Livelihoods Of Smallholder Farmers Research Articles

Assessment of Smallholder Farmers’ Responses to Flood Incidence in the Oti River Sub-Basin

This study aimed to assess the responses of smallholder farmers to incidence of floods in the Oti river sub-basin. The findings provide useful information for enhancing the adaptive capacity of smallholder farmers to respond to flood hazards and improve their resilience and disaster preparedness in the study area. This study used the simple random sampling procedure to select 399 farmers and descriptive statistics was used to identify and examine response strategies adopted by smallholder farmers. The results of the study showed that livelihood of smallholder farmers were greatly impacted by factors such as: Distance to River, Elevation of Communities below the River, Increase in Rainfall, Lack of Early Warning Systems and Lack of Emergency Response Systems. The results further showed that the farmers responded to flood incidence through: Building of Raised Beds, Crop Diversification, Livestock Relocation, the use of Conservation farming practices.The majority (87%) of the farmers stated that they were vulnerable to the impacts of floods in the study area. The findings of this study enhanced understanding on access to relevant and timely information such as an early warning to farmers during the start of the farming/ rainy season to support their adaptive responses to floods.

Characterization of indigenous chicken phenotypes in Liban Jawi District, Ethiopia: A qualitative and quantitative analysis.

Indigenous chickens play a crucial role in the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in rural Ethiopia. This study aimed to phenotypically characterize indigenous chickens in the Liban Jawi district, focusing on measurements of phenotypic characteristics. The multi-stage sampling method selected 192 households with at least two mature indigenous chickens from 2,166 households, resulting in the sampling of 224 chickens (138 females and 86 males) for phenotypic characterization. Qualitative trait analysis revealed that male chickens exhibited a plain head shape (54.7%), single combs (39.5%), red feather plumage (26.7%), yellow shanks (54.7%), red earlobes (51.6%), and white skin (68.6%). Female chickens showed single combs (75.4%), red earlobes (51.4%), yellow shanks (50.1%), and brown mottled feathers (23.9%), with red (23.1%) and black (9.4%) feathers observed. Quantitatively, cocks had an average body weight of 1.46±0.02 kg, while hens weighed 1.21±0.01 kg. Cocks exhibited larger body dimensions, with significant measurements in body length (38.05±0.26 cm) and wingspan (38.56±0.13 cm). For hens, the average body length was 31.55±0.33 cm. Shank length emerged as a moderate predictor of body weight for both sexes (r = 0.45 for hens and r = 0.44 for cocks), indicating it should be combined with other factors for accurate assessments. Cluster and multivariate analysis revealed distinct phenotypic groupings among the indigenous chickens, highlighting significant variations in both qualitative and quantitative traits. This suggests the potential for improvement through selective breeding at the community level, influenced by unique environmental conditions and practices. These findings provide valuable insights into the phenotypic characterization of indigenous chickens, serving as a foundation for future breeding programs and conservation efforts aimed at enhancing productivity and preserving genetic diversity. Further molecular-level characterization is recommended to validate the current phenotypic results.

The Impact of Climate Variability on the Livelihoods of Smallholder Farmers in an Agricultural Village in the Wider Belfast Area, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of climate change on smallholder farmers in South Africa, particularly focusing on the relationship between agriculture and weather patterns. Understanding this connection is crucial for helping farmers adapt to changing climate conditions and improve their resilience and sustainability. This research analyses 33 years of climate data (1990–2023) from the Belfast weather station to identify long-term climate trends, seasonal shifts, and the frequency of extreme weather events. Statistical analysis, including the Mann–Kendall test, revealed significant changes in temperature, rainfall, and the intensity of extreme weather events, indicating that climate change is already affecting the region. Specifically, the research highlighted significant damage to agricultural infrastructure, such as greenhouses, due to climate-related wind events. This study emphasises the importance of using digital technologies to monitor weather patterns in real-time, aiding in decision-making, and enhancing agricultural efficiency. Additionally, it calls for further research into the social impacts of climate variability, including its effects on community cohesion, migration, and access to social services among smallholder farmers. These findings provide a foundation for developing effective interventions to support the resilience of smallholder farming communities in the face of climate change. Future studies need to consider how climate variability affects farmers’ abilities to access markets, both in terms of transport and product quality.

Climate change, variability, and adaptation in Ethiopia. An analysis from the farmers' perception

Given that the climate has changed historically and will likely change again in the future, it is necessary to comprehend how farmers view climatic variability and change as well as how they will adapt going forward. To lessen the problems related to climate change and variability in Ethiopia, this review paper sought to evaluate and examine farmers' perceptions of these issues, as well as their effects on farming livelihoods. This review study states that although few studies have examined this subject locally, climate change and variability have a substantial impact on agricultural production, livelihood of smallholder farmers, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation, particu-larly in low-income countries where agriculture is heavily dependent on rainfall. A wide range of psychological concepts, including knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and concerns about whether and how the climate is changing, are all part of the complex process of experiencing climate change. Thus, to lessen the issue of climate change and variability in Ethiopia, a variety of site-specific adaptation strategies that incorporate modern science and traditional roots are needed.

A systematic literature review on the impact of climate change on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in South Africa

Smallholder farmers in South Africa are increasingly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, posing significant threats to their livelihoods and food security. This systematic literature review investigates the several impacts of climate change on smallholder farmers across the country. The literature review used a systematic approach to search for relevant research across three academic databases such as Google scholar, Consensus, and Zendy. Based on the inclusion criteria for the literature review, 261 articles were initially screened, and 35 articles were included in the systematic review. This process helped to identify the most relevant and high-quality studies on the topic. The data extracted from the 35 articles were analyzed and synthesized to identify the impact of climate change on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. This helped to identify commonalities and differences across the literature, and to draw conclusions about the impact of climate change on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. The study identified and examined the specific challenges faced by smallholder farmers, including the loss of livestock, reduced crop yields and heightened economic hardship. Additionally, the review explores the coping strategies employed by farmers to mitigate these challenges and adapt to the evolving climatic conditions. The findings highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions and support mechanisms aimed at enhancing the resilience of smallholder farmers and ensuring the long-term sustainability of agricultural practices amidst the challenges posed by climate change. Furthermore, the study provides valuable recommendations for policymakers, agriculturalists, and other stakeholders to address the identified issues and support smallholder farmers in adapting to climate change.

Impact of Sustainable Land Management Program on the Livelihoods of Smallholder Farmers in Semen Bench District, South West Ethiopia

The Sustainable Land Management Programme was launched in 2008 to address to reduce land degradation, improve land productivity, contribute significantly to adaptation to and mitigation of climate change, to protect of soil erosion, conserve to natural resources, and improve of smallholder farmers' standard of living. The overall objective of the study is to impact of a sustainable land management program in southwest Ethiopia's Semen Bench district on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. The study used to cross-sectional survey study design. Two Kebeles were purposively selected based on participation and coverage of soil and water conservation practices implemented by sustainable land management program established in the study area. systematic sampling techniques was used to select 124 respondents from the Kebeles household heads. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and independent sample t-test. The study revealed significant differences in maize yield, taro and coffee yields. The results also showed a highly significant difference (p<0.05) in the mean total yearly income of adopter and non-adopter households, at 24,963.8±2783.12 and 14,927.9±2200.2 birr, respectively. It is determined that the implementation of a sustainable land management program enhances agricultural productivity and household income by conserving land resources. To improve household income, crop productivity, and land resource conservation, this study suggests that farmers be incentivized and supported to adopt integrated sustainable land management approaches.

Socio-economic determinants of climate change perception in the uMkhanyakude district of Kwazulu-Natal province, South Africa

Climate change is an emerging stressor that impacts negatively on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in developing countries. This study assessed the socio-economic determinants of climate change perception in the uMkhanyakude district in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Assessment of the determinants of climate change perception is imperative in the design for effective climate change communication and policy formulation at the country and regional level. A stratified random sampling procedure was used to collect data from a sample of 400 smallholder farmers. A binary logistic regression model was used to analyse the determinants of climate change perception. Descriptive statistics revealed that 95.5% of the sampled farmers perceived climate change in the study area. Farmers perceived long term increases in temperatures and a decrease in rainfall. The results of the binary logistic regression revealed that climate change perception is influenced by the age of the household head, adult equivalents in the household, land size, involvement in farmers’ organisations, access to irrigation, and level of education. Policies aimed at addressing the impacts of climate change should place an emphasis on dealing with drought, which has been a prominent phenomenon in the study area and in the Southern African region. In addition, it is recommended that government policies geared toward the support of extensive educational programmes should consider the determinants of climate change perception.

Agricultural Innovation and Food Security in Sub-Saharan Africa in Nigeria

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the agricultural innovation and food security in Sub-Saharan Africa in Nigeria. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: In Nigeria, agricultural innovation is vital for improving food security. Research suggests that adopting innovative farming methods and technologies can boost productivity, resilience to climate change, and livelihoods for smallholder farmers. Overcoming challenges like limited access to finance and inadequate infrastructure is essential to fully harnessing the benefits of agricultural innovation for food security in Nigeria. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Diffusion of innovations theory, social capital theory & political economy theory may be used to anchor future studies on agricultural innovation and food security in Sub-Saharan Africa in Nigeria. Promote farmer-centered innovation platforms - establishing can facilitate knowledge sharing, collaboration, and co-creation of agricultural innovations. Adequate funding for research institutions, agricultural universities, and extension agencies is essential to conduct applied research, develop appropriate technologies, and provide technical assistance to farmers.

Farm Partial Budget Analysis of Onion (Allium Cepa L.) for the Application of Nitrogen and Spacing in Southern Tigray, Ethiopia

This study aimed to assess the economic viability of onion production under varying nitrogen fertilizer rates and intra-row spacing in the study area using partial budget analysis. The experiment employed a factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design, conducted at Alamata Agricultural Research Center in Kara Adishabo in 2020. Experimental treatments included nitrogen fertilizer rates (0, 23, 46, 69, and 92 Kg N ha-1) and intra-row spacing (5, 10, and 15 cm) with three replications. The partial budget analysis indicated that the treatment combination of 69 kg N ha-1 and 5 cm intra-row spacing yielded the highest net benefit of birr 642602.3. However, based on the marginal rate of return, the recommendation of 46 Kg N ha-1 and 15 cm intra-row spacing, which had a lower net benefit, was rejected after residual analysis. Consequently, the recommended treatment combination is 69 Kg N ha-1 and 5 cm of intra-row spacing, contrary to the previous recommendation. Onion cultivation is a significant economic activity in the southern zone, playing a crucial role in the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Consequently, understanding the production costs and analyzing the financial profitability of this on-farm business is essential in the study area to enhance crop productivity.

Toward a critical theory of social-ecological resilience: Maize and cattle in Southern Province, Zambia.

Climate change threatens the lives and livelihoods of smallholder farmers throughout the global South. In order to address the challenges these farmers face, researchers and practitioners need reasonable theoretical models of how humans and the environment interact within social-ecological systems (SES). Social-ecological resilience theory has proved to be a popular model for understanding human environment relationships within SES; however, the theory lacks a sophisticated understanding of power, relying instead on outdated functionalist sociological approaches. We reconstruct social-ecological resilience theory through a case study of smallholder climate change adaptation in Southern Province, Zambia. Farmers in the region focus on cattle and maize production. Though the changing environment would seem to favor different crops and livestock, institutional (power) dynamics determine whether or not individuals have the capacity (or desire) to adapt. Our critical reconstruction provides researchers and practitioners with an improved social-ecological lens for understanding the causes and consequences of vulnerability and adaptation.

The Perceived Impact of Climate Change on the Livelihoods of Smallholder Farmers in Kwazulu-Natal Province, South Africa

The Perceived Impact of Climate Change on the Livelihoods of Smallholder Farmers in Kwazulu-Natal Province, South Africa

Spatial and temporal analysis of haemorrhagic septicaemia outbreaks in India over three decades (1987–2016)

Haemorrhagic septicaemia (HS) is an economically important disease affecting cattle and buffaloes and the livelihoods of small-holder farmers that depend upon them. The disease is caused by Gram-negative bacterium, Pasteurella multocida, and is considered to be endemic in many states of India with more than 25,000 outbreaks in the past three decades. Currently, there is no national policy for control of HS in India. In this study, we analysed thirty year (1987–2016) monthly data on HS outbreaks using different statistical and mathematical methods to identify spatial variability and temporal patterns (seasonality, periodicity). There was zonal variation in the trend and seasonality of HS outbreaks. Overall, South zone reported maximum proportion of the outbreaks (70.2%), followed by East zone (7.2%), Central zone (6.4%), North zone (5.6%), West zone (5.5%) and North-East zone (4.9%). Annual state level analysis indicated that the reporting of HS outbreaks started at different years independently and there was no apparent transmission between the states. The results of the current study are useful for the policy makers to design national control programme on HS in India and implement state specific strategies. Further, our study and strategies could aid in implementation of similar approaches in HS endemic tropical countries around the world.

Spatiotemporal trends and variability of rainfall across agro-ecologies in East Guji Zone, Southeast Ethiopia

Distribution and trends of rainfall reveal spatial and temporal variability that have a paramount effect on the life and livelihood of small-holder farmers. This study aimed to analyze spatial variability and temporal trends of rainfall distribution across the three Agro-Ecological Zones (AEZs) of East Guji. Time series gridded daily rainfall data (1990–2020) were collected from the Ethiopian Meteorological Institution. Different descriptive statistics, trend tests: Man Kendal and Sen’s slope estimator, Inverse Distance Weighted Index and Precipitation Concentration Index (PCI) was used in the study. The finding demonstrated that altitude and rainfall decrease as one advances from the western (highland) to the eastern (lowland) direction in the study area where the highest rainfall was recorded in Solemo (highland) and the least in Negele (lowland).The study showed that as altitude increases annual rainfall also increases and rainfall variability decreases. Similarly the mean length of the growing season declines as one advance from the highlands to the lowlands. The PCI of the lowlands, midlands, and highlands AEZs was 19%, 17%, and 12% respectively. The PCI showed that those highlands had moderately concentrated rainfall but both lowlands, and midlands, had an irregular distribution of rainfall. The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicated that highland areas had moderate variability in rainfall in all seasons except winter. In contrast, the low and midlands had shown high variability of rainfall (>30%) in all seasons. From a seasonal perspective, both CV and PCI revealed that the winter season showed more variability than others. Moreover, a significant increasing trend of annual rainfall was observed in the highlands AEZs (Bore 15.3mm/year and Solemo14.6mm/year), lowland AEZs (Chembe 10.9mm/year, Dawa 8mm/year and Bitata 7.8mm/year) as well as midland AEZs (Kercha 14.5mm/year) at a significant level of 5%. Therefore, strategies should be designed to use additional water resources for irrigation; and provide short-cycle grown and drought-resistant crops in the rest of the midlands and lowlands AEZs.

Exploring the impact of agricultural digitalization on smallholder farmers' livelihoods in Ghana

With the government's pursuit of a digitalization agenda, Ghana is at the forefront of championing digital transformation in Africa. However, people in rural areas are being left behind in harnessing the immense benefits of digitalization for their livelihoods. This study contributes to policy efforts aimed at bridging that gap by investigating the drivers of agricultural digitalization (AD) as well as its effects on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in rural Ghana. Data from a cross-sectional survey of 525 rural farmers across northern, middle and southern Ghana was employed. The study used the probit and tobit estimators to analyze the drivers and intensity of adoption of digital technologies in agriculture and the inverse probability weighting and regression adjustment estimator to mitigate endogeneity concerns. The results show that while female farmers trail male farmers in the intensity of applying digital technologies, higher educational attainment, better perception of digitalization, group/cooperative membership, number of economically active household members, and access to reliable electricity, internet and mobile money services significantly promote the use of digital technologies in agricultural activities. The results further show that AD is significantly associated with perceived improvements in livelihood assets, and ultimately livelihood outcomes of smallholder farmers in rural Ghana. These findings highlight the importance of investing in rural digital infrastructure by policymakers, the private sector and other stakeholders, so as to expand access to and the uptake of digital technologies in agriculture to bolster rural development in Ghana.

Understanding and managing seed degeneration in potato: Implications for potato resilient seed system and food security. A review

Abstract Understanding seed degeneration in potato farming systems requires updated and pertinent information across different cropping systems and circumstances to find ways to deal with the problem. As a vegetatively propagated crop, potato is susceptible to pathogens and pest accumulation in seed tubers over successive cycles of vegetative propagation especially, where small-scale farmers replant their source seed for several production seasons. Seed degeneration in potatoes is a complex phenomenon, caused by a variety of soil, vector, and seed-borne pathogens resulting reduction in yield and quality of the crop. By providing an extensive overview of the current state of knowledge on the impacts and coping strategies of potato seed degeneration, mostly in the global south, this review aims to help underpin such relevant information and better development of the seed sector. This review article also provides insights on seed system bottlenecks leading to seed degeneration which impact food security and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in developing countries including Ethiopia. We discussed the causes of seed degeneration and possible approaches to conquer the problem under smallholders’ perspective for sustainable potato production and improved food security.

Assessing the Socioeconomic Impact of Minimum Support Price and e-NAM on Smallholder Farmers in Haryana

Implementation of Minimum Support Price (MSP) and the Electronic National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) has had a substantial impact on India's agricultural landscape, particularly in the state of Haryana. This research paper examines the socioeconomic impact of MSP and e-NAM on smallholder farmers in Haryana. Through a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, the study assesses the influence of these policies on farmers' income, market access, and crop choices. This research also seeks to contribute to the understanding of their implications for the economic well-being, agricultural productivity, and overall livelihoods of smallholder farmers by examining the historical context, current implementation, and outcomes of these policies. The findings indicate that while MSP has positively affected farmers' income, e-NAM has improved market access, and both policies have contributed to crop diversification. However, the paper also highlights the challenges faced by smallholder farmers in leveraging these policies effectively. This research provides valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to enhance the welfare of smallholder farmers in Haryana.

Cassava molecular genetics and genomics for enhanced resistance to diseases and pests.

Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is one of the most important sources of dietary calories in the tropics, playing a central role in food and economic security for smallholder farmers. Cassava production is highly constrained by several pests and diseases, mostly cassava mosaic disease (CMD) and cassava brown streak disease (CBSD). These diseases cause significant yield losses, affecting food security and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Developing resistant varieties is a good way of increasing cassava productivity. Although some levels of resistance have been developed for some of these diseases, there is observed breakdown in resistance for some diseases, such as CMD. A frequent re-evaluation of existing disease resistance traits is required to make sure they are still able to withstand the pressure associated with pest and pathogen evolution. Modern breeding approaches such as genomic-assisted selection in addition to biotechnology techniques like classical genetic engineering or genome editing can accelerate the development of pest- and disease-resistant cassava varieties. This article summarizes current developments and discusses the potential of using molecular genetics and genomics to produce cassava varieties resistant to diseases and pests.

Assessing climate change-induced poverty of mixed crop-livestock smallholders in Wolaita zone

Climate changes manifest itself through increased temperature, a more variable rainfall and more extreme events. As a matter of fact, smallholder farmers who produce climate-sensitive crop-livestock species are among the most affected to it due to reliance on rainfall, inadequate use of irrigation, and weak adaptive capacity. Accordingly, there are little evidences that reveals climate change is causing multi-dimensional poverty among mixed crop-livestock smallholders. Thus, this study was aimed at analyzing climate change-induced multidimensional poverty and its factors which contribute to it. Thus, data from households on socio-economic and environmental issues and thirty years rainfall and temperature data were collected. At the meantime, multi-dimensional poverty index, probit model, parametric test were applied to analyze data along with descriptive statistics. Accordingly, eleven variables showed statistically significant differences between poor and non-poor. Furthermore, the temperature in the study area was increased but rainfall trend decreased overtime. Since the livelihood of smallholder farmers is extremely dependent on rain-fed agriculture, the change in these climatic parameters negatively affected their livelihood. On the other hand, using a multidimensional-based measure of poverty; the estimates show that 82% of the sample households were multi-dimensionally poor. The incidence of poverty was highest in Abala Gefeta village (89%) followed by Bossa Wanche (80%) and Abala Shoya (84%). The result of probit regression estimation procedure revealed that variables such as access to climate information, productive safety net program and off/non-farm income at (1%), credit amount gained at (5%), sex, utilizing improved agricultural technologies and livestock holding at (10%) affects climate change-induced poverty negatively and significantly. Therefore, it is concluded that climate change-induced poverty of crop-livestock smallholders would be reduced through improving agricultural technology utilization by the farmers and providing timely climatic information and putting early warning system in place.

LOGISTIC APPROACH OF THE EFFECTS OF FINANCIAL INCLUSION ON THE LIVELIHOOD OF SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN PLATEAU STATE

The overall study's goal was to look into a logistic approach to the effects of financial inclusion on the livelihood of smallholder farmers in Plateau State. The study's particular goal was to find out if Financial Inclusion has a positive effect on the livelihood of smallholder farmers. The study's audience was smallholder farmers who were active in agricultural practices in Plateau State, Nigeria. The sample size was 399 households that par-took in agricultural practices in Plateau State. Primary data were gathered for the study using structured questionnaires. The collection of primary data was done through the administration of questionnaires to selected smallholder farmers. From the data collection process, the researcher was assisted by research assistants that made frequent follow-up on the respondents to ensure that high response rate was achieved. The study used the logistic regression model in carrying the analysis in order to achieve the objective of the study. The study found that financial inclusion plays a significant role in transforming the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Plateau State. Access to formal financial services such as savings accounts, credit facilities, and insurance products positively influenced farmers’ economic outcomes. The findings of this research study indicate that financial inclusion has a significant positive impact on the livelihood of smallholder farmers in Plateau State, Nigeria. Access to financial services and financial literacy were identified as crucial factors influencing farmers' economic well-being. However, variables such as age, gender, and education did not show significant effects in this context. Based on the research findings, the following recommendations are made: Improve access to financial services, strengthen financial literacy programs, targeted support for vulnerable groups and continuous monitoring and evaluation.

The contribution of cassava production and marketing on smallholder farmers’ livelihood in Dodoma Region, Tanzania

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) has remained a major source of food security and income generation for most developing countries including Tanzania due to its ability to drought and disease resistance. At present, its production in Tanzania stands at 630,000 tons while the country's market demand is expected to grow at 7% by 2026. Therefore, this study assessed the contribution of cassava production and marketing on the livelihood of smallholder farmers in Tanzania particularly in the Dodoma region, so as to explore its potential contributions to the society welfare. A cross-sectional research design was employed whereby a multi-stage sampling procedure was used in selecting a sample of 240 cassava smallholder farmers from four districts in the Dodoma region namely Kondoa, Chemba, Kongwa, and Mpwapwa. Quantitative data were collected through self-administered structured questionnaires and focus group discussion, interview and observation methods also were used in collecting qualitative data from the study area. Content analysis was used in analyzing qualitative data. A binary logistic regression model was employed to estimate the contribution of cassava production and marketing on smallholder farmers’ livelihoods in the region. The findings from the study indicated that family size, farmers’ experience, land size, education, number of visits by extension, and market access statistically were significant with showed a positive relationship with the improvement in the livelihood of farmers in the selected districts. On the other hand, transportation costs showed a negative relation with the improvement of farmers’ livelihood. Generally, it can be concluded that an increase in production and improvement in marketing variables could contribute much to the improvement of smallholder farmers’ livelihood. Based on these findings, it is recommended that Ministries responsible for cassava production and marketing which included the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Industry and Trade focus more on the design, promotion, and implementation of policies and programs that are intended to enhance cassava production in rural areas and increase the provision of best farming practices through employing more extension officers.