Fertilizer Supply Research Articles

Assessment of challenges of crop production and marketing in Bench-Sheko, Kaffa, Sheka, and West-Omo zones of southwest Ethiopia

This study was conducted to identify the challenges of crop production and marketing in southwest Ethiopia. Primary and secondary sources of data were used. Qualitative and Quantitative data types were collected from 385 respondents through interviews, focus group discussion, key informant interviews, and observations. The collected data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and econometric models. Crop productivity was analyzed by the Cobb Douglas model and its efficiency and determinants were identified by the stochastic frontier model. The major bottlenecks of crop production were the low attitude of farmers towards improved technology, low supply and usage of improved seed varieties (94.5%), low supply and use of fertilizers (95%), knowledge and skill gap of farmers (80.1%), poor extension service (57.3%), soil acidity (94.8%), diseases and insect pest (77.8%), conflict (84.9%) and the outbreak of human diseases (60%). Marketing challenges were poor infrastructure (87.3%), lack of market linkage (62.5%), and lack of credit services (70.6%). The Cobb Douglas model result revealed that land size, local seed, improved seed, repetition of weeding, and labor force influenced crop productivity. The mean level of crop technical efficiency was 51.3%. Education level, extension service, access to credit, cooperative membership, number of livestock owned, and soil fertility were influenced crop inefficiency negatively and distance to the farm was positively related to technical inefficiency. Improving extension services and skill of farmers through practical based training and building capacity of extension workers and systems to enhance the attitude of farmers towards technology usage and proper management practices, timely provision of farm inputs, improving road and market access, and provision of credit services to producers were some of the recommendations forwarded to alleviate crop production and marketing challenges in the study areas.

IoT Based Smart Fertilizer Management System

Agriculture is the backbone of the India and villages are the life lines for the growth of India. In our country, over 72% of individuals rely on cultivating which is 33% of the populace puts resources into cultivating. In this manner, the difficulties and issues concerning horticulture should be engaged to frustrate the nation development. The only one solution recommended to this issue is modernizing agriculture using smart technologies. In agriculture, irrigation and fertilizer supply are the two important processes which support crop production. The Conventional water system techniques include a ton of time and exertion in cultivating. A Sensor-based computerized water system framework with manure tank gives a promising answer for oversee rural action. This exploration article gives an immense report on the water system framework and in savvy horticulture.

English

In the traditional cropping systems of Benin Republic, soybean is mostly cultivated with no mineral fertilizer supply, despite the decrease of soil fertility. Furthermore, there is no specific fertilizer available for the crop, in spite of its cash crop character. This leads to weak crop yield in the farmers’ fields. The present study aims to determine the optimal doses of each N, P, K, Mg and Zn nutrient to improve soybean production in the Sudano-Guinean and Sudanian zones of Benin Republic. Two years (2018 and 2019) experiment has been carried out in Ouessè district (Sudano-Guinean zone) and Bembèrèkè district (Sudanian zone). Box and Behnken rotating design was used to define N, P, K, Mg and Zn dose combinations leading to 46 combinations. A completely randomized block design was set up considering farmers as replication. In total four farmers’ fields are selected. A one-way analysis of variance is made on the yield data, using the linear mixed-effect model. Response surface analyses are used to determine the optimal dose for each N, P, K, Mg and Zn. The supply of macronutrients combined with Zn, significantly (p = 0.001) improved the soybean grain and above biomass yields as well as the harvest index. The quadratic models were efficient (R² > 0.7) to estimate soybean grain yields considering the nutrient dose variation. The optimal N, P, K, Mg and Zn doses of 15.46, 23.20, 28.6, 16.8 and 6.9 kg.ha-1, respectively (for the Sudano-Guinean zone) and 14.02, 23.89, 17.82, 11.45 and 4.26 kg.ha-1, respectively (for the Sudanian zone) lead to an optimal seed yield of 2 t.ha-1 (that is, almost 2.2 times the yield in the farmers’ field). The development of fertilizer formulas using these determined optimal doses would constitute a suitable technology helping to increase soybean production in both areas. Key words: Soil fertility, biofortication, Box and Behnken design, linear mixed-effect model, leguminous, response surface, micronutrient.

Negative‐pressure irrigation improves water and fertilizer use efficiencies and fruit yield of greenhouse tomato on the North China Plain*

AbstractWater and fertilizer supply are the main factors limiting greenhouse vegetable production on the North China Plain. This study tested the hypothesis that negative‐pressure irrigation is advantageous for reducing water and fertilizer application compared with drip irrigation in a greenhouse. Three treatments (drip irrigation + optimal fertilizer [DOF], drip irrigation + Yamazaki tomato nutrient solution [DNS], and negative‐pressure irrigation + Yamazaki tomato nutrient solution [NNS]) were applied in a greenhouse tomato double‐cropping system conducted in consecutive spring–summer and autumn–winter seasons. Soil moisture content, nitrate‐nitrogen (N) concentration, fruit yield, total N uptake (Nu), irrigation water productivity, and partial factor productivity of applied fertilizer were analysed. The seasonal variation of soil moisture and nitrate‐N contents in the 0–20‐cm soil layer for NNS treatment was stable. Nitrate‐N accumulated after the final harvest in the autumn–winter season of NNS treatment was significantly less than under DOF and DNS. Despite lower water and nutrient inputs, NNS showed higher Nu and fruit yield than DOF and DNS. These results demonstrated that negative‐pressure irrigation can reduce irrigation water and nutrient inputs and nitrate‐N accumulation in the soil, and significantly improve water and fertilizer use efficiency in greenhouse‐grown tomato compared with those under drip irrigation.

IMPROVING THE PROCESS OF AMMOPHOS PRODUCTION IN THE CONDITIONS OF VIBROGRANU¬LATION

The market of mineral fertilizers is developing rapidly, which contributed to the growth of agricultural production in general and the growth of demand in the world market in particular. As a result, the supply of mineral fertilizers on the market, which is formed due to its own production and import of products, grew.
 Chemical companies, taking into account the current situation, have shifted from the insolvent domestic market to the world market, as a result of which this segment has provided, along with the metallurgical industry, a significant share of foreign exchange earnings over the past decade. Mineral fertilizers are an important source of nutrient return to the soil and the basis for modern modern technologies and profitable agribusiness.
 In recent years, Ukraine has seen an increase in the use of basic types of mineral fertilizers, as well as an increase in the application of complex fertilizers. Demand for fertilizers in Ukraine is formed by farms of various organizational and legal forms and sizes of land use, including large agricultural holdings, where considerable attention is paid to the intensification of agricultural production. 
 In the usual technological mode, the neutralization of phosphoric acid in the apparatus of the high-speed evaporator-evaporator (SAV) is carried out with liquid ammonia. Liquid ammonia in the SAV apparatus first evaporates, and then gaseous ammonia reacts with phosphoric acid. The neutralization process results in a low-concentration ammophos pulp.
 It is established in the work that during the research of ammophos production in the conditions of vibrogranulation the technological process is improved due to the installation of more optimal nozzles of the BGS apparatus.
 The characteristics of raw materials, finished product and auxiliary materials are analyzed; physico-chemical bases of the process. Selected technical characteristics of the main and auxiliary equipment. According to the results of the research, it is proposed to install a transport nozzle, to improve the optimal conditions of the technological process, structural elements of the main devices.

Site-specific responses of lowland rice to acidulated and calcined phosphate rock fertilizers in the Center-West region of Burkina Faso.

Soil phosphorus (P) deficiency is a major constraint of crop production in Sub-Saharan Africa. In particular, in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Burkina Faso, P is rarely replenished as fertilizer supplies are limited in rural areas and because of the socio-economic situation of farmers. There is however, an abundance of local phosphate rock resource in the country. The development of local inorganic P fertilizers to improve crop production and replace the nutrients removed after harvesting, as well as to promote to sustainable agriculture, is desired. This study evaluated the efficiency of low-grade Burkina Faso phosphate rock (BPR)-based P fertilizers, produced by acidulation and calcination-the major fertilizer processing methods, on lowland rice production and the soil factors influencing their effectiveness. The results showed that the acidulated P fertilizers were as effective as conventional commercial P fertilizers on various soil types, textures, and fertility. Calcined P fertilizers were consistently effective on fine-textured soils with high basic fertility. It was found that fine soil texture and basic fertility of the initial soils were important factors in agronomic efficiency of BPR-based fertilizers and the resilience of rice production to climatic variability. It is recommended that soil type, with respect to soil texture, soil properties, inherent fertility, and water availability, should be considered when using BPR-based fertilizers for rice cultivation.

PENERAPAN DATA MINING UNTUK PREDIKSI PENJUALAN PUPUK DENGAN METODE ALGORITMA APRIORI

Data mining merupakan cara untuk menemukan informasi baru, yang diambil dari data dalam jumlah besar yang membantu dalam pengambilan keputusan. Ketersedian Produk Pupuk untuk kebutuhan para pembeli merupakan salah faktor yang sangat penting dalam bidang usaha penjualan pupuk. Karena stok yang yang tidak akurat akan menyebabkan biaya penyimpanan yang tinggi dan tidak ekonomis,karena kemungkinan terjadinya kekosongan atau kelebihan produk tertentu.Hal ini sangat berbahaya bagi pelaku usaha. Metode Apriori adalah salah satu teknik yang dapat digunakan untuk membantu dalam merancang strategi dalam penyediaan produk pupuk pada toko tersebut.

The Occurrence of Drought in Mopani District Municipality, South Africa: Impacts, Vulnerability and Adaptation

Mopani District Municipality in the northeast of South Africa is largely semi-arid and frequently affected by meteorological droughts. The recent 2015/16 event had devastating impacts on water levels, crop yields, livestock herds and rural livelihoods. We investigated the nature of the drought hazard; its impacts, including vulnerability of rural communities in Mopani District and adaptation strategies they have employed to cope with drought. A mixed methods approach with both quantitative and qualitative datasets was used. The district was divided into two distinct climatic areas: the drier eastern lowveld and the wetter western bushveld. Questionnaires were administered among community members whilst key informant interviews were conducted among relevant government and municipal officials. Climate data was used to characterize historical drought using a Standardized Precipitation and Evapotranspiration Index whilst vegetation anomaly maps were used to demonstrate impacts. Spatially distinct patterns of drought conditions were evident with harsh and dry conditions towards the east. It was found that nearly half the time there is some form of drought or another in the district mostly linked to the remote El Nino phenomenon. In several areas, rain-fed agriculture is no longer tenable, with a direct impact on rural livelihoods. A Household Vulnerability Index determined variable levels of vulnerability such that different strategies are employed to adapt to drought some of which cause environmental problems. Local government intervention strategies include supply of seeds and fertilisers, providing cheap fodder and supplying water using trucks. The findings of this study contribute to disaster risk reduction efforts in a region that is highly vulnerable to current and future climate-risks.

Anaerobic digestion of biowaste in Indian municipalities: Effects on energy, fertilizers, water and the local environment

Anaerobic digestion (AD) of biowaste seems promising to provide renewable energy (biogas) and organic fertilizers (digestate) and mitigate environmental pollution in India. Intersectoral analyses of biowaste management in municipalities are needed to reveal benefits and trade-offs of AD at the implementation-level. Therefore, we applied material flow analyses (MFAs) to quantify effects of potential AD treatment of biowaste on energy and fertilizer supply, water consumption and environmental pollution in two villages, two towns and two cities in Maharashtra. Results show that in villages AD of available manure and crop residues can cover over half of the energy consumption for cooking (EC) and reduce firewood dependency. In towns and cities, AD of municipal biowaste is more relevant for organic fertilizer supply and pollution control because digestate can provide up to several times the nutrient requirements for crop production, but can harm ecosystems when discharged to the environment. Hence, in addition to energy from municipal biowaste - which can supply 4-6% of EC - digestate valorisation seems vital but requires appropriate post-treatment, quality control and trust building with farmers. To minimize trade-offs, water-saving options should be considered because 2-20% of current groundwater abstraction in municipalities is required to treat all available biowaste with 'wet' AD systems compared to <3% with 'dry' AD systems. We conclude that biowaste management with AD requires contextualized solutions in the setting of energy, fertilizers and water at the implementation-level to conceive valorization strategies for all AD products, reduce environmental pollution and minimize trade-offs with water resources.

Altered Nitrogen Availability in Pea–Barley Sole- and Intercrops Changes Dominance of Two Nitrophilic Weed Species

Effective and sustainable weed management in agricultural fields is a prerequisite for increasing crop yield without negatively impacting the environment. The aim of this study was to explore how varying nitrogen (N) availability in cropping arrangements of pea (Pisum sativum) and barley (Hordeum vulgare) grown as sole crops and intercrops at different fertilization levels and considering different N sources (soil mineralization, N fixation, N fertilizer) affects the response of weed species with differential N responsiveness. Crop and weed biomass were sampled at flowering and maturity. The total N content and 15N isotope signatures were analyzed to differentiate between N sources and to estimate the amount of N available to weeds. The highly N-responsive weed (Chenopodium album) accumulated more N and biomass than the weed with reduced N responsiveness (Galeopsis spp.). Fertilizer supply favored Chenopodium album, but not the crops. Altered soil N availability caused a shift in the dominance of the nitrophilic weed species towards the highly N-responsive species. This shift in dominance could affect the long-term weed community composition and thus have implications for sustainable weed management.

English

Soil fertility, growth, nutrient uptake and yield traits of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. var. JL24) were investigated under two organic fertilizers (indigenous microorganisms (IMO) or effective microorganisms (EM) with three replications. Application of IMO or EM fertilizers had significant effects on soils fertility compared to untreated soils. Total nitrogen, organic carbon, total phosphorus, calcium and magnesium led to a significant increase under organic fertilizers. IMO fertilizer supply at 20 g significantly increased the shoot length and the number of leaves compared to the EM fertilizer and untreated plants. In contrast, the highest values of stem diameter and leaf area were recorded at 40 g of EM supply. The highest values of pod (1.25 and 1.18 t/ha) and grain yield (0.96 and 0.98 t/ha) were recorded at 10 and 20 g for IMO and EM, respectively. Application of EM and IMO at 10 or 20 g led to a significant increase in nitrogen and phosphorus contents in leaves and roots with the highest accumulation of nitrogen at the roots level of treated plants. Nitrogen and proteins contents of peanut seeds were positively influenced by IMO and EM supply at 10 and 20 g, respectively. The use of IMO and EM fertilizers could enhance peanut growth performance in sandy ferralitic soils. Key words: Field performance, plant growth, fertilizers, yield traits, Arachis hypogaea.

Stomatal conductance limited the CO2 response of grassland in the last century

BackgroundThe anthropogenic increase of atmospheric CO2 concentration (ca) is impacting carbon (C), water, and nitrogen (N) cycles in grassland and other terrestrial biomes. Plant canopy stomatal conductance is a key player in these coupled cycles: it is a physiological control of vegetation water use efficiency (the ratio of C gain by photosynthesis to water loss by transpiration), and it responds to photosynthetic activity, which is influenced by vegetation N status. It is unknown if the ca-increase and climate change over the last century have already affected canopy stomatal conductance and its links with C and N processes in grassland.ResultsHere, we assessed two independent proxies of (growing season-integrating canopy-scale) stomatal conductance changes over the last century: trends of δ18O in cellulose (δ18Ocellulose) in archived herbage from a wide range of grassland communities on the Park Grass Experiment at Rothamsted (U.K.) and changes of the ratio of yields to the CO2 concentration gradient between the atmosphere and the leaf internal gas space (ca – ci). The two proxies correlated closely (R2 = 0.70), in agreement with the hypothesis. In addition, the sensitivity of δ18Ocellulose changes to estimated stomatal conductance changes agreed broadly with published sensitivities across a range of contemporary field and controlled environment studies, further supporting the utility of δ18Ocellulose changes for historical reconstruction of stomatal conductance changes at Park Grass. Trends of δ18Ocellulose differed strongly between plots and indicated much greater reductions of stomatal conductance in grass-rich than dicot-rich communities. Reductions of stomatal conductance were connected with reductions of yield trends, nitrogen acquisition, and nitrogen nutrition index. Although all plots were nitrogen-limited or phosphorus- and nitrogen-co-limited to different degrees, long-term reductions of stomatal conductance were largely independent of fertilizer regimes and soil pH, except for nitrogen fertilizer supply which promoted the abundance of grasses.ConclusionsOur data indicate that some types of temperate grassland may have attained saturation of C sink activity more than one century ago. Increasing N fertilizer supply may not be an effective climate change mitigation strategy in many grasslands, as it promotes the expansion of grasses at the disadvantage of the more CO2 responsive forbs and N-fixing legumes.

Dendrobium anosmum Lindl. introduzido em áreas verdes na Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados, UFGD

Pouco se sabe sobre os ajustes morfofisiológicos de orquídeas germinadas e cultivadas in vitro quando inseridas em áreas verdes. Objetivou-se avaliar a inserção de Dendrobium anosmum Lindl. em áreas verdes na UFGD. Vinte indivíduos foram fixados nos forófitos e submetidos à quatro tratamentos: T1- sem substrato e adubo; T2- com substrato e sem adubo; T3- sem substrato com adubo e T4- com substrato e adubo. Durante 300 dias foi avaliada a sobrevivência (SOB), comprimento (CP) e diâmetro dos pseudobulbos (DP), número de brotos (NB) e de keikis (NK). Houve 100% de sobrevivência, a menor redução em DP foi observada em T1 e o maior NK em T4. Os maiores valores de CP foram observados em T3 e o maior NB em T2. O fornecimento de adubo e a presença de substrato influenciaram no desenvolvimento de D. anosmum quando fixado em forófitos, possibilitando a utilização desta técnica para fins paisagísticos.

Phosphate fertilization and liming in a trial conducted over 21 years: A survey for greater forage production and Pampa pasture conservation

Phosphorus fertilization and liming are alternatives used to increase forage production in Southern Brazil grasslands (Pampa grasslands) and to avoid its replacement by cultivated exotic crops. However, changes in natural soil fertility can significantly affect the equilibrium of natural vegetation communities. We hypothesized that triple and simple superphosphate and limestone using would lead to greater increase in dry matter production and to changes in the botanical composition and richness of Pampa grassland plant species than the use of lesser soluble P sources (phosphate rock) or no liming treatment. To test our hypotheses, we assessed a 21-year-old field trial to identify its forage production pattern, based on P sources and liming application. The vegetation was studied in 2009 and 2018, based on the following variables: Shannon and Pielou indices, species richness, dry matter and plant groups (species grouped based on growth form, life period, photosynthetic pathway, morphology and growing season). Soil chemical properties in the 0–10 cm layer were also evaluated in 2018. According to the long-term evaluation, two high dry matter yield periods were observed after P fertilization (55 % and 25 % higher dry matter yield, on average). Each of these periods was followed by decreased dry matter yield, regardless of the P source. Species richness did not show changes overtime, although there was high turnover of plant species. Soluble fertilizer usage resulted in increased dry matter production and in the replacement of large proportions of species, mainly in tussock grasses and forbs groups. The contribution of legume species for dry matter production increased due to the combined effect of phosphate fertilizers and limestone. However, maintaining forage production levels higher than without phosphorus fertilization requires regular supply of soluble phosphorus fertilizers, which, in the present case, cannot exceed three years.

Performances of biodegradable polymer composites with functions of nutrient slow-release and water retention in simulating heavy metal contaminated soil: Biodegradability and nutrient release characteristics

Biodegradable polymer (BDP) composites with functions of nutrient slow release and water retention have been widely concerned in the agricultural field, but the effects of soil heavy metals (HMs) on their degradation and slow release performances have not been reported. Tomato pot experiments were employed to study degradation and nutrient release characteristics of a slow-release nanocomposite prepared by potassium dihydrogen phosphate and urea-formaldehyde (namely PSRF), simple physical mixtures or semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) nanocomposites of PSRF and a superabsorbent polymer (SAP) in soil polluted by copper, zinc, cadmium and plumbum. Results show that the inhibitions of HMs on biodegradability and nutrient release of BDPs can be effectively reduced by combined with three-dimensional cross-linked hydrophilic SAPs, and their molecular segment scale mixing in semi-IPN composites possesses a more significant reduction effect than that of their simple mixtures. Meanwhile, the higher the number and activity of functional groups in introduced SAP, the more significant its adsorption and fixation to HMs, and the less the degradation inhibition caused by HMs. This strategy is suitable for the development of BDP-based composites, which can be applied to the simultaneous supplies of water and fertilizer in polluted soil.

The Hidden Costs of Land Degradation in US Maize Agriculture

AbstractThe United States is a world leader in the production of maize and other crops and the agricultural success of the country is directly linked to the intensive use of fertilizers and irrigation. However, even in advanced agricultural systems, soils can become degraded over time due to factors such as soil organic matter (SOM) loss and erosion. Here, we use a series of scenario‐based model analyses to show that about one‐third of current annual US. N fertilizer use in maize agriculture is used to compensate for the long‐term loss of soil fertility through erosion and organic matter loss. This leads to over a half billion dollars per year in extra fertilizer supply costs to US farmers. These results highlight the potential to reduce both the input costs and environmental impacts of agriculture through the restoration of SOM in agricultural soils.

Distinction between Natural and Anthropogenic Contaminants of Atmospheric Precipitates from Northeastern Kansas Based on Their Elemental Contents and Strontium Isotopic Signatures

This study was designed to identify and possibly evaluate the changing occurrence of major pollutants in different atmospheric precipitates (rain, snow and hail) that were collected in northeastern Kansas next to the Konza Prairie Preservation site by analyzing their elemental and Sr isotope compositions. Potential pollutants like the local soils and their clay material, as well as the fly ash of a nearby coal-burning power plant were also analyzed. Positively correlated with K in the analyzed precipitates, the Na contents of the precipitates suggest a supply of fertilizers and/or natural plant organics. Combining the four identified pollutants of the precipitates that is to say the soils, the fly ash, the fertilizers and the plants allows evaluation of their changing contribution during a single precipitation event. The duration of the rain events monitors also the changing contribution of the identified pollutants. Variations of the 87Sr/86Sr ratio from precipitates during lasting events are confirmed by changing distribution patterns of the REEs. In fact, soil minerals contribute mostly at the beginning of the precipitation events and are replaced progressively by the industrial fly ash that becomes dominant towards the end of the precipitation events, depending on the duration and wind directions. At last not least, the different contaminants are recognizable by changing elemental contributions, REE distribution patterns and 87Sr/86Sr ratios. Their variable occurrence can be followed in the wet solutes, but a strict quantification cannot be provided due to elemental and isotopic interconnections between the natural and the anthropogenic contributors.

Evaluation of the Effect of Grazing Lands Top Dressing with Inorganic Fertilizer on Biomass Yields for Sustainable Animal Feed Production, Ethiopia: The Case of Participatory Approach

Sub-Saharan livestock production and productivity are very low due to poor quality and inadequate quantity of available feed. Henceforth, livestock production can be improved through good management of natural grasslands and introduction of improved fodder species with the supply of fertilizer and water to maintain high productivity. Pre-extension demonstration of grazing land improvement technologies were conducted in 2017/18 in six Agricultural growth program (AGP II) districts, namely, Boneya Boshe, Wayu Tuka, Guto Gida and Diga from East Wollega and Horro and Guduru districts from Horro Guduru Wallega zone to evaluate, select and popularize farmers’ preferred technologies based on their selection criteria and to create awareness on the importance of the approved technologies. One representative potential peasant association (PA) was selected purposively from each district based on grazing land and livestock population potential and accessibility for field monitoring and visit. Farmers’ selection was done based on interests of farmers in trial management, willingness and ownership of sufficient grazing land to accommodate the trials and gender equality. In each PA, one farmer’s extension research group (FREG) comprising 16 farmers were established to evaluate and select the technologies. Training was given to farmers, DAs and experts. Three treatments/technologies, namely, T1 = Control (farmer practice), T2 = 150 kg/ha urea and T3 = 110 kg/ha urea and 100 kg /ha NPS were evaluated and demonstrated on 4 farmers’ fields on plot size of 400 m 2 in each study districts. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and qualitative narrations. The agronomic result showed that T3 performed better in average herbage dry matter yield (12.44 t/ha) followed by T2 (8.71 t/ha) and T1 which gave lower yield (5.5 t/ha). The two treatments/technologies (T3 and T2) had a yield advantage of 55.76 % and 36.83 %, respectively, over the control across the study districts. The overall technology preference score of all districts showed that T 3 (110 kg/ha urea and 100 kg /ha NPS) and T 2 (150 kg/ha urea) were the most preferred technologies and ranked as first and second, respectively, by participants because of high biomass, fast growth habit, early maturing for harvesting, plant height, leafiness and species diversity at all districts. Therefore, the combination of Urea and NPS fertilizer at a rate of 110 kg and 100 kg/ha, respectively, was recommended to be promoted in large scale in the study areas and other places with similar agro-ecologies. Keywords: Demonstration, Evaluation, Grazing land, Herbage dry matter, Technologies DOI: 10.7176/JAAS/70-02 Publication date: January 31 st 2021

Agro-industrial cluster of the region: potential participants and management structure

The article presents the results of the research work carried out to identify potential participants in the agro-industrial cluster of the Amur region and designs the management structure of the agro-industrial cluster of the Amur region with the definition of the main blocks that make up the external and internal environment of the cluster. The description of potential cluster participants is given. This includes the core of the cluster, which in-cludes a scientific and educational unit and a production unit consisting of representatives of the community of priority sectors of the cluster. In the structure of the internal environment of the agro-industrial cluster of the Amur region, specialized and infrastructure blocks are identified. The func-tions of the first block are performed by the specialized structural divisions of the My Business center. The second block is represented by enterprises of technical support, supply of fertilizers, plant protection products, biolog-ical products, agricultural organizations for the breeding of farm animals and elite seed farms. The external environment of the cluster is represented by an administrative block consisting of the regional authorities, an auxiliary block consisting of financial institutions, as well as a public block consisting of non-profit organizations that contribute to the popularization and infor-mation support of the cluster development. Design management structure and the proposed composition of the relevant units of internal and external environment of the agro-industrial cluster will facilitate the implementation of cluster policy in the Amur region, the achievement of target indicators of the strategy of development of territorial cluster of small and medium entre-preneurship in the agro-industrial complex of the Amur region, approved by the resolution of the government of the Amur region.

Technical Efficiency of Sorghum Production in Garu District of the Upper East Region, Ghana

This study analyzed the technical efficiency and identified its determinants in sorghum production. Two-stage sampling technique was used to collect cross-sectional data from 100 smallholder sorghum farmers in Garu district in the upper east region of Ghana using a semi structured questionnaire. The stochastic frontier analysis was used to estimate the level and determinants of technical efficiency while Kendall's coefficient of concordance approach was used to identify and rank the constraints restraining sorghum production. The study revealed that only farm size and fertilizer were found to have a significant influence on the output. Technical efficiency varied widely among sorghum farmers, ranging from 16.14% to 99.11% with a mean technical efficiency of 88.92%. This means that farmers could improve the productivity of sorghum by 11.08% without requiring extra inputs. The main determinants of technical efficiency were age, level of education, association membership, household size, experience, crop variety, and access to extension, access to credit, access to market and distance to market. Major constraints limiting sorghum production were natural disasters, the incidence of pest and diseases, lack of access to credit and high production cost. The study recommends that fertilizer supply at subsidized prices to farmers in the study area should be improved. Also, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture through extension agents should educate farmers on the impact of these farm and farmer specific characteristics on technical efficiency.