Artisanal small-scale mining activities are on the rise with several concerns. Whiles these are issues of concern, farmers in the mining communities are providing labour services to ASM for wages. This study investigated the determinants of farmers’ decision to provide labour services to ASM. It also assessed the welfare effects of providing labour services to ASM operations. Multi-stage sampling technique was employed to collect cross-sectional data from 200 farm households in two district...
Abstract Banana is one of the most important fruits in Kenya as it contributes to about 32% of the foreign income of the total exported fruits. Despite this contribution, banana farming is facing numerous challenges such as lack of clean planting material, pest and diseases and poor agronomic and crop husbandry practices leading to low productivity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate technology adoption along banana value chain and its effects on productivity among smallholder farmers...
Artisanal small-scale mining activities are on the rise with several concerns. Whiles these are issues of concern, farmers in the mining communities are providing labourservices to ASM for wages. This study investigated the determinants of farmers’decision to provide labour services to ASM. It also assessed the welfare effects of providing labour services to ASM operations. Multi-stage sampling technique wasemployed to collect cross-sectional data from 200 farm households in two districts i...
Abstract The agriculture sector is the backbone of Kenya’s economy, contributing approximately 33 percent of Kenya’s gross domestic product (GDP). The agriculture sector employs more than 40 percent of the total population and 70 percent of the rural population. Kenya’s agriculture is predominantly smallholder farming and is carried out on farms averaging 0.2–3 ha, mostly on a subsistence basis. The objective of this study was to determine factors influencing the use of mobile phone-...
Abstract: Currently, climate variability and change has been recognized as a greatest global challenge facing humans being and their socio-economic activities. Rwanda like other developing countries has experienced climate variability and change, which declined agricultural productivities results into decreased national and household food security. To adapt to the changing climate, farmers need a transformation in their farming practices and adopt various practices that sustainably increase ...
Abstract: The study was initiated with the objectives of analyzing the structure, conduct and performance of markets to measure the efficiency of pastoral and agro pastoral participation in sheep and goats market chains and examine the major factors that influence the quantity of sheep and goats marketed by the producer households. Three steps Stratified random sampling procedure was used to determine the sample households based on the farming system and accessibility of the kebeles of the d...
ABSTRACT The concern of humanity is the need to tackle the increasing challenges of severe land degradation and desertification of the ecosystem. The study examined the impacts of agroforestry practices on soil fertility in rural areas of Katsina State, Nigeria. Purposive sampling technique was employed in collecting data from one hundred (100) rural farmers with structured questionnaire administered in two Local Government Areas of Katsina State, namely Batsari and Safana. The data were anal...
Abstract This study analyzed the value chain in rice production systems in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Purposive and random sampling techniques were used in the selection of respondents for the study. The Rice value chain actors comprised rice farmers, processors and traders. Data for the study were obtained from primary sources using questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Functional analysis, Value Chain Map, Costs and Returns analysis, Linear Programming tec...
ABSTRACT Inadequate support in terms of credit facilities from government and financial institution has been identified as one of the major problem affecting farming operation particularly that of the small scale farmers in Nigeria. This study analyzed the impact of credit facilities to the operation of small scale farms in Nigeria using BENDE Local Government as a case study. Questionnaires were used to source the data used in carrying out this research. The research design employed for th...
ABSTRACT Introduction of cocoa-agroforest in the Gwira Banso forest concession necessitates the following research questions: what evidence is there on the viability (profitability) of the proposed cocoa-agroforest practice? What are the short-tenn and long-term cash flow implications and how suitable are they to the farmers who are dependent on the forestland for their livelihood? How can farmers’ knowledge on industrial use of timber trees, prices of timber trees, production and sale of t...
ABSTRACT Shai Osudoku, a District known as the cradle of Dangme land and Krobo culture, and a predominantly farming area, is experiencing the sprawl phenomenon. Agricultural lands, which serves as the main source of livelihood to majority of the inhabitants in the District, has been encroached by the process of urban sprawl. A major result of this phenomenon is a growing sprawl at the fringes of some of its major towns. This study focuses on assessing the impact of urban sprawl on agricultur...
ABSTRACT The phenomenon of increasing rice importation defying several policy interventions has been of great concern in Nigeria. This rising importation is however driven by increasing demand, shortage in domestic supply and consumers’ preference for imported rice. Yet, comprehensive national studies on determinants of demand, supply response and preference switch for rice are scarce. Thus, the determinants of demand, supply response and preference switch for rice were investigated. Seco...
ABSTRACT This study evaluated the impact of the extension services of Green River Project (GRP) on fish farmers in Niger Delta, Nigeria. Specifically, it sought to ascertain fishery technologies received by GRP fish farmers; determine adoption of fish farming technologies by fish farmers; determine impact of extension services of GRP on socioeconomic condition of the fish farmers as at the year 2012; ascertain farmers’ perceived constraints to adoption of GRP fish farming technologies; asce...
Abstract Access to market plays a vital role in poverty alleviation among smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. Agricultural markets provide income generating opportunities for farmers in rural areas hence improving their livelihoods. Avocado fruit has a high demand in both local and export markets due to its nutritional value and industrial use. However, smallholder avocado farmers have not benefited from this increased demand. The purpose of the study was to assess the effects of tran...
ABSTRACT Available information reveal that financial performance of Public Universities has continued to dwindle despite implementation efforts to their budgets with its inherent control features. Budgetary Control refers to how well managers utilize budgets to monitor and control costs and operations in a given accounting period. It is a process for managers to align financial performance goals with budgets, compare actual results and adjust performance. Sound financial performance is a core...