Abstract: In 2010, the Economic Stimulus Program (ESP) was initiated by the Government of Kenya with the aim of encouraging aquaculture in Kenya. Kitui Central Sub- County benefited with 200 fish ponds under ESP. However, their status is not known in terms of production, challenges and the contribution of fish farming to household wellbeing. To address this, a sample of sixty (60) fish farmers were used from the targeted 200 fish farmers who benefited from the Government’s support. The pri...
Abstract: This study was conducted to estimate the technical efficiency of smallholder wheat producers and identify its determinants in Soro district of Hadiya zone, southern Ethiopia. Cross sectional data from a random sample of 125 wheat producing farmers collected during 2015/16 production season were used for the analysis. The estimated results of the Cobb- Douglas frontier model with inefficiency variables shows that the mean technical efficiency of the farmers in the production of whea...
Abstract: As history tells us, poverty in South Wollo including the study area Kalu district, is deep rooted and worse that the majority of people have suffered from poverty and poverty related problems for a very long period of time. Albeit there were decades of national and international funded development programmes in agriculture and rural development, sustained inflow of food aid and emergency relief operations, object poverty still characterize the lives of a large proportion of the po...
Abstract: Climate change is already having an impact on agriculture as a result of increased prevalence of extreme events, increase of mean temperature, changes in water availability, and perturbations in ecosystems and increased unpredictability of weather patterns. This can lead to reduction in agricultural production and lower income in vulnerable areas. Developing countries and smallholder farmers in particular are being especially hard-hit by these changes. Adoption of climate smart agr...
Abstract: Farmers face a continued challenge in accessing agricultural information and technologies due to several economic, social, cultural and environmental factors. This study set out to assess Farmers’ Access to Agricultural Extension Services in Aweday Rural Kebeles. The specific objectives were to assess the status of farmers’ access to agricultural extension services and to evaluate the factors that influence their access to agricultural extension services in Aweday. The sampling...
Abstract: The performance of Development Agents is an important factor for the fulfillment of agricultural extension’s goals. The job performance of the DA relies on the job satisfaction, motivation and competence of the individual DA. Performance evaluation is a key duty in extension organization to determine whether the goals of extension are achieved or not. Development Agents in the study area showed low motivation, and less communication with farmers. Moreover, farmers were not satisf...
Abstract: Mobile phone is an essential ICT tool which supports farmers to have access to lucrative beef cattle markets by increasing access to timely market information. However, little is known about the potential impact of mobile phone in beef cattle marketing in Girar Jarso district, Ethiopia. Therefore, this study focuses on use of mobile phone in beef cattle marketing among smallholder farmers in Girar Jarso district, Oromia region, Ethiopia. The specific objectives of the study were to...
Abstract: This study was intended to assess the use of mobile phone to access and utilize information in wheat production in Burie District. The specific objectives of the study were to assess the use of mobile phone, factors determining the use of mobile phone; and challenges and opportunities of mobile phone use to access and utilize information in wheat production. Four kebeles were selected purposively for their wheat production potential. Simple random sampling technique (lottery method...
Abstract: This study was conducted to examine the information needs and information seeking behavior of agricultural researchers of Fadis and Mechara agricultural research centres in East and West Hararghe Zones. The study went further to establish the preferred sources of information and problems faced when seeking information. No study has been done on this topic in these study areas. Questionnaire was used as a data collection tool along with observation checklist and focus group discussi...
Abstract: Information flow has increased impact on perishable agricultural products by enabling the timely sharing and usage of information to make decisions. This is because firstly, they will be spoiled if not used timely. Secondly, prices of perishable products are highly dependent on freshness at the time of exchange. Fish production and timely marketing is important for its consumption that could be done at its fresh state. In this regard, lack of timely market information leads to fish...
Abstract: Timely access to market information would increasingly enable smallholder farmers to make timely, reliable, realistic and viable decisions. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) play an important role in this regard. This study was intended to assess factors affecting use of information and communication technologies for cereal marketing in Dembecha woreda. Random sample of 150 households were selected from four purposively selected kebeles. Descriptive statistics, infe...
Abstract: This study was intended to identify the factors influencing use of mobile phone in vegetable marketing in Fogera district. Use of mobile phone in vegetable marketing and factors influencing mobile phone use were specific objectives of the study. Three kebeles from Fogera district were selected purposively based on their vegetable production potential. Simple random sampling technique (lottery method) was used to select 153 vegetable producer farmers. Interview schedule and key info...
Abstract: On-farm study was conducted to evaluate and demonstrate the effects of urea treated straw and urea molasses block on milk yield, milk composition, feed intake and body weight gain of cross-bred lactating dairy cows in urban and peri-urban dairy production system of Lume District. Three treatments were considered: T1: urea treated straw + concentrate, T2: urea molasses block + untreated teff straw + concentrate and T3: untreated straw + concentrate. Pre-visit and survey was made and...
Abstract: The study was conducted in Gondar Zuria and Banja districts in Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia with the aim of evaluating genotype by environment interaction on production performance of Koekoek, Kuroiler, Sasso, and Sasso-RIR chicken under smallholder production system. About 120 total households were selected for the survey work based on purposive and random sampling methods. The survey was conducted using a questionnaire and focus group discussion. These survey data were analysi...
Abstract: Over 80 percent of the population in Uganda live in rural areas and is mainly engaged in subsistence agriculture for their livelihood. Crop farming especially tomato growing is an activity that communities rely on for their livelihoods as well as a source of income for many households in Uganda. Tomatoes contribute to the household income, food and nutritional security yet they are affected by pests and diseases due to poor agronomic practices, lack of improved varieties for high y...