Majority of the rural households in Kenya depend mainly on agriculture as a source of food and livelihoods. Agricultural productivity has been declining due to many factors including climate change. Declining agricultural productivity has in turn resulted in increased food insecurity in the country. Consequently, there is a renewed interest in promoting drought-tolerant crops such as sorghum, which are known to perform well in the arid and semi-arid lands of the developing world. Owing to its...
ABSTRACT Potatoes are crops that although perishable can be stored easily with minimum loss of quality and quantity. Potato storage in Kenya is not common with the few farmers that practice it doing it traditionally and are therefore exposed to risks and consequently losses. Studies have indicated that the storage of potatoes is a means of protecting farmers from seasonality in supply and price fluctuations constraints. Studies in Tunisia, India, and USA have shown the benefits of potato sto...
ABSTRACT Shallow water Cape hake (Merluccius capensis) and Cape horse mackerel (Trachurus capensis) are ecologically and commercially important species in the northern Benguela ecosystem (Namibia). The understanding of their trophic relationships is however still limited. In this study stable isotope measurements [carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N)] of their muscles and stomach contents were used to investigate their feeding interactions. Understanding the feeding interactions of these two s...
ABSTRACT In Nigeria several small scale farmers make use of organic materials such as compost and manure to maintain soil organic matter and as sources of nutrients. The advantages of organic farming could include increased productivity and enhanced biodiversity of the farm lands and surrounding environment. This paper examined the utilization of organic of practices and materials, with highlight on farmers' demographics, knowledge of organic farming, attitude and constraint to use of organic...
ABSTRACT Studies have shown that poverty rates in Northern Ghana are two to three times more than the national average. Poverty, low income generation, and chronic food insecurity remains a critical challenge among the people in this region. Smallholder farmers in northern Ghana have limited access to the assets that would facilitate a shift from low productivity subsistence farming to modern commercial agriculture. The major constraints to their livelihoods include lack of infrastructure a...
ABSTRACT Studies have shown that poverty rates in Northern Ghana are two to three times more than the national average. Poverty, low income generation, and chronic food insecurity remains a critical challenge among the people in this region. Smallholder farmers in northern Ghana have limited access to the assets that would facilitate a shift from low productivity subsistence farming to modern commercial agriculture. The major constraints to their livelihoods include lack of infrastructure an...
ABSTRACT This study analyzed the factors that influence the adoption of improved maize varieties and the extent of adoption in northern and eastern zones of Tanzania. Data were collected from a sample of 548 households in northern and eastern zones by adoption pathway project in 2013 by using household survey questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were employed to determine the improved maize varieties adopted in the two regions and Heckman two stage sample selection model was used to determin...
Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) has become a touchy subject among all stakeholders in developing countries such as Ghana. Despite all efforts to promote the CSA in order to achieve sustainable yields, boost food and nutrition security, and adapt to and mitigate climate change, the farmers adoption is low. Stakeholders and other value chain actors, such as credit and service providers, are withdrawing in large numbers as a result of the agriculture risk trend. This study therefore seeks to sug...
ABSTRACTWhile there are many aspects to agricultural market modernization that are linked and mutually affect andreinforce each other, we argue in this paper that investment in Nigeria in physical market infrastructure,such as storage units, remains relatively neglected, especially in rural areas. That this is the case undermines successful agricultural development in the country. We examine the transactions cost, spatial market equilibrium, and industrial policy literatures to provide a co...
Abstract This study Aimed To Assess The Impact Of Agricultural Extension In Adaptation Of Agricultural Sector To Climate Change , The Study Was Conducted In Kijaira Adminstitive Unit Which Is Located In Elsalam Locality In West Kordoan State. A Questionnaire Was Formulated For Primary Data Collection,And A Sample Of 111 Farmers Were Selected Randomly Using The Multi-Stage Random Sampling Technique. The Secondery Data Used Was Collected From Previous Studies, Books Refrences And Reports Relat...
Abstract: The study set out to assess determinants of information seeking behavior of vegetable farmers and to identify the source of information for vegetable farmers in Haramaya Woreda, East Harargh zone of Oromia Regional State. The study employed multi-stage sampling procedures to select four Kebele administrations and 150 sample respondents. Primary data for this study were collected using interview schedule. Simple descriptive statistical analyses and an econometric model (Ordered Logi...
ABSTRACT This study was conducted in three wards of Kilosa District (i.e. Rudewa, Chanzuru and Mabwerebwere) to assess the effects of land tenure and farm fragmentation in the district. A sample of 90 households was selected for the study. Thirty households were selected from each ward. The general objective of the study was to assess the existing land tenure systems and farm fragmentation and their effects on agricultural productivity. The specific objectives were to identify the existing l...
The greenhouse technology is a booming segment of agriculture in the world, because it offers a favorable climate conditions which increase plants growth as the plants are grown in a controlled environment. This research assessed the present conditions of the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) in Ghana and emphasized on issues that are paramount to Greenhouse vegetable production effectiveness. The general objective was to evaluate the current status for greenhouses in Ghana and p...
EXTENDED ABSTRACT In Tanzania, limited attention has been channeled towards the assessment of the fertility status of the soils in areas perceived as suitable for agricultural activities, mainly crop production. In the absence of reliable soil fertility data and information, agricultural land use, and in particular crop production has resulted in very low yields of most of the crops, with subsequent land degradation. The Solomon Mahlangu Campus (SMC) farm – Sokoine University of Agricultu...
CHAPTER ONEINTRODUCTION1.1 Background of Study Nigeria is blessed with abundant natural and human resources, but despite its significant natural resources, majority of the citizens are living below the poverty line. For instance according to WDI, (2015), an estimated 60% of Nigerians live on less than US$1.25 per day. Nigeria was also ranked 91stout of a total of 104 counties on the 2015 Global Hunger Index and 153rdout of a total of 187countries on the 2012 UNDP Human Development Index. Maln...