Climatic and non-climatic factors driving the livelihood vulnerability of smallholder farmers in Ahafo Ano North District,Ghana

Smallholder farmers in Ahafo Ano North District,Ghana,face multiple climatic and non-climatic issues.This study assessed the factors contributing to the livelihood vulnerability of smallholder farmers in this district by household surveys with 200 respondents and focus group discussions(FGDs)with 10 respondents.The Mann–Kendall trend test was used to assess mean annual rainfall and temperature trends from 2002 to 2022.The relative importance index(RII)value was used to rank the climatic and non-climatic factors perceived by respondents.The socioeconomic characteristics affecting smallholder farmers’perceptions of climatic and non-climatic factors were evaluated by the binary logistic regression model.Results showed that mean annual rainfall decreased(P>0.05)but mean annual temperature significantly increased(P<0.05)from 2002 to 2022 in the district.The key climatic factors perceived by smallholder farmers were extreme heat or increasing temperature(RII=0.498),erratic rainfall(RII=0.485),and increased windstorms(RII=0.475).The critical non-climatic factors were high cost of farm inputs(RII=0.485),high cost of healthcare(RII=0.435),and poor condition of roads to farms(RII=0.415).Smallholder farmers’perceptions of climatic and non-climatic factors were significantly affected by their socioeconomic characteristics(P<0.05).This study concluded that these factors negatively impact the livelihoods and well-being of smallholder farmers and socioeconomic characteristics influence their perceptions of these factors.Therefore,to enhance the resilience of smallholder farmers to climate change,it is necessary to adopt a comprehensive and context-specific approach that accounts for climatic and non-climatic factors.

Livelihood vulnerability of smallholder farmers to climate change: A comparative analysis based on irrigation access in South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Bulukumba Regency is one of the major rice-producing areas in South Sulawesi,Indonesia and has experienced frequent climate disasters over the past decade.Several downstream villages within the Bettu River irrigation area have been affected by the drought,culminating in reduced lowland rice production and increasing the vulnerability of farmers’livelihoods.This study aims to evaluate the vulnerability of the livelihood system among rice farmers in the Bettu River irrigation area by classifying the area into two zones based on the distance from the main irrigation canal,namely the upstream area and downstream area.The livelihood vulnerability index(LVI)framework and livelihood vulnerability index-Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(LVI-IPCC)approach were applied by selecting geographic and socio-demographic indicators that affected the farmer households,including 8 major components and 26 sup-components.The data for LVI-IPCC estimation were collected by randomly selecting 132 households from villages in the two areas.The empirical results showed that farmers in the downstream area were more vulnerable to climate change than farmers in the upstream area.The major components causing the livelihood vulnerability of the downstream farmers were livelihood strategy,food,water,land,and health,as well as natural disasters and climate variability.In particular,the sub-components of agricultural livelihood diversification,consistent water supply for farming,and drought events were important in the downstream area.Farmers in the upstream area were vulnerable to socio-demographic profile and social network components.The LVI-IPCC findings suggested that the government should prioritize farmers in the downstream area to develop resilience strategies,particularly by increasing irrigation infrastructure and the number of reservoirs and drilling holes.Furthermore,to increase their adaptive capacity in terms of diversification of agricultural livelihood systems,the government and donor agencies need to provide trainings on the development of home food industries for poor farmers and vulnerable households that were affected by disasters.

The Pulses of the Mekong River Basin: Rivers and the Livelihoods of Farmers and Fishers

The transboundary Mekong River is shared by six SE Asia countries (China, Myanmar, Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia, and Vietnam). In this paper the livelihoods of farmers and fishers of Lao PDR, Cambodia and Vietnam are examined to assess impacts of Mekong River development and modernization projects on the rural peoples of the Mekong River and Delta. A high proportion of the 190 million rural people of the Mekong basin are dependent on the diverse and abundant resources of the Mekong River and its tributaries for food security and basic necessities, livelihoods, and cultural identities. Although rice farming and fisheries occupations are primary income sources, many livelihoods involve a diversity of on-farm and off-farm activities. Agricultural specialization and intensification and hydropower dam construction on the Mekong main stem and tributaries are altering traditional rural patterns of household food security, income, and cultural ways of living at an increasingly rapid pace. Rural transformation projects must better assess how these modernization efforts change the ecology of the Mekong River and in turn affect the capacity of rural people to adapt in ways that ensure food security and improve household livelihoods. It will be critical that development efforts recognize, value, and invest in rural people’s roles in producing a stable, affordable food system and managing the integrity of river ecosystems upon which future prosperity depends. Interventions are needed to prevent degradation of the Mekong Basin soil and water resources from large-scale agricultural intensification, water diversion and overbuilding of hydropower dams which are threats to small-scale land holdings and farmers and fishers capacities to provide daily food for their own consumption and to feed SE Asia’s growing urban populations.

Can Multiple Livelihood Interventions Improve Livelihood Resilience of Out-of-poverty Farmers in Mountain Areas?A Case Study of Longnan Mountain Area,China

Clarifying the impact of livelihood interventions on the livelihood resilience of farmers in undeveloped mountain areas can not only optimize interventions,but also provide experiential support for global poverty alleviation.To analyze the impact of multiple livelihood interventions on livelihood resilience,we constructed an analytical framework and analyzed the enjoyment of livelihood interventions and the heterogeneity of livelihood resilience among out-of-poverty farmers in the Longnan mountain areas,China.Then,we studied the impact of intervention intensity on livelihood resilience through the multiple linear regression model.The results revealed that:1)the livelihood interventions enjoyed by out-of-poverty farmer in mountain areas were multiple.The proportion of farmers enjoyed diversified livelihood interventions was in descending order of high mountain areas,semi-mountain area and Chuanba valley areas.2)The overall livelihood resilience of farmers in Longnan mountain areas was generally low,with an average of 0.299.There were significant differences in the livelihood resilience of farmers across different geographic areas in the study area and types of interventions.3)The effects of industry interventions,employment interventions and education interventions were significant.The endogenous power of farmers not only had a significant positive effect on livelihood resilience,but also positively moderated the impact of the intensity of interventions on livelihood resilience.In addition,the household dependency ratio and the average altitude of the village area had a significant negative impact on their livelihood resilience.

How to Improve Tea Farmers' Livelihoods in the Sightseeing Place along Lijiang River Valley?

The unbalance of tourism development and comparative superiority of the tea industry brings new opportunities to the poor groups along Lijiang River Valley for improving their livelihoods. From the perspective of sustainable livelihoods,we analyze the problems in tea farmers' livelihoods,such as lack of fund,low capacity in price negotiation,and high cost of resisting various risks. Recommendations are put forward for tea farmers to improve their livelihoods through ways of enterprise cooperation,innovative marketing,brand cultivation,industrial integration and so on.

Empirical Analysis on Rural Financial Development and Farmers' Income Increase in China

The growth of farmer＇s incomes is cIoseIy reIated to rural finance. The research analyzed the dynamic reIationship of rural financial deveIopment, efficiency and farmer＇s incomes based on VAR modeI, and the resuIts indicated that the ex-pansion of rural finance wouId stimuIate farmer＇s incomes in a Iong term, and the growth of rural financial efficiency significantIy improves farmer＇s incomes in a short term, instead of a Iong term. Hence, it is necessary to introduce more credit funds and social funds to rural areas, deepen rural financial system reform and acceIerate use rate of Ioan capital and enhance guidance for farmers and township enterprises in use of Ioan capitals.

Creation of "Regional Characteristic" in Planning and Design of Farmers' Residential Area at the South of Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River

After analysis of location feature of the south of lower reaches of Yangtze River and its construction of urban and rural integration,the paper pointed out harmonious combination between natural and artificial factors had been neglected in planning and design of farmers' residential area at the south of lower reaches of Yangtze River,"regional characteristic" losing,residential area in the form of "city community" and buildings in European style.In view of these problems,relevant planning and design thoughts and methods had been proposed as to how to create "regional characteristic" from the perspective of planning,architecture and landscape design.It discussed with emphasis the importance of construction base type and combination of environment with residential area construction;inspirations and design methods obtained from traditional architectures;and the content of landscape overall planning and specific design.It was hoped to enlighten designers to shoulder social and historical responsibility,make exploration unremittingly,and construct beautiful homelands for people.

The Current Situation and Development of Grain Storage Technologies and Facilities for Chinese Farmers

In China, the quantity of farmer＇s grain storage covers about 40% of the total grain yield every year. While, the losses of farms＇ grain storage are up to 8%, which is due to the lack of grain storage facility and technology. The losses of farmer＇s grain storage could reach nearly 20 million tons every year. In this paper, the current situation and development of grain storage technology and facility for Chinese farmers were presented. And a series of policy and research work for reducing the losses of farms＇ grain storage was introduced. The large scale farmers are now developing quickly in China, the new storage warehouse and mechanized facility should be developed adaptively. So, the new storage technology and policy to meet the need of large scale farmers were also introduced in this paper.

Study on Influence of Farmers' Relational Network on Their Undertaking Process

We elaborate relevant theories of farmers' relational network,including the Differential Model of Association,the Strength of Weak Tie,Strength of Strong Tie and Favor and Face.The farmers' relational network in the Differential Model of Association can be divided into three layers:strong tie,weak tie and irrelative relationship according to Granovetter theory.These three layers have deep influence on opportunity selection during the undertaking,financing and enterprise development.With rational knowledge of these layers,farmers may exploit undertaking resources.On the basis of these,we made detailed analysis on farmers' selection of relations in the opportunity selection,financing and enterprise development stages.

A Study of Farmers' Rationality Based on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

In this paper,on the basis of analyzing farmers' dominant position in society and explanation of farmers' rationality,we make use of Maslow's hierarchy theory of needs to divide farmers' needs into three levels in accordance with the different stages: survival needs,interpersonal harmony and social responsibility,which are the needs hierarchies for farmers to satisfy themselves. We combine Maslow's hierarchy theory of needs and farmers' rationality and confirm that farmers do have rationality and it is in a dynamic condition.

Professionalization of Farmers Is the Key to Solution of China's Rural Issues

There are essential differences between the current status of farmers in China and "farmer" as a profession; this disparity remains to be a barrier to agricultural modernization. Since reform and opening up, changes in social economic structure have prompted the professionalization of farmers. To realize this trend and promote this transformation will be of significant importance to Chinese agricultural modernization.

Interests of Livestock Activities within Agroforestry Systems in Guadeloupe: Stakeholders’ Opinions and Farmers’ Perceptions

The Valab project (Integrated Ecosystemic value-enhancement of the Guadeloupean Forest Agrobiodiversity) is a participatory action research that aims to explore the feasibility of diversification activities within the forest understorey. In the exploratory phase of the project, we studied stakeholders’ opinions on the positive and negative impacts of introducing livestock activities within a forest environment, as well as breeders’ constraints or motivations for setting up livestock units within agroforestry systems in the private forests of Guadeloupe. To establish a diagnosis of the current situation, 51 stakeholders (St) and 49 farmers (Fr) were interviewed on their perceptions, opinions, motivations and preferences. Forty-one percent of the St has had a generally positive appreciation of livestock activities, while on the opposite 31% have had a resolutely negative posture depending on their area of expertise. Their views on the possible positive effects or negative interactions between livestock and agroforestry activities were analysed in order to suggest possible approaches for the authorities or associations. Unanimously, the farmers replied that their motivations followed economic strategies: for self-consumption or sale. But their decision-making processes were also non-economic. Many of them (36% Fr) gave importance to their activity in the construction of their identity, whether it was through a desire to perpetuate traditions or to maintain family activities. The main constraints identified were natural constraints (61% Fr), including topography, climate and predators. While 28% of Fr notified their motivations for environmental protection. Another constraint was of a technical nature (44% Fr) since farmers asked for more technical references or support services. Further researches are required to study the interactions between animals and the undergrowth by describing their respective ecosystem services in order to enhance their positive interactions.

Study on the Influence of Farmer Social Capital on Cooperative Supply Willingness of Agricultural Disaster Reduction Public Goods——Based on the Investigation on 515 Farmers

Based on social capital theory,related factors of three dimensions( structure dimension,cognition dimension and relation dimension) of farmer social capital are taken as independent variables,and famer's willingness to cooperatively supply agricultural disaster reduction public goods is taken as dependent variable. Taking 515 farmers in 27 villages of Hubei Province as investigation objects,the influence of farmer social capital on cooperative supply willingness of agricultural disaster reduction public goods is explored by Logistic regression model. Research results show that social solidarity,common value concept,social trust and reciprocal content have positive impact on farmer's willingness of cooperative supply,while annual household income,number of agricultural disaster reduction public goods and social network have negative impact on farmer's willingness of cooperative supply.

A Brief Analysis of Development of Tibetan Farmers＇ and Herdsmen＇s Economic Cooperatives--A Case Study of Nagqu Area

Through on-the-spot survey and research on the actual situation of agricultural cooperatives and the conditions of production and living of farmers and herdsmen in Nagqu,Tibet,going through a lot of literature,this paper studies and analyzes the development of local cooperative organizations of farmers and herdsmen,understands the actual benefits of cooperative organizations to farmers and herdsmen,aims to increase the income of farmers and herdsmen,and thus puts forward the main problems and measures on agricultural cooperatives in Nagqu area,in order to offer some suggestions for farmers and herdsmen to get rid of poverty through the conclusion of the study.

Assessment of Pesticide Use against Tephritidae Fruit Fly and Other Pest among Small-scale Solanaceous Vegetable Farmers in Bugorhe-Kabare the Democratic Republic of Congo

Ninety-six farmers interviewed in Kabare,east of the DR Congo during 2021.Farmers majority were males(79.17%),ranging 30 to 60 years,used different pesticides in vegetable farms and the main solanaceous crops cultivated is tomato.The use of insecticide and fungicide were high,with many different formulations of the different class types recorded in use,(20%)endocrine disruptors,(40%)cholinesterase inhibitors,(35%)carcinogen and potential carcinogens suspected to be.A lot of out of those pesticides are unregistered for general use.Farmers applied pesticide once a week and they didn’t have specific instructions.The skin effects,headaches and dizziness are dominant.They do not have a good system of pesticide packaging management.For reducing pesticide application,we propose options of agro ecology.We suggest that the Congolese government must create a quarantine,control and surveillance service for phytosanitary products,fruits and vegetables within the DRC country and at these borders.Also,it needs urgent action from the federal and regional governments to formulate policy,design legislation,and enforcing for its implementation concerning the supply,transportation,storage,appropriateness,and application of harmful pesticides.

Genetically Modified Doubts Imported GM soybeans impact China’s local farmers and create food safety concerns

The cooking oil made from the imported soybeans does not contain transgenic proteins. So there will be no food safety threat.

Coming up Roses An NPC deputy’s rose empire is helping lift farmers out of poverty in Sanya

The Chinese people are totally opposed to corruption. Establishing supervi sory commissions to perform duties in accordance with the Supervision Law will be the most effective way to fight corruption.

Livelihood Strategy and Farmland Use in Xinping County of Yuanjiang Dry-hot Valley

Methods of participatory rural appraisal and mathematical statistics were adopted to study livelihood diversification, livelihood strategy and farmland use of the four types of farmers in Xinping County of Yuanjiang dry-hot valley with field survey data. The results showed as follows： firstly, as farmers are transforming from pure agriculture to non-agriculture, their agricultural livelihood diversification index will decrease, while non-agricultural livelihood diversification index will increase. In term of livelihood activities, pure agricultural farmers are exclusively engaged in agricultural activities, agricultural-dominant and non-agricultural-dominant farmers are engaged in both agricultural and non-agricultural ones, while non-agricultural farmers are basically engaged in off-farm activities. Secondly, as for crops planted, pure agricultural and agricultural-dominant farmers tend to choose those crops with more investment,shorter growth period and higher value, meanwhile non-agricultural-dominant farmers tend to choose crops with less investment, simpler management and longer growth period. Thirdly, to cope with current problems in farming, pure agricultural farmers will adopt measures such as changing planting structure, maintaining or expanding planting scale, increasing planting investment and renting in more land to promote the development of farming; agriculture-dominant farmers will adopt measures such as changing planting structure, reducing planting scale, maintaining planting investment, renting in and taking back the leased land as well as engaging in non-agricultural activities to overcome the difficulties faced; while non-agricultural-dominant farmers will adopt measures such as reducing both planting scale and investment,changing planting structure and engaging in farmland transfer as well as various offfarm activities to avoid livelihood risks.

From livelihood strategies to green actions:A study on the relationship between farmers'environmental awareness and pro-environmental sustainable behaviors in the Huaibei Plain

In order to explore the impact of changes in rural livelihoods in China on the environmental awareness and behavior of farmers,with the Huaibei Plain as an example,309 farmer households in Lingbi County in Huaibei Plain were surveyed.The variance analysis was used to determine the differences in environmental perceptions and pro-environmental behavior of farmers with different livelihoods.Structural equation models were used to analyze the relationships between livelihood type and environmental perception and behavior.The results show:(1)As the level of non-agricultural activities engaged in by farmers increases,their environmental perceptions shift,evidenced by a rise in both the Environmental Concern Index(ECI)and the Awareness of Pollution Hazards Index(APHI).However,there is a corresponding decrease in their Perception of Changes within the Agroecosystem(PCAE).(2)APHI caused by automobiles,pesticides,and fertilizers varies significantly among groups with different livelihood strategies(p<0.05).(3)Pro-environmental behavior(PEB),particularly in the realms of green consumption and waste management,correlates with the level of non-agriculturalization.Significant variations in these behaviors are observed among farmers with different livelihood strategies(p<0.05).(4)The livelihood strategies have significant direct impact on farmers’environmental perceptions(path coefficient 0.923 p<0.001)and a significant indirect impact on farmers’PEB(path coefficient 0.913 p<0.001).Thus,as farmers shift away from agriculture,their environmental perceptions and behaviors are changing.Diversifying livelihoods reduces dependence on natural resources and increases access to environmental knowledge.This diversification fosters greater awareness of environmental issues and a willingness of farmers to adopt environmentally friendly practices,positively impacting rural environment.Thus,by promoting diversified livelihoods,it is possible to create a powerful strategy for rural environmental governance.

The Impact of China's Fiscal Expenditure in Agriculture on Farmer's Income

Based on the account of the vital role which the national finance played in supporting agriculture,the thesis presents the current situation of financial support for agriculture in China,in terms of the limited scale and irrational structure of financial support expenditure in agriculture.On the basis of the brief introduction of the current level of Chinese farmers' income,the thesis discusses the effects of scale and irrational structure of financial support expenditure in agriculture on the farmers' income,according to the related data of financial support expenditure in agriculture and rural per capita net income.The results indicate that the calculating regression equation has a remarkable explanation power,reflecting the positive role of financial support expenditure in agriculture played by national finance in increasing the farmers' income.As regards the structure of financial support expenditure in agriculture at present,according to the proportion from high to low,the expenditure primarily consists of three parts from high to low in sequence as follows:productive expenditure and funds for public undertakings,capital construction expenditure,and rural relief expenditure plus science and technology funds.Such sequence deviates from the marginal production effects of financial support expenditure in agriculture and the correlation of farmers' income,which demonstrates the severe irrationality of the structure of financial support expenditure in agriculture.Corresponding countermeasures are put forward as follows:on one hand,we should continue intensifying the efforts to support agriculture financially in order to form a regular increase mechanism;on the other hand,we should adjust and optimize the structure of financial support expenditure in agriculture,and further crystallize the investment flows.