Landless Farmers Research Articles

Nitrogen use efficiencies, flows, and losses of typical dairy farming systems in Inner Mongolia

Dairy farming is a notable source of nitrogen (N) emissions, impacting both atmospheric and aquatic ecosystems, thus necessitating a detailed analysis of nutrient dynamics to curtail nutrient wastage. However, N flow variability and its environmental ramifications differ markedly among dairy farms, and a holistic understanding of these differences is lacking in Inner Mongolia, the biggest dairy production province in China. Utilizing data from 187 dairy farms and employing the NUFER-farm model, this study assessed N flows, N use efficiency (NUE), and N losses across four predominant dairy farming systems in Inner Mongolia. These systems include traditional pastoral dairy farms (PF), smallholder dairy farms with croplands (SF), industrial landless farms (IDF), and coupled dairy cattle and cropland-intensive farms (CDF). Our findings indicate considerable differences in N flows, NUE, and losses among the systems. On average, N deposition and N fertilizer were the primary N sources for PF and SF, respectively, whereas IDF and CDF derived over 90% of their N inputs from purchased feeds. PF and SF recycled all available manure N on-farm, whereas IDF and CDF recycled only approximately 36% of the total available manure N. N losses constituted 39–72% of total N outputs, with ammonia emissions accounting for 68–73% of total N losses across all farm types. In particular, PF had a higher N loss per kilogram of dairy product than other systems. Farm-level NUE ranged from 17 to 35%, with manure management practices showing significant variability, underscoring the potential for enhanced strategies to reduce N losses through improved manure treatment.

Customary Land Tenure and Landless Farmers in Java, Indonesia: The Challenges and Prospects for Sustainable Development

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the tenurial system of customary land in Java, its deficiency, the accompanying consequences on land access, and the identification of modes of improvement in order to accelerate rural development. Theoretical framework: This study was based on theories of rural development and decentralization, with a specific focus on landless farmers. Method: This study employed qualitative method to analyze the tenurial system of customary land in Java. Data were collected through two steps, first, observations, interviews, and documentaries were conducted to understand the realities of customary land tenure from the descriptive statistics and narratives of local officers. Second, a focus group discussion involving local officers and villagers was held to present the initial findings, formulate a new tenancy system, and analyze the possibilities of its application in village administration. Results and conclusion: Based on the villages in the Grobogan District of Central Java Province, this study showed that land use causes unequal access to landless farmers. The land management methods to finance village development programs are currently irrelevant in the framework of recent decentralization. A system that can benefit landless farmers is contract farming. Implications of research: This study provided evidence-based information for policymakers to improve the use of customary land for landless farmers and an additional reference for rural development in the world. Originality/value: Studies on Indonesian rural development have shown the strategic position of customary lands in Indonesia, especially in Java. However, little is known about the potential of customary lands to achieve sustainable rural development, as this issue is still inadequately addressed in the literature. This led to the implementation of this study, with the objectives of analyzing the tenurial system of customary land in Java, its deficiency, and accompanying consequences on land access, alongside identifying improvement approaches in order to accelerate rural development.

A vital component of India's rural economy, the livestock industry employs millions of marginal, small and landless farmers and substantially contributes to the country's food supply. The cattle industry has shown resilience throughout time, continuously registering positive growth rates despite hardships like droughts. Small and marginal farmers mostly depend on cattle as a source of income, devoting a sizeable amount

A vital component of India's rural economy, the livestock industry employs millions of marginal, small and landless farmers and substantially contributes to the country's food supply. The cattle industry has shown resilience throughout time, continuously registering positive growth rates despite hardships like droughts. Small and marginal farmers mostly depend on cattle as a source of income, devoting a sizeable amount

Research on Compensation System of Land Expropriation and Requisition

With the development of our country's economy and the advancement of the urbanization process, the demand for land is increasing, and the phenomenon of land requisition to the countryside around the cities is becoming more and more common, affecting farmers' interests and the social security problem of landless farmers has become increasingly prominent. To deal with the land problem is the most important in the sustainable development of national economy, and the land expropriation compensation system is an important system to maintain the social stability of our country, and an important basis for rational allocation of land resources in our country. Therefore, it is particularly important to perfect the land expropriation compensation system in our country. Relevant government departments should determine reasonable compensation standards for land expropriation based on public interests, so as to reflect the rationality of land expropriation. At the same time, we should improve the compensation measures for land expropriation and requisition to ensure the maximization of farmers' interests.

Assessment of sustainability attributes of traditional and conventional maize cultivation in farmer agricultural systems

Objective: To carry out a comparative analysis of the sustainability of traditional and conventional maize cultivation systems in Cuanacaxtitlán. Design/Methodology/Approach: The proposal was implemented through a mixed method approach in which a qualitative research predominated. A sustainability assessment for the 23 farmer systems of maize production in Cuanacaxtitlán was carried out, according to the Indicator-Based Sustainability Assessment Framework (Marco para la Evaluación de Sistemas de Manejo Incorporando Indicadores de Sustentabilidad: MESMIS). Results: The sustainability level between the two types of agroecosystems does not differ much. According to the chosen indicators, TMS is more sustainable in the environmental and economic aspect, while CMS is more sustainable in the social aspect. The average profitability of TMS is better as a result of the milpa profits. Study Limitations/Implications: Family Production Units (FPUs) do not own their lands, which limits the improvement of profitability and sustainability in maize production. To this end, land distribution or support programs for landless farmers is important. Findings/Conclusions: Among the 23 systems under analysis, critical values were obtained for two environmental indicators: fertilizer application and pesticide use. Therefore, improving the use of these inputs is an important task.

PELAKSANAAN REDISTRIBUSI TANAH DALAM RANGKA REFORMA AGRARIA DI KABUPATEN KUBU RAYA

The agrarian reform program launched by the government basically aims to improve the welfare of the people, especially landless farmers. Through Presidential Regulation Number 86 of 2018 concerning Agrarian Reform, the government is trying to redistribute land for farmers, including those carried out in Kubu Raya Regency. However, in practice the land redistribution program carried out by the government isn’t in accordance with the procedures stipulated in Presidential Regulation Number 86 of 2018. Of the 10 access arrangement activities as stated in Presidential Regulation Number 86 of 2018, only 2 activities were carried out by Kubu Raya District Land Office. Before carrying out the implementation of land redistribution, the Land Office must first make a plan which is preceded by the preparation of operational instructions. Counseling on land redistribution activities should be carried out at the planning stage. In practice, the Kubu Raya Land Office doesn’t go through established mechanisms or procedures and directly conducts counseling at the implementation stage of activities that should have been carried out at the planning stage. In addition, the Land Office doesn’t control land whose area exceeds the maximum land ownership limit, which the government wants to control through the agrarian reform program.

Narratives of inequality. Towards an archaeology of structural violence in Late Iron Age Scandinavia

Abstract To date, traditional narratives of the Late Iron Age have focused almost exclusively on discussions of the elite. These were the martial rulers and major landholders who occupied the upper strata of Scandinavian society. The lives of lower-status population groups, including enslaved and other ‘unfree’ or dependent peoples such as landless farmers, have long been marginalized in archaeological discourse. We have little knowledge of the ways in which the lifeways of subaltern peoples were shaped by the construction and maintenance of socio-political hierarchies and networks, or of how social inequality permeated and impacted the daily lives of communities. In this article, the authors propose that the concept of structural violence, developed by sociologist Johan Galtung, has the potential to offer an interdisciplinary framework for multi-proxy studies of (bio)archaeological and textual data.

Impact of Priority Sector Lending in Agriculture: A Study on Select Districts in West Bengal

In India, until the late sixties, commercial banks mainly provided loans to big trade houses for commerce, trade, and business. The stream of loans toward priority sectors, primarily agriculture, weaker segments, and small businesses, is scarce. However, India cannot achieve balanced, equitable, and sustainable growth and development without developing the agriculture sector, given that over 50% of the population is involved. After the nationalization of commercial banks, the broad categories under priority sectors were agriculture, small-scale industry, and exports. The paper relies on primary data about priority sector lending in the agricultural industry of selected blocks in West Bengal to assess the effectiveness of PSL in this sector. The paper employs suitable statistical tools to measure the efficacy. Based on the analysis, results, and findings, the paper offers suggestions to improve the situation of small and marginal farmers and landless farmers, the central portion (around 85% of the agriculture sector) in West Bengal.

Lifestyle Transitions in ‘Monga’-Affected Regions: A Micro-Level Study in Northern Bangladesh

This study examines the gradual lifestyle changes in the Monga-affected regions of northern Bangladesh, focusing mainly on the Nilphamari district. Monga, a cyclical phenomenon, exacerbates unemployment, food shortages, and poverty, forcing many agricultural workers to abandon farming. This research explores Monga's impact on vulnerable populations and their coping strategies, including migration to urban areas for low-wage employment. A qualitative methodology was employed, including in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with 30 randomly selected respondents from Dimla Upazila in the Nilphamari district. Findings reveal that illiterate labourers and marginal and landless farmers are most affected, often migrating to cities seasonally for survival despite harsh conditions, relying on microcredit loans and the mercy of nature. Lifestyle changes at both the micro and macro levels are found in Monga-affected zones; changes include variations in consumption, livelihood, challenges, and social costs in personal and community relationships and diversification in agriculture. Government and NGO interventions play a critical role in alleviating these challenges by creating alternative employment opportunities. The study's limitations include a small sample size and geographical focus, which may limit the generalizability of its findings. However, the practical implications suggest that targeted interventions can mitigate Monga's impact, offering valuable insights for policymakers. This research provides original insights into the socioeconomic transformations caused by Monga, shedding light on the survival strategies of the affected population.

A Global Assessment of the State of Plant Health.

The Global Plant Health Assessment (GPHA) is a collective, volunteer-based effort to assemble expert opinions on plant health and disease impacts on ecosystem services based on published scientific evidence. The GPHA considers a range of forest, agricultural, and urban systems worldwide. These are referred to as (Ecoregion × Plant System), i.e., selected case examples involving keystone plants in given parts of the world. The GPHA focuses on infectious plant diseases and plant pathogens, but encompasses the abiotic (e.g., temperature, drought, and floods) and other biotic (e.g., animal pests and humans) factors associated with plant health. Among the 33 (Ecoregion × Plant System) considered, 18 are assessed as in fair or poor health, and 20 as in declining health. Much of the observed state of plant health and its trends are driven by a combination of forces, including climate change, species invasions, and human management. Healthy plants ensure (i) provisioning (food, fiber, and material), (ii) regulation (climate, atmosphere, water, and soils), and (iii) cultural (recreation, inspiration, and spiritual) ecosystem services. All these roles that plants play are threatened by plant diseases. Nearly none of these three ecosystem services are assessed as improving. Results indicate that the poor state of plant health in sub-Saharan Africa gravely contributes to food insecurity and environmental degradation. Results further call for the need to improve crop health to ensure food security in the most populated parts of the world, such as in South Asia, where the poorest of the poor, the landless farmers, are at the greatest risk. The overview of results generated from this work identifies directions for future research to be championed by a new generation of scientists and revived public extension services. Breakthroughs from science are needed to (i) gather more data on plant health and its consequences, (ii) identify collective actions to manage plant systems, (iii) exploit the phytobiome diversity in breeding programs, (iv) breed for plant genotypes with resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses, and (v) design and implement plant systems involving the diversity required to ensure their adaptation to current and growing challenges, including climate change and pathogen invasions.

Introducing kalinga brown : Assessing performance and economic benefits for landless scheduled caste farmers of rural Karnataka

Introducing kalinga brown : Assessing performance and economic benefits for landless scheduled caste farmers of rural Karnataka

Cocoa production, farmlands, and the galamsey: Examining current and emerging trends in the ASM-agriculture nexus

In this paper, we build on the diverse discussions on the nexus between artisanal and small-scale mining and agriculture to examine emerging relationships between mining operators, smallholder cocoa farmers, and landowners in rural cocoa-growing communities. Empirically, we draw on fresh insights from in-depth interviews with loosely coupled chain actors in Ghana's cocoa and mining sectors, we found what we call ‘coerced to sell’ strategies deployed by miners in the acquisition of farmlands for their operations. We go further to shed light on the employment trajectories of the new breed of landless farmers, and the emerging diversification strategies of landowners. Implications of our findings for the policy and practice of ASM and farmlands are outlined.

Research on the Problem of Rural Family Pension under the Background of Urbanization in China

There are mainly two forms of old-age security in rural areas in China, family-supported and social-supported, among which the family-supported model still occupies the mainstream position. However, in the context of urbanization, under the dual influence of rural labor outflow and urban lifestyle, rural family old-age security is facing the transformation of core functions, the lack of old-age security for landless farmers, and the lack of spiritual support for farmers. To solve the problem of rural family pensions, we need to work together in many ways. Based on this, the author believes that to solve the problem of rural old-age care. The whole society needs to work together in three aspects: building a cultural atmosphere, deepening the reform of the supply side of old-age care, and improving the old-age security policy, in order to alleviate the problems caused by the decline of the function of rural family old-age care.

From Laborers to Coffee Farmers: Collaborative Forest Management in West Java, Indonesia

Collaborative forest management (CFM) is assumed to provide benefits for improving the condition of the forest ecology and the community’s economy. However, its effectiveness is often debated, particularly regarding the involvement of poor and landless farmers in program implementation. In this relation, this study examines a CFM program implementation in Bandung District, West Java, the so-called Pengelolaan Hutan Bersama Masyarakat (PHBM). The study combined qualitative and quantitative approaches in collecting data. GIS analysis and vegetation identification supported this study. The study shows that the PHBM program implementation in the study area provided benefits for improving forest ecological conditions and the livelihood of the farmers. This study also suggests that poor or landless farmers could secure their rights and access to the forest; they became coffee farmers. Despite this, to ensure the sustainability of the program, especially the involvement of the poor and landless farmers, support from the government is very much needed.

Research on land system reform based on improving rural social security

With the increase of the actual population in rural areas and the increase of the number of landless farmers caused by land acquisition in the process of urbanization, the function of land is increasingly transformed to bear the survival guarantee function of farmers. In order to ensure the equal distribution of land, China's rural areas implement the collective property right system, but there are many imperfections in the current land property right system, which deeply limits the rural land circulation and the formation of the land market. Based on a brief analysis of rural social security rights, this paper analyzes the social security functions and contradictions of rural land in China since the reform and opening up, and puts forward reform measures based on perfecting rural social security system. This paper holds that in order to find a way to develop rural social security suitable for China's national conditions, we must first correctly handle the relationship between rural land system and rural social security.

Farmers Producer Organization (FPO): How it is changing farming scenario

Farmer producer organization (FPOs) is egalitarian farming association that is registered as an institution under various legal act like Company Act, Co-operative Society Act, Trust act etc. The aggregation of marginal, small and landless farmers as FPOs has helped increase market linkages to improve farmers’ income and economic strength. It provides end-to-end services and support to the small farmers and covers marketing, technical services, processing, marketing and other aspects of cultivation inputs. The aim of the FPOs is to increase the income for the producers through an organisation of their own. As farmers confront a variety of difficulties such as limited access to land and water, impassable roads, a lack of adequate financial services, the adoption of new technology and chain of intermediaries in agricultural marketing often works non-transparently, leading to a situation where the producer receives only a small portion of the value that the ultimate consumer pays. The FPOs will help to eliminate the chain of intermediaries in agricultural marketing.

The Role of Rural Indian Women in Livestock Production

India is an agriculturally based nation, and a significant portion of its livestock sector is controlled by women. Women have a lot of options to increase their income by working in the livestock sector. Livestock provides meat, milk, eggs, and other food products, which are generally considered key assets for rural livelihood, that are dietary staples for population. For the women's livelihood and to help ensure the food security of the household, livestock is a crucial non-land productive asset. The tiny, marginal, and landless farmers in rural areas are the owners of more than 70% of the livestock. Compared to male workers, self-employed women are more likely to work in livestock production. Women add value and market the majority of animal farming activities, including fodder collection, feeding, watering, health care, animal management, milking, and household-level processing. Although rural women have a significant role in livestock management activities, however, their participation is low in certain decision-making activities. The present review elaborates in detail on the contribution of women in livestock management activities, different constraints faced by them in the livestock sector, and different areas where successful interventions can be undertaken to address the challenges faced by women in the livestock sector.

Determinants of nitrogen use efficiency and gaseous emissions assessed from farm survey: A case of wheat in Bangladesh

CONTEXTNitrogen (N) is an essential input for food production, but at the same time N raises serious concerns for air, water and soil pollution due to its overuse. Research shows that N use is influenced by socio-economic factors beyond the environmental circumstances while heavily depending on the agronomic practices and technologies used. Micro-level studies based on real farm observations are still scarce in this context. OBJECTIVETherefore, this study estimated N use efficiency (NUE) and its climatic and socio-economic determinants, as well as N2O and NH3 emissions from organic and inorganic fertiliser-amended fields. METHODSThrough exploring primary data collected from 155 wheat growers from north-western Bangladesh, we estimated NUE of wheat production as the ratio of the total quantity of N produced in the harvested grain and the total quantity of N applied to soil through inorganic and organic fertilisers. Then we estimate a Tobit model to determine the socio-economic and farm-level practices influencing NUE. Finally, for N2O and NH3 emissions, we applied region-specific emission factors, which are not sensitive to management practices but can give an approximation of emission and emission intensity of the production. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSThe estimated mean NUE for North-West Bangladesh was 37.4%, which widely varied across different farm categories and farming practices used. Agronomic practices, including those induced by climate change, positively contributed to NUE. NUE was higher for the farmers cultivating high-yielding, drought-tolerant, and short-duration wheat varieties. NUE significantly increased when a farmer applied a combination of organic and inorganic fertilisers. Irrigation water pricing was critical in NUE since it influences farmers' water management practices. A notable quantity of N loss as N2O (5.98 kg/ha) and NH3 (45.58 kg/ha) was emitted, and the farms managed by landless and marginal farmers emitted quantities more than others. Farmers with better landholding size, education and access to extension services operated at a relatively higher level of NUE. The policy suggestions to increase NUE include strengthening extension services, particularly for promoting a balanced supply of nutrients from organic and inorganic fertilisers, promoting volumetric irrigation water pricing and encouraging long-term tenurial arrangement. SIGNIFICANCEThe paper is relevant to policy makers since, unlike earlier works based on experimental data, it estimates more robust indices of NUE and considers the role of different farms and farmer-specific socio-economic, anthropogenic and institutional factors in farm production. Finally, the paper estimates N2O and NH3 emissions associated with wheat production.

The Urgency of Agrarian Reform Policy: A Study of the Impact of Land Access on Farmer Household Welfare

Abstract: Inequality of land ownership is caused by unequal access to land. This study examined the impact of land access on total farmer's household expenditure. The Agrarian reform policy assumed open and expand access to land for groups of landless or near landless farmer households. Through state-led and market-led approaches, this research provided a categorization of access to land in two ways, which are access opening and access expansion variables with each sample coverage. Using the two periods difference-in-difference (DID) method, this study analyzed the impact of opening and expanding access to the total expenditure of farmer households using IFLS 2007 and 2014 data. The results showed that there is a significant difference in the total expenditures of farmer households due to the opening and expansion of access referring to the land distribution scheme (state-led approach), and there is no significant difference through the market-led approach. Therefore, agrarian reform policies need to be carried out by emphasizing the role of the state in implementing land redistribution to landless and small farmers. Keywords: Agrarian reform, state-led approach, market-led approach, impact of land access, total farmer household expenditure

Knowledge Enhancement of Landless and Marginal Farmers through Entrepreneurship Training on Goat Farming

The study focused on assessing the cognitive effectiveness of entrepreneurial development training on goat rearing for landless and marginal farmers in Maharashtra’s Beed district carried out during 2020-21. A group of Twenty-five farmers were selected based on WhatsApp messages sent to registered KVK groups and a newspaper announcement. The training covered housing, disease management, improved goat breeding, feeding, feed preparation, and marketing intelligence. It was found that education level, socio-economic status, scientific interest, land ownership, social engagement, and marketing skills positively influenced knowledge acquisition. The trainee’s knowledge gained to the tune of 172 per cent more in seven days of training compared to the benchmark. Goat production and management including wildlife corridor preservation and promoting local vegetation through controlled grazing were key aspects. The study emphasized the importance of goat rearing training for farmers in the Beed district, showcasing substantial knowledge gains and identifying factors affecting participants’ learning outcomes.