Farming Experience Research Articles

DETERMINANTS OF WELFARE STATUS AND NET FARM INCOME AMONG SMALLHOLDER SORGHUM FARMERS IN NORTH WEST, NIGERIA

This study focused on the determinants of welfare status and net farm income among smallholder sorghum farmers in North West, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling method was employed to select 140 smallholder sorghum farmers. Primary data were used. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results show that the mean age of smallholder sorghum farmers was 47 years. The smallholder sorghum farmers were literate with approximate of 11 years of school education. Approximate 75% of smallholder sorghum farmers were members of cooperative organizations. Averagely, the farm size was estimated at 1.5 hectares, this means they are small-scale farmers. The gross margin and net farm income were calculated at 557175.35 and 518022.45 Naira per hectare, respectively. This shows that sorghum production is profitable. The total income and expenditure were estimated at 12192714.72 and 476439.76 Naira, respectively. The sorghum farmer household income exchange was calculated at 2.56. Approximate 97 which amounted to 69.29% of smallholder farmers had increased in welfare status from sorghum farming. The age of farmers, level of education, household size, farm experience, farm size, and amount of credit accessed were significantly different from zero in influencing the welfare status of smallholder sorghum farmers. The farm size and labour were significantly different from zero in influencing the net farm income of smallholder sorghum farmers. The study recommends mechanized farming utilizing improved seeds and new farm technologies to increase productivity, income and welfare status.

Assessing the Challenges of Transitioning to Organic Fertilizers: A Case Study in Mahaweli System-B, Sri Lanka

Mahaweli System-B, spanning the Polonnaruwa and Batticaloa districts of Sri Lanka, underwent a major shift in 2021 with the introduction of a government-mandated organic fertilizer subsidy program. This change aimed to promote eco-friendly farming by replacing inorganic fertilizers that had been used for decades. However, the transition posed significant challenges for farmers, particularly in the Dimbulagala Block, a key agricultural area known for its extensive paddy cultivation. This study investigates the constraints faced by farmers during this transition and evaluates their attitudes toward organic farming. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire survey conducted with 100 randomly selected farmers from six units of the Dimbulagala Block. Results revealed several critical barriers, including difficulties in transporting, storing, and applying organic fertilizers in field conditions. Farmers also expressed concerns about reduced paddy yields when using organic fertilizers, compared to traditional inorganic methods. Despite the availability of organic materials and training opportunities, these logistical and practical challenges significantly hindered adoption. Moreover, the study found variability in farmers’ adaptability based on their age, education level, and farming experience. The findings highlight the urgent need for improved infrastructure, such as better transport and storage solutions, and enhanced farmer support systems, including targeted training and financial incentives. Addressing these limitations could increase the acceptance and effectiveness of organic fertilizers, promoting sustainable agricultural practices in Mahaweli System-B and beyond.

Investigating access and use of digital tools for agriculture among rural farmers: A case study of Nkomazi Municipality, South Africa

Abstract The study examined the access and utilization of digital tools for agriculture among rural farmers in Nkomazi, Mpumalanga, South Africa. Data were collected from 120 rural farmers who were purposively sampled in Nkomazi Municipality. Information was gathered from the respondents through enumerator-administered structured questionnaires. The data were analyzed descriptively using percentages, means, and ranks, and multiple linear regression was employed to analyze the influence of the farmers’ socio-economic characteristics on their utilization of digital tools. The findings reveal that the farmers had an average age of 45.81 years. Approximately half (50.9%) of the farmers had no formal education or only completed primary education, and the average years of farming experience was 8.62 years. Overall, the farmers had access to traditional digital tools and apps such as radio, television, and smartphones. However, their utilization of these tools and apps, especially modern digital tools such as WhatsApp (43.3%) and Facebook (37.5%) for agricultural purposes, was still relatively low. This can be attributed to various challenges highlighted by the farmers, including insufficient skills and training, high costs of tools and apps, and issues related to network coverage. The educational level and cosmopoliteness of the farmers were identified as key socio-economic factors influencing the utilization of digital tools among the respondents. It is recommended that the farmers receive education and training on the use of modern digital tools and apps to enhance their ability to leverage them effectively and efficiently for the benefit of their agricultural enterprise.

Awareness Level of Farmers on Agricultural Related Softwares for Improved Agricultural Production: Panacea for Food Insecurity in Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State

Purpose: The study in its main objective assessed the awareness level of farmers on agricultural related softwares for improved agricultural production in Iseyin Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study examined the socio-economic characteristics of respondents; evaluated the level of awareness on agricultural softwares in the study area; investigated the extent of factors influencing usage of agricultural related softwares; assessed the severity of various challenges to usage of agricultural related softwares. The research hypothesis examined significant relationship between the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents and their level of awareness of farmers on agricultural related softwares available to the respondents. Materials and Methods: A well- structured interview schedule was used to collect primary data. A total of 75 respondents were selected. Both descriptive statistics and inferential statistical analysis were employed in data analysis. Findings: The study revealed that male (64.0%) population is more than population of female (36.0%) in the study area. Results further revealed that aside automated poultry machine, weather forecasting tools was the most aware agricultural softwares in the study area. The study also deduced that factors influencing usage of agricultural softwares was access to technology with highest frequency of 97.3%. Limited digital infrastructure, regulatory and policy issues, reliability and connectivity issues and awareness and perception was ranked 1st in the challenges facing the respondents to usage agricultural related softwares. Chi-square analysis revealed a significant relationship between socio-economic characteristics of sex (x2 = 5.88, p= 0.015), religion (x2 = 26.16, p= 0.000002), marital status (x2 = 184.94, p= 0.00001), secondary occupation (x2 = 45.02, p = 0.001), year of farming experience (x2 = 6.72, p= 0.035) and aspect of farming enterprise (x2 = 174.54, p= 0.001) meanwhile, educational status do not to have a significant relationship on the awareness level of farmers on agricultural related softwares. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study recommended improved awareness of less-known agricultural softwares like precision agronomy and data management tools through targeted educational campaigns and demonstrations that highlight their benefits to farmers, addressing regulatory and policy barriers will be crucial, along with promoting digital literacy programs to increase farmers understanding and perceived benefits of using agricultural related softwares.

Dynamics of society, food availability and consumption: Underlying evidence from selected smallholders in South Africa

The study examined the dynamics of society, food availability and consumption, a call for the promotion of health of community dwellers in South Africa. Food availability and dietary intake were discussed in terms of food groups available in society. The study group was selected through random sampling and before data collection, a pre-test of the questionnaire was carried out with the help of 15 enumerators who were trained for the purpose of this study. Structured questionnaires employed were divided into sections as follows: i) the socio-economic, demographic information and farm-level characteristics of respondents, ii) various food items and sources, iii) dietary and food consumption patterns. The food consumption frequency was captured through 7-day recall pattern suggested by World Food Programme (WFP) of the United Nations, commonly referred to as Food Consumption Score (FCS). Findings indicate that there was a high intake of cereals and tubers amongst men in the two villages (Mzinti and Kabokweni). Fulfilling the WFP principles, FCS was re-grouped into two clusters: poor, borderline as ‘Acceptable’ (1) and ‘Unacceptable’ (0). The outcome variable, FCS, was grouped as a dichotomous variable, categorized as ‘Acceptable’ with assigned value of 1 and ‘Unacceptable’ assigned 0. The determinants of food consumption were specified, using logistic regression. Overall, males (24%) had more energy intake (cereals and tuber) in Mzinti as compared to females (21%). However, results reveal that fruits and pulses were the least commonly consumed food groups over a 7-day recall period for Kabokweni and Mzinti. The findings also reveal that 60.97% of respondents in Kabokweni and 64.96% in Mzinti were within the acceptable food consumption score. The following variables: age (p < 0.022), level of education (p < 0.006 and p < 0.039), household size, (p < 0.007), extension services (p < 0.001 and p < 0.028), and farm experience (p <.018**) were positively and significantly associated with FCS. Food insecurity impacts directly on physical, economic and mental health of people and understanding the food security status of communities is vital for planning. Additionally, the study underscores the relevance of obtaining necessary statistics for dietary diversity of households to support government policy making. An evolving and innovative policy direction is proposed for exploring the dynamics of integrating food security into government health programmes. Key words: Smallholders, food insecurity, food consumption score, South Africa

Empowering Waqf Land with SMART-K and Vertiqua in Muhammadiyah Sukabumi City

This community empowerment is carried out through the utilization of waqf land in the form of two large ponds with an area of about 500 m2, then 5 classrooms that have not been used for a long time so that their condition is neglected. The purpose of this activity is to overcome the existing problems, namely the water channel to the pond that has not been repaired, the quality of the pond that is not adequate to be used as a cultivation pond, the manager, namely the group formed by the PDM, does not have experience and knowledge in fish farming. The method carried out as a solution to the existing problems is in the form of fish farming management training by improving the quality of ponds for cultivation through SMART-K (Aquaculture Management System and Technology Engineering). Training on vertiqua, land-saving fish farming and utilizing empty space as a place for fish farming. The results achieved were the quality of the pond was improved and koi fish cultivation was carried out through SMART-K, the empty room was used for catfish cultivation using tarpaulin ponds, vertiqua gen 2 was made as a technology for land-saving fish farming. The sustainability of this activity has the potential to be used as a place for fish farming training for the general public and education for the younger generation such as school children

Roots of resilience: a qualitative exploration of youth driven community food gardens in Cape Town, South Africa

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the dynamics of youth engagement in urban agriculture, particularly through youth gardens in distressed neighbourhoods of Cape Town. This examination is crucial due to the limited involvement of youth in urban agriculture, which poses a threat to the sustainability of these practices despite their recognised contributions to urban development.Design/methodology/approachThe research employs a qualitative methodology to explore the motivations, challenges and experiences of young urban farmers. Semi-structured interviews with youth participants from selected urban community gardens, complemented by virtual ethnography, form the core of the data collection process. This approach provides an in-depth understanding of the factors influencing youth participation in urban farming.FindingsThe study reveals that youth engagement in urban agriculture is motivated by various factors, including entrepreneurial aspirations, environmental justice activism, and a dedication to food justice. These findings suggest that for urban agriculture initiatives to be effective in such settings, they must acknowledge and address the specific motivations and contextual challenges faced by young people.Research limitations/implicationsThe study’s findings are context-specific to the distressed neighbourhoods of Cape Town, which may limit their generalisability to other urban settings. Future research could expand the scope to include a comparative analysis with other cities.Practical implicationsThe insights gained from this study can inform the design of urban agriculture initiatives that better engage youth, thereby fostering community development and sustainable urban practices.Originality/valueThis research offers novel insights into the underexplored area of youth engagement in urban agriculture within distressed urban environments. By focusing on the voices and experiences of young urban farmers in Cape Town, the study contributes to the development of targeted policies and programmes that aim to promote inclusive and sustainable urban agriculture practices, particularly by enhancing youth involvement.

FACTORS INFLUENCING THE ADOPTION OF AGRICULTURAL INSURANCE AMONG CROP FARMERS AS CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION STRATEGY IN BORNO STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined the adoption of agricultural insurance among crop farmers as climate change adaptation strategy in Borno State, Nigeria. Multistage stage sampling technique was used in selecting 270 respondents for the study. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results reveal that the majority of respondents were between 36 and 49 years old, with a mean age of 37 years. Majority (60.7% and 80%) of the respondents were male and married. The mean household size, farm size, farming experience, and income of the respondents were 7 persons, 2 hectares, 7 years and ₦261,300, respectively. A reasonable proportion (37.8%) of the respondents had secondary education with majority (74.8%) having no access to credit. Most (83.0%) of the respondents in the study area had access to extension services. Majority (69.3%) of the respondents were aware of agricultural insurance. with a mean of 2 years of awareness. Half (50.0%) of the respondents sourced information on agricultural insurance from cooperatives. The major type of insurance adopted by the respondents were theft (20.0%), diseases (17.0%), and pest outbreaks (15.9%). The factors influencing the adoption of agricultural insurance in the study area were age (P < 0.01), educational level (P < 0.05) and access to extension services (P < 0.01). The major constraints to the adoption of agricultural insurance in the study area include high premium costs (71.1%) and inadequate awareness (70.0%) to mention few. The study concludes that age, education level and access to extension services were the factors influencing adoption of insurance as climate change adaptation strategy in the study area. The study recommends that the government and non-governmental extension services should embark on sensitization campaign to raise the awareness crop farmers on the importance of insurance and effort should be made by the concern stakeholders to subsidize the premium in order encourage patronage.

ANALYSIS OF RURAL WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN AGRICULTURAL DECISION-MAKING PROCESS AMONG RICE FARMERS IN ZONE A OF KANO STATE, NIGERIA

The study examines the analysis of rural women participation in agricultural decision-making process among rice farmers in Zone A of Kano State, Nigeria. A Multistage sampling technique was used to select 377 rural women farmers for the study. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study revealed that morethan half (54.6% and 50.1%) of the rural women agreed and strongly agreed that they sourced household finance through personal savings and government and NGO’s while majority (65.5% and 71.9%) of the respondents were members of cooperatives and had contact with extension agents respectively. The result also revealed that a notable proportion (42.4% and 40.8%) of the respondents had agreed that they received agricultural information through cooperatives/associations and fellow farmers respectively. Furthermore, the result revealed that morethan half (50.1%) of the repondents agreed that they received information on processing and marketing of rice while majority (58.9%) of the respondents strongly agreed that they received information on water and soil management. The result also showed that 44.7% of the respondents revealed that they were fully involved in selection of manure/fertilizer decision-making and 45.9% mentioned they were to large extent involved in sowing seed decision-making. The result also showed that 32.9% of the respondents participated in winnowing while 20.0% participated in marketing in the study. The regression results, showed that education level was found to be significant (P<0.05) respectively, while, farm size, farming experience, membership in cooperative society, extension visit and level of income were also found to be significant (P<0.01) respectively, with R2 0.723. The study concluded that rural women farmers are generally involved in decision-making processes and participation on rice production, processing and marketing such as selection of manure and fertilizer, sowing, threshing, winnowing and packaging among others. The major constraints associated with rice production, processing and processing includes inadequate financial support, less availability of time, traditional beliefs and cultural values among others. The study recommends women participation in agricultural decision-making process will enhance investment in girl child education should be prioritized by the government in other to increase female literacy rate and women empowerment in agriculture.

AWARENESS AND ADAPTATION STRATEGIES TO CLIMATE CHANGE AMONG RURAL FARMERS IN UKUM LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BENUE STATE

The study awareness and adaptation strategy to climate change among rural farmers was conducted in Ukum local Government area of Benue State, Nigeria. The objectives were to analyze the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents, determine how knowledgeable farmers are about climate change and analyze the adaptation strategies employed by the rural farmers. Simple random and purposive sampling procedures were employed in selecting 108respondents; and questionnaires were used for data collection. Means, percentages, frequency distribution tables and multiple regression analysis were used for data analysis. The result showed that 55.56% fall within the age group of 36 to 50 years, 60% of the Respondents were males, majority of rural farmers could read and write, about 51% were married, the result showed that 28% of the respondents which were the majority cultivated yam. Result revealed that 54% of the respondents were knowledgeable about climate change effects .The results also revealed that adaptation strategies employed by rural farmers were use of mulching/planting of cover crops, early planting, delay in date of planting of some crops, increase in cultivated land, multiple cropping and application of organic manure to cope with the effects of climate change in the study area. In addition, the results of regression analysis revealed that age (0.01), household size (0.01), income (0.05) and farming experience (0.05) were the significant factors influencing farmer’s adaptation to climate change. The concludes that more than half of the farmers in the study area were aware of climate change and planting of cover crops, delay in planting and early planting were some strategies adopted by farmers to cope with it. The study recommends that more awareness be created to increase the percentage of farmers that are aware of the negative effects of climate change and farmers should be trained to embrace practices that will reduce the effect of climate change on agricultural productivity in the study area.

ADOPTION OF GINGER (Zingiber officiale) PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES IN SOUTHERN ZONE OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

The study assessed the adoption of ginger production technologies in Southern Agricultural Zone of Kaduna State, Nigeria. Multistage-sampling technique was used in selecting 172 respondents. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results revealed that majority (54.1%) of the respondents were male with a mean age, household size and farming experience of 43 years, 7 persons and 17 years, respectively. Similarly, the respondents had an average farm size and annual income of 1.9 hectares and ₦707,907, respectively. The results also revealed that majority (77.3%) of the respondents sourced information on ginger production technologies from fellow farmers. Farm operation technology and recommended land preparation practices were the most adopted ginger production technology. The result further revealed that educational background (P<0.01) and annual income (P<0.05) significantly influenced the adoption of ginger production technologies. The major constraints to the adoption of ginger production technologies were inadequate capital (=3.31) and inadequate processing facilities (=3.09). The study concluded that educational level, annual income and years of experience were the factors influencing the adoption of ginger production technologies in the study area. The study recommended that there is a need for Government to increase farmers’ capital and credit facilities and make these services accessible to the farmers to improve technology adoption, farmers should form cooperative to enable them get access to credit and enjoy economics of scale.

USAGE OF WEB TOOLS IN ACCESSING AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION AMONG CROP FARMERS IN SOUTH WEST, NIGERIA

Information is a vital tool in Agricultural production. Farmers may utilize web tools in numerous ways. It may provide new information services to rural regions, where farmers will have more influence over communication channels. Access to new information sources is essential for sustainable farming. Using online technologies effectively and efficiently can make extension workers' jobs simpler and enable information distribution and after-extension services. This enables a free flow and continuous contact with the farmers on updated information that is useful for agricultural productivity. The study therefore described the socioeconomic characteristics of farmers, determined the farmers’ usage of web tools in accessing agricultural information and constraints faced in the usage of web tools in accessing of agricultural information. The study was carried out in south west, Nigeria using a multi-stage sampling technique among two hundred and ninety nine (299) crop farmers. Primary data were collected and analyzed using descriptive analysis. Result of analysis showed that most of the respondents were male, 46.8% had primary education with about 15 years of farming experience and an average income of N760,000. The findings further found that whatsapp was the mostly used web tool for receiving agricultural related information by the respondents, however, it requires special types of devices to use some of the web tools, The study concludes that if the constraints faced was solved, then the level of usage of web tools will increase and enhance agricultural productivity. The study therefore recommended among others that crop farmers needs to be trained on almost all the identified web tools.

A Study on Socio-Economic Status of Cabbage Growers in Krishnagiri District of Tamil Nadu, India

Rural development is crucial for the development of the nation. Socio-economic status is dynamic in nature. Socio-economic status provides information on the association between certain factors and the livelihood of vegetables growers. In this study; an attempt had been made to understand the reality of cabbage growers. Krishnagiri was purposefully selected. Kelamangalam block was chosen for the study. The aim of the study was to collect data regarding the characteristics of sample farm households and categorize them into closely related sub groups. Total sample size used for this study was 120. Data was collected by a personal interview method. The personal variables, social variables, economic variables, farming related variables are taken into account to summarize the socio-economic status of cabbage farmers. Based on the data, Agriculture was the main occupation in the study area. Majority of sample farmers had moderate experience in farming. Most of sample farmers had smaller land holdings. Most of the farmers were found to be in the low income group.

Profitability of Organic Versus Conventional Rice Production: An Evidence from South Asia

Rice, a staple and cash crop in South Asia, is vital for small-scale farmers, but concerns about the profitability of organic farming challenge its adoption despite its environmental benefits. The present study was conducted in the Rice-Wheat zone of three South Asian countries to make a comparison of profit efficiency in rice production under organic and conventional farming systems and to examine factors affecting profit efficiency. A multistage sampling technique was employed to collect cross-sectional data. Profit efficiency was determined by employing Cobb Douglas's functional form of stochastic profit frontier. Results show that the mean profit efficiency of organic rice growers is 0.89 less than conventional rice growers (0.910) in Pakistan. The mean profit efficiencies of organic growers are higher than conventional growers in Nepal and Bangladesh. Education and the role of the extension department are important factors in increasing the efficiency of organic and conventional farming while access to credit and experience in rice farming are significant in reducing inefficiencies in conventional rice farming. The study concludes that the education of farmers, the role of extension services, and easy credit access are key policy variables to improve profit efficiency.

Survey of types and use of traditional medicinal plants for beef cattle in Bontang City

Bontang city is suitable for research due to the limited data on the use of traditional herbal medicine in beef cattle. This study aims to survey the types and usage of traditional herbal plants in beef cattle in Bontang city, providing new insights for local farmers. Data collection involved observation, recording, and photographic documentation. Samples were taken from Bontang city, including West Bontang, South Bontang, and North Bontang districts. Traditional medicinal plants such as garlic, brotowali, coconut, turmeric, temulawak, guava, and lime thrive in these conditions. The majority of respondents are beef cattle farmers aged 51-60 years with a low level of education. Experience in cattle farming for more than 4 years has improved their skills and productivity. The primary source of information on herbal plants is passed down through generations from their parents. The results of the survey on the types and usage of traditional herbal plants in beef cattle in Bontang city can be summarized as follows. Seven plant species are used by beef cattle farmers as natural remedies, namely garlic, brotowali, coconut, turmeric, temulawak, guava, and lime.

Factors Influencing Climate-Smart Agriculture Practices Adoption and Crop Productivity among Smallholder Farmers in Nyimba District, Zambia

Climate change significantly affects smallholder farmers, whose livelihoods are closely tied to the environment. This study explores factors influencing the adoption of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices and their impact on crop productivity among small-scale farmers in Nyimba District, Zambia. Data were collected from 194 households across 12 villages, and logistic regression and propensity score matching analyses were employed to identify key factors and evaluate CSA’s effects on crop yields. Findings revealed that CSA adoption is influenced by factors such as education level, household size, fertilizer use, age, gender, farming experience, livestock ownership, income, farmland size, marital status, and access to climate-related information. CSA adopters experienced a 20.20% increase in overall crop yields compared to non-adopters, with a 21.50% increase in maize yields specifically. The study underscores the need for targeted interventions to support CSA adoption through education, improved dissemination of climate information, and access to critical resources such as improved seeds and financial services. This research offers insights for policymakers and extension services to develop evidence-based strategies enhancing resilience and productivity among smallholder farmers in response to climate challenges.

Disaster Induced Agricultural Productivity in Coastal Regions of Bangladesh: A Stochastic Frontier Analysis Approach

The production and technical efficiency of the rice sector in Bangladesh’s coastal areas are vulnerable to a wide range of natural disasters and climate change issues. These regions face recurring threats from climatic events such as salinity intrusion, inundation, rising sea levels, and cyclones, which can significantly disrupt agricultural activities. In this paper, we conduct a comparative analysis of the rice producers’ technical efficiency based on their exposure to disaster-induced impacts over the past five years. Using the Stochastic Frontier Analysis, we examine factors influencing household-level productive efficiency in three coastal districts—Patuakhali, Cox’s Bazar, and Khulna. Our findings reveal that rice-producing households affected by natural disasters between 2014 and 2018 exhibited, on average, an 8.29 percentage point higher productive efficiency compared to unaffected households. When controlling for other confounding variables, such as household characteristics and external conditions, the efficiency gain rises to 19.8%. This suggests that households exposed to adverse climatic events may have adapted their farming practices to become more resilient, thus improving their productive efficiency in the long term. Moreover, our results indicate that a larger household size enhances efficiency by 6.7%. Households where rice farming is the primary occupation also tend to be more efficient, likely because of greater specialization and focus on improving agricultural practices. Finally, the age of the producer is positively associated with efficiency, reflecting the accumulation of farming experience and knowledge over time.

Determinants of Agricultural Land Fallowing in Kerala, India: Insights and Implications

Kerala's land use dynamics have undergone significant transformations, with increasing fallows emerged as a key concern amid changing land utilization patterns. The study explores key factors contributing to the fallowing of agricultural land in Kerala. The research was conducted across three districts selected based on implementation of fallow land development schemes representing the northern, central, and southern regions of the state. A total of 360 farmers were surveyed, comprising 180 farmers with owned fallow land and 180 beneficiaries of fallow land development schemes. Data were collected using a pretested interview schedule, developed through extensive literature review and expert inputs. Factor analysis was employed to identify key determinants. Six major factors with eigenvalues greater than one were extracted, explaining 58.95% of the cumulative variance. These factors include perspectives on fallowing, socio-economic attributes, land use experience, risk contingencies, personal traits, and economic and agro-ecological features. The findings highlight that perspectives on fallowing contribute the largest variance (21.96%), emphasizing the importance of farmers' perception on causes and consequences of fallowing. Socio-economic attributes (11.25%) underline the role of family size, subsidiary enterprises, land value, and wage rate in influencing land use decisions. Land use experience (9.06%) reflects farming experience and preceding crop cultivated. Risk contingencies (6.22%) emphasize challenges like wild animal attacks and distance of farm land from road. Personal traits (5.50%) comprise of age and personal reason for fallowing. Economic and agro-ecological features (4.96%) including income, extreme weather events and land fragmentation, also emerged as critical determinants. The study provides a comprehensive understanding of the multi-dimensional factors driving agricultural land fallowing in Kerala, offering insights for policymakers and stakeholders to design targeted interventions to promote sustainable land use.

Small-scale farmers' market constraints in Ghana: influential farm-level contingencies

This study sought to identify significant barriers to market access and marketing connections for small-scale rural farmers, evaluating the impact of demographic factors (gender, education level) and operational factors (years in farming, distance from home, type of commodity) on these constraints. The research employed a cross-sectional descriptive and inferential quantitative approach to examine the barriers to market access and marketing connections among small-scale rural farmers in Ghana's Volta area. The conceptual framework is based on a multi-theory approach. The contingency theory elucidates the significance of farm size, resource availability, and geographic location; the human capital theory delineates the impact of education level and years of farming experience; and the logistics and spatial analysis framework examines how transportation infrastructure, geographic location, and commodity type affect market access and connections. The investigation indicated that inadequate road infrastructure and elevated transportation expenses were the primary obstacles for small-scale rural farmers in accessing markets, with notable disparities based on gender and educational attainment. The commodity kind, years of cultivation, and distance from home substantially influenced limitations. The study concentrated on the Volta region, however the results are probably relevant to other regions in Ghana because of comparable agro-ecological zones and rural socio-economic traits. The rigorous research design, data collection techniques, and comprehensive analysis guarantee dependable and valid outcomes. Notwithstanding possible constraints in generalisability, the research provides comprehensive insights into the distinct issues encountered by small-scale farmers. It emphasises socio-economic factors affecting market access, illustrates the impact of farm-level contingencies on market access and linkages, identifies both diversity and uniformity among small-scale farmers, and addresses a gap in the literature by offering empirical evidence on market access constraints specific to the Volta region that may have global relevance. These contributions are significant for both academic comprehension and practical initiatives aimed at assisting small-scale rural farmers in Ghana and analogous environments worldwide.

Socio-Demographic Determinants of Climate-Smart Agriculture Adoption Among Smallholder Crop Producers in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga Province of South Africa

Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is a transformative approach to farming that aims to meet the demands of increasing food production under the growing pressures of climate change. CSA’s goals are to boost agricultural productivity, enhance resilience to climate impacts, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, the study explored farmers’ socio-demographic factors influencing the adoption of CSA in sustainable crop production. The study was carried out in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga province of South Africa, with a focus on smallholder crop producers in the area. The study surveyed 300 smallholder farmers and employed simple random sampling, structured questionnaires, and a binary logistic regression model for data analysis. The significant and positive socio-demographic variables relevant to the adoption of climate-smart practices were level of education (p < 0.014), household size (p < 0.007), farm experience (p < 0.053), and farmland fertility (p < 0.047). Therefore, for CSA practices to be adopted by smallholder crop producers, a targeted approach is needed to address this issue. Therefore, support and training are needed to bridge the literacy gap among smallholder crop producers with the overall aim of improving their understanding of climate change and CSA practices that can mitigate the effects of climate change.