Waste Management Systems among Smallholder Farmers in Masaka and Lyantonde Districts, Central Uganda

With diversity in farming systems, crop residues, animal wastes and management practices are often not well managed, and most of it is left on the soil surface. This practice is common, especially among smallholder farmers (SHFs). There is no updated record of commonly used waste management practices. Our study focused on smallholder farmers in two farming systems in Masaka and Lyantonde Districts respectively, and with the objective to determine smallholder waste management practices in relation to farm waste components. Using a sample survey, quantitative data were collected from 120 SHFs representing 10.1% of the total SHF population in the Masaka while 120 SHFs provided data and represented 17.4% of the total SHF population in Lyantonde. Our result revealed that for animal waste, Goat slurry 20.4%, dominated the rest in Lyantonde, while in Masaka Pig slurry 23.6%, was dominant. For crop waste in Lyantonde, Bean trashes 12.9%, dominated, while in Masaka Banana leaves and peelings 11.1%, were dominant. In Lyantonde, common waste management practices were: Surface deposition 41.2%, Burning 18.4% Composting 17.3%, Burying 9.4%, Removal 10.9% and Recycling 2.8%. In Masaka, common practices were: Surface deposition 40.9%, Burning 18.6% Composting 13.2%, Burrying 12.3%, Removal 6.2% and Recycling 8.8%. Factors affecting choice of waste management practices by SHFs were: Age, purpose of waste product, season, quantity of the wastes, waste management policy awareness, farmer’s commitment and economic status of the farmer. Greenhouse gas emission for identified waste management practices across the two Districts shall be determined in our next study.

Recommendations for Optimizing Internal Management Mechanism of Farmers' Specialized Cooperatives

Based on the survey of 38 farmers' specialized cooperatives in Hubei Province,this paper analyzed existing problems in internal management mechanism of cooperatives,including widespread problem of centralized control,imperfect supervision mechanism,lack of effective incentive mechanism,insufficient specialized personnel,and limited participation of cooperative members in management. It elaborated causes for these problems from the perspective of practice. Finally,it came up with recommendations for optimizing farmers' specialized cooperatives: building democratic decision making mechanism with coordination of cooperative members and able personnel,establishing supervision mechanism suitable for self demands,improving internal incentive mechanism,establishing talent introduction and cultivation mechanism in proper time,and strengthening internal member management of cooperatives.

Management Models and Development Strategies of the Farmers’ Professional Cooperatives in the Western Poor Counties and Regions of China: A Case Study of Long’an County,Guangxi

In the new era,an important task is how farmers’professional cooperatives to better adapt to new development environment and effectively solve the problems that"who will cultivate land"and"who does agriculture depend on"in the future.In this paper,model and development direction of farmers’professional cooperatives in Long’an County of Guangxi are analyzed and studied based on realistic development background of Guangxi.

Floristic Composition, Population Structure, and Recruitment Status of Plant Species: A Case Study of Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration Practices in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands in Kenya

The technique of Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) is being promoted as a cost-effective approach for restoring degraded arable dry lands. Its effectiveness has been observed in many countries across the globe, where it is a traditional practice, and is now being encouraged across the African continent. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of FMNR on floristic Composition, Vegetation Structure, and Regeneration Status of woody Plant Species in the severely degraded Central Rift, Kenya. The study systematically assessed how FMNR influenced species composition, vegetation structure and regeneration status from two sample plots involved in FMNR practices. Transect lines and quadrats methods were utilized to collect data, specifically regarding the floristic composition, vegetation structure, and regeneration status of woody plant species. Quadrats and sub-quadrats of varying sizes (10 m by 10 m, 5 m by 5 m, and 1 m by 1 m) were nested along the transect lines for data collection. Furthermore, measurements of tree growth and development, including root collar diameter, diameter at breast height (D130) and heights within the study blocks, were taken. The data was then analyzed using R-software. Results showed a marked progressive increase in numbers of trees, saplings, seedlings, shrubs and herbs in all FMNR sites and reductions in all non-FMNR sites. The study advocates for widespread promotion of the FMNR practice both as an environmental conservation and restoration strategy.

Preference and adoption of Farmer Field School (FFS) Prosopis juliflora management practices: Experiences in Baringo District, Kenya

This research was carried out to evaluate the preference and adoption of harvesting, uprooting, stump burning, pruning and thinning practices for controlling the spread ofProsopisjuliflora （prosopis） within Marigat Division of the Baringo District, Kenya. A survey methodology was employed using a random sample of 25 Farmer Field School （FFS） members and 5 non=FFS members from each of the five locations of Marigat Division. In total, 100 FFS members and 25 non-FFS members participated in the study; addi- tional supplementary data were collected from the Kenya Forestry Research Institute （KEFRI）, a major facilitator and trainer of the identified FFS activities and practices in the study area since 2004. More than 80% of the local community never undertook any form of prosopis management practice; however, this changed after FFS training, indicating an acquisition and retention of knowledge which probably diffused to the non-FFS counterparts, through either formal or informal ways. Harvesting was the most preferred （100%） and stump burning the least preferred （46%） practice of managing the spread of prosopis. The success and preference of any prosopis management practice was attributed to wood and non-wood benefits derived from prosopis and growing of animal fodder and food crops on rehabilitated land. More than 80% of respondents attributed ineffectiveness of any prosopis management practice to coppicing and viable seed banks of the tree, while 50% highlighted a lack of consistency and integration in carrying out manage- ment practices. The reported negative attitude towards prosopis changed after training with none of the view to eradicate it. Labor intensity and frequent regeneration of seedlings were identified as the major challenges faced during the implementation of proso- pis management practices. In conclusion, the study shows that harvesting, uprooting, stump burning, pruning and thinning realized through consistent holistic integration contribute to containing the spread of prosopis trees in Baringo, Kenya.

Financial Management in New Types of Agricultural Businesses——A Case Study of Farmer's Cooperatives in Weixian County

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China( CPC),with the help of state policies,the new types of agricultural businesses have been flourishing. As one of the important forces of new types of agricultural businesses,the farmer's specialized cooperatives grow up rapidly in the development of the rural economy because of their characteristics which are consistent with the current rural economy. financial management is the core of the operation of farmer cooperatives,which directly affects the long-term sustainable development of cooperatives. Through the survey and analysis of the financial management of many farmers' cooperatives in Wei County,Hebei Province,this paper puts forward the deficiencies in the existing financial management of cooperatives. It also brings some reasonable suggestions to regulate and improve the financial management of cooperatives,in order to enhance the market competitiveness of farmers' cooperatives and realize better sustainable development of farmers' cooperatives.

Assessment of Farmer’s Practices on the Rubber Nursery Management Using Growing Medium and Varietal Selection in Mon State

Rubber is an economically important perennial crop in Myanmar for latex production. As the rubber plantation area increases yearly, the requirement of vigorous rubber seedlings for its establishment plays a central role. The success of rubber plantations depends on some farming practices such as using different compost or other materials in the potting soil-medium, varietal selection for stock and scion in the budding process, and fertilizer application methods. The objective of this study was to assess the farmer’s practices in the establishment of rubber nurseries in mostly rubber planted areas in Myanmar. The survey interviewed 60 respondents from three townships in Mon State, namely Mudon, Kyaikmaraw, and Thanbyuzayat. The response data were analyzed through the descriptive method. This survey exposed the potentially active operators (middle age of 30 - 60 years) in rubber nursery production. Local experienced farmers usually raised the budded seedlings with 15 cm × 23 cm polyethylene bag in all study regions. Most farmers selected multi-clonal seed for stock and BPM 24 for scion according to the local market demand and high latex yield. All survey areas used both organic and inorganic fertilizers for nutrient management. Compost is a chief component of growing medium in their nursery production. However, making compost and high demand of the compost were local constraints. Therefore, this survey suggested improving the proper composting method for rubber nursery establishment.

Do large-scale farmers use more pesticides? Empirical evidence from rice farmers in five Chinese provinces

It is of great theoretical and practical significance to understand the rules of the differences in pesticide use behaviors between large-scale and small-scale farmers,so as to regulate the behavior of farmers differently and improve the quality and safety of rice.The overall pesticide use behavior of large-scale farmers was characterized by large doses and high application frequency,while that of small-scale farmers was characterized by small doses and low application frequency.The econometric test showed that(i)the proportion of staple food ration has a significant negative impact on the single dose exceeding the standard and pesticide application frequency of small-scale farmers,and the increase of the proportion of staple food ration will reduce the demand among small-scale farmers for pesticides;(ii)yield effect has a greater impact on the frequency of pesticide application by large-scale farmers,and the large yield effect will increase the frequency of pesticide application among large-scale farmers.Therefore,in pesticide use behaviors,large-scale farmers should reduce pesticide quantity and increase efficiency,while small-scale farmers improve the level of plant protection.

Forested Farmlands:Forest Management by Agroforestry Symbiosis in A Land Management Framework in South and South East Asia

Forests provide multiple benefits as a safety net to the poor and also help to increase the overall ecological balance.Of particular importance in this respect this research has been conducted in six typical villages in South and Southeast Asia,located in Northern Bangladesh,Southern Myanmar and Northwest Thailand.Data collection methods were used by means of observation,FGD,interviews,and a structured survey of farm households.Data were analyzed through qualitative methods

Reform of Agricultural Land Transfer of Different Types of Farmers' Willingness

Since forty years of reform and opening up,China's rural landscape has undergone tremendous changes,and agricultural production manner is obviously improved,while farmers' living level is rose significantly.Rural land contracting and management right system plays a vital role in promoting rural economic and social development in China.In this paper,farmers under the background of the transfer of rural land contracting and management right are taken as research objects,and the difference of different types of farmers under the willingness of land transfer is analyzed.Finally,corresponding reform assumptions are proposed for transfer willingness of different types of farmers.

Determinants of Adaptation to Climate Change:A Case Study of Rice Farmers in Western Province,Iran

The decisions made by agricultural households to adjust to climate change(CC)in Iran are not well known.This study is intended to investigate the influence of perceptions and socioeconomic,institutional features on farmers’adaptation decisions about CC,which constitute the hypothetical statements of the study.We undertook a survey of 200 farm householders from 31 villages of Ilam Province,situated in the western Iran,as randomly selected.The result discloses that the proposed discriminant model matches the dataset well,with a strong effect size of partial eta-squared(η^(2)=0.38).The analysis further signals that adapters are younger and more welleducated than non-adapters.Adapters are also knowledgeable about CC risks and institutional policy barriers.The adapters have subsidiary work,better access to credit,and have good contacts with expansion agents and specialists.The paper concludes that government authorities should provide farmers with the enriched capabilities and competencies enabling them to adapt to CC.

Soil Clinics: Farmers Teaching Smart-Farming to Farmers

In Thailand, the site-specific nutrient management technology, known as “Tailor-made Fertilizer Technology (TFT)”, for rice, maize and sugarcane in the Northeastern region was developed between 1997-2007, using the concepts of precision agriculture together with an approach of building capacity of small farmers. TFT, also called Smart-farming, comprises four components, namely 1) soil series identification, 2) N-P-K testing by soil test kit, 3) fertilizer recommendations using decision-aids and a simplified version of a complex model and 4) farmer empowerment. The benefit of TFT at the rice field of the Huay Kamin chairman farmer group was one example, the technology has been disseminated to the 80 members with a total planting area of about 320 ha. The results revealed chemical fertilizer reduction of 69%, and rice yield increased some 10% - 20% with the improved fertilizer application method. The farmers were encouraged to establish “Soil Clinics” in their communities. In a Soil Clinic, designated and trained farmer leaders analyze soil samples for member farmers and provide TFT recommendations while providing access to fertilizer materials available for sale at competitive prices. At present, there are about 70 soil clinics in 20 provinces with the support of many government and private sectors.

Farmers’ Perception and Impact of Rice Yellow Mottle Disease on Rice Yields in Burkina Faso

Rice improvement for disease resistance has scarcely involved farmers’ knowledge in Sub-Saharan Africa. A participatory rural appraisal was conducted in two main rice cultivation areas in Burkina Faso to assess farmers’ awareness of rice production constraints with emphasis on rice yellow mottle disease (RYMD) and its management. Farmers’ preference for rice varieties to be used in the breeding program was also assessed. Major concerns for rice cultivation as perceived by farmers were water shortage and RYMD. However, relative importance of each constraint depended on the survey areas, RYMD being prominent at Banzon while water shortage predominated at Mogtedo. Mogtedo farmers preferred rice variety FKR19 because of its tolerance to drought. At Banzon, farmers’ first criterion was taste which was reflected in the choice of variety FKR18. Yield was also a major criterion in both areas, positioning NERICA varieties FKR56N, FKR62N, and FKR60N among the top preferred varieties. Farmers mentioned RYMD as the most important rice disease. Most farmers used varietal shifts or pesticide treatments for RYMD management. RYMD incidence reached 28% in average at Banzon over the 2012-2013 main growing seasons. In rice varieties FKR56N, FKR62N and TS2, diseased plants yielded 79.3% less than the healthy ones. Accordingly, based on disease incidence, overall yield loss in the study area was estimated at 22.3%. Altogether, rice production can be significantly increased by taking RYMD into account in a participatory rice breeding strategy.

Community Soil Resources Management for Sub-Saharan West Africa： Case Study of the Gourma Region in Burkina Faso

A study on community soil fertility management concepts and practices was conducted through rapid and participatory method of research in 15 villages of the Gourma region in Eastern part of Burkina Faso. These investigations aimed at determining farmers＇ knowledge on soil resources： local soil taxonomy and indicators of soil degradation, soil fertility management practices, and capacity for adoption of new technologies in soil fertility management. The results of the study showed that the main parameter for soil classification for all the investigated villages was soil texture composition; soil degradation was evaluated according to crops yield decrease and the development Striga sp. in 100% of the investigated villages; the use of organic manure and long term fellow were the main practices for soil fertility management; concerning the villages where modem technologies of soil fertility management were introduced, the lack of tools and capacity building were the main limiting factors of the adoption of these improved practices at small scale farmers＇ level. Even if discordance between scientific and local soil taxonomy were revealed by our investigations; significant similarities between indigenous and scientific indices of soil degradation were noticed. With regard to the actual magnitude of soil degradation; the local techniques of soil fertility management need to be improved and accessible to a big number of farmers.

Exploration of Problems in Developing Jilin Farmers' Professional Cooperatives

Establishment of farmers' professional cooperatives is an effective approach of settling conflicts between small-scale production of rural households and great market, however, there are still many problems such as low level of standardization, unscientific market positioning, poor capacity of mitigating risks, and unfavorable ecological benefits. This study, based on field investigation data and successful support experience, further explored operation and management problems existing in Jilin Farming Cooperative, and proposed pertinent solutions so as to enhance the high-efficiency and standard operation of farmers' professional cooperatives in Jilin Province and even China.

Contradiction between the Modernization of Agriculture and the Protection of the Interests of Farmers

Main modes of agricultural modernization in developed countries are summarized,as well as their impact on the interests of farmers. Among them,the America,Canada,Australia and other sparsely-populated countries adopt the labor force saving model based on large-scale mechanization during agricultural mechanization. Japan and other countries with many people and little land adopt the land saving model with high technology. And the Western European Countries use the intermediate model to exert the function of mechanization and technology. Interests security of farmers in rural land circulation is discussed,such as the unreasonable allocation of circulation rights,changing the land property and land use without authorization;undermining the long-term interests of farmers,and the unsolved social security problem of farmers. Interest guarantee of farmers during the process of agricultural industrialization is analyzed,pointing out that big household or leading enterprise usually occupies a favorable position in the cooperative. They use their advantages in share and management to raven the operation achievement of peasant households and to transfer risks. Due to the information asymmetry,farmers are at a weak position in the cooperation with leading enterprise. Interests protection of farmers in scale management is put forward,such as strengthening the subsidies for farmers,implementing a moderate scale management suitable for the situation of China,and establishing a fair and reasonable benefit affiliating mechanism among peasant household,cooperative and leading enterprise.

How farmers’non-agricultural employment affects rural land circulation in China?

To clarify the impact of non-agricultural employment on rural land circulation in China,we built logit models using the Chinese Household Income Project 2013 dataset,which includes 18,948 household samples over 15 provinces,126 cities and 234 counties of China in 2013.We use the proportion of non-agricultural income,the proportion of non-agricultural laborers and non-agricultural fixed operating assets to reflect the degree of the households’dependence on agriculture,the degree of the households’laborers committed to non-agricultural employment and the stability of non-agricultural employment,respectively.The results show that the stability of non-agricultural employment is an important reason for farmers to transfer out their land,and an increase in non-agricultural income is the fundamental reason.The proportion of non-agricultural assets has the greatest impact on the decision to transfer land,followed by the proportion of non-agricultural income.Per unit increase in the non-agricultural income ratio has a stronger effect on the transfer-out decision than it does on the transfer-in decision,which is a 0.09 increase of the probability of transfer-out the land and a 0.07 decrease of the probability of transfer-in the land.In terms of regional differences,when considering the impact of non-agricultural employment on the land transfer-out decision,the impacts of non-agricultural income and labor force are the greatest in the Central region.The impact of non-agricultural assets is the greatest in the Eastern region.For the Eastern region,the decision to transfer out land is mainly affected by non-agricultural assets and the non-agricultural labor force,and the decision to transfer in land is mainly affected by non-agricultural assets.In the Central and Western regions,the decision to transfer out land is mainly affected by non-agricultural assets,non-agricultural income and the non-agricultural labor force,in that order.The decision to transfer in land in the Central region is not significantly affected by non-agricultural employment.The decision to transfer in land in the Western region is mainly affected by non-agricultural assets,non-agricultural labor force and non-agricultural income,in that order.We note that non-agricultural assets have a prominent impact on land transfer,which shows that the stability of non-agricultural employment has an important impact on land transfer decision-making.Vocational training for rural labor forces may be an effective means to promote stable non-agricultural employment and simultaneously facilitate rural land circulation,especially in Central and Western China.

Farmers’knowledge,attitudes,and practices with respect to rodent management in the upland and lowland farming systems of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Rodents are a serious constraint to poor farmers in the upland and lowland farming systems of the Lao People’sDemocratic Republic and have been described as the pest they have least control over. To better understand theseproblems a baseline survey of farmers was conducted to assess their knowledge, attitudes, and practices with respectto rodent management. A structured survey was conducted in 12 villages across Luang Namtha, Luang Prabang,and Houaphan provinces. Twenty farmers from each village were interviewed (a total of 240 farmers). Farmersnoted that the main factor limiting production was pests (70%), with rats identified as the most important pest(98%). The mean yield loss was estimated at 19% (range 0–100%). Trapping and rodenticides were commonlyused by farmers. Farmers believed that it was important to control rats and believed that rats could only be controlledif farmers worked together. However, 65% of farmers conducted rodent control by themselves, and 92% offarmers believed that rodenticides were harmful to the environment. The main constraints identified were the highcost of some control methods and the need to get farmers to work together as a community.

Factors affecting farmers’participation in watershed management programs in the Northeastern highlands of Ethiopia:a case study in the Teleyayen sub-watershed

Introduction:This study investigated factors affecting farmers’participation in watershed management programs in the Northeastern highlands of Ethiopia by taking the Teleyayen sub-watershed as a case study.Data were collected from 215 farm households which were selected from the four villages using a multistage sampling procedure,involving a combination of purposive and random sampling.Data were gathered using a structured survey questionnaire,focus group discussion,and key informant interviews.Descriptive analysis,Pearson correlation analysis,and regression analysis were employed to analyze the data.Results:Findings of this study showed that farmer’s perception has a strong positive correlation(r=0.612,P=0.000)with the farmer’s decision to participate in the watershed management programs followed by government support(r=0.163,P=0.017),while the slope of the farmland and the gender of the household head have shown significant and negative associations.The binary logistic regression analysis also revealed that six independent variables were significant in explaining the factors affecting the farmers’decision to participate in watershed management programs.These variables were land redistribution,gender,agricultural labor force,extension service,farm size,and slope.Of these,land redistribution,gender,agricultural labor force,extension service,and slope of the farmland indicated a negative influence,while farm size of a household exerted a positive impact.The study also examined the role of discrete variables in explaining variations of variables in affecting the farmers’decision to participate in the programs.Thus,two variables found to be significant.These variables are the gender of the household head and land tenure security.Accordingly,the chi-square result of the variable(χ^(2)=9.052)of gender was found to be statistically significant at the 95%level of significance.Similarly,the chi-square result(X^(2)=8.792)of land tenure security was found to be statistically significant at the 95%level of significance.Conclusions:The result of the study suggests to work on raising the awareness of farmers’about the long-term benefits of the watershed programs and to design a strategy to diversify their livelihoods.

Adoption Levels of Certain Tomato Cultivation Practices by Farmer Field Schools in Sudan

This study assessed the effect of Integrated Pest Management/Farmer Field Schools(IPM/FFS)extension approach on adoption of some tomato(Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)cultivation practices in Gezira Scheme,Sudan.A stratified random sampling technique was used to collect data from 100 tomato growers(50 FFS participants and 50 non-FFS participants),through personal interviews using a structured questionnaire.The data were statistically analyzed and interpreted using frequency distribution,percentage and Chi-square test.The study found that adoption rates for the use of improved tomato seed variety,sowing date and method,urea application,were higher among the FFS participants compared to the non-FFS participants(20%,90%and 50%)compared to 12%,76%and 36%,respectively.The result showed lower adoption rate(50%)in FFS participants for intercropping with companion plant compared to non-FFS participants(64%).Chi-square test showed that there was significant difference between FFS participants and non-FFS participant farmers in adoption of recommended sowing date and method,and intercropping at 95%confidence level,0.05 margin of error.There was no significant difference in adoption of urea application and use of recommended seed variety.This demonstrated that adoption of these two cultivation practices for tomato in the study significantly depended on FFS approach.To improve adoption rates of IPM innovations,the study recommends that FFS in the Gezira Scheme should be revitalized and later introduced in the other states in the country,with extensive and effective system of FFS trainings and follow-up.