ABSTRACT A survey of 120 tomato farmers under two production systems was carried out at Tono and Vea in the Upper East region, Derma and Techimentia in the Tano district of the Brong Ahafo region to assess farmers’ knowledge of insect pest problems, production systems and pest management practices with emphasis on pesticide use patterns. Residue levels of Lindane, Endosulfan and Chlorpyrifos insecticides in harvested tomato fruits from Derma, Techimentia, Tono and Vea areas were determ...
ABSTRACT This study analysed the tomato value chain in Rugombo district in order to develop new insights on the nature of activities along the chain and shade light on possible strategies that may increase primary actor’s (smallholder farmer’s) income. Primary data for this study were collected from various primary, support and institutional actors of the value chain using structured questionnaire and checklist. Descriptive statistics, gross margin and multiple linear regression models we...
ABSTRACT. NGOs have played a pivotal role towards capacity development of small scale farmers through provision of agricultural information. This study assesses the impact of NGOs intervention on capacity development of small scale farmers in ward 5 of Mutasa district in Manicaland province. The objectives of this study were to assess the capacity needs of farmers, evaluate contribution made by NGOs to enhance capacity of farmers in ward 5 of Mutasa District as well as to assess the challen...
ABSTRACT Maize is the most important staple food and cash crop in Tanzania. Cattle manure has become an important as a source of soil nutrients in situations where use of inorganic fertilizer is not affordable. In view of the apparent decline in soil fertility, deliberate efforts are required to promote utilization of cattle manure for crop production. The Main Objective of the study was to assess the use, attitudes, constraints, and impacts of cattle manure in maize farming in Njombe Distri...
ABSTRACT The study assessed the effects of climate change coping and adaptation strategies on food security among smallholder farmers in the Northern Region of Ghana. Purposive and simple random sampling was used to select a total of 240 maize farmers from 8 randomly selected communities in Savelugu/Nanton municipal and Tolon district. The analytical methods used included descriptive analysis and the Kendall’s coefficient of concordance. The results revealed that smallholder maize farmers ...
ABSTRACT Agricultural work is one of the riskiest occupations for the eye due to high level of exposure to hazards. However, most often the needs of such workers especially in developing countries such as Ghana are not met as a result of inadequate infrastructure and health professionals. A community-based cross-sectional survey was carried out to evaluate the ocular health status, working conditions and perception of safety among 185 cocoa farmers at Mfuom. A structured questionnaire was use...
ABSTRACT This study attempts to revisit and to assess the adoption impact of sustainable land management technology practices on community livelihood in West Usambara Mountains. Primary data were collected through household questionnaires, focus group discussions, key informants interviews and personal observations while secondary data were collected from relevant local authority reports and records. A total of 160 households were interviewed. Descriptive statistics, binary logistic regressio...
ABSTRACT The continuous fall of maize production and non or low adoption of recommended maize production practices like fertilizer application in the Namtumbo District of Ruvuma Region have enhanced to conduct this study. The study investigated the adoption level and factors that influence the adoption of recommended fertilizer package (Phosphate, Nitrogen fertilizers and time of Nitrogen application) in the study area. The primary data were collected by the use of structured questionnaire fr...
ABSTRACT The study explored the groundnut gendered yield gap and socio-economic factors for groundnut production in Tanzania. The study was based on ICRISAT survey data collected from 938 farmers randomly selected in 9 producing regions namely; Shinyanga, Mwanza, Geita, Dodoma, Tabora, Mbeya, Songwe, Rukwa and Mtwara representing different socio-cultural and agro-ecological zones. Data were analyzed using the stochastic frontier production function to establish the groundnut yield gap and f...
ABSTRACT Agriculture is an important source of food and economic survival of rural populations in Tanzania however farming activities are highly affected by rainfall variability which cause loss in crops and livestock yield. This study explored adaptation strategies to rainfall variability, socioeconomic factors influencing maize production in mixed farming systems. Specifically, assessed the trends in rainfall and maize production, determined the relationship between trends, identified farm...
Abstract: The objective of this paper was to investigate farmers’ knowledge and management of rice blast disease in Tanzania. Farmers’ household survey was conducted in five districts namely Mvomero, Morogoro rural, Ulanga, Korogwe and Muheza in April and May 2017. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using semi-structured questionnaire and observations made through transect walks across selected villages. Farmers observed symptoms of rice blast disease for the first time ...
ABSTRACT The study analyzed small-scale cassava-based farmers’ demand and utilization for microfinance banks credit in Imo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to: examine the socio-economic characteristics of small-scale cassava-based farmers; determine the amount of credit demanded and obtained by small-scale cassava-based farmers; estimate the factors influencing the amount of credit demanded by small-scale cassava-based farmers; estimate the determinants on the amount of cred...
ABSTRACT Women play a vital role in food production, however, little has been documented about their role in food security for their households despite their efforts in food production. The purpose of the study was to assess the role of women in household food security in Mpeketoni Location, Lamu County, Kenya. The objectives of the study were: to identify the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of women farmers; to determine farming inputs used by women farmers; to establish the fa...
Abstract Sugarcane production worldwide has been declining due to many challenges in several countries as their population grows. Earlier studies in the sugar industry have through years offered suggestions and solutions to how the ailing industry could be revived and improved but have not been successful. In Kenya, some sugarcane industries are closing down yet more sugar is needed. This study examined the challenges facing small scale sugarcane farming in Malava sub–county, Kakamega Coun...
ABSTRACT 80% of the Kenyan Population live in the rural areas and are involved in agriculture on a subsistence basis. This represents a lack of enterprise culture that accounts for the poverty in the rural areas. In order to eradicate poverty in the rural areas the subsistence farmers need be made to adopt an enterprise culture by practicing their main economic activity as a business enterprise. GOK,(2005) To attain this the factors that account for the lack of entrepreneurial behaviour amon...