Risk Of Crop Failure Research Articles

Analysis of Farmers' Risk Preference Factors on the Determination of Rice Micro Insurance Premiums Using the Utility Theory

Business activities in the agricultural sector, especially rice farming, will always be faced with a high risk of uncertainty. The risks experienced by farmers come from the natural environment, natural disasters, climate, and plant-disturbing organisms. To avoid this situation, the government is currently providing the best solution in the form of a Rice Farming Insurance program (AUTP), which is expected to provide protection against the risk of crop failure that farmers may experience. The purpose of this research is to analyze rice farmers' risk preferences in determining rice farming insurance premiums. The research method for rice farmers' risk preferences was analyzed using constant relative risk averse (CRRA) utility theory. Based on the research results, rice farmers in Majalaya District, Bandung Regency has a very risk averse risk preference. The risk preferences of farmers participating in AUTP and non-AUTP are very risk averse. The policy implications that can be explained based on the results of this study are increasing farmers' understanding regarding the description and benefits of agricultural insurance through counseling and assistance by the Agriculture Service and PT. Jasindo, so that rice farmers in Majalaya District, Bandung Regency have awareness of the benefits of insurance. Encouraging the participation of rice farmers in Majalaya District in the AUTP program can also be carried out by prioritizing rice farmers with very risk averse risk preferences. The policy implications that can be explained based on the results of this study are increasing farmers' understanding regarding the description and benefits of agricultural insurance through counseling and assistance by the Agriculture Service and PT. Jasindo, so that rice farmers in Majalaya District, Bandung Regency have awareness of the benefits of insurance. Encouraging the participation of rice farmers in Majalaya District in the AUTP program can also be carried out by prioritizing rice farmers with very risk averse risk preferences. The policy implications that can be explained based on the results of this study are increasing farmers' understanding regarding the description and benefits of agricultural insurance through counseling and assistance by the Agriculture Service and PT. Jasindo, so that rice farmers in Majalaya District, Bandung Regency have awareness of the benefits of insurance. Encouraging the participation of rice farmers in Majalaya District in the AUTP program can also be carried out by prioritizing rice farmers with very risk averse risk preferences.

The Problem with the Anthropocene: Kainos, Not Anthropos

The Problem with the Anthropocene: <i>Kainos</i>, Not <i>Anthropos</i>

Agroforestry—a key tool in the climate-smart agriculture context: a review on coconut cultivation in Sri Lanka

Long-term monoculture of coconuts has resulted in several land-use-related concerns, such as decreasing land productivity, degraded soil, and ineffective resource utilization on a local and global level. Modifying traditional coconut farming with agroforestry concepts is a well-suited predominant nature-based solution for Sri Lanka as well as for other coconut-growing countries to achieve environmental, social, and economic benefits. By intentionally and intensively integrating annual and perennial plants with farm animals in a dynamic and interactive manner, this land-use system creates a sustainable harmonious mini-ecosystem with landscape restoration. Agroforestry mixed with coconut cultivation decreases the risk of crop failure, generates additional income sources, and balances the ecosystem functions by increasing species richness, enhancing soil physical, biological, and chemical properties, opening new carbon sequestration pathways, purifying air and water sources, and being an excellent feedstock source for bioenergy generation. This environmentally friendly farming will promote the Kyoto Protocol and lessen global warming by limiting the atmospheric buildup of greenhouse gases. A proper and accurate plan is required to implement a successful and profitable long-lived coconut-based agroforestry system. The objective of this paper is to recognize the various agroforestry concepts applicable to coconut-based farming, highlight the wide range of benefits and ecosystem services that can be gained through in-situ and ex-situ agroforestry practices, and explore the challenges that may arise during the integration of agroforestry techniques into a coconut-based farming system.

Farmers’ motivations for landrace cereal cultivation in Sweden

ABSTRACTThe interest in landrace cereals, i.e. genetically diverse varieties with historical origin, has increased in recent decades. While several studies exist on farmer’s motivations to grow landraces in a Global South context, investigations are much less common in the Global North. Through an interview study with 32 Swedish farmers that cultivate landrace cereals on a commercial scale, farmers’ motivations to grow landrace cereals were explored. The farms in the study ranged from medium sized to large. The majority were located in areas with marginal agricultural land and less fertile soil. All farms sold the landrace cereals at advantageous prices as niche products and all except one were certified organic. The farmers’ motivations for growing landraces were grouped around three themes: i) sustainable farming systems; ii) suitable agronomic traits; and iii) economic incentives. The first and overarching theme was that cultivation of landrace cereals fitted well with the farmers’ ideals on sustainable farming, with for example less intensive weed control and novel intercropping systems, as well as enabling production of wheat with baking quality on marginal agricultural land. Cultivation of landrace cereals was framed in contrast not only to conventional farming, but also to ‘conventionalised’ high input organic farming. The farmers regarded producing and marketing landrace cereals as an important foundation for more sustainable and multifunctional farming and food systems. This reflected the farmers’ perception of a lack of modern varieties suited for these systems as well as the ability of landraces to buffer risks of crop failure on marginal land.

Approaches and Advantages of Increased Crop Genetic Diversity in the Fields

Crop genetic diversity is the most important factor for a long-term sustainable production system. Breeding and production strategies for developing and growing uniform and homogenous varieties have created many problems. Such populations are static and very sensitive to unpredictable stresses. In Nepal, more than 80% of the seed system is informal, which has contributed greatly to creating and maintaining genetic diversity within the field. This paper aims to assess and present the approaches and advantages of increased crop genetic diversity in the fields, based on the experiences of implementing on-farm conservation activities carried out in Nepal for last two decades. Some of the evidence has been derived from an ongoing evolutionary plant breeding (EPB) project being implemented in Nepal. The information is supplemented with field assessments, focus group discussion, and a literature review. The major approaches to increase crop genetic diversity are evolutionary plant breeding, cultivar mixture, landrace enhancement, informal seed systems, the bulk method, diversifying the seed sources, participatory plant breeding, open pollination, etc. EPB and cultivar mixture are very simple and effective approaches to increase crop genetic diversity at field level. The involvement of farmers in these approaches helps to accelerate the population improvement, maintaining the higher degree of genetic diversity. The major advantages of increased crop genetic diversity are seed maintenance by farmers themselves, minimal risk of crop failure, resilience to unpredictable stresses, increased amount of diversified nutrition, production increment, ease of producing organically, etc. However, there are some issues and problems associated with mixtures and intra-varietal diversity; for example, not being able to harvest by machine, maturing at a different date, difficulty in maintaining seeds and registration, etc. Crop genetic diversity should be considered as a sustainable approach for a climate-resilient and self-dependent production system. The higher the genetic diversity in farming land, the more chance of receiving multiple benefits in the agriculture system.

Efektivitas Pelaksanaan Program Asuransi Usaha Tani Padi (AUTP) di Kabupaten Tabanan

The sector needs serious attention from the government through development programs and policies that are able to boost and real agriculture to national economic growth and ensure national food security in order to meet household consumption needs. One of them is agricultural insurance by involving farmers as partners and beneficiaries of the program. The purpose of this study was to determine farmers' perceptions of the AUTP program in Tabanan Regency, analyze the comparison of claim funds with production costs in Tabanan Regency and analyze the effectiveness of the AUTP program implementation in Tabanan Regency. This research was conducted in Tabanan Regency. The data analysis method used is descriptive analysis method and class interval for purposes one and three while cost analysis is for purposes two.&#x0D; The results showed (1) Tabanan Regency as a correspondent by looking at the perception or attitude which is a form of farmers' responses to the implementation of the program in general is in the effective category with an overall score management average of 82%. provide a good perception of the program with six indicators, namely farmer satisfaction with AUTP, commitment to AUTP farmers, premium payment in accordance with AUTP benefits, AUTP technical officer services, farmer awareness of the importance of AUTP and farmers' commitment to paying premiums. (2) Production costs incurred by farmers for one planting season for 1 (one) ha arable land are Rp 2.458.150. When compared with the average claim for AUTP funds received by farmers of Rp. 2,580,000, the percentage of AUTP benefits is 105.0%. The result of the comparison of production costs and AUTP claims is that there is an excess of Rp. 121.850 (105,0% of the claims obtained). (3) The effectiveness of the implementation of the AUTP program in Tabanan Regency in the implementation of the rice farming insurance program has achieved the goal of protecting farmers from the risk of crop failure caused by natural disasters, extreme weather and plant-disturbing organisms.

Analysis of the Implementation Rice Farming Insurance Program based on the Mapping of Rice Fields with High Flood Risk in Grobogan Regency

Central Java Province in 2021 was the second largest rice producer in Indonesia, with Grobogan Regency as the largest producer in Central Java. It was chosen as the object of research because it is the largest producer in this province with a high level of vulnerability to crop failure. The highest factor of crop failure in Grobogan Regency is the flood disaster. Although they always face the risk of crop failure, the participation of farmers in this regency in rice farming insurance program is relatively low. From the spatial data of rice fields and potential flood disasters, it was found that Godong District is the area with the highest potential for crop failure in Grobogan District, followed by Brati District and Karangrayung District. The flood risk data paired with the participation data of the program for the last four years showed that three districts possess high potential for flood disasters, but the participation of the program is still low. The percentage of participation based on rice field area are Godong District 1.73%, Brati District 0.5%, and Karangrayung District with 0%. The interviews with farmers in the three districts found that most farmers were still not aware of the potential for flooding that could threaten their land, supported by the stigma of the insurance program in general, and public figures in the village who had not yet set an example for participating in this program.

Crop and livestock productivity, soil health improvement and insect dynamics: Impact of different fodder-based cropping systems in a rainfed region of India

CONTEXTFarmers in rainfed areas of South Asia depend on livestock to augment income, and provide manure for soil and crops. However, the full potential of the livestock is not realized due to the non-availability of quality fodder. The deficit may be attributed to limitation in expansion of cultivable land as well as non-availability of fodder from the protected forest areas. It is possible to enhance the productivity of the livestock by crop-livestock systems. OBJECTIVESThis study was conducted to determine the crop and fodder production potential, nutritive value of the fodder, and reductions in soil nutrients loss and pests of the seven fodder-based inter-cropping systems in a rainfed region in South India. METHODSA medium-term field experiment was conducted from 2015 to 2021 at the Gungal Research Farm of ICAR's Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (17o05’ N, 78o39’E) with seven fodder-based cropping systems involving conventional crops either alone or in combinations with annual or perennial fodder species. The seven systems (treatments) were: sorghum + pigeon pea - hedge lucerne, sorghum + pigeonpea - guinea grass, castor - hedge lucerne, castor - guinea grass, sorghum - fodder - clusterbean - fodder-cowpea - fodder -horsegram, sole sorghum, and sole pigeonpea. Impacts of these systems on crop and livestock productivity, reductions in surface soil erosion and nutrient loss, and soil health and pest dynamics were studied. Livestock based studies were also conducted with the harvested fodders. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSWe found that sorghum + pigeonpea-hedge lucerne on average can produce 3865 kg ha−1 of sorghum grain equivalent yield and 37,820 kg ha−1 of sorghum fodder equivalent yield. The sorghum + pigeon pea-guinea grass would benefit the farmers with no animals, by selling the high biomass grass fodder and minimizing the risk of crop failure. These two systems are also better in providing green fodder for at least 8–9 months without any supplementary irrigation. We also observed increase in soil N, OC and soil microbes. There was reduction in runoff (by 51–52%) and sediment loss (by 52%), and reduced pest and disease incidence in these systems. SIGNIFICANCEOur study demonstrated that perennial fodder-based cropping systems are an excellent option to enhance the sustainability and livelihood security of rainfed farmers by reducing the risk of crop failure and supporting the livestock. These systems also open up the scope of integrating tree fodders especially in the bunds and farm borders.

Analisis Kondisi Iklim dan Pemanfaatannya Untuk Penetapan Musim Tanam dan Pola Tanam Di Daerah Taniwel Kabupaten Seram Bagian Barat

A cropping pattern is an agricultural management activity that takes climate and soil conditions into account and seeks to achieve maximum results. Controlling cropping patterns is part of agricultural action planning to minimize the risk of crop failure. The purpose of this study is to (i) describe the climatic conditions in the Taniwell area, (ii) establish an effective growing season in the Taniwell area, and (iii) determine planting patterns for food crops in the Taniwell area. That's it. Length of growing season available. This study used his monthly climate data for 30 observation years from 1992 to 2021 from the Namlea Meteorological Station. Data analysis by following steps: (i) Analysis of rainfall (ii) Calculation of average rainfall (iii) Determination of rainfall with 75% probability (iv) Determination of planting season and planting pattern. The results showed that the effective growing season in the Taniwell area lasted 6 months and 24 days. It starts on December 1st and ends on June 24th.

Intensifying dryland wheat systems by integrating guar increased production and profitability

Guar [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.], is a summer legume with heat- and drought-tolerance properties that is produced in the U.S. Southern Great Plains, but is often restricted to a catch crop or substitute crop following cotton failures. This is despite the large domestic market for guar gum and the opportunity to diversify regional cropping systems with guar, potentially adding ecosystem benefits like biological N fixation (BNF). To address this, a systems research study was conducted near Chillicothe, TX from 2018 to 2021 to evaluate the integration of guar into no-till dryland winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) systems. Treatments included integrated wheat-guar systems differing in cropping intensity, 1.33 crops yr−1 (WG1.3) and 2 crops yr−1 (WG2), plus guar (G1) and wheat (W1) monocrop systems with 1.0 crop yr−1. Results showed that crop rotation sequence influenced seasonal guar yields, with negative yield impacts when guar immediately followed wheat. Consequently, the average seasonal guar yield was greatest in G1 and WG1.3 (1.01 and 0.96 Mg ha−1, respectively), followed by WG2 (0.64 Mg ha−1). Seasonal wheat yield averaged 2.31 Mg ha−1 across years, with no differences among systems. Across years, cumulative system yield was greatest for WG2, followed by W1 and WG1.3, then G1. Similarly, average annual net income followed the trend of G1 < W1 < WG1.3 < WG2, with values ranging from US$ 62.7–213.0 ha−1 year−1. Although overall production and net income were somewhat greater for WG2 than WG1.3, seasonal risks of crop failure and economic loss were lower for the WG1.3 system under the regional climate. There was no direct evidence of guar BNF benefits on subsequent wheat yield and quality, though inclusion of guar enhanced soil NO3-N at varying levels among systems, particularly following wet growing seasons and in less intensive systems.

Effect of organic compost on the vegetative growth of ladies’ finger (Abelmoschus esculentus) in sub-tropical Himalayan region of Himachal Pradesh, India

In the current situation, food waste is a major issue on a global scale. This food waste may decompose into compost, which may then be used in the agricultural sector to increase the output of vegetable crops. In this perspective, a field study on compost was made from food waste and its impact on ladyfinger production in the sub-tropical Himalayan region of Himachal Pradesh was checked. The main objective of the present study was to make people aware about organic manure prepared by using food waste so that they can adopt these agricultural practices and apply them for good crop production. The field work was carried out in the agricultural land of Arni University, Distt. Kangra of Himachal Pradesh during the month of May-August 2021. The experiment consisted of 10 treatments and 10 control plants. Soil of both control and treatment plot was examined with the standard methods. Morphological parameters i. e. plant height, number of leaves per plant, length of leaves, width of leaves, fruit production of the plants of control and treatment plot were measured and recorded weekly. After the execution of statistics on the data matrix results indicated that compost from food waste increased soil fertility. The application of manure was significantly (P less than 0.01) superior over the morphological parameters of the control group plants. Findings of the present investigation indicated that plant height (54.83±1.20 cm), leaf length (18.53±0.63 cm), leaf number (12.70±0.26 cm), leaf breadth (15.8±0.95 cm) and fruit size were significantly increased and it ensured that the organic manure of cow dung and food waste had a favourable impact on vegetable crop production. Future research in this area may assist farmers in reducing crop failure risk and improving production stability.

ResNet101 Model Performance Enhancement in Classifying Rice Diseases with Leaf Images

Indonesia is the fourth biggest rice producer in Asia with its production accounting for 35.4 million metric tons yearly. This figure can increase unless rice crop failure is resolved. Identifying rice diseases, however, may serve as an approach to minimizing the risk of crop failure. The classification to detect rice diseases was previously researched using ResNet101 method with 100% accuracy. Despite this perfect accuracy, this approach does not come without an issue, where the prediction is not yet optimal for each label and loss results which are regarded as too high due to overfitting. Departing from this issue, this research aims to improve the model by reducing the layer complexity of the model and comparing two layers structures of the model, two different data, and the ResNet101 model. The performance resulting from the model could be enhanced with the structuring of simple architectural layers. Despite the small quantity of dataset, the model performance can yield 100% accuracy in the classification of rice diseases with a loss value of 2.91%. The model performance in this research experienced a 2.7% increase at the loss value and it could accurately classify the type of rice diseases according to leaf images on each label. The problem solved by this research is that ResNet101 is able to classify rice disease accurately even with a small amount of data by utilizing the appropriate layer arrangement with data requirements. In addition, the overfitting that occurred in previous research can also be resolved properly. This matter proves that the correlation between the layers of the model with the amount of data is very influential.

The El Ni&amp;amp;#241;o-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Effects on Cowpea and Winter Wheat Yields in the Semi-Arid Region of the Southern US

Information is limited on the effects of climate variability on cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yields in the semiarid region of the southern US. Using the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) crop model and weather data spanning 81 years, we assessed the impact of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on the grain yields of these crops in the Llano Estacado region of the southern US as affected by cowpea and wheat planting dates and N application rate. Simulated results showed that the El Niño phase of ENSO produced about 30% more yields of mono-cropped cowpea than those produced under the La Niña phase, especially with the cowpeas planted in July. The cowpea yields under El Niño were about 10% more than the 81-year average normal yield, whereas those under La Niña were about 20% less. At the N rates of 0, 50, and 100 kg·ha−1, regardless of wheat planting dates, the El Niño years produced, respectively, about 8%, 40%, and 60% higher wheat yields than those produced in the La Niña years, and about 5%, 20%, and 27% more than the 81-year average normal yield. In the La Niña years, the wheat yields at 0, 50, and 100 kg N ha−1 were, respectively, about 5%, 15%, and 20% less than the normal yield with similar N levels. The impact of ENSO on wheat yields under cowpea-wheat double-cropping systems was significant, especially for the wheat crops planted on October 15 (October 30) or later following the cowpea crops planted in June (July). At zero N, the mono-cropped wheat yields were not impacted by ENSO due to N limitation. However, the double-cropped wheat yields were impacted by ENSO even when no N fertilizer was applied due to high soil N status caused by N transfer from cowpea stover residues and roots. Results indicated that management strategies need to be attentive to ENSO forecasts and adjust potential planting dates and N application rates with the ENSO phase to avert risks of crop failure and economic loss.

Perilaku Petani terhadap Program Asuransi Usahatani Padi (Kasus pada Subak Pangkung Jajung, Desa Baler Bale Agung, Kecamatan Negara, Kabupaten Jembrana)

Farmer Behavior Towards Rice Farming Insurance Program (Case in Subak Pangkung Jajung, Baler Bale Agung Village, Negara District, Jembrana Regency)&#x0D; Subak Pangkung Jajung is a farmer group that participates in the Rice Farming Insurance program to protect farmers from the risk of crop failure that occurs in farming. The purpose of this study was to determine the behavior of farmers towards the AUTP program. This research was conducted from December 2020 to February 2021 in Subak Pangkung Jajung in Baler Bale Agung Village, Negara District, Jembrana Regency. The research sample amounted to 60 farmers with data collection methods through in-depth interviews and structured interviews (questionnaires), then analyzed using qualitative descriptive methods. The results showed that the behavior of farmers who took part in the AUTP Program was quite good. The behavior of the farmers is formed on the condition of the behavioral components, namely the general knowledge of farmers about the AUTP program is high, farmers both have a very agreeable attitude towards the AUTP program, and the implementation of the AUTP program by farmers who follow the program is classified as good. Subak Pangkung Jajung farmers need to carry out persuasive counseling on the AUTP program to farmers who have not participated in the program, so that their knowledge and attitudes that are classified as good can continue to be real actions following the program. Provisions for claims from the AUTP Program related to the level of damage to farming businesses that receive compensation need to be reviewed. Where the damage rate of 75% is considered too high, so that farmers participating in the AUTP program are difficult to obtain compensation.

Modeling the Impact of Climate Change on Sustainable Production of Two Legumes Important Economically and for Food Security: Mungbeans and Cowpeas in Ethiopia

Climate change is one of the most serious threats to global crops production at present and it will continue to be the largest threat in the future worldwide. Knowing how climate change affects crop productivity might help sustainability and crop improvement efforts. Under existing and projected climate change scenarios (2050s and 2070s in Ethiopia), the effect of global warming on the distribution of V. radiata and V. unguiculata was investigated. MaxEnt models were used to predict the current and future distribution pattern changes of these crops in Ethiopia using different climate change scenarios (i.e., lowest (RCP 2.6), moderate (RCP 4.5), and extreme (RCP 8.5)) for the years 2050s and 2070s. The study includes 81 and 68 occurrence points for V. radiata and V. unguiculata, respectively, along with 22 environmental variables. The suitability maps indicate that the Beneshangul Gumuz, Oromia, Amhara, SNNPR, and Tigray regions are the major Ethiopian regions with the potential to produce V. radiata, while Amhara, Gambella, Oromia, SNNPR, and Tigray are suitable for producing V. unguiculata. The model prediction for V. radiata habitat ranges distribution in Ethiopia indicated that 1.69%, 4.27%, 11.25% and 82.79% are estimated to be highly suitable, moderately suitable, less suitable, and unsuitable, respectively. On the other hand, the distribution of V. unguiculata is predicted to have 1.27%, 3.07%, 5.22%, and 90.44% habitat ranges that are highly suitable, moderately suitable, less suitable, and unsuitable, respectively, under the current climate change scenario by the year (2050s and 2070s) in Ethiopia. Among the environmental variables, precipitation of the wettest quarter (Bio16), solar radiation index (SRI), temperature seasonality (Bio4), and precipitation seasonality (Bio15) are discovered to be the most effective factors for defining habitat suitability for V. radiata, while precipitation of the wettest quarter (Bio16), temperature annual range (Bio7) and precipitation of the driest quarter (Bio17) found to be better habitat suitability indicator for V. unguiculata in Ethiopia. The result indicates that these variables were more relevant in predicting suitable habitat for these crops in Ethiopia. A future projection predicts that the suitable distribution region will become increasingly fragmented. In general, the study provides a scientific basis of suitable agro-ecological habitat for V. radiata and V. unguiculata for long-term crop management and production improvement in Ethiopia. Therefore, projections of current and future climate change impacts on such crops are vital to reduce the risk of crop failure and to identify the potential productive areas in the country.

Analysis of Indonesia's Food Security Strategy: Rice Price Volatility

Rice is the primary commodity of the majority of Indonesian people, fluctuations in rice prices greatly affect the fulfillment of national food needs. This greatly affects the purchasing power of the people to meet their basic needs. Sensitivity to the price and availability of rice is not only felt at the level of ordinary people who consume rice, but also at the level of farmers who produce rice who still have the risk of food insecurity, due to the lag in the planting and production periods, as well as the risk of crop failure. This study will analyze the food security strategy in Indonesia with the support of various literature data. The purpose of this research is to map the strategies implemented in Indonesia by policy makers, businesses, farmers in maintaining and supporting food productivity. From the results of the research conducted, there are at least three levels of strategies implemented in Indonesia, namely the household level, regional level, and national level. Keywords: Food security;Indonesia;Rice;Price;Volatility

Food Security in a Changing Climate

Agriculture sector is more vulnerable to climate change than other sectors of the economy as climate change is expected to cause higher variability in rainfall pattern, general reduction in precipitation in the arid and semi-arid regions and increase in the frequency of extreme events such as drought, floods, heat and frost. Agriculture production systems, therefore, have to cope with more variability in river water flows and temperature regimes, making food security susceptible to these variation. The less privileged people/farmers who are often located in the marginal production areas such as rainfed, coastal, and mountenace, are likely to be affected more by climate variability whether drought or floods, heat or frost. These changes in climate enhance the risk of crop failures and livestock morality thereby causing financial and economic losses and the risk of food insecurity.

Cropping patterns of shifting cultivation farming in Palasa Highlands, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia

The research stages consist of identification on potential application of agricultural technology and study on cropping patterns, namely cropping pattern of shallot-shallot-shallot and shallot-peanut- shallot. The research was carried out from November to October 2017 in mountainous area that many farmers were engaged in nomadic farming. The study aims to identify problems and potential land use for the application of agricultural technology and study appropriate cropping patterns to increase income for shifting cultivation. The results showed that the condition of the land was less fertile, very steep slope with traditional existing farming technology, so the risk of crop failure was very high and the land quality decreased very quickly due to the erosion. The results of the analysis of farming feasibility and Marginal Benefit Cost Ratio (MBCR) in the introduction of cropping patterns is very feasible to be developed with B/C and MBCR values more than 1.

Do agricultural extension services promote adoption of soil and water conservation practices? Evidence from Northern Ghana

Agricultural environment in many developing economies has become increasingly unpredictable in recent decades as a result of climate change, increasing the risk of crop failure. Access to meaningful information is required to mitigate the negative effects of the changing environment. This study examined the impact of agricultural extension services on the adoption of soil and water conservation (SWC) practices using data obtained from farming households in Northern Ghana. A multivariate probit model was used to assess the simultaneous or/and substitution adoption of SWC practices, while endogenous switching probit (ESP) was used to estimate the impact of extension services on adoption of SWC practices to account for observed and unobserved heterogeneities. The results showed that most of the SWC practices were adopted jointly, and factors such as non-farm economic activites and farm size influence the adoption of SWC practices. Moreover, farmers who accessed agricultural extension services had a higher probability of adopting most of the SWC practices (crop rotation, contour ploughing and manure application), and those who did not benefit from extension services would have had an equally higher likelihood of adopting the SWC practices had they accessed the services. The findings of the study imply that enhancing agricultural extension services will reduce adoption gaps in SWC practices, and consequently reduce farmers’ exposure to climate-related agricultural production risks. With growing information and communication technologies, pluralistic extension service delivery that mixes governmental and private-sector-led approaches to extension operations to foster demand-driven extension delivery services are highly recommended.

CONSTRAINTS PERCEIVED BY THE AGRICULTURAL GRADUATES IN TAKING UP AGRICULTURE AS A PROFESSION

The issue of 'farm readiness', i.e., the interest among agricultural graduates in taking up farming as an occupation after their graduation, is very prominent because most people still regard agriculture as a non-professional and less profitable career option for a young graduate and returning to farming after university would be regarded as a failure. Therefore, to know the constraints perceived by them in taking up agriculture as a profession and to corrective measures accordingly, a study was conducted by collecting data from 120 freshly graduated students belonging to all the four State Agricultural Universities of Gujarat using multistage random sampling technique. The quantification of data was done using Rank Based Quotient (RBQ) technique. The study revealed that high cost of cultivation and low returns, high cost of agricultural inputs and farm machinery fluctuations in market price, unpredictable climate changes, risk of crop failure, high cost of labour, inadequate supply of electricity, lack of proper irrigation facilities, lack of proper storage facilities, lack of proper agricultural infrastructure, lack of financial support, discouragement from the family and friends, lack of proper transportation facilities, inadequate practical knowledge and lack of incentives from the government were the major constraints faced by them.