ABSTRACT Smallholder farmers lack knowledge on the amount of income lost from improper grain management after harvest thus they make uninformed decisions on the storage technique to use. This study aimed at assessing the economics of grain storage techniques in Kilosa district in Tanzania. Specifically, the study aimed at performing a cost benefit analysis of grain storage techniques, to determine farmers’ perceptions on the effectiveness of grain storage techniques and to establish determ...
Abstract This study determines the level of knowledge of farmers on contamination mechanisms by pesticides, health problems associated with, related to pesticides exposure, to describe the practices and patterns of use of pesticides by small scale farmers in Ikorodu LGA and to find out if farmers need training on safety and use of pesticides. The technique of Multi stage sampling was used to obtain data for this study in Ikorodu, LGA. The Ikorodu LGA is divided geographically into five Local...
ABSTRACT This work examines the access and use of information communication technologies (ICT) among rural farmers in Enugu State. It is the contention of this study that there is a lacuna between access and usage of ICT among the rural farmers in Enugu state and generally in Nigeria. This study applauds the impact of ICT in enhancing the agricultural productivity in Nigeria especially as it concerns the rural communities. However, this work is designed to ascertain types of ICTs available to...
ABSTRACT Citrus is a major source of income in Kenya for both large and small scale farmers. However, citrus productivity has been declining over the years mainly due to pests and diseases, particularly the African Citrus Trioza (ACT), Huanglongbing (HLB) and False Codling Moth (FCM). Management of pests and diseases is sorely dependent on synthetic pesticides, which not only increases production costs but also are associated with high health and environmental risks. Use of integrated pest m...
ABSTRACT Pyrethrum production, processing and marketing has been faced with many challenges, evidenced by Kenya losing the top position of global supplier of pyrethrum. Kenya used to control 70% of the global pyrethrum market share. However, the production, processing and marketing of pyrethrum flowers has dwindled in recent years. According to the Pyrethrum Board of Kenya, markets have been lost to other competing countries, while farmers are shifting to alternative crops. While past studies...
ABSTRACT This research report describes the extent of the conflict between farmers and herders in Kiteto District which is found in Manyara District in Tanzania; the study is extended into exploring the root causes of the conflict, its impact and the effectiveness of the strategies that are used to curb out the conflict in the District. Data were collected from ten villages sampled from four wards in the District. Data were obtained through qualitative procedures, i.e. focus group discussion...
ABSTRACT The unavailability of adequate empirical data necessitated this study of analysis of rural farmers‟ use of improved cocoyam production practices in South-South, Nigeria with coverage States such as Cross River, Delta and Edo. The study described the socio-economic characteristics of rural farmers, identified the improved cocoyam production practices and determined the extent of rural farmers‟ use of improved cocoyam production practices among others. A total of 411 contact cocoya...
ABSTRACT Efforts to transform smallholder agriculture and improve productivity have yielded some positive results. Yet, smallholder productivity in Africa remains low relative to America, Asia, and elsewhere, threatening food security and livelihoods. A major reason is the slow pace of transformation in the agricultural production, research and development processes, and the effects of climate change impacts. This thesis examined smallholder transformational change processes using the Transth...
Abstract Marketing of crops in Tanzania has been undergoing change. Direct sales from farmers to traders and delivery to the Primary Cooperative Societies (PCS) were in practice at different points of time. Since 2007, the warehouse receipt system was introduced in Tanzania. The warehouse operators accept the deposit of crops in the warehouses and provide a receipt to the farmers through PCS and the farmers receive a part of the payments through bank financing based on these receipts. This s...
ABSTRACT Pineapple farmers in Ghana are not able to meet their potential yield. Organizations are making conscious efforts to help boost pineapple production by training farmers on topics such as input use and farm management. It is necessary to ascertain if some gaps in production still exist that need to be addressed. The study sought to identify the influence of inputs on pineapple production in conjunction with the production of other crops. It also estimated the technical efficiency s...
BSTRACT Despite the many roles small ruminants play in the livelihoods of rural small holder farmers. high mortality in small ruminants has been identified as the major constraint impeding productivity, and hence the livelihoods of small ruminant keepers. In the Savelugu-Nanton district estimated losses in livestock output due to mortality of small ruminants are in the tune of 35%. The present study focuses on the implications of these losses due to mortality in small ruminants in the distric...
ABSTRACT The Eastern province of Rwanda is highly populated. This has led to continuous cropping systems without addition of external fertilizers to compensate losses due to removal of grains and residues through harvesting. In such conditions, soil fertility decline is a major factor limiting per capita crop production in the area. It is quite difficult for smallholder farmers to afford to buy and apply adequate quantities of mineral fertilizers and organic sources, making it difficult for t...
ABSTRACT It is widely acknowledged that environmental degradation and poverty are positively correlated. Environmental degradation remains a persistent problem in the arid and semi-arid lands in Kenya. Addressing this problem calls for a wide range of interventions. Although several measures have been used to control and prevent degradation, the use of Jatropha curcas has not received much attention in Kenya. This may be attributed to lack of awareness among farmers on the potential role of ...
INTRODUCTION The poultry industry is very important to the Nigerian economy because it provides a good source of animal protein in eggs and meat. Protein plays important roles in the formation of a balanced human diet which is essential for the good health, vigor and productivity capacity of the people (Abdullahi, Maqbool & Bukhsh, 2007). Protein is also important in the building and repair of body tissues; a low intake of protein hinders the development of the brain, reduces the skillfulness...
Abstract This study focused on poultry farmers’ preference of information sources for accessing poultry management information in three rural districts of Tanzania. A mixed methods research design was deployed. Questionnaires and focus group discussions were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data respectively. Responses to the questionnaire which was administered by researchers in faceto- face meetings were received from 360 farmers, and 160 farmers participated in 16 focus group...