Farm Households Research Articles

Farm Household Head Characteristics and Perceptions of Factors Related to Sustainable Management of Fogera Wetlands in Five Kebeles of South Gondar, Ethiopia

Policies regulating common-pool resources (CPR), such as wetlands, should take into account community socio-economic realities and community perceptions. The study aims to examine whether policies regulating common-pool resources, such as wetlands, should take into account community socio-economic realities and community perceptions. Specifically, it characterized Ethiopian farm households in the Amhara Region and household-head perceptions of six factors related to sustainable wetland management. Surveys were given to 385 respondents from five administrative units or kebeles (kebele is the smallest administrative unit). Focus-group discussions followed. All respondents were Orthodox Christians, and men constituted 93% of household heads. Kebeles differed significantly for household-head age and education, but overall education level was low. Most households had three or four children. Overall, the mean farm area was 0.89 ha, but within kebeles, mean areas ranged from 1.35 to 0.80 ha. Kidest Hana was the most successful kebele for farm size and yield. Significant differences existed among kebele farms for percentages of harvested crops sold, suggesting some were less food-secure. Data suggested male household-head farms had twice the area of female-head farms, older household heads had more land than younger ones, heads with more education had more children, and married heads had more land than divorced or unmarried heads. None felt that people outside their kebele should access their natural resources. Overall, 85% thought land ownership was communal, and 15% thought it was private. A plurality (44%) did not know who oversaw land management. None knew of any organizations working on sustainable wetland management, but most (75%) wanted to attend meetings on the subject. No farm used mechanized agriculture. Most (87%) had not abandoned alternative crops to produce more rice. Therefore, as a conclusion, every effort needs to be taken to address this socio-ecological and development challenge that faces Fogera wetlands and larger national and international impacts to achieve balanced and sustainable development. Hence, our study highlights the need for better education, leadership, and policies regarding sustainable wetland management.

Social Values, Family Work Involvement and School Education of Children in a Rural Area of Satu-Mare County

This article presents the results of a research carried out in a rural area of Satu-Mare County, which aimed to identify the practices regarding work in family agricultural households of rural children in connection with their school education. Our study is an exploratory research on the involvement of rural children in household work, as well as of the meanings that parents give to family work and school education, taking into account their value systems, expectations, relationships with their families and other relevant factors. For the collection of quantitative data, we used a questionnaire based survey on a representative sample of children and their parents, while for the qualitative data semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents and focus group interview with teachers. The research results reveal that the involvement of children in the work of family households is considered by parents as a natural component of the family socialization of children, related to the need to acquire work skills characteristic of the rural way of life. Among parents there is a preoccupation for the balance between school education and household activities, with an emphasis on the relevance of practical education. Child labour can negatively affect school performance; however, rural life offers children valuable hands-on learning opportunities.

Behavioural selection of farmer households for rural homestead use in China: Self-occupation and transfer

With the outflow of the rural population, the functions of rural homesteads in China have undergone transformation, leading to the reform of the rural homestead system. Strengthening investigations into rural homestead-use behaviours of self-occupation and transfer, considering the trend of rural transformation and the reform of rural homestead, are vital to providing adequate support to formulate and implement targeted institutions responsible for rural homestead use. Based on survey and questionnaire data from 299 villages in China in 2022, this paper addresses the characteristics of rural homestead-use from the perspectives of homestead self-occupation and transfer. The factors of both farmer households and villages were recognised using a hierarchical Logit model. The results revealed the following. First, household self-occupation played the dominant role in the state of rural homestead use in China, with the accompaniment of a low proportion of transfer in non-self-occupation homesteads. The proportions of self-occupation and transfer were found to vary significantly on different scales across provinces, villages and farming households. Second, there were different factors influencing the self-occupation and transfer behaviours of rural homesteads. Specifically, self-occupation behaviour was predominantly influenced by the degree of dependence on self-housing demand and homestead supply, and village demands for development more substantially influenced transfer behaviour. Third, under the context of both the rural transformation trend and Rural Revitalisation Project, it is recognised that the residential security function of homesteads is prioritised, followed by promoting the reuse of homesteads through comprehensive measures. This study will provide a scientific reference for the effective implementation of rural revitalisation and rural homestead system reform.

An Empirical Study of Financial Efficiency and Stability of Crab–Shrimp Farming Model In Mekong Delta, Vietnam

The study is conducted with the goal of analyzing the financial efficiency of 308 crab - shrimp farming households in the Mekong Delta, finding factors that affect financial efficiency and the extent of their influence on farm household income. Research results show that extensive crab-shrimp farming households are highly effective. With the average cost of investment in production during the crab farming process of 2,051 thousand VND/1,000m2, the average revenue brought from farming Crab farming of 5,099 thousand VND/1,000m2, farmers have an average profit of about 3,020 thousand VND/1,000m2. The average value of the financial ratios shows that the production model in the Mekong Delta is financially effective, the average value of the revenue/cash cost is 8.08, profit/total costs is 2.31, net income/cash costs is 7.08, and profit /revenue is 0.37. Factors affecting the profits of extensive mud crab farmers consist of three influencing factors: Area, crab/total crab ratio, and farmers in Kien Giang Province. Additionally, the number of years of farming experience has an influence, but its impact is not statistically significant

Plant biodiversity assessment of locally cultivated crops and household food security in Northern Iran

BackgroundLocally cultivated crops play an important role in the food security. The biodiversity of these crops can be important for the livelihood of households in current and future generations. This research aims to study the socio-economic, agronomic, and ecological aspects which contribute to the maintenance of crop diversification and food security in the study area.MethodBased on latitude and topography 10 villages were randomly selected, which was done in a study with 227 household farm managers. Food security was evaluated based on the species richness, and area under cultivation of food groups, and the probit logistic regression model was used for evaluation. Probit regression, also known as probit models, is used when the output or dependent variable of the model is bivariate. In inverse probit models, the standard normal distribution is modeled as a linear combination of predictor variables. In this situation, the application of normal regression methods is not applicable because the distribution occurred in two levels. In this study, it is assumed that the protection of biodiversity of local plants is related to food security, and for this reason, we have used this model.ResultsThe findings showed that socio-economic status of different households and farms in this coastal area is one of the key factors affecting the biodiversity of locally cultivated crops. Local cultivars, especially those of rice, are resistant to most environmental factors and contribute to family food security. Food security and rice abundance are significantly correlated in all of the research area’s communities.ConclusionsTo ensure the sustainability, and health of production, and to ensure food security, planting various crops in this study area is recommended. Future research is needed to focus on solutions and technologies rich in diversity tailored to the socio-economic and environmental factors of locally cultivated crops.

The impact of commercial agriculture on household food and nutrition security in Lesotho

ABSTRACT Transitioning from subsistence to commercial agriculture is a developmental approach to alleviate poverty. The study assessed the contribution of commercial agriculture on household food and nutrition security in Lesotho. A propensity score matching was employed as a quantitative approach to estimate the contribution of commercial agriculture on household food and nutrition security. Interviews with key informants addressed the qualitative approach. The propensity score matching results indicated that commercial agriculture decreased household food insecurity by −2.84, and increased household and women’s dietary diversity score by 1.02 and 0.568, respectively. All key informants alluded to the positive effect of commercial agriculture on household food and nutrition security. The nutrition-sensitivity of agriculture increases the likelihood to yield positive food and nutrition security outcomes. Interventions that support the commercialisation of agriculture must intentionally capacitate farming households on the channels through which commercial agriculture can be maximised to enhance their food and nutrition security.

Animal waste management and antibiotic-resistant {E. coli} in subsistence farming households of rural Nepal

Animal waste management and antibiotic-resistant {E. coli} in subsistence farming households of rural Nepal

Adoption of Coffee Technologies: A Multivariate Probit Model

The sector of agriculture in Ethiopia is a source of livelihood for over 80% population residing in rural areas. It contributes about 50% to the national value of production. The country has huge potential to increase coffee production as it endowed with suitable elevation, temperature, and soil fertility, indigenous quality plantation materials, and sufficient rainfall in coffee growing belts of the country. Adoption of improved coffee varieties and recommended coffee management practice together have a significant effect on annual coffee production. The study was aimed to see the adoption rate and intensity of coffee technologies which are improved coffee Varity and coffee management practice, determinant of adoption of coffee technologies in Jima zone south western Ethiopia. A total of 196 sampled households from three woreda in the zone and 430 plots of 196 farmers household is considered in the survey. The study develops a multivariate probit model econometric model of farmers' choice of combination of coffee technologies. And two primary results were found. First, adoption rate and intensity of Improved coffee variety is greater than adoption of coffee management practice. Secondly adoption of coffee technologies determined by many institutional, resource and other related factor. This implies that policy makers and other stakeholders promoting a combination of technologies can enhance coffee yield through reducing production costs and decreasing coffee vulnerability to disease.

Transitioning towards sustainable agriculture: analysing the factors and impact of adopting multiple sustainable inputs by paddy farmers in India

IntroductionThere is a global priority to ensure food security, environmental conservation and sustainability. The adoption of inputs such as organic manures, biofertilisers, and biopesticides has been widely promoted as a way to enhance agricultural sustainability, yet their adoption rates remain notably low. The study examines the determinants and impact of the adoption of multiple sustainable inputs by paddy farmers in India. The study also examines the drivers behind the intensity of their adoption and their technical efficiency.MethodsThe study utilises the survey dataset on paddy farmers from “Situation Assessment of Agricultural Households and Land and Livestock Holdings of Households in Rural India” of the 77th National Sample Survey (NSSO) round. The reference period for data collection was the agricultural year from July 2018 to June 2019. The analytical methods employed include the Multivariate Probit and Ordered Probit models, Seemingly Unrelated Regression, Regression Adjustment model, and Stochastic Frontier method.ResultsThe empirical findings reveal that the adoption and intensity of sustainable inputs depend significantly on factors such as the household head’s age and education, household size, and access to extension services. Adopting sustainable inputs has significant benefits, such as increased harvest value. However, the currently available technical advisory services are limited in effectively promoting the expenditure on sustainable inputs. Technical efficiency analysis underscores the potential for improvement and the importance of utilising optimal input levels. The research findings provide strong evidence in favour of advocating for the use of sustainable inputs in paddy farming.

Do climate adaptation programmes potentially exacerbate rural inequality? Identifying beneficiaries of a drought mitigation scheme in Maharashtra, India

ABSTRACT The adverse implications of climate change can exacerbate socially uneven distributions of vulnerability. Therefore, climate adaptation programs are maladaptive if benefits are captured by privileged social groups, contributing to heightened socio-economic inequality and leaving the plight of highly vulnerable population segments unaddressed. This paper examines this potential using the case of Birsa Munda Krishi Kranti Yojana, an irrigation subsidy program for Scheduled Tribe farmers administered by the Government of Maharashtra, India. We investigated this scheme in Talasari block, an impoverished rural sub-administrative area 135 km north of Mumbai. The research shows that benefits from the scheme tended to flow towards more well-off agricultural households, notwithstanding checks-and-balances within the program that sought to prioritise the needs of poorer farmers. In turn, these distributional effects contributed to intensified agrarian class stratification by providing more well-off farmers with enhanced capabilities to respond to climate stresses, shedding important conceptual insights into the interplay of climate change and government policy for class mobility within smallholder and tribal populations. The evidence from this paper highlights the imperative for inclusive agricultural development and raises questions about agricultural subsidy programs as policy levers to address climate adaptation.

Characterization of mosquito host-biting networks of potential Rift Valley fever virus vectors in north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa

BackgroundRift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a zoonotic mosquito-borne virus with serious implications for livestock health, human health, and the economy in Africa, and is suspected to be endemic in north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. The vectors of RVFV in this area are poorly known, although several species, such as Aedes (Neomelaniconion) mcintoshi, Aedes (Neomelaniconion) circumluteolus, Aedes (Aedimorphus) durbanensis, and Culex (Lasioconops) poicilipes may be involved. The aim of the study was to determine the vertebrate blood meal sources of potential RVFV mosquito vectors in north-eastern KZN and to characterize the host-biting network.MethodsBlood-fed mosquitoes were collected monthly from November 2019 to February 2023 using a backpack aspirator, CO2-baited Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) miniature light traps and tent traps, in the vicinity of water bodies and livestock farming households. The mosquitoes were morphologically identified. DNA was extracted from individual mosquitoes and used as templates to amplify the vertebrate cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) and cytochrome b (cytb) genes using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Amplicons were sequenced and queried in GenBank and the Barcode of Life Data systems to identify the vertebrate blood meal sources and confirm mosquito identifications. All mosquitoes were screened for RVFV using real time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR.ResultsWe identified the mammalian (88.8%) and avian (11.3%) blood meal sources from 409 blood-fed mosquitoes. Aedes circumluteolus (n = 128) made up the largest proportion of collected mosquitoes. Cattle (n = 195) and nyala (n = 61) were the most frequent domestic and wild hosts, respectively. Bipartite network analysis showed that the rural network consisted of more host-biting interactions than the reserve network. All mosquitoes tested negative for RVFV.ConclusionsSeveral mosquito species, including Ae. circumluteolus, and vertebrate host species, including cattle and nyala, could play a central role in RVFV transmission. Future research in this region should focus on these species to better understand RVFV amplification.Graphical

Assessing homogeneous and heterogeneous economic impacts of fall armyworm management practices on farm performance in Ghana

One of the emerging challenges impinging on sustainable food production in sub-Saharan Africa is the invasion of the fall armyworm (FAW) pest. Data collected from farm households in different agro-ecological zones in Ghana and a Multivalued Treatment Effect (MVTE) model were used to argue that FAW management practices are key to stemming the debilitating effects of FAW infestations on farm performance. Previous studies have analysed homogeneous treatment effects to explain FAW management practices. The present study employs heterogeneous treatment effects to account for the differential effects of FAW management practices such as early planting, application of prescribed pesticides, and a combination of both practices while accounting for socioeconomic characteristics. Findings from the study reveal that distance to extension services exerts negative effects on adoption of early planting only, and adoption of both FAW management practices. Moreover, past FAW infestations tend to exert a positive effect on adoption of pesticide application only and adoption of a combination of the FAW management practices. Adopting the FAW management practices examined in this study assisted the maize producers in raising their farm performance. Socioeconomic characteristics also tend to influence the homogeneous treatment effects of adoption of the FAW management practices on farm performance. This finding indicates that heterogeneity within farm households is crucial for policy regarding adoption of FAW management practices.

Reducing vulnerability to climate change among millet and sorghum farmers in Ghana: interrogating the contribution of climate-smart agriculture in northwestern Ghana

Reducing vulnerability of smallholder farmers to climate change is a global issue. One approach viewed as important in reducing farmers’ vulnerability to climate change is Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA). CSA is often seen as an approach to redefine, reposition and sustainably manage agriculture. Given the importance of CSA practices in sustaining the food needs of many farm households in sub-Saharan Africa and Ghana, this study investigates CSA practices that were introduced to farmers by Center for Indigenous Knowledge and Development (CIKOD), interrogates the contributions of CSA to reducing farmers vulnerability to climate change and established the relationship between CSA and climate change adaptation. The study employed a mixed method approach, using 146 smallholder millet and sorghum farmers. Questionnaire and interviews were used to generate primary data for analysis. Descriptive statistics, involving Chi-square test and relative importance index were used to analyze the questionnaire while thematic analytical approach was used to analyze the interviews. The results of the study revealed that CSA practices such as crop rotation, weed control, contour farming, and land rotation are deployed by smallholder farmers to respond to drought, dry spell and flood in the Municipality. Asset holding capacity, credit, access to climate information, and extension services were found to be key determinants of farmers’ adoption of CSA practices. The study recommends the need for the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to provide some technical support to smallholder farmers to successfully adopt these practices for sustainable farming. Again, the study recommends the need for non-governmental organizations and development partners, which over the years have shown interest in promoting CSA practices among farmers, to continuous to support and promote the adoption of CSA by farmers.

Transient and Persistent Technical Efficiencies in Rice Farming: A Generalized True Random-Effects Model Approach

This study estimates transient and persistent technical efficiencies (TEs) using a generalized true random-effects (GTRE) model. We estimate the GTRE model using maximum likelihood and Bayesian estimation methods, then compare it to three simpler models nested within it to evaluate the robustness of our estimates. We use a panel data set of 945 observations collected from 344 rice farming households in Vietnam’s Mekong River Delta. The results indicate that the GTRE model is more appropriate than the restricted models for understanding heterogeneity and inefficiency in rice production. The mean estimate of overall technical efficiency is 0.71 on average, with transient rather than persistent inefficiency being the dominant component. This suggests that rice farmers could increase output substantially and would benefit from policies that pay more attention to addressing short-term inefficiency issues.

Determinants of Food Insecurity among Smallholder Farming Households in Southwest Nigeria

Determinants of Food Insecurity among Smallholder Farming Households in Southwest Nigeria

Ownership of Cash Value Life Insurance among Rural Households: Utilization of Machine Learning Algorithms to Find Predictors

This study examines the determinants of life insurance ownership with a focus on rural areas and farming households in the United States. Utilizing data from online surveys conducted in 2019 and 2021, this paper explores how psychological factors, financial knowledge, and household characteristics influence life insurance ownership. Traditional indicators like wealth, income, and age were evaluated alongside less frequently discussed variables such as farm loans and rural residency. Machine learning techniques, including neural networks, Support Vector Machine modeling, Gradient Boosting, and logistic regression, were employed to identify the most robust predictors of life insurance demand. The findings reveal that farming-associated factors, particularly holding a farm loan and living in a farming household, significantly predict life insurance ownership. The study also highlights the complexity of life insurance demand, showing that financial education and management practices are critical determinants. This research underscores the need for tailored financial risk management strategies for rural and farming households and contributes to a nuanced understanding of life insurance demand in varying contexts.

Industrial robot applications and individual migration decision: evidence from households in China

The integration of industrial robot application (IRA) into various sectors has catalyzed significant transformations in the labor market, reshaping the dynamics of individual migration decision (IMD). As industries increasingly adopt automation, the implications for workforce distribution and migration patterns become critical areas of study. Based on the conditional logit model and using CMDS data, this paper explores the relationship between IRA and IMD, as well as the heterogeneity effect and influencing mechanism. The findings indicate that IRA reduces the probability of the floating population choosing the city, and the results are robust after considering endogeneity and further robustness test. The impact of IRA on IMD is heterogeneous. Relatively speaking, the floating population with high education levels, health, younger, unmarried, female, agricultural household registration, state-owned enterprises, and non-routine task work does not over-think the impact of IRA during the migration process. In addition, the floating population also considers geographical location, city size, marketization level, wage level, and environmental quality when making migration decisions. the mechanism test shows that IRA attracts or suppresses the floating population through factors such as wage levels, housing price level, difficulty in finding a job, etc., depending on the result of individual utility maximization. These insights reveal the complex interplay between technological advancements in robotics and labor migration, emphasizing the need for comprehensive policy frameworks to manage these transformations effectively.

The impact of labor force aging on agricultural total factor productivity of farmers in China: implications for food sustainability

IntroductionThe rapid aging of the labor force has serious implications for socioeconomic development and poses challenges to food sustainability. Existing studies have focused on the impact of labor force aging on land productivity, but little attention has been paid to the comprehensive capacity of agricultural production, namely the total factor productivity of agriculture.MethodsWe estimate the impact of labor force aging on total factor productivity in agriculture using data from 170,506 sample farm households from the National Fixed Point Survey data from 2003 to 2020. We estimate the results using a panel fixed effects approach and mitigate the endogeneity problem using an instrumental variables approach to ensure the robustness of the estimates.Results and discussionThe results show that labor force aging has an adverse effect on the agricultural total factor productivity of farm households and remains robust after addressing endogeneity and substituting explanatory variables. The aging effect shows significant heterogeneity across different food functional areas with different types of farm households. The negative impact of labor force aging on total factor productivity in agriculture is mainly concentrated in the main grain-production and grain-producing and marketing-balanced areas. We also find that the negative impact of labor force aging is more significant among large-scale farmers. The mechanism analysis finds that the aging of the labor force adversely affects the agricultural total factor productivity by inhibiting technological progress and reducing the efficiency of agricultural resource allocation. These insights, when considered in the light of global trends towards agricultural labor aging, suggest that policy interventions aimed at promoting technological adoption, enhancing resource allocation efficiency, and supporting the transitioning of older farmers may hold promise for maintaining food sustainability and addressing the challenges posed by an aging agricultural workforce in numerous developing nations.

ANALISIS KETAHANAN PANGAN RUMAH TANGGA PETANI PADI SAWAH DI DESA MONAPA KECAMATAN MOWILA KABUPATEN KONAWE SELATAN

This study aims to find out (1) How is the food security of paddy rice farming households in Monapa Village, Mowila District, South Konawe Regency; (2) Factors affecting the food security of rice farming households in Monapa Village, Mowila District, South Konawe Regency, with a total sample of 63 respondents using the slovin formula. To answer the first goal using the measurement of the share of food expenditure. For the second purpose using multiple linear analysis. Based on the results of research on the food security of lowland rice farmer households in Monapa Village, Mowila District, South Konawe Regency, the majority of 65.08% of households fall into the food insecure category (share of food expenditure ≥ 60%) and the remaining 34.92% of households included in the category of food security (share of food expenditure ≤ 60%). The factor that has a significant effect on the food security of paddy rice farming households in Monapa Village, Mowila District, South Konawe Regency is household income with a significant value of 0.032 which is less than the value of α (0.05). While the variables of the number of family members, the education of the housewife, the price of rice and eggs have no significant effect on the food security of rice farming households.

The Status and Challenges of Contract Farming Engagement in Gimbo District, Kafa Zone, South West Ethiopia People’s Region, Ethiopia

Contract farming has long been used in industrialized nations' agricultural production systems as a system of institutions to help smallholder farmers commercialize their farms in an effort to increase revenue and reduce poverty. This study aimed to assess the state of contract farming and challenges of engagement in Gimbo District, Kafa Zone, South West Ethiopia People’s Region, Ethiopia. A focus group discussion, observations, key informant interviews with fifteen experts and authorities, and surveys of 361 farm households were used to collect data. The study revealed that the productivity of coffee improved from 3-4 qt/ha to the average productivity of about 10 qt/ha and the price of coffee improved from 7 birr/kg to 19 birr/kg. This suggests a considerable increase in production and price improvement resulting from the adoption of contract farming. According to the study, the local community benefited from 345 temporary and 44 permanent jobs that were established by contract farming operations in the study area. According to the report, external variables posed challenges to contract farming initiatives in the research area. These external factors included lacking of a legislative instrument that serves as a guide, the lack of infrastructure, the inadequate assistance of governmental organizations, and the failure to integrate the necessary stakeholders to support the sectors. Thus, the study recommended that the government should focus on raising awareness, enhancing extension services and organizational setup, ensuring transparency and accountability in the contract process, and improving financial services.