Socio-economic Characteristics Of Farmers Research Articles

Phases of adoption of One Acre Fund agricultural innovation among smallholder maize farmers, Bungoma County, Kenya

This study examines the adoption of One Acre Fund (OAF) agricultural innovations in Bungoma South Sub-County, Kenya, in response to declining maise production. Despite agricultural development programs aiding Kenya's economic growth, research shows low technological acquisition. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from 204 out of 9,924 OAF-registered farmers using descriptive research design. Inferential statistics were employed to analyse the different phases of adoption, with quantitative data presented in tables. The qualitative findings were analysed using thematic analysis and incorporated into the results of the inferential analysis as narratives. A situational analysis was performed to assess the status of various types of OAF agricultural innovation among smallholder farmers in the study area. Pairwise ranking was implemented to identify advanced acquisition strategies. The findings revealed that the socio-economic characteristics of farmers, such as age (p = 0.002), marital status (p = 0.000), level of education (p = 0.001), family size (p = 0.047), non-farm work (p = 0.327), and size of land (p = 0.110), significantly influenced the adoption of the OAF agricultural innovations. The study also indicated that the adoption phases were impacted by factors such as group memberships (p = 0.047), farm visits (p = 0.012), and training (p = 0.000). Based on the findings, the study recommends the implementation of awareness programs, crop insurance, the establishment of farm cooperatives, and the strengthening of farmers' knowledge systems to enhance OAF maise output and achieve food security.

Relationship of Rice Farming Income with Socio-Economic Characteristics of Farmers

Relationship of Rice Farming Income with Socio-Economic Characteristics of Farmers

Scientific Research on socio-economic characteristics of farmers and their problems: A Study in Regulated Market of Balasore District.

The two main avenues via which agricultural produce is gathered, distributed, and resold in rural India are the regulated markets set up by the State Governments and the sporadic marketplaces that have developed naturally and are unregulated. Under the auspices of extensive regulations that have been formulated and amended periodically by the corresponding state Agricultural Produce Marketing Regulation Act, agricultural produce market committees have been established to promote equitable trade. Since their inception, regulated markets have assisted in reducing market disadvantages; yet, the competitive market structure was not well-foreseen by their legal framework. In an environment of liberalized trade, this paves the way for the market committee to become more manageable and sustainable. Given the dependence of other sectors on agriculture, India has viewed it as a valuable tool for economic progress.The regulated markets are regarded as accountable establishments that carry out all the tasks associated with the selling of products while considering the interests of all final consumers as a whole. The current paper highlights Indian agriculture, with a particular emphasis on the regulated agricultural marketing system and its development, status, and prospects. The report also emphasizes the difficulties and impact of a regulated market on farmers' socioeconomic standing. At the study's conclusion, a number of restrictions that either directly or indirectly impacted the farmers' socioeconomic standing were mentioned. To comprehend the link between the dependent and independent variables, a variety of statistical methods were employed. To arrive at the ultimate outcome, an ex post facto research design was mostly employed.

Socio-economic characteristics of farmers and their feedback about the castor cultivar GCH-10 variety

Socio-economic characteristics of farmers and their feedback about the castor cultivar GCH-10 variety

Demand for and intensity of use of extension services among cocoa farmers in Ghana: the heckpoisson approach.

In response to the evolving landscape of agricultural extension services, a paradigm shift is imperative, moving away from the traditional supply-centric approach to one that recognizes farmers as active participants influenced by socio-economic factors. This transformation is especially pertinent for cocoa farmers, whose livelihoods hinge on this crop. To elucidate this shift, our study employs a multistage sampling technique to select 400 cocoa farmers in the Tafo District, Eastern Region, Ghana to ensure representativeness and diversity. The Heckpoisson model analysis reveals that farmers' demand for and intensity of use of extension services are intricately linked to a spectrum of socio-economic factors; farming experience, cooperative membership, farm size, sex, number of farms, religion, land tenure, marital status, household size, access to credit, distance to the farm, age, and years of formal education. Building upon our insights, we recommend that extension service providers tailor their services to align with the socio-economic characteristics of farmers

Socio-economic characteristics of farmers and constraints to livestock development in the Drâa-Tafilalet region of Morocco

The study aimed to determine the socio-economic characteristics of livestock breeders in the Drâa-Tafilalet region of Morocco, as well as the constraints of livestock farming. Five sites in the region, representing mountain oases, intermediate oases and plain oases, were selected. In each site, three to five rural districts, each with one to eight breeders of each livestock species were selected. Depending on the main livestock species owned by the breeder, the interviewer completed the species-specific questionnaire. A total of 305 surveys were conducted in 21 districts with 19.7, 34.4, 23.3, 6.88, 11.5 and 4.26% cattle, sheep, goat, camel, chicken and rabbit breeders, respectively. Descriptive statistics were calculated for continuous variables and frequencies were calculated for qualitative variables. According to the findings, the breeders of the region were men (82%), married (93.7%), having been to school (48.4%) and exercising agriculture - livestock as a primary activity (71.5%). Breeders of each species owned on average 4.14 ± 4.81 cattle, 52.2 ± 77.8 sheep, 66.0 ± 77.4 goats, 27.2 ± 30.3 dromedaries, 10.7 ± 8.99 chickens and 12.0 ± 14.9 rabbits. Their initial herd was acquired through inheritance (51.4%), purchase (34.7%), both purchase and inheritance (10.4%) or donation (2.39). The objective of breeding was the generation of income through the sale of live animals and animal products. The preferred traits varied depending on the livestock species. The dynamics of animal numbers over the past five years were increasing (32.2%), decreasing (45.2%) and stable (22.6%). The main constraint to livestock development was the high cost of feedstuffs (index= 0.47). The first action proposed by breeders for livestock development was the provision of feedstuffs at subsidized prices (index= 0.42). It was concluded that these results might be helpful in developing strategies to improve livestock production.

Farmer Participation in IP400 Rice Cultivation in Kebakkramat District Karanganyar Regency

IP400 program is one of the efforts to increase national rice production. Farmer participation is an indicator of the success of the IP400 program. This study aims to describe the socio-economic characteristics of farmers, determine the level of farmer participation, and analyze the relationship between the socio-economic characteristics of farmers and the level of farmer participation. The method used is a descriptive quantitative data analysis method in the form of rank spearman. The results showed that the majority of respondents were of productive age, had junior high school education, attended 5-6 counseling sessions and 3-4 training sessions a year, cultivated 3,001-4,500 m² of land, worked as farmers for 16-25 years and implemented IP400 1-2 years, an average income of IDR 5,000,000,00 per planting season, the role of extension agents as motivators, educators, and dynamists is very high, while the role of extension workers as facilitators is quite high; the level of participation is categorized as high at all three stages; there is a significant relationship between the socio-economic characteristics of farmers and the level of farmer participation, except for the formal educationf and land area.

Estimation of Costs and Returns of Groundnut in Vizianagaram Districts of Andhra Pradesh, India

Groundnut crop is one of the important oil seed crop grown in Vizianagaram district. Though the Groundnut is cultivated on small area but it contributes sizable share in total earnings of the cultivator. However, yield and profit from Groundnut cultivation is uncertain because it is very sensitive and it badly affects from extreme climatic conditions so it requires special attention.
 The marketing of Groundnut from producer to consumer also involves various activities like transportation, loading, and storage, etc. During this process of marketing the quality as well as quantity of Groundnut get damaged and lost. The Groundnut growers face number of problems at each stage of production, marketing, and distribution like lack of technical knowledge, lack of market intelligence, inadequate transportation, and major market yard facilities.
 The socio-economic characteristics of farmers i.e., size of family, educational status, land utilization pattern, cropping pattern and fixed capital investment were studied. The standard cost concepts i.e., cost 'A', and cost 'B', cost 'C' was used in present study.
 Majority of groundnut respondents (36%) had farming experience of 2 – 9 years, about 37% had 10 to 20-year experience, 16% had 21-to-30-year experience, while 09% of the respondents had between 31 to 35-year experience of groundnut production. The mean years of farming experience was 17 years. This is an indication that more farmers are embracing production of the crop due to its profit advantage.
 The total owned area is observed between 0.1-0.9 hectares of land, about 40% had 1 – 2 hectares, 22% had between 2 – 4 hectares and 07% had 4 – 10 hectares and none hold above 10 hectares. The average farm size is 1.5 hectares.
 The cost A of groundnut cultivation was observed to be Rs.118560, Rs.115543, Rs.111606 and Rs.110040 per hectare of marginal, small, semi-medium, and medium land holding farmers.
 Cost B it is the summation of Cost A, Rental Value of owned land and interest on value 67.89 of owned fixed capital.
 It is observed as Rs.100281, Rs.97489, Rs.93760 and Rs.92036per hectare of groundnut production in marginal, small, semi-medium and medium land holding farmers and the average value of cost B is Rs.95892 per hectare.
 To find Cost C1 is the summation of Cost B and imputed value of family labor, family labor cost is given to be an Rs.7500, Rs.7550, Rs.7700 and Rs.8000 and got a solution of Rs.107781, Rs. 105039, Rs.101460 and Rs.100036 per hectare.
 Cost C2 it includes Cost B + 10 per cent of cost B. as managerial charges as calculated as a result Rs.118560, Rs.115543, Rs.115543 and Rs.110040 and the total input cost is also considered a cost C.

Socio-Economic Characteristics of Farmers and Diagnosis of Socio-Cultural Factors Affecting Gender Mainstreaming in the Integrated Rice-Fish Farming System in Liberia

Socio-Economic Characteristics of Farmers and Diagnosis of Socio-Cultural Factors Affecting Gender Mainstreaming in the Integrated Rice-Fish Farming System in Liberia

Agricultural insurance as a climate risk adaptation strategy in developing countries: a case of Nigeria

ABSTRACT Despite the potential benefits of agricultural insurance in helping farmers adapt to climate risks, its uptake among smallholder farmers remains limited. This study analyses the drivers of awareness and adoption of agricultural insurance in Nigeria to better understand the adoption process. 1,080 farming households were surveyed across six agro-ecological zones in Nigeria, covering areas with different socio-economic characteristics of farmers and levels of climate risk. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews between October 2020 and February 2021. The results show that more than half of the farmers were unaware of agricultural insurance. Logit regression results show that education, herd size, access to a bank, weather information, and flood experience positively influence awareness and adoption of agricultural insurance. In addition to low awareness, the main barriers to adoption are lack of knowledge about the effectiveness of insurance, difficulty in affording insurance, and farmers’ low level of trust in insurance providers. Late payment of claims and inadequate compensation were the main challenges faced by adopters of agricultural insurance. Raising awareness and helping farmers to assess the effectiveness of agricultural insurance, as well as developing a supportive institutional environment, would help to build a well-functioning insurance market. Key policy insights To increase the uptake of agricultural insurance, it is first necessary to raise awareness among farmers. Government agencies should consider monitoring and sanctioning insurance agencies and companies that fail to comply with contractual agreements to promote and ensure prompt payment of due compensation; to increase transparency of insurance providers’ performance; and to increase confidence in insurance providers. We recommend using different premium payment methods, adjusting land policies, improving access to weather information, and increasing access to bank credit for smallholder farmers to increase farmers’ motivation to use insurance.

Socio-economic traits and constraints associated with smallholder farmers in Taungya agroforestry program in Sudan

Empirical evidence of Taungya agroforestry program in Sudan was generated. The objectives were to examine the association between socio-economic characteristics of farmers and Tuangya practice, assess the program’s contribution to farmers' income, and highlight farmers’ major incentives and constraints. The purposive sampling technique was applied targeting 200 Taungya farmers. Data were collected using questionnaires, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, direct field observations, and document reviews. Descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, and a paired sample t-test were used to analyze the data. Study results showed that 77% of farmers were male, with an average age of 41 years. About 77% of farmers cultivate an average land area of 3.5 hectares. The chi-square result showed that socio-economic characteristics such as marital status, age, family size, year of participation, and educational level had a significant association with Taungya practice, while gender, main occupation, and land size had no significant association. The study revealed that Taungya agroforestry program contributed significantly to farmers’ income. Evidence of that was the sharp reduction in mean annual costs from SDG 32,851.75 to SDG 25,107.50, and a substantial increase in the mean annual net incomes of the farmers from SDG 35,298.52 to SDG 91,839.50 before and after participation, respectively. Farmers’ participation was encouraged by the high productivity within the forest and access to free fertile land. Contrary, lack of extension services and supervision from Forest National Corporation, overgrazing and crop destruction, land size limitation, and crop species restrictions were identified as major challenges. The study suggests that prioritizing extension services, providing live fencing, and reconsidering farmers’ interest in having intercropping sorghum on their farms to improve their sustenance will overcome the constraints and further boost farmers' productivity.

Access to and Use of Agricultural Information among Maize Farmers in Ejura Sekyedumase Municipality

Purpose: To examine the access to and use of agricultural information among maize farmers in the Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipality in Ashanti Region
 Methodology: A quantitative approach was used through the use of cross-sectional survey design. A multi-stage sampling method was used to select 170 maize farmers from the communities for the study. The data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and analysed using SPSS version 23.0 software. Frequencies, Percentages, Mean, Chi-square Test of Independence and Kendall’s Coefficient of Concordance were used for data analysis.
 Findings: The study found that the most utilized source of agricultural information by maize farmers in Ejura Sekyedumase Municipality was agricultural extension agents. It was also observed that there was a significant relationship between farm ownership type, educational level, access to credit, extension visits, farming experience, and access to agricultural information. The study also found that the main agricultural information needs of the maize farmers in Ejura Sekyedumase Municipality were disease and pest management. Also, the inadequate number of extension agents was the main challenge faced by farmers in accessing and using agricultural information in the municipality.
 Conclusion: The study conclude that farmers received most of their information from agricultural extension agents, radio and farmers. Access to agricultural information is influence by socio-economic characteristics of farmers.
 Recommendations: The study recommends that extension agents to be well equipped and trained, as well as increasing their number by the government through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. Also, farmers must be well communicated to and educated using local strategies as well as encouraging them to join Farmer Based Organisations (FBOs).

Evaluation of socio economic characteristics of farmers

Evaluation of socio economic characteristics of farmers

FARMERS' RESPONSE TO THE USE OF HYBRID CORN SEEDS SUPERIOR VARIETIES

Superior varieties of corn seeds are an innovation in the agricultural sector that has advantages. The government's efforts, through the Maros Cereal Crops Research Institute, are accelerating the adoption of innovation by providing free superior varieties of hybrid corn seeds to farmers. In order for the program to be implemented well, farmers' responses need to be studied. The aim of the research is to describe farmers' responses to the use of superior varieties of corn seeds, calculate the increase in hybrid corn production after using superior varieties of corn seeds, and analyze the correlation between the responses of farmers using superior varieties of corn seeds and the level of hybrid corn productivity. The research was carried out in Takalar Regency, South Sulawesi Province, lasting for 8 months. The survey method involves conducting in-depth interviews with corn farmers. Determination of the sample using the simple random sampling method. Quantitative descriptive analysis, farming productivity and correlation analysis were used to analyze research data. The research results show that the NASA 29 hybrid corn seed is an innovation of the Ministry of Agriculture's Research and Development Agency, with a potential yield of 13.5 tons ha-1. It is the result of a cross between the hybrid line G10.26-12 as the female parent and MAL03 as the male parent. This hybrid corn parent was taken from the Maros Serealia Center. The superior seed varieties used by respondent farmers are NASA 29 seed varieties and Jh variety 29 seeds. Socio-economic characteristics of farmers, namely age 42 years, formal education completed high school, 17 years of farming experience, farmer income IDR 5,863,636, and an average the farmer's land area is 0.43 ha. The cognitive response score of 752, the affective response score of 541, and the psychomotor response score of 791 are in the good response category. Hybrid corn production before using superior variety seeds was 4,403 kg ha-1 and after using superior variety seeds was 7,751 kg/ha. Increase in corn production by

Social Economic Characteristics Of Farmer Land Sustainable Agriculture Southern Pringsewu Regency

The purpose of this study was to determine the socio economic characteristics of farmers land sustainable agriculture in Pringsewu Regency in the southern part. The method used in this research is descriptive method. The population in this study were 493 farmers land sustainable agriculture in Pringsewu Regency in the southern part. The sample in this study amounted to 74. Data collection techniques using observation, documentation, and interviews. The data analysis technique uses a percentage table as the basis for interpretation and description of the data in making research reports. The results showed the characteristics of the socio-economic conditions of farmers land sustainable agriculture in Pringsewu Regency in the Southern Part (1). A total of 69 with a percentage of 93.2% have a classification of basic education levels, namely (SD and SMP) and 43 elementary school farmers with a percentage of 58.1% and 26 farmers with a percentage of 35.1% (2). A total of 34 farmers with a percentage of 46% have a low income classification. (3) as many as 64 farmers with a percentage of 86.5% have their own house classification. (4) as many as 67 farmers with a percentage of 90.5% occupying houses classified as permanent houses. (5) as many as 60 farmers with a percentage of 87.83% have ownership of valuable goods with a low class classification.

Factors Influencing Farmers’ Access to Formal Credit Market in Naogaon District of Bangladesh: An Empirical Analysis

Modern agriculture is expensive as performing agricultural activities nowadays requires huge investment. But some farmers do not have sufficient money to purchase and use such modern inputs like power tiller, harvester, deep-tube wells, fertilizers and pesticides in many cases. In Bangladesh, farmers are always found to face difficulties in access to credit services from both formal and informal service providers. As a result, their productivity and growth are impeded by a lack of access to agricultural loans. To investigate this phenomenon, this study aims to analyze the scenario of formal credit sources and to identify the factors that influence the access for farmers to formal credit market in Naogaon district. Primary data used for the study were collected with the aid of well-structured questionnaire from farmers and bank officials. Multi-stage sampling techniques were used to select the 200 respondents. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a binary logistic regression model. The Likert scale was used to identify constraints regarding to credit acquisition from formal credit market. The results of the descriptive analysis showed that 6% farmers failed to repay their loan while 94% timely repay their loan. In terms of purpose of using agricultural credit, it is evident that 68% farmers use agricultural credit for managing their agricultural expenses while 17% respondents use loan for the purpose of paid their previous loan. In addition, 10% respondents use loans for the purpose of maintain their family expenses. Results found from the binary logit model indicate that farm size, education, farming experience, access to extension service, access to guarantor, own savings account are positively related with the log of odd ratio in favor of access to formal credit market while the same is influenced negatively by age, off-farm income and default on loan repayment. The farmers in the study area have recognized collateral security as the major constraint relating access to formal credit market followed by the lack of guarantor and bureaucratic complexity. It was recommended that the socioeconomic characteristics of farmers should be considered when formulating and implementing policies to improve farmers’ access to agricultural loans.

Agricultural Performance of Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area in Ekiti State: Implications for Health Challenges

Recent empirical studies gesticulates that farmers’ in rural communities are often more prone to health challenges which further worsen Agricultural performance in their respective domains. On this notes, this paper is out to investigate the impact of health challenges on agricultural performance of Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area in Ekiti State using micro data analysis. The study used primary data through the use of questionnaires from the sampled population selected for the study. A total of 71 respondents contributed to the findings of the research. The study sampled sixty (60) respondents which are basically the farmers’ to analyze possible health challenges affecting agricultural performance, socio-economic characteristics of farmers’, ill- health cases of farmers’ and farmers’ lost of activities during farming’s seasons. The study showed that the most prominent diseases affecting farmers’ families were tuberculosis, chronic back pains, lungs and eyes problems, tetanus, malnutrition’s among others. Findings also indicates that numbers of days farming activities lost to ill-health in a household might help elicit a clearer picture of the effect of transient ill-health on agricultural production. The study therefore concludes that developmental effort in the provision and accessibility of affordable health care in rural areas should be put in place so as to reduce the incidence of diseases in Ekiti State which can as well be used to justify all other rural area States in the country as a whole. The results further accentuates that good health is more important and major backbones to farmers’ in performing their farming activities effectively. Based on the findings of this study, it is therefore recommends adequate provision and sensitization of health and environmental education for rural dwellers from State Ministry of health, Stakeholders and Non-governmental organization to checkmate and also to impose heavy restrictions to the importation of hard drugs into the country such as cigarette, cocaine, alcohol, Tramadol among others causing huge amount of health-illness for farming activities which in turn affecting the agricultural performance in the country as evidence in Ekiti State serving as one of the States producing food for the nation

Effects of social capital on farmers’ choices of climate change adaptation behavior in Dazu District, China

ABSTRACT This study explores the effects of social capital on farmers’ choices of climate change adaptation behavior in Dazu District, China. A total of 228 questionnaires were obtained from randomly sampled households. Social capital was divided into social networks, participation, reciprocity and trust. The adaptation behaviors in the study area were identified as crop adjustment, environmental improvement, financial management, and livelihood diversification. A boosted regression tree model was used to analyze the effects of different dimensions of social capital on farmers’ choices of climate change adaptation behavior. The results show that most farmers in Dazu District of Chongqing have adopted crop adjustment adaptation behavior. The social capital and socioeconomic characteristics of farmers have different impacts on different adaptation behaviors. Among social capital, the largest influence on climate change adaptation behavior is the degree of trust in the information of agricultural technology extension service centers, and the lowest influence is participation in rural cooperatives. In terms of socioeconomic characteristics, the largest impact on climate change adaptation behavior is agricultural income share, and the lowest impact is gender. The findings of this study can provide empirical support for governments to formulate effective policies to improve farmers’ climate change adaptation capabilities.

Analysis of Technical, Allocative and Economic Efficiencies of Vitamin A Cassava Farmers with Other Improved Cassava Farmers in Benue State, Nigeria.

Purpose: Despite that cassava is important economically and nutritionally, a gap exists between its demand and supply. Consequently, analysis of technical, allocative and economic efficiencies of Vitamin A Cassava (VAC) farmers with other improved cassava (OIC) farmers in Benue State, Nigeria was conducted.
 Methodology: A five- stage sampling technique was employed to select 120 farmers in the study area. Primary data were obtained using structured questionnaire and interview methods to seek information on socio-economic characteristics of farmers, inputs, outputs, and constraints to cassava production. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, stochastic frontier production function and cost function.
 Findings: The result revealed that profitability alone is not the only determinant for cassava cultivation, other factors were adequate finance, farmland, planting material, labour, nutrition and market. Five major determinants of cassava production were farm size, family labour, stem, herbicide and hired labour. Education, farming experience, gender and extension contacts significantly influenced farm -specific profit inefficiencies. OIC farmers showed higher allocative efficiency (0.78) than VAC farmers (0.75) and lower economic mean efficiency (0.66) than VAC farmers (0.76). The VAC farms were more profitable than OIC farms with gross margin of ₦181,120 and ₦105,620 per hectare of land, return on investment (1.68 and 0.86). The mean efficiencies of both practices were significant(p<05). The OIC and VAC farmers were operating at the second level of production frontier with return to scale of less than unity (0.457 and 0.448). Constraints identified are inadequate finance, expensive stems, inadequate extension agents’ visit, low market demand, high labour cost and grazing of farmland by herders.
 Unique contribution to theory, practice, and policy: Vitamin A Cassava and other improved cassava were smallholder farmers who were technologically inspired to transform inputs into output to earn income, food for households and poverty alleviation, and to achieve these, they need to improve on technical, allocative and economic efficiencies of production. It is recommended that cassava farmers develop saving culture and enter contract farming, multiply cassava stems, employ labour-saving technologies, government to create ready markets and encourage herders to establish ranches to prevent incursion of roaming cattle herds into farms.

Factors influencing the risk attitude of vegetable farmers in Kerala

Vegetables play a major role by providing nutritional, economic security and producing higher returns per unit area. But vegetable farmers have to face diverse kinds of climate, biological, price and financial risks. An important factor in understanding the behavioural and managerial decisions of farmers is to understand their attitude towards risk. This study investigated the risk attitude of vegetable farmers in special agricultural zones, socio-economic characteristics of farmers and identified the factors which influences the risk attitude. A survey was conducted by involving 270 respondents from 6 agro ecological units. Purposive as well as simple random sampling techniques were adopted for the study. The data were collected with the help of structured interview schedule and processed into frequency, percentage, correlation analysis to draw the conclusion. Results showed that majority of the farmers were in medium risk attitude category and the factors such as area under vegetable cultivation, education, annual income, irrigation potential, extension participation, social participation and innovative proneness were positively and significantly related with the risk attitude of vegetable farmers.