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Adoption and utilisation of Zai pits for improved farm productivity in drier upper Eastern Kenya
(2020-03-06)
Inadequate and poorly distributed rainfall and declining soil fertility have led to low crop productivity in most smallholder farms in sub-Saharan Africa. As a result, there has been a renewed quest for sustainable and resource-use efficient agricultural production practices. Zai pit technology is a practice that has the potential to alleviate water stress and enhance soil fertility. We assessed the factors that influence farmers' adoption and utilisation of Zai pits in Tharaka-Nithi County in upper Eastern Kenya. ...
Aufsatz
Determinants of households’ membership in agricultural cooperatives in Bhutan
(2021-10-05)
The Royal Government of Bhutan has been promoting agricultural cooperatives (ACs) in the country; however, the number of people joining ACs is small. This study was conducted to identify the factors influencing households' decision to join ACs in Central Bhutan. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect data from 384 households (192 AC members and 192 non-AC members). Trained enumerators collected data in June and July 2018 using structured questionnaires. The binary logistic regression showed that households ...
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The effects of grain storage technologies on maize marketing behaviour of smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe
(2020-01-13)
This study investigated the effects of grain storage practices on smallholder farmers’ maize marketing behaviour using primary data collected from 413 random households in Makoni and Shamva Districts of Zimbabwe. The data was analysed using the ordered probit model and the study results revealed that storage practices had significant effects on the maize marketing behaviour of smallholder farmers. Storage using insecticide and traditional granary increased the chances of farmers to become net sellers of maize. Using ...
Aufsatz
Seasonal variation in mycoflora associated with asymptomatic maize grain from small-holder farms in two provinces of South Africa
(2020-11-27)
Seed quality plays an important role in the establishment of healthy crop stands. The aim of this study was to identify the mycoflora associated with maize grain collected over two growing seasons, one experiencing severe drought, from small-holder farms across KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and the Eastern Cape (EC), two important provinces with maize producing small-holder farmers in South Africa. Asymptomatic maize ears were collected at harvest during two maize growing seasons from farms located in Hlanganani (KZN), ...
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A comparative cost-benefit analysis between fairtrade certified and non-certified cocoa production in the South-West region of Cameroon
(2021-12-31)
In order to promote cocoa agroforestry by encouraging cocoa farmers to integrate fruit trees inside their cocoa orchards, cocoa certification was initially launched since 2012 in Cameroon. Nowadays, cocoa certification is adopted by a few farmers and makes up only 3% of the national cocoa production. Using the most predominant Fairtrade certification in the South-West region, this study compared certified and non-certified cocoa production via a cost-benefit analysis. The results indicated that, in spite of its ...
Aufsatz
Effect of different mechanical seed scarification methods on germination and emergence dynamics of baobab (Adansonia digitata L.)
(2021-10-28)
The African baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) is a multipurpose fruit-producing tree that is indigenous to the African savannahs. Commercial interest in the species has grown in recent years. The major obstacle of seed-based propagation of baobab is its inherent seed dormancy. Therefore, in this study the effects of different mechanical seed scarification methods on seed germination parameters and seedling development of A. digitata were tested. The results show that mechanical scarification had a significant effect on ...
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Growth performance and immunological response of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) juveniles reared in biofloc system
(2021-06-08)
This study was conducted to examine the growth and immune performance of catfish (Clarias gariepinus) juveniles cultured in a biofloc fish farming system. To achieve this, 900 C. gariepinus juveniles (9.0 ± 0.23 g) were cultured in an intensive zero water exchange biofloc system for 72 days in 9 separate tanks (2 m3 each) aerated by an air blower, after which growth assessment of fish was conducted. The trial consisted of three treatments in triplicates, a control without carbon source addition, and two biofloc ...
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Scaling up community-based goat breeding programmes via multi-stakeholder collaboration
(2020-05-01)
Community-based livestock breeding programmes (CBBPs) have emerged as a potential approach to implement sustainable livestock breeding in smallholder systems. In Malawi and Uganda, goat CBBPs were introduced to improve production and productivity of indigenous goats through selective breeding. Scaling up CBBPs have recently received support due to evidence-based results from current implementation and results of CBBPs implemented in other regions of the world. This paper explores strategies for scaling up goat CBBPs ...
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Mixed method survey of vegetable farming and rural farmers’ livelihood in Enugu State, Nigeria
(2021-12-07)
Studies on the role of agriculture on the improvement of livelihood of farmers have primarily focused on staple crops. Increased awareness on the importance of vegetables in urban and rural areas in Nigeria has led to a rise in demand of vegetables. In both rural and urban communities, smallholder farmers are responding to this demand by increasing vegetable production and thereby creating economic opportunity for themselves. The purpose of this paper is to assess the role of vegetable farming on rural farmers’ ...
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Choice of savings instruments among rural women maize farmers: evidence from Uganda
(2021-05-25)
Households in developing countries employ a wide range of mechanisms for making cash and in-kind (goods and services) savings which are either formal or informal. Yet, literature on how choices about appropriate savings instruments are made remains scanty. We examine the patterns and choice of these saving instruments using household data from women farmers in eastern Uganda. In particular, the paper focuses on the choice between formal cash saving instruments like commercial banks, village savings and loans associations ...