FB 11 / Ökologische Agrarwissenschaftenhttps://kobra.uni-kassel.de:443/handle/123456789/2006031676322024-03-19T03:51:06Z2024-03-19T03:51:06ZEnhancing crop-livestock systems: Unveiling the impact of leaf stripping on maize hybrid yield in Sundarbazar-Lamjung, NepalPaudel, Giri RajThapa, Rajanhttps://kobra.uni-kassel.de:443/handle/123456789/155492024-03-13T08:25:30Z2024-03-12T00:00:00ZIn local maize agro-ecosystems in Nepal leaf stripping is, historically, practiced as a source of fodder for livestock. However, its effects on hybrid maize have not been studied. The aim of this study was to determine how defoliation below the cob affects the grain and fodder production of hybrid maize and what value the stripped leaves have as fodder for ruminants. Seven hybrid maize cultivars were evaluated for their response to leaf stripping in a randomized complete block design with three replications in Sundarbazar, Lamjung, Nepal. Evaluation of phenological parameters, agronomic factors, cob properties, and grain yield revealed significant cultivar-related differences. While leaf stripping at grain silking stage had little or no impact on yield characteristics, the outcomes confirmed the significance of cultivar selection for the best grain and stover characteristics. Leaf stripping can be a clever way to increase ruminant's feed availability while maintaining grain output. The results of the study support the integration of leaf stripping as a sustainable management technique within crop-livestock systems, particularly in comparable agroecological zones. These findings provide smallholder farmers with useful advice for the use of green leaves as fodder during the grain silking stage of hybrid maize-based agricultural systems.
2024-03-12T00:00:00ZPaudel, Giri RajThapa, RajanIn local maize agro-ecosystems in Nepal leaf stripping is, historically, practiced as a source of fodder for livestock. However, its effects on hybrid maize have not been studied. The aim of this study was to determine how defoliation below the cob affects the grain and fodder production of hybrid maize and what value the stripped leaves have as fodder for ruminants. Seven hybrid maize cultivars were evaluated for their response to leaf stripping in a randomized complete block design with three replications in Sundarbazar, Lamjung, Nepal. Evaluation of phenological parameters, agronomic factors, cob properties, and grain yield revealed significant cultivar-related differences. While leaf stripping at grain silking stage had little or no impact on yield characteristics, the outcomes confirmed the significance of cultivar selection for the best grain and stover characteristics. Leaf stripping can be a clever way to increase ruminant's feed availability while maintaining grain output. The results of the study support the integration of leaf stripping as a sustainable management technique within crop-livestock systems, particularly in comparable agroecological zones. These findings provide smallholder farmers with useful advice for the use of green leaves as fodder during the grain silking stage of hybrid maize-based agricultural systems.Development of deep-placement fertiliser applicator and modelling of loads arising in the process of its operationVaitekhovich, IuriiBolarskii, BorisHasegawa, Hideohttps://kobra.uni-kassel.de:443/handle/123456789/155302024-03-06T06:31:06Z2023-12-28T00:00:00ZThe article considers the method of minimum tillage, namely soil tillage, loosening the soil, and fertiliser application at a depth below the level of the main crop. This method allows you to minimize the number of operations used in the cultivation of row crops such as soybeans, wheat, and others. The research in the area of soil tillage, namely the mathematical calculation and static analysis performed with the CAD system, revealed the loads that appear directly in the places where the soil deepener is attached to the frame of the supporting structure. Also, it shows all the places that can be subjected to loads such as the rear wall of the soil deepening tillage stand', the attachment point of the tine coulter, and directly the spreading plate used for uniform fertiliser application. The calculated loads for soil deepeners were 2500 N per tool, based on mathematical calculations. CAD modelling enabled us to determine the form and details of the working tool, analyse the design integrity, identify structural deformations, and determine important indicators such as maximum load and safety factors. The obtained values indicate that the selected materials and fastening methods will satisfy the operating conditions obtained by calculation.
2023-12-28T00:00:00ZVaitekhovich, IuriiBolarskii, BorisHasegawa, HideoThe article considers the method of minimum tillage, namely soil tillage, loosening the soil, and fertiliser application at a depth below the level of the main crop. This method allows you to minimize the number of operations used in the cultivation of row crops such as soybeans, wheat, and others. The research in the area of soil tillage, namely the mathematical calculation and static analysis performed with the CAD system, revealed the loads that appear directly in the places where the soil deepener is attached to the frame of the supporting structure. Also, it shows all the places that can be subjected to loads such as the rear wall of the soil deepening tillage stand', the attachment point of the tine coulter, and directly the spreading plate used for uniform fertiliser application. The calculated loads for soil deepeners were 2500 N per tool, based on mathematical calculations. CAD modelling enabled us to determine the form and details of the working tool, analyse the design integrity, identify structural deformations, and determine important indicators such as maximum load and safety factors. The obtained values indicate that the selected materials and fastening methods will satisfy the operating conditions obtained by calculation.Cost and return analysis of organic and conventional farming systems in the Ganga River Basin, IndiaSingh, S. P.PriyaSajwan, Komalhttps://kobra.uni-kassel.de:443/handle/123456789/155202024-03-01T09:00:04Z2024-02-26T00:00:00ZConventional farming (CF) has significantly increased the aggregate supply of food grains and ensured food security for the growing population in India. However, it proved environmentally unsustainable due to its higher reliance on chemical inputs. Organic farming (OF) becomes an alternative approach that ensures the sustainability of the agricultural system. But, the transition from CF to OF can be a lengthy process, and farmers may experience income loss during its course. Farmers will switch only when they are convinced that the long-term benefits of OF are higher than those of CF. Therefore, a study on cost and return analysis can help policymakers take appropriate measures to promote the adoption of OF. The current study aims to examine the costs, returns, and profitability for three crops (sugarcane, wheat, and paddy) under OF and CF, using data collected through a primary survey of 600 farmers (300 organics and 300 conventional) for the crop year 2020-21 in two districts of the Ganga River Basin. The study finds OF less profitable than CF for all three crops. Further, the results of crop-wise economics of OF and CF show that sugarcane is the most profitable crop and paddy is the least remunerative crop among all the three crops in the study
area under both farming systems. The findings suggest that the policy focus must be on raising productivity through reorientating R&D and extension services, establishing strong marketing networks, and institutionalizing the system of payments for ecosystem services for organic farmers.
2024-02-26T00:00:00ZSingh, S. P.PriyaSajwan, KomalConventional farming (CF) has significantly increased the aggregate supply of food grains and ensured food security for the growing population in India. However, it proved environmentally unsustainable due to its higher reliance on chemical inputs. Organic farming (OF) becomes an alternative approach that ensures the sustainability of the agricultural system. But, the transition from CF to OF can be a lengthy process, and farmers may experience income loss during its course. Farmers will switch only when they are convinced that the long-term benefits of OF are higher than those of CF. Therefore, a study on cost and return analysis can help policymakers take appropriate measures to promote the adoption of OF. The current study aims to examine the costs, returns, and profitability for three crops (sugarcane, wheat, and paddy) under OF and CF, using data collected through a primary survey of 600 farmers (300 organics and 300 conventional) for the crop year 2020-21 in two districts of the Ganga River Basin. The study finds OF less profitable than CF for all three crops. Further, the results of crop-wise economics of OF and CF show that sugarcane is the most profitable crop and paddy is the least remunerative crop among all the three crops in the study
area under both farming systems. The findings suggest that the policy focus must be on raising productivity through reorientating R&D and extension services, establishing strong marketing networks, and institutionalizing the system of payments for ecosystem services for organic farmers.Food security status and its determinants: A comparative study between farm households under government and non-government agricultural extension services in BangladeshSarmin, SusmitaHasan, Md. FaruqMondol, Md. Abu SayedRahman, Md. ZulfikarKarim, Md. Rezaulhttps://kobra.uni-kassel.de:443/handle/123456789/155192024-03-01T08:30:07Z2024-02-29T00:00:00ZThe ability to obtain food security is essential to human existence. Secure food access can have a variety of positive effects, such as economic expansion, the creation of jobs, and the eradication of poverty. This study assessed the food security status of farm households and its determinants in the Dinajpur district of Bangladesh. Efforts were also made to assess and compare the socio-economic demographics and item-wise calorie intake among households receiving government and non-government agricultural extension services. One hundred twenty-five (125) farm households receiving government or non-government extension services were selected using a multi-stage random sampling procedure. The percentages, means, and standard deviations were employed to summarise the data gathered during the interviews. The inferential statistical investigation involved using the independent sample t-test, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. The findings revealed that 68.8 percent of the families in the study area were food secure, while food insecurity was more prevalent for those receiving non-government extension services. In addition, significant differences existed between the selected characteristics of the two groups of farmers in terms of age, household head’s education, average family education, household size, farm size, farming experience, annual household income, annual household expenditure, knowledge on food and nutrition, and extension sources contact. There were also large discrepancies between the food item-wise calorie consumption between the two groups of farmers. The major determinants of household food security were dependency ratio, household size, training exposure, annual household income, knowledge on food and nutrition, and extension sources contact. It is recommended that both government and non-government agricultural extension organisations work together in an effective, transparent, and unbiased manner to reduce food insecurity.
2024-02-29T00:00:00ZSarmin, SusmitaHasan, Md. FaruqMondol, Md. Abu SayedRahman, Md. ZulfikarKarim, Md. RezaulThe ability to obtain food security is essential to human existence. Secure food access can have a variety of positive effects, such as economic expansion, the creation of jobs, and the eradication of poverty. This study assessed the food security status of farm households and its determinants in the Dinajpur district of Bangladesh. Efforts were also made to assess and compare the socio-economic demographics and item-wise calorie intake among households receiving government and non-government agricultural extension services. One hundred twenty-five (125) farm households receiving government or non-government extension services were selected using a multi-stage random sampling procedure. The percentages, means, and standard deviations were employed to summarise the data gathered during the interviews. The inferential statistical investigation involved using the independent sample t-test, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. The findings revealed that 68.8 percent of the families in the study area were food secure, while food insecurity was more prevalent for those receiving non-government extension services. In addition, significant differences existed between the selected characteristics of the two groups of farmers in terms of age, household head’s education, average family education, household size, farm size, farming experience, annual household income, annual household expenditure, knowledge on food and nutrition, and extension sources contact. There were also large discrepancies between the food item-wise calorie consumption between the two groups of farmers. The major determinants of household food security were dependency ratio, household size, training exposure, annual household income, knowledge on food and nutrition, and extension sources contact. It is recommended that both government and non-government agricultural extension organisations work together in an effective, transparent, and unbiased manner to reduce food insecurity.