ABSTRACT The agriculture sector supports the livelihoods of the majority of the population in Rwanda. Currently, the sector is dominated by smallholder farmers most of whom are women. In order to modernize and transform agriculture to market orientation, the government has put in place agriculture sector development programs for instance the Crop Intensification Program. One of the targeted crops in the program is the common bean. Nearly all households in Rwanda produce the common bean. Thoug...
ABSTRACT The interaction between extension agents and farmers and the extent to which farmers perceive extension agents as useful to them is paramount to bringing about change in agriculture output. However, little information is available in Kilindi District; therefore, this study was conducted to assess farmers‟ perception on the effectiveness of their extension agents in knowledge transfer to maize farmers in Kilindi District. Specifically, the study intended to: identify socio-economic ...
Abstract Agriculture in Kenya has great untapped potential for providing employment opportunities for youth that would enable them exploit their creativity, economic innovation and access to agricultural product markets in order to spur faster national economic growth. Reducing cereal importation in Kenya through local investment and expanding of markets for agricultural products can effectively create youth employment. A number of youth took part in agriculture in Kajiado North Sub- County ...
This study examined the effect of government expenditure on economic growth and development inNigeria for the period of 1990–2012. Time series data for twenty-two years were sourced from secondary data such as the CBN statistical bulletin and other relevant publications using the desk survey method. Ordinary Least Square (OLS) multiple regression technique was used to estimate theeffect of government expenditure on economic growth and development in Nigeria. Gross DomesticProduct, proxy for...
ABSTRACT Food security is an essential element of household well-being in a sustainable livelihood. This paper seeks to provide support for investing in smallholder agriculture to achieve food and nutrition security among food insecure households in Nigeria. The paper points to the importance of smallholder agricultural production and development policies in combating vulnerability to food insecurity. It uses literatures from various sources to explore the extent of vulnerability to food an...
Abstract Kenya’s Vision 2030 identifies agriculture as one of the key sectors to deliver sustainable economic growth and improved livelihoods for the poor in the rural areas. However, the sector continues to face several endemic and emerging constraints that require special attention. During the first two decades after independence, Kenya’s economy grew at an average rate of 6 percent per year and this was substantially driven by a robust agriculture sector. However, until about five yea...
Abstract: Agriculture remains the leading sector for economic development in Ethiopia. Recently, there has been a shift toward sustainable agricultural intensification practices and investigating eco-efficiency at the farm level, which promotes economic development, environmental improvements, and sustainable developments simultaneously. Within this framework, this study was meant to investigate the adoption, eco-efficiency and impacts of sustainable agricultural intensification practices (S...
ABSTRACT Productivity growth in an economy is important because it is an essential source of overall growth. The study evaluates the total factor productivity growth in agricultural sector of West African countries between 1961-2000 and also determined the technological change and technical efficiency change within the period. The study used data from the FAOSTAT Database of the FAO. The data were analysed using stochastic frontier production function. The results reve...
Abstract: Irrigation is one means by which agricultural production can be increased to meet the growing food demand in Ethiopia. Small-scale irrigation has been identified as an excellent way to augment rain-fed agriculture while also assuring food security, particularly in places with limited rainfall. Small-scale irrigation is a policy priority in Ethiopia for rural poverty alleviation and growth, as well as climate adaptation. This study was intended to evaluate the impact of small-scale ...
Abstract Meaningful agricultural development in any society largely hinges on extension system in place. Agricultural extension assists rural people in the community through educational procedure in improving their farming methods and techniques, thus increasing their production efficiency, income, social and living standard. To bring this to pass requires continuous training of extension personnel in order to cope with the emerging roles cropping up as a result of developmental programmes e...
ABSTRACT Though it is government policy to modernize the agricultural sector and make it a catalyst for rural transformation making Ghana an agro-industrialized country, very few students pursue agricultural programme as compared to other programmes at the SHS level. These students who pursues the agricultural programme do not match up to the standard in terms of skill acquisition to meet the job market hence tend to be ‘job seekers’ and end up in other sectors. The main objective of the ...
ABSTRACT This study investigated the evaluation of rural credit markets in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State. The study focused on the financial lending institutions (formal and informal) that lend money to farmers, the differences in the lending conditions and amount of loan granted between the identified sources. Also, the impact Of the loan on the beneficiaries level of production and income. Data relevant to the study were collected through the use of both structured qu...
ABSTRACT Lack of credit, especially among small-scale farmers. has been one of the factors that impede the adoption of numerous innovations recommended by Agricultural Extension services in MALI. The situation has been mainly attributed to inadequate establishment of services in areas where poor and marginalized farmers (especially women) live. An unfortunate assumption has been that poor farmers do not save and, therefore. constitute a high credit risk. To address this state of affairs, Sasa...
Abstract: Climate variability and change is increasingly threatening livelihoods and food security and in turn, the attainment of national development goals in Kenya. The declining productivity of agricultural production systems calls for a transformational change in farming practices to ensure sustainable and resilient agriculture. This study assessed smallholder farmers’ perception of climate variability and change, climate smart agricultural practices used by farmers to adapt to climate...
Abstract: Ethiopian rural households are heavily reliant on small-scale, rain-fed agriculture for their livelihoods. The use of existing water resources for irrigation development is the most promising answer to the country's unpredictable rainfall patterns and periodic droughts, which make agricultural production challenging and to enhance the food security of smallholder farmers. The primary goal of this study was to assess the determinants of SSI participation and the impact of SSI on hou...