ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to assess the technical efficiency of tomato farmers in the Ashanti region of Ghana using the stochastic frontier methodology. The study looked at the productivity levels of tomato farmers, examined the determinants of technical inefficiency of tomato farmers and analysed the constraints generally facing tomato production in the region. A total of 150 tomato farmers in three districts namely Offinso South, Offinso North and Asante Akim North in the Ashan...
ABSTRACT This study established the relationship between agriculture development of the programme NAADS and poverty status of rural farmers in Bushenyi District. Specifically, the study sought to determine the (i) profile of the respondents, (ii) level of agriculture development, (iii) level of poverty status of rural farmers (iv)whether there was a significant relationship between agriculture development programme and poverty status of rural farmers. A descriptive correlation design was used...
ABSTRACT The main objective of the study was to determine if there were differential barriers to entry into dry season farming in the Kassena Nankana East and Bongo Districts of the Upper East Region of Ghana and if so, how this affects participation and to what outcome. The types of barriers identified as important from the literature were categorized into economic, institutional, technical and socio- cultural barriers. The research design was a case study and used both quantitative ...
Abstract Investment on agriculture by countries is essential because it is core to every nation’s development. In Kenya, people particularly youth are involved in agriculture yet it attracts limited investment. This study which was aimed at highlighting age, gender participation and the role of literacy in small scale farming among the trained youth in Kiambu County, Kenya. This was mixed methods descriptive and cross sectional study that also employed triangulation to enhance confidence i...
ABSTRACT This study examined access to formal credit by farmers’ co-operatives in Enugu State. The specific objectives were to: (i) ascertain the institutional credit guidelines which affected access to formal credit by farmers’ co-operatives in Enugu State, (ii) describe the patterns of access to credit, (iii) ascertain the extent of access to formal credit by the respondents, (iv) ascertain the factors which determined access to formal credit, (v) examine the respondents’ perceptions ...
ABSTRACT Contract farming (CF) is increasingly gaining importance. However, there are some controversies on its impact on the livelihood in agrarian societies. It is alongside this argument that pressed on conducting the present study to ascertain the impact of contract farming to the livelihood of grapevine farmers in Dodoma Municipal, Tanzania. Specifically, the study aimed at examining the main features of grapevine CF, identifying factors that influence small grape farmers' engagement in...
ABSTRACT In recent times, rice production can be said to be receiving some attention in Ghana. This notwithstanding, there are still wide variations in rice yield across regions due to differences in production systems and technologies. This study analyses rice productivity heterogeneity among agro-ecological zones and draws policy implications for the adoption of farmer innovation systems (FISs) and improved agricultural technologies (IATs) to enhance yield in Ghana. The study used primary...
ABSTRACT Njombe region which was part of Iringa until 2012, has been receiving subsidized fertilizer since the National Agricultural Input Voucher Scheme (NAIVS) was introduced in 2008. This study aimed at assessing whether targeting subsidized fertilizer through its delivery system to reach maize smallholder farmers was achieved as intended under the NAIVS. More specifically the study was undertaken to determine the level of awareness among farmers regarding their eligibility to subsidized f...
ABSTRACT This study was focused on farmers’ perception of the relevance of technologies generated by research institutes in south-western Nigeria in the area of agroforestry , land evaluation, improved varieties and machinery And equipment. A multistage random sampling technique was used to select the sample size. Two zones were purposively selected (Ogbomoso and Oyo) for they are the food basket of the state. The existing total numbers of farmer groups was obtained (120), out of this; ten...
ABSTRACT As part of the National agricultural modernization agenda, through the promotion of technology driven agriculture, efforts of research and development had over several decades now been concentrated on developing and disseminating improved technologies and best agricultural practices to farmers with little success. Maize, being the major cereal crop in the country, several projects have been implemented to develop the maize sub-sector. However, these efforts have not achieved the com...
ABSTRACT Limited access to credit is one of the fundamental problems faced by rice farmers in the Northern Region of Ghana. As such, it is the aim of government and other organizations such as the Food Security and Rice Producer Organization (FSRPOP) to increase rice farmers‟ access to credit. However, studies on the demand side of the credit market of rice farmers that would help formulate appropriate policies essential for increasing rice farmers‟ demand for credit are missing. The stud...
ABSTRACT The growing population in developing countries has necessitated a shift in preference for indigenous food. Small ruminant meat being one of the preferred indigenous products has registered huge increase in demand over the last few years. Therefore, demand for sheep and goat meat is predicted to rise predominantly in Arid and Semi- Arid Lands (ASAL), thereby creating new meat markets as well as expansion of the existing small ruminant value chain. Isiolo- Nairobi small ruminant value...
ABSTRACT African indigenous vegetable (AIV) farmers have limited information in the areas for training and readiness to access and produce vegetables to satisfy the growing demands by retailers in Kenya. The study assessed the readiness of women AIV farmers in Kakamega County to satisfy quality standards for high value markets (HVMs). Descriptive survey design, multistage sampling technique and interview schedule were used to collect data from 276 farmers. Observations and discussions with ke...
Abstract/Overview Dairy farming plays a major role in the Kenyan agricultural sector as it is dominated by smallholder farmers who contribute approximately 80 per cent of the total milk production. In Kinangop Sub County, there are many credit service providers however, not all smallholder dairy farmers have benefited from such services, instead smallholder dairy farmers have continued to experience challenges such as limited access to financial services. This study therefore analyzed the...
ABSTRACT Farmers field schools (FFSs) provide farmers with an opportunity to experiment new technologies which help them to make informed decisions that eventually lead to increased agricultural production and productivity. This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of Farmer Field Schools (FFS) in terms of improving agricultural productivity in selected villages of Mvomero District, Morogoro region. Effectiveness was conceptualized as the performance of FFS graduates meeting the g...