Sustainability Of Agricultural Activities Research Articles

Marine seaweeds (biofertilizer) significance in sustainable agricultural activities: A review

The marine environment provides adaptive conditions for many organisms, such as algae, shellfish, mussels, sponges, corals, and barnacles. There is a range of algae in Pakistan’s coastal waters, but, unfortunately, they are not used and are wasted. Efficient use of a valuable natural resource that can increase the efficiency of agricultural operations. Algae are abundant and easily found in a wet environment, either in seawater or freshwater. The seaweed and its products are extensively used in crops cultivation to enhance production systems due to many plant-growth-promoting compounds. It has been traditionally used for the fertilization of the fields since the ancient world. Some seaweeds and auxins, a plant hormone responsible for the vegetative growth and auxin-like compounds, have been found. Algae and their associated compounds can support the onset of seed germination and plant root growth, which applies to temperature, resistance to abiotic stress, and improves plants’ ability to absorb nutrients.

EFA-CFA integrated approach for groundwater resources sustainability in agricultural areas under data scarcity challenge: case study of the Souassi aquifer, Central-eastern Tunisia

Water resources become more and more threatened by the increasing request related to the population growth, especially in agricultural regions. This article focused on the design of a geo-model monitoring network controlling groundwater quality in the fast-growing agricultural area of Souassi, Central eastern Tunisia. The studied area is known for its dry climate conditions and information scarcity while they are most needed. In this case, the integrated approach based on the Exploratory Factor Analysis coupled to the Confirmatory Factors Analysis and geostatistics were performed in order to detect the most relevant factors intervening in the groundwater quality and their spatial variability in the shallow aquifer of Souassi. This investigation is based on data set of nine parameters (EC, Ca, Mg, Na, K, HCO3, SO4, Cl and NO3) determined in 30 samples from wells tapping the shallow aquifer of Souassi. The PCA results allowed illustrating that the groundwater quality in Souassi shallow aquifer is affected by both natural and anthropogenic factors. Developing the SEM led to identifying the most meaningful factors controlling the water mineralization. The geospatial interpolation using kriging technique enabled us to locate areas with high salinity values corresponding to the natural discharge zone of the aquifer as well as areas with high rate of nitrate coinciding essentially with olive fields in the central zone. Under limited database, the results allow highlighting the risk zones in the aquifer. This could assist in establishing sustainable agricultural activities while helping to solve environmental degradation of water resources in the study area.

A Study on Sustainability of Contemporary Cropping Systems in Bam

The study was conducted in Bam in 2019 to develop an index to quantify sustainability of cropping systems in the region. The studied cropping systems included single-cropping systems (palm trees) and multi-cropping systems (citrus, palm trees and alfalfa). The studied indices included economic, social, agricultural indices, as well as, personal features, market access, features of communication, education-extension activities, sustainable agricultural knowledge, attitude towards sustainable agriculture, and obstacles facing sustainable agriculture. The results indicated that the amount of sustainability index was lower than the mean value in 0.56% of the farms and this index was higher than the mean value in 0.44% of the others. Comparison of the mean value of sustainability indices in the studied cropping systems indicated that the mean indices of the type of cropping system, attitude towards sustainable agriculture and extension training activities in multi-cropping systems were more than single crops. The mean indices in social participation and the obstacles facing sustainable agriculture in single cropping systems was more than the multi-cropping ones. Some indices including social participation, sustainable agricultural knowledge and education-extension activities in multivariate regression model remained in the final model as variables that had the largest contribution in the rate of change in the dependent variable (sustainability) and explained = 60% of the changes in the dependent variable. The study showed that the sustainability of multi-cropping systems was more than the single-cropping ones.

Sulphate-supplemented NPK nanofertilizer and its effect on maize growth

Sulphate-supplemented nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPKS) fertilizer was nanoformulated through ionic gelation of chitosan (CS) and tripolyphosphate (TPP) at pH value of 5.5 to afford a series of nanofertilizers. The CS-TPP nanoparticles and CS-TPP-NPKS nanofertilizers were engineered using different dose of CS (0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1%) and NPKS fertilizer (20, 40 and 60 ppm). These nanoparticles were characterized through particle size distribution, zeta potential, SEM, XRD, FTIR, EDX and ICP-MS. The results revealed CS-TPP-NPKS particles with size range of 220–530 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) value between 0.2–0.5 and positive zeta potential. A preliminary evaluation of these nanoparticles along with inorganic NPK and NPKS fertilizers were conducted under greenhouse condition using maize (Zea mays L.) as a test crop. Findings from this study showed that inorganic NPKS (20:7:3:0.5) fertilizer, CS-TPP nanoparticles, and formulated NPKS nanofertilizers gave higher maize plants growth increases than NPK fertilizer and control treatments. The tallest plant (37.73 cm) and highest number of leaves (9) were recorded with the CS-TPP-NPKS nanofertilizer treatment obtained using 1% CS/NPKS (40 ppm). On the other hand, application of the nanoformulated derivative with 0.25% CS/NPKS (20 ppm) produced maize plants with superior chlorophyll content with 12.71 chlorophyll index value. A highly varied magnitude of the coefficient of variation in nutrient contents and uptake was recorded among the treatments. These results revealed that the incorporation of sulphur nutrient into NPK fertilizer and its transformation to nanoparticles have the potential characteristics for effective and productive growth of maize and sustainable agricultural activities.

Analysis of groundwater and river stage fluctuations and their relationship with water use and climate variation effects on Alto Grande watershed, Northeastern Brazil

Sustainable use of water resources on the behavior of groundwater table and surface water level variations, especially in phreatic sedimentary aquifers, where a strong interaction between stream flow and groundwater normally takes place. In the present study, precipitation, water level fluctuation, river flow and pivot installation data from an important agricultural frontier with an increasing water use for irrigated agriculture and a downward precipitation trend were compared with surface and water level fluctuation monitoring data. The main purpose was to assess possible impacts on the aquifers and to analyze the variation in groundwater table and surface water levels due to long-term downward precipitation trend (climate variation effects) and increasing water demand (irrigation). A growing number of central pivots installed for irrigation are withdrawing water from the Urucuia Aquifer System (UAS) in western Bahia State, Northeastern Brazil, one of the leading agricultural frontiers of the world. Field surveys provided hydrogeological aspects that led to the construction of a hydrogeological conceptual model. Monitoring groundwater and surface water through Brazilian Geological Survey's Integrated Groundwater Monitoring Network (RIMAS-CPRM), satellite images and Hydrological Information System (HidroWeb-ANA) network formed the databases for the study. This data was compared with rainfall data and evolution of irrigated areas captured by satellite image analysis. Results indicate that reduction of rainfall volumes from 1990 to 2018 in the headwaters of Alto Grande basin, due to cyclic droughts, and an increase in surface and groundwater exploitation due to flourishing agribusiness activity has caused a considerable groundwater level drawdown. The drawdown of up to 6.63 m points to the need of strong management actions, which should provide a long-term sustainable use of water resources (superficial and underground) within Alto Grande watershed. This study is part of the actions undertaken to provide the scientific and technical basis to secure the availability of water and a sustainable agricultural activity, since an important part of the Cerrado, the Brazilian savanna ecosystem, and considerable proportion of São Francisco river flow, lies in the study area.

Community-Related Voluntary Standards

Businesses have long been called upon to comply with a range of formal laws and regulations in various areas related to sustainability-related responsibilities including laws and regulations pertaining to the environmental impact of their operations, the employment relationship, working conditions and health and safety standards. However, apart from satisfying the requirements of local governments with respect to permits and licenses necessary for engaging in certain activities in the community, businesses generally are not heavily constrained by legal guidelines with respect to their community involvement and development activities. This is an area in which voluntary standards have played an important role in providing business with ideas for objectives for their community involvement. Although voluntary standards focusing specifically on the relationship of businesses and the communities in which they operate are still evolving, lessons can be drawn from many widely recognized normative frameworks, principles and guidelines such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the United Nations Global Compact, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the Future-Fit Business Framework. Specialized standards can be used as reference points for support of sustainability-related initiatives in local communities, such as requiring that recipients of grants and other investments for sustainable sourcing and agricultural activities adhere to the guidance developed by the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Platform. Additional guidance comes from guidelines established for companies engaged in extractive activities where the potential for adverse impact on local communities is especially high (e.g., Equitable Origin). The ISO 26000 Guidance on Social Responsibility includes community involvement and development among its core subjects and businesses and other organizations will also be impacted by relevant standards on their key stakeholders, particularly investors, that require attention to responsible actions toward local communities (e.g., Principles for Responsible Investment and IFC Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability) Impacts on local communities are also required by various voluntary sustainability reporting frameworks.

Drought Risk Assessment in Cultivated Areas of Central Asia Using MODIS Time-Series Data

Drought is one of the most damaging environmental hazards and a naturally occurring phenomenon in Central Asia that is accompanied by crucial consequences for the agriculture sector. This research aimed at understanding the nature and extent of drought over the cropland regions of Central Asia with the help of spatiotemporal information from the region. We assessed drought occurrence using the vegetation health index (VHI). An algorithm was developed to reduce the noise of heterogeneous land surfaces by adjusting the vegetation index and brightness temperature. The vegetation condition index (VCI) and temperature condition index (TCI) were calculated using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) products for the growing season (April–September) from 2000 to 2015. The intense drought years were identified and a drought map (drought probability occurrence) was generated. The findings of this research indicated regional heterogeneity in the cropland areas having experienced droughts, observed through spatiotemporal variations. Some of the rain-fed and irrigated croplands of Kazakhstan demonstrated a higher vulnerability to annual drought occurrences and climate change impacts, while other cropland regions were found to be more resistant to such changes. The development of policy tools is required to support informed decision-making and planning processes to adapt to the occurrence of droughts. This could be achieved by the timely assessment, monitoring, and evaluation of the spatiotemporal distribution trends and variabilities of drought occurrences in this region. The results from this study focus on the spatiotemporal variations in drought to reveal the bigger picture in order to better understand the regional capacity for sustainable land management and agricultural activities within a changing environment.

A Crop Model for Improvement Water Use Efficiency and Durum Wheat Pro-duction in the Siliana Region

In Tunisia, the development of the irrigation within the water scarcity context, remains one of the crucial issues in agricultural activity. The phenomenon of climate change is likely to make the problematic while threatening the country's food security. Thus, high water use efficiency is essential to overcome these constraints and to facilitate sustainable agricultural activity. This work aims to optimize irrigation water use and to increase the production of the durum wheat (DW) through improving irrigation practices. For this, a field survey was carried out with a sample of 43 farms from the Siliana region. In data collection process, current study focused on the DW activity during the agricultural compain of 2015 in terms of the applied doses of water and fertilizer as well as the crop rotation. A crop model, CROPSYST, has been developed. The model used DW activity during three consecutive crop production periods as 2015, 2016 and 2017. Three strategies of varied mix in terms of irrigation water and fertilizer doses were simulated. The results showed the improvement of the yield by 9% that allowed an improvement of the water productivity up to 8,2 kgha -1 mm -1 .Given these results the Gross Margin may increase by 3% up to 11%.

Adaptation strategy for sustainable food sovereignty based on vulnerability and climate risk assessment : a case study of Sulawesi Island

Food is an important element to human life. Food availability is a main factor to support sustainable agricultural activities. Concrete efforts are urged to support the Indonesian government targets to become the world food basket by 2045. Extreme climate events leading to climate related hazards such as floods and drought that significantly impact negatively planting area, harvesting, and production must be addressed so the risks can be minimized. Vulnerability and risk assessment of climate impacts on food farming system are completed to provide information on the vulnerability level in each district/city to determine contributing factors that influence the vulnerability level. Data on climate, land, and water resources as well as socio economic were selected to represent the indicators for vulnerability assessment. The indicators were grouped into Exposure and Sensitivity Index-Indeks Keterpaparan dan Sensitivitas (IKS) and Adaptation Capacity Index-Indeks Kapasitas Adaptasi (IKA). The vulnerability and risk assessments to floods for Sulawesi Island explain that there are about 8% of districts/cities grouped into the level of very high category and about 17% of the districts/cities grouped into the level of high category. As for the vulnerability and risk to drought, the assessments show that about 1% of districts/cities are included into the level of extreme high category, about 8% grouped into the level of very high category, and about 17% classified into the level of high category. The contributing factors to the IKA are the length of the road based on surface conditions and the ratio of the number of farmer groups per paddy area. The IKS dominant determinants that must be addressed are climate. The level of vulnerability and determinant factors are useful to assist in preparing strategies and recommended programs of adaptation actions compounded with priority districts/cities whose levels of vulnerability are categorized into high, very high, and extreme high.

Comparative toxicities of five herbicides on nauplii of Artemia franciscana as an ecotoxicity bioindicator

Artemia is one of the most important test organisms available for ecotoxicity test. In this study the toxicity of five widely used herbicides formulations including: Paraquat, 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D), Trifluralin, Glyphosite and Atrazin were compared using ecotoxicity bioindicator, Artemia franciscana. Acute toxicity (48 h LC50) of five herbicides were determined via OECD standard method. Artemia were hatched via standard method and 12 h old nauplii were used for toxicity evaluation of herbicides. Naupliis exposed to Serial concentrations (more than 6 in triplicates) of each herbicid. Mortalities at 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours after exposure were recorded and the LC50 were calculated using Probit software. Results showed that the mortality rate increased along with increasing the exposure time in all herbicide toxicity assays. Besides 48 hours LC50 value of Paraquat, 2,4-D, Trifluralin, Glyphosite and Atarzine calculated at 15.67, 12.93, 11.87, 164.31 and 61.34 mg/L in A. franciscana respectively. Glyphosate showed significantly lesser lethality and toxicity while Trifluralin and 2,4-D showed the highest toxicity in A. franciscana among the examined herbicides. Then for sustainable agricultural activity, especially in areas that runoff water flow to aquatic ecosystems, it is highly recommended to use environmental friendly herbicides like glyphosate as an alternative to highly toxic herbicides like trifluralin, Paraquat and 2,4-D. To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first study comparing the toxicity of highly used herbicides using ecotoxicity bioindicator, Artemia franciscana.

Improved SVR machine learning models for agricultural drought prediction at downstream of Langat River Basin, Malaysia

Abstract Drought is a harmful and little understood natural hazard. Effective drought prediction is vital for sustainable agricultural activities and water resources management. The support vector regression (SVR) model and two of its enhanced variants, namely, fuzzy-support vector regression (F-SVR) and boosted-support vector regression (BS-SVR) models, for predicting the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration indices (SPEI) (in this case, SPEI-1, SPEI-3 and SPEI-6, at various timescales) with a lead time of one month, were developed to minimize potential drought impact on oil palm plantations at the downstream end of the Langat River Basin, which has a tropical climate pattern. Observed SPEIs from periods 1976 to 2011 and 2012 to 2015 were used for model training and validation, respectively. By applying the MAE, RMSE, MBE and R2 as model assessments, it was found that the F-SVR model was best with the trend of improving accuracy when the timescale of the SPEIs increased. It was also found that differences in model performance deteriorates with increased timescale of the SPEIs. The outlier reducing effect from the fuzzy concept has better improvement for the SVR-based models compared to the boosting technique in predicting SPEI-1, SPEI-3 and SPEI-6 for a one-month lead time at the downstream of Langat River Basin.

Factors Affecting the Use of Sustainable Agriculture in Iran's Potato Cultivars

Current research examines the economic, social, cultural, policy, educational and promotional factors in using sustainable agriculture operations. Research is an applied type and its method is correlation. The statistical population consisted of 102 members of Iran Potato Cultivars. Data were collected using a census method and a questionnaire was used. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was obtained among 0.4723.0 ± 0.946 / 0, indicating the reliability of this tool. Statistical analysis of data was performed using SPSS20 software. The results of regression analysis indicated that three variables: economic factors, policy factors, educational and promotional factors were the most important independent variables affecting the dependent variable of sustainable agriculture, that was 42.1% of the variation of dependent variable (implementation of sustainable agricultural activity) that explain the research.Also the results indicated that the economic factor variable with the beta coefficient equal to 0.339 is the most important variable affecting the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices. The variable policy making factor with a regression coefficient of 0.146 is the least important factor affecting the implementation of sustainable agricultural operations

Cambios en el contenido de carbono orgánico del suelo tras el rolado de bosques secos en San Luis (Argentina)

Fil: Somovilla Lumbreras, David. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Matematica Aplicada de San Luis Prof. Ezio Marchi. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Fisico, Matematicas y Naturales. Instituto de Matematica Aplicada de San Luis Prof. Ezio Marchi; Argentina

Evaluation and analysis of temperature for historical (1996–2015) and projected (2030–2060) climates in Pakistan using SimCLIM climate model: Ensemble application

Climate change is a global issue that's affecting food security. An increase and decrease in temperature due to climate change is expected across many regions of the world. Analysis of 39 weather stations (Pakistan) trend for maximum and minimum temperatures was done on monthly, seasonal and annual observations. Two statistical tests (Sen's slope and Mann-Kendall) were applied to find out the slopes and magnitude of climate change trend. This statistical analysis was carried out to study the possible variations for maximum and minimum temperature trend. A statistical downscaling climate projection model (SimCLIM) was used to predict magnitude of maximum and minimum temperature for 2030 and 2060. Ensemble of 40 General Circulation Models (GCMs) was used with median Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP-6.0) for future projections in SimCLIM. This study showed more number of positive trends for maximum temperature over all the weather stations. Significantly positive temperature trend was observed in February and March for maximum temperature for all sites ranges from 0.06 to 0.51 °C. Mostly, statistically significant negative trend (−0.06 to −0.30 °C) was found in Balochistan province and northern areas of Pakistan. In future, minimum temperature projected by model showed negative trends for 60% of weather sites for December where, the negative trend also increased for monthly and seasonal analysis. Minimum temperature trend reveal that December has large number of sites with negative trends with high magnitude, which further decreased for annual followed by seasonal analysis. Minimum temperature projections showed similar trends with past December results but negative trends decreased for seasonal and annual resolution. Future projections also reveal that annual maximum and minimum temperature will be increased for 2060 as compared to 2030. These results may have significant effect on agriculture of northern and high mountain areas of Pakistan, which could be managed by sustainable agricultural activities.

ZEOLITE: STRUCTURE AND POTENTIAL IN AGRICULTURE

Zeolite is a hydrated aluminosilicate mineral with a three-dimensional structure. The unique zeolite crystal structure makes zeolites have cation boundary properties, adsorption, molecular sieving, catalysts, capture, and release of air molecules. Many studies in various fields including agriculture have been done by utilizing the properties of the zeolite. Indonesia has an abundant source of zeolite reserves and extensive agricultural areas, making it possible to apply zeolite research results to support sustainable agricultural activities. In this article will discuss the potential utilization of zeolite in agriculture based on the studies that have been done.

Agroecology Development in Eastern Europe—Cases in Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia

Agroecology is a discipline of science that is based on several disciplines, primarily ecology and agronomy. Although the first mention of agroecology was more than 100 years ago, it has recently been more intensely developed throughout Eastern European countries, beginning in the 1990s. Basically, such interest developed due to the intensification of agriculture in the second half of the 20th century, which was based on the premise of agricultural research, and related specifically to production. Agroecology is also strongly associated with sustainable agricultural activities, especially organic farming, which began to develop in Eastern European countries around 1990. Due to the unique environment of Eastern European countries, and a combination of several disciplines within them as well as other factors, agroecology in these differing countries can be perceived as somewhat different from one another. This overview focuses on the current state of agroecology in the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, and Slovakia.

Sustainable agriculture: The study on farmers’ perception and practices regarding nutrient management and limiting losses

AbstractThe paper presents the results of a scientific project focused on limiting nutrient losses from farms by introducing measures to apply fertilizers in a more sustainable way. It is a case study of selected aspects of farm management, focussing on the issue of sustainable agriculture and their tools. The main aim of the study was to analyse and evaluate farmers’ knowledge of the fertilizing process and its aspects, as well as applying sustainable agricultural activities on farms. The study emphasised the importance of nutrient management, as very important for sustainable farming. Also, the links between farmers’ opinions and their activities were analysed. The important issue concerned measures for sustainable farm management introduced on the farms, as well as measures to limit nutrient leaching into groundwater. Twenty-eight farmers from two regions in Poland were interviewed about their perceptions for the case study. In general, the farmers considered their farm activities to be more sustainable than in the past. They demonstrated an understanding of the general idea of sustainable agriculture. However, many farmers still demonstrated a poor grasp of nutrient flows and nutrient balances on farms. Their knowledge and perception was based on general, rather than specific knowledge gleaned from an academic/vocational course. The farmers demonstrated a realization that there were some new, or low-cost measures that could be introduced to make management more sustainable and pro-environmental, but there was still a need for wider adoption of sustainable agricultural practices.

Management of Agroindustrial Lignocellulosic Wastes through Vermitechnology and Production of Agronomic Valid Vermicompost

We aimed to recycle the agroindustrial waste resources - pressmud(PM), sugarcane trash (ST) and biomethanated distillery effluent(BE) and produced agronomic valid vermicompost using earthworm, Perionyx excavatus for maintaining natural soil organic and sustainable agricultural activity. Therefore, a series of studies were carried out to convert PM-ST-BE in different proportion vermibeds (T1-1000g PM+0g ST+790ml BE), (T2- 900g PM+100g ST+740ml BE), (T3-800g PM+200g ST+696ml BE), (T4-700g PM +300g ST+655ml BE), (T5-600g PM+400g ST+625ml BE) and (T6-500g PM+500g ST+542ml BE) into vermicompost. The study was to examine the activity of earthworm- growth, reproduction, vermicompost recovery and its nutrient status. The pronounced and better worm activity was found in all vermibeds, especially more in T1 and T3 vermibeds followed by others. This seems to be due to rich cellulose, OC, N, P, microbial activity, enhanced water holding capacity and palatability of the substrates. Enhanced microbial activity, humic acid content, NPK, normalized pH, declined OC, C-N, and C-P ratio, lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose and phenol in vermicompost than normal compost and control. The increased microbial-enzymatic activities contribute an increase in nutrients through nitrification, phosphate solubilization and mineralization. Reduction of OC, C-N, C-P ratio, lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose and phenol in the vermicompost are due to combined action of gut microflaura and earthworm during the vermicomposting process and utilization of these contents by the worm for their growth and reproduction. Finally, our study recommended for the production and application of vermifertilizer from lignocellulosic wastes using vermitechnology for sustainable activity.

Investigation of Groundwater Quality and Its Suitability for Drinking and Agricultural Use in the South Central Part of the Coastal Region in Bangladesh

To examine the groundwater quality a total of 120 groundwater samples were collected from two southern districts; Barguna (27 points) and Patuakali (33 points) of Bangladesh in two seasons viz., pre-monsoon (60 samples) and post-monsoon (60 samples) in 2012. A comprehensive analysis has been conducted to explore the groundwater hydrochemistry and effects of major ions on the suitability for potable water and agricultural uses. Geochemical analyses have clearly shown that the seasonal effect does change the order of abundance of major ions in the groundwater, while principal component analysis confirmed the reasons of extreme salinity and hardness. Piper diagram showed that the predominant hydrochemical facies for the groundwater were Na+-Cl−-SO4 2− and Na+-K+-HCO3 − types. The chloroalkaline index confirmed that the ion exchange was governed mainly in water phase. Equiline diagram explained the relationship among the alkali with total cations and anions where cations were more dominant than anions at 1:1 ratio. The Gibb’s diagram illustrated the chemical composition of water mainly influenced by precipitation from the water sources. The molar ratio Cl−/Σanions and Na+/Na++Cl− indicated that the groundwater of the study area was affected by seawater intrusion. In addition to unsuitable salinity (>5000 µs/cm), Kelly’s ratio, total hardness, sodium absorption ratio, residual Sodium carbonate, and Na % clearly indicated that the groundwater in the study area were not suitable for drinking, irrigation, and domestic uses. Moreover, the spatial distribution maps were drawn to observe the spatial extent of EC, TDS, SAR, and SSP using IDW technique. Thus, considering all the above findings this area needs special attention to ensure the supply of potable water and to maintain sustainable agricultural activities.

Farm-level adaptation measures to climate change and constraints among arable crop farmers in Ebonyi state of Nigeria

The study assessed farm-level adaptation measure to climate change and constraints among arable crop farmers in Ebonyi State. Primary data collected from 480 farmers were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The result of the socioeconomic characteristics established that majority (72.83%) of the respondents were aged 30 years and above. Also, majority (63%) were males who are married (61.09%), with an average household size of 10 persons per farmer. Greatest number (84%) of the farmers had acquired various form of formal education, while 56.09% of them farmed on sloppy, rocky/eroded, swampy or hilly farmland. Also, most (50%) of the respondents cultivate above 2.5 ha of farmland per cropping season with a monthly income of between 1,000 - N20,000. The study further showed that majority (79.13%) of the farmers have taken some measures to cope with the adverse impact of climate change. These include: the practice of mixed cropping and farming, cover cropping, organic manuring, use of fresh broad leaves (banana, plantain) for mulching, liming with wood-ash, invoking of rains during delay on its onset through sacrifices to gods, and adjusting planting time. The result of factor analysis using varimax rotated component matrix indicated that the most critical barriers to climate change adaptation in the area were captured under three factors viz: environmental, social/institutional, and economic constraints. The study recommends intensive sensitization programmes on climate change be extended to the rural farmers by government and relevant agencies concerned with climate change issues to ensure effective response to the climate change, for sustainable agricultural activities.