Farmer Participation Research Articles

Assessing the Technical Efficiency of Rice Producers in the Parsa District of Nepal

Rice is one of the primary staple foods in Nepal, and there has been a notable increase in the production of this crop over the past ten years. Nonetheless, there appears to be a growing tendency to import rice. The plain region (Terai) of Nepal produces more than two-thirds of the country’s total rice output, with the highest productivity found in Madhesh Province. However, because of the limited knowledge regarding the technical aspects of rice production, commercial rice growers are facing challenges in using resources to produce output as effectively as possible. There is a pressing need to maximize production based on a limited number of inputs. Thus, this study aimed to examine the technical efficiency of rice farmers and the factors affecting technical inefficiency in the Parsa district of Nepal. This study area is the major domain of the Prime Minister Agriculture Modernization Project (PMAMP), which supports farmers with necessary agricultural inputs, infrastructure development, and innovative practices. Data were collected from 215 rice farmers using multistage purposive sampling and were subjected to a Cobb–Douglas stochastic frontier production function. The results showed that rice producers had a technical efficiency of 0.862. Age and off-farm activities were found to significantly influence the technical efficiency of rice farmers. The technical efficiency of rice producers could be enhanced using a project approach, such as the PMAMP. It is important for the government to implement innovations and technologies in farms with the participation of older farmers because their ability to adapt to novel techniques and technologies is better than that of young farmers. Youth generally prefer off-farm employment opportunities, so domestic investment in agriculture should be promoted to make this sector more appealing. Further, policies and programs focusing on pooling small rice fields and subsidizing the price of tractors will help improve the yield of rice.

DAYA TETAS TELUR DAN TINGKAT KELANGSUNGAN HIDUP PADA BENIH IKAN MANFISH (Pterophyllum scalare) DI BPBAT MANDIANGIN

This study aims to analyze the level of corn farmers' participation in agricultural extension programs and the factors influencing it in the Porehu District. Employing a survey method with a descriptive analysis approach and a quantitative paradigm, the study involved 112 corn farmers as respondents. The results indicate that internal factors such as age, education, farming experience, income, and family dependents significantly impact farmers' participation in extension activities. Additionally, external factors including farmers' motivation, perception of extension, support for infrastructure, support from extension agents, and social environment support also significantly affect farmers' participation. These findings highlight the need to develop more effective and inclusive extension strategies and strengthen collaboration among the government, agricultural extension agents, farmer organizations, and other relevant stakeholders. Such efforts are expected to enhance farmer participation and the success of agricultural extension programs, ultimately positively impacting agricultural productivity and farmers' well-being.

From Farms to Forests: An Exploration of Afforestation Efforts in Poland Under the Rural Development Programme (2007–2020)

Forests are important in mitigating climate change and addressing biodiversity loss. In Poland, where forest cover has steadily increased since World War II, afforestation of agricultural land has emerged as a key strategy supported by both EU and national policies. This study evaluates the implementation of Poland’s afforestation programs under the Rural Development Programme (RDP) for the periods of 2007–2013 and 2014–2020 using data provided by the Agency for Restructuring and Modernisation of Agriculture (ARMA) and focusing on the financial incentives offered to private landowners and regional variations in their uptake. Results show that afforestation under the RDP aligned with the EU climate neutrality goals, with a total of 37,721 hectares afforested and PLN 243.5 million handed as financial support, predominantly (81%) over the first studied period. The largest afforestation efforts were observed in the Mazowieckie and Warmińsko-Mazurskie voivodeships, with Warszawa, Poland’s capital, achieving the highest municipal afforestation area across both periods. Financial considerations influenced farmer participation, but rising land prices and historical land use patterns were contributing factors. Urban afforestation and increasing demand for woody biomass further highlight the benefits of afforestation. However, conifer-dominated stands, prevalent on low-quality land, can present challenges to ecosystem stability under future climate scenarios, necessitating diversification towards deciduous species. Additionally, low uptake during the 2014–2020 period showcases the need for improved incentives to bolster participation. Still, afforestation presents significant economic and environmental opportunities, advancing long-term policy objectives while addressing critical challenges in climate.

Initiating agri‐environmental collaboration at landscape scale requires bridging structures, regional facilitators and addressing the expectations of actors

Abstract To increase the effectiveness of agri‐environmental schemes, innovative approaches that focus on the landscape scale beyond individual fields and farms are widely discussed and tested. Central to these approaches is collaboration between several farmers and other actors in agricultural landscapes. The effectiveness of collaborative agri‐environmental initiatives is strongly related to the motivation of actors. Administrative and social issues might hamper actor decisions to join an initiative. Based on our experience in implementing a participatory landscape‐scale project in Germany, we raise the question in which ways actors can be motivated and empowered to participate in such initiatives and how collaborative approaches can stimulate and maintain the exchange of participants. We find that establishing bridging structures (for an equal exchange of ideas and experiences), identifying and involving regional facilitators (to promote the participation of farmers and other actors) and addressing the expectations of actors (e.g. regarding administrative burden) can jointly support the establishment of collaborative initiatives in agriculture. This is particularly relevant when local actors have little experience with joint measure implementation and institutional framework conditions for collaborative governance are limited or not provided. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Exploring smallholder farmers' access and participation in the Home Grown School Feeding Programme in selected counties of Kenya.

Smallholder farmers (SHFs) produce 80% of the total agricultural output in Kenya. The Home Grown School Feeding Programme (HGSFP) was designed to address short-term hunger among primary school children from food-insecure households, enhancing access to primary education while providing a market to SHFs through local procurement of food for schools. This study investigated SHF access and participation in the HGSFP market and the uptake of a mobile phone platform (MPP) in HGSFP procurement in Tharaka Nithi, Kitui and Kilifi Counties of Kenya. Descriptive cross-sectional study design was utilized and data were collected from SHFs, school teachers and farmer-based organizations (FBOs) within the schools' locality using semi-structured questionnaires. A total of 378 SHFs, 92 FBOs and 70 school teachers were interviewed for the study. Data were analyzed using Stata version 16. The study revealed that SHFs (22.8%) and FBOs (37.5%) gained access to HGSFP market and sold produce of maize (92.9%) and beans (91.4%). The main channel used by SHFs to sell produce to schools was through the FBOs (61.6%) amidst challenges of lack of surplus to sell (53.2%), low prices (50.9%) and poor transport infrastructure (23.6%). HGSFP schools purchased most of their food requirements from traders/brokers through manual tendering (65%). The uptake of the MPP for procurement of food by HGSFP schools and FBOs was embraced and promising and was rated as faster to use (76.8%) and more transparent in HGSFP procurement (44.6%). The study concluded that local procurement opportunities through FBOs were underutilized. We recommend more capacity-building support for SHFs and FBOs to increase their production and give them better opportunities to be key participants in the HGSFP market and other structured markets. The MPP should be adopted for the procurement of food for school meals for transparency and accountability. To maximize its benefits, it should be inclusive of all market players, especially traders/brokers and sufficient training should be provided to all stakeholders to participate fully in the HGSFP market.

Socioeconomic Factors Affecting Young Widows' Participation in Small-Scale Farming Activities in Mbeere South, Kenya

This study investigates the socioeconomic factors influencing young widows' participation in small-scale farming activities in Mbeere South, Kenya, using a qualitative research design. The paper explores the role of cultural, economic, and gender-related factors in shaping widows' involvement in agriculture, guided by frameworks such as the Gender and Development (GAD) Theory, Social Movement Theory (SMT), and Participation Theory. Document analysis was the primary method for data collection, drawing on academic studies, government reports, and NGO documents. The data were analyzed qualitatively through systematic coding and categorization to identify key themes related to widows' challenges and opportunities in farming. The sampling process was purposive, selecting documents that provided relevant insights into the socio-economic dynamics affecting widows. Sources included government agencies, NGOs working with widows, and academic studies focused on rural development and widow empowerment. The findings show that cultural barriers, such as patriarchal gender roles, inheritance laws, and social stigma, significantly hinder widows' involvement in farming. However, education plays a crucial role in empowering widows; those with higher education are more likely to adopt modern farming techniques, access financial resources, and engage in community initiatives. The study concludes that both cultural practices and education levels are critical determinants of young widows' participation in small-scale farming. The study recommends enhancing educational opportunities, expanding agricultural extension services, and implementing legal reforms to secure land rights and reduce cultural stigma, thereby improving widows' economic security and boosting their participation in farming.

The impact of past and current district-level climatic shifts on maize production and the implications for South African farmers

South Africa’s climate studies generally focus on coarser provincial levels, which aid policy recommendations, but have limited application at the farm level. District level climate studies are essential for farmer participation in climate change mitigation strategies and management. Our study aimed to investigate historical climate data for trends and their influence on maize yields at the magisterial level. Six sites were selected from three major maize-producing provinces in South Africa: Mpumalanga, Northwest, and Free State. Magisterial districts in each province were selected from different Köppen-Geiger climate zones. The climate variables assessed by the Mann–Kendall trend test included maximum or minimum temperature, rainfall, number of extreme high-temperature days, rainfall onset and cessation from 1986 to 2016. The average maximum temperatures were observed to have significant upward trends in most locations, except for Schweizer-Reneke and Bethlehem. The fastest rate of change was observed at Klerksdorp (0.1 °C per 30 years of study), while the Schweizer-Reneke district was the slowest (0.05 °C per 30 years of study). No significant changes were observed in rainfall onset, cessation, or total rainfall in Schweizer-Reneke, Standerton, and Bethlehem, which are scattered across the different provinces. The other districts in each province showed significant changes in these parameters. Rainfall accounted for the significant variation in maize yields over the study period, explaining between 18 and 40% of the variation in the North West, and between 1 and 17% in the Free State. These findings highlight the importance of understanding location-specific changes at a finer scale, which can help farming communities adjust agronomic practices and adapt to local climate shifts.

Evaluating the Impacts of the Land Consolidation Project Implemented in Tekirdağ Province on Agricultural Enterprises

This study aims to evaluate the structural, economic, and social impacts of the land consolidation project implemented in Tekirdağ province on agricultural enterprises. The research utilizes data from surveys conducted with farmers in villages designated as consolidation areas, along with records from the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works. To determine the impacts of land consolidation, descriptive statistics, the Januszewski Index (JI), the Simmons Index (SI), and other consolidation indicators were employed. Following land consolidation, the average parcel size of enterprises increased by 30.54%, reaching an average of 34.79 decares, while the number of parcels decreased by 42.37%, resulting in an average of 9.29 parcels. The increase in the JI value from 0.344 to 0.419 and the SI value from 0.197 to 0.254 suggests that land fragmentation has decreased. However, these values also indicate that it could be further reduced with improved planning. From an economic perspective, fuel consumption decreased by 11.96%, averaging 4.71 liters, and travel time loss reduced by 12.50%, averaging 0.77 hours, indicating that land consolidation has enhanced the efficiency of enterprises. The social impacts of the project were less positive than anticipated, with many farmers expressing dissatisfaction due to insufficient information during the planning phase, delays in project completion, and perceived discrepancies between promised and actual outcomes. Regarding social impacts, the percentage of farmers who believed that land consolidation would be beneficial was 93.07% before the process, which fell to 41.58% afterward. Additionally, 84.16% of farmers raised objections about the process. This suggests that the land consolidation project may not have achieved the expected positive impacts. To improve the effectiveness of land consolidation projects and increase farmer satisfaction, several key enhancements are needed. Project planning should be more comprehensive and grounded in up-to-date data, with a commitment to transparency throughout all stages. Encouraging farmer participation in the consolidation process and increasing their awareness and understanding are essential. It is also important to create avenues for farmers to voice their concerns and actively contribute to the process. Furthermore, accelerating project timelines and ensuring the complete delivery of promised services would help build farmers' trust. Implementing these strategies could lead to more positive social and economic outcomes for land consolidation projects.

Determinants of adoption of quality protein maize varieties in Misrak Badewacho District, Southern Ethiopia: policy implications.

This study aimed to identify the determinants of adoption of quality protein maize (QPM) varieties. QPM varieties are promoted as a solution to the problem of undernutrition, and their adoption is especially important in areas where maize is a nutritional staple food source. This study employed a cross-sectional design. A multistage sampling procedure was used to collect primary data from 143 sampled maize producers, which were analyzed using SPSS version 22. A binary logit model was used to identify major determinants. The results indicated that access to QPM seed, land size, on-farm income, involvement in off/non-farm activities, frequency of contact with development agents (Das), educational level of the household head, and participation of farmers on field days were statistically significant determinants of QPM variety adoption. Credit use was also a significant determinant of the adoption of QPM varieties but showed a negative influence. Therefore, this study recommends that all relevant stakeholders working at different levels in QPM production and extension pay attention to the factors that could affect farmers' decisions to adopt QPM in the study area. Furthermore, all concerned bodies should work together to enhance the adoption of QPM varieties.

Improving Smallholder Maize Production in KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa

ABSTRACTMaize production contributes to food security and economic stability among smallholder farmers in the KwaZulu‐Natal (KZN) province of South Africa, but it faces major challenges. Obstacles in smallholder maize production include limited water supplies, soil degradation, and biotic stressors such as pests and diseases. This study uses a case study methodology incorporating primary observations, secondary referencing, and literature reviews to examine the intricate relationship between smallholder maize production and agricultural/natural resources. The recommendations offered here focus on improving food security in KZN, including the integration of scientific and indigenous knowledge systems, farmer participation in decision‐making processes, and the provision of educational programs tailored to smallholder farmers. Taken together, these recommendations can help strengthen smallholder participation in maize production in KZN.

Farmers’ perception of the integrated farming system of arrowroot and livestock in supporting a zero-waste agriculture system

The integrated farming system plays an important role in supporting zero-waste agriculture. This study aims to describe the implementation of the integrated farming system of arrowroot and livestock adopted by arrowroot farmers, analyze the farmers’ perception of this integrated farming system, and analyze the relationship between farmers’ perception and their socio-economic conditions. The research was conducted on 91 members of women’s farming groups in Pengasih District, Kulonprogo Regency, and in Prambanan District, Sleman Regency, Yogyakarta Special Region Province. These groups practice an integrated farming system combining arrowroot cultivation and livestock. The results show that the integrated farming system of arrowroot and livestock supports sustainable agriculture, particularly zero-waste, by reducing agricultural and livestock waste. Farmers have a positive perception of the integrated system, especially regarding production efficiency and environmental benefits. Farmers’ perceptions are positively correlated with household involvement in farming, educational level, and active participation in farmer groups, and negatively correlated with farmers’ risk levels.

Cultivating a thriving agricultural sector: Unveiling the drivers of farmer participation in agricultural development interventions in Ghana

Cultivating a thriving agricultural sector: Unveiling the drivers of farmer participation in agricultural development interventions in Ghana

Zoonotic Disease: Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Dairy Farm Owner in Wolaita Sodo District, Ethiopia.

Lack of knowledge regarding zoonotic transmission, prevention and control measures is a potential high risk for the occurrence of zoonotic diseases. The study aimed to assess knowledge, attitude and practices of dairy farm participants concerning zoonoses. A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to August 2022 in and around Sodo town, using a questionnaire among dairy farm participants (n = 123). The structured questionnaire consisted of 48 items to evaluate knowledge (12), attitude (10) and practices (6) related to zoonotic disease-risks from livestock products and birth products was administered to the systematically and randomly selected respondents. Linear regression analyses were used to assess relations between the explanatory variables and the three indexes. The overall positive response for knowledge, attitude and practice subscores were 65%, 74% and 59% respectively. 93% of participants know that disease can transmit from animal to human. Besides, eating uncooked meat (92%), drinking raw milk (85%) and collecting aborted foetuses and placenta with bare hand (80%) are known sources of infection. Participants who thought zoonotic diseases can be treated, controlled and prevented were 78%, 80% and 81%, respectively. Among participants, 74% showed positive attitude towards risk of acquiring disease through the consumption of raw meat and milk. The participants who believed that apparently healthy animals can be a source of infection were 42%. Education level was positively associated with better knowledge, attitude and practice towards zoonoses. Furthermore, farm type, size and respondent's residence were also associated with better practice of zoonotic disease prevention (p < 0.05). Despite good knowledge, attitude and practice about zoonotic diseases' control and prevention, there are some serious knowledge and practice shortcomings. Awareness creation and training programs for the members of the dairy producers on zoonotic diseases and their transmission mechanism might help the effort in public health significance of zoonotic disease prevention.

Increasing Participation of Independent oil Palm Smallholders in Farmer Group Institution

Farmer groups play an important role in the palm oil industry in terms of access to capital, production facilities, marketing, market information, and learning vehicles. However, the participation of independent smallholders in institutions, especially farmer groups, is still very limited because of the limited knowledge and awareness of farmers about the important role of these institutions. The aim of this research is to formulate an increase in the participation of independent oil palm smallholders in farmer groups in the Sambas Regency, West Kalimantan. The research used a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods with a SWOT-AHP analysis of 33 experts and ordinary informants from the government, farmer group officials, companies, wholesalers, and farmers. The results show that institutional capacity building was selected as a strategic priority for increasing farmer participation. Three efforts must be made to increase institutional capacity: compiling institutional norms/rules, holding regular meetings, and compiling group administration books. Keywords: farmer group institution, participation, oil palm smallholder

Farmers Participation in Agricultural Fairs and Determination of Their Satisfaction Level; Konya Agricultural Fair Example

The study was conducted to determine the satisfaction of farmers participating in the Konya agricultural fair with agricultural fairs. The sample size was calculated according to simple random probability sampling based on finite population ratios. A survey was conducted with 96 farmers participating in the Konya agricultural fair. The age, education level, and social security status of the farmers were given with simple percentage calculations. The reasons for farmers' participation in agricultural fairs and their satisfaction levels with agricultural fairs were measured with a 5-point Likert scale. The research results showed that the farmers participating in the agricultural fair were between 30 and 49 and were high school and secondary school graduates. The vast majority of them had social security statuses such as Bağkur. It was determined that the participants participating in agricultural fairs generally had an intermediate level of education and that the farmers were satisfied with the agricultural fair. Rapid developments have also emerged in industry and technology with the globalization of the world. Fairs have a very important share in the introduction of these technologies. In addition, fairs have become the biggest dynamics of the need for socialization limited by development. Therefore, efforts should be made to increase the number of participants in agricultural fairs, and the participation of farmers in the fairs should be increased. In particular, farmers participating in agricultural fairs should be provided with access to financial resources to purchase the technologies they see at the fair.

The IMPACT EVALUATION OF BABBAN GONA FRANCHISE ON PRODUCTIVITY OF SMALLHOLDER MAIZE FARMERS IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract This study evaluated the impact of Babban Gona Franchise on the productivity of smallholder maize farmers in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select a total of 754 respondents comprising 377 each for participants and non-participants, respectively for the study. Data were collected by the use of interview schedule. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, data envelopment analysis (DEA), and propensity score matching (PSM). The results of DEA showed that only 20.9 and 4.9 % of participant and non-participant farms were found operating at optimal scale. Majority of the respondents were found to be technically, allocatively and economically inefficient. Using nearest neighbor matching (NNM), the PSM revealed that participation in Babban Gona Franchise had a positive and significant impact on productivity of the farmers. The result revealed that participant realized 2057.82 kg/ha compared to non-participant with 1747 kg/ha. The difference in yield amount to 309.86 kg/ha which was statistically significant at 1% level of probability level. On the average, the participant obtained a yield of 3.7 tonnes/hectare against non-participant of 1.7 tonnes/hectares of land. This suggest that participant farmers had a positive impact on the productivity of the farmers. The study recommended that capacity development for field agents on knowledge transfer to farmers should be enhanced. Concerted efforts should be made to extend the services of Babban Gona to female folks. The scale of farm production should be increased thereby decreasing cost, given that majority of farms were operating at sub-optimal level. Other forms of contract farming models with potential impact should also be explored.

WOMEN ROLES IN LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION AND IT’S IMPLICATIONS IN AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE IN JIGAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Women play significant roles in agriculture and livestock production in particular in many countries in Africa of which Nigeria is not an exception. Some of them own livestock especially sheep and goats since these animals are smaller and easier to handle compared to cattle, this study examined the socio- economic characteristics of women livestock farmers, the roles women play in livestock production, their access to extension services and the challenges they encounter with regards to extension service delivery in Jigawa State, Nigeria. The survey was carried out in two local government areas; Yar-gaya and Dan-hassan of Jigawa State. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 81 respondents for the study. Primary data were collected with the aid of questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using percentages, pie-charts and bar-charts. The results of the study revealed that 72.2% of the women are married, 50.6% possessed primary school education, 37.1% had informal education and 54.4% had a household size of (1-5). It further revealed that goat (32.10%) is the most common livestock specie kept by women while 29.6. % of the women were involved in marketing of livestock products (milk). A few (35.6%), of the livestock women farmers obtained agricultural information from household members, other sources were; radio (32.22%), extension agents (3.70%), and non-governmental organizations (16.05%). Poor access to agricultural extension services (64.6%) was the major challenge faced by women livestock farmers in the study location. This study therefore recommends that the federal government should ensure that gender-sensitive policies are adopted and implemented to improve the participation and empowerment of female livestock farmers.

Optimizing Agricultural Food Institutions at the Farmer Level to Enhance Rice Productivity: A Strategic Approach for Sustainable Development

This study aims to analyze the role of agricultural food institutions at the farmer level in enhancing rice productivity in Lamongan Regency, East Java. It examines the contributions of these institutions to productivity and identifies strategies to optimize their functions, thereby improving the overall business environment for farmers. Employing a descriptive research method with a survey design, primary data were collected through structured interviews and direct observations from agricultural extension workers and farmers, complemented by secondary data from relevant publications. The findings indicate that agricultural food institutions play a moderately effective role in boosting rice production, influenced by factors such as land ownership, farmer group participation, access to technology, and market access. Specifically, effective land management and high soil quality positively affect productivity, while appropriate technology and active engagement in farmer groups further enhance yields. However, challenges such as inadequate land management practices, the need for technological innovation, limited farmer participation in group activities, and insufficient market access hinder optimal productivity. This study contributes to understanding the intersection of institutional dynamics and agricultural productivity and offers insights for strengthening agricultural institutions to support sustainable agricultural development. Future research should explore different regions and crops and delve deeper into market dynamics, technological innovations, and policy interventions to enhance farmer welfare and productivity.

Analysis of Farmer Participation and Feedback on Vermicompost Training Programs at KVK Buxa, Jaunpur, India

Analysis of Farmer Participation and Feedback on Vermicompost Training Programs at KVK Buxa, Jaunpur, India

PARTISIPASI PETANI JAGUNG DALAM KEGIATAN PENYULUHAN PERTANIAN DI DESA ALEBO KECAMATAN KONDA KABUPATEN KONAWE SELATAN

The agricultural sector is a significant contributor to the regional and national economies, particularly in South Konawe Regency, which boasts extensive agricultural land and a prominent maize production industry. However, the efficacy of maize production is frequently constrained by deficiencies in knowledge and suboptimal agricultural practices. One of the most crucial endeavors in the field of agricultural development is the provision of extension services, which are designed to enhance the knowledge and expertise of farmers, thereby facilitating enhanced agricultural productivity and quality. The objective of this study is to examine the level of participation of maize farmers in Alebo Village in agricultural extension activities. The population under investigation consisted of all corn farmers, amounting to 164 families. This figure was obtained through the application of simple random sampling to a population of 15% (25 families), and the resulting data was subjected to quantitative analysis. The findings revealed that farmer involvement in corn farming extension activities in Alebo Village, Konda Subdistrict, can be classified into distinct phases. These include participation in planning activities, attendance, active engagement in extension activities, and evaluation of agricultural extension activities. Farmer participation in agricultural extension planning activities is classified as low. The participation of respondents in agricultural extension activities is classified as attendance. The participation of corn farmers in each extension activity is classified as active (participating). The participation of corn farmers in their activeness is also classified as active (participating). Finally, the participation of farmers in the evaluation of extension tends to accept the results of extension activities that they have done. Nevertheless, farmers perceive the presence of agricultural extension workers to be highly beneficial for the implementation of their maize farming practices.