Small-scale farming accounts for 78% of total agricultural production in Kenya and contributes to 23.5% of the country’s GDP. Their crop production activities are mostly rainfed subsistence with any surplus being sol...Small-scale farming accounts for 78% of total agricultural production in Kenya and contributes to 23.5% of the country’s GDP. Their crop production activities are mostly rainfed subsistence with any surplus being sold to bring in some income. Timely decisions on farm practices such as farm preparation and planting are critical determinants of the seasonal outcomes. In Kenya, most small-scale farmers have no reliable source of information that would help them make timely and accurate decisions. County governments have extension officers who are mandated with giving farmers advisory services to farmers but they are not able to reach most farmers due to facilitation constraints. The mode and format of sharing information is also critical since it’s important to ensure that it’s timely, well-understood and usable. This study sought to assess access to geospatial derived and other crop production information by farmers in four selected counties of Kenya. Specific objectives were to determine the profile of small-scale farmers in terms of age, education and farm size;to determine the type of information that is made available to them by County and Sub-County extension officers including the format and mode of provision;and to determine if the information provided was useful in terms of accuracy, timeliness and adequacy. The results indicated that over 80% of the farmers were over 35 years of age and over 56% were male. Majority had attained primary education (34%) or secondary education (29%) and most farmers in all the counties grew maize (71%). Notably, fellow farmers were a source of information (71%) with the frequency of sharing information being mostly seasonal (37%) and when information was available (43%). Over 66% of interviewed farmers indicating that they faced challenges while using provided information. The results from the study are insightful and helpful in determining effective ways of providing farmers with useful information to ensure maximum benefits.展开更多
Introduction: Pesticides are currently an essential component of agricultural production techniques for controlling pests and weeds. In Burkina Faso, non-compliance with good practice in the use of pesticides poses a ...Introduction: Pesticides are currently an essential component of agricultural production techniques for controlling pests and weeds. In Burkina Faso, non-compliance with good practice in the use of pesticides poses a real health problem for the population. This study examines the health risks associated with pesticide management in rice-growing areas. Material and Methods: A field survey was conducted in Bama, involving farmers, focusing on their socio-demographic characteristics, pesticide usage, and health effects. Cholinesterase levels were measured in subsample of farmers using a portable device. Data were analysed using Microsoft Excel, calculating means and percentages for various practices. Health consultations, protection methods, and pesticide management were studied. Erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase activity was compared before and after treatment. Data were categorised into classes based on inhibition levels, and correlation analyses determined relationships between variables such as age, years of experience, and cholinesterase activity. Results: The results indicate that rice cultivation is mainly carried out by a fairly young population, with nearly 63% being under the age of 50. Common poor practices in pesticide use include improper storage and reuse of leftover pesticides. Seven types of pesticides were identified, including organophosphates such as glyphosate, which was used in 26.7% of cases. This organophosphate has resulted in class B poisoning, causing a 30% - 50% reduction in erythrocyte cholinesterase activity. The health effects of pesticide use are felt by agricultural farmers through various symptoms of poisoning. Conclusion: To reduce the occurrence of pesticide poisoning, it is essential to launch information and awareness campaigns among the population and farmers to promote safe practices in pesticide use in Bama, Burkina Faso.展开更多
When contributing to participatory research, farmers usually appreciate the performance of cowpea varieties using qualitative scores. The score they attribute to each variety are based on local knowledge. The specific...When contributing to participatory research, farmers usually appreciate the performance of cowpea varieties using qualitative scores. The score they attribute to each variety are based on local knowledge. The specific criteria they individually use to attribute a score are not well described. The objectives of this work were to: 1) identify and describe exhaustively the local criteria used by farmers to measure the agronomic performance of cowpea;2) assess the variability and statistical structure of these farmer criteria across local contexts;3) and analyze the association between these farmer criteria and the classical agronomic measurement. To achieve these objectives, an augmented block design was implemented across fifteen locations in the regions of Maradi, Dosso and Tillabéri, representing a diversity of local contexts. From a set of 36 cowpea varieties, fifteen varieties were sown per location, including five varieties (controls) common to all locations. In each location, two replicates were sown in randomized Fisher’s blocks. After agronomic measurement and participatory evaluation (scoring of varieties by farmers), a group survey (focus group) was conducted in each location to identify the criteria considered by farmers to found their discretional scoring of varieties during the participatory evaluation. The analysis of the data identified, across locations, thirteen criteria defined by farmers to characterize the agronomic performance of cowpea. Some of these criteria were different according to location. Farmers ranked the three varieties with the best performance for each agronomical trait (Top 3 varieties). A comparison of the farmer ranking with the ranking based on agronomic measurements revealed similarity and complementary between both methods. This study highlighted the importance of considering both local and scientific knowledge in local varietal evaluations.展开更多
This research delves into the hurdles and strategies aimed at augmenting the market involvement of smallholder carrot farmers in Nakuru County, Kenya. Employing a Multinomial Logit (MNL) model, it scrutinizes the fact...This research delves into the hurdles and strategies aimed at augmenting the market involvement of smallholder carrot farmers in Nakuru County, Kenya. Employing a Multinomial Logit (MNL) model, it scrutinizes the factors influencing the selection of marketing outlets among carrot farmers. The findings unveil that a significant majority (81%) of surveyed farmers actively participate in diverse market outlets, encompassing the farm gate, cleaning point, local market, external market, and export market. Notably, pivotal buyers include aggregators, brokers, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers, with transactions predominantly occurring at the farm level. Additionally, the analysis discerns substantial influences of socio-economic characteristics, experiential factors, and geographical proximity on farmers’ choices of market outlets. Specifically, gender, age, land size, farming experience, and distance to markets emerge as critical determinants. Moreover, the study delves into the examination of market margins along the carrot value chain, shedding light on the potential profitability of carrot farming in the region. Remarkably, higher average gross margins are identified in export and external markets, signaling lucrative prospects for farmers targeting these segments. However, disparities in profit distribution between farmers and traders underscore the necessity for interventions to ensure equitable value distribution throughout the value chain. These findings underscore the imperative for tailored interventions to tackle challenges and foster inclusive agricultural development. Strategies such as farmer organizations, contracting, and vertical integration are advocated to enhance market access and profitability for smallholder carrot farmers. Thus, this study enriches our comprehension of the dynamics within carrot value chains and provides valuable insights for policymakers and development practitioners aiming to uplift rural livelihoods and bolster food security.展开更多
The cattle production in Romeas Haek district,Svay Rieng province,was developed remarkably,since there were some households raising cattle in large number,more than 20 heads.The grazing method of cattle was tethering ...The cattle production in Romeas Haek district,Svay Rieng province,was developed remarkably,since there were some households raising cattle in large number,more than 20 heads.The grazing method of cattle was tethering and free grassing in the commune grass,since the natural grass and rice straw were the main source of cattle feed,however some of them supplemented their cattle with crop-byproducts,planting grass or concentrated feed.For the majority,BCS(Body Condition Scoring)of the cattle in those areas was 3 accounting for 52%-73.33%,but it was found the thin cattle has low BCS of 2 accounting for 11.11%to 40.00%and also fat cattle has BCS of 4 up to 27.78%.However,the average BCS varied with village which ranged from 2.68 to 3.17,but is not different in term of commune and sex of cattle.Besides facing with shortage of feed,the experience with diseases was also another concern,since 85.71%to 95.83%of the households faced this problem last year.Among the clinical signs found,lumpy skin was 100%,i.e.no one escaped from this problem,thus making them aware of vaccinating their cattle against some diseases such as FMD(Foot and Mouth Disease),HS(Hemorrhagic Septicemia)and LSD(Lumpy Skin Disease),but mostly vaccination was used against FMD.Because the LSD has occurred in these areas since 2020,then the seroprevalence was found in high positive up to 72.62%by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay(ELISA)test.This positive rate was also varying by villages,ranging from 53.3%to 94.44%.But there was no association between positive cattle with commune,BCS,sex and age of cattle.In conclusion,the cattle production in Romeas Haek district,Svay Rieng province had developed markedly,however the shortage of feed and disease occurrence are the main challenges for farmer cattle producers,especially LSD outbreak last year.However,most of the farmers have been aware of the benefit of vaccination and had vaccinated their cattle against those main disease,such as FMD,HS and LSD.展开更多
This study assesses the literature evidence on climate change risk,resilience,and adaptation measures used among rural farmers in East Africa.A systematic literature review was conducted comprising 30 papers from the ...This study assesses the literature evidence on climate change risk,resilience,and adaptation measures used among rural farmers in East Africa.A systematic literature review was conducted comprising 30 papers from the Web of Science database published during 2000-2022.The results of the literature review showed that climate change risks have direct impacts on agricultural practices,limit rural farmers’resilience,and exacerbate their food insecurity.The most prominent risks are increasingly shorter wet seasons and heat stress,which lead to droughts and food production losses.Responding to climate risks,farmers in East Africa adopt various adaptation strategies such as mixed-and inter-cropping,conservation tillage,early planting,crop diversification,etc.Also,this review summarizes the determinants of climate change adaptation strategy selection by farmers in East Africa,including age,gender,household size,economic status and household assets,landownership and livestock,education and training,etc.Overall,the choice of adaptation strategies to climate change is strongly determined by the gender of household heads,the results of gender as a determinant of adaptation differ greatly between different case studies.Although female-headed households(FHHs)tend to perceive changes in temperature more readily than male-headed households(MHHs),the latter are generally more likely to adopt different adaptation strategies.Despite the resilience and adaptation measures used by rural farmers in East Africa now,improved weather forecasting and early warning systems are needed as a better direction towards the future.展开更多
Based on a survey of 939 farmers in Sichuan and Chongqing,this paper analyzes the influencing factors of entrepreneurial farmers' formal financial credit demands and credit constraints with Probit model. It is fou...Based on a survey of 939 farmers in Sichuan and Chongqing,this paper analyzes the influencing factors of entrepreneurial farmers' formal financial credit demands and credit constraints with Probit model. It is found that entrepreneurial farmers have strong demand for formal financial credit,which is mainly production investment demand,but the formal financial credit constraint is obvious. Family size,cognition of loan procedures and conditions have a positive effect on entrepreneurial farmers' formal financial demand,while family per capita income,the distance between family location and the nearest formal financial organization,have negative influence. The relationship between householder'age and entrepreneurial farmers' successful formal loan presents inverted U shape,and educational level presents a negative correlation with successful loan. Compared with the traditional scale agricultural business,farmers engaged in other entrepreneurial businesses would get loan from formal financial institutions more difficultly. Understanding level of the loan procedures and conditions has a positive effect on successful loan. Compared with entrepreneurial farmers without employment,employed farmers are more likely to get loans. Statistically,householder' age and educational level,entrepreneurial business choices do not have significant effect on entrepreneurial households' formal financial credit demands. Family size,family per capital income,the distance between family location and the nearest formal financial organization,and the size of loan do not have significant influence on entrepreneurial households' successful loan. To get rid of formal financial credit constraints,we must implement the incremental reform of financial institutions,promote the formal finance of the villages and towns which can adapt to the farmers' financial demand,and create a good financial environment. Meanwhile,it is necessary to give impetus to innovation of financial management,products and services,reduce credit threshold,and adapt to the characteristics and demands of entrepreneurial households.展开更多
An important part of Ivorian cocoa production comes from infiltrated classified forests. The objective of this study is to investigate orchard maintenance and post-harvest cocoa treatment practices used by cocoa farme...An important part of Ivorian cocoa production comes from infiltrated classified forests. The objective of this study is to investigate orchard maintenance and post-harvest cocoa treatment practices used by cocoa farmers in infiltrated classified and unclassified areas of Méagui. To do this, 110 producers in two localities of the said zone were individually interviewed from February to April 2022, using a declarative questionnaire. It was found that cocoa orchards in the zone are aging. Nearly 68.55% of producers were heirs and 58.33% of those interviewed were under 46 years of age, with an average age of 43 years. Nearly 84.55% of the producers surveyed mainly use chemical insecticides to control the pests of greatest concern in these localities. Regarding the frequency of insecticide treatments, 11.82% of producers make 1 to 2 applications a year, 29.09% make 3 to 5 applications a year, and 43.64% make at least 6 applications a year. The active substances of the most used products belong to 99% of the Neonicotinoid and Pyrethroid families. Regarding cocoa harvesting and post-harvest operations, 93.64% of the producers carry out a single harvest/month;all do the shelling with mini machetes. Beans are fermented mainly in black plastic tarpaulins or in bags, for a period of 3 to 5 days (65.45%). Drying is done almost entirely (91.82%) on the black plastic tarp. This study shows that cocoa farmers in the areas surveyed do not respect the recommendations issued on phytosanitary practices and post-harvest treatment of cocoa. This non-compliance with the standards of good practices prescribed is particularly more accentuated in the locality located in infiltrated classified zone. It would, therefore, be judicious to revise or redefine the phytosanitary recommendations and carry out sensitization and training-follow-up programs for producers in this important cocoa production area of C?te d’Ivoire.展开更多
It has been observed that farmers adopt only a small number of the “improved” cultivars. A nationwide germplasm collection exercise in February 2018 provided the opportunity to collect indigenous technical knowledge...It has been observed that farmers adopt only a small number of the “improved” cultivars. A nationwide germplasm collection exercise in February 2018 provided the opportunity to collect indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) of the diversity of cassava varieties in terms of: their morphology, growth characteristics, uses (of tubers and leaves) and desirable characteristics. The objective is to see to what extent the objectives of the plant breeders are consistent with what farmers’ value. We performed 405 structured and semi-structured interviews with informants who were selected based on “purposive household sampling”. We found a considerable turn-over in cassava varieties, just over a third (45) have been in cultivation for at least 40 years, however, since the end of the civil war an additional 25 varieties are cultivated, while others varieties seem to have disappeared. One major issue with estimating turnover of varieties is whether the same variety might have several local names, and conversely the same name may be applied to different cultivars. Farmers overwhelmingly use ITK to select and preserve cassava germplasm for future use. Farmers have a clear preference for: sweet taste, high yield, early maturity and easy cooking and preferentially adopt cultivars that have those qualities. Cassava is primarily a human food eaten boiled or fried, some are processed into fufu and gari, and uses as livestock feed and medicine are reported but at low levels. The information produced during this study could help plant breeders choose selection criteria that will ensure their efforts are adopted and sustainable, the importance of preserving the genetic resources of local cultivars is also highlighted.展开更多
Introduction: The inappropriate antimicrobial usage (AMU) in chicken production has led to an increase in the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In Zambia, there is little information documented regarding t...Introduction: The inappropriate antimicrobial usage (AMU) in chicken production has led to an increase in the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In Zambia, there is little information documented regarding the knowledge, attitude, and practices of poultry farmers on AMU and AMR. Therefore, this study assessed the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding AMU and AMR among poultry farmers in Kitwe, Zambia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 106 poultry farmers from November to December 2021 using a structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. Results: Overall, of the 106 participants, 90.6% knew what antimicrobials were, but only 29.2% were aware of AMR. The study showed that 46.2% of the participants had low knowledge, 71.7% had negative attitudes, and 61.3% had poor practices regarding AMR. The prevalence of antibiotic use in poultry production was 83%. The most used antimicrobials were tetracycline (84%) and gentamicin (35.2%). The commonly reported reason for the use of antimicrobials was for the treatment (93.2%) and prevention (89.8%) of diseases. Further, 76.9% of the administered antimicrobials were usually done without veterinarian consultation or prescription. Conclusion: The study shows that there was high AMU in poultry farms in Kitwe. However, there was low knowledge, negative attitude, and poor practices towards AMU and AMR. Therefore, there is a need for educational and sensitisation programmes regarding AMU and AMR among poultry farmers in Kitwe, Zambia. Alongside this, antimicrobial stewardship and surveillance systems should be strengthened in the livestock production sector. This will ensure food safety and public health.展开更多
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 alle...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.展开更多
The heavy use of chemicals, pesticides, cosmetics and plastic packaging coincides with a resurgence of cardiovascular disease, in particular hypertension, which is affecting younger and younger populations. The aim of...The heavy use of chemicals, pesticides, cosmetics and plastic packaging coincides with a resurgence of cardiovascular disease, in particular hypertension, which is affecting younger and younger populations. The aim of this study was to analyze the cardiovascular risk factors in hypertensive farmers compared with hypertensive non farmers. This was a prospective case-control study that included 239 hypertensive farmers and non farmers aged 25 to 65 with blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg and 90 mmHg. Hypertensive farmers (101) represented 42.25% of the population versus hypertensive non farmers (138) 57.74%. The median ages were 47 ± 11.3 years for farmers and 51.45 ± 9.77 years for non farmers. Biochemical analysisand screening for major cardiovascular disease risk factors such as metabolic syndrome were performed. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the new definition of the International Diabetes Federation. Our results revealed higher blood glucose levels in farmers (47.77%) than in non farmers (27.20%) (p = 0.0132). Dyslipidemia was more frequent in non farmerswith high level of LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol. Farmers presented a high level of tryglycerides. The prevalence of obesity was higher in non farmers 51 (36.96%) than farmers 18 (17.82%). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 106 (44.35%) in our study population. There was not an important difference between farmers (39.60%) and non farmers (47.82%). However, the variation of metabolic syndrome according to age and sex showed a higher prevalence in young male farmers aged 25 to 45 whereas non farmers presented an increasing prevalence of metabolic syndrome according to age and the absence of metabolic syndrome between age 25 and 35. Our results showed that the cardiovascular risk appeared early in young farmers compared with non farmers suggesting a possible role of pesticides in the onset of this risk.展开更多
The Internet is believed to bring more technological dividends to vulnerable farmers during the green agriculture transformation.However,this is different from the theory of skill-biased technological change,which emp...The Internet is believed to bring more technological dividends to vulnerable farmers during the green agriculture transformation.However,this is different from the theory of skill-biased technological change,which emphasizes that individuals with higher levels of human capital and more technological endowments benefit more.This study investigates the effects of Internet use on farmers'adoption of integrated pest management(IPM),theoretically and empirically,based on a dataset containing 1015 farmers in China's Shandong Province.By exploring the perspective of rational inattention,the reasons for the heterogeneity of the effects across farmers with different endowments,i.e.,education and land size,are analyzed.The potential endogeneity issues are addressed using the endogenous switching probit model.The results reveal that:(1)although Internet use significantly positively affects farmers'adoption of IPM,vulnerable farmers do not benefit more from it.Considerable selection bias leads to an overestimation of technological dividends for vulnerable farmers;(2)different sources of technology information lead to the difference in the degree of farmers'rational inattention toward Internet information,which plays a crucial role in the heterogeneous effect of Internet use;and(3)excessive dependence on strong-tie social network information sources entraps vulnerable farmers in information cocoons,hindering their ability to reap the benefits of Internet use fully.Therefore,it is essential to promote services geared towards elderly-oriented Internet agricultural technology information and encourage farmers with strong Internet utilization skills to share technology information with other farmers actively.展开更多
Medicinal plants play a major role in meeting people’s medical and health needs, especially in developing countries. However, due to a lack of access to modern veterinary facilities, poor visibility of animal health ...Medicinal plants play a major role in meeting people’s medical and health needs, especially in developing countries. However, due to a lack of access to modern veterinary facilities, poor visibility of animal health personnel, and high prices of orthodox medicines, most farmers rely on traditional healers and the administration of medicinal plants to treat livestock ailments. The present study was conducted to document Ethnopharmacological knowledge of medicinal plants used to manage livestock ailments in three rural communities of the Eastern Cape. This study was carried out in three rural communities between July 2009 and February 2010. Data were collected by administering pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires and participative field observations. For the interviews, a sample of 48 knowledgeable respondents was purposively selected. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, determination of information consensus factor, and fidelity level. A total of 12 medicinal plants belonging to 9 families were used by local people to cure different ailments. A high number of medicinal plants were claimed by males compared to females. Roots and barks were the major plant parts used, and the least were leaves (27.3%). Six plants were used to treat diarrhea and fertility, five plants to treat wounds, and two plants to treat scabs. This study has shown that Eastern Cape flora is rich with various plants which could be used to replace orthodox drugs. Further studies are needed to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations, biological activities, and toxicities and characterize the plant’s chemical compounds.展开更多
Labour-saving or mechanization technologies have become the driving force behind modern agriculture, yet adoption of these technologies remains low in many parts of the developing world, particularly among female farm...Labour-saving or mechanization technologies have become the driving force behind modern agriculture, yet adoption of these technologies remains low in many parts of the developing world, particularly among female farmers in Ghana. This study aims to investigate the factors that hinder the adoption of agricultural mechanization technologies by female farmers in the Karaga District of the Northern Region of Ghana. This region is known for its large agricultural lands and significant role in commercial farming. The research was conducted using qualitative research methodology and involved interviewing 60 female farmers using an interview guide. The principle of sample saturation was used, meaning that further interviews were deemed unnecessary after the 60th interview. The results showed that low adoption of agricultural mechanization technologies is due to poor access to commercial lands, gender biases, lack of access to credit, and poor awareness about the benefits of these technologies. In conclusion, the low adoption of agricultural mechanization technologies is preventing women farmers in the Karaga District and elsewhere in Ghana from fully participating in commercial agricultural production. It is recommended that gender biases and cultural stereotypes be addressed to improve women farmers’ access to lands and credit, which will facilitate the adoption of mechanization technologies and lead to improved agricultural production.展开更多
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), there are about 500 million smallholder farmers in the world, and in developing countries, such farmers produce about 80% of the food con...According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), there are about 500 million smallholder farmers in the world, and in developing countries, such farmers produce about 80% of the food consumed there;their farming activities are therefore critical to the economies of their countries and to the global food security. However, these farmers face the challenges of limited access to credit, often due to the fact that many of them farm on unregistered land that cannot be offered as collateral to lending institutions;but even when they are on registered land, the fear of losing such land that they should default on loan payments often prevents them from applying for farm credit;and even if they apply, they still get disadvantaged by low credit scores (a measure of creditworthiness). The result is that they are often unable to use optimal farm inputs such as fertilizer and good seeds among others. This depresses their yields, and in turn, has negative implications for the food security in their communities, and in the world, hence making it difficult for the UN to achieve its sustainable goal no.2 (no hunger). This study aimed to demonstrate how geospatial technology can be used to leverage farm credit scoring for the benefit of smallholder farmers. A survey was conducted within the study area to identify the smallholder farms and farmers. A sample of surveyed farmers was then subjected to credit scoring by machine learning. In the first instance, the traditional financial data approach was used and the results showed that over 40% of the farmers could not qualify for credit. When non-financial geospatial data, i.e. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was introduced into the scoring model, the number of farmers not qualifying for credit reduced significantly to 24%. It is concluded that the introduction of the NDVI variable into the traditional scoring model could improve significantly the smallholder farmers’ chances of accessing credit, thus enabling such a farmer to be better evaluated for credit on the basis of the health of their crop, rather than on a traditional form of collateral.展开更多
An important part of Ivorian cocoa production comes from infiltrated classified forests. The objective of this study is to investigate orchard maintenance and post-harvest cocoa treatment practices used by cocoa farme...An important part of Ivorian cocoa production comes from infiltrated classified forests. The objective of this study is to investigate orchard maintenance and post-harvest cocoa treatment practices used by cocoa farmers in infiltrated classified and unclassified areas of Méagui. To do this, 110 producers in two localities of the said zone were individually interviewed from February to April 2022, using a declarative questionnaire. It was found that cocoa orchards in the zone are aging. Nearly 68.55% of producers were heirs and 58.33% of those interviewed were under 46 years of age, with an average age of 43 years. Nearly 84.55% of the producers surveyed mainly use chemical insecticides to control the pests of greatest concern in these localities. Regarding the frequency of insecticide treatments, 11.82% of producers make 1 to 2 applications a year, 29.09% make 3 to 5 applications a year, and 43.64% make at least 6 applications a year. The active substances of the most used products belong to 99% of the Neonicotinoid and Pyrethroid families. Regarding cocoa harvesting and post-harvest operations, 93.64% of the producers carry out a single harvest/month;all do the shelling with mini machetes. Beans are fermented mainly in black plastic tarpaulins or in bags, for a period of 3 to 5 days (65.45%). Drying is done almost entirely (91.82%) on the black plastic tarp. This study shows that cocoa farmers in the areas surveyed do not respect the recommendations issued on phytosanitary practices and post-harvest treatment of cocoa. This non-compliance with the standards of good practices prescribed is particularly more accentuated in the locality located in infiltrated classified zone. It would, therefore, be judicious to revise or redefine the phytosanitary recommendations and carry out sensitization and training-follow-up programs for producers in this important cocoa production area of C?te d’Ivoire.展开更多
Pesticide safety is an important guarantee for food security.At present,there are many problems in the process of choosing pesticides by farmers,such as low discernment ability and difficulty in retroactive blame,slow...Pesticide safety is an important guarantee for food security.At present,there are many problems in the process of choosing pesticides by farmers,such as low discernment ability and difficulty in retroactive blame,slow replacement of medical equipment,slow promotion of technology assistance,lack of professional knowledge,difficult to grasp the key points of application,improper use of pesticides,large resistance to reducing quantity and increasing efficiency,etc.In order to use pesticides rationally and realize safe production,countermeasures and suggestions on pesticide application are put forward from the aspects of drug development and application,promotion of biopesticides,change of farmers concept and cultivation of new farmers.展开更多
At present,there are still many difficulties in China s tobacco farmers,such as unreasonable age structure,generally low education level,lack of management ability,and low planting efficiency.It is necessary to cultiv...At present,there are still many difficulties in China s tobacco farmers,such as unreasonable age structure,generally low education level,lack of management ability,and low planting efficiency.It is necessary to cultivate new professional tobacco farmers.Based on the practical problems existing in the cultivation of professional tobacco farmers in China,such as vague screening criteria,lack of pertinence in training content,single training mode,immature evaluation system,insufficient follow-up support and unsystematic cultivation mechanism,this study put forward corresponding strategies and suggestions.展开更多
In Cambodia,cattle are used as draught power,sources of fertilizer,sources of assets,and for meat production.Due to some contagious illnesses such as hemorrhagic septicemia and foot-and-mouth disease(FMD),they mostly ...In Cambodia,cattle are used as draught power,sources of fertilizer,sources of assets,and for meat production.Due to some contagious illnesses such as hemorrhagic septicemia and foot-and-mouth disease(FMD),they mostly have low reproductivity and poor physical health.Among those diseases,brucellosis is starting to appear in cattle production in rural Cambodia and is highly transmissible to humans.Thus,the objective of this study was to evaluate the farmers’awareness of cattle diseases and their transmissibility in the country.A survey was conducted in two provinces,Svay Rieng and Prey Veng,in Cambodia,starting from July 2021 to January 2022.A sample size of 216 was randomly selected from the two provinces by using Taro Yamane,and the selection criteria were that the targeted households must have at least two cows.A pre-determined questionnaire was utilized to collect data on number of cattle,raising type,feeding system,source of cattle purchase,hygienic condition,waste management,cattle disease,body score condition and symptoms.As a result,86% of the respondents in Prey Veng province and 99.07% in Svay Rieng province have cattle disease.Smallholder farmers raise 5 to 10 cattle per household,while other farmers raise 10 to 15 calves,or 15-20 or more than 20 heads,while only 20% of smallholder farmers in Prey Veng were able to raise 5 to 10 male cattle per household.Of all the interviewees,90% recognized FMD based on clinical signs such as blisters on the feet,loss of appetite,salivation and painful,red,blister-like lesions on the tongue.Meanwhile,60% know lumpy skin disease(LSD)due to skin nodules.No one knew about brucellosis.The findings suggest that the knowledge farmers have over cattle disease is very limited and this needs more support from related institutions to raise their awareness in order to cope with cattle disease correctly and timely.展开更多
文摘Small-scale farming accounts for 78% of total agricultural production in Kenya and contributes to 23.5% of the country’s GDP. Their crop production activities are mostly rainfed subsistence with any surplus being sold to bring in some income. Timely decisions on farm practices such as farm preparation and planting are critical determinants of the seasonal outcomes. In Kenya, most small-scale farmers have no reliable source of information that would help them make timely and accurate decisions. County governments have extension officers who are mandated with giving farmers advisory services to farmers but they are not able to reach most farmers due to facilitation constraints. The mode and format of sharing information is also critical since it’s important to ensure that it’s timely, well-understood and usable. This study sought to assess access to geospatial derived and other crop production information by farmers in four selected counties of Kenya. Specific objectives were to determine the profile of small-scale farmers in terms of age, education and farm size;to determine the type of information that is made available to them by County and Sub-County extension officers including the format and mode of provision;and to determine if the information provided was useful in terms of accuracy, timeliness and adequacy. The results indicated that over 80% of the farmers were over 35 years of age and over 56% were male. Majority had attained primary education (34%) or secondary education (29%) and most farmers in all the counties grew maize (71%). Notably, fellow farmers were a source of information (71%) with the frequency of sharing information being mostly seasonal (37%) and when information was available (43%). Over 66% of interviewed farmers indicating that they faced challenges while using provided information. The results from the study are insightful and helpful in determining effective ways of providing farmers with useful information to ensure maximum benefits.
文摘Introduction: Pesticides are currently an essential component of agricultural production techniques for controlling pests and weeds. In Burkina Faso, non-compliance with good practice in the use of pesticides poses a real health problem for the population. This study examines the health risks associated with pesticide management in rice-growing areas. Material and Methods: A field survey was conducted in Bama, involving farmers, focusing on their socio-demographic characteristics, pesticide usage, and health effects. Cholinesterase levels were measured in subsample of farmers using a portable device. Data were analysed using Microsoft Excel, calculating means and percentages for various practices. Health consultations, protection methods, and pesticide management were studied. Erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase activity was compared before and after treatment. Data were categorised into classes based on inhibition levels, and correlation analyses determined relationships between variables such as age, years of experience, and cholinesterase activity. Results: The results indicate that rice cultivation is mainly carried out by a fairly young population, with nearly 63% being under the age of 50. Common poor practices in pesticide use include improper storage and reuse of leftover pesticides. Seven types of pesticides were identified, including organophosphates such as glyphosate, which was used in 26.7% of cases. This organophosphate has resulted in class B poisoning, causing a 30% - 50% reduction in erythrocyte cholinesterase activity. The health effects of pesticide use are felt by agricultural farmers through various symptoms of poisoning. Conclusion: To reduce the occurrence of pesticide poisoning, it is essential to launch information and awareness campaigns among the population and farmers to promote safe practices in pesticide use in Bama, Burkina Faso.
文摘When contributing to participatory research, farmers usually appreciate the performance of cowpea varieties using qualitative scores. The score they attribute to each variety are based on local knowledge. The specific criteria they individually use to attribute a score are not well described. The objectives of this work were to: 1) identify and describe exhaustively the local criteria used by farmers to measure the agronomic performance of cowpea;2) assess the variability and statistical structure of these farmer criteria across local contexts;3) and analyze the association between these farmer criteria and the classical agronomic measurement. To achieve these objectives, an augmented block design was implemented across fifteen locations in the regions of Maradi, Dosso and Tillabéri, representing a diversity of local contexts. From a set of 36 cowpea varieties, fifteen varieties were sown per location, including five varieties (controls) common to all locations. In each location, two replicates were sown in randomized Fisher’s blocks. After agronomic measurement and participatory evaluation (scoring of varieties by farmers), a group survey (focus group) was conducted in each location to identify the criteria considered by farmers to found their discretional scoring of varieties during the participatory evaluation. The analysis of the data identified, across locations, thirteen criteria defined by farmers to characterize the agronomic performance of cowpea. Some of these criteria were different according to location. Farmers ranked the three varieties with the best performance for each agronomical trait (Top 3 varieties). A comparison of the farmer ranking with the ranking based on agronomic measurements revealed similarity and complementary between both methods. This study highlighted the importance of considering both local and scientific knowledge in local varietal evaluations.
文摘This research delves into the hurdles and strategies aimed at augmenting the market involvement of smallholder carrot farmers in Nakuru County, Kenya. Employing a Multinomial Logit (MNL) model, it scrutinizes the factors influencing the selection of marketing outlets among carrot farmers. The findings unveil that a significant majority (81%) of surveyed farmers actively participate in diverse market outlets, encompassing the farm gate, cleaning point, local market, external market, and export market. Notably, pivotal buyers include aggregators, brokers, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers, with transactions predominantly occurring at the farm level. Additionally, the analysis discerns substantial influences of socio-economic characteristics, experiential factors, and geographical proximity on farmers’ choices of market outlets. Specifically, gender, age, land size, farming experience, and distance to markets emerge as critical determinants. Moreover, the study delves into the examination of market margins along the carrot value chain, shedding light on the potential profitability of carrot farming in the region. Remarkably, higher average gross margins are identified in export and external markets, signaling lucrative prospects for farmers targeting these segments. However, disparities in profit distribution between farmers and traders underscore the necessity for interventions to ensure equitable value distribution throughout the value chain. These findings underscore the imperative for tailored interventions to tackle challenges and foster inclusive agricultural development. Strategies such as farmer organizations, contracting, and vertical integration are advocated to enhance market access and profitability for smallholder carrot farmers. Thus, this study enriches our comprehension of the dynamics within carrot value chains and provides valuable insights for policymakers and development practitioners aiming to uplift rural livelihoods and bolster food security.
文摘The cattle production in Romeas Haek district,Svay Rieng province,was developed remarkably,since there were some households raising cattle in large number,more than 20 heads.The grazing method of cattle was tethering and free grassing in the commune grass,since the natural grass and rice straw were the main source of cattle feed,however some of them supplemented their cattle with crop-byproducts,planting grass or concentrated feed.For the majority,BCS(Body Condition Scoring)of the cattle in those areas was 3 accounting for 52%-73.33%,but it was found the thin cattle has low BCS of 2 accounting for 11.11%to 40.00%and also fat cattle has BCS of 4 up to 27.78%.However,the average BCS varied with village which ranged from 2.68 to 3.17,but is not different in term of commune and sex of cattle.Besides facing with shortage of feed,the experience with diseases was also another concern,since 85.71%to 95.83%of the households faced this problem last year.Among the clinical signs found,lumpy skin was 100%,i.e.no one escaped from this problem,thus making them aware of vaccinating their cattle against some diseases such as FMD(Foot and Mouth Disease),HS(Hemorrhagic Septicemia)and LSD(Lumpy Skin Disease),but mostly vaccination was used against FMD.Because the LSD has occurred in these areas since 2020,then the seroprevalence was found in high positive up to 72.62%by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay(ELISA)test.This positive rate was also varying by villages,ranging from 53.3%to 94.44%.But there was no association between positive cattle with commune,BCS,sex and age of cattle.In conclusion,the cattle production in Romeas Haek district,Svay Rieng province had developed markedly,however the shortage of feed and disease occurrence are the main challenges for farmer cattle producers,especially LSD outbreak last year.However,most of the farmers have been aware of the benefit of vaccination and had vaccinated their cattle against those main disease,such as FMD,HS and LSD.
基金the Tertiary Education Trust Fund,National Research Fund 2020 Nigeria(Grant Award-TETF/DR&D-CE/NRF2020/CC/17/VOL.1).
文摘This study assesses the literature evidence on climate change risk,resilience,and adaptation measures used among rural farmers in East Africa.A systematic literature review was conducted comprising 30 papers from the Web of Science database published during 2000-2022.The results of the literature review showed that climate change risks have direct impacts on agricultural practices,limit rural farmers’resilience,and exacerbate their food insecurity.The most prominent risks are increasingly shorter wet seasons and heat stress,which lead to droughts and food production losses.Responding to climate risks,farmers in East Africa adopt various adaptation strategies such as mixed-and inter-cropping,conservation tillage,early planting,crop diversification,etc.Also,this review summarizes the determinants of climate change adaptation strategy selection by farmers in East Africa,including age,gender,household size,economic status and household assets,landownership and livestock,education and training,etc.Overall,the choice of adaptation strategies to climate change is strongly determined by the gender of household heads,the results of gender as a determinant of adaptation differ greatly between different case studies.Although female-headed households(FHHs)tend to perceive changes in temperature more readily than male-headed households(MHHs),the latter are generally more likely to adopt different adaptation strategies.Despite the resilience and adaptation measures used by rural farmers in East Africa now,improved weather forecasting and early warning systems are needed as a better direction towards the future.
基金Supported by the National Social Science Foundation in 2010(10AGL007)Humanities and Social Sciences Cultivation Project of Southwest University in2012(12XDSK002)+1 种基金Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities in 2013(SWU1309315)Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities in 2009(SWU0909629)
文摘Based on a survey of 939 farmers in Sichuan and Chongqing,this paper analyzes the influencing factors of entrepreneurial farmers' formal financial credit demands and credit constraints with Probit model. It is found that entrepreneurial farmers have strong demand for formal financial credit,which is mainly production investment demand,but the formal financial credit constraint is obvious. Family size,cognition of loan procedures and conditions have a positive effect on entrepreneurial farmers' formal financial demand,while family per capita income,the distance between family location and the nearest formal financial organization,have negative influence. The relationship between householder'age and entrepreneurial farmers' successful formal loan presents inverted U shape,and educational level presents a negative correlation with successful loan. Compared with the traditional scale agricultural business,farmers engaged in other entrepreneurial businesses would get loan from formal financial institutions more difficultly. Understanding level of the loan procedures and conditions has a positive effect on successful loan. Compared with entrepreneurial farmers without employment,employed farmers are more likely to get loans. Statistically,householder' age and educational level,entrepreneurial business choices do not have significant effect on entrepreneurial households' formal financial credit demands. Family size,family per capital income,the distance between family location and the nearest formal financial organization,and the size of loan do not have significant influence on entrepreneurial households' successful loan. To get rid of formal financial credit constraints,we must implement the incremental reform of financial institutions,promote the formal finance of the villages and towns which can adapt to the farmers' financial demand,and create a good financial environment. Meanwhile,it is necessary to give impetus to innovation of financial management,products and services,reduce credit threshold,and adapt to the characteristics and demands of entrepreneurial households.
文摘An important part of Ivorian cocoa production comes from infiltrated classified forests. The objective of this study is to investigate orchard maintenance and post-harvest cocoa treatment practices used by cocoa farmers in infiltrated classified and unclassified areas of Méagui. To do this, 110 producers in two localities of the said zone were individually interviewed from February to April 2022, using a declarative questionnaire. It was found that cocoa orchards in the zone are aging. Nearly 68.55% of producers were heirs and 58.33% of those interviewed were under 46 years of age, with an average age of 43 years. Nearly 84.55% of the producers surveyed mainly use chemical insecticides to control the pests of greatest concern in these localities. Regarding the frequency of insecticide treatments, 11.82% of producers make 1 to 2 applications a year, 29.09% make 3 to 5 applications a year, and 43.64% make at least 6 applications a year. The active substances of the most used products belong to 99% of the Neonicotinoid and Pyrethroid families. Regarding cocoa harvesting and post-harvest operations, 93.64% of the producers carry out a single harvest/month;all do the shelling with mini machetes. Beans are fermented mainly in black plastic tarpaulins or in bags, for a period of 3 to 5 days (65.45%). Drying is done almost entirely (91.82%) on the black plastic tarp. This study shows that cocoa farmers in the areas surveyed do not respect the recommendations issued on phytosanitary practices and post-harvest treatment of cocoa. This non-compliance with the standards of good practices prescribed is particularly more accentuated in the locality located in infiltrated classified zone. It would, therefore, be judicious to revise or redefine the phytosanitary recommendations and carry out sensitization and training-follow-up programs for producers in this important cocoa production area of C?te d’Ivoire.
文摘It has been observed that farmers adopt only a small number of the “improved” cultivars. A nationwide germplasm collection exercise in February 2018 provided the opportunity to collect indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) of the diversity of cassava varieties in terms of: their morphology, growth characteristics, uses (of tubers and leaves) and desirable characteristics. The objective is to see to what extent the objectives of the plant breeders are consistent with what farmers’ value. We performed 405 structured and semi-structured interviews with informants who were selected based on “purposive household sampling”. We found a considerable turn-over in cassava varieties, just over a third (45) have been in cultivation for at least 40 years, however, since the end of the civil war an additional 25 varieties are cultivated, while others varieties seem to have disappeared. One major issue with estimating turnover of varieties is whether the same variety might have several local names, and conversely the same name may be applied to different cultivars. Farmers overwhelmingly use ITK to select and preserve cassava germplasm for future use. Farmers have a clear preference for: sweet taste, high yield, early maturity and easy cooking and preferentially adopt cultivars that have those qualities. Cassava is primarily a human food eaten boiled or fried, some are processed into fufu and gari, and uses as livestock feed and medicine are reported but at low levels. The information produced during this study could help plant breeders choose selection criteria that will ensure their efforts are adopted and sustainable, the importance of preserving the genetic resources of local cultivars is also highlighted.
文摘Introduction: The inappropriate antimicrobial usage (AMU) in chicken production has led to an increase in the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In Zambia, there is little information documented regarding the knowledge, attitude, and practices of poultry farmers on AMU and AMR. Therefore, this study assessed the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding AMU and AMR among poultry farmers in Kitwe, Zambia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 106 poultry farmers from November to December 2021 using a structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. Results: Overall, of the 106 participants, 90.6% knew what antimicrobials were, but only 29.2% were aware of AMR. The study showed that 46.2% of the participants had low knowledge, 71.7% had negative attitudes, and 61.3% had poor practices regarding AMR. The prevalence of antibiotic use in poultry production was 83%. The most used antimicrobials were tetracycline (84%) and gentamicin (35.2%). The commonly reported reason for the use of antimicrobials was for the treatment (93.2%) and prevention (89.8%) of diseases. Further, 76.9% of the administered antimicrobials were usually done without veterinarian consultation or prescription. Conclusion: The study shows that there was high AMU in poultry farms in Kitwe. However, there was low knowledge, negative attitude, and poor practices towards AMU and AMR. Therefore, there is a need for educational and sensitisation programmes regarding AMU and AMR among poultry farmers in Kitwe, Zambia. Alongside this, antimicrobial stewardship and surveillance systems should be strengthened in the livestock production sector. This will ensure food safety and public health.
基金Under the auspices of National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.41971268)。
文摘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.
文摘The heavy use of chemicals, pesticides, cosmetics and plastic packaging coincides with a resurgence of cardiovascular disease, in particular hypertension, which is affecting younger and younger populations. The aim of this study was to analyze the cardiovascular risk factors in hypertensive farmers compared with hypertensive non farmers. This was a prospective case-control study that included 239 hypertensive farmers and non farmers aged 25 to 65 with blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg and 90 mmHg. Hypertensive farmers (101) represented 42.25% of the population versus hypertensive non farmers (138) 57.74%. The median ages were 47 ± 11.3 years for farmers and 51.45 ± 9.77 years for non farmers. Biochemical analysisand screening for major cardiovascular disease risk factors such as metabolic syndrome were performed. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the new definition of the International Diabetes Federation. Our results revealed higher blood glucose levels in farmers (47.77%) than in non farmers (27.20%) (p = 0.0132). Dyslipidemia was more frequent in non farmerswith high level of LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol. Farmers presented a high level of tryglycerides. The prevalence of obesity was higher in non farmers 51 (36.96%) than farmers 18 (17.82%). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 106 (44.35%) in our study population. There was not an important difference between farmers (39.60%) and non farmers (47.82%). However, the variation of metabolic syndrome according to age and sex showed a higher prevalence in young male farmers aged 25 to 45 whereas non farmers presented an increasing prevalence of metabolic syndrome according to age and the absence of metabolic syndrome between age 25 and 35. Our results showed that the cardiovascular risk appeared early in young farmers compared with non farmers suggesting a possible role of pesticides in the onset of this risk.
基金the National Social Science Fund of China(20CGL027)。
文摘The Internet is believed to bring more technological dividends to vulnerable farmers during the green agriculture transformation.However,this is different from the theory of skill-biased technological change,which emphasizes that individuals with higher levels of human capital and more technological endowments benefit more.This study investigates the effects of Internet use on farmers'adoption of integrated pest management(IPM),theoretically and empirically,based on a dataset containing 1015 farmers in China's Shandong Province.By exploring the perspective of rational inattention,the reasons for the heterogeneity of the effects across farmers with different endowments,i.e.,education and land size,are analyzed.The potential endogeneity issues are addressed using the endogenous switching probit model.The results reveal that:(1)although Internet use significantly positively affects farmers'adoption of IPM,vulnerable farmers do not benefit more from it.Considerable selection bias leads to an overestimation of technological dividends for vulnerable farmers;(2)different sources of technology information lead to the difference in the degree of farmers'rational inattention toward Internet information,which plays a crucial role in the heterogeneous effect of Internet use;and(3)excessive dependence on strong-tie social network information sources entraps vulnerable farmers in information cocoons,hindering their ability to reap the benefits of Internet use fully.Therefore,it is essential to promote services geared towards elderly-oriented Internet agricultural technology information and encourage farmers with strong Internet utilization skills to share technology information with other farmers actively.
文摘Medicinal plants play a major role in meeting people’s medical and health needs, especially in developing countries. However, due to a lack of access to modern veterinary facilities, poor visibility of animal health personnel, and high prices of orthodox medicines, most farmers rely on traditional healers and the administration of medicinal plants to treat livestock ailments. The present study was conducted to document Ethnopharmacological knowledge of medicinal plants used to manage livestock ailments in three rural communities of the Eastern Cape. This study was carried out in three rural communities between July 2009 and February 2010. Data were collected by administering pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires and participative field observations. For the interviews, a sample of 48 knowledgeable respondents was purposively selected. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, determination of information consensus factor, and fidelity level. A total of 12 medicinal plants belonging to 9 families were used by local people to cure different ailments. A high number of medicinal plants were claimed by males compared to females. Roots and barks were the major plant parts used, and the least were leaves (27.3%). Six plants were used to treat diarrhea and fertility, five plants to treat wounds, and two plants to treat scabs. This study has shown that Eastern Cape flora is rich with various plants which could be used to replace orthodox drugs. Further studies are needed to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations, biological activities, and toxicities and characterize the plant’s chemical compounds.
文摘Labour-saving or mechanization technologies have become the driving force behind modern agriculture, yet adoption of these technologies remains low in many parts of the developing world, particularly among female farmers in Ghana. This study aims to investigate the factors that hinder the adoption of agricultural mechanization technologies by female farmers in the Karaga District of the Northern Region of Ghana. This region is known for its large agricultural lands and significant role in commercial farming. The research was conducted using qualitative research methodology and involved interviewing 60 female farmers using an interview guide. The principle of sample saturation was used, meaning that further interviews were deemed unnecessary after the 60th interview. The results showed that low adoption of agricultural mechanization technologies is due to poor access to commercial lands, gender biases, lack of access to credit, and poor awareness about the benefits of these technologies. In conclusion, the low adoption of agricultural mechanization technologies is preventing women farmers in the Karaga District and elsewhere in Ghana from fully participating in commercial agricultural production. It is recommended that gender biases and cultural stereotypes be addressed to improve women farmers’ access to lands and credit, which will facilitate the adoption of mechanization technologies and lead to improved agricultural production.
文摘According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), there are about 500 million smallholder farmers in the world, and in developing countries, such farmers produce about 80% of the food consumed there;their farming activities are therefore critical to the economies of their countries and to the global food security. However, these farmers face the challenges of limited access to credit, often due to the fact that many of them farm on unregistered land that cannot be offered as collateral to lending institutions;but even when they are on registered land, the fear of losing such land that they should default on loan payments often prevents them from applying for farm credit;and even if they apply, they still get disadvantaged by low credit scores (a measure of creditworthiness). The result is that they are often unable to use optimal farm inputs such as fertilizer and good seeds among others. This depresses their yields, and in turn, has negative implications for the food security in their communities, and in the world, hence making it difficult for the UN to achieve its sustainable goal no.2 (no hunger). This study aimed to demonstrate how geospatial technology can be used to leverage farm credit scoring for the benefit of smallholder farmers. A survey was conducted within the study area to identify the smallholder farms and farmers. A sample of surveyed farmers was then subjected to credit scoring by machine learning. In the first instance, the traditional financial data approach was used and the results showed that over 40% of the farmers could not qualify for credit. When non-financial geospatial data, i.e. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was introduced into the scoring model, the number of farmers not qualifying for credit reduced significantly to 24%. It is concluded that the introduction of the NDVI variable into the traditional scoring model could improve significantly the smallholder farmers’ chances of accessing credit, thus enabling such a farmer to be better evaluated for credit on the basis of the health of their crop, rather than on a traditional form of collateral.
文摘An important part of Ivorian cocoa production comes from infiltrated classified forests. The objective of this study is to investigate orchard maintenance and post-harvest cocoa treatment practices used by cocoa farmers in infiltrated classified and unclassified areas of Méagui. To do this, 110 producers in two localities of the said zone were individually interviewed from February to April 2022, using a declarative questionnaire. It was found that cocoa orchards in the zone are aging. Nearly 68.55% of producers were heirs and 58.33% of those interviewed were under 46 years of age, with an average age of 43 years. Nearly 84.55% of the producers surveyed mainly use chemical insecticides to control the pests of greatest concern in these localities. Regarding the frequency of insecticide treatments, 11.82% of producers make 1 to 2 applications a year, 29.09% make 3 to 5 applications a year, and 43.64% make at least 6 applications a year. The active substances of the most used products belong to 99% of the Neonicotinoid and Pyrethroid families. Regarding cocoa harvesting and post-harvest operations, 93.64% of the producers carry out a single harvest/month;all do the shelling with mini machetes. Beans are fermented mainly in black plastic tarpaulins or in bags, for a period of 3 to 5 days (65.45%). Drying is done almost entirely (91.82%) on the black plastic tarp. This study shows that cocoa farmers in the areas surveyed do not respect the recommendations issued on phytosanitary practices and post-harvest treatment of cocoa. This non-compliance with the standards of good practices prescribed is particularly more accentuated in the locality located in infiltrated classified zone. It would, therefore, be judicious to revise or redefine the phytosanitary recommendations and carry out sensitization and training-follow-up programs for producers in this important cocoa production area of C?te d’Ivoire.
基金Supported by Research Project of Henan Provincial Federation of Social Sciences"Research on the CPC s Adherence to the Spirit of Struggle in the New Era"(SKL-2023-119)Guiding Project for the Research of Humanities and Social Sciences on Integrity Topics of the Henan Provincial Department of Education"Research on the Performance of Improper Winds and Corruption Problems around Teachers and Students and Countermeasures for Rectification"(2023LZZD-24)Special Key Project of Henan University of Science and Technology s Clean Government"The Manifestation and Rectification Measures of Unhealthy Practices and Corruption around Teachers and Students"(2023-HKDLZZD01).
文摘Pesticide safety is an important guarantee for food security.At present,there are many problems in the process of choosing pesticides by farmers,such as low discernment ability and difficulty in retroactive blame,slow replacement of medical equipment,slow promotion of technology assistance,lack of professional knowledge,difficult to grasp the key points of application,improper use of pesticides,large resistance to reducing quantity and increasing efficiency,etc.In order to use pesticides rationally and realize safe production,countermeasures and suggestions on pesticide application are put forward from the aspects of drug development and application,promotion of biopesticides,change of farmers concept and cultivation of new farmers.
基金Supported by Science and Technology Project of Guiyang Branch of Guizhou Tobacco Company Study on Cultivation of New Tobacco Management Entities in Guiyang Tobacco-growing Areas (2020-06).
文摘At present,there are still many difficulties in China s tobacco farmers,such as unreasonable age structure,generally low education level,lack of management ability,and low planting efficiency.It is necessary to cultivate new professional tobacco farmers.Based on the practical problems existing in the cultivation of professional tobacco farmers in China,such as vague screening criteria,lack of pertinence in training content,single training mode,immature evaluation system,insufficient follow-up support and unsystematic cultivation mechanism,this study put forward corresponding strategies and suggestions.
文摘In Cambodia,cattle are used as draught power,sources of fertilizer,sources of assets,and for meat production.Due to some contagious illnesses such as hemorrhagic septicemia and foot-and-mouth disease(FMD),they mostly have low reproductivity and poor physical health.Among those diseases,brucellosis is starting to appear in cattle production in rural Cambodia and is highly transmissible to humans.Thus,the objective of this study was to evaluate the farmers’awareness of cattle diseases and their transmissibility in the country.A survey was conducted in two provinces,Svay Rieng and Prey Veng,in Cambodia,starting from July 2021 to January 2022.A sample size of 216 was randomly selected from the two provinces by using Taro Yamane,and the selection criteria were that the targeted households must have at least two cows.A pre-determined questionnaire was utilized to collect data on number of cattle,raising type,feeding system,source of cattle purchase,hygienic condition,waste management,cattle disease,body score condition and symptoms.As a result,86% of the respondents in Prey Veng province and 99.07% in Svay Rieng province have cattle disease.Smallholder farmers raise 5 to 10 cattle per household,while other farmers raise 10 to 15 calves,or 15-20 or more than 20 heads,while only 20% of smallholder farmers in Prey Veng were able to raise 5 to 10 male cattle per household.Of all the interviewees,90% recognized FMD based on clinical signs such as blisters on the feet,loss of appetite,salivation and painful,red,blister-like lesions on the tongue.Meanwhile,60% know lumpy skin disease(LSD)due to skin nodules.No one knew about brucellosis.The findings suggest that the knowledge farmers have over cattle disease is very limited and this needs more support from related institutions to raise their awareness in order to cope with cattle disease correctly and timely.