Influencing Smallholder Farmers Research Articles

Determinants of livestock species ownership at household level: Evidence from rural OR Tambo District Municipality, South Africa

An understanding of factors influencing smallholder farmers’ livestock ownership at the household level is vital in formulating pro-poor livestock production policies and technologies. Hence, this study examined factors that influence livestock ownership of smallholder farmers. The data was collected randomly from three purposively selected study areas in the OR Tambo District (King Sabata Dalindyebo, Port St Johns and Ingquza Hill local municipalities) in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa using a cross-sectional survey of 650 households. A multivariate probit model (MPM) was used to estimate correlates of livestock species ownership at the household level. Results indicated that education, age, household income, marital status, religion, rainfall, gender, household size and employment status influence livestock species ownership at the household level. Therefore, efforts to promote livestock ownership and production should be guided by these significant explanatory variables in the study area. Interdependence among species was also noted (cattle and sheep; goats and pigs; sheep and pigs; cattle and goats; goats and sheep), suggesting complementarity among the different types of livestock species. This complementarity among the species can possibly be explained by functional diversity generic with multi-species livestock farming which is worth supporting to enhance biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, rural resource use efficiency and socio-economic sustainability at the household level.

Adoption of ICT-in-Agriculture Innovations by Smallholder Farmers in Kenya

Agricultural development is a powerful tool for raising incomes for deprived population in developing countries, such as Kenya and to support livelihoods by ensuing food security. This has seen the agricultural sector position itself as an engine for sustainable development and economic growth in Kenya. However, the profile of the farming community in Kenya is mainly female smallholders who are illiterate and that practice traditional farming methods. Therefore, there is urgent need to examine emerging digital tools that can support these farmers, and to adopt these tools accordingly to meet their farming needs. In this regard, this paper seeks to explore the willingness and ability of these smallholder farmers to accept and adopt ICT-in-agriculture innovations towards supporting their farm operations, improving their farm productivity, and providing readily and accessible market for their produce. Specifically, this study identifies the factors that influence smallholder farmers’ decision on ICT innovations adoption in agriculture, and examines how these factors are perceived by smallholder farmers on adoption of ICT innovations. The study was carried out in Siaya County, Kenya with sample population of 100 smallholder farmers. A simple random sampling was used, with questionnaires used to collect data. The findings from this study indicate cost, illiteracy, ICT skills, quality of the information and gender as some of the key factors that influence smallholder farmers’ choice and decision on ICT-in agriculture innovations to adopt.

Factors Influencing the Adoption of Climate-Smart Irrigation Technologies for Sustainable Crop Productivity by Smallholder Farmers in Arid Areas of South Africa

The adoption of climate-smart irrigation technologies amongst smallholder farmers generally remains low beside their role in combating food and nutrition security in a society and in climate change adaptation strategies. This study identified the factors influencing smallholder farmers’ decision to adopt Climate Smart Irrigation Technologies (CSIT) in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Data were collected through the completion of a face-to-face structured questionnaire by 100 smallholder farmers selected through convenience and purposive sampling. A probit regression and OLS model were used to identify factors that influence the smallholder farmer’s decision to adopt CSIT and the level of adoption. The results indicated that only 46% of the smallholder farmers adopted climate-smart irrigation technologies and suggested that adoption is influenced positively by factors such as gender, age, district, farm size, staple food production and knowledge on CSIT. There is an urgent need for related stakeholders to transform the smallholder farmer subsector through improved extension services, training, adopting resilient crop varieties, promoting underutilized and nutrient-dense crops adapted to harsh local conditions, and other interventions. This should be done by promoting awareness to smallholder farmers regarding these interventions and new technologies that have the potential to improve rural livelihoods and enhance resilience and adaptation.

Factors That Matter for Financial Inclusion: Evidence from Sub-Sharan Africa - The Zimbabwe Case

The study intended to investigate the factors that are important in influencing the financial inclusion of smallholder farming households in Sub-Saharan Africa with a specific focus on Zimbabwe. Motivated by the fact that there is an increase in the evidence of the importance of financial inclusion in fighting poverty and the fact that by merely having a bank account, financial inclusion cannot be guaranteed, the study went further to interrogate factors that influence smallholder farmers to have a transaction account, to borrow and to have insurance. Since the dependent variable of financial inclusion had more than two categories, with three unordered categories, transaction account, savings/credit account, and insurance, the multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate the determinants of financial inclusion from these three categories of the dependent variable. The multinomial logit model results, with insurance as the reference category, indicated that the size of the household, transaction costs, gender and agricultural extension service were the factors influencing the demand for a household to open a transaction account. On the other hand, off-farm income and age of the household were the only two factors significantly influencing households to borrow. Therefore, it is imperative for, the government of Zimbabwe to come up with more policies that encourage farmers to participate in the formal financial market as financial inclusion can help to fight poverty and the general developments of societies.
 
 Received: 28 April 2021 / Accepted: 31 August 2021 / Published: 5 November 2021

English

Declining crop productivity is a great challenge facing smallholder farmers in Tanzania. Agro-ecological practices can improve crop productivity in a sustainable way and produce healthy food among smallholder farmers. Initiation of “Farmer-Led Research of Agro-Ecological Practices” (FLRAG) may enhance farmers’ capacities for innovation and co-develop suitable agro-ecological practices. This study aimed at identifying factors influencing smallholder farmers to participate in FLRAG. A cross-sectional survey was used to collect qualitative and quantitative data from 90 smallholder farmers in Mvomero, Bagamoyo and Masasi districts in Tanzania. Data were also collected from key informants who were extension officers. The study identified that experience in farming, easiness in accessing agro-ecological inputs, interest in doing experiments and farm size ownership are the factors that substantially influence smallholder farmers to participate in FLRAG. Therefore, researchers are advised to select participants of FLRAG by considering the mentioned factors. Furthermore, farmers selected to participate in FLRAG are advised to the use of ugunduzi app” that was developed purposefully to enhance agro-ecological research in order to test and understand its potential on smoothing agro-ecological research activities. Key word: Smallholder farmers, crop productivity, sustainable farming, farmer-led research, agro-ecological practices, Ugunduzi App.

Impact of agricultural extension services on the adoption of improved wheat variety in Ethiopia: A cluster randomized controlled trial

Although many studies have shown that sub-Saharan African countries could increase agricultural productivity and output through better technologies and improved crop varieties, the adoption of yield-enhancing technologies by smallholder farmers in the region still remains very low. In this paper, we use a cluster randomized controlled trial to examine whether improved extension services influence smallholder farmers’ decisions to try a newly introduced improved wheat variety in Ethiopia. The experiment involved demonstration trials and field days, and improved capacity of Development Agents in facilitation and communication skills. The empirical results revealed that farmers’ decisions to try the newly introduced wheat variety were highest in the villages where demonstration trials and field days, and improvements in the Development Agents’ facilitation and communication capacity were introduced simultaneously. We also found a positive effect of improved extension services on yields, and the use of chemical fertilizer, herbicides and pesticides, but only the use of herbicides and pesticides were statistically significant. Our findings provide some insights into the significance of revisiting the curriculums of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training, and Farmers’ Training Centers.

Determinants of smallholder farmers’ participation in microfinance markets in Huye district, southern province, Rwanda

Microfinance markets play a significant role in enhancing socio-economic development of developing countries. In Rwanda, access to microfinance in financing agriculture is very important for future development. Despite this development, smallholder farmers still have limited access to institutional financial services. This study assessed factors that affect smallholder farmers’ participation in microfinance markets in three sectors of Maraba, Mukura and Ngoma in Huye district in Southern province of Rwanda. Primary data were collected using questionnaires and personal interviews. A total of 300 respondents were selected using a simple random sampling technique from participants and non-participants in microfinance markets. Data collected were analyzed through descriptive statistics and Probit regression model. Results from descriptive statistics revealed that major sources of income were farming and business activities. Findings revealed also that each household had an average of about five members with standard deviation of 1.901 and mean value of household land size of 1.87 ha with standards deviation of 0.758. Findings from Probit analysis revealed that household size, education, total annual income, cooperative membership, and household savings had a positive and significant effect on smallholder farmers’ participation in microfinance markets. Distance from microfinance institutions negatively influenced participation in microfinance markets. Households that were located far from to the microfinance institutions were less likely to participate in microfinance markets compared to those nearer to the institutions. This study recommends microfinance institutions in Rwanda to expand their financial systems to enable smallholder farmers access affordable agricultural finance. Further, there is need for microfinance institutions to create more awareness programs to help smallholder farmers get key information related to microfinance services. This is expected to influence smallholder farmers’ willingness to apply for microcredits for agricultural development. This will in the long-run help the smallholder farmers to adopt new practices and technologies thus increasing their agricultural production.

Determinants That Affecting the Production of Haricot Bean by Small Holder Farmers in Oromia Region of Ethiopia

Haricot bean is an important pulse crop, which serves as consumption and basis for income, but its output and production are minima. So, this study aimed to analyze the factor affecting haricot bean producer smallholder farmers Oromia regional state of Ethiopia. The data for the analysis were obtained from the World Bank data published on their website in 2018. The result of the regression shows it is likely to rise production of haricot bean by increasing the source of seed, fertilizer or manure, education, total income, family size, and the land size these factors significantly affect production positively but the price is significantly influencing smallholder farmers production of haricot bean negatively. The program inferences of the results are to have to educate the smallholder farmers, encouraging using educated family, providing access haricot bean seed for smallholder producer farmers, setting minimum procurement price for inputs and providing input subsidies, ease delivery of inputs, encouraging and training ways allocating land for different haricot bean crop, diversified income sources should be created to increase the income of the farmers. The Government, Ministry of agriculture, the regional office of agriculture, Zonal agricultural office and woreda’s Agricultural office, Non-governmental Organization, Investigators, and academicians are needed additional encourage the production of improved haricot beans by designing based on farmer's problems and need.

Factors Influencing Smallholder Farmers Mechanization Decisions in Nigeria: The Case of Tractor Use in the Fourth Industrial Revolution ERA

Tractorization is crucial in the agricultural transformation of societies with either large farm size or challenged by a severe labor shortage. However, most smallholder farmers still lag in its use, making it necessary to investigate current tractor use by smallholders. This study investigated the factors that influence smallholder farmers’ decision to use tractors in the Delta and Benue States of Nigeria. Specifically, it determined the current level of mechanization (tractor use) in the farming system, estimated the contributions of tractor use among smallholder farmers, and determined the factors influencing smallholder farmers’ tractor use decisions in the study area. Multistage sampling techniques were used to collect data from 280 respondents. Descriptive statistics, a logistic model and odds ratio (OR) constituted the analytical framework. The results showed that poor tractor use still exists among smallholder farmers, with as much as 72% of farmers not using tractor in this modern era. The study revealed that the mean income of tractor users was twice as high as that of non-tractor users. The OR result revealed that educational status, household labor, farming experience, alternative occupation, and farm area under cultivation influenced the decision of the smallholder to use tractor services. It would seem that lack of utilizing the benefits of tractorization is a crucial constraint that calls attention to the need for a holistic campaign among the farming population. The practical applications of family labor are likely to remain high.

A Typology of the Level of Market Participation among Smallholder Farmers in South Africa: Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces.

Smallholder farmers face several challenges that limit their access to markets and prevent them from taking advantage of market opportunities. This study sought to provide observed information on households' involvement in the output market and to analyse the determinants of the level of market participation among smallholder farmers in South Africa. Data (secondary) for this study were collected from a total of 1520 respondents who were selected through stratified random sampling. Descriptive statistics, t-test and a double-hurdle model were used to analyse factors influencing smallholder farmers' decisions regarding participation in the agricultural market. The first-hurdle equation of the double-hurdle model showed that gender of the household, family member working on the farm, wealth index, and agricultural assistance had a positive significant impact on the decision of smallholder farmers to participate in the market, while household age and family member with HIV had a negative significant impact. The results of the second-hurdle model showed marital status, educational level of household, wealth index, and access to agricultural assistance had a negative significant effect on the extent of market participation among smallholder farmers, while household size, household age, and family member with HIV had a positive significant impact. The suggestions emanating from the results as to what factors need to be addressed to encourage smallholder farmers to participate in the market indicate that there is a need for government to hire sufficient and skilled extension workers who understand the market related issues. With the help of extension workers and policymakers, government need to organize smallholder farmers into groups that are easy to manage, train, and support. Smallholder farmers' groups should have their farmers registered, visible, and easily accessible for coordinated government support services. They also need to do more workshops in rural areas to encourage young people to be involved in agriculture. This will lead to sustainable production, alleviation of poverty, improvement of the economy, and food security.

What factors influence smallholder farmers’ decision to select a milk marketing channel in Zambia?

ABSTRACT Farmers are faced with computational and informational limitations when making marketing decisions. This holds true for Zambian dairy farmers. This study examined the factors that influence the choice of milk marketing channels among 251 smallholder farmers in Zambia participating in milk production and marketing using a multinomial logit model approach. Three milk marketing channels were identified: direct, traditional, and modern. Relative to the base category (direct), the results indicate that gender and volume of milk produced positively influenced participation in the traditional marketing channel. However, off-farm income had a negative influence on the selection of the traditional marketing channel. Gender, education, distance to major markets, and volumes of milk produced influenced the decision to participate in the modern marketing channel. There seems to be an underutilisation of the modern marketing channel. The study identified the following factors to stimulate participation in the modern marketing channel: (i) concerted value chain investments, (ii) government intervention in the form of policy changes, (iii) increased access to market information, (iv) support services, and (v) transparency in the milk value-chain. Understanding the factors that influence farmers' participation in the informal channels enables tailored policies to support the formalisation of existing structures in the informal sector.

Determinants of Adoption of Climate Smart Agricultural Practices by Smallholder Farmers in Buhera and Chiredzi Districts of Zimbabwe

This study was set to assess factors that drive adoption of six climate smart agriculture technologies in Buhera and Chiredzi districts of Zimbabwe using a sample size of 240 households. Multivariate probit analysis was used to determine factors that influence smallholder farmers' decision to adopt climate smart agriculture technologies. The study finds that age, gender, education of household head, household size, membership to social group, land size, land ownership, and training influence adoption of the six climate smart agriculture technologies. Therefore, policies that allow an improvement in land size and ownership should be given full support by both government and NGO community. The study further recommends that there should be more trainings on benefits of various climate smart agriculture technologies. Farmers should further be encouraged to participate in social groups for easy access to extension information on climate smart agriculture.

Factors influencing adoption of integrated soil fertility management technologies by smallholder farmers in Ghana

This study examines smallholder farmers’ adoption of both a full set of and multiple bundles of integrated soil fertility management technologies, and estimates the determinants of and assesses the relationship among adoption practices using the logistic model and multivariate probit model respectively. A cross-sectional survey was used to collect data from 300 smallholder farmers who benefitted from a sustainable food security and environmental health project in three districts in Ghana. Four ISFM technologies (zero or minimal tillage, inorganic fertilizer, leguminous crop, and crop rotation) serve as outcome variables. The result revealed that only 26.7% of the respondents adopted the full set of the ISFM technologies. Agroecological zone, a spatial variable has been found to significantly influence smallholder farmers adoption of the full ISFM technologies. One or more of the predictor variables, purpose of farming, land ownership, distance from house to the nearest input shop, access credit and agroecological zone, have been found to significantly influence the adoption of the multiple ISFM technologies. However, the computed correlation coefficients of the independent determinants show inconsistent significant values. The implication of this finding is that the adoption of multiple ISFM technologies cannot be estimated utilizing common determinants. Therefore, extension service in the region should focus on crucial factors that influence adoption of specific multiple ISFM technologies to maximize adoption options.

Smallholder Farmers’ Perceptions, Adaptation Constraints, and Determinants of Adaptive Capacity to Climate Change in Chengdu

This study assessed smallholder farmers’ perceptions, adaptation constraints, and determinants of adaptive capacity to climate change. The study used severity and problem confrontation index estimations to examine the farmers’ perceptions of climate warming and barriers to climate adaptation. The results indicated that the farmers were cognizant of climate change and its adverse impacts on their livelihood. It was evident that most surveyed rice farmers perceived changes in climatic conditions to affect rice production adversely. The farmers claimed that unpredictable weather conditions, limited farm size, inadequate farm labor, scarce water resources, high cost of farm inputs, and insufficient information on weather conditions had impeded their adoption of climate change adaptive strategies. Based on the results of the principal component analysis, economic resources, physical resources, information, human resources, and technology significantly influence smallholder farmers’ responsive ability to climate warming. Therefore, policymakers must design policy frameworks and measures that consider these significant factors explaining farmers’ constraints to climate change adaptation.

Smallholder sheep farmers’ perceived impact of water scarcity in the dry ecozones of South Africa: Determinants and response strategies

Water scarcity is amongst the major challenges threatening smallholder sheep production in subsistence-oriented communal farms in dryland areas. Local contextual factors are a prerequisite for effective policy development and optimisation of water resources management for smallholder sheep production. Two-hundred and fifty-two structured questionnaires were administered to investigate the contextual factors that influence smallholder farmers’ perceived impact of water scarcity on sheep production in the dry ecozones of the Cape provinces in South Africa and identify their local response strategies. Logit regression findings showed that a unit increase in private commercially-oriented arid farms, males, education level, flock size, adapted breeds and income from livestock increased farmers’ probability to perceive impact of water scarcity on sheep production. Regardless of ecozone and farm types, sheep farmers switched between water sources, provided supplementary feed and shade, used adapted breeds and alternative markets to manage the impact of water scarcity. Interventions to build resilience to water scarcity in the surveyed areas should target sheep farmers with low adaptive capacity, particularly less educated women relying on livestock income and farming with non-adapted breeds on subsistence-oriented communal farms in the semiarid ecozone.

Analysis of Factors Influencing Smallholder Farmers’ Participation in Non-Farm Employment Activities and Their Impact on Households’ Food Security: The Case of Mbire District, Mashonaland Central Province of Zimbabwe

This study investigates the factors influencing smallholder farmer’s decision to participate in non-farm employment activities and its impact on rural households’ food security status in the Mbire District of Zimbabwe. The analysis uses a treatment evaluation model and the associated propensity score matching (PSM) technique, which permits the comparison between the food security status of smallholder farmers who participate in non-farm employment activities and those who do not. Estimation of propensity scores enable us to identify the factors influencing smallholder farmers’ decision to diversify into non-farm employment activities. The results indicate that a number of demographic (gender and education of household head), infrastructural (internet access and distance to the main road) and farm level characteristics (land size, livestock herd owned and productive assets) have qualitative and quantitatively different impacts on rural households’ participation in non-farm employment activities. Further, the empirical analysis confirms that diversifying into non-farm employment activities improves rural households’ food security status. The results imply that non-farm employment activities can be a way out of food insecurity in Mbire district. The study therefore recommends the government and NGOs to induce the rural households to diversify into non-farm activities as they improve their food security status since the climatic conditions in the district are not well suitable for agricultural practices. Keywords: Non-farm employment; Propensity Score Matching (PSM); rural household food security; Mbire district of Zimbabwe DOI: 10.7176/JESD/11-22-06 Publication date: November 30 th 2020

Factors Influencing the Intensity of Adoption of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil Practices by Smallholder Farmers in Thailand.

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) was formed in 2004 in response to adverse environmental impacts caused by the expansion of oil palm production. It created voluntary standards to accelerate adoption of improved practices along the supply chain to ensure environmental benefits. However, the rate of adoption among smallholders of the practices RSPO recommends remains low. This study assessed the factors influencing smallholder farmers' adoption decisions and the intensity of adoption using primary data obtained from 723 randomly selected oil palm producers in the southern region of Thailand, of which 333 RSPO were adopters and 390 were non-adopters. The results of the binary logit and two-limit Tobit regressions revealed that total farm labor, farm size, number of training sessions attended, access to information, extension services, support services, and perceived ease of adoption of the practices had positive effects on the intensity of adoption. However, the age of oil palm trees negatively influenced the intensity of adoption. The results suggest that strengthening capacity building activities and extension services would increase the adoption of the RSPO practices among small-scale farmers.

Factors influencing adoption of improved structural soil and water conservation measures in Eastern Ethiopia

BackgroundAgriculture remains to be the leading sector that contributes enormously to economic development in Ethiopia. Despite its significant contribution to livelihoods, the sector faces persistent challenges due to depletion of natural resources and soil erosion that resulted in diminishing crop and livestock productivity. In order to curb the effects of land degradation, the Government of Ethiopia has been taking serious measures to expand Soil and Water Conservation (SWC) practices throughout the country. Despite the efforts made, the adoption of new practices by farmers have been generally low. This study was aimed at assessing factors influencing smallholder farmers’ decision on the use of improved structural SWC practices in Haramaya district, eastern Ethiopia. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 120 farm households and 248 plots. A structured interview schedule was used to collect primary data. Descriptive and inferential statistics and Multinomial Logit (MNL) regression model were used to analyze the data.ResultsThe key findings showed that a host of socio-demographic, economic and institutional factors significantly affected smallholders’ decision to adopt improved structural SWC. In this study, we found that education, farming experience, plot area, distance of the plot from dwelling unit, number of economically active household members, and extension contact were the significant predictors of using improved SWC structures.ConclusionsBased on our findings, we concluded that improved SWC measures should be scaled up through a concerted effort of extension workers, local administration and other relevant non-state actors. In particular, the extension system should encourage rural communities on sustainable management and use of natural resources. Moreover, the need to create learning opportunities through facilitating appropriate educational and training programs for farmers and focusing on proper management of available economically active household members should be emphasized.

Determinants of agricultural land management practices among smallholder farmers in the Wanka watershed, northwestern highlands of Ethiopia

Small-scale agriculture is an important livelihood in sub-Saharan Africa. In the face of land degradation, identifying the constraints to smallholder farmers in improving soil quality is important to inform institutional interventions. While previous policies and studies have concentrated on structural land management practices, less attention has been paid to farmers’ choice of land management strategies. This study examines the socio-economic, institutional, and agro-ecological factors that influence smallholder farmers’ land management practices, based on a case study of the Wanka watershed in the northwestern highlands of Ethiopia. Household survey questionnaires, key informant interviews and focus group discussions were used to gather data, which were analysed using descriptive statistics and a multinomial logit model. The study revealed that socio-economic factors (number of livestock, household size, plot size, farming experience, off-farm income) had a significant impact on mixed cropping and crop rotation, and the use of chemical fertiliser. Institutional factors (access to credit and extension services) strongly influenced farmers’ use of chemical/organic fertiliser and practice of mixed cropping, especially among younger farmers. Agro-ecological differences were also significant, the application of chemical fertiliser alone has decreased, but its practice in combination with crop rotation and drainage ditches increased, at lower elevations. The study concludes that the specific socio-economic circumstances of farmers, agro-ecological conditions of land, and institutional factors, need to be considered in the development of measures and policies that aim to encourage farmers to adopt additional land management practices to enhance sustainable agricultural production.

Do food certification standards guarantee small-sized farming enterprises access to better markets? Effectiveness of marketing contracts in Kenya

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of GLOBALGAP standards certification on farmer's preference for marketing contract choices including written contracts, oral contracts and spot contracts, as well as to establish the impact of marketing contracts on net returns from snap bean production in Kenya.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, we use a data collected from 446 Snap bean farmers in Kenya. Using a two-step selection Bourguignon Frontier and Gurgand (BFG) model and Propensity Score Matching (PSM), we analysed determinants of Global Gap Certification and other farming characteristics that influence smallholder farmers preference for marketing contracts and net returns from snap beans venture.FindingsResults indicate that attending GLOBALGAP training, GLOBALGAP subsidy support, membership to GLOBALGAP farmer's groups, and selling beans to GLOBALGAP certified GLOBALGAP buyers would significantly influence better returns underwritten marketing contracts. Producing snap beans underwritten marketing contracts would get farmer's net returns of between 1.8 and 8% while producing under oral and spot market contracts would earn farmer net returns of between 0.2 and 0.08 %.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to examine the influence of GLOBALGAP standards certification on marketing contract choices and net returns from snap bean production, while accounting for selectivity biasness.