Secondary Occupations Research Articles

Willingness to Pay for Improved Irrigation

Irrigation farming is essential for all-season farming in the areas that usually depend on seasonal rainfall, like Southwest Nigeria. This study assesses farmers' willingness to pay (WTP) for sprinkler irrigation systems in Oyo and Osun States and the socioeconomic determinants of such investment decisions. Using a multi-stage sampling method, data were collected from 476 farmers through structured questionnaires using the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) and analyzed using descriptive analysis and logit regression. Results show that 75.42% of farmers are willing to pay for sprinkler systems with an average WTP of ₦246,159.7 per acre per season. Key positive influences on WTP include age, access to credit, and cultivation of water-intensive crops like fruit and vegetables, while secondary occupations, farming experience, and cereal production negatively impact WTP. The fit is very good, as evidenced by a pseudo-R² of 0.92. The study recommends increasing the availability of appropriate credit through the Bank of Agriculture and commercial banks and flexible payment options. Also, educational programs highlighting the benefits of irrigation could encourage traditional farmers to adopt modern practices. The results show that these interventions need financial and knowledge inputs to improve sustainable agriculture and food security in Nigeria.

A Study on Socio-economic Status of Fishers in Khammam District of Telangana, India

This study typically aims at analyzing the socio-economic condition of fishers in Khammam district of Telangana. The study was held in Khammam district of Telangana. In Khammam district top 5 mandals with highest fish production was selected for the study. The study lasts from April-May 2024. A multi-stage random sampling technique was selected for the study with sampling population of 120 beneficiaries. A well-structured pretested interview schedule was prepared that includes educational status, fisheries experience, type of family, type of house and sources of income etc. The socio-economic parameters were selected from previous literature. Based on response given by respondents, the data was analyzed and conclusive results were drawn. Most respondents have a high school education (48.33%) and fall within the 35-50 years age group (61.66%). The majority belong to the OBC category (85.83%) and live in nuclear families (95.00%) with pucca houses (84.16%). Fisheries is the primary occupation for 55.83% of respondents, while 44.16% have no secondary occupation. Landholding is predominantly marginal or small, with 55.83% holding no land. The main crops grown are paddy, cotton, and chili, with fisheries being the primary income source, complemented by agriculture and off-farm activities. It can be concluded that the majority of fishers are well-integrated into the fisheries sector, with limited landholdings and minimal secondary occupations. Educational attainment is concentrated at the high school level, and most participants belong to the OBC category. Income was primarily derived from fisheries, with some involvement in agriculture and off-farm activities.

Cocoa Farmer's Use Of Approved Pesticides And Compliance With Safety Standards In Obuasi Municipality, Ghana

Amidst the agricultural landscape of Ghana lies a complex interplay of practices governing the use of approved pesticides and adherence to safety standards among farmers. By analysing data gleaned from 400 farmers through the multistage sampling technique, our aim is reveal the multifaceted influences that shape farmers' decisions in the use of approved pesticides and safety compliance. Age, education, marital status, farm ownership, experience, farm size, access to equipment and services, cooperative membership, secondary occupations, and income, significantly influence farmers' choices in the use of approved pesticides. Furthermore, compliance with safety protocols is found to be influenced by factors such as farm size, access to extension services, and the perceived relative advantage of pesticides. We advocate for policies that promote the use of approved pesticides and prioritise safety standards in agricultural practices. This may include strengthening regulatory frameworks, incentivising sustainable farming practices, and enforcing penalties for non-compliance with safety regulations.

Integration of socio-ecological data to prioritize biodiversity hot-spots for Marine Protected Area (MPA) delineation in the coastal zone of Bangladesh

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are widely used tools for conserving coastal and marine biodiversity and ecosystem health. However, the goal of declaring and managing at least 10 % of coastal and marine waters as MPAs has not been achieved in Bangladesh and many other countries. This study aimed at prioritizing the potential areas for MPA delineation in the south-west coastal zone of Bangladesh. The study also examined the socio-economic status, environmental and ecological characteristics of the study areas. Data on socio-economic, environmental, ecological, and management variables were collected through intensive field surveys from August 2023 to December 2023. The data were integrated using a multi-criteria analytical technique. Fishing was identified as the primary occupation for all fishermen surveyed, with secondary occupations including fish selling, marketing, and drying activities. The fishing areas for fishermen from the three survey sites were mainly concentrated in the offshore area. All three areas were identified as biodiversity hotspots, with Kuakata coast showing the highest species diversity, followed by Salimpur and Sandwip coasts. The study revealed that the Kuakata coast has the highest conservation importance, especially for IUCN red-listed species, juvenile fisheries species, and megafauna species. Salimpur coast is important for the conservation of saltmarshes, mangroves, and their dependent communities, while Sandwip is crucial for juvenile fish species conservation. Based on socio-ecological criteria, Kuakata was recommended as the most potential site for MPA delineation, followed by Salimpur and Sandwip. Implementing these recommendations can improve the management and execution of existing MPAs by focusing conservation efforts on areas with the highest biodiversity and ecological importance, ensuring better protection for vulnerable species, and enhancing the sustainability of local fishing communities. This, in turn, will ultimately enhance biodiversity conservation and ecosystem health in the southwest coastal area of Bangladesh.

Hilsa fisheries in India: a socio-economic analysis of fishers in deltaic Ganga region of river Hooghly

Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) is a premium table fish in the eastern and some parts of the north-eastern region of India, especially for the Bengali community, contributing uniquely to the societal and economic significance of artisanal fisheries of the country. The major distribution of the fish species in India lies in the Bhagirathi–Hooghly component of the Ganga River system. The aim of the study was to examine if traditional Hilsa fisheries in India are sustainable as the livelihood of artisanal fishers in light of the socio-economic conditions of Hilsa fishers in West Bengal. Structured socio-economic surveys were conducted with 402 fishermen from the upper stretch of river Hooghly to its lower stretch (300 km) in West Bengal during 2020–2021. The average monthly income of the Hilsa fishers in the lower stretch of river Hooghly (Godakhali) (₹25,000–30,000/USD 301–361) was higher than that in the upper stretch at Farakka (₹10,000–15,000/USD 120–180). However, fish species other than Hilsa are generating significantly higher returns for 56% of fishers in the Hooghly district; 40% of Hilsa fishers in South 24 Parganas and Murshidabad (Farakka) districts are engaged in non-fishery activities for livelihood. There are significant differences between Hilsa fishers with other fisheries as secondary occupations and those with non-fishery activities as secondary occupations in terms of socio-economic characteristics. These imply that Hilsa fisheries are profitable as a continued traditional livelihood, but it alone is not sufficient enough to support the livelihood of the artisanal fishers. This indicates the threatened economic sustainability of the Hilsa fisheries sector at present. Considering the high market demand for Hilsa in the eastern and north-eastern regions of India and the market complexities, more significant investments need to be channeled into the Hilsa fisheries of the northern Bay of Bengal region. Such investments encompass a wholesome approach, including more governmental initiatives for conservation and management.

Socio-Economic Determinants of ICT Utilization among Small Ruminant Farmers in Gombe North Senatorial District of Gombe State, Nigeria

This article examined the relationship between socioeconomic features on the utilization of ICT tools in small ruminant animal production in Gombe North senatorial district of Gombe state, Nigeria. 120 small ruminant animal producers were selected using multistage sampling methodologies. The findings revealed that the respondents’ sex, highest educational level, farm size, and the number of secondary occupations, were the socio-economic characteristics which exerted a strong, influence on the overall extent of ICT gadget usage. Respondents; sex was found to have a rho value of .862, the highest educational level.968, farm size .870 and the number of secondary occupations.930. The study suggests that farmers should seek further education, try to increase their farm size, introduce more other enterprises into their farms and engage in more other secondary occupations.

“Making teaching cheap”: secondary employment and feminisation in elementary schools in the Uppsala region in central Sweden, 1861–1910

ABSTRACT The introduction of elementary schools in Sweden (and elsewhere) in the mid-nineteenth century required the quick hiring of many new teachers, which in turn posed challenges about their financing. This paper analyses school inspectors’ reports and teachers’ journals to illuminate local strategies to provide affordable teaching in the Uppsala region in central Sweden from 1861 to 1910. The feminisation of the teacher’s role and the secondary occupations undertaken by (usually) male teachers during this time have not previously been studied together in this context. The main aim of studying these areas together was to contribute to social and economic research in the history of education. The methods were historical and statistical analyses of source materials, with a particular focus on local and regional school developments. The results show that hiring more women to teach in the lower school forms and providing or encouraging side occupations for male teachers were common strategies to make teaching affordable in Sweden during the period studied. In conclusion, it would have been very difficult to implement the elementary school model in Sweden without these strategies. The study confirms the notion of the local character of school funding and provides new empirical evidence of the limitations of state intervention during this period.

Effectiveness of co-management in reducing forest dependency and improving socioeconomics of forest dependent people in Bangladesh

Abstract. Yeasmin S, Islam KN, Jashimuddin M, Rahman MM, Jiku AC. 2022. Effectiveness of co-management in reducing forest dependency and improving socioeconomics of forest dependent people in Bangladesh. Asian J For 6: 56-64. Co-management of forest protected areas (PA) has started its journey in Bangladesh, intending to conserve forest resources by creating alternative income-generating activities for forest-dependent people. This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of co-management initiatives in improving socio-economic status and reducing peoples' forest dependency at Dudpukuria-Dhopachari Wildlife Sanctuary (DDWS), Bangladesh. A total of 142 respondents consisting of 71 co-management project-supported people (treatment) and 71 local people (control) with similar socio-economic conditions without any project support, were surveyed randomly through a semi-structured questionnaire. The Difference in Differences (DiD) method was applied to assess the effectiveness of this program. Results revealed that there was an insignificant difference between co-management participants and non-participants in the case of total income. Both parties also observed a similar trend for total forest resource extraction. However, the monthly income of co-management participants from secondary occupations increased by USD 16.46. In contrast, the monthly fuel wood extraction of the co-management participants was reduced, equivalent to USD 2.21. The studied socio-economic parameters were more or less similar for both parties. We conclude that the co-management interventions in DDWS resulted from insignificant differences in terms of socio-economic conditions and forest dependency of local forest-dependent communities.

Dynamics of Household and Regional Economy in Banni Grasslands, India: A Cross-Sectional Study

The dynamics of household and regional economy of Banni grasslands in India were studied based on primary data collected from 280 households across 13 villages. Each household had one primary occupation and, on average, two secondary occupations. Pastoralism and charcoal production employed 58 and 28% of households as primary occupations, respectively, whereas leather work, services and tourism employed 4% of households each. Further, pastoralism and charcoal production employed 60 and 48% of households, respectively, as secondary occupations. Highest and lowest average annual net returns were realized from the sale of milk and milk products (₹ 414,070/HH) and honey and gum collection (₹ 2827/HH), respectively. The Banni grassland is still a traditional society predominantly based on the primary sector as it employed 88% of the households and contributed 91% to the economy. Pastoralism alone contributed 82% to the economy of the Banni region followed by charcoal production (8%) and tourism (5%), whereas all other occupations contributed <1–2% each. Contribution from secondary and tertiary sectors was very low. Pastoralism has evolved in the region, but it continues to be the dominant livelihood option. Therefore, arresting and addressing the land degradation process in Banni grasslands is of paramount importance to sustain the livelihoods and the ecology.

Training Patterns and Mental Health of Bodybuilders and Fitness Athletes During the First Lockdown of the COVID-19 Pandemic-A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background:Government restrictions during the first COVID-19 lockdown, such as the closure of gyms and fitness centers, drastically limited the training opportunities of bodybuilders and fitness athletes (BoFA) who rely on indoor training facilities. This provided a unique situation to investigate the effect of training limitations on the training patterns, training adaptive strategies and mental health of BoFAs.ObjectivesThe primary aim of this study was to investigate differences in the training patterns and the mental health of BoFA before and during the first COVID-19 lockdown. The secondary aim was to assess whether BoFA who exhibited features of muscle dysmorphia were affected differently from the group that did not.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with 85 BoFAs by means of an online questionnaire asking about sports activity, intensity, subjective physical performance, and economic status, including primary or secondary occupations before (from memory) and during lockdown, current physical health problems and financial fears, symptoms of depression, sleep disorders, anxiety (trait and state), muscle dysmorphia, coping mechanisms and actions during the first lockdown in Switzerland.ResultsTraining patterns and mental health of BoFA were influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic and first lockdown. During lockdown, the physical activity on the BoFA dropped significantly from 2.3 ± 0.8 h per day to 1.6 ± 0.9 h per day (p < 0.001), the subjective training intensity decreased significantly from 85.7 ± 13.2% to 58.3 ± 28.3% (p < 0.001) and the subjective performance declined significantly from 83.4 ± 14.3% to 58.2 ± 27.8% (p < 0.001) of maximal performance. In comparison to those without risk for body dysmorphia, participants at risk rated their maximal performance significantly lower and scored significantly higher for depression, sleep disorders and anxiety.ConclusionThis study showed the significant changes on the training patterns of BoFA before and during the first COVID-19 lockdown and poor mental health scores of BoFA during the lockdown itself, with those at risk of muscle dysmorphia scoring statistically worse regarding mental health than those with no risk of muscle dysmorphia. To better understand the particularities of BoFA, further investigation is needed to understand their psychology and in particular the effect of training restrictions on it.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Psychiatric Symptoms among Swiss Elite Athletes during the First Lockdown of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated first lockdown measures may have had a relevant impact on the mental health of competitive athletes. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of various mental health issues in a Swiss elite athletes’ cohort during the first lockdown of the pandemic, and to assess their association with different potential risk factors. Elite athletes from different disciplines were interviewed during the first lockdown in spring 2020 by means of an online questionnaire on symptoms of existing anxieties, depression and sleep disorders, as well as on training circumstances and physical performance before and during the lockdown. Additionally, the economic situation, secondary occupations and current physical health problems were surveyed. A total of 203 (92 female, 111 male) athletes met the inclusion criteria and participated in the survey. Training volume and intensity decreased significantly during lockdown from 3.1 to 2.7 h/day. Financial existential fears increased and were associated with higher training volumes and higher trait anxiety scores. Depressive symptoms and insomnia were present but not exceptionally frequent during the lockdown. Depressive symptoms were associated with higher anxiety scores, higher insomnia severity scores, lower training intensity and worse coping with the measures taken by the authorities against the pandemic. Changes in training and daily habits due to the first lockdown may have affected the mental health of elite athletes. Longitudinal studies should, however, further investigate the long-term effects of the pandemic on mental health.

Wind energy projects and reindeer herders’ rights in Finnish Lapland

Reindeer herding is both a traditional livelihood and a business still practiced in the northern parts of Eurasia. In the Nordic countries, reindeer herding has contributed to keeping remote northern areas inhabited while maintaining Indigenous cultures. Reindeer herders have also been able to adapt to new circumstances, and many of them have invested in value-adding production or secondary occupations, such as tourism. The main challenge for reindeer herding is the loss of pastures to other industries and infrastructure projects. The growing investment in wind farms—which not only compete for the same land with reindeer herding but may also disturb the herding practices—has emerged as a recent competitor to reindeer herding in the context of land use. In this article, we study the rights and opportunities of reindeer herders to participate in decision making on land use for infrastructure projects in general and wind farm projects in particular. Our focus is on the situation in Finland, but we also use examples of reported land use conflicts between reindeer herders and wind farms from other Nordic countries. The aim of this article is, on the one hand, to find out how the rights of reindeer herders in planning and making decisions on wind farms are regulated and, on the other hand, how these rights function in practice. In addition to national legislation on participation in land use, there exists a growing number of international conventions to protect the environment and the rights of Indigenous people. Wind farms are particularly interesting in that renewable energy is now internationally preferred and subsidized as “green energy” in the fight against climate change. The challenge remains how to protect traditional livelihoods and human rights while targeting to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Youth Participation in Agriculture and Poverty Reduction in Nigeria

With data from 683 systematically selected households, the study employed the Heckman two-stage model and the propensity score matching method (PSM) to examine the impact of youth participation in agriculture as a primary occupation on income and poverty in Nigeria. The results indicate that the gender of the youth and their determination to stay in agriculture significantly increases the probability that youth will participate in agriculture as a primary occupation. In addition, youth participation in agriculture as a main occupation contributes significantly to per capita household income and has the likelihood to reduce poverty by 17%. The daily wage rate of hired labor and the total farmland owned are the variables that positively explained the per capita income. Poverty was reduced by market access, having agriculture as a primary occupation, income from agricultural production, the total monetary value of all the household assets, determination to remain in agriculture, and the square of the respondents’ age. These results imply that creating employment for youth by engaging them in agriculture as a full-time occupation can increase their income and reduce poverty. However, the promotion of other secondary occupations, land, and market access is also vital.

Secondary occupations in Goiania

O artigo debate as ocupações das escolas públicas em Goiânia ocorridas em 2015 e 2016, à luz das experiências formativas e subjetivações dos jovens, como protesto contra a transferência da gestão escolar para “Organizações Sociais”. A análise debruçou-se sobre três indicadores: panorama das ocupações no Estado; formação e socialização política das e dos jovens nas ocupações e os impactos formativos das vivências e experiências de participação. Constatamos que estes jovens tornaram visíveis os caminhos para a defesa da gestão democrática e a proposição de outro modelo de formação humana e de escola, em maior conexão com as lutas coletivas que combatem as exclusões da sociedade.

Empreendedorismo, privatização e o trabalho sujo da educação

O artigo apresenta uma crítica das mudanças pelas quais o Ensino Médio está passando, presididas pelo empresariado organizado em think tanks de política e trabalho social educativo. O protagonismo juvenil e o empreendedorismo, que estão no núcleo da reforma e das propostas curriculares flexíveis, em conjunto com os projetos de vida e as habilidades socioemocionais, são estudados a partir das respostas do empresariado às ocupações secundaristas e, sobretudo, pela análise da experiência precedente da educação não formal da juventude periférica organizada por tais institutos e fundações sociais de formação. Conclui-se com a análise da educação estrategicamente transformada em mecanismo de gestão e contenção dos conflitos sociais, além de disciplinamento para o trabalho precário.

How do extremely high temperatures affect labor market performance? Evidence from rural China

To improve understanding of the labor market implications of climate change, this paper investigates how heat extremes affect individual-level labor market outcomes in rural China. By exploiting daily weather and household survey data during the period 1989–2011, we find that extremely high temperatures significantly reduce rural laborers’ working hours and wages but have no statistically significant effect on their employment status. In addition, the adverse effects of extremely high temperatures on the service sector and on female workers could be long-lasting. To attenuate the detrimental effects of temperature shocks, rural laborers may perform adjustment behaviors to reduce direct exposure to high-temperature working environments, including leaving agricultural primary occupations and engaging in non-agricultural secondary occupations.

Asbestos Exposure and Lung Carcinogenesis: Mechanism and Applications

Use of asbestos was very common in industries for manufacturing, mining, and construction Silicates have 2 types including amphibole and serpentine fibers according to their morphology. The amphiboles are rigid, straight, needlelike fibers where crocidolite, amosite, tremolite, actinolite and anthophyllite are the major types Chrysotile is the only type with a commercial importance today which has curly, pliable fibers.5 Exposure to asbestos dust can occur via two major sources either with the primary occupations as a result of asbestos processing and mining or secondary occupations like shipbuilding, construction, manufacturing (textile, insulation, gaskets). Asbestos is an important public health problem which is associated with severe diseases, such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and fibrosis. Although it has been banned in several countries, some are still producing or using. Asbestos exposure has shown to have broad effects on regulatory pathways. The incidence of the related diseases are increasing in the recent years. Due to the very limited efficacy of the therapies, prognosis is unfortunately quite poor. To improve early detection and diagnosis, new approaches are being required. Although some of clinical prognostic factors have been identified up to date, novel biomarkers should be taken in consideration to predict its malignancy. Keywords : Asbestos, Asbestos Exposure, Lung Carcinogenesis. DOI : 10.7176/JSTR/5-6-02

Exploring the Nexus between Displacement and Land Administration: The Case of Rwanda

In conflict situations, many people are displaced because of hostility and arms in the area. Displaced people are forced to leave behind their properties, and this in turn interrupts the relationship between people and their land. The emergency period in particular has been identified as a weak point in the humanitarian response to land issues in post-conflict situations. In addition, during this period of response, most post-conflict governments do not prioritize land administration as an emergency issue due to other social, economic, security, and political challenges, which countries face in the immediate aftermath of the conflict. In the longer run, this results in post-conflict illegal land occupation, secondary occupation, numerous disputes and claims over land, and dysfunctional government institutions that legalize these illegal and secondary occupations. This research explores the nexus between displacement and land administration in a post-conflict context. It uses empirical data from fieldwork in Rwanda, and discusses how government interventions in land administration in emergency and early recovery periods of post-conflict situations affect future land administration during the reconstruction phase. The post-conflict Rwandan government envisaged proper land administration as a contributor to sustainable peace and security as it enhances social equity and prevents conflicts. Thus, it embarked on a nationwide systematic land registration program to register land all over the country with the aim of easing land administration practices and reducing successive land-related claims and disputes. However, the program faced many challenges, among which were continuous land claims and disputes. Our research anticipates these continued land claims and disputes are due to how land issues were handled in the emergency and early recovery period of the post-conflict Rwanda, especially during land sharing initiatives and Imidugudu (collective settlement policy).

Effects of childbearing on rural women agricultural activities in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria

This study was carried out to analyze the effect of child bearing on the activities of the rural women agricultural activities in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. The study was to determine socio-economic characteristics of childbearing women involved in agricultural activities, identify agricultural activities practised by childbearing women, identify the agricultural activities that are affected by childbearing and determine the effect of childbearing on women farmers’ income. A total of one hundred and twenty respondents were sampled from four randomly selected wards out of the ten wards in the study area. Interview schedule was used to collect data. The study revealed that majority (76.7%) of respondents were between the age of 36-45 years, 80.5% were married and 72.8% were literate and had farming experience above 10 years. Ninety-five percent of the respondents were engaged in agricultural activities as their primary and secondary occupations. The study revealed that most of the agricultural activities practised by the respondents were affected during childbearing. However majority of the respondents (72.0%) were participating in informal saving and credit group, 63.8 % of the respondent contributes below N200 and 36.2% contribute N450 and above. The study revealed that childbearing affects 42.4% of the respondent income while 57.6 % are not affected by childbearing, since respondent has different source of generating income. The hypothesis showed that there is no significant relationship between selected socio economic characteristics of childbearing women and number of activities they are involved in. The study therefore recommends that Women involved in agricultural activities should be given appropriate types of technology to cater for the labour intensive agricultural activities. Childbearing women are encouraged to join or form cooperative society in order to source funds from government, NGOs as well as access credit facilities from financial institutions to boost their involvement in agricultural activities.Keywords: Childbearing, Rural women, Agricultural activities.

Urban occupations in a siberian city (Tobolsk, 1897)

The article studies the late 19th-century occupational structure of Tobolsk in the context of other major Siberian cities. Many urban centres were strongholds for governing this huge territory, and Tobolsk was a typical provincial capital in this regard. In the most economically developed Western and Southern Siberian provinces, cities were not only administrative hubs, but also cultural and economic centres. The authors look at how urban populations were distributed among different occupational groups and social classes, and what role gender and family relations played in terms of employment. This is important, as it may help understand whether Russia’s huge eastern provinces were ready for the transformations which started just two decades after the period whence the main source material of the article originates. The research is based on the first general census of the Russian Empire in 1897. The archives have not preserved primary census manuscripts as a unified collection: so far, only scattered manuscripts have emerged. Clearly, the use of the individual-level nominative census data found for Tobolsk considerably broadens the scope of the research, which was previously limited to aggregate data. The aggregate data provide an opportunity to characterise employment in Siberian cities more generally, demonstrating the occupational specificity of the ‘military’ and ‘agrarian’ cities as well as the provincial centres of Western and Eastern Siberia. The authors more closely analyse the nominative 1897 census data using the database ‘Tobolsk Population in 1897’, which contains information about 92.5 % of employed citizens. The individual-level data made it possible to reconstruct the age and gender structure of the economically active population of the provincial centre, to study the occupations of different estate groups, to look into specific features of secondary occupations, and to see the family’s influence on the choice of occupation. All the employment data on the Siberian urban population were coded according to the HISCO standard.