ABSTRACT In recent decades, the main and potential contribution of agriculture to economic growth has been a subject of much controversy among development economists. Assome contend that agricultural development is a pre—condition forindustrialization, others strongly object it and argue for a different path. Takingadvantage of ordinary least square method (OLS), the research carried out bymeans of secondary data and using the, independent variables. Real grossdomestic product (RGDP), Agric...
ABSTRACT The study examined farmers and development agents’ (DAs) perceived effectiveness of the Public Agricultural Extension Service (PAES) in Soddozuria Woreda, Southern Ethiopia. Hence, 225 farmers and 85 DAs were randomly selected; pretested and validated questionnaires were used; and data were analyzed using Software Package for Statistics and Simulation (SPSS). Farmers and DAs’ perceived effectiveness levels of the PAES were found to be low though the mean difference between the ...
Food security has become a national priority for the country considering that a vast majority of its 198.1 million population is food insecure. Food and nutrition insecurity is prevalent in Nigeria despite its favourable agroecological endowments. It has a total landmass of 92.4 million hectares, out of which only about 32 million hectares or 34.63 percent are under cultivation. Nigeria, therefore, lacks both the capacity and capability to cater for the food and nutrition requirements of its ...
ABSTRACT This study assessed livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Ihemi Cluster based on male and female headed-households. The methodology involved a cross-sectional research design with sample size of 150 respondents. Purposive sampling technique was used to select Ihemi Cluster among other Clusters of the SAGCOT intervention and stratified sampling technique was used to select respondents. The main methods of data collection used were structured household questionnaires and focus group d...
ABSTRACT Green (fresh) maize (Zea mays L.) provides food security and income to farmers especially when other crops are still in the field. However, research on green maize variety is scarcely reported in literature or information on suitable genetic material (germplasm) for green maize production. Developing maize for fresh maize production in the southeastern Nigeria was carried out in the Center for Agricultural Research, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal Univ...
ABSTRACT Green (fresh) maize (Zea mays L.) provides food security and income to farmers especially when other crops are still in the field. However, research on green maize variety is scarcely reported in literature or information on suitable genetic material (germplasm) for green maize production. Developing maize for fresh maize production in the southeastern Nigeria was carried out in the Center for Agricultural Research, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal Universi...
Mesquite plant [Prosopis juliflora (Swartz) DC] is an invasive, evergreen and multi-purpose leguminous tree or shrub, native to South America. Unfortunately, due to deliberate distribution within Sudan, the plant became a threat to agriculture and biodiversity. The observed absence of ground vegetation under its canopy suggests that it has some allopathic potential that may be caused by fallen fruits, leaves, roots exudates or plant leachates. The release of these allelochemicals in t0 ...
Abstract: The performance of the agricultural sector in many developing countries has been rated as belowaverage, in particular the staple cereal crops whose productivity is limited by both biotic and abioticfactors. Furthermore, underperformance by the agricultural sector has in part been attributed to theinability of women to access resources, yet they represent a crucial resource in agriculture and the ruraleconomy through their roles as farmers and entrepreneurs. These challenges can be ...
Abstract Rural livelihoods, incidence of poverty and climate change are intricately connected in the Offinso Municipality in the Ashanti region of Ghana. Conscious of the vagaries of climate change, smallholder farmers have developed adaptation measures to sustain their subsistent livelihoods. This paper examines the various on-farm adaptation measures among smallholder farmers in the Offinso municipality with the view to drawing lessons for effective policy making and implementation. A tria...
Abstract: There is evidence that food insecurity has been increasing recently in Sub-Saharan Africa. The foundation of this statement is that development of agriculture can contribute both to the increase of food supply and constitute the main source for generating income, thus ensuring access to food by the greater proportion of food insecure people. This study was guided by various objectives in reviewing the global concerns and trends underlying the threat to food security. Emphasis is on...
Abstract: Soil characterization, classification and land suitability evaluation are the main information sources for precision agriculture, land use planning and management. However, the fertility status of the soil and sustainable soil management practices that are based on the understanding of soil system are not available for most part of Ethiopia. On the basis of this fact, a study was conducted in Muger sub-watershed, North Shoa zone of Oromia region, Ethiopia to (i) characterize and cl...
ABSTRACT The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has adopted mobile phone for extension delivery. However, much was unknown the competencies and frequency of mobile phone use by farmers and extension agents. The study used descriptive correlation design to assess mobile phone use in agricultural extension delivery in Eastern Region, Ghana. Multi-stage sampling and structured interview schedule were used to collect data from 95 AEAs and 330 farmers. Statistical tools such as frequencies, percenta...
Abstract: Indigenous breeds adapt and survive in often challenging environments and diverse agroecological areas representing an important genetic resource for livelihood of their owners and the national economy at large. Therefore, there is a need to improve the productivity of indigenous animals through developing sustainable breeding programs so as to enhance their competitive advantage in the face of crossbreeding threats. The current study was performed in Kafta Humera district of Tigra...
Efficient use levels of sustainable soil management techniques (SSMT) are sine qua-non for increased food production. Hence, the study assessed the determinants of use-levels of sustainable soil management techniques of arablecrop farmers in ImoState, Nigeria. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select 209 arable crop farmers for this study. Information on the objectives of this study was elicited from the sampled respondents through a well structured questionnaire. Data wereana...
EXTENDED ABSTRACT Gender inequalities are said to be a stumbling block to development efforts. Conversely inequalities are reported in many agricultural value chains. Therefore, understanding of gender participation differences within Sunflower Value Chain (SVC) is important in promoting sustainable and equitable opportunities in the agricultural value chain. This study was set to map the sunflower value chain and analyse the levels and determinants of gender participation along the chain. ...