Smallholder Rice Farmers Research Articles

The effect of crop insurance on the financial risk of smallholder rice farmers in Cameroon

This study examined the effect of crop insurance on the financial risk of smallholder rice farmers in the grass field of Cameroon. Panel data from 76 Smallholder rice farming groups from 2019-2022 was used, while the Panel-corrected standard error technique was used for estimation. The results revealed that crop insurance captured using inputs (fertilizers, herbicides, and treated seeds) and land preparation had a positive and statistically significant effect on financial risk. These results validate the risk balancing hypothesis for smallholder rice farmers. Control variables like Farm size and labour had a positive and statistically significant effect, while training cost and buying price had a negative and statistically significant effect on financial risk. The results therefore, indicate that smallholder rice farmers need to adopt crop insurance practices such as use of quality farm inputs and better land preparation techniques in order to manage financial risk.

Livelihood diversification and household welfare among farm households in the Philippines

AbstractDiversification of income sources is one of the most common strategies households employ to minimize household income variability and to ensure a minimum level of income that guarantee their food security. This study examines the impact of livelihood diversification on farm profits among smallholder rice farmers in the Central Luzon Region (CLR) of the Philippines using long‐term farm‐level panel data spanning from 1966 to 2016. We employed a random‐effects ordered probit model to investigate the drivers of livelihood diversification and then used the mixed Markov chain model to analyze the transition of households from less to more diversified livelihoods and its impact on farm profits over time. Our findings reveal substantial diversification among households over time. In particular, the elevation of the farm location is a key driver of rice farm households’ probability to diversify. The estimates show that an increase in the latitude of the farm location increases the probability of rice farmers in the CLR to diversify. We find that 64% of the rice farm households constitute farmers for whom diversification can be a strategy for survival. For medium‐ to high‐profit farm categories, diversification tends to protect farmers against farm profit losses arising from adverse climatic and weather variability.

An experimental approach to farmer valuation of African rice genetic resources

AbstractGenebanks serve as both providers of valuable traits for breeding programs and repositories of diverse crop genetic material representing society's agricultural heritage. In this study, we use a Becker‐DeGroot‐Marschak mechanism to elicit the willingness‐to‐pay of rice farmers in Côte d'Ivoire for small amounts of African rice (Oryza glaberrima) landraces held by the genebank of the Rice Biodiversity Center for Africa, and for seed of newly developed ARICA rice varieties bred using genebank materials. Using a field experiment, we additionally investigate how randomized exposure to and experimentation with small amounts of African rice landrace seed or seed of advanced rice varieties developed by AfricaRice affect how smallholder rice farmers value these novel genetic resources. Surprisingly, we find that farmers generally value having access to African rice landraces at approximately the same level as for advanced rice varieties (and far above market rates for improved seed), and that those farmers who grew landrace seed in the offseason were willing to pay more than those who did not. Our results demonstrate the additional value provided by the conservation of African rice landrace varieties (apart from their use in breeding) and highlight the importance of experimentation in the adoption process.

Socioeconomic Drivers of Food Insecurity Among Rural Households: Evidence from Participating Farmers in the Integrated Rice-Fish System in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Nigeria has been facing a food crisis problem, with most of the poor population having limited access to adequate quantity and quality food. Food security reflects the stability of food supply, availability of, and access to food, and affects the amount of food consumed, which has implications for the population’s health. Thus, this study examined the socio-economic drivers of food security among smallholder rice farmers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Primary data was collected under the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Fish (Integrated rice-fish farming system) funded by USAID through a three-stage sampling technique. Foster–Greer–Thorbecke (FGT) and the Endogenous Switching Regression model were applied in the data analysis. The mean per capita household food expenditure is N 2,456.42, and the food security line is N 1,026.43. The food security measure shows that 46.67 percent of the households experience the incidence of food insecurity, 24.6 percent point is the food insecurity depth, and 17.2 percent point is the severity of food insecurity. The ESR model shows that the drivers of food security are access to credit, marital status, farming experience, primary occupation, education, and farm size. The study proposed implementing more developmental programmes that focus on poverty alleviation, which should be gender inclusive with an option of credit support to the rice farmers.

Cooperative performance and lead firm support in cleaner production adoption: SEM-fsQCA analysis of precision agriculture acceptance in Vietnam

To drive sustainable agricultural development, farmers in developing countries must prioritize adoption of precision agriculture (PA) as a cleaner production practice. This study investigates factors influencing smallholder rice farmers' behavioral intention (BI) to adopt such technology in Vietnam. Data from 568 farmers was analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA). This study makes a significant contribution to extending the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) by demonstrating the substantial positive influence of lead firm support on the intention to adopt PA technology. Also, a key novelty of this research is its exploration of the moderating role of cooperatives’ performance in enhancing the effects of external support factors, such as government and lead firms. Additionally, the fsQCA indicates that the combination of strong external support from the government, lead firms, and cooperatives can foster high adoption intentions even under challenging internal facilitating conditions. The findings may be generalized beyond Vietnam to other developing countries to offer insights for policymakers, cooperatives, and lead firms to improve agricultural efficiency and productivity.

Assessment of smallholder rice farmers' adaptation strategies to climate change in Kebbi state, Nigeria

The future of food production in Nigeria where smallholding agriculture is prevalent is threatened by climate change. Despite the threats, Nigeria has no specific plan or policy to combat it. Therefore, understanding how smallholder farmers adjust to the changing climate and the factors that influence their adaptation choices will facilitate developing a policy to tackle climate change. This study therefore evaluates climate change adaptation techniques among smallholder rice farmers in Kebbi state, Nigeria. The study employs a simple random sampling technique to select 345 respondents. The data was analysed using multivariate probit and ordered probit regression.The findings revealed that marital status, literacy, farm size, farming experience, major occupation, extension visits, amount of credit, and access to climate information influenced adaptation strategy choice. Furthermore, marital status, literacy, household size, farm size, extension visits, and access to climate information are crucial drivers of adoption intensity. This study concludes that smallholder rice farmers in the study area adopt several practices to cope with climate change, however, farmers’ intensity of adoption is low. This study recommends that stakeholders in the food systems in the study area should consider literacy, farm size, extension service, credits, and climate information in designing viable policies toward combating the vagaries of climate.

Determinants of Inorganic Fertilizer Use by Smallholder Rice Farmers in Mbeya and Morogoro Regions of Tanzania

Determinants of Inorganic Fertilizer Use by Smallholder Rice Farmers in Mbeya and Morogoro Regions of Tanzania

Weather-related shocks, livelihood assets and coping strategies of water-insecure smallholder rice farmers: A case study from Ogun State, Nigeria

Building resilience against shocks is crucial for enhancing the livelihoods of water-insecure smallholder farming households. This research investigates household coping strategies for mitigating weather-related shocks and explores differences in the livelihoods of water-insecure smallholder rice farming households in Ogun State, Nigeria. Field survey data was collected from 175 households, and a coping strategies index was formulated, taking into account the severity and the frequency of coping measures. Using the k-means cluster approach, households were categorized into four clusters based on the components of the sustainable livelihoods framework. The study reveals variability across the clusters in terms of vulnerability and the degree to which households are able to use adequate coping strategies. Two out of the four clusters (clusters 1 and 2) are identified as coping farming households with moderate to high vulnerability to drought and floods, while clusters 3 and 4 are limited coping farming households with moderate to low vulnerability to these weather-related shocks. Addressing households’ challenges to cope with extreme weather events is necessary to enhance the resilience and adaptability of water-insecure farming households, and will contribute to creating sustainable livelihoods of at-risk households facing climate emergencies.

Impact of Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) on Rice Production in Ekiti State, Nigeria

This study investigates the impact of the Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) on rice production in the Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area, Ekiti State. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data from 150 smallholder rice farmers, with 75 having access to ABP loans and 75 without access. Descriptive statistics, binary logistic regression, multiple regression, and budgetary techniques were employed for data analysis. The return on investment (ROI) for farmers with ABP loans was 2.48, compared to 2.39 for those without, indicating higher profitability for loan beneficiaries. The average age of respondents was 60.3 years, with 87.3% males, 73.3% having formal education, and 62% married. The mean farming experience was 15.9 years, with an average household size of four members and a farm size of 3.8 acres. Significant factors influencing access to ABP loans included age, educational background, and household size (p<0.05). Additionally, educational background, household size, farm size, and access to ABP loans significantly affected net income from rice production (p<0.05). The study concludes that ABP loans positively impact rice production profitability and recommends that more farmers be given access to these loans to enhance rice production in the area.

POVERTY STATUS AND PRODUCTIVITY AMONG SMALLHOLDER RICE FARMERS IN IKOT EKPENE AGRICULTURAL ZONE, AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

This study analyzed the Poverty status and productivity of smallholder rice farmers in Akwa Ibom State. The data were collected from 80 smallholder rice farmers in Ikot Ekpene Agricultural Zone of Akwa Ibom State. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, FGT poverty index, TFP index, and the ordinary least squares model. The findings indicated a high poverty incidence of 61.4% in the study area. The study further revealed that the total factor productivity estimates of the smallholder rice farmers peaked among the non-poor category with average TFP index of 3.3, but lesser in the poor category with an average TFP index of 2.3. Education (0.159), experience (0.023), farm size (2.779), quantity of seeds (0.263) and pests and diseases (0.818) significantly affected TFP of smallholder rice farmers in both categories. it is recommended that, financial and other credit facilities should be made accessible and affordable to the rice farmers in the study area to reduce poverty and increase productivity. Again, the productivity index was higher among the non-poor category than the poor and pooled category. As such various productivity parameters such as improved varieties, incentives and subsidies should be made available to the poor smallholder rice farmers so as to push them above the poverty line.

Effects of unbalanced fertilizer use on system productivity and profitability under rice‐based cropping systems: Evidence from Eastern Gangetic Plain

AbstractUnbalanced nutrient supply is one of the key causes of yield gaps and low farming profitability which impact food insecurity globally. However, the effects of an unbalanced nutrient supply on rice yields and farming profitability have not been quantified for diverse rice‐based cropping systems. To explore the effects, 412 respondents (mostly smallholder farmers) were surveyed in 2019 for the rice crops in three fully rice‐based cropping systems in four agro‐ecological zones of Bangladesh. Two robust estimation approaches namely propensity score matching and endogenous switching regression approaches were used to quantify the effects of unbalanced fertilizer use. The results show that about 68% of farmers in the study areas used unbalanced (over‐doses or under‐doses) nutrient rates relative to government‐endorsed recommendations. Adoption of recommended fertilizer rates was influenced by education, amount of organic manure used, off‐farm income, crop farming‐related training, organizational membership and lack of soil testing tendency. The findings also indicate that adopters of recommended nutrient rates received almost 16% and 46% higher system rice yield and system net return, respectively, relative to non‐adopters. However, based on our research findings, formulation and implementation of effective agricultural policies like effective extension services, strengthening soil testing facilities, increasing organizational membership and targeted awareness programmes could motivate smallholder rice farmers towards adoption of recommended nutrient rates. Adoption of recommended fertilizer rates can significantly enhance crop yields and farming profitability which can boost food security and rural livelihoods in the Eastern Gangetic Plain.

Alternate wetting and drying: a water-saving technology for sustainable rice production in Burkina Faso?

With emerging water scarcity and rising fertilizer prices, optimising future water use while maintaining yield and nutrient efficiency in irrigated rice is crucial. Alternate wetting and moderate soil drying irrigation (i.e., re-irrigation when the water level reaches 15 cm below the soil surface) has proven to be an efficient water-saving technology in semi-arid zones of West Africa, reducing water inputs without yield penalty. Alternate wetting and severe soil drying (AWD30), by re-irrigating fields only when the water table reaches 30 cm below the soil surface, may further reduce water inputs compared to farmers’ irrigation practices (FP). However, acute soil drying may impair fertilizer use efficiency and reduce the bio-availability of some key nutrients. This study assessed the potentials and risks associated with AWD30 for smallholder rice farmers in the semi-arid zones of West Africa. We conducted 30 on-farm field trials over three seasons (wet and dry seasons of 2019, and dry season of 2020), in Kou Valley, Burkina Faso. We assessed yield, water productivity, nutrient uptake, and use efficiency under AWD30 and FP. In FP, farmers maintained their fields submerged as frequently as possible according to the scheme-dependent water provision schedule. With AWD30, irrigation frequency was reduced by 30%, however, soils were seldom completely dried due to a shallow groundwater table. Compared to FP, AWD30 reduced irrigation water input by 37% with no significant effects on grain yields (average of 4.5 Mg ha−1), thus increasing average water productivity by 39%. Both irrigation management practices provided comparable crop uptake of N, P, and K, and use efficiencies of applied N and P. However, the N content in straw and the P concentration in grain generally increased with total water input (rain + irrigation). We conclude that at locations with a shallow groundwater table, AWD30 can effectively save irrigation water without significantly reducing the grain yield and the use efficiency of applied mineral nutrients.

Is it Profitable for Smallholder Rice Farmers to use Inorganic Fertilizer? Evidence from Tanzania.

Is it Profitable for Smallholder Rice Farmers to use Inorganic Fertilizer? Evidence from Tanzania.

Impact of Post-Harvest Losses on the Profitability of Rice Production Amongst Smallholder Farmers in Liberia

Crop losses, especially along the post-harvest value chain, have been identified as one of the major causes of food shortages in most developing countries including Liberia. Rice farmers often record a great amount of loss which translates to a waste of resources, a reduction in their income, and ultimately their welfare. This study examined the effects of post-harvest losses on the profitability of rice production among smallholder rice farmers in Liberia. The analytical tools used in the study include descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis, and multiple regression models. The gross margin analysis results revealed that the average gross margin with post-harvest loss was 3,512.475 Liberian Dollars, lower than the average gross margin without post-harvest 8,826.114 Liberian Dollars. This implied a 39.79% reduction in the gross margin of rice farmers valued at over 2.8 million Liberian Dollars. The results also found the Value of Post-Harvest Loss, Market Participation Rate, Quantity Harvested, Quantity sold, and Education Level significantly affect the per-capita gross margin of farmers. The study recommends that farmers engaging in rice production be adequately trained on post-harvest crop handling techniques whereas, priority be given to investment in post-harvest processing technologies and the establishment of processing industries especially in the major production areas.

Factors Influencing Adoption of Faro 58 Rice Package (NERICA 7) by Small Holder Farmers of Katsina State, Nigeria

This study investigates the multifaceted factors that enhance the adoption of the FARO 58 rice package, specifically focusing on the NERICA 7 variety, among smallholder farmers in Katsina State, Nigeria. The FARO 58 rice package, known for its adaptability to diverse agro-ecological zones and improved yield potential, serves as a crucial element in enhancing food security and livelihoods within the region. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to arrive at a sample size of 220 respondents based on a sample frame of 2,630 farmers. Data obtained for the study were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The result of the study indicated that the average proportion of the respondents fall within the medium adoption category (0.34-0.66), 42.3% fall within the high adoption category (0.67-1.0), while only a small fraction of the respondents (6.4%) fall within the low adoption category. This could enable smallholder rice farmers to take advantage of access to agricultural information and technology adoption. Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that farmers’ socio-economic factors had a significant influence on their adoption of the FARO 58 rice production package in the study area.

Review of: "Socio‑Economic Drivers of Food Security Among Rural Households: Evidence From Smallholder Rice Farmers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria"

Review of: "Socio‑Economic Drivers of Food Security Among Rural Households: Evidence From Smallholder Rice Farmers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria"

Psycho-social factors influencing the adoption of sustainable intensification practices by smallholder rice farmers in Northern Ghana

Psycho-social factors influencing the adoption of sustainable intensification practices by smallholder rice farmers in Northern Ghana

Socio‑Economic Drivers of Food Security Among Rural Households: Evidence From Smallholder Rice Farmers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Nigeria has been facing a food crisis problem, with most of the poor population having limited access to adequate quantity and quality food. Food security reflects the stability of food supply, availability of, and access to food, and affects the amount of food consumed with implications on the population’s health. Thus, this study examined the socio-economic drivers of food security among smallholder rice farmers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Primary data was collected under the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Fish (Integrated rice-fish farming system) funded by USAID through a three-stage sampling technique. Foster–Greer–Thorbecke (FGT) and the Endogenous Switching Regression model were applied in the data analysis. The mean per capita household food expenditure is estimated at N 1,026.43; the food security measure shows that 46.67% of the households experience the incidence of food insecurity, 24.6% point is the food insecurity depth, and 17.2 % point is the severity of food insecurity. The ESR model shows that the drivers of food security are access to credit, marital status, farming experience, primary occupation, education, and farm size. The study proposed implementing more programmes that focus on poverty alleviation, which should be gender inclusive with credit support.

Impact of Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) on Smallholder Rice Farmers in Kebbi State, Nigeria

The study examined the impact of Anchor Borrowers Programme on smallholder rice farmers in Kebbi State, Nigeria. A multi stage sampling technique was used to select 500 beneficiary and non-beneficiary rice farmers each giving a sample size of 1000 farmers for the study. Data collected were analysed using Descriptive statistics such as percentages, frequency distribution, performance indices computation, t-test, Chow-test and production function analysis. The results of the analysis of the Chow F computation indicated that there is a significant difference in the production function of beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries respectively since the computed Chow F value of 21.128 was greater than that of the critical F- value at the 0.01 probability level. This is an indication that the ABP performed well. The results further revealed that the two groups of rice farmers were not operating on the same production function. ABP significantly and positively affected output and income of the beneficiary farmers in the study area. It is recommended that Policies should be tailored towards inclusiveness of more farmers into the ABP. The programme should also be extended to cater for other sub-sectors of the Agricultural sectors such as Livestock and Aquaculture

Assessment of Climate Change on Living Standard: Evidence from Flood-Prone Smallholder Rice Farmers in South-East Nigeria

This study seeks to assess the effect of flood on farm household living standard among smallholder rice farmers in southeast, Nigeria. Specifically, the study described the perceived climate hazard occurrence in the study area, analyzed the effect of flood on farm households’ living standards in the study area and described the flood control measures used among smallholder farmers in the study area. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select a total sample size of 480 smallholders. Primary data were collected using a well structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and OLS regression model were used to analyze the data. The result also showed that majority (90%) of the respondents experienced flooding as the major climate change hazard in the study area. The result of the regression showed that flood reduced rice yield/quantity, flood caused lost of revenue and farm proximity to river negatively significantly influenced the consumption expenditure among smallholder rice farmers at 5 % probability level in the study area. The result also showed that fitting of water inflated sandbags as flood barriers (M= 3.44), creation of drainage (M= 3.28), removal of sediment (M= 3.26), building of water gates (M= 3.22) and construction of flood barrier socks (M= 3.19) were the control measures they used during the incident of flood in the study area