Participation In Off-farm Activities Research Articles

Land Rental Transactions in Ethiopian Peri-Urban Areas: Sex and Other Factors for Land Rent Transactions

The continuous reduction in peri-urban agricultural land due to spatial urban expansion forces subsistence farmers to seek arable land through different land access strategies. Among these, land rental transactions are crucial for accessing arable land across different regions. This study aimed to examine factors affecting land rental transactions in the peri-urban areas of the East Gojjam Administrative Zone in Ethiopia. Data were collected from 353 household heads of peri-urban areas, who were affected by expropriation. A total of 350 valid responses were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and an econometrics model. The results indicated that 58% of the respondents participated in both renting and renting out land, which underlines the importance of land rental transactions in the peri-urban areas. Specifically, 60% of female-headed households were engaged in land rental transactions, with 14% renting in and 46% renting out land. In contrast, 38% of the male-headed respondents rented land, while only 19% rented out land. The model result identified sex, landholding size, number of oxen, participation in off-farm activities, and extension service as significant determinant variables for renting land. Households made land rental agreements both orally and in written documents, with oral agreements being more prevalent. Transaction dues were conducted through sharecropping and fixed rents, with sharecropping being the most common method. Thus, land rental transactions play pivotal roles to support the livelihoods of peri-urban subsistence farmers.

Relationship between socio-personal, economic, communication and psychological characteristics of tribal youth with their training needs in selected enterprises

The Ministry of Human Resource Development (1985) considers “youth group” in India as the person under the age group of 15 to 35 years. Tribal youth refer to the youth community belonging to the age group of 15-35 years and have commonality in terms of name, culture, dialect, territory and taboos. Identifying the training needs is the first step of any training programme for a specific target group. The training for tribal youth could serve as an effective tool for developing positive attitude with improved confidence and greater willingness towards agricultural enterprises. The study showed that sociopersonal, economic, communication characteristics like age, family size, marital status, social participation and occupation had positive and non-significant relationship with the training needs. Whereas, gender had negative and non-significant relationship with the training needs. Education had positive and highly significant relationship with the training needs. Participation in off farm activities, information seeking behaviour, mass media exposure, decision making ability, Achievement motivation, attitude of tribal youth towardsagriculture and risk preference had positive and significant relationship with the training needs.

Analysis of Farm Labour Supply among Cucumber Farmers in Ikot Ekpene Agricultural Zone, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

The study analyzed farm labour supply among 90 cucumber farmers that were randomly selected using a multistage sampling in Ikot Ekpene Agricultural Zone, AKS, Nigeria. Specifically, the study sought to examine the socioeconomic characteristics of cucumber farmers in the study area; examine the amount of labour utilized for different cucumber production operation; estimate the determinants of cucumber productivity and examine constraints to cucumber production in the study area. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data which were analyzed using means, frequencies, standard deviation, multiple regression analysis and the Likert Scale Rating technique. Result revealed a mean farming experience, age, household size and farm size of 5 years, 4 years, 5 persons and 0.5 hectare and 5 persons respectively. Majority (62.21) of respondent were female, married (71.1%), educated (87.3%), and participation in off farm activities (83.3%). Findings showed that while men participated more in land clearing (81.1%) and land preparation (76.6%) women were actively involved in weeding (79.2%) and harvesting (45.1%). Children on their part participated more on planting (44%) and fertilizer application/pesticide (47.4%), respectively. Results further showed that the major determinants of labour were farm size (p>.0.01), household size (p>0.05), education (p>0.05), farming experience (p>0.01) and quality of manure/fertilizer (p>0.01). Also, the major constraints to cucumber production were scarcity of seed and agro chemicals, lack of storage facilities, high perishability of product, pest and disease infestation, low prices of product, high cost of labour, poor labour supply, poor access to credit, thefts of product, and low yield, respectively. It is recommended that prices of input should be subsidized, extension agents should be deployed to the area and that effort should be made to discharge the high off farm participation among cucumber farmers in the study area.

Sustainable Use of Soil and Water Conservation Technologies and Its Determinants: The Case of the Handosha Watershed, Omo-Gibe River Basin, Ethiopia

For the past forty years, Ethiopia has been promoting sustainable land management activities to enhance agricultural productivity. This study was intended to identify the factors determining farmers’ adoption and continued use of soil bund measures in the Handosha watershed, Omo-Gibe river basin. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 340 households using the Heckman sample selection model. A total of 235 (69.12%) households adopted soil bunds, but only 89 (37.87%) of them were sustainably practicing soil bunds on their farm plots. Most adopters widely practiced soil bunds (49.42%), followed by stone bund (15.9%), and Fanyajuu (10%). The empirical results of the Heckman sample selection model showed that the farming experience, land tenure security, and perception of profitability of conservation measures were significantly positively affected the adoption of soil bund. Whereas, farm plot size and participation in off farm activities significantly negatively influenced the adoption of soil bund. Sustainable use of soil bund measures were significantly positively influenced by land tenure security, family size, and frequency of extension contact, whereas the distance between farm plots and home, and farm plot size were negatively affected. As a result, a design of agro-ecological-based soil and water conservation (SWC) measures was essential in reducing farmland vulnerability to soil erosion and food insecurity. It has been concluded that conservation practices should not only focus on the implementation and biophysical factors but also consider the socioeconomic interests of the farmers to improve the sustainable use of conservation technologies.

Micro-level analysis of climate-smart agriculture adoption and effect on household food security in semi-arid Nakasongola District in Uganda

Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is fronted as a sustainable, transformative, and technologically innovative approach that increases agricultural productivity, income and enhances greenhouse gas mitigation. However, there is limited micro-level evidence on the effects of the adoption of CSA on food security despite intensified promotion efforts in Uganda. A cross-sectional household survey among 165 respondents, undertaken in August–September 2020, was used to collect requisite data. Principal component analysis (PCA) with iteration and varimax rotation and analysis of variance were used in characterizing CSA practices. An ordered logit model was applied to identify the reported levels of CSA utility. Meanwhile, an endogenous switching regression was adopted to determine the effect of CSA adoption on household food security. Results showed that households used a combination of practices, including soil and water management, pasture management, livestock productivity and disease management. The PCA results revealed six major categories for the 16 most commonly used CSA practice combinations. The key factors that influenced the adoption of CSA practices among households included; access to climate information, total livestock units, ownership of non-livestock assets, and participation in off-farm activities. Results also revealed that the expected food consumption scores (FCS) for adopters and non-adopters were 53.87 and 66.92 respectively. However, when adopters and non-adopters were compared, we found that the adopters of CSA practices would have had a significantly lower counterfactual FCS had they not adopted CSA. While the adoption levels of CSA in this study is low, the counterfactual effects have shown that households that adopted CSA would have had a lower FCS and therefore lower food security status had they not adopted CSA. We recommend CSA promotional efforts that give more attention to combined CSA practices and respond to local production constraints.

Factors Affecting Loan Repayment Performance of Smallholder Farmers: The Case of Microfinance Institutions in Toke Kutaye District, West Shoa Zone, Ethiopia

The main purpose of this study was to identify the factors determining loan repayment performance of smallholder farmers; and to evaluate the based performance of the Microfinance Institutions operating in Toke Kutaye district. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires from 122 randomly selected smallholder farmer clients. Secondary data were obtained from the annual reports and financial statements of the Microfinance Institutions. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logit regression models. The results of the descriptive analysis revealed a significant mean difference between the defaulter and non-defaulter households in terms of total annual farm income, expense on social ceremonies, livestock units, and distance from credit sources. Although the repayment status in the study area was insignificant, there was a variation among institutions where the numbers of non-defaulters decline from Oromia Credit and Saving Share Company, Vision Fund Microfinance and Eshet Microfinance successively along with ratio statistics result. The logit model revealed that age, education level, tropical livestock unit, participation in off-farm activities, repayment period suitability, and sex found to be have positive effects whereas expense on social ceremony, family size, loan diversion found to have negative effects on loan repayment performance of the smallholder farmers. Our findings suggest, in order minimizing loan defaults in the study area, microfinance institutions, non-governmental organizations and policy makers have to effectively work on improving the constraining factors. Keywords: Binary Logit; Customers: Defaulters, Loan repayment; Smallholder farmers DOI: 10.7176/JESD/13-3-04 Publication date: February 28 th 2022

Woman labor force participation in off-farm activities and its determinants in Afar Regional State, Northeast Ethiopia

Women have driven economic development around the globe through higher returns on human capital and education. However, woman’s involvement in labor market was weak over time, generally in Ethiopia and particularly in Afar region. Therefore, this study intended to identify and analyze the determinants of woman’s participation decisions in off-farm activities. The data was collected from 473 sampled women using a multistage sampling technique. Both descriptive and logistic regression model was employed to analyze the determinants of woman participated decision in off-farm activities. Descriptive statistics revealed that, from the total sample, 270 (57.08%) of woman have participated in an off-farm activity, while, 203 (42.92%) of them do not participate. Whereas, the binary logit regression result that woman level of education and dependency ratio was positively and significantly determine woman labor force participation decision; however, a woman who had children less than five years aged, nonfarm training, distance to the market, woman marital status, access to credit, ownership of livestock and safety net adversely affected the participation decision of woman on off-farm activities. This study was recommended that: special attention for woman educational development, adopted family planning and parental benefits, provide and properly follow up nonfarm training, developed marketplace nearby, provide credit for only productive activities, create awareness about off-farm activities in addition to livestock husbandry (mixed-farming), and provide safety net for only eligible woman.

Analysis of extent of credit access among women farm-entrepreneurs based on membership in table banking (TB)

PurposeInadequate finance is considered a major factor limiting the growth of small-scale women-owned farm enterprises in Sub-Saharan Africa. Women empowerment programs such as table banking (TB) and women enterprise fund were initiated in an attempt to curb the credit gap affecting women in agribusiness. This paper determines the factors influencing the extent of credit access among women farm-entrepreneurs who are either members or nonmembers of TB groups in Kenya.Design/methodology/approachThe study was conducted in Kericho County using a sample of 384 respondents. Factor analysis was used to generate three indicators of entrepreneurial orientation which were included as explanatory variables in the regressions. Double hurdle econometric model was employed to analyze the factors influencing the decisions on credit uptake and amount of borrowed loan. Separate models were estimated for members and nonmembers of TB groups since they differed in volume and source of loan accessed.FindingsResults reveal that age of the woman and innovativeness negatively influenced credit access, whereas education level, participation in off-farm activities, number of farm enterprises, perception on interest rate, extension contacts and financial knowledge positively influenced the decision to access credit. On the other hand, participation in off-farm activities, risk-taking behavior, total land size, extension access and financial knowledge were statistically significant with positive correlation on the amount of loan borrowed. Significant factors differ between members and nonmembers of TB groups implying divergence in underlying credit access challenges once one has joined such groups.Research limitations/implicationsThe study did not consider supply-side factors affecting the amount of loan accessed by women farm-entrepreneurs.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is one of the pioneer studies using the double hurdle model to analyze factors influencing the extent of credit access specifically among women farm-entrepreneurs and carrying out the analysis by membership in TB groups.

Socioeconomic Determinants of Farmers’ Participation in Off-Farm Income Employment in Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

The socio-economic determinants of farmers’ participation in off-farm income employment in Ezza south local government area of Ebonyi state, Nigeria were studied. The specific objectives of the study were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers, identify the off-farm income employments participated by the farmers, ascertain the determinants of farmers’ participation in off-farm income employments and identify the limiting factors to the farmers’ participation in off-farm income employments in the study area. A multi-stage random sampling procedure was used to select respondents for the study. One hundred and twenty farmers (120) were randomly selected for the study. Data collected were analyzed using percentage responses and frequency distribution, logistic regression and 4-point Likert scale. The findings revealed that the farmers that participated in off-farm income activities were aged, educated, well experienced, large farm size, females, married and large household size. The result further revealed that high proportion of the respondents engaged in civil service, trading, motor cycle riders, auto mechanics and tricycle riders. The determinants factors to the farmers’ participants in off farm employments were household size, education level, farming experience, farm size and membership of cooperative societies. Factors limiting farmers’ participation in off-farm activities were high level of Illiteracy, poor access to credit facility, old age, inadequate power supply, poor extension services and ill health of farmers identified. There is need to enhance farmers’ access to extension services, educational program, encouraged farmers to join or form cooperatives.

Labour Market Participation of Women in Rural Bangladesh: The Role of Microfinance

Using a large panel dataset on the labour supply behaviours of women and men within households in rural Bangladesh, we find robust evidence that the effects of microfinance on the labour supply are not symmetrical for women and men across different occupations. We also find that giving households access to microfinance helps to smooth out the seasonality in the labour supply via on-farm self-employment-based activities. Within households, the male members’ participation in off-farm activities increased significantly, while the women’s improved but still remained at a low level. Overall, the results suggest that microfinance improves labour market activities for men more than for women, even though the credit is targeted mainly at women.

Determinants of High Yielding Wheat Varieties Adoption by Small-Holder Farmers: Evidence from Ethiopia

Adoption of high yielding wheat varieties is one of the measures presumed to enhance wheat yield in Ethiopia. However, there are several socioeconomic and institutional factors that limit the adoption of high yielding wheat varieties. The main objective of this study was to identify factors affecting adoption of high yielding wheat varieties in Mao-Komo district of Benishangul-Gumuz, Ethiopia. The study used cross-sectional data collected from sample of 174 farm households selected through two-stage stratified random sampling techniques. Descriptive statistics and econometric models were used to analyze the data. Probit model was employed for adoption analyze of high yielding wheat varieties. The probit model result depicted that land holding size, tropical livestock unit, access to agricultural information, frequency of extension contacts, off-farm income, and perception of farmers toward attributes of high yielding wheat varieties affected the likelihood of adoption of high yielding wheat varieties positively and significantly. But, sex of household heads, and affiliation to organizations had negative and significant effect on the likelihood of adoption of high yielding wheat varieties. The findings suggest that the government and stakeholders should need to focus on improving farm land and livestock productivity, strengthening frequency of extension visits, encouraging participation in off-farm activities, creating reliable information and awareness towards farmers’ perceptions in the area. Finally, further support of high yielding wheat varieties adoption should be given due attention for smallholders. Keywords: Adoption, High yielding wheat varieties, Smallholder, Binary probit DOI : 10.7176/DCS/9-1-01

English

Inappropriate use of chemical pesticide in horticultural production is an emerging problem causing undesirable human health and environmental effects in developing countries including Kenya. Thus, objective of this study is to evaluate the determinants of the intensity of uptake of alternative pest control methods among small-scale tomato farmers in Nakuru County, Kenya. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select a sample of 384 tomato farmers. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire administered by trained enumerators. Alternative pest control methods which were identified during the survey were categorized into four groups using principal component analysis. Determinants of the intensity of uptake of alternative pest control methods were estimated using multivariate tobit model. Group membership, age, education and number of training increased the intensity of uptake of alternative methods. Participation in off-farm activities and farm size decreased the intensity of uptake of alternative methods. These results indicate that farmers’ awareness that involves comprehensive training programs and enhancing the capacity of farmer groups as change agents is warranted. Moreover, these research findings could also inform policymakers while formulating and implementing targeted interventions aimed at promoting the use of alternative pest control methods that minimize negative health and environmental effects from overuse of pesticides. Key words: Alternative pest control, pesticides, intensity, food safety, multivariate tobit model.

The Impact of Off-farm Activities on Rural Household Income in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

This study presents an empirical analysis of the impact of participation in off-farm activities on household income level in Wolaita zone, southern Ethiopia. The impact of participation in off-farm activities on household income was estimated by using Heckman two-step model. The results of Heckman’s two-step model indicated that participation in off-farm activities has a significant impact on annual income of the households. Moreover, the study identified the factors that affect participation of households in off -farm activities. Consequently, the probit model result revealed that age of the household head, sex of the household head, marital status, distance to the nearest market, agro-ecological zone, credit access, livestock ownership, the amount of farm income, and having mobile phone were key factors that influence participation of households in off-farm activities. With regard to results of Heckman’s two-step model, the participation in off-farm activities, education level of the household head, and agro-ecological zone were found to be the main factors that affect households’ total income level. The positive and significant effect of off-farm activities on total income of the rural households calls for policy measures in order to pave the way to expand off-farm activities so as to bring a substantial contribution to the living standard of the rural society.

Determinants of High Yielding Wheat Varieties Adoption by Small-Holder Farmers in Ethiopia

Adoption of high yielding wheat varieties is one of the measures presumed to enhance wheat yield in Ethiopia. However, there are several socioeconomic and institutional factors that limit the adoption of high yielding wheat varieties. The main objective of this study was to identify factors affecting adoption of high yielding wheat varieties in Mao-Komo district of Benishangul-Gumuz, Ethiopia. The study used cross-sectional data collected from sample of 174 farm households selected through two-stage stratified random sampling techniques. Descriptive statistics and econometric models were used to analyze the data. Probit model was employed for adoption analyze of high yielding wheat varieties. The probit model result depicted that land holding size, tropical livestock unit, access to agricultural information, frequency of extension contacts, off-farm income, and perception of farmers toward attributes of high yielding wheat varieties affected the likelihood of adoption of high yielding wheat varieties positively and significantly. But, sex of household heads, and affiliation to organizations had negative and significant effect on the likelihood of adoption of high yielding wheat varieties. The findings suggest that the government and stakeholders should need to focus on improving farm land and livestock productivity, strengthening frequency of extension visits, encouraging participation in off-farm activities, creating reliable information and awareness towards farmers’ perceptions in the area. Finally, further support of high yielding wheat varieties adoption should be given due attention for smallholders. Keywords: Adoption, High yielding wheat varieties, Smallholder, Binary probit DOI : 10.7176/JNSR/9-12-03 Publication date :June 30 th 2019

Factors affecting adoption of upland rice in Tselemti district, northern Ethiopia

BackgroundRice cultivation is a new practice to Tselemti district of Tigray region, Ethiopia. Adoption of rice technologies is very slow in spite of its potential in the area. This research intended to identify factors affecting adoption of rice technologies.MethodsA multistage sampling technique was employed to select 150 sample households for this study. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were employed to see mean and percentage differences between adopter and non-adopter categories. Besides, binary logistic regression model was employed to identify the factors affecting adoption of rice technology.ResultsResult of the descriptive and inferential analysis showed that adopters had better farm size, livestock holding, farm income, labor availability, education level, perception on rice yield, access to credit service, contacts with extension agents, participation in off-farm activities, participation in training and field days as compared to non-adopters. Moreover, the binary logistic regression model result showed that the level of education, perception on rice yield, access to credit service, participation in off-farm activities, participation on field day and participation in training were found to positively and significantly influence the adoption decision of rice technology at 1%, 5% and 10% significant level. However, market distance influences rice technology adoption negatively and significantly at 10% significant level.ConclusionsThe variables education, rice yield, access to credit, off-farm activities, market distance, participation on field day and training determine the farmers’ continued adoption decision behavior of rice technology. Therefore, the adoption of rice technology should be sustained by paying attention and moving along with those variables which influenced the adoption significantly.

Off-farm work and food security status of farming households in Ghana

ABSTRACTThis study assessed the effect of participation in off-farm work on the food security status of farming households in the Northern Region of Ghana. Primary data were solicited from 324 farming households in the Tamale metropolis and Tolon district using semi-structured questionnaires. The treatment effects of both income and food security status were estimated using propensity score matching and double-robust methods. The empirical results suggest that participation in off-farm activities increased household daily calorie consumption. These results have implications for the development of off-farm ventures for the benefit of the farming households.

Impact of off-farm activities on technical efficiency: evidence from maize producers of eastern Ethiopia

This article analyzes the impact of participation in off-farm activities on technical efficiency of maize production in eastern Ethiopia. We combined propensity score matching with a stochastic production frontier model that corrects sample selection bias resulting from unobserved factors that potentially affect both households’ decision to participate in off-farm activities and technical efficiency scores that most previous studies do not account for. The probit model results indicate that sex of the household head, literacy of the spouse, agricultural cooperative membership, family size, and access to market information had significant effect on farmers’ participation in off-farm activities. In the meantime, it was found that farmers who participated in off-farm activities have a significant technical efficiency gain compared with their non-participant counterparts.

Off-farm participation and technical efficiency among smallholder farmers in the Northern Region, Ghana

The study aimed at investigating the effects of off-farm participation on technical efficiency of maize production in the Tolon district of the Northern Region, Ghana. The Logit regression model was used to analyze the determinants of off-farm participation while the stochastic frontier production function was used to model the determinants of maize output and technical efficiency. The empirical results from the logistic regression model indicate that age of farmer, educational attainment, farming experience, farm size, and previous farm income are significant drivers of farmers’ participation in off-farm activities. Farmers’ average technical efficiency level was 90.7% suggesting a 9.3% potential loss to inefficiency. Moreover, participation in off-farm activities had a negative influence on farmers’ technical efficiency level. The study, therefore, recommends that farm-level policy should be directed towards making the agricultural sector attractive by promoting investment and agricultural employment opportunities in the rural areas so as to ensure full commitment to farming activities.
 JEL code: Q22

Rural Shadow Wages and Youth Agricultural Labor Supply in Ethiopia: Evidence from Farm Panel Data

The majority of the youth in Ethiopia live in rural areas where agriculture is the main source of livelihood. Using gender- and age-specific values of agricultural labor return (shadow wages), we systematically analyse trends, patterns and prospects of youth’s labor supply in agriculture across space (farm locations). We also analyse whether the household male and female youth members’ agricultural labor supply is responsive to economic incentives. We investigate these using shadow wages estimation techniques applied to farm-household panel data collected during the 2010/11 and 2014/15 agricultural seasons. The results indicate that trends and patterns of the youth’s involvement in agriculture vary across gender and farm work locations, and so do their labor returns. Yet the on-farm participation for youth members is declining across time irrespective of gender, whilst their participation in off-farm activities is increasing. The findings also suggest that changes in agricultural shadow wages matter for the youth’s involvement in the sector, but their impact differs for male and female youth. The results are consistent after controlling for individual heterogeneity, sample selection and instrumenting for possible endogeneity. In addition, we find that youth’s intentions and actual engagement in agricultural production vary greatly. This suggests that the frequent narrative of youth disengaging from agriculture may be a result of methodological flaws or data limitations. Taking into account the intensity of the youth’s involvement in family farm, own farm and off-farm work, the results challenge the presumption that youth are abandoning agriculture, at least in agricultural potential areas of Ethiopia. Instead the youth’s involvement makes an important economic contribution to the operation of the family farm. Therefore, it is necessary to invest in agricultural development to enhance productivity and employment opportunities; and structural transformation that addresses the imperfections and rigidities in labor and other input markets to make agriculture more attractive to youth.

Adoption and intensity of modern bee hive in Wag Himra and North Wollo zones, Amhara region, Ethiopia

Wag Himra zone is one of the Amhara Regional State which has a potential honey production and it is a quite suitable for apiculture activities. The objectives of the study were (1) quantifying the determinant factors of the probability of adoption, (2) evaluating the intensity use of modern beehive and (3) identifying the major constraints of modern beehive production in wag Himra and north Wollo zones, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Multi-stage sampling methods were employed. 268 rural beekeepers were interviewed for this study with proportional random sampling method from adopters and non-adopters. Among the 268 beekeepers, 97 (36.19%) and 171 (63.81%) were non-adopters and adopters respectively. Descriptive analysis and econometric (double-hurdle model) were applied using SPSS-22 and STATA-12, respectively. The first hurdle result revealed that age, the number of livestock owned, educational level, the number of local hives beekeepers possessed, training provided, the the total annual income of beekeepers, credit service, distance to Woreda agricultural office, extension service and participation in off-farm activities are the main factors that affect the probability of adoption decision. Moreover, the second hurdle revealed that age, the number of local hives beekeepers possessed, training access, credit service, and distance to Woreda agricultural office are the main factors that affect the intensity use of modern beehive. Additionally, Pests and predators, drought and lack of bee equipment and accessories are ranked as the first, second and third major constraints of beekeeping respectively which lead the bee colony to abscond and reduction of honey yield. According to the finding the authors safely recommended that those significant factors in adoption decision and intensity use of modern beehive should be considered by policy makers and planners of governmental and NGOs in setting their policies and strategies of honey production improvement interventions.