Farm Size Research Articles

Value Chain Analysis of Cattle Feed Market in Banaskantha District, India

India has vast resources of livestock and poultry, which play a vital role in improving the socio-economic conditions of rural masses. Livestock sector contributed 4.90 per cent of total GVA in 2020-21. Birthal and Jha [1] has found feed scarcity as the main limiting factor to improving livestock productivity. Therefore, to increase the productivity potential of milch animals the use of commercial compound feed is inevitable as supply of feed & fodder is shortening due to shrinking pasture land in the country. The Indian feed industry is about 57 years old. India is deficient in fodder and its availability is shrinking day by day due to decrease in cultivable area and increased share in food crop production so more thrust should be directed towards compound feeds by identifying the constraints and removing them.This study focused on the effectiveness of the feed industry and the performance of the value chain when mapping the cattle feed value chain in the Banaskantha district of Gujarat state. Total of ten feed manufacturing units and 120 farmers were selected for the study. The study was based on primary data and secondary data, the primary data were collected through personal interviews with the help of a structured survey schedule. Secondary data on livestock population were collected through the livestock census, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India. A multi stage random sampling method was adopted as an appropriate sampling procedure for the study. Banaskantha district was purposely selected for the study as Banaskantha district has highest livestock population in overall Gujarat State. Four talukas from Banaskantha district were selected randomly and feed manufacturing units were selected by snowball sampling method. From each taluka, five villages were selected randomly. From each village, six farmers were selected randomly. The study focused on buying behavior of farmers regarding cattle feed purchase and to estimate demand for concentrated feed requirements for the future in Banaskantha district. The study found that among the eight explanatory (independent) variables, five variables viz., livestock population, farm size, feed price, income from livestock, total feed fed per day were found to be significantly associated with expenditure of cattle feed price per animal per month and other variables such as average age of the animal, technology adoption and distance from buying location were statistically non-significant. The required feed demand for future livestock populations in Banaskantha district are 3651480 metric tonnes, 4487461 metric tonnes, 5514543 metric tonnes, 6774097 metric tonnes and 8315523 metric tonnes for the year 2024, 2029,2034, 2039 and 2044 respectively.

PRIMATE CROP RAIDING IN KAINJI LAKE NATIONAL PARK, NIGERIA: AN ANALYSIS OF VULNERABILITY INDICATORS AND FARMERS PERSPECTIVES FOR EFFECTIVE CONSERVATION

Human-primate conflict is a persistent challenge in conservation efforts. The study investigates vulnerability indicators of crop damage by primates and farmers attitudes towards conservation in Kanji Lake National Park, aiming to inform effective conflict mitigation strategies. Direct method and structured questionnaire were used to obtain information on crop damage severity, farmer perceptions and conservation attitudes. The Completely Randomised Design (CRD) was used in comparing vulnerability indicators that predisposed primates to conflict and the relationship between vulnerability indicators to crop damage intensity was determined using karl pearsons’ product moment coefficient of correlation. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test analyses were adopted to reveal the opinions of respondents for significant differences on farmer’s attitudes and perceptions for effective conservation. The results show a significant correlation between crop damage and vulnerability indicators thus, highlighting the need for effective conflict mitigation strategies. The results revealed that the identified key vulnerability indicator, numbers of standing crops (0.015) differed significantly among the ranges of the park (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, farm sizes (0.068) were not significantly different among ranges (P > 0.05). Farm distance to park has positive correlation with farm size (r = 0.203) and number of standing crops (r = 0.310). Similarly, there were strong correlations between farm size and number of crops damaged (r = 0.680). In respect to conservation attitudes 74% of the respondents were in support of primate conservation, 38% wished that primates should be exterminated to stop crop damage and economic losses. 40% of the respondents supported the use of lethal methods for preventing primates from raiding crops while 53.1% were of the opinion that zone dwellers should be allowed to hunt. The findings highlighted the need for conservation efforts, emphasizing the importance of addressing human-primate conflict through collaborative approaches that consider both human livelihoods and wildlife conservation.

EFFICIENCY ANALYSIS OF YAM PRODUCTION IN YORRO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF TARABA STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined efficiency of yam (Dioscorea spp.) production in Yorro Local Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to determine technical, allocative and economic efficiencies of yam farmers in the study area. Multi-stage random sampling methods were employed to select 247 yam farmers in the area. Data collected were analyzed using stochastic frontier production model. The results of the maximum likelihood estimate of production function showed that, farm size, seed/setts, and fertilizer were significant inputs utilized for production among farmers in the study area. The mean technical efficiency of yam farmers was 0.94. Similarly, the results of the maximum likelihood estimate of the cost function indicated that cost of seed/setts, fertilizer, agrochemicals and labour were the significant cost associated with yam production in the study area. The mean allocative and economic efficiencies were 0.95 and 0.89 respectively. The study therefore concluded that majority of yam farmers in Yorro Local Government Area of Taraba state, Nigeria operated at the maximum efficiency level indicating that there was little efficiency gap hence there is still scope for improvement of yam production in the study area. The study recommends investments by individuals, private organizations and government in yam production so that farmers could increase output through more intensive and efficient use of available resources given the current state of technology.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC DETERMINANTS OF INTEGRATED SOIL FERTILITY MANAGEMENT (ISFM) PRACTICIES CHOICE AMONG MAIZE FARMERS IN ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA

This study was carried out to analyzed socio-economic determinants of Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) practices choice among maize farmers in Adamawa State, Nigeria. Using a multi-stage sampling procedure, 206 maize farmers were selected and interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and multinomial logit regression models were used to analyze the data collected. Findings revealed that majority of the farmers (about 60%) fell within the 20-40 years and they were predominantly male (62.1%), married (82.0%), and had a secondary education (40.3%). Farmers operated on an average farm size of 1.70 hectares. Majority of the maize farmers in the study area used intercropping with legumes (94%), organic manure (87%) and improved maize seed (79%) ISFM practices, the least practiced ISFM among the farmers were minimum tillage, crop residue retention and use of crop rotation. Socio-economic factors that were significant (P < 0.05) and positively influenced ISFM practices used among maize farmers were annual income, education level, and household size. Meanwhile gender (sex) have negative and significant (P < 0.05) influence on minimum tillage practice by the maize farmers. The study concludes on moderate use of ISFM practices among maize farmers in the study area. It was therefore be recommended that organized farmer’s programmes should be targeted toward educating the farmers on ISFM practices benefits and improving their income so as to facilitate adoption of ISFM practices for sustainable farm operation.

Unequal Power Relations at the Center of Social Vulnerability to Climate Change: Empirical Insights from Coastal Bangladesh

ABSTRACT Climate change is a global phenomenon affecting millions of people. Low-income people and communities are particularly at risk because of limited capacities to cope with climate-related stresses. Differential access to social and economic resources determines the level of adaptive potential; thus, the variations in social vulnerability to climate change. This article explores how unequal power relations influence the level of vulnerability in rural agrarian Bangladesh. Using data from the coastal region, it specifically discusses ethnicity, religion, gender, and farm size as the sources and manifestations of power relations in Bangladeshi rural society. I argue that the deeply rooted institutions of power in the country shape access to important resources that might increase adaptive capacity and thus resilience in the context of rapid climate change.

Meta-Analysis on Farmers’ Adoption of Agricultural Technologies in East Africa: Evidence from Chinese Agricultural Technology Demonstration Centers

Farmers’ low agricultural productivity in East African countries is attributed to among other factors, the low application of modern agricultural technologies. Using meta-analysis this study intended to examine the determinants of adoption of agricultural technologies in East African countries recipients of Chinese Agricultural Technology Demonstration Centers (ATDCs). A comprehensive review employed to gather 22 studies addressing the determinants of adoption of agricultural technologies such as improved varieties, agricultural mechanization, soil conservation, and animal breeding from Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda. The collected data were analyzed using STATA 17 software. The study used a random-effect model to estimate the determinants of agricultural technologies adoption. The findings demonstrated that access to credit, age, education, farming experience, farmer group membership, household size, and off-farm income have a significant influence on farmers ‘adoption of improved varieties. Age, farm size, and education have a significant influence on the adoption of agricultural mechanization. Soil conservation practices are influenced by age, household size, and sex. Moreover, age, education, extension services, and farming experience have a significant impact on the adoption of animal breeding. It is recommended that East African governments, policymakers, and agricultural practitioners to focus on these common variables when planning for the intervention of new agricultural technologies.

Determinants of Food Security Under Different Land Use Systems: Example of Pastoralists and Agro-Pastoralists in Northeastern Ethiopia

The issue of ensuring food and nutrition security has become a prominent item on the global agenda, particularly for low-income countries with high population growth rates. Despite the implementation of numerous policies and programs with the objective of enhancing household calorie intake, food insecurity is worsening in Ethiopia. It is crucial to comprehend the principal factors influencing food security, as this knowledge is essential for implementing effective interventions to enhance food security. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the food security status of households, measure the extent and severity of food insecurity, and identify the determinants of food security in Northeastern Ethiopia. The data for this study were collected through key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and a multi-stage sampling method, which involved the selection of 300 households. Descriptive and inferential statistics, the Foster–Greer–Thorbecke (FGT) index, and a probit model were employed to analyze the collected data. The results indicate that 41.67% of the sample households were food secure. By decomposing the results to the two land use systems, 34.62% and 50.69% of the pastoral and agro-pastoral households were food secure, respectively, indicating that agro-pastoral households were relatively more food secure than pastoral counterparts. Furthermore, the gap and severity of food insecurity among the sample households were calculated using FGT indices, resulting in a value of 15.02% and 5.31%, respectively. The probit model revealed that educational attainment, the number of milking cows, cultivated farm size, annual farm income, and participation in off-farm activities were significant predictors of improved household food security status. The findings of this study suggest that policies aimed at addressing food insecurity should consider livelihood diversification, the promotion of education and training, and the strengthening of institutional and technological environments.

Analysing Knowledge Gain in Women Farmers: Insights from Tuber Crop Cultivation Training

Aims: This study aimed to assess the knowledge gain of women farmers participating in a training program on tuber crop cultivation in Thrissur district, Kerala. The training focused on improving their understanding of key agricultural practices related to crops such as cassava, elephant foot yam, coleus, and sweet potatoes. Study Design: Ex post facto design. Place and Duration of Study: The training was organized and conducted by the Center for Gender Studies in Agriculture and Farm Entrepreneurship Development, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, Kerala on March 2024. Methodology: A total of 50 women farmers were randomly selected from various panchayats in the Thrissur district to attend the training. A pre- and post-training evaluation was conducted using a structured questionnaire comprising 15 questions, covering topics such as variety selection, soil fertility management, pest and disease control, and post-harvest value addition, and so on. Using grapesAgri1 in R Studio 4.3.1 software, the data were analysed using statistical methods like frequency, percentage, t-test and coefficient of correlation. Results: Pre- and post-training knowledge scores were calculated and analysed using simple percentage formulas to assess knowledge gain. The study revealed a significant improvement in participants' knowledge post-training. The overall average pre-training knowledge score was 9.67 out of 50 (19.34%), while the average post-training score increased to 41.53 out of 50 (83.06%). T-test was also employed to compare the mean of pre-test and post-test evaluation. The percentage of knowledge gain in the pre-training and post-training evaluation were correlated with the independent variables such as age, education, family size, category and information source utilization. The results of correlation revealed that the independent variable such as age (X1), Education (X2), Category (X3) and farm size (X4) are negatively correlated and information source (X5) was positively correlated with the dependent variable. Conclusion: The training program effectively enhanced the knowledge of women farmers in key aspects of tuber crop cultivation, contributing to improved agricultural practices and the potential for increased productivity.

A Farming System Approach to Exploring Drivers of Food Insecurity Among Farm Households in Developing Countries: The Case Study of Mozambique

Farm households, especially in developing countries, are among the most vulnerable to food insecurity and poverty. A farming system approach is largely recognized to play an important role in supporting strategies to improve food security and alleviate poverty among farm households. This paper aims at exploring the drivers of food insecurity among farm households in developing countries, using a farming system approach. It also aims to explore farm households’ perceptions regarding the causes of food shortages and the adopted coping strategies, and how these vary across farming systems. This analysis was based on data extracted from an agricultural census, which were analyzed through scatter plots and plot means with 95% confidence intervals. The results indicate that the factors analyzed (level of specialization, market integration, use of yield-raising and labor-saving inputs, farm size, population density, and rainfall) are important drivers explaining food insecurity among farm households, highlighting important differences across farming systems. The analysis also showed that farm households’ perceptions regarding the causes of food shortages are related with the abovementioned drivers of food insecurity. Our findings suggest that less specialized farming systems with better access to markets, using yield-raising and/or labor-saving inputs, are more likely to be food secure. The farming system approach proved to be a useful approach to explore food insecurity drivers and coping strategies as well as to support policymaking. Moreover, the use of an agricultural census data provides an easily attainable tool to access and analyze farm-level data for policy analysis and to explore and understand a range of issues affecting farm households in developing countries.

The effect of crop insurance on the financial risk of smallholder rice farmers in Cameroon

This study examined the effect of crop insurance on the financial risk of smallholder rice farmers in the grass field of Cameroon. Panel data from 76 Smallholder rice farming groups from 2019-2022 was used, while the Panel-corrected standard error technique was used for estimation. The results revealed that crop insurance captured using inputs (fertilizers, herbicides, and treated seeds) and land preparation had a positive and statistically significant effect on financial risk. These results validate the risk balancing hypothesis for smallholder rice farmers. Control variables like Farm size and labour had a positive and statistically significant effect, while training cost and buying price had a negative and statistically significant effect on financial risk. The results therefore, indicate that smallholder rice farmers need to adopt crop insurance practices such as use of quality farm inputs and better land preparation techniques in order to manage financial risk.

Impacting Arable Farmers’ Perception of Processed Organic Fertilizer Use through Farm Demonstration: Evidence from Maize Farmers in Ogun State, Nigeria

Fertilizer use supports productivity in arable farming. However, improper use of inorganic fertilizers can harm the environment, accelerate climate change and slow down the achievement of the 13th SDG. This study examined the use of farm demonstration in improving maize farmers’ perception of organic fertilizer use in the five major towns in Ikenne LGA of Ogun state. Sixty-five maize farmers were selected for the study using multistage sampling technique. Demonstration plots were established near the farmers to observe the agronomic impact of organic fertilizer use. Results showed that respondents’ average farm size was less than 1 hectare, 58% had undulating or sloppy lands which are vulnerable to degradation. Only 22% of the farmers mostly use organic fertilizers which they source from unprocessed animal waste. Only 32% of the farmers are aware of commercially processed organic fertilizers. Using the pair-sample t-test, the perception level of the farmers at the end of the demonstration was significantly higher than before the demonstration (t = 14.87, p <0.05). The study recommended that perception enhancing intervention be introduced to farmers in order to increase the use of clean and safe commercially available fertilizers.

Design considerations for a continuous mussel farm in New England Offshore waters. Part I: Development of environmental conditions for engineering design

Sustainable aquaculture in nearshore waters faces challenges such as stakeholder conflicts, environmental pollution, and spatial constraints. Offshore aquaculture offers a promising solution but requires robust engineering design to withstand extreme weather conditions. This study develops the environmental conditions essential for engineering the design of a continuous mussel dropper system in New England offshore waters. A potential farm location was identified using criteria including water depth, federal boundaries, seafloor suitability, farm size, and proximity to ports, based on bathymetric and sedimentary maps. Historical data from five wave monitoring stations and two current velocity stations were analyzed to model extreme environmental conditions, as waves and currents pose primary threats. The extreme wave and current conditions are modeled using the Weibull distribution, on the annual maximum hourly significant wave height data and the largest 0.3% of current speeds. A newly proposed method combining Spalding’s wall function with a fourth-order polynomial is used to enhance the current profile analysis. Additionally, a joint probability density function was developed for wave height and current velocity at a specific depth, providing insights into wave height, period, and wavelength for various return periods such as 10, 25, 50, and 100 years. The results suggest a 10-yr wave of 8 m significant wave height and a current speed of 1.68 m/s, while a 50-yr values are 9.4 m and 1.96 m/s respectively. These findings offer critical data on extreme wave and current conditions in New England’s offshore waters, providing practical guidance for the engineering design of offshore mussel farms. This research advances offshore mussel farming and benefits the development of all types of offshore aquaculture systems.

Sustainability and Social Farming in the Czech Republic: The Impact of Selected Factors on the Employment of Disadvantaged Persons in Agriculture

In the agricultural sector, where factors like the type of agriculture, management techniques, and access to funding are critical, disadvantaged people face significant barriers to employment. This study investigated the effects of these factors, especially with regard to sustainability and social farming, on the employment of disadvantaged persons in the Czech Republic. We sent questionnaires to 2036 agricultural businesses within the Czech Republic, and the data we received were sorted and analyzed. There was a favorable relationship between farm size and employment chances. Disadvantaged people were more likely to be hired by large farms, especially those larger than 250 hectares. Furthermore, mixed-production farms were more capable of employing disadvantaged persons, unlike conventional farms, which reached their maximum employment levels at one, three, or six workers. Organic farming had a more even distribution, while biodynamic farming showed limited capacity to employ disadvantaged persons. Farms involved in fundraising had fewer farms but employed more disadvantaged persons (number of employees peaked at two, four, and six), while farms that did not engage in fundraising hired more disadvantaged individuals (peaked at one and three employees). The motivations for employing disadvantaged persons were primarily social concerns, as well as labor shortages and economic and innovative factors. These findings show the importance of agricultural enterprises using these factors to improve the social and economic well-being of disadvantaged persons.

Intersectionality shapes the access to various adaptive resources in climate-vulnerable contexts

Abstract Intersectional approaches are becoming essential to understanding the differential impacts of climate change and the heterogeneity of adaptive capacities. Varying factors of social and economic privileges and inequalities synergistically shape the local power structure, ultimately determining disproportionality and unequal access to adaptive resources. Using empirical data from coastal Bangladesh, which is part of the Ganges Delta, and one of the world’s -most climate-vulnerable regions, this study shows how religion, gender, and ethnicity intersect with patterns in (i) farm and non-farm incomes, (ii) land conflicts, (iii) the size of farms, and (iv) access to critical sources of weather information. The study highlights that multilayered identity, which is shaped by various structural determinants, including local power structure, can determine gendered dimensions of access to various adaptation resources. It also shows that if policymakers and development partners partially understand or do not understand the complex landscape of local vulnerability or unequal power structures including the adaptive capacity of the vulnerable populations, they would not be able to provide critical support in times of crisis. The concept of intersectionality is therefore critical in addressing adaptation and risk management challenges for regions like the Ganges Delta and other parts of the world, where people are struggling with similar social and environmental challenges.

The Microeconomics of Agricultural Development: Risk, Institutions, and Agricultural Policy

Assertions of pervasive inefficiency in the behavior and organization of developing agriculture are found to be based on unsound methodologies. Models apparently based on expected utility theory are theoretically flawed and use highly restrictive assumptions that make them largely irrelevant for explaining actual decisions. When a more appropriate model is applied to the case of the green revolution in the Philippines, the hypothesis that loss aversion impedes adoption of new technology is rejected. Common assertions about the inefficiency of agricultural institutions are also found wanting. The risk-bearing theory of share-tenancy, which is thought to imply inefficiency, cannot explain observed tenant shares. Once the disadvantages of fixed-lease contracts are recognized, sharing is plausibly second-best efficient. The purported inefficiency implied by the inverse relationship between farm size and yield per hectare also dissipates once the endogeneity of farm size is accounted for.

Optimal strategies for contract farming supply chain with government subsidies under e-commerce assistance to farmers.

The agricultural issue is a focal point of concern for each country, and e-commerce assistance to farmers, as an emerging model, is gaining increasing attention. Considering this trend, this paper bases on e-commerce assistance to farmers and considers four types of government subsidies: no subsidy, price subsidy model with the farmer as the subsidy target, price subsidy model with the e-commerce platform as the subsidy target, and area subsidy model. Based on this, a game model of the contract farming supply chain involving a farmer and an e-commerce platform was established to explore the optimal decision-making in the contract farming supply chain considering various government subsidies under the background of e-commerce assistance to farmers. The results indicate that: (1) Consumer preference for supporting farmers and consumer premiums can stimulate the farmer to expand farm size, increase agricultural production, increase the purchase price of agricultural products and promote the growth of profits for the farmer and the e-commerce platform, contributing to the growth of social welfare. Output volatility can lead to a decrease in farm size and a reduction in the purchase price of agricultural products. (2) Government subsidies can support the farmer in expanding farm size and contribute to increased profits for the farmer and the e-commerce platform. However, government subsidies do not universally have a positive impact on every variable. The influence of government subsidies on the purchase price of agricultural products is contingent upon the method of subsidy distribution. Similarly, the effects of government subsidies on social welfare are influenced by factors such as price elasticity and agricultural productions per unit area. (3) From the perspectives of farm size, the purchase price of agricultural products, and profits of the farmer and the e-commerce platform, the government will have different and more targeted subsidy models, and the corresponding subsidy models are influenced by the agricultural productions per unit area. The research conclusion can provide references for optimal decision-making in contract farming under the model of e-commerce assistance to farmers.

Farmers' Awareness of Land Degradation and Adoption of Soil and Water Conservation Practices in Hidebu Abote, Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, land degradation is a serious problem that affects both overall economic growth and agricultural output. Even while nutrient depletion, soil erosion, and deteriorating soil quality are serious issues, many land conservation initiatives today neglect to consider the expertise of farmers and local requirements. This study's primary goal was to evaluate farmers' knowledge of land degradation and their practice of soil and water conservation techniques in Ethiopia's Hidebu Abote. Data were gathered through focus groups, key informant interviews, household surveys, secondary data analysis, and focus groups. According to the findings, over 75% of the participants were aware of the factors that contribute to land degradation, such as poverty, rocky terrain, bad farming techniques, overgrazing, overcultivation, and soil erosion. Farmers used techniques such as contour farming, fallowing, fanyajuu, cut-off drains, soil bunds, and manure application in addition to more modern methods of conserving water and soil. The adoption of soil and water conservation methods by farmers was impacted by several factors such as age, gender, size of family, educational background, NGOs' incentives, farm size, land tenure, and distance from homestead. The study indicates that encouraging farmers to manage and conserve their land should be the priority for any policy or program aiming at land resource management and soil conservation. Policymakers and development professionals can use the findings as guidance to create efficient interventions to alleviate land degradation in the research area and other comparable contexts.

Poverty and resilience impacts of conservation agriculture adoption against climatic-shocks in Eastern Ethiopia

The aims of this study are to analysis adoption and impacts of conservation agriculture on poverty and resilience to drought in Eastern Ethiopia. Multi-stage sampling method was employed and four districts were randomly selected from Eastern Hararghe Zone. Using cross-sectional survey data collected in 2023 from 430 households, multinomial endogenous switching regression was applied in impact evaluation. The result shows farm experience, education, climatic-shocks experience, access to climate information, access to extension, number of oxen, farm size, labor force, livestock and distance to market are determinants of conservation agriculture (CA) adoption in terms of inter-cropping, crop rotation and crop residue retention or mulch practices in its single and combination of practices. Poverty was evaluated based on cost-of-basic-need and resilience to drought is in its index. Accordingly, the food poverty line and total consumption expenditure or total poverty line was found to be 6582.7ETB and 8620.70ETB per Adult/Equivalent per year in the study area. Results of average treatment effect on treated shows adoption is significantly reduced poverty and increased resilience to drought condition in the area. The study also shows importance role of extension service in adoption of CA practices. There is a need to encourage extension facilities and awareness to promote better adoption of CA particularly, in its combination. The combination of practices increased consumption expenditure of adopters by 73.3 percent compared to non-adopters, given its significant impact on households’ poverty and resilience to drought in moisture stress area of eastern Ethiopia. So, it is crucial to more advances farmers and experts’ information on climate shocks and conservation agricultural practices adoption. The policymakers ought to develop and encourage farmers’ asset building plan including livestock, adult education, market linkage facilities, extension and weather related information delivery service to enhance adoption of conservation agricultural practices to combat the current and future drought.

Contract Farming in Low and Lower-Middle-Income Countries: Using Meta-Analysis and Factor Analysis

Purpose: Smallholder farmers' agriculture in developing countries particularly in low and lower-middle-income countries is known for poor production and productivity levels which has been related to the inadequate use of improved agricultural inputs and marketing systems, and in this case, contract farming. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the various factors which affect contract farming among smallholder farmers in developing countries. However, trying to investigate those contract farming determinants by a single analytical method leads it to have limited findings, narrowed generalizability and difficulty in investigating major determinants that determine contract farming success. Therefore, a joint approach using factor analysis and meta-analysis can give a more comprehensive understanding of contract farming factors. Methodology: The data was gathered through a Systematic Literature Review, finding a total of 3007 studies from SCOPUS, PubMed, PubAg, and EMBASE. The PRISMA method was applied to, and finally, 35 peer-reviewed articles in English between January 1990 to September 2023 were selected. Findings: The meta-analysis showed interesting insights into factors influencing contract farming participation. Education and household size exhibited a negative association, suggesting that farmers with higher education levels and larger families may be less likely to participate in contract farming arrangements. This could be due to a preference for independent decision-making or the need for family labor in alternative income-generating activities. On the other hand, farmers with larger landholdings are more inclined to participate. To encourage broader participation, policymakers, and program designers could consider targeted outreach and support services for these specific demographics. Originality and value: Our new approach, joining meta-analysis and factor analysis, sheds innovative light on contract farming determinants. While the expected determinants like farm and household size, along with education, remained significant, our analysis showed unexpected nuances. Age of the household head emerged as potentially favoring younger, less experienced farmers. Moreover, access to extension services played an important role, while large household size might have a more complex influence depending on age composition. This comprehensive approach offers valuable insights for targeted outreach programs and collaboration with extension services to optimize contract farming adoption and success in developing countries.

Analysis of the Economic Profitability and Determinants of The Adoption of Improved Cowpea Varieties Korobalen IT89KD374 in the Segou Region

This study focuses on the adoption of improved cowpea varieties Korabalen. It involved 81 producers in the Commune of Sakoïba chosen randomly, more precisely those from the village of Zogofina. The data collected are both qualitative and quantitative. The econometric estimation for the analysis and interpretation of the data was done by Stata software. The study revealed that the adoption rate of the improved cowpea variety Korobalen is 14.81%. Non-adopters have a higher economic profitability than adopters. The adoption rate and economic profitability indicate that producers benefit more by adopting local cowpea varieties. The factors that positively and significantly affect the decision of the probability of adopting the improved cowpea variety are the area exploited and the practice of associated cultivation. These two factors favor the adoption of the improved cowpea variety Korobalen. On the other hand, household size negatively and significantly influences the probability of adopting local cowpea varieties. To promote wide dissemination and accessibility of the improved cowpea variety Korobalen, it is necessary to raise awareness and inform producers on good cultural practice measures, to restructure the average size of farms according to the producers' production objectives and to promote the valorization of associated cultivation to better optimize the yield of the various associated speculations.