Lack Of Credit Facilities Research Articles

ESTIMATING THE POVERTY STATUS AMONG GINGER WOMEN FARMERS IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

This research estimated the poverty status among ginger women farmers in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Primary data were used based on a well-designed questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Foster, Greer and Thorbecke (FGT) poverty index, Tobit regression model, and principal component model. The outcome shows that the average age, years of farming experience, and educational level approximate 48 years, 9 years, and 11 years respectively. The poverty line approximate 4, 172.06 Naira (1 USD = 1 104 Naira). The poverty incidence 〖(P〗_0) is approximated at 0.5298, this correspond to 52.98% of ginger women farmers are poor, this add up to the fact that 63 ginger women farmers are poor, while 57 ginger women farmers were non-poor. The poverty depth 〖(P〗_1) which express the depth of an average poor ginger women farmers from poverty line is calculated as 0.2876 this interpret that 28.76% of ginger women farmers are poor. The severity of poverty 〖(P〗_2) which express the distance of each poor ginger women farmers to one another was calculated at 0.1967, this stand for that 19.67% of the ginger women farmers were severely poor. The educational level, years of ginger farming, income from ginger farming, off- farm income and membership of cooperative were different significantly from zero in influencing poverty status among ginger women producers. The major limitations were lack of credit facilities, lack of access to land, and lack of farm inputs. Credit (finance) at single digit interest rate should be made available to ginger women producers.

An Analysis of Challenges Facing Smallholder Crop Farmers and Informal Food Traders in the Agri-Food Value Chain in Gauteng Province, South Africa

The study's main objective was to investigate the challenges faced by smallholder crop farmers and informal food traders in the agri-food value chain in Gauteng province. A sample of 32 smallholder crop farmers and 32 informal food traders was gathered using questionnaire surveys. The different challenges identified have negatively influenced the progress and development of these actors. For example, COVID-19 lockdown regulations have destroyed the trading jobs of informal food traders, directly affecting smallholder crop farmers' income. This was because informal food traders were identified as the major customers for smallholder crop farmers, as indicated by the study data. Other challenges faced by smallholder crop farmers included a small amount of arable land, lack of grower schemes, regulatory barriers, lack of agricultural management skills and extension services, and lack of credit facilities and resources. As part of the recommendations for the smallholder crop farmers, it was proposed that the Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development should improve policies on the reaction and management of shocks like COVID-19 in the economy to protect the vulnerable groups in society. Additional recommendations included addressing gender disparity in the smallholder crop farming sector as males dominated the agricultural sector; introducing easy eligibility criteria for micro-loan applications by DFIs to enable smallholder crop farmers to access loans; and the proposal for extensive arable land to aid smallholder crop farmers to expand and grow in their business trajectory. For the informal food traders, it was recommended that the municipal authority improve the by-laws that govern how informal food traders are treated.

Complexities and opportunities: A review of the trajectory of fish farming in Zimbabwe

AbstractZimbabwe is currently rated as one of the top 10 fish producers in Sub‐Saharan Africa. Fish farming in Zimbabwe is dominated by the culture of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) followed by rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Over 90% of the cultured fish is O. niloticus, which comes from Lake Kariba. Since the first decade of the 21st century, there has been a significant increase in fish production from two tons to eight tons annually. The increase in fish production has been attributed to the government and donor‐funded fishery programs. In this review, current practices, opportunities, and challenges for aquaculture in Zimbabwe are highlighted. The current practices include intensive, semi‐intensive, and extensive aquaculture systems. Consistent high market demand for fish and numerous water bodies with potential for cage culture are some of the drivers for aquaculture. Despite the industry's significant growth, there are still a number of management and production issues that need to be resolved. Weaknesses in structural issues and operational frameworks in Non‐Governmental Organizations, lack of credit facilities, subsidies, limited technology, obfuscated governance, weak fish disease surveillance mechanisms and legal frameworks, and constrained human resources capacity are some of the challenges plaguing fish culture in Zimbabwe. Cogent aquaculture policies, sustainable subsidies, intensive training of human resources and fisheries experts, strengthened disease surveillance, cheaper alternative fish feeds, reliable viable fingerling production, concerted value chain efforts, and exploration of lucrative export markets is a panacea for the fledgling aquaculture industry in Zimbabwe.

Training need assessment of women members in selected farmer producer organizations (FPOs) of Karnataka

Agriculture sector provides gainful employment and livelihood for majority of the population and contributes significantly to the national income and in India it accounts for 17.60 per cent of it’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Indian agricultural sector facing several challenges like small and fragmented land-holdings, climate change, diversification due to rapid urbanization, inadequate market and storage facilities, unorganized sector, lack of credit facilities and low knowledge on supply chain management and business plans. Hence the study was conducted in Karnataka during the year of 2022- 23. Study was carried out in three Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) from Karnataka have been selected. A total of 90 women members constitute the sample size. Data was collected through interview schedule and analyzed through mean scores and index percentage. Study concludes that, highest index score 81.11 was observed for training on skills for marketing of products at large scale and business skills and ranked I. Whereas, highest index score in personal constraint, expressed by majority of the women members was, they were unable to manage time between household work and FPO work with index score of (86.66) and it ranked I. With regard to marketing majority expressed that, price fluctuation every year and distress sale as a constraint with index score 81.11 and ranked I. Great majority (93.33) of FPO members expressed that, high initial share capital/membership charge in FPOs as a constraint and ranked I in administration. With respect to services and benefits more than half (56.66) of the respondents expressed that, non- availability of custom hiring services at FPO as a constrain and ranked I. Study results also indicated that great majority (93.33) of FPO members suggested that, they want proper guidance towards packaging, grading, branding, processing and marketing especially for value added products should be given by FPOs for better participation.

Profitability analysis of cut flower cultivation in Bangladesh: Constraints and opportunities

Bangladesh has immense potential for cut flower production and export to the world market. Although the export earnings from cut flower cultivation are gradually increasing in our country, production and profitability are hindered by some constraints. The present study was undertaken in Jashore (Jhikargachha) and Dhaka (Savar) districts to examine the financial profitability, constraints, and opportunities of cut-flower cultivation in Bangladesh. A total of 120 cut flower cultivating farmers were selected for interview in 2019, taking 60 sample farmers from each location. Multi-stage random sampling method was followed to collect primary data. For profitability analysis, two cut flowers, namely gladiolus and rose, were selected for the study. The result indicates that per hectare total cost, net return, and benefit-cost ratio (BCR) were Tk. 687439, Tk. 261509 and 1.38, respectively, for gladiolus cultivation. On the other hand, net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), and BCR of rose cultivation were Tk. 2325762, 146%, and 1.46, respectively, indicating that rose production is highly profitable to the farmers of the study areas. Despite such potentialities, cut flower cultivation was constrained by the requirement of high initial investment, lack of modern varieties, lack of credit facility, lack of storage facility, attack by pests & diseases, and uncertain market price. However, there is a huge scope to increase cut flower production by removing constraints in Bangladesh that can boost up livelihoods, incomes, and living conditions of rural people. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 13(2): 41-48, Dec 2023

Economic efficiency of smallholder okra (Abelmoschus species) production in Kaduna State, Nigeria: Implication for poverty alleviation

This study evaluated economic efficiency of smallholder okra (Abelmoschus species) production in Kaduna State, Nigeria: Implication for poverty alleviation. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 120 smallholder okra farmers. Primary sources of data were used. Data were analyzed using farm budgetary technique, financial analysis, stochastic production frontier model, allocative efficiency model, economic efficiency model, Tobit dichotomous regression model, and principal component model. The results show that the mean age of smallholder okra farmers was 43 years. Averagely, okra farmers had 1.8 hectares of farm land. The gross margin and net farm income of okra production per hectare was estimated at 619,325.77 Naira and 559, 194.76 Naira respectively. This signifies that the smallholder okra production was profitable. The mean technical, economic, and allocative efficiency scores were 0.7918, 0.5338, and 0.8345 respectively. The socio-economic factors influencing economic efficiency of smallholder okra production include: age (P<0.01), educational level (P< 0.10), marital status (P< 0.01), household size (P <0.01), farm size (P<0.01), and member of cooperative organization (P<0.05). The major constraints encountered by okra producers were lack of farm inputs, lack of credit facilities, and high cost of labour. The study recommended that farmers should be provided with improved variety of seeds, chemicals, credit facilities, and fertilizer inputs in order to increase their productivity and efficiency.

Contingent Valuation of Forest Produce in High Altitude Zone of Andhra Pradesh, India

The present study aims at estimating compound annual growth rate of forest area in the high altitude zone of Andhra Pradesh state. The study was based on secondary data, which were collected from various published and unpublished sources. The data related to forest area was collected for the period of 1990-91 to 2020-21. For detailed analysis, the whole period was divided into two sub-periods i.e., period I (1990-91 to 2004-05), period II (2006-07 to 2020-21). The overall compound growth rate of forest area under high altitude zone of Andhra Pradesh was positive (0.54 per cent). But negative growth rate (-0.0048 per cent) was found in area for the HAT Zone in period-I (1990-91 to 2005-06) and positive growth rate (1.74 per cent) was found in area for the HAT Zone in period-II (2006-07 to 2020-21). Compound annual growth rate of forest area was found positive in overall period for the high altitude zone. Contingent Valuation (CV) and its two arms like Willingness To Pay (WTP) and Willingness To Accept (WTA) are survey methods that were supposed to measure the value of non-market goods mainly for minor forest products. Willingness To Accept usually consists of getting the information from the producers on how much they are willing to accept to avoid a negative or to accept a positive outcome. The results showed that willingness to accept was significant for all minor forest products like beedi leaves (Diospyros melanoxylon), soap nut (Sapindus trifoliatus), honey, bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris), tamarind (Tamarindus indica), firewood, vegetables, mushroom, fruits and cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale). The empirical results revealed that producers were willing to accept a premium for these forest products but lack of store availability, lack of credit facilities and middlemen exploitation were the major problems faced by the producers for which a reliable regulatory system is necessary to mitigate the quality constraint problem of forest products.

An Analysis of the Challenges Faced by Small Scale Backyard Chicken Farmers of Dhemaji District of Assam

Aims: The present study was conducted to know the challenges faced by the small scale backyard chicken farmers of Dhemaji district of Assam.
 Study Design: The data obtained on various challenges faced by the farmers under the study were tabulated and analyzed statistically by using Garrett’s Ranking Technique.
 Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Dhemaji, Assam Agricultural University, Simen Chapori, Dhemaji, Assam during the year, 2020-21.
 Methodology: For the purpose, a questionnaire was prepared for surveying and data were collected about various challenges in backyard chicken rearing faced by the farmers of the district. The farmers were asked to identify the challenges he or she and the fellow farmers of their villages faced with respect to rearing of local chickens in their locality and to rank the challenges from 1 to 20 according to the seriousness of the challenges faced by them.
 Results: Lack of suitable germplasm was found to be the major challenge of poultry farmers with mean score of 74.89 and ranked first among the constraints in backyard chicken rearing. Higher incidence of diseases (68.95), unavailability of feed and feed ingredients (66.55) and mortality of young chicks (63.00) were ranked second, third and fourth major challenges, respectively. On the other hand, non availability of vaccine, higher cost of feeds and feed ingredients, lack of extension training or service, high cost of farm equipments were ranked fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth, respectively, as challenges in backyard chicken rearing. Lack of organized marketing facilities, lack of knowledge on scientific poultry farming, high cost of chicks, presence of middle man, higher mortality during brooding period, inability to diagnose sick birds, inadequate veterinary facilities, seasonal price fluctuations, high cost of medicaments, lack of credit facilities, social problems like damaging of the standing crops by the birds and complaint by neighbours, loss of birds due to predators or thieves were some other constraints of lower importance as indicated by the respondents for the backyard chicken farmers surveyed during the study.
 Conclusion: From the study, it can be concluded that the small scale backyard poultry farmers of Dhemaji district of Assam have a lot many challenges in chicken rearing in village conditions, the major being the lack of suitable germplasm and higher incidence of diseases. To address such problems there should be proper initiatives from government level as well as in farmers’ collaborative approach to introduce some newly developed improved chicken breeds and awareness about proper disease prevention and bio-security measures and creation of other facilities.

Analysis of the Constraints Influencing Artisanal Fisheries along Shiroro and Kainji Dams, Nigeria

This study analyzed the constraints influencing artisanal fisheries along Shiroro and Kainji dams, Nigeria. Questionnaire was used to collect data from 460 respondents. Multi-stage and proportionate sampling techniques were used in selecting the respondents. Descriptive statistical tools (frequency distribution, percentages, mean and ranking) were used for data analysis. The results of the study showed that majority of the respondents were male (82.2%) and were within the age (51.3%) bracket of 29-41years, indicating that respondents were middle aged fishers who fall within the active fishing age. Majority (87.0%) of the fishers were married with an average household size of 6 persons. The study found out that the constraints faced by the fishers to include high cost of fishing gear (72.8%) which is the most serious constraint, closely followed by lack of credit facilities (50.7%) and lack of modern equipment (50.2%). The findings on interventions received by the fisher’s shows that majority of the respondents (44.4%) received fishing gears, closely followed by improved market structures (37.6%) and provision of roads linking villages (37.2%). Findings on the strategies towards the development of artisanal fisheries reveal that (70.9%) fishers ranked 1st supported enhanced extension service delivery, (67.8%) respondents’ ranked 2nd suggested provision of credit facility and (55.4%) respondent’s ranked 3rd supported provision of processing facilities. Conclusively, the research showed that, fishing activity is an important livelihood activity in the lives of the fishers along the two dams. The constraints that faced the industry such as high cost of fishing gears, lack of credit facilities etc hindered full realization of the potentials of the industry. The study therefore, recommended that financial institutions should grant credit facilities to fishers and their educational level should be improved.

PROFITABILITY ANALYSIS OF UPLAND RICE PRODUCTION AMONG RESOURCE POOR FARMERS IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA: A STOCHASTIC PROFIT EFFICIENCY FRONTIER APPROACH

This research work analyzed profitability of upland rice production among resource poor farmers in Kaduna State, Nigeria: A stochastic profit efficiency frontier approach. A Multi-stage sampling technique was employed. Data of primary sources were collected through the use of a well-designed and a well-structured questionnaire from 150 sampled rice farmers. The outcomes show that the mean age of the sampled rice farmers was 42 years. The average farm size cultivated by the rice farmers was 3.18 hectares which show that the rice farmers were small scale farmers. The gross margin obtained was N522,188.16/ha with the gross margin ratio of 0.564 and the operating ratio of 0.392 indicating that rice production was a profitable enterprise. The significant factors influencing profit efficiency of rice production were: fertilizer cost (P<0.01), cost of hired labour (P<0.01), cost of chemical and herbicide (P<0.01), seed cost (P<0.01), transportation cost P<0.01 and cost of land and machineries (P<0.05). The constraints facing farmers in the course of rice production were: lack of credit facilities, inadequate extension agents, bad road infrastructures, lack of farm inputs, high cost of fertilizers, and high cost of labour. The study recommends that rice farmers should be provided with farm inputs like: improved seeds varieties, fertilizers, and agro chemicals at a subsidized price in order to improve productivity and profit efficiency, farm machineries like tractors, and irrigation facilities for dry season rice farming should be made avialable by Nigerian government to rice farmers to encourage mechanized farming all year round to ensure there is food security in the country.

Technical efficiency of agroforestry production technology among smallholder farmers in Kaduna State, Nigeria

This study evaluated technical efficiency of agroforestry production technology among smallholder farmers in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was adopted. A total sample size of 120 smallholder agroforestry farmers was used. Primary data were collected with the aid of structured and well-designed questionnaire. Analytical tools used were: descriptive statistics, farm budgeting techniques, financial analysis, stochastic production frontier model, and principal component model. About 85% of agroforestry farmers were male, while 15% were female. Also, 87.50% of agroforestry farmers were less than 50 years of age. The mean age was 45 years. Furthermore, 85% of agroforestry farmers had formal education and were literate. The household sizes were large with mean value of 6 members per household. The agroforestry systems practiced include: alley farming, shelterbelts, wind breaks, home gardens, api-silviculture, aqua-forestry, retaining tree on farm land, taungya systems, farmed parkland, and silvo-pasture. The result of the farm budgetary technique show that agroforestry farming was profitable among the smallholder farmers in the study area. The result of the maximum likelihood estimates shows that the significant factors influencing output of agroforestry production technology were: seed input (P<0.05), farm size input (P<0.01), fertilizer input (P<0.10), labour input (P<0.10), and chemical input (P<0.01). The significant factors influencing technical inefficiency of agroforestry production technology were: gender (P<0.10), marital status (P<0.01), education level (P<0.01), experience in agroforestry production (P<0.01) and size of households (P<0.10). The average technical efficiency score obtained by the smallholder agroforestry farmers was 40.18%. The constraints facing agroforestry farmers include: lack of training and capacity building, inadequate extension officers, lack of improved seeds, lack of credit facilities, lack of fertilizers, and lack of agroforestry tree seedlings. The study recommends that agroforestry tree seedlings should be made available to farmers, credit facilities should be provided for easy access to agroforestry production technologies, extension officers should be employed, and improved seeds, fertilizers should be provided for increased productivity.

CONSTRAINTS FACED BY MUSTARD GROWERS IN ADOPTION OF IMPROVED MUSTARD CULTIVATION PRACTICES IN PRAYAGRAJ DISTRICT OF UTTAR PRADESH

The present study was conducted in Prayagraj District of Uttar Pradesh to find out the constraints faced by mustard growers in adoption of improved mustard cultivation practices. A total of 120 respondents were selected randomly for the present study. The data were collected through a pre-structured interview schedule and appropriate statistical analysis was done to find out the association. It was found that unavailability of seed at time, lack of credit facility at time, lack of hybrid seed, lack of training programme related with improved practices, lack of proper market facilities were major constraints faced by the mustard growers in adoption of improved mustard cultivation practices.

ADOPTION OF GOOD AGRONOMIC PRACTICES BY TOMATO FARMERS IN RURAL GHANA: AN APPLICATION OF THE UNIFIED THEORY OF ACCEPTANCE AND USE OF TECHNOLOGY

This study uses the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology framework to analyze tomato farmers' intention and actual use of good agronomic practices (GAPs). Using a structured questionnaire, data were collected from 300 tomato farmers selected through the multi-stage sampling procedure. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results reveal the three practices with the highest level of awareness: fertilizer application, weed control, and pest control. The GAPs practiced mostly by the tomato farmers are fertilizer application, row planting, disease control, and weed control. Results of the Tobit regression model show the extent (intention and actual use) of adoption of GAPs by tomato farmers is influenced by the age of the farmer, years spent in school, years in farming, sources of information, membership of farmer groups, availability of market, performance expectation, and social influence. The results from the study also show that among the major challenges affecting the use of GAPs, lack of credit facilities was ranked first. This study recommends that with the aid of Agricultural Extension Agents, farmers should form cooperatives to enable them to get access to financial support and enable extension workers to easily have access to them.

Evaluation of maize farmers’ attitude towards risk management and preference for crop insurance in Nigeria

This study focused on evaluation of maize farmers’ attitude towards risk management and preference for crop insurance in Nigeria. Multi-stage method of sampling was used. One hundred (100) maize producers were sampled and selected. Primary sources of data were used for this study and the data were collected through the use of well-structured and well-designed questionnaire. Econometrics and statistical tools employed were used for data analysis. The results obtained show that 51% of maize farmers were risk averse, 21% were risk preferring, and 28% were risk neutral. Age, gender, and education level were statistically and significant predictors influencing risk averse attitudes of maize farmers. Age, farm size, household size, gender, risk aversion, education level, and access to agricultural extension services were the statistically and significant predictors influencing preference of maize farmers for crop insurance policy. Garrett index ranking technique employed for risk management strategies and crop insurance policy adopted by maize farmers show that crop diversification was ranked 1st, weather information was ranked 2nd, crop insurance was ranked 3rd, and off-farm activities was ranked 4th respectively. The results of constraints faced by maize producers revealed that lack of extension services was ranked 1st, lack of credit facilities was ranked 2nd, inadequate knowledge of agricultural insurance was ranked 3rd, high premium of agricultural insurance was ranked 4th, while lack of fertilizer was ranked 5th respectively. The constraints retained explained 74.85% of all constraints in the analysis. The study recommends that extension officers should be employed to disseminate research results, innovations and information on risk management strategies and crop insurance to maize farmers. Weather information should be made available to maize farmers, and credit facilities at low interest rate should be provided to maize farmers. Bureaucratic process and cumbersome administrative procedures in accessing credit facilities should be removed.

Role of Rural Women Entrepreneurship in Household Food Security: The Case of Boloso Sore Woreda, Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

This study attempts to assess the current status of women entrepreneurship in the study area, analyse the contribution of Entrepreneurship to Household food security and find constraints affecting rural women Entrepreneurship in Boloso Sore woreda, Wolaita Zone. Data were collected from 120 sample rural women entrepreneurs in three Kebele Administrations using random sampling techniques. Primary data were collected by conducting a rural women entrepreneur survey. In addition, key informant interviews were used. Secondary data were collected from various sources. Finally, the data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics such as mean, percentage, and frequency distribution. Moreover, the chi-square test was used to describe the relation of rural women-owned businesses type with an education background. Food security was measured by the expenditure method. All the study sample rural women entrepreneurs were married and had large size family. With the increasing family size, cultivating land size is highly decreasing proportionally. Hence, an annually harvested product from farmland cannot feed for more than two months; the above facts push factors into entrepreneurship activities. Types of businesses owned by the sample population were retail, manufacturing, service render and others which most educated entrepreneurs operating from retail businesses: fruit, used cloths and mini-shop retail and from service render businesses: rural cafeteria, rural alcohol grocery and rural restaurant services, while illiterate entrepreneurs operating from retail businesses: flour, grain, vegetables and coffee and all manufacturing businesses (Brewing borde, baking enjera, brew kinoto, baking bread) and others such as Vegetative plant trade and Livestock Trade. The majority of entrepreneurs started operating mentioned businesses ten years. The Source of the initial capital of the study sample was self-saving and household deposit. While household food expenses in a week mean 195 Birr, businesses contribute 63% of the household total food expenditure in a week. According to food security status, most study sample populations are highly food secure. With look upon problems, lack of market and lack of credit facilities are dominating problems. Because of daily food expenses, working financial capital is not increasing. However, Rural Women Entrepreneurship is profitable and dramatically contributes to household food security.

FACTORS INFLUENCING ADOPTION OF IMPROVED CASSAVA- GARRI PROCESSING TECHNOLOGIES AMONG RURAL WOMEN IN VANDEIKYA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

The study assessed factors influencing adoption of improved cassava processing technologies: a case of cassava - garri processing among rural women in Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue state, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 160 respondents for the study. Primary data were collected with the use of structured questionnaire instrument and were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. The result revealed that the mean age of the farmers was 39 years with majority (94%) of them married. The result further showed that more than half (53%) had primary education with a mean household size of 9 persons and mean garri processing experience of 10 years. The mean annual income of the women was N90953 with majority (82%) not belonging to any cooperative society. The result further showed that only 18% of the respondents have had visits from the extension agents in the last two years and only 16% of the respondents accessed credit for their processing enterprise. Mechanical grater had the highest adoption level of 88% followed by the screw press (54%). This level of adoption can be regarded as low. Age (-.0489), years of processing experience (.0581), membership of cooperative society (.0588) and annual income (.3359) of processors were the factors that influenced farmers’ adoption of improved garri processing technologies in the study area. The major constraints to adoption of improved garri processing technologies were high cost of technology (83%), lack of awareness of some technologies (61%), lack of credit facilities (34%). The study recommends subsidization of these improved technologies so that processors could afford to purchase and make use of them. Awareness creation on the existence and importance of these technologies should be strengthened among cassava processors to enhance more adoption of the technologies.

Determinants for Deployment of Climate-Smart Integrated Pest Management Practices: A Meta-Analysis Approach

Following the development and dissemination of new climate-smart agricultural technologies to farmers globally, there has been an increase in the number of socio-economic studies on the adoption of climate-smart integrated pests’ management (CS-IPM) technologies over the years. In this study, we review empirical evidence on adoption determinants of CS-IPM technologies and identify possible science–policy interfaces. Generally, our review shows that socioeconomic and institutional factors are influential in shaping CS-IPM adoption decisions of farmers. More specifically, income was found to positively influence the adoption of CS-IPM technologies while land size owned influences CS-IPM adoption negatively. Registered land tenure (registered secure rights) positively influences CS-IPM technologies’ adoption, implying that efficient land markets enable competitive and fair distribution and access to land, more so by the vulnerable but efficient smallholder producers that do indeed increase the adoption of CS-IPMs technologies. Social capital, achieved via farmers’ organizations is also central in fostering CS-IPM technologies’ adoption, just as market reforms that minimize market failures regarding access to credit, labor, and agricultural information, which could indirectly hinder farmers’ use of CS-IPM practices. Functional extension systems that improve farmers’ awareness of CS-IPM do also improve CS-IPM technologies’ adoption. However, the adoption of CS-IPM technologies in Ghana and Benin is slow-paced because of factors like lack of access to farm inputs that facilitate uptake of these technologies, lack of credit facilities, and limited extension services, among others. Interestingly, our review confirms that CS-IPM technologies do indeed reduce and minimize the intensity of pesticide usage and foster ecosystem (environmental and human) health. Therefore, this review unearths strategic determinants of CS-IPM adoption and makes fundamental guidance around climate-smart innovations transfer and environmental policies that should be prioritized to curb environmental pollution and ensure agricultural ecosystems’ sustainability.

Estimation of Marketed Surplus and Constraints in Production and Marketing of Milk in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh

The present study entitled “Estimation of marketed surplus and constraints in production and marketing of milk in the Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh” was undertaken to know about Marketed surplus, marketing channels, and problems in the production and marketing of milk. The study has been undertaken in Paravada mandal of Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh during the Agricultural year 2021-2022. A total of 100 respondents were analyzed and data is interpreted. And respondents were categorized into three groups based on the number of milch animals. The overall average milk production is 19087.68 liters. The total quantity of milk production is 54389.21 liters. Out of this, family consumption is 957.95 liters, the marketable surplus is 18129.73 liters and the marketed surplus is 18129.73 liters with 5.0, 95.0, and 95.0 percent respectively. The total marketed surplus is 54389.21 liters with a value of Rs. 2387503.05. Lack of technical guidance for farmers, high cost of crossbreed animals, and lack of credit facilities are major problems in the production category. Less knowledge about marketing strategies and lack of technical guidance are the major marketing constraints faced by farmers in the study area. Some measures suggested to farmers and policymakers are there is a need for training for farmers regarding the dairy farming and how they attain the maximum profits from this sector, Dairy co-operative societies, and Cooperative milk plants should come together and provide incentives for the farmers. Institutional sources should provide easy way loans to farmers without any collateral. And with fewer interest rates.

Adoption behaviour of Farmers and Constraints towards Improved Sugarcane Cultivation Practices in Dimapur District of Nagaland

Adoption of the improved technology is the ultimate aim for enhancing the production and income of the farming system. This study was conducted in Kuhuboto block of Dimapur district, Nagaland during the session 2021-22. Through proportionate random sampling procedure, a total number of 120 respondents from 4 villages were selected. The findings revealed that around 54.1 per cent of the respondents were middle aged group with a primary level education of 42.5 per cent had medium level annual income of 68.33 per cent and medium size land holding of 45.84 per cent. Majority of the respondents have a nuclear type of family having upto five members and semi-cemented type of house had medium (10-20) years of farming experience, use of sources of information, mass media exposure and level of extension contact. The findings also revealed that around 71.66 per cent of respondents are medium category adopters. In respect of correlation analysis between adoption level and the independent variables like age, occupation, annual income, farming experience and source of information are significantly associated with adoption of sugarcane growers. The major problems experienced by the respondents were lack of proper resources and capital, costly critical inputs, lack of proper market facilities, lack of credit facility at time, lack of technical knowledge, unavailability of seed at time, lack of knowledge about major insect- pest diseases & their control, lack of training program related with improved practices etc. Thus, the study suggests for immediate attention of the extension functionary for convincing the sugarcane growers which would result in the higher adoption and income.

PERCIEVED CONSTRAINTS TO SOYA BEAN VALUE ADDITION AMONG PROCESSORS IN GOMBE STATE, NIGERIA

The study examines the perceived constraint to soya bean value addition among processors in Gombe state, Nigeria. This study mainly used primary data. This study has the objectives of determining the socioeconomic factors that influenced the choice of technologies used and the constraints to small scale soybean processing firms. Using well-structured questionnaire, multi stage random sampling technique was used to select 240 soya milk and soya cake processing firms in three (3) agricultural zones of Gombe State. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics in the form of percentages, mean, frequencies and Likert scale type (strongly agreed, agreed, disagree and strongly disagree with assigned nominal value of 4, 3, 2, and 1 respectively, were used to assessed the constraints in the soya bean value addition. In assessing the cut of points for decision, any item that received a mean score of 3.0 was regarded as serious constraints. The study found that the age, household size. Lack of capital, lack of credit facilities, inadequate power and water supplies, high and multiple taxation were constraint to soya bean processing in the study area the factors that the processors experienced as constrain in soya bean processing at an average rating of 3.5% for soya milk and soya cake on a 4-point Likert rating scale respectively. Further it was showed that there was significant difference in the participation of men and women in soybean processing into soya cake and soymilk. Provision of credit facilities, granting of tax incentives and provision of adequate power and water supply to soybean processors were some of the policy recommendations proffered. It is therefore necessary that various stakeholders and government to encourage and mobilized male to actively participate. This will boost soya bean processing and value addition; High governmental levies and taxation is hindering the soya bean value addition and processing. It is therefore necessary for the government to waiver for soya bean processing and value addition.