Farmers Risk Perceptions Research Articles

Farmer Perceptions of Agricultural Risks; Which Risk Attributes Matter Most for Men and Women

Analysis of farmer risk perceptions is usually limited to production risks, with risk perception as a function of likelihood and severity. Such an approach is limited in the context of the many risks and other important risk attributes. Our analysis of the risk perceptions of farmers extends beyond production risks, severity of the risks, and their likelihoods. We first characterize agricultural risks and identify their main sources and consequences. We then analyze risk perceptions as a hierarchical construct using partial least squares path modelling. We determine the most important risks and risk attributes in the perceptions of farmers, and test for differences in the perceptions between men and women. Results show that severity and ability to prevent a risk are most important in forming risk perceptions. Second, probabilities (ability to prevent) tend to matter more to men (women) for some risks; lastly, low crop yields and fluctuating input prices have greater total effects on the overall risk perception. Our results provide an impetus for risk analysis in agriculture to consider risk attributes that cause affective reactions such as severity and perceived ability to prevent the risks, the need for input price stabilization, and redress of the rampart yield gaps in small-scale agriculture.

Urban vegetable farming in Ghana: assessing the health risks from objective and subjective lenses

Urban vegetable farming remains a potential public health threat in many underdeveloped countries where wastewater is predominantly used. This paper assesses health risks associated with the use of contaminated water for vegetable farming from an objective and farmers' subjective lenses. Samples of water and vegetables taken from vegetable farming communities in Kumasi were tested for microbial contamination using the most probable number (MPN) method. Besides, health risk perceptions of farmers were assessed using thematic analytical framework. Results show high contamination levels of total coliform, Escherichia coli and Enterococci aerogenes bacteria in both water and vegetable samples, far above the World Health Organisation standards and the benchmark set by the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Food. While objective laboratory results show that both the irrigation water and the vegetables produced pose public health risks, farmers generally assessed these as safe. Strict supervision, enforcement of relevant by-laws and continuous public education by metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies are key in ensuring healthy vegetable production for the consuming public.

Urban vegetable farming in Ghana: assessing the health risks from objective and subjective lenses

Urban vegetable farming remains a potential public health threat in many underdeveloped countries where wastewater is predominantly used. This paper assesses health risks associated with the use of contaminated water for vegetable farming from an objective and farmers' subjective lenses. Samples of water and vegetables taken from vegetable farming communities in Kumasi were tested for microbial contamination using the most probable number (MPN) method. Besides, health risk perceptions of farmers were assessed using thematic analytical framework. Results show high contamination levels of total coliform, Escherichia coli and Enterococci aerogenes bacteria in both water and vegetable samples, far above the World Health Organisation standards and the benchmark set by the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Food. While objective laboratory results show that both the irrigation water and the vegetables produced pose public health risks, farmers generally assessed these as safe. Strict supervision, enforcement of relevant by-laws and continuous public education by metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies are key in ensuring healthy vegetable production for the consuming public.

Understanding farmers' naturalistic decision making around prophylactic antibiotic use in lambs using a grounded theory and natural language processing approach

The routine use of antibiotics for prevention of disease in neonatal lambs has been highlighted as inappropriate, yet research suggests that many farmers in the UK still carry out this practice.The aim of the study was to understand farmers' naturalistic decision-making around prophylactic antibiotic use in lambs. Data from 431 posts by 133 different users of an online discussion forum were analysed quantitatively using natural language processing and qualitatively using a grounded theory approach. Results from the qualitative analysis identified five categories that influenced farmers risk perceptions around prophylactic antibiotic use in lambs: anticipated regret, negative emotions and experiential avoidance; economic considerations; farmer identity; perception of capability; and perception of social judgement. Natural language processing analysis of the posts by the study group were compared to posts on topics unrelated to antibiotic use by control groups from the same forum to understand the underlying style and tone within the text. Analytical thinking and authenticity scores were significantly lower in the study group compared to the control groups (P < 0.01). Words relating to cognitive processes were significantly higher in the study group compared to the control groups (P < 0.01). Results of the qualitative and quantitative analysis were integrated to assess the fit of the data and enhance findings from either method alone.The key findings were the identification of reasons why farmers used antibiotics prophylactically in neonatal lambs. Farmers disassociated the use of oral antibiotics in neonatal lambs from other types of antibiotics within sheep farming. Farmers used the concept of luck and uniqueness to justify their prophylactic antibiotic use. This may explain farmers' low analytical thinking scores as this reflects a more personal style of thinking as farmers express their thoughts on antibiotic use on an individual basis. Farmers' felt that they did not have the capabilities to control neonatal disease without antibiotics during busy periods and this was exacerbated by external economic constraints. For farmers' who used antibiotics for therapeutic use, fear of social judgement was an important factor in their perceptions of risk around antibiotic use. The high frequency of negations and conjunctions suggested feelings of moral duty. As such, antibiotic use has developed into a symbol of their good farming identity which conflicted with the identity held by those who used antibiotics prophylactically. These results can be used to inform knowledge exchange around prophylactic antibiotic use in lambs to improve antibiotic stewardship in the sheep farming sector.

Farmers Education and Risk Perceptions of Large-Scale Mining in Ghana

Empirical studies that use household farmers as unit of analysis to examine the relative influence of education on risk perceptions of large scale mining projects in Ghana are virtually absent. This study combined evidence from literature, mixed methods, Pearson’s Chi square (X2) and correlation analyses. Systematic random sampling was used in selecting farmers. Data obtained from 725 households was analyzed using SPSS. The hypothesis “education has no relationship with farmers’ risk perceptions of large-scale mining projects in Ghana” was tested. Results revealed that large-scale mining has both positive and negative image in the minds of farmers. Farmers’ education strongly correlated with their knowledge of the state of the environment and natural resources before the arrival of the mining project [Pearson’s (X2) = 26.743; p = 0.024; Pearson's (r) = 0.791; p = 0.010]. Statistical evidence exists to support the claim that local communities protested against the mining project due to their ability to anticipate adverse effects of the project on environmental quality. Education significantly influenced farmers’ ability to link sources of livelihood to environmental and resource protection [Pearson's (X2) = 25.516, p = 0.043; Pearson's (r) = 0.640; p = 0.036]. Farmers’ risk perceptions of large scale mining as a threat to: community’s natural capital; traditional systems; environmental and social protection regime; established administrative procedures and good conducts of public officials; as well as being a threat to rural livelihood have serious implications for achieving the goals of sustainable mining in Ghana. Nonetheless, farmers associated mining as agent of economic development, and education significantly influenced this assessment [Pearson’s (X2) = 28.093, p = 0.021; Pearson’s (r) = 0.077; p = 0.041]. This paper concludes that education is a significant predictor in risk perception assessment. Robust environmental and social protection regimes, strong public institutions and improved socio-economic status are good predictors of farmers’ risk perceptions of mining.

On-farm urban vegetable farming practices and health risk perceptions of farmers in Kumasi

The paper examines risk perceptions of urban and peri-urban vegetable farmers in relation to their on-farm activities. The study involved 66 in-depth interviews with vegetable farmers from four farming sites in urban and peri-urban Kumasi using interview guide and systematic observations. Relevant data were analysed thematically using NVivo 9 analytical software. Findings show that most vegetable farmers used contaminated water for irrigation and also applied fertilizers and pesticides to crops without any regulations. While these practices are potential health threats to both farmers and the unsuspecting public, the farmers perceived it otherwise and demonstrated lack of knowledge of the harmful health effects of these chemical compounds and the wastewater utilised. The paper argues that the current vegetable farming practices in the study communities are consequences of farmers’ low risk perception, which is shaped by socio-economic, political and cultural circumstances. Effective monitoring by environmental health agencies, coupled with sustained public education and campaigns on the potential health risks of unsafe farming practices could engender acceptable behavioural change among farmers.

An empirical assessment of farmers' risk attitudes in flood-prone areas of Pakistan

Farmers are confronted with several sources of climatic risks. As such, their risk attitudes play an important role in farm management decisions. Few studies have attempted to explore farmers' risk attitudes in flood-prone areas. This study examines the effects of socio-economic factors on risk attitudes of farmers in a flood-prone area of Pakistan. The data were collected from 168 subsistence farmers through a standardized questionnaire. The farmers were selected through multi-stage sampling techniques. For farmers' risk attitude measurement, Equally Likely Certainty Equivalent (ELCE) method and a cubic utility function were employed. Risk perceptions of farmers were measured by the risk matrix technique. A Logit model was employed to investigate the effects of socio-economic factors on farmers' risk attitudes. The findings of the study reveal that the majority of farmers were risk averse in nature. The results for the logit model show that education, experience, farmers' group, landholding size, off-farm income, and risk perceptions of floods significantly affect the risk attitude of farmers. The study provides useful insights into the most important factors affecting the risk attitude of farmers. The results have implications for policy makers in providing farmers with accurate risk mitigating and management tools, such as agricultural credit and crop insurance, to cope with climatic risks.

Factors effecting farmers’ risk attitude and risk perceptions: The case of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Farmers’ risk attitude and risk perceptions are crucial factors that affect their farm production, investment and management decisions. Risk averse farmers are less willing to take on activities and investments that have higher expected outcomes, but carry with them risks of failure. This research is an attempt to quantify farmers’ perceptions of catastrophic risks, their risk attitude and to assess the effect of farm and farm household characteristics, farmers’ access to information and credit sources on their risk perceptions and risk attitude. Equally Likely Certainty Equivalent approach is used to elicit farmers’ attitude towards risk and risk matrix is used to rank farmers’ perception of four calamitous risk sources including floods, heavy rains, pest and diseases and droughts. The results revealed that majority of the farmers are risk averse in nature and consider floods, heavy rains and pest and diseases to be potential threats to their farms enterprise. Age and education of the household head, off-farm monthly income of the household, land ownership status and farmer’ access to informal credit sources significantly affect farmers’ attitude towards risk. The effects of socio-economic and demographic factors on farmers’ risk perceptions are insignificant while access to formal information and informal credit sources adds to the risk perceptions of farmers. The study provides useful insights for farmers, agricultural policy makers, extension services, researchers and agricultural insurance sector. Understanding farmers’ risk attitude and risk perceptions have implications for policy makers and research institutions in providing farmers with accurate information, formulating sophisticated risk management tools and providing agricultural credit and extension services.