys with deliberate regional selection, where Ambulu District, Jember District was chosen as the sample location. Sampling was carried out in proportioned random sampling, data obtained from interviews with farmers and related institutions. Data analysis methods used are profit analysis, RC-ratio, and multiple non-linear regression. This study concluded that: (1) long bean farming in Ambulu District, Jember Regency is beneficial. The average per hectare of profits obtained by farmers is IDR 7,702,100 in one production process (3-3.5 months). (2) the results of R / C on long-bean farming per hectare obtained 1,416 so that long bean farming has been efficient in using costs. (3) Production factors that show significant influence on long bean farming in Ambulu District, Jember Regency consist of land area, amount of fertilizer and number of labor. While the factors of seed production, and pesticides have a non-significant effect on the production of long bean farming in Ambulu District, Jember Regency.

OPTIMALISASI PRODUKSI USAHATANI BUNCIS (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) DI KELURAHAN RAPAK KECAMATAN LOA JANAN ILIR KOTA SAMARINDA (Optimization of Bean Farming Production (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Rapak Dalam Urban Village, Loa Janan Ilir Subcity, Samarinda City)

Production must consider inputs usage in order to achieve optimal production and maximum revenue. The purposes of this study were to determine the optimal level of production and to know the maximum income of bean farming in Rapak Dalam Urban Village, Loa Janan Ilir Subcity, Samarinda City. The study was conducted from March to May 2018. The collected data in this research were primary and secondary data. Sampling was done by using census method with 33 respondents. Data analysis used quadratic and linier regresions. The results of this research show the average of bean production of 367.58 kg ha-1 ps-1, profit of IDR2,090,657.83 ha-1 ps-1, the optimum production of 834.50 kg ha-1 ps-1, and maximum income of IDR3,077,727.72 ha-1 ps-1. Bean farming in Rapak Dalam Urban Village has not reached the optimal production level and the income has not been maximum.

OPTIMALISASI PRODUKSI USAHATANI BUNCIS (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) DI KELURAHAN RAPAK KECAMATAN LOA JANAN ILIR KOTA SAMARINDA (Optimization of Bean Farming Production (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Rapak Dalam Urban Village, Loa Janan Ilir Subcity, Samarinda City)

Production must consider inputs usage in order to achieve optimal production and maximum revenue. The purposes of this study were to determine the optimal level of production and to know the maximum income of bean farming in Rapak Dalam Urban Village, Loa Janan Ilir Subcity, Samarinda City. The study was conducted from March to May 2018. The collected data in this research were primary and secondary data. Sampling was done by using census method with 33 respondents. Data analysis used quadratic and linier regresions. The results of this research show the average of bean production of 367.58 kg ha-1 ps-1, profit of IDR2,090,657.83 ha-1 ps-1, the optimum production of 834.50 kg ha-1 ps-1, and maximum income of IDR3,077,727.72 ha-1 ps-1. Bean farming in Rapak Dalam Urban Village has not reached the optimal production level and the income has not been maximum.

Factors that Influence the Productivity of Green Bean Farming in Demak District

Demak regency is the center of green bean however, the productivity of green beans in Demak Regency has decreased during 2009-2016. The aims of study is determine the effect of land area, seeds, labor, fertilizer, pesticides on the productivity of green beans. This type of research is quantitative research. The data used was primary data. The population in this study is that farmers in Demak Regency with samples of mung bean farmers in Demak Regency totaled 100 people. The analytical method uses descriptive analysis and multiple linear regression analysis with the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) method through the Cobb-Douglas production function model. From the results of this study showed that area of land, fertilizer, pecticides have a significant positive effect on the productivity of green beans which every increase in labor will reduce productivity of green beans, while the seeds have no significant positive effect on the productivity of green beans which increase in the number of seeds does not affect the productivity of green beans. The suggestion of this reserach are that the unused area further improved itd use, the seeds are planted with better planting methods that will is not easily damaged by the weather, there should be a division of labor in green bean farming so that the workers can work productively, the intensity of spraying fertilizers can be improved to increase green bean production, the intensity of spraying of pesticides can be increased to minimize the harvest of crops.
 Kabupaten Demak adalah pusat kacang hijau, namun produktivitas kacang hijau di Kabupaten Demak mengalami penurunan selama 2009-2016. Tujuan penelitian adalah mengetahui pengaruh luas lahan, benih, tenaga kerja, pupuk, pestisida terhadap produktivitas kacang hijau. Jenis penelitian ini adalah penelitian kuantitatif. Data yang digunakan adalah data primer. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah petani di Kabupaten Demak dengan sampel petani kacang hijau di Kabupaten Demak berjumlah 100 orang. Metode analisis menggunakan analisis deskriptif dan analisis regresi linier berganda dengan metode Ordinary Least Square (OLS) melalui model fungsi produksi Cobb-Douglas. Dari hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa luas lahan, pupuk, pektisida berpengaruh positif signifikan terhadap produktivitas kacang hijau dimana setiap peningkatan tenaga kerja akan menurunkan produktivitas kacang hijau, sedangkan benih tidak berpengaruh positif signifikan terhadap produktivitas tanaman hijau. kacang hijau yang meningkatkan jumlah biji tidak mempengaruhi produktivitas kacang hijau. Saran dari penelitian ini adalah agar daerah yang tidak digunakan semakin ditingkatkan penggunaannya, benih ditanam dengan metode penanaman yang lebih baik sehingga tidak mudah rusak oleh cuaca, harus ada pembagian kerja dalam pertanian kacang hijau sehingga para pekerja dapat bekerja Secara produktif, intensitas penyemprotan pupuk dapat ditingkatkan untuk meningkatkan produksi kacang hijau, intensitas penyemprotan pestisida dapat ditingkatkan untuk meminimalkan panen tanaman

Agricultural transformation in Rwanda: Can Gendered Market Participation Explain the Persistence of Subsistence Farming?

Despite the efforts to agricultural transformation in Rwanda, farming systems are predominantly still in subsistence production. Women are more involved than men, and their number has even increased in the past decade. The reasons for this remain unclear, given the country’s efforts for gender mainstreaming towards market-oriented agriculture. Guided by the current debate on feminization of agriculture, we base this study on the thesis that higher market participation among women farmers could contribute to the so-called transformation. The study uses the case of the Northern Province of Rwanda. It involved 368 smallholder dual-headed households among which 208 and 160 were respectively producing beans and potato. It used a mixed method approach by sequential exploratory design, involving a quantitative survey households followed by Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Both Household Commercialization Index (HCI) and Thematic Analyses were used. Findings showed a high degree of commercialization for potato, with 75% of farmers participating in output markets, and 72% among them being market oriented. In contrast, only 26% of bean farmers sold their production. The commercialization of potato is in the hands of men, while beans are mainly sold by women. This was also confirmed with the findings from FGDs. Three issues were identified as hindrances to agricultural transformation and likely to keep households in subsistence production: the low participation of women in input and output markets; their limited control over agricultural income; and their increased workload that combines on-farm and reproductive works. Therefore, despite the efforts at policy level, there are still gender inequalities within dual-headed farming households, and the agricultural transformation risks increasing the gap through all or some of the three identified issues. Removing these inequalities could increase households’ market participation and contribute in the process of agricultural transformation.

Disease Control for Snap Beans in Florida

Snap bean is an important vegetable crop in Florida. It is produced in all regions of the state. Bush snap beans dominate commercial plantings, but pole beans are also produced, primarily in Miami-Dade County. Midwinter bean production, the most profitable for Florida, is centered in the Homestead, southwest Florida, and Belle Glade areas. Based on the 2012 US Census of Agriculture (NASS, USDA), snap bean is an economically important vegetable crop in Florida with a total of 33,338 acres harvested in 2012. Miami-Dade County ranked second in snap bean production in the United States with a total of 11,126 acres. Because of Florida's warm and wet weather, many diseases affect snap beans. Disease management is an important component in successful snap bean farming. Despite vigorous control efforts, substantial losses in yield and quality can still occur. This publication suggests a sequential disease control program for snap beans in Florida. Postharvest disease problems are addressed only to the extent that they are affected by field practices. The application of the following sequential control program should minimize yield losses for the majority of plantings. This revision is by Shouan Zhang, Nicholas Dufault, Mathews Paret, Pamela Roberts, Guodong Liu, and Qingren Wang.