Medium-scale Farmers Research Articles

Social network analysis approach to identify agricultural key communicators

Aim: This paper employed Social Network Analysis approach to visualize and calculate different social network metrics. It identifies key communicators who play pivotal roles in information flow. Methodology: Research was conducted at Jammulapalem and Perali villages of Bapatla district, Andhra Pradesh, India, during 2022-23 using an exploratory research design. A total of 120 farmers Eigen vector were selected using simple random technique, and data was collected using a well-developed interview schedule. Network metrics such as Degree centrality, betweenness centrality, and eigen vector centrality were computed to evaluate the network structure using R software (version 4.3.1). R packages, namely igraph, statnet and network D3, were used for network creation, analysis and visualization to identify the influential nodes. Results: The study revealed a complex web of relationships among various stakeholders within the agricultural network through a network graph, identifying key communicators with the highest Degree centrality. Interpretation: The focal points identified through Social Network Analysis represent a specific demographic and socio-economic group, typically aged between 35 and 55, primarily medium-scale farmers,with landholdings spanning 10 to 25 acres and high annual income, with educational backgrounds ranging from high school to pre-university college, and wield significant influence within their local communities. They require sensitization, training, practical demonstrations, and personalized support to effectively disseminate agricultural information. Key words: Agricultural Information System Network, Centrality measures, Information Sources, Key Communicators, Network visualization, Social Network Analysis

MSME Empowerment Program at TPS3R Ngudi Lestari: Alternative Livestock Facilities

Innovation in the livestock sector, especially in terms of providing alternative animal feed, is an urgency that cannot be ignored in Indonesia. This is especially true for small and medium-scale farmers who often face various challenges in maintaining the sustainability of their businesses. Maggots themselves can be used as an alternative means in livestock farming because they can be used as animal feed by residents. This study uses a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to identify gaps. CBPR is a collaborative research approach designed to improve the quality of life. This approach involves community members, stakeholders, and stakeholders in the research process. Researchers, and other relevant stakeholders. The results of this study indicate that maggots can be used as an alternative animal feed because they have high protein.

Optimalisasi Produksi dan Pemasaran Maggot sebagai Pakan Ternak Alternatif: Program Pemberdayaan UMKM di TPS3R Ngudi Lestari

The need for efficient, economical, and environmentally friendly animal feed in Indonesia, especially for small and medium-scale farmers, requires innovative solutions. This community service program aims to optimize the production and marketing of maggot as an alternative animal feed through the empowerment of MSMEs at TPS3R Ngudi Lestari. A participatory approach was implemented through two main stages: maggot production training and a digital marketing workshop. The results showed a significant increase in both the production capacity and quality of maggot, as well as an improvement in digital marketing skills among MSMEs. The training enhanced participants' technical abilities in substrate management, production efficiency, and post-harvest processing, leading to higher and more consistent production outcomes. Meanwhile, the digital marketing workshop equipped MSMEs with strategies to expand market reach through online platforms, branding, and content creation. Despite challenges such as substrate variability and digital infrastructure limitations, innovative solutions like substrate diversification and improved environmental monitoring were successfully applied. This program not only boosted the local economy but also contributed to a more sustainable livestock sector by integrating circular economy principles. In conclusion, the program demonstrates the potential of combining maggot production with digital marketing strategies to create a sustainable business model for MSMEs, serving as a replicable example for community empowerment within the context of a circular economy and sustainable agriculture in Indonesia

Power relations among actors in laying hen business in Indonesia: A MACTOR analysis

Abstract According to their respective positions, participants at the local, regional, and global actors within the poultry farming sector play strategic roles according to their respective positions. While these roles may integrate and overlap, they can also generate conflicts of interest at both the actor and institutional levels. This study analyses the actors and power relations in laying hen farming in Blitar Regency, East Java, Indonesia. The data were collected using structured interview techniques (interview guides and Matrix of Alliances and Conflicts: Tactics, Objectives and Recommendations questionnaires), observation, documentation, and focus group discussions. The research informants were chosen deliberately based on various sources including farmers, farmer groups, cooperative, central and local government, companies, and traders. This was in addition to informants obtained using the snowball sampling technique such as middlemen, poultry shops (PSs) and other additional breeders. Data validity was determined using source triangulation and method triangulation. The results revealed that the individuals and entities engaged in layer hen farming encompass a diverse range of actors. These include farmers of various scales (small, medium, and large), institutions such as farmer groups and cooperatives, governmental bodies at both central and regional levels, industry representatives such as companies, PSs, distributors involved in producing and marketing day-old chick (DOC), feed, medicines, and vaccines, as well as market participants including local traders and traders operating across different regions. Small-scale and medium-scale farmers have the strongest relationships due to their high dependence on inputs such as DOC, feed, vaccines, and access to markets. The presence of various actors and power relations in laying hen business institutions creates both collaboration and competition in the supply of DOCs, animal feed, medicine, and even in the marketing of eggs from a food security and sustainability perspective.

Performance evaluation of a modified axial flow water Lifting pump for small to medium irrigation in Nigeria.

Most irrigation pumps used in Nigeria are imported. Consequently, the challenges farmers faced in using these pumps include but not limited to the following; priming before operation, relatively low-capacity delivery at low head and high price which is often time not affordable by peasant farmers. The objective of this research was to develop an axial flow pump with locally sourced materials and affordable by farmers for small to medium scale irrigation in Nigeria. The design of the pump for the study was adopted from an existing and functioning axial pumping machine, developed by Agricultural Machinery and Mechatronics Department, Kasetsart University, Thailand. The pump was fabricated at the workshop of National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM), Ilorin, Nigeria. Diesel fuel was used in powering the pump because of higher torque deliverable. The developed pump based on its capacity can be used to irrigate one hectare in one hour at 16.2 mm depth of water using 2000 rpm at 1m head and 9.6 mm depth of water using 1000 rpm at 3 m head. The maximum water discharge of 162 m3/h (45 l/s) was at 1m using a speed of 2000 rpm with water to fuel delivery of 124.29 l/s. The maximum water discharge of 162 m3/h (45 l/s) was at 1m using a speed of 2000 rpm with water to fuel delivery of 119.57m3/L. And the least water discharge of 59.30 m3/h (28 l/s) and water delivery per fuel was 41.0m3/L at 3 m head at 1000 rpm. Therefore, the developed pump operates best at lower head of 1m featuring a 3kW prime mover. The developed pump based on its capacity can be used to irrigate one hectare in one hour at 16.2 mm depth of water using 2000rpm at 1m head and 9.6 mm depth of water using 1000rpm at 3m head at a moisture content of 45% on a sand-loamy soil. Statistical analysis reveals relationships between pump speed, head, fuel consumption, and various performance indicators. The centrifugal pumps were found to produce lower discharge than axial flow pumps at different water heads evaluated. Comparative economic analysis demonstrates the pump's superiority over conventional centrifugal pumps in terms of water-fuel delivery efficiency and operational cost. This study introduced a locally modified axial flow pump as a practical, cost-effective, and efficient solution to irrigation challenges faced by small and medium-scale farmers in Nigeria. This pump has higher capacity delivery, spare parts are readily available at local market, it is appropriate for use where the irrigation head requirements are low and large volumes of water is required to be lifted at low pressure, it is appropriate where water can be lifted from rivers and canals and then directed to farmers' fields for irrigation. It is also applicable in rice farm flooding and flood drainage. This type of pump is good for flood (surface) irrigation system, which include furrow, border, basin irrigation and uncontrolled flooding in loamy and clay soils for rice production and sugarcane productions. The pump's adoption and economic viability positions it as a potential catalyst for increased food production, income, and food security in the country.

Influence of Natural Risks and Non-Agricultural Income on Agricultural Trusteeship Decisions in Northeast China.

As the main service mode and management mode of socialized service, agricultural production trusteeship services (APTS) are an important way to realize the tight link between farmers and modern agricultural development, which is highly important for ensuring national food security. By constructing a utility model of farmers, this paper deduces the decision-making mechanism of farmers' APTS from the dual mechanism of natural risk and non-agricultural employment income (NAEI) and uses the survey data of 956 farmers in the three northeastern provinces to verify the empirical results by using multivariate logit (Mlogit) and propensity score matching (PSM) methods. The research shows that natural risk hinders farmers' choice of the APTS; NAEI has a positive impact on APST, and an increase in NAEI weakens the negative effect of natural risk on the choice of the APTS, and has an enhanced moderating effect. In addition, the scale heterogeneity analysis revealed that the impacts of natural risk and NAEI on farmers of different scales are significantly different. The NAEI adjustment effect has the greatest impact on small-scale farmers, followed by medium-scale farmers. In view of this, the government should stabilize the nonagricultural employment market and improve the nonagricultural employment opportunities of farmers. APTS organizations should transfer natural risks and improve the agricultural insurance system. According to the differences of different scales of farmers, different promotion policies are formulated, and the expansion of management and deepening services is proposed to further promote the development of APTS and consolidate the foundation of food security in China.

Dynamics of Tenancy Relations Among the Small- and Medium-Scale Farmers of Telangana State

Historically, agricultural tenancy relations are understood from an economic perspective considering the ‘land’ as a fundamental unit in determining the nature of contracts and overall agrarian structure. However, the current study focuses on all agricultural resources such as land, water, labour, livestock and other inputs, which are shared/exchanged between two contracting partners in agricultural production. The current study predominantly relied on the qualitative data collected using anthropological tools of data collection to understand the dynamics of resource-sharing relations between small- and medium-scale farmers of Nizamsagar Mandal, Telangana State. Emphasis is laid on understanding the dynamic nature of tenancy relations by conducting a detailed study on the terms and conditions of oral/informal resource-sharing contracts among farmers in the study area. The study reveals that especially among the small- and medium-scale farmers, the significance attached to the land as a determining factor in tenancy relations is found losing its relevance as other agricultural inputs are gaining importance in overall agricultural production. Further, diversity in contexts under which each farmer shares/exchanges agricultural resources is found to determine the terms and conditions of contracts, thereby reflecting the dynamic nature of tenancy relations in this region.

FOOD SECURITY CHALLENGES: AN IMPEDIMENT TO ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGs 2) IN NIGERIA

SDGs-2 is about the shared responsibility to ensure that every one has access to nutrition and affordable food. The heightened interest in food security is the result of a recognition that a number of important factors constitute a setback to the success of SDGs-2 in Nigeria. The main objective of the study is to identify the challenges to achieving Sustainable Development Goals on food security in Nigeria. The theoretical framework of the paper is Political Economy Theory by Karl Marx (1883-1883). Methodologically, the paper used secondary data, the study primarily drew evaluation and statistical information from Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, National Bureau of Statistics, Nigerian Living Standard Survey, and SDGs Base line Reports. While the results have shown that the Nigerian government has embraced the idea of rolling out plans and programs to address the gaps in food security at one time or the other, little has been achieved in curbing insecurity in food. The findings from the study show that Nigeria has about 85 million hectares of land where almost everything can grow, currently produced 110,798 metric tons of seeds in 2022, which is a summation of some major seeds that are established in the formal seeds sector, has the manpower favorable for the advancement of Agriculture and to boost livestock as well as food security. The paper concludes that it is important government removes barriers that increases vulnerability to poverty and hunger by providing an integrated security strategy to address issues of security threats in the agricultural sector. The paper recommends that government should partner with key private agencies to increase investments in the agricultural sector by empowering small and medium scale farmers in particular with access to credits and modern tools.

Farm Rent - A Platform Connecting Farmers with Affordable Farming Equipments

Agriculture plays a pivotal role in ensuring food security and sustainable development worldwide. However, many small and medium-scale farmers face challenges in accessing modern and expensive farm equipment, which hinders their ability to increase productivity and income. To address this issue, the Farm Equipment Rental Project aims to provide a solution by creating an online platform that facilitates the rental of farm equipment to farmers in an efficient and cost- effective manner. This abstract provides an overview of the Farm Equipment Rental Project, highlighting its objectives, key features, benefits, and potential impact on the agriculture sector. A farm equipment rental project involves providing farmers with access to essential agricultural machinery and tools on a rental basis. This initiative aims to support farmers who may not have the resources to purchase expensive equipment, enabling them to efficiently manage their farms and increase productivity.

Fostering a livestock production sector transformation in India: an analysis of credit empowerment and innovations in value chain dynamics"

The dairy business holds significant importance in the Indian economy. This study examines the feasibility of employing value chains to mitigate financing risks and improve the creditworthiness of small and marginal farmers (SMF), with a specific emphasis on the Indian setting. This study thoroughly examines the obstacles encountered by smallholder and medium-scale farmers (SMFs) in obtaining financing. It explores alternate strategies for enhancing financial inclusivity for small-scale dairy producers. This paper suggests adopting and utilising novel financial instruments, such as the Farmers’ Choice Card Loan, Contract as Collateral, and a platform based on Blockchain technology. The aforementioned innovative approaches offer distinct avenues for tackling the financial requirements of dairy farmers in India, making a significant contribution to the advancement of sustainable agricultural practices and the promotion of economic self-sufficiency. This paper highlights the significance of fostering collaboration among financial institutions, dairy cooperatives, government bodies, and agricultural firms to deploy these innovative financial instruments effectively. Implementing these strategies can stimulate the expansion and advancement of the dairy sector, augmenting the socioeconomic circumstances of dairy farmers in India.

New Generation Sustainable Technologies for Soilless Vegetable Production

This review article conducts an in-depth analysis of the role of next-generation technologies in soilless vegetable production, highlighting their groundbreaking potential to revolutionize yield, efficiency, and sustainability. These technologies, such as AI-driven monitoring systems and precision farming methods, offer unparalleled accuracy in monitoring critical variables such as nutrient concentrations and pH levels. However, the paper also addresses the multifaceted challenges that hinder the widespread adoption of these technologies. The high initial investment costs pose a significant barrier, particularly for small- and medium-scale farmers, thereby risking the creation of a technological divide in the industry. Additionally, the technical complexity of these systems demands specialized expertise, potentially exacerbating knowledge gaps among farmers. Other considerations are scrutinized, including data privacy concerns and potential job displacement due to automation. Regulatory challenges, such as international trade regulations and policy frameworks, are discussed, as they may need revision to accommodate these new technologies. The paper concludes by emphasizing that while these sustainable technologies offer transformative benefits, their potential for broad adoption is constrained by a complex interplay of financial, technical, regulatory, and social factors.

Cheap and basic solar powered smart irrigation system proposal for medium and smal scale farming

Cheap and basic solar powered smart irrigation system proposal for medium and smal scale farming

Revisiting Enduring Labour Questions and Social Reproduction Dynamics in Rural Zimbabwe’s Post Land Reform Context: Implications on Citizen Welfare and Wellbeing

Enduring agrarian labour questions and social reproduction dynamics in former settler colonies like Zimbabwe have always been a subject of much scholarly interest. Two decades after Zimbabwe’s controversial fast track land reform programme (FTLRP), the agrarian labour questions and social reproduction dynamics are receiving renewed attention. This is partly attributable to an uneasy political transition, neo-liberal economic trajectories, and the perceived reversals of the policies of the Robert Mugabe administration. With these changes occurring, questions are arising on how this is implicating on agrarian labour and social reproduction in the resettlement areas created by the FTLRP. In a context of trying to understand the outcomes of land and agrarian reform framed within the transformative social policy conceptual framework, this article explores emergent agrarian labour and social reproduction dynamics in the two rural districts of Goromonzi and Zvimba in rural Zimbabwe. Using an interpretive research paradigm and a mixed methods research approach, the study elicited responses from 200 small to medium scale farmers who are beneficiaries of the FTLRP. Arguing from the position that land and agrarian reforms are an overlooked vector of social policy, the article investigated the extent to which the FTLRP has facilitated the creation of employment opportunities, enhanced the productive and reproductive capacities of land reform beneficiaries, enabled wealth distribution and improved rural livelihoods. The article shows that despite the emergent capitalist trajectories and the continued super exploitation of labour reminiscent of the settler colonial era, empirical field-based evidence suggests that redistributive land reform has contributed to socio-economic transformation and enhanced citizens welfare and wellbeing. This is shown as having been evident in the realm of agrarian labour and social reproduction.

Unpacking the behavioral intentions of ‘emergent farmers’ towards mechanized conservation agriculture in Zambia

Conservation Agriculture (CA) continues to gain relevance among small and medium-scale farmers in African countries, including Zambia, in response to food insecurity and the adverse effects of climate change. The rise in the number of market-oriented farmers, known as ‘emergent farmers,’ who acquire and utilize tractors and associated implements for agricultural production, has brought new dynamism to Zambian agriculture. While prior studies emphasize the significance of considering socio-economic and psychological factors in understanding farmers’ adoption decisions, the underlying socio-economic and psychological determinants influencing emergent farmers’ interest in CA have not been explored. This study examined the behavioral intentions of Zambian emergent farmers concerning Mechanized Conservation Agriculture (MCA) using the Decomposed Theory of Planned Behavior constructs: attitudes, perceived behavior control, subjective norms, and farmers’ background factors. We surveyed 119 emergent farmers from selected districts and analyzed their responses through descriptive statistics and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. We employed Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to assess the relationships among behavioral constructs (attitude, perceived behavioral control, and social norms) and the intention to adopt MCA. The results indicated that the positive attitude of Zambian emergent farmers had a significant impact (path coefficient = 0.24) on their intention (mean = 4.51) to adopt MCA on at least part of their farms. Perceived behavioral control, which measures perceived ability, resources, and skills for practicing MCA, also had a significant impact on intention (path coefficient = 0.37). Factors such as media influence, social influence, technical training, and extension services had positive but insignificant effects on farmers’ intention to adopt MCA. Background factors, including overall farm size, farmer’s age, area under CA, and years of CA use, showed a positive and significant correlation with farmers’ intention to adopt MCA. These findings underscore the crucial socio-psychological facets of emergent farmers, which can be valuable for policymakers and practitioners aiming to harness their potential in promoting and enhancing sustainable agricultural approaches like MCA in Zambia.

Energy Consumption in Wheat Crop Production in Central Region of Uttar Pradesh, India

The research investigated energy usage in the production of wheat crops in the central region of Uttar Pradesh, India among different groups of farmers. The study involved surveying a total of 250 farmers from 59 villages, gathering data about various inputs utilized in wheat crop cultivation during the period of 2020-22. Using standard energy equivalents, the inputs required for wheat production were quantified in terms of energy. The findings indicated that the overall energy input for wheat production in the region amounted to 20497.1 MJ/ha, with fertilizers, fuel, and seeds contributing to 85% of this energy consumption. Specifically, fertilizers represented 50.2% of the total energy, followed by fuel at 22.6%. The study also revealed that larger and medium-scale farmers utilized more energy compared to those with smaller landholdings, but they also achieved higher grain yields. Among different farming operations, energy usage was highest in fertilizer application, followed by tillage. The average output-to-input energy ratio was calculated at 3.02. Additionally, this ratio differed among farmer categories: 3.26 for large farmers, 3.15 for medium farmers, 3.14 for semi-medium farmers, 3.11 for small farmers, and 2.95 for marginal category farmers. In conclusion, the research established a positive correlation between energy consumption and crop yield.

Understanding the patterns of agrarian transformation: state-mediated commercialisation and deagrarianisation in Kashmir

ABSTRACT This paper examines the significant agrarian transformations in India’s Himalayan region of Kashmir, which is witnessing a rapid transition into commercial farming and, simultaneously, an increasing trend of deagrarianisation. The study uses a mixed-method approach to investigate why farmers adopt commercial farming in this region and how the processes of deagrarianisation, reconfiguration of land use, and deepening commodification have become inevitable for many small and medium-scale farmers as a result of this process. In the analysis, our empirically tested theoretical model confirms that institutional factors in terms of state support work as a significant driver toward commercialisation. We then argue that combined with the stimulus of the state, a vigorous process of neo-extractivism is being promoted, which renders the substantive changes in agrarian transitions by displacing the subsistence sector. The study highlights that this contemporary commercialisation is altering the social and physical landscape and driving broader forms of dispossession and consolidation of farmlands at micro-levels. Furthermore, it raises questions about the fundamental role of the Indian state’s neo-extractivist policies in a politically contested region.

Stepping-Up: Impacts of Armed Conflicts on Land Expansion

AbstractLand expansion by existing smallholder farmers (SHFs), aka stepping-up, is a major pathway to the rise of medium-scale farmers (MSFs) in Africa. In this paper, we investigate if and how armed conflicts constrain the ability of SHFs to transition to MSFs. We find that increased conflict intensity reduces the likelihood that a SHF will expand to a larger scale, especially for farmers who rely mostly on farm incomes, rather than off-farm incomes, for their livelihoods. These findings uphold other evidence that peace and stability influence private investment, including land-based investments, that are associated with economic transformation.

Performance Evaluation of Engine-Operated Weeding Machine

Weeds constitute a serious problem to wheat crops and cause a great loss to the yield. Manual weeding is labor-intensive and time-consuming. Chemical weed control has a negative impact on both the environment and humans. Today the agricultural sector requires non-chemical weed control that safeguards consumers demand for high quality food products and pay special attention to food safety. The objectives of the study was to evaluate the performance of an-engine operated weeder by evaluating the weeding efficiency, plant damage, effective field capacity, field efficiency, fuel consumption, performance index, energy consumption, and cost economics of engine operated weeder in wheat crop. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design and evaluation was conducted at three weeder forward speeds (1.5, 2, and 2.5 km/hr), two depths of operation (from 0 to 20 and from 0 to 40 mm), and three levels of soil moisture content (9.4, 12.34 and 15.25%). The performance of the weeder was found to be optimum at 15.25 percent soil moisture content with 0 to 40 mm depth of operation at a forward speed of 1.5 km/hr. The results revealed that maximum weeding efficiency of 90.1 percent was obtained with lower plant damage of 3.31 percent whereas the effective field capacity, field efficiency, fuel consumption, performance index, and energy consumption were found to be 0.052 ha/hr, 85.99%, 0.41 l/hr, 276.78 ha/hp, and 481.71 MJ/ha, respectively. The analysis revealed that forward speed, depth of operation, and soil moisture had significant effects on weeding efficiency, plant damage, effective field capacity, and fuel consumption at P<0.05 level of significance. The cost of weeding per hectare were 758 and 1920 ETB/ha for engine-operated weeders and traditional weeding methods, respectively. Based on the performance results, it can be concluded that the weeding machine is efficient, effective, and economically viable option with high scope for acceptability among small and medium scale farmers.

Performance Evaluation of an Engine Operated Weeding Machine

Weeds constitute a serious problem to wheat crops and cause a great loss to the yield. Manual weeding is labor-intensive and time-consuming. Chemical weed control has a negative impact on both the environment and humans. Today the agricultural sector requires non-chemical weed control that safeguards consumers’ demand for high-quality food products and pay special attention to food safety. The objectives of the study was to evaluate the performance of engine operated weeding machine by evaluating the weeding efficiency, plant damage, effective field capacity, field efficiency, fuel consumption, performance index, energy consumption, and cost economics of engine operated weeder in wheat crop. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design and evaluation was conducted at three weeder forward speeds (1.5, 2, and 2.5 km/hr), two depths of operation (from 0 to 20 and from 0 to 40 mm), and three levels of soil moisture content (9.4, 12.34 and 15.25%). The performance of the weeder was found to be optimum at 15.25 percent soil moisture content with 0 to 40 mm depth of operation at a forward speed of 1.5 km/hr. The results revealed that maximum weeding efficiency of 90.1 percent was obtained with lower plant damage of 3.31 percent whereas the effective field capacity, field efficiency, fuel consumption, performance index, and energy consumption were found to be 0.052 ha/hr, 85.99%, 0.41 l/hr, 276.78 ha/hp, and 481.71 MJ/ha, respectively. The analysis revealed that forward speed, depth of operation, and soil moisture had significant effects on weeding efficiency, plant damage, effective field capacity, and fuel consumption at P<0.05 level of significance. The cost of weeding per hectare was 758 ETB/ha and 1920 ETB/ha for engine-operated weeders and traditional weeding methods, respectively. Based on the performance results, it can be concluded that the weeding machine is an efficient, effective, and economically viable option with high scope for acceptability among small and medium-scale farmers.

The economic performance of mango integrated pest management practices at different scales of production.

Integrated pest management (IPM) strategies are being promoted to suppress tephritid fruit fly infestation and reduce economic damage in mango production. However, research on their economic performance across different mango production scales (measured by the number of mango trees) is limited. This study estimated the economic benefits of IPM practices (parasitoids, orchard sanitation, food bait, biopesticides, male annihilation technique, and their combinations) in Kenya's small-, medium-, and large-scale mango production systems. We used the value-cost ratio (VCR) and net present value methods to estimate the heterogeneous economic performance of IPM practices using data from two unique farm surveys. On average, all IPM practices were profitable across various production scales. However, we found that these practices were more profitable for medium-scale farmers than for small- and large-scale farmers. The results show that farmers need a minimum of 9-17 trees, depending on the practice used, to break even and that there are little to no economic benefits to using IPM practices for farmers with more than 320 mango trees. The male annihilation technique was the most profitable practice, with a VCR of 36, and consequentially, the most adopted practice across all scales of production. Overall, we found significant heterogeneity in the profitability of IPM practices across different scales of production. The reason for the lack of profitability of IPM on large-scale farms remains unclear and warrants further investigation.