An Inquiry into Cultivation of New-generation Farmers

This article expounds the necessity of the transformation from traditional farmers to modern new farmers: the building of new socialist countryside needs modern new farmers; the coordination of urban-rural integration development needs the transformation from traditional farmers to modern new farmers; the development of modern agriculture needs the transformation from traditional farmers to modern new farmers. Then it analyses the characteristics and role of new-generation farmers, and presents the way to accelerate cultivation of new-generation farmers: make sound laws and regulations, to lay solid foundation for cultivation of new-generation farmers; create conditions, to provide funds guarantee for cultivation of new-generation farmers; make scientific planning, to promote regular, systematized and standardized training work for new-generation farmers; focus on education, to promote the overall quality of new-generation farmers; innovate upon content, to meet the needs of development of new-generation farmers; highlight focus, to intensify competitiveness training for returning-home migrant workers.

Impact of Forage Programme on Cattle Body Condition Score of Smallholder Farmers in Cambodia

The survey was conducted in the target provinces,Kampong Cham and Pursat province,of Beef for Market Project funded by ACIAR,Australia,in January and July 2016.Survey was designed with three different types of farmers such as adopted farmer,exposed farmers and non-exposed farmers.The objective of the study is to evaluate the impact of the introducing forage on cattle production of smallholder farmers supported by the project.The adopted farmers,who have involved in the project,planted the forage to supplement their cattle,got higher BCS(Body Condition Scoring)and total income than exposed and non-exposed farmers.However,the BCS varied with season and gender of cattle as well,when in the raining season male cattle produced higher BSC than dry season and female cattle respectively.However,further study on impact of converting cropland into forage planting should be deeply analyzed,since there was competition of land use.

Factors influencing farmers’adoption of solar water-pumping systems in Gujarat

Agriculture has played an important role in the growth of the Indian economy.Water and electricity are essential inputs for agricul­ture today.India produces the third-largest amount of electricity in the world,behind China and the USA.As an incentive to increase production,most states provide free electricity to farmers.Free electricity has decreased groundwater levels and increased electricity consumption.The objective of this study was to find out the factors that influenced farmers to adopt a solar water-pumping system in Gujarat.The samples were randomly selected.This study examined the entire state of Gujarat.One hundred and fifty farmers who adopted solar water-pumping systems were interviewed,including 50 banana farmers,50 cotton farmers and 50 groundnut farmers.Primary data were collected through an interview.The adoption of solar water-pumping systems by farmers was identified using factor analysis.SPSS software was used to analyse the data collected.In this study,only two factors contributed to the variance of 59.469%.The adoption of solar water pumps by farmers was influenced by government policy and economic benefits.An economic benefit variance of 33.20%was found,while a government policy variance was 26.27%.A solar water-pumping system has low initial costs,flexible credit policies motivate adoption,solar water-pumping systems can save electricity,and maintenance and repair costs are affordable.Government policy that includes solar water-pumping systems is motivated by awareness,subsidies for adoption and a fair price to sell energy surpluses.Farmers are recommended to adopt a solar water-pumping system in conjunction with a drip irri­gation system to receive additional income.The successful scheme will be recommended to other states in India for implementation.