ABSTRACT Rice is a major food crop in Sierra Leone with a high per capita consumption of 104 kg annually. Average yield (t/ha) is low, leading to a yield gap of 350,000 metric tons, which is met through import. A good number of rice farmers in Sierra Leone are cultivating on mangrove swamps, which are highly associated with salinity, resulting in the low average yield (tonnes per hectare). Salinity is a major abiotic stress devastating rice production in saline soils, including the mangrove e...
ABSTRACT The Northern Region of Ghana is important agriculturally and contributes significantly to the livestock sub-sector. Livestock production in the region is, however, bedevilled with many constraints such as animal diseases and inadequate feed and water for livestock during the dry season. Among animal diseases, trypanosomosis is identified as the most important constraint and the sustainability of the control of tsetse, which is the main vector of this disease, is the focus of this stu...
Drought is one of the leading environmental challenges to farmers worldwide. Research has shown several response strategies to this challenge but little is known of its relationship to migration. Moreso studies have had little to say of the mediating circumstances leading to drought-induced migration. The research investigates the relationship between drought and migration and how migration decisions are mediated and reflected under drought-induced conditions among households in the vi...
ABSTRACT With the growing concerns about the likely implications of climate change, the long term sustainability of conventional agricultural approaches and biodiversity loss have contributed to a growing interest in the potential of the so-called underutilised crops to address food, nutritional, and income security challenges. In support of their wider use, advocates of underutilised crops associate a number of benefits with them. These include agronomic and nutritional benefits such as drou...
ABSTRACT The research investigated the root-cause of the 2013-2014 unrests witnessed by communities in Makurdi and environs while examining the effects on the welfare of lives and livelihoods. Substantially, the study assessed the response and preparedness, adaptation and resilience strategies of communities to the event aiming at proffering possible solutions. Data sourced were drawn from primary and secondary sources; questionnaire and oral interviews from the field and State Emer...
Abstract Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production in Kenya has not reached its potential yield due to various abiotic and biotic factors. Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum lindemunthianum and root rots caused by Pythium species are major production constraints. Landraces are preferred by farmers in Kenya due to yield stability and tolerance to some stresses. However, there is little information on the genetic diversity of the landraces and the level of resistance to anthracnose and...
Increasing the productivity of maize-based cropping systems has strategic importance for food security and socio-economic stability. This study assessed the impact on adoption of improved maize varieties on farmers‟ livelihood in Sumaila Local Government Area of Kano State, Nigeria. The study examined the socio-economic characteristics of the maize farmers, determined adoption rate of improved maize varieties by the farmers, determined the factors influencing adoption of improved ...
Abstract Rainwater harvesting has been practiced among smallholder farmers for centuries in many parts of the world. Recently, it has gained more attention due to the reported increasing water demand and the need for sustainable water management. Drawing on data from a cross sectional survey of 384 household heads (HH), the research study explored the determinants for rainwater harvesting among smallholder farmers in Murang’a County, Kenya. Multistage random sampling technique was employed...
ABSTRACT The study adopted a pragmatist approach to assess farmers‟ vulnerability and adaptation to drought in three agro-ecological-locations in Ghana. It analysed the variations in precipitation deficits by using precipitation values for 1983-2014 period. It also assessed the variation in drought vulnerability, farmers‟ adaptation and barriers to drought adaptation. The cross-sectional survey design was utilised. A random sample of 326 farmers and six purposively selected lead farmers p...
Abstract Extension training is intended to increase the efficiency and performance of the human resource that acts responsibly in a society based on a communication interaction with knowledge sources. The main objective of this study was to assess the effect of training farmers on banana value addition among smallholder farmers in Meru and Tharaka-Nithi counties. The study adopted a pragmatic paradigm and a cross-sectional survey design and sampled 370 and 30 farmers proportionately obtained...
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 Management is the cornerstone of organizational effectiveness. People‟s efforts are co-ordinated and guided towards achievement of organizational objectives through management processes. People are usually motivated to carry out the management processes in order to satisfy needs either inherent or from the external. Mumias Sugar Company (MSC) is a large-scale organization and hence is controlled by bureaucratic structures. MSC supplies 60% of the sugar consumed in Kenya, but its su...
The poultry industry worldwide suffers significantly due to climate change, which may affect the chicken protein source. The study examined backyard poultry farmers' awareness, perceptions, and responses to climate change in Tonkolili, Sierra Leone. Data were collected from 232 backyard poultry farmers using a semi-structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS 23.0 Software. According to the respondents' socioeconomic profiles, the majority of farmers (53.4%) were between the ag...
ABSTRACT A study was carried out in Kinondoni district in Dar es Salaam region with the aim of establishing factors affecting adoption of AI technology by dairy farmers. Data were collected using formal and informal interviews where structured questionnaires were administered to 90 randomly selected dairy farmers from three wards. The data were analysed quantitatively using descriptive analysis and Tobit regression. Results from descriptive analysis indicated that dairy farmers who used AI te...
ABSTRACT Background: The effect of pesticide on human health and the environment is a major global public health issue. Knowledge of farmers on pesticide use and practices may contribute significantly to the burden of pesticide in human population and the environment. Objectives: This study assesses knowledge, work practices and self-reported symptoms associated with pesticide use among vegetable farmers in the Offinso North District of the Ashanti region. Methodology: The study was derived f...