Farm Community Research Articles

Evaluating the Economic Viability of Agricultural Pellets to Supplement the Current Global Wood Pellets Supply for Bioenergy Production

In this study, an inter-continental agricultural pellet supply chain is modeled, and the production cost and price of agricultural pellets are estimated and compared against the recent cost and price of wood pellets in the global marketplace. The inter-continental supply chain is verified and validated using an integration of an interactive mapping application and a simulation platform. The integrated model is applied to a case study in which agricultural pellets are produced in six locations in Canada and shipped and discharged at the three major ports in Western Europe. The cost of agricultural pellets in the six locations is estimated to be in the range of EUR 92–95/tonne (CAD 138–142/tonne), which is comparable with the recent cost of wood pellets produced in small-scale pellet plants (EUR 99–109/tonne). The average agricultural pellet price shipped from the six plants to the three ports in Western Europe is estimated to be in a range of EUR 183–204 (CAD 274–305/tonne), 29–42% more expensive that the average recent price of wood pellets (EUR 143/tonne) at the same ports. There are several potential areas in the agricultural pellet supply chains that can reduce the pellet production and distribution costs in the mid and long terms, making them affordable supplement to the existing wood pellet markets. Potential economic activities generated by the production of pellets in farm communities can be significant. The generated annual revenue in the biomass logistics system in all six locations is estimated to be about CAD 21.80 million. In addition, the logistics equipment fleet needs 176 local operators with a potential annual income of CAD 2.18 million.

Antibiotic Susceptibility of Mastitogenic Bacteria Isolated From Clinical Mastitis Cows in Midlands Province, Zimbabwe

Mastitis is a global challenge for the dairy industry and mastitogenic bacteria play a critical role among other causes. Many mastitogenic bacteria are becoming resistant to single or combination antibiotic therapy, making mastitis cases difficult to cure. Nevertheless, there is insufficient evidence on the occurrence and antibiotic resistance patterns of mastitogenic bacteria in commercial dairy and communal farms in the Midland Province of Zimbabwe that might support a holistic approach to mastitis mitigation. A cross-sectional study aimed to isolate and evaluate the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of mastitogenic bacteria from cattle with clinical mastitis was conducted. A total of 164 milk samples were analyzed, of which 36.6% (60) samples were collected from commercial farmers, and 63.4% (104) came from communal farmers. The samples were cultured on standard media and sensitivity patterns of the identified bacteria were tested against 14 antibiotics using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. All milk samples from communal farms were positive for mastitogenic bacteria compared to 88% (53) of mastitogenic positive milk samples from commercial farms. The most common microorganisms from all the 157-mastitogenic positive milk samples were Staphylococcus aureus (37.5%) and Escherichia coli (23.3%). The highest resistance was observed against Penicillin, Erythromycin, Ampicillin, and Lincomycin, whereas most isolates were susceptible to Sulphamethoxazole, gentamycin, neomycin, kanamycin, cloxacillin, ertapenem, ceftriaxone, Amp-Ampicillin, amikacin, vancomycin, and tetracycline. Futher research to investigate the significance of resistant mastogenic bacteria in terms of Veterinary costs, production losses and potential public health transmission of antibiotic resistant mastogenic bacteria is recommended

Living in Limbo: Aspiration-attainment Gap, Occupational Health Risks, and Intergenerational Mobility of Mexican Origin Migrant Farm Workers in El Paso, Texas

ABSTRACT Using convenience and purposive sampling, this study examined the aspiration-attainment gap and occupational health risks that 40 Mexican origin migrant farm workers faced and the personal resources they drew from to overcome adversities. Data were collected from a community farm worker agency in El Paso, Texas in 2018. Overall, this study showed that participants confronted a series of social impediments and structural disadvantages (economic hardship, low wages, limited formal education, lack of work experience besides farming, systemic deprivation, discrimination, and dangerous workplace). Optimism, familism, spirituality, and perseverance were among the strategies they relied on to foster resilience and bridge the aspiration-attainment gap.

Spatio‐temporal clustering and risk factor analysis of bovine theileriosis ( Theileria parva ) in Zimbabwe from 1995 to 2018

Bovine theileriosis (caused by Theileria parva) is the most important tick-borne transboundary animal disease endemic to Zimbabwe, yet its distribution dynamics data in the country remain scant and outdated. A retrospective study was conducted to determine high-risk areas of bovine theileriosis and associated risk factors in Zimbabwe. Records on bovine theileriosis spanning 23years (January 1995 to December 2018) were obtained from the Epidemiological Unit of the Division of Field Veterinary Services of Zimbabwe (DVSZ). Data were analysed using Studio R® version 11.0 for regression analysis and SatScan® version 9.4.6 for spatio-temporal clustering. Communal farmers (72%), adult cattle (29%), the year 2018 (60%) and the hot wet season (42%) had the highest proportion (p<.050) of bovine theileriosis cases recorded. Seven out of the country's ten provinces and 36 of its 59 districts were affected. Bovine theileriosis was observed to lose seasonality when cases rose exponentially in 2018. Five and four high-risk clusters of bovine theileriosis were detected using one-year and one-month time aggregate, respectively, all within the last eight years of the study (2011-2018). Two potential risk factors (province and farming system) were significantly (p<.050) associated with bovine theileriosis occurrence. Bovine theileriosis was found to be rampant and if left unchecked will spread and adversely affect the whole country. Improved theileriosis surveillance and control is warranted. Recommendations for control and prevention strategies revolve around better farmer awareness about the disease, correct and consistent use of acaricides, cattle movement control and disease surveillance among others.

Use and Management of Animal Manure by the Communal Farmers, Seke District, Mashonaland East Province, Zimbabwe

Poor handling and storage practices reduce the manure quality as a fertilizer. A survey was done in the Seke communal area, Zimbabwe to establish common manure management practices, determine factors that influence use of manure and determine effects of the manure management practices on vegetable yield. A structured questionnaire was administered to 222 respondents from April to August 2019. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were done using SPSS. Chi-square tests and Spearman rank correlation were done to test for associations and the non-cause-effect relationship between different independent variables and farmers’ management practice of manure respectively. 88% of the respondents owned &lt;1 ha of land and chicken manure was frequently (51%) used but with least (&lt;0.5 t/ha) application quantities. Cattle manure was applied in largest (&gt; 0.5 t/ha) quantities and &gt;50% of the farmers were void of information on animal manure management. Fencing only was the common type of animal housing but had negative effects on quantity and quality of the manure. Drylot was most common (90%) manure management practice and different manure management practices had significantly (P&lt;0.05) varied effects on vegetable yield. Drying manure resulted in significantly (P&lt;0.05) low losses in manure quality. Generally, poultry and pigs manure had higher nutrient content compared to cattle and goat manure. Animal housing affected the quantity and quality of the manures as a fertilizer. Extension service programs like vocational training on manure management, exposure visits between farmers as well as a lead farm approach are necessary.

Indigenous Slaughter Techniques: Effects on Meat Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Nguni Goats.

Simple SummaryIn smallholder communal farming systems, Nguni people slaughter goats using indigenous methods which have cultural and spiritual significance to them. Nguni wethers were slaughtered using the transverse neck incision (TNI), suprasternal notch (SNP) and under the shoulder blade at the chest floor point of elbow piercing (CFP) to the direction of the heart to assess meat physico-chemical characteristics parameters. Nguni wethers slaughtered with the TNI and CFP methods produced meat with an acceptable appearance similar to goats slaughtered with the conventional standard procedures.To improve goat meat quality in rural communities, it is important to evaluate the effects of indigenous slaughter methods used by resource-limited farmers when performing traditional ceremonies on the meat physico-chemical characteristics. The current study assessed the effects of the meat physico-chemical characteristics of Nguni goats slaughtered with the transverse neck incision (TNI), suprasternal notch piercing (SNP) and the under shoulder blade piercing at the chest floor point of elbow (CFP) to the direction of the heart methods. Thirty Nguni weathers were randomly assigned to three slaughter treatments (10 goats/treatment). Musculus longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) was sampled at post-mortem for physico-chemical characteristic measurements. Meat from wethers slaughtered with the SNP method had greater ultimate pH values than meat from wethers slaughtered with TNI and CFP slaughter methods. Wethers slaughtered with the SNP method had lower meat redness (a*), yellowness (b*), and chroma (C*) values than those slaughtered with TNI and CFP slaughter methods. Goat slaughter method did not affect meat drip loss, water holding capacity, cooking loss and shear force. Overall, Nguni wethers slaughtered with the TNI and CFP methods produced chevon with fresher meat appearance than those slaughtered using the SNP method.

Water resource potential at Sekaran Village, Bojonegoro Regency, Indonesia

Water is an essential element for agriculture, including fodder cultivation. The fodder production for School of the Community Farming (SPR) was planned to be located at Sekaran Village, Bojonegoro Regency, Indonesia. Sekaran Village always has water shortage particularly during the dry season. Sekaran Village is located in East Java and the river discharge was low. The study was conducted to evaluate the quantitative potential of water resources from both surface and groundwater. The surface water potential was analyzed based on discharge measurement at the river and rainfall potential at the village. According to river discharge and rainfall potential, several small reservoirs could designed to collect rain water during the wet season and the location for planned reservoir was also examined. Furthermore, the groundwater potential was assessed based on a geoelectrical survey at 20 points of measurements within the study area. The discharge of the river was 1.43 L/sec and of the spring was 0.62 L/sec. The results showed that the groundwater potential was low with only less than 1 L/sec. However, this could be maximized by constructing shallow wells. To choose the reservoir and wells locations, aerial mapping was conducted to portray the topography. The research result could be used by the farmers to design their agricultural activities including developing SPR.

The Sprouting Farms: You Are What You Grow

In 2017, the Singaporean government unveiled the Farm Transformation Map, a highly technology-driven initiative that intends to change its current, near-total dependence on imported food. The plan focuses on the prospect of high-productivity farming—in particular, integrated vertical, indoor, and intensive urban farming—as a possible solution to geopolitical uncertainty, intense urbanisation, and environmental degradation. What to farm (or not) and how to farm has long mediated social, cultural, political, and environmental relations. Following the stories of a few small- to medium-scale urban farms, including rooftop gardens, community farms, and organic farms, in this future-oriented city polis, this article explores the rise of urban farming through the politics of localism and the notion of care. How has localism, in some contexts, been reduced to a narrow sense of geographic location? What is being cared for in and through farming in urban locales? How might this type of farming transform and shape bio-cultural, social-technological relations within humans, and between humans and non-humans? More importantly, this article explores how urban agriculture might forge a kind of thick localism rooted in situated care as it carries out social missions, experimenting with and subverting the dominant imaginary of industrial farming.

Working conditions and labor flexibility in non-family farms: weather-based labor management by Japanese paddy rice corporations

Improving working conditions in agriculture is of great concern throughout the world. Just as in other industries, many young farm workers prefer to work as salaried employees, which has brought attention to non-family farms as providers of employment opportunities. However, in the presence of a strong need to flexibly respond to weather, there is still difficulty regarding whether workplaces without overworking can exist. This study is based on in-depth surveys of non-family rice farms in Fukui Prefecture, Japan. Our findings suggest that even in non-family farms, holiday-setting is done flexibly to account for weather, and systems that allow for harvesting at appropriate times are in place. During the busy farming period, in joint-stock farms, where multiple farmers invest together, full-time employees work overtime. In contrast, in community farms, many community residents take turns for working, which allows work to be done on time. A closer analysis of work records shows that, in either organizational structure, specific members need to overwork. Reasons behind this include issues with sunk costs in the form of monthly wages, lack of skills among part-time employees, and the communication costs of coordinating with many part-time employees.

Model development of sustainable wetland rice farming based on rice estate community and smart farming

Crucial issues in rice fields production in Indonesia are narrow planting areas, small farming scale and improper cultivation techniques. The Indonesian government also faced issues and problems regarding fulfilment the need of rice-farm area due to the conversion of intensive rice fields to non-agriculture. Efforts to develop integrated and sustainable rice field agriculture are needed to overcome the threat of rice field reduction, increase the productivity of rice fields, and increase farmers’ income and welfare. The intention of this study was to develop a model of rice field in an integrated and sustainable manner based on Rice Estate Community and Smart Farming (REC-SF). To get easily implemented model, participatory method was used through series of audiences and focus group discussion activities involving the main stakeholders. As a breakthrough for traditional agricultural solutions on narrow land, this model included land consolidation to reach minimum rice field area for profitable economic scale, strengthening institutional system, productivity target along with required cultivation inputs and techniques, support for information technology system, agroindustry, and marketing-selling reinforcement. Developed REC-SF model is expected to be more easily implemented and accepted by the farmers to achieve a collective farm business in a large rice-farm area.

Ridge-and-Furrow Agriculture around Lake Mikri Prespa, Greece, in a European perspective

Ridge and furrow is an archaeological pattern of ridges and troughs used in Europe, frequently associated with communal open-field farming and strip cultivation. Strip farming spread throughout Europe in the Middle Ages but appears to have only slightly penetrated southern Europe. In Greece, no areas under a ridge-and-furrow system were previously known. Working on 1945 aerial photos of Prespa, Greece, a border area around two lakes whose water levels fluctuate seasonally, we noted the presence of strip fields around the lakeshore, and subsequently identified them in the field as a ridge-and-furrow system. Using GIS, we measured the dimensions of all individual fields and collected oral histories from elderly locals. The area under strip farming was over 900 ha. Strips were straight, ca 200 m long and 10m wide, with a mean area of 2,160 m2. Wheat, rye, maize and beans were cultivated on the ridges, whilst grass in the furrows was mowed for hay. The construction and dimensions were almost identical to those seen in England. No information was found on either the origin of this system in Prespa, or connections with ‘zadruga’ or ‘chiftlik’ – other regional communal land management systems. A few adjacent areas with strip cultivations still in use were located in the two neighbouring countries sharing the lakes, and still fewer areas with ridge-and-furrow traces, particularly around lakes. By using ridge-and-furrow agriculture, local people had successfully coped with the perennial and seasonal inundation of their fields, a problem that remains unresolved and afflicts modern biodiversity conservation in the area.

Feeding the City, Pandemic and Beyond

Feeding the City, Pandemic and Beyond

Herd dynamics, production and marketing constraints in the commercialization of cattle across Nguni Cattle Project beneficiaries in Eastern Cape, South Africa

This paper examines the challenges restricting the commercialization of cattle across Nguni Cattle Project beneficiaries in South Africa. Data were collected from one hundred and twenty (120) Nguni cattle beneficiaries using a structured questionnaire across six district municipalities of the Eastern Cape Province. Results revealed that majority of Nguni cattle beneficiaries were males, were above 60 years old, and have received formal training in livestock farming. Most of the beneficiaries reared cattle with other livestock species, with 45% owned non-descript breeds, 33% Nguni and 22% other breeds such as Bonsmara and Brahman. About 79.2% of the beneficiaries practised continuous grazing while 52.5% give their cattle supplements, with most commonly (48%) using rivers as the source of water. Most beneficiaries (38.4%) reported diseases as main production constraints, followed by stock theft (27.5%) and feed shortages (22.5%). Furthermore, results showed that 80.8% of beneficiaries market one to 10 cattle per year, 64.8% adult cattle (2+ years old) and 35.2% weaners (8 months to 1 year). Most beneficiaries (78.7%) used private marketing channels to sell their animals, while 4.3% used abattoirs. Factors identified as the main market constraints included low cattle numbers (41.7%), inability to meet formal market standards (25%) and inadequate government support. There was a strong association between formal livestock training and cattle marketing attributes as well as production constraints. In conclusion, more emphasis should be given to improve cattle production and commercialization through provision of more cattle, livestock trainings and market services to communal farmers.

Assessing Extensive Semi-Arid Rangeland Beef Cow-Calf Welfare in Namibia. Part 2: Categorisation and Scoring of Welfare Assessment Measures.

Simple SummaryBasing welfare assessment standards on protocols developed for industrialised beef exporting countries could enhance the beef production and export standards in Namibia. This paper compares imposed thresholds of welfare measures of categorisation and derived thresholds to see—which was the most appropriate to the range of observations and welfare implication in three cow-calf production systems in Namibia. Using the same thresholds as the New Zealand protocol, regardless of the farm system, commercial herds achieved most welfare measures thresholds, but semi-commercial and communal herds attained acceptable welfare thresholds only in a few measures. For measures with significant welfare implications, the stricter threshold was retained, while derived thresholds appeared more appropriate for commonly occurring traits (but of less welfare importance), and some measures threshold were temporarily adjusted to reflect drought conditions. The welfare assessment identified the strengths and weaknesses in thresholds in measures across the farm types, which is envisioned to draw attention for remedial intervention to improve welfare standards of the beef industry.This paper aims to develop standards for a welfare assessment protocol by validating potential categorisation thresholds for assessing beef farms in various beef cow-calf production systems in Namibia. Forty measures, combined from a New Zealand-based protocol plus Namibia-specific measures, are applied to 55 beef farms (17 commercial farms, 20 semi-commercial and 18 communal village farms) during pregnancy testing, and a questionnaire guided interview. The categorised measures on a 3-point welfare score (0: good, 1: marginal, and 2: poor/unacceptable welfare) are subsequently compared with the derivation of thresholds based upon the poorest 15% and best 50% of herds for each measure. The overall combined thresholds of continuous measures across the three farm types show 10/22 measures that posed welfare compromise across Namibia, whereas commercial farms have 4/22 measures, and semi-commercial and communal village farms have 12/22 and 11/22, respectively, with high thresholds. Most measures-imposed thresholds are retained because of significant importance to the welfare of animals and preventiveness of the traits, while leniency was given to adjust good feeding and mortality measures to signify periods of drought. Handling measures (fearful, falling/lying) and abrasions thresholds are adjusted to reflect the temporary stress caused by infrequent cattle handling, and faulty yard designs/design and possible cattle breed influence on handling. Hence, Namibia needs prioritised investigation of underlying contributing factors and remediation to reduce the high thresholds.

Assessing Extensive Semi-Arid Rangeland Beef Cow-Calf Welfare in Namibia: Part 1: Comparison Between Farm Production System's Effect on the Welfare of Beef Cows.

Simple SummaryNamibia is in the process of updating animal welfare legislation. This needs to include an assessment protocol for beef cattle production systems that is sufficiently rigorous for the country to gain and maintain access to high-value beef export markets. Beef is produced in commercial and semi-commercial systems and in communal village farms. Privately owned commercial farms allow maximum herd and rangeland management to ensure optimum productivity and profitability. Village farms (semi-commercial and communal) have limited grazing land, with consequent challenges of grazing and water management, as well as traditional customs of cattle management. A protocol was developed to assess the welfare of beef cattle in the context of these production systems. The application of the welfare assessment protocol indicated that the standards of welfare differed across production systems, with commercial farms achieving the best standard of welfare, followed by semi-commercial, then communal village farms. The greatest opportunity for change exists within the semi-commercial village farms, which need to attain to the requirements imposed by international markets to maximize their returns; hence herd management and welfare status is better than in the purely communal farms. This suggests that commercialization of communal farming may have benefits for animal welfare.A proposed animal welfare assessment protocol for semi-arid rangeland-based cow–calf systems in Namibia combined 40 measures from a protocol developed for beef cattle in New Zealand with additional Namibia-specific measures. Preliminary validation of the protocol had been undertaken with five herds in one semi-commercial village. The aim of the current study was to apply this protocol and compare animal welfare across three cow–calf production systems in Namibia. A total of 2529 beef cows were evaluated during pregnancy testing in the yards of 17 commercial, 20 semi-commercial, and 18 communal (total: 55) herds followed by an assessment of farm resources and a questionnaire-guided interview. Non-parametric tests were used to evaluate the difference in the welfare scores between the production systems. The results indicated a discrepancy of animal welfare between the three farm types, with a marked separation of commercial farms from semi-commercial, and communal village farms in the least. The differences in these production systems were mainly driven by economic gains through access to better beef export market for commercial farms and semi-commercial villages, as well as by the differences in the available grazing land, facility designs/quality, and traditional customs in the village systems. The results indicate an advantage of commercialization over communalization.

Climate Smart Agriculture techniques as a strategy for Climate Adaptation by Smallholder Farmers in Nkayi District

The study investigates the viability of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) techniques being utilized in communal areas in Zimbabwe as mitigation strategy to the effects of climate change, with particular reference to Wards 18 and 19 in Nkayi District. As their livelihoods are highly dependent on climate-sensitive activities such as rain-fed agriculture, climate change has a significantly negative effect on people's livelihoods in communal areas of this country. Increased temperatures, reduced annual rainfall marked by dry spells in the mid-season, and increased frequency and severity of climate-related hazards such as droughts and El Ninos have been detrimental to the livelihoods of communal farmers. The most important problems facing communal farmers in the Nkayi District as a result of climate change are food shortage, water scarcity and livestock loss. CSA techniques are the solution to this predicament. Conservation Agriculture (CA), small grains production, Water Harvesting Techniques (WHTs), fodder production, small livestock production and seed banks are some of the techniques available to communal farmers. Community-based adaptation to climate change helps to develop communities' capacity to guide climate change adaptation strategies to fix their own challenges and to meet their own needs. Thus, traditional awareness, unique environments, tools and mechanisms for societies to map their own strategies to tackle climate change are taken into account by community-based adaptation. The research thus concludes that CSA techniques are a viable strategy in mitigating the effects of climate change.

108 Synchronization and artificial insemination of South African communal cattle

The present study aimed to evaluate an oestrous synchronization protocol and oestrus response before AI in cows from an organised communal production system. A total of 74 cows Bos indicus (Brahman) and Bos taurus/indicus hybrid (Nguni) type from different communal farmers were screened based on: age (3 to 8 years), body condition score of ≥3 (1–5 scale), not pregnant (excluding heifers), 90 days postpartum, number of parities, good mothering ability, and negative for contagious abortion. Selected cows were subjected to a 9-day OvSynch+CIDR protocol. In brief, the protocol included the insertion of controlled intravaginal drug release (CIDR®, Pfizer Laboratories) devices in the reproductive tract (vagina) containing 1.9g of progesterone in each cow on Day 0 with first oestradiol benzoate (Oestradiol benzoate®, VTech) 2-mL intramuscular (IM) injection. Pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG; Chronogest®, Intervet International B.V.) 2.5-mL (IM) injection on Day 5. Removal of CIDR and (IM) injection of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α; Estrumate®, Intervet South Africa (Pty.) Ltd.) 2mL on Day 8. Following CIDR removal, a heat mount detector (Kamar®) was applied on the individual cow’s tail head for oestrus observation (signs of heat) with second oestradiol benzoate 1-mL (IM) injection on Day 9. AI was performed 36h following withdrawal of the CIDR. Frozen/thawed semen from Bonsmara bulls (n=2) of known and proven fertility was used for AI. The GameteTek Cryo-Mobile laboratory was used during thawing of semen straws. and sperm motility and morphological traits were immediately evaluated by computer-assisted sperm analysis (Sperm Class Analyzer®) before each individual cow was inseminated. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed 90 days after timed AI by ultrasound and transrectal palpation. Data were analysed using the logistic regression procedure of SAS (SAS Institute Inc.), with synchronisation response and conception being treated as binary response variables. All cows were synchronized successfully and an oestrus response rate of 100% was recorded. Pregnancy rates were similar (37.8% vs. 38.9%) for both Bos indicus and Bos taurus/indicus hybrid cattle. Bulls total sperm motility of ≥75% were recorded, following thawing of semen straws. Thus, there was no effect of bull on pregnancy. In conclusion, acceptable oestrus synchronization response was achieved in this communal setup. Superior genetic materials can be successfully introduced through assisted reproductive technologies in organised communal production systems.

Ticks, Demographics, Vegetation Cover, and Farmer’s Age Influence Red Meat Production in Resource-Poor Regions of Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

This study presents an integrated examination of livestock production constraints associating with communal farming in six district municipalities (DMs) of the Eastern Cape Province. We collected data on demographic and socio-economic factors from 271 farmers randomly given questionnaires. About 26 Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development (LRAD) owned by communal farmers were surveyed to ascertain the condition of grazing land, meanwhile, tick species and distribution on cattle and goats found in 158 sampling sites of the study area were also recorded. From the results, a total of 34,929 adult ticks belonging to five genera and 10 species were encountered. The most abundant tick genera were Rhipicephalus of the subgenus Boophilus (68.91%), Amblyomma (20.72%), Hyalomma (8.64%), Ixodes (1.22%), and Haemaphysalis (0.51%). By geographic distributions, Amblyomma and Rhipicephalus were common to all DMs, while R. microplus and R. decoloratus were found in the drier regions. From the map plotted for 16 custom feeding centers, lack of marketing channels (23%), poor animal conditions (20%), lack of infrastructure (19%), high price of medicine (14%), shortage of feed (10%), stock theft (8%), and age of animals (too old) to be marketed (6%) are the major shortcomings in red meat production. We found that the associations between gender (χ2 = 31.3481, p χ2 = 32.4889, p χ2 = 52.7556, p p

Assessing Farm Stress and Community Supports in a U.S.-Mexico Border County.

Imperial County, California, is a high-need, medically underserved area that has some of the worst overall health outcomes of all California counties. Given this and the high depression and anxiety rates in agricultural occupations, Imperial County farmers and ranchers may be at an increased risk of stress and poor mental health outcomes. An exploratory mixed methods assessment was used to collect information from 24 farmers and ranchers in Imperial County. Survey topics included questions about farm or ranch operations, farm-related stress, mental health, community support, and health behaviors. The results indicate that most respondents perceive unpredictable factors, such as government regulations, as the most impactful stressors related to their farm or ranch operations. Additionally, depression symptomatology scores were positively correlated with respondents' ability to obtain credit. Efforts to understand farm-related stress and how community support can help Imperial County farmers and ranchers mediate adverse physical and mental health effects through formal and informal networks are considered.

Land Inequality, Gender Land Disparity and Poverty in Rural Africa

Over the past four decades, Zimbabwe redistributed vast quantities of arable land to the landless, women and poor communal farmers to reduce inequality. Yet poverty and gender disparity in land ownership have continued to be discernible. It is against this background that this article explores the relationship between poverty, gender disparity and land inequality using household survey data. First, the article assesses the state of inequality and gender disparity using descriptive statistics. Second, a regression discontinuity design is applied to evaluate the poverty impact of a marginal increase in plot size of a female-headed household from the existing mean of all women-headed households. Third, a simple regression is estimated to investigate the impact of land inequality and gender disparity on regional poverty levels. The results reveal a gender gap in landownership and a higher level of land inequality among female-headed households. But in the sub-sample of female-headed households, per capita consumption is larger and the proportion of poor households is smaller than in the sub-sample of male-headed households. The results further reveal that a transfer of arable land to women will only reduce poverty and promote equality if it targets women without land and those with less than 3 Acres. Spatially, poverty can be reduced by increasing the share of women owning arable land in regional districts. The major policy implication of the findings is that any land redistribution policy aiming at achieving gender equality in land ownership and reducing poverty must pay attention to women at the lower end of plot size distribution. There are substantial spillover benefits from addressing gender inequality in land ownership.