Increase In Agricultural Production Research Articles

Can Migrant Workers Returning Home for Entrepreneurship Increase Agricultural Labor Productivity: Evidence from a Quasi-Natural Experiment in China

Can Migrant Workers Returning Home for Entrepreneurship Increase Agricultural Labor Productivity: Evidence from a Quasi-Natural Experiment in China

Driving factors for developing integrated farming: Multi-criteria decision-making analysis

Integrated farming (IF) by temporal and spatial mixing of crops, livestock, fishery, and allied activities in a single farm, is considered a critical multifunctional option for smallholder farmers, who form the backbone of Indian agriculture, to ensure sustainable livelihoods, the productivity of agricultural enterprises, stability of farm income, food and nutritional security. However, the adoption of IF still remains low. To explore the critical factors of IF systems and prioritize them for stakeholders’ decision-making and development of strategies, the current research was undertaken to integrate SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) - AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) analysis. We used a multi-stage sampling to select 60 practicing IF adopters in West Bengal state of eastern India for the collection of pair-wise comparison data on 32 SWOT factors using a close-ended questionnaire and subjected to AHP analysis to understand the quantitative importance of each factor of SWOT. Results of the multi- criteria analysis showed the total priority weight of the opportunity component (0.450) was the highest, followed by strength (0.341), weakness (0.114), and threat components (0.095). Based on the global priority weight of all 32 SWOT factors, sustainable livelihood security” was the key driving factor (0.081) followed by promotion of organic farming (0.072), better risk management (0.063) and incorporation of high-value crops (0.063) of opportunity component. Increased farm production and productivity (0.058) and enhancement in income (0.055) of strength component also played as vital driving factors. There was no factor of weakness and threat components within the first 10 important factors. The insights of this study may help improve extension services to smallholder farmers for prioritizing strategies in the adoption process of IF. Additionally, it can also help policymakers to design targeted policies, remove barriers, foster innovation, and promote sustainable practices, contributing to food security and environmental sustainability.

Prediction of soil organic carbon using machine learning techniques and geospatial data for sustainable agriculture

Sustainable agriculture revolves around soil organic carbon (SOC), which is essential for numerous soil functions and ecological attributes. Farmers are interested in conserving and adding additional soil organic carbon to certain fields in order to improve soil health and productivity. The relationship between soil and environment that has been discovered and standardized throughout time has enhanced the progress of digital soil-mapping techniques; therefore, a variety of machine learning techniques are used to predict soil properties. Studies are thriving at how effectively each machine learning method maps and predicts SOC, especially at high spatial resolutions. To predict SOC of soil at a 30 m resolution, four machine learning models—Random Forest, Support Vector Machine, Adaptive Boosting, and k-Nearest Neighbour were used. For model evaluation, two error metrics, namely R2 and RMSE have been used. The findings demonstrated that the calibration and validation sets’ descriptive statistics sufficiently resembled the entire set of data. The range of the calculated SOC content was 0.06 to 1.76 %. According to the findings of the study, Random Forest showed good results for both cases, i.e. evaluation using cross validation and without cross validation. Using cross validation, RF confirmed highest R2 as 0.5278 and lowest RMSE as 0.1683 for calibration dataset while without cross validation it showed R2 as 0.8612 and lowest RMSE as 0.0912 for calibration dataset. The generated soil maps will help farmers adopt precise knowledge for decisions that will increase farm productivity and provide food security through the sustainable use of nutrients and the agricultural environment.

Sustainable Development of Organic Farming using Water Hyacinth Pontederia crassipes Over Vermitechnology by Eisenia fetida

Our planet is really lovely, and there are plenty of living organisms here. Among these organisms, human beings are also contributing to the planet. However with a growing population of human beings, there is a growing need for food, which is entirely dependent on agriculture, several strategies have been employed to boost agricultural output, including inorganic fertilizers and synthetic pesticides. Inorganic fertilizers have largely enhanced productivity as well, but they also have several negative health impacts. However, continued use and reliance on these inputs has reduced crop productivity and deteriorated the quality of natural resources and the ecosystem. So, to overcome these problems and for sustainable development, long-term agricultural expansion may be achieved with organic farming while also preserving the environment. It may take time to switch from chemical to organic farming, which could reduce the farmer's profits. Our planet is really lovely, and there are plenty of living organisms here. Among these organisms, human beings are also contributing to the planet. However with a growing population of human beings, there is a growing need for food, which is entirely dependent on agriculture, several strategies have been employed to boost agricultural output, including inorganic fertilizers and synthetic pesticides. Inorganic fertilizers have largely enhanced productivity as well, but they also have several negative health impacts. However, continued use and reliance on these inputs has reduced crop productivity and deteriorated the quality of natural resources and the ecosystem. So, to overcome these problems and for sustainable development, long-term agricultural expansion may be achieved with organic farming while also preserving the environment. It may take time to switch from chemical to organic farming, which could reduce the farmer's profits. Advancements in organic farming, using Eisenia fetida to promote the vermicomposting of water hyacinth (wastewater weed) and employing more organic fertilizer while decreasing inorganic fertilizer usage in farming. However, the farmer will only make the changeover if he is persuaded that organic farming has long-term advantages over chemical farming. Vermicompost is a type of organic fertilizer, prepared from earthworms using various unused waste organic materials. It is an alternative source for increasing agriculture production. Many works have shown that vermicompost has beneficial effects on the environment. Various organic waste materials are used by earthworm species to form vermicompost. Water hyacinth poisons water bodies, turning pleasant water into unappealing water by emitting a foul smell. Most times, water hyacinths thrive in sewage water. Controlling this aquatic weed is a major issue, but it is easily solved through vermitechnology. Extremely, in our review study, we are going to give our concentrate on development of organic farming using vermicomposting.

Comparative environmental analysis of sugar beet production using a solar-driven robot and conventional systems from a sustainability perspective

In the context of rapid global population growth and climate change, balancing agricultural productivity with environmental sustainability has never been more important. Precision farming technologies, including robotics, are touted as having huge potential to increase farm productivity, reduce energy and resource use and compact soil, while reducing the overall environmental impact of on-farm production. This comprehensive study presents, for the first time, a detailed analysis and environmental benchmarking of two organic sugar beet production (SBP) systems, conventional (CONV) and robotic (RBT), based on field experiments in Lithuanian conditions where a solar-powered robot is integrated into the production system to carry out sowing and weeding operations. In order to reduce the potential environmental impact and to understand the consequences of using the robot in agriculture, a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the entire SBP process up to the factory gate was carried out. The results of the analysis show that the conventional system has higher total GHG emissions than the robotic system, 36.98 and 27.18 kg CO2eq t−1, respectively, with poultry manure being the largest contributor. The higher beet yield in the RBT system, mainly due to effective weed control, resulted in a higher GHG emissions ratio (14.72) and a higher sustainability index (13.72). The LCA results showed that the CONV system had a higher negative environmental impact than the RBT in all eleven environmental impact categories assessed, with the most pronounced difference in the Ozone Depletion (OD) category. Diesel fuel was identified as the most important environmental factor for organically growing sugar beet in all considered impact categories, with the most notable environmental impact (about 94%) in the terrestrial ecotoxicity category in both systems. Normalization of the results showed that marine aquatic ecotoxicity (ME) had the greatest (78%) influence of all exposure categories for both cultivation systems, CONV – 22079.82, and RBT 18121.61 kg 1.4-DBeq per ton of produced sugar beet. The study found that increasing yields and reducing fossil fuel use in organic farming are the two most promising strategies for achieving sustainability and efficiency in food production.

The Impact of Agricultural Extension Services on Farm Output: A Worldwide Viewpoint

In order to increase farm productivity and sustainability on a worldwide scale, agricultural extension services are essential in bridging the gap between research and actual farming. This study examined agricultural extension services and their effects on farm productivity. Data were collected using a questionnaire from 382 professional farmers. The results show that agricultural workshops and training positively affect farm productivity, access to government demonstration farms positively influences farm productivity, and media-based agricultural programs have a positive effect on farm productivity. Workshops and training in agriculture may have a very favorable impact on farm output. It’s important to remember that the success of agricultural workshops and training might vary depending on a number of variables, including the training's quality, the information's applicability to local circumstances, the farmers' readiness to embrace new techniques, and the post-training assistance offered. In order to increase and facilitate access to knowledge, suitable production methods, and better inputs, the findings highlight the need to strengthen farmers' organizations and last-mile agricultural input providers. Farmers must have access to knowledge about marketing and other support services that are essential for agricultural growth in order to enhance global development in order to achieve greater farm productivity.

Safety of agricultural machinery and tractor maintenance planning with fuzzy logic and MCDM for agricultural productivity

Productivity is one of the most important measures used to determine the growth and development level of countries or sectors. A wide variety of projects have been planned and implemented to increase agricultural productivity. The productivity to be obtained in agriculture; Soil conditions, climate, seeds, fertilizer, pesticides, labor and agricultural mechanization directly affect it. Agricultural mechanization is the realization of agricultural activities by using energy together with agricultural tools and machines. Agricultural mechanization; It is an important agricultural production technology that helps increase agricultural productivity. Due to the inadequate maintenance planning of agricultural machinery, agricultural machinery cannot be utilized at the desired level in agricultural production. Most agricultural equipment is subject to frequent changes in speed and direction of movement while operating. Damage that can be seen on a single machine; It also causes other machines to malfunction. During the year, especially in the months when agricultural activity is high, excessive working tempo can cause tractors to malfunction. The breakdown of tractors causes disruptions in agricultural activities. In addition, the breakdown of tractors increases the repair costs. Since there is no tractor maintenance planning, farmers face interruptions in agricultural activities due to tractor malfunction. However, tractor malfunctions may cause cost and economic losses. For these reasons, there is a need for appropriate maintenance planning of agricultural machinery in order to continue agricultural activities without disruption. Maintenance planning; It consists of a set of preventive activities to improve the reliability and availability of any system. The main purpose of this study is to determine and rank the importance level weights of the criteria that are important for agricultural machinery maintenance planning using the fuzzy AHP method. Fuzzy AHP method, which provides ease of application, was preferred in determining the Criterion Weights. The research proposes a framework to determine the weights of appropriate criteria for care planning selection through a combined approach of fuzzy multi-criteria decision making involving relevant stakeholders. On the basis of the prioritization of criteria of tractor maintenance planning (TMP), it was found from the ranking that checking for all fluid levels (TMP1) ranked first. This respectively is followed by checking for general conditions (TMP4), checking for tires and wheels (TMP2) and checking for batteries (TMP3). With the results of the study, a guide was created for farmers and other stakeholders, as well as decision makers, to help plan the maintenance of machines in better working conditions. It is also thought that this study will be encouraging for other studies.

The impact of smart input subsidy program on farm productivity: Evidence from Tanzania

Policymakers have a renewed interest in input subsidy programs in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the evidence of the program's impact is mixed. This paper uses the case of Tanzania's National Agricultural Input Voucher Scheme (NAIVS) to examine its effect on farm productivity. To account for the endogeneity problem arising from the non-random targeting of beneficiaries, this study employed a staggered difference-in-differences approach with a double robust estimator method on a three-wave panel survey. This approach is relevant because the treatment variable—NAIVS participation was gradually rolled out to households over multiple periods and groups. The results do not show evidence that the NAIVS program increased farm productivity. However, the group aggregate effects suggest that the group initially treated in 2010 experienced a positive and significant impact on maize production and income. This could indicate that during the early stages of the NAIVS program, extra effort was likely invested to ensure its effectiveness. Furthermore, the heterogeneous effect of farm size reveals that the NAIVS program increased the participation of beneficiary households with large-scale farms rather than small-scale farms. This suggests that the program did not effectively target resource-poor households. Finally, this paper calls for effective targeting and careful implementation of programs to improve farmer productivity.

Use of remittance and Coronavirus pandemic in Nepal

Remittance based economy of Nepal has been badly affected by the Corona virus pandemic. In this study, we analyze the household and social level use of remittance by the remittance recipient households before and after the pandemic. We adopted cross-sectional study design to collect data from 777 randomly selected respondents residing in Chautara Sngachwokgadhi (Mountain region), Galkot(Hill) and Mithila (Tarai) municipalities in Nepal. We used a reliable questionnaire tool having 0.8 cronbachalpha, and we visited the respondents from 6th June- 18th October 2022. The study found that the remittance recipient households have good access to households, educational, financial and health facilities. A significant amount of remittance also has been used to donate to the youth club, medical treatment seeker, school/college and community level (public moral hazard) after the Coronavirus pandemic. Remittance and agriculture were the major source of family income in each ecological region. However, remittance has failed to increase agriculture production and distributions (domestic household hazard) and also failed to increase entrepreneurship development in the local levels. This study can be a reference for developing evidence-based policies for minimizing public moral hazard and domestic household hazards caused by remittance in developing countries like Nepal.

Implications of pesticide use regulation on soil sustainability in Uganda

Reducing pesticide use has become a goal shared by several countries, Uganda inclusive and a major issue in public policies since the adverse impacts of pesticides on environmental media such as soil and on human health have been clearly demonstrated. The main environmental concerns related to pesticides are soil, water pollution and damage to non-target organisms including plants, birds, wildlife, fish and crops. On one hand, pesticides can control pests and diseases, and increase agricultural productivity, which is essential for food security and economic development. However, the positive effects have proven to be short-lived. Moreover, the indiscriminate and injudicious use of pesticides without proper regulation and awareness, more so by small-scale farmers, can lead to detrimental effects on soil health and long-term sustainability. The challenge is exacerbated by pesticides that can persist in the environment and accumulate in the soil over time, leading to soil degradation. Accordingly, regulation of pesticide use then becomes more critical if the adverse effects of pesticide use are to be mitigated. Indeed, Uganda recognizes the importance of sustainable agricultural practices and the need to regulate pesticide use to protect soil health and ensure long-term agricultural productivity. This is manifested in the existing regulatory framework on pesticide use, although challenges and threats to soil sustainability still abound especially from the highly fragmented and sectoral-based approaches. This paper examines the implications of pesticide use regulation on soil sustainability in Uganda, a country heavily reliant on agriculture for food security and economic growth. Suggestions are proffered on some interventions that align with soil sustainability.

Rural credit distribution in Bahia in 2017

Rural credit is an important tool for the country's economic development, and its objective is to promote rural development and increase agricultural production. However, credit distribution is uneven, favoring some regions over others. In Bahia it is no different. The objective of the present work is to evaluate and measure the distribution of rural credit in Bahia – the largest agricultural producer in the Northeast region – from the year of 2017. For this, tabular analysis, the entropy index and Theil's T and L indexes were used, as well as the redundancy index to measure the distribution of rural credit with the gross value of production as a productive counterpart. The results of the tabular analysis showed that there is a concentration of credit among the mesoregions of Bahia, an aspect that is less intense when verified by the T and L indices. When analyzing the distribution of credit and its productive counterpart, there was no concentration of credit distribution in the mesoregions bahians.

The Effect of Agricultural Policies on Farm Production in Benue Division, North Region of Cameroon.

The main objective of this study is to determine the effect of government agricultural policies on farm production in the Benue division in the Northern region of Cameroon. Data was collected from 399 respondents using a self-administered questionnaire through a stratified sampling technique of 12 sub-divisions in the Benue division. We adopted a binary logistic regression estimation technique to estimate the model. The empirical results of the binary logistic model for the overall sample revealed that Government extension and advisory services (GEAS) have a positive effect on farm production. Specifically, increasing GEAS in the Benue division will lead to a 0.09419 increase in farm production and it is significant at a 5% level of significant. Government agricultural infrastructure (GAIF), a unit increase in GAIF, will lead to a 0.3790 increase in farm production in the Benue division and it is significant at a 10% level of significance. The last significant government agricultural policy on farm production is the government agricultural financial policy (GAFP). The result revealed that an increase or improvement of GAFP in the Benue division, will increase farm production by 0.3366 and it is significant at a 5% level of significant. Meanwhile, government agricultural climate policy has an insignificant effect on farm production. In this light, there is a need for the government to train and deploy more extension workers in the various sub-divisions and communities in Benue division, to increase farmers’ access to these services. This can be done by giving specific skills on how to produce dominant food crops and livestock in the Benue division through workshops and seminars.

Organic Mulch Innovation from Straw Waste in the Context of Realizing Climate Smart Agriculture as an Acceleration of Green Economy Achievement

Purpose: The general aim of this research is to encourage sustainable agricultural practices through innovative practices of organic mulch materials. Theoretical Framework: The theoretical framework of sustainable agriculture provides a conceptual basis for understanding and implementing agricultural practices that seek to balance environmental, social, and economic dimensions. At its core, sustainable agriculture is guided by the principles of ecological integrity, economic viability, and social equity. Ecological integrity emphasizes the importance of maintaining and enhancing the health of ecosystems, recognizing the interconnectedness of soil health, biodiversity, and water resources. Method: This research method consists of three stages. The first step is identifying the characteristics of straw, the initial stage of organic mulch production. The second stage is testing the characteristics of mulch, organic mulch innovation, testing the effectiveness and efficiency of organic mulch. The third stage is a business feasibility study analysis, mass mulch production, promotion and marketing analysis. Results: The results showed that identifying the characteristics of straw and organic mulch production is an important step in sustainable farming practices. This initial stage involves determining the type of straw that will be used as organic mulch and preparing the mulch. During this entire process, it is important to consider the type of crop being planted, local climatic conditions, and available resources in order to choose the right straw and manage organic mulch effectively. This practice can help improve soil health, reduce soil erosion, and increase agricultural productivity in a sustainable way. Conclusions: Identification of straw characteristics and production of organic mulch are important steps in sustainable agricultural practices. This initial stage involves determining the type of straw that will be used as organic mulch and preparing the mulch. During this entire process, it is important to consider the type of crop being planted, local climate conditions, and available resources to select the right straw and manage organic mulch effectively.

The effect of underground drainage on peat meadows and inactivation of the drainage in an attempt to restore these meadows, which failed as it reduced the ability of soils to retain water

Drainage is often used to increase agriculture production, but it has adverse effects on biodiversity and water retention. Here, the effect of subsurface pipe drainage on peat meadows near Senotín (Czechia), which were drained from the mid-1980s to 1990s, was studied. Attempts were made to restore the peat meadows by damming drainage pipes using clay-filled trenches in 1996. In this case study, the effect on the depth of the water table, soil water retention, infiltration and soil temperature were recorded. Measurements of the original peat meadow (undrained site), drained meadow (drained site) and restored meadow (restored site) before restoration and two decades after restoration were recorded. The water table in undrained areas was higher than at drained and restored sites, indicating that drainage had lasting effect on drained and restored sites. Infiltration was lowest at the undrained site, greater at the drained site, and highest at the restored sites. Field water capacity was lowest at the restored site, greater at the drained site and highest at the undrained site. Soil water content at maximum saturation was lowest at the restored site, greater at the drained site and highest at the undrained site. Soil temperature was highest at the restored site with no significant difference between the undrained and drained sites. Soil moisture levels were highest at the undrained site and lowest at the drained site. In addition, the undrained and restored sites did not differ significantly in soil moisture content. In conclusion, restoration did not have a significant effect on the level of the water table, initiation of peat formation or ability of soil to hold water.

Зарубіжний досвід та національні традиції для повоєнного відновлення сільських територій та аграрного виробництва України

The subject of the study is the foreign experience of rebuilding the agricultural sector of the economy by European countries, which was devastated during the Second World War. The purpose of the article is the historical and economic characterization of the process of the revival of European agriculture in the post-war period to determine the possibilities of extrapolation of this experience in the restoration of rural areas and agricultural production of Ukraine at the current stage. The research results in an analysis of key agrarian reforms, an exploration of the unique aspects of the economic policies of European governments in rejuvenating the agricultural sector, and a justification for the potential utilization of this foreign experience in modern Ukraine. The article presents a positive historical experience of successful practices and government measures in post-war agricultural recovery and rural community development, substantiating the relevance and possibilities of its implementation in Ukraine. It has been demonstrated that pivotal agrarian reforms laid the foundation for the establishment of an effective and productive farming industry, contributed to the overall market reorientation of agriculture, and facilitated its modernization through the adoption of mechanized equipment and advanced agricultural production methods. Borrowing and implementing contemporary local ecological, energy-efficient, social, and educational public initiatives holds promise for the development of rural areas in Ukraine and can be achieved through the synergy of international and domestic non-governmental organizations and local self-governing bodies. The Italian experience in equalizing regional disparities in economic development to achieve national integrity and unity is beneficial for Ukraine. Leveraging foreign experience while considering national traditions will strengthen food security, increase agricultural productivity, promote agricultural entrepreneurship, and support the sustainable development of Ukraine's rural areas.

Acute and Chronic Effects of Pesticides on Non-Target Aquatic Organisms

Abstract Pesticides are widely used to protect crops from pests, ensure food security, and increase agricultural productivity. However, the application of these chemicals can lead to unintended adverse effects on non-target aquatic organisms. This scientific manuscript provides a comprehensive review of the acute and chronic effects of pesticides on aquatic non-target organisms, focusing on their behavior, physiology, reproductive success, and populations dynamics. Understanding these effects is critical to developing effective strategies to minimize the ecological risks associated with pesticide use.

A trade-off between farm production and flood alleviation using land use tillage preferences as a natural flood management (NFM) strategy

Trade-off studies effectively compare rational decisions when choosing alternatives. This study utilizes a Bayesian belief network (BBN) model to analyse land use tillage practices for flood management, considering climate, soilscape, slope, and farming systems. The BBN comprises three sub-models using soil samples, farm surveys, synthetic datasets, and literature review data. In one scenario, conventional tillage on a 3° slope increased the net value of crop yield (50.85 %) and positive farm effects (49.64 %) but increased surface runoff (66.24 %) and reduced flood alleviation benefits (58.56 %). On the other hand, conservational tillage on a 3 ° slope yielded lower crop yield increase (14.11 %) and farm production effects (13.80 %) but reduced surface runoff (51.05 %) and increased flood alleviation benefits (45.06 %). Similarly, conventional tillage on a 12 ° slope showed similar crop yield and farm production effects, with slightly higher surface runoff (66.88 %) and reduced flood alleviation benefits (59.13 %). Conversely, adopting conservational tillage on a 12 slope resulted same extent of reduction in crop yield increase band (14.11 %) and farm production effects (13.80 %) but effectively reduced surface runoff (50.42 %) and improved flood alleviation benefits (44.49 %). Therefore, a trade-off between farm production and flood alleviation was identified when tillage preference was applied as a natural flood management strategy. Results showed this trend was particularly pronounced amongst soils on slopes. The model can help users in informed decisions on tillage for sustainable farming, with the potential for improvement through additional variables and farm-specific data.

Foreign Exchange Rate Management and Macroeconomic Performance in Nigeria: Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) Bound Testing Approach

This paper examined the impact of real exchange rate on economic performance in Nigeria for the period (1981-2021) using a modified and extended aggregate production model and Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) Bound Testing Approach for analysis. The results indicated that the real exchange rate had a positive and significant effect on economic performance in the long run and a negative but insignificant impact in the short run. As for the control variables, in the long-run capital stock, labour force and foreign direct investment had a positive and significant impact on economic performance, real interest rate and broad money supply exerted a positive but insignificant effect on economic performance, whereas inflation rate and trade openness displayed a negative but insignificant effect on economic performance. In the short-run, capital stock, inflation rate, foreign direct investment and broad money supply impacted positively on economic performance, while labour force, real interest rate, trade openness and government expenditure had a negative effect. It was recommended, among others, that government policies should be directed toward increasing productivity in Nigeria; and that Nigeria should refine a good chunk of crude oil locally, increase agricultural production and revive the manufacturing sector for increased manufacturing output to meet the country’s need for petroleum, agricultural and manufactured products.

PERAN PENYULUH PERTANIAN MELALUI ADOPSI TEKNOLOGI DAN FAKTOR-FAKTOR PRODUKSI USAHATANI PADI SAWAH DI DESA LAMOERI KECAMATAN ANGATA KABUPATEN KONAWE SELATAN

The objective of this study is to determine the impact of agricultural extension workers on technology adoption and production factors in enhancing wet-rice farming in Lamoeri Village, Angata Subdistrict, South Konawe Regency. The study population consists of 180 registered rice paddy farmers who are members of 10 farmer groups affiliated with the Agricultural Extension Center (BPP). The study sample consisted of 36 individuals, which represents 20% of the population. The sampling method used was simple random sampling. Data was collected through interviews and documentation using questionnaires as instruments. The data was analyzed quantitatively using the class interval formula. The study found that agricultural extension officers in Lamoeri Village played a positive role in assisting rice paddy farmers. Their roles included facilitating, communicating, motivating, and consulting. The study also revealed that the adoption of innovations in rice paddy cultivation technology was generally successful. Extension workers have optimally carried out the stages of adoption of interest, evaluation, trial, and adoption. However, their role in the awareness stage needs improvement. The production process of paddy rice farming is influenced by natural factors, labor, facilities and infrastructure, and expertise factors. Therefore, it is crucial to always consider and prioritize these factors in order to increase farm productivity.

Use of Fertilizers and Pesticides in Vegetable Growing and their Impact on the Ecosystem in the Comoé River Watershed, Burkina Faso

Background an Aims: The use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers has been practised for centuries to control pests and increase agricultural productivity. However, mismanagement of these products can entail health and environmental risks. This study was initiated to assess the impact of these practices on the CRW ecosystem. The aim of this study is to characterize pesticide and fertilizer use practices in vegetable growing in the Comoé river watershed (CRW).
 Study Design: This study was carried out on a sample of market gardeners chosen randomly. Data collection was done transversally.
 Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in Western Burkina Faso during the dry period of 2020. It concerned market gardeners who carry out their activity in the Comoé Basin.
 Methodology: To this end, a survey was carried out among a representative sample of 204 vegetable growers. The survey sheet was used to collect information on the level of education, speculations, origins of fertilizers and pesticides, and the management of fertilizers and pesticides in the CRW.
 Results: The study revealed that local vegetable growers use both organic and chemical fertilizers. They obtain their supplies from the local market. In fact, 91% of the vegetable growers interviewed use both types of fertilizer. Growers are unaware of the validity period of the products they use. In addition, 48% of growers say they do not know or do not pay attention to the expiry date of products. Furthermore, 82% of growers do not master fertilizer application doses. Current pesticide and fertilizer use practices are risky, and the dangers incurred are pollution, particularly water pollution, and its consequences on human and environmental health (soil, vegetation, etc.). It would therefore be wise to encourage and promote biological pest control in order to preserve human and animal health and the environment.