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: Crucifers and traditional African vegetables (TAVs) are important to smallholders in Kenya and Tanzania, but yield remains below potential due to pests and diseases. Agroecological production methods present a nature-based solution to pest and disease management in crucifer and TAV production. We explore the status of farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding agroecological-based production pest management practices. Structured and pretested questionnaires were used ...
Abstract In Nigeria, as in many other countries, wastewater use in agricultural production by farming households is on the rise and there is a need to draw the attention of key players and urban authorities in fostering appropriate planning initiatives. For this reason, the perception and knowledge of vegetable farmers becomes necessary to improve their production activities and yield. While previous studies have confirmed limited or no awareness information and education to vegetable farmers...
ABSTRACT Commercialization has potential of enabling rural households to advance in vegetable production through better access to financial services, and enriched market coordination and participation. In recent years, there have been efforts to boost vegetable commercialization particularly among smallholder female farmers in Kilifi County. Since risk attitudes vary from male to female farmers, the differences in risks and risk perceptions of farmers may in part explain the unwillingn...
ABSTRACT Vegetables remain an important source of nutrients in many parts of the world as they contain essential micronutrients, vitamins, antioxidants, and other health-related phytochemicals. They complement staple-based diets. Economically, vegetable production and marketing has a potential of high profit, employment, income generation and increasing commercialisation of the rural areas. However, vegetables are highly perishable and as such most actors in the vegetable value chain incur hi...
EXTENDED ABSTRACT Urban Agriculture is crucial to the supply of food especially fresh vegetables in many urban areas including Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. In addition to the supply of food, it serves as a source of employment and income for many urban dwellers. However, the intensive and continued growing of vegetable on same piece of the land tend to trigger enormous pests pressure of diverse species which calls for the most effective and robust pest management practices. As such, most urban...
ABSTRACT The main objective of the study was to assess the effect of certified organic production systems on the livelihood of smallholder producers in Kenya. The study followed explanatory research design using two purposively pro-poor chosen case studies (honey production in Mwingi district and vegetables production in Ngong district). Collection of primary data was through face-to-face interviews using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Collection of contextual data was through focu...
ABSTRACT Commercialization has potential of enabling rural households to advance in vegetable production through better access to financial services, and enriched market coordination and participation. In recent years, there have been efforts to boost vegetable commercialization particularly among smallholder female farmers in Kilifi County. Since risk attitudes vary from male to female farmers, the differences in risks and risk perceptions of farmers may in part explain the unwillingness of ...
ABSTRACT This study was conducted to determine high-value market opportunities for smallholder vegetable farmers in Arusha Region. To do so, the study provides a micro-level survey. The survey was conducted on smallholder vegetable farmers and high-value markets in Arusha Region. The specific objectives were identifying the characteristics of smallholder vegetable farmers in Arusha Region; determining factors that influence smallholder vegetable farmers participation in high-value market opp...
ABSTRACT Hydroponics is a cultivation method of growing plants in water. It is a technology suitable for farming that is under artificially controlled environments but can be adapted to situations where land is a constraint. In Namibia this is a potential method for vegetable cultivation. Hydroponics vegetable production has been demonstrated successfully using a balanced conventional nutrient solution, globally, and therefore, an evaluation of its suitability in Namibia using goat manure so...
ABSTRACT Biochar is a type of charcoal that can be used to condition agricultural soils. The application of Biochar to agricultural soils as a conditioner can improve soil fertility and crop productivity. The agricultural sector of Ghana is characterized by low productivity and low level of technology use. The study sought to assess the factors that influence Biochar technology adoption in amending soils for vegetable production in the Kwahu East district of Ghana. Primary data was collected ...
ABSTRACT The prevalence of climatic events, such as drought and floods in northern Ghana has contributed significantly to food shortages in the area. This prompted the need for appropriate alternatives to enhance food production and improve rural livelihoods. The PAVE Irrigation Technology (PIT) is rainwater harvesting technology being promoted by Conservation Alliance (CA), International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC) and International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in Northern Ghan...
ABSTRACT Vegetable production is one of the economic activities of farmers in the Northern Region of Ghana. It is an income generating activity from which most farmers meet their livelihood outcomes. Despite the fact that some of the vegetable farmers receive extension services from MoFA Agriculture Extension Agents with the expectations that yields of their vegetable would increase and their livelihood outcomes would have improved, the farmers still record low yields. This study therefore ai...
ABSTRACT There are lots of constraints facing dry season vegetable production in Nigeria which can be corrected using the group-based extension services platform. Previous studies have focused on individual extension approaches that can only attend to one farmer at a time, thus limiting information dissemination. This study, therefore, investigated the effects of Farmers-Field School (FFS) and Demonstration Extension Methods (DEM) on knowledge and production of vegetables among dry season fa...
Abstract: Bactrocera invadens Drew, Tsuruta & White (Diptera: Tephritidae), an invasive fruit ßy species of Asian origin, was detected in Kenya in 2003, and is now well established in several parts of the country. We assessed the host range of this major quarantine pest in Kenya by collecting a wide range of cultivated and wild host plants from December 2004 to April 2006. Fruit were collected from 90 plant species representing 40 families from the Coast, Eastern, and Rift Valley provinces ...