There is growing evidence that low-cost open-source 3-D printers can reduce costs by enabling distributed manufacturing of substitutes for both specialty equipment and conventional mass-manufactured products. The rate of 3-D printable designs under open licenses is growing exponentially and there are already hundreds of designs applicable to small-scale organic farming. It has also been hypothesized that this technology could assist sustainable development in rural communities that rely on sm...
Abstract The contributions of soil biota toward outcomes of pathogenic interactions between Radopholus similis and Fusarium oxysporum V5w2 in tissue culture banana plants starved of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) were investigated. The study was based on three screenhouse factorial experiments (2 × 2 × 2) comprising of potted banana plants with or without R. similis, with or without F. oxysporum V5w2, and either grown in sterile or non-sterile soil. All plants in each of t...
ABSTRACT The research on “The Forms and Effects of Soil Degradation on Agricultural Land” was calTied out in Bor town Jonglei State, south Sudan. The major areas of the investigation were discussed to known the causes of soil degradation and adverse impacts on farming land and what solutions to be put in place to minimize the occurrence of soil degradation. Methods like photography, interviews, questionnaires, and observation were used for effective and efficient data collection. At the p...
Land evaluation, characterization and classification of soil for the proposed oil palm plantation in Ekpri Ibami, Akamkpa Local Government Area, Nigeria was conducted on 50 ha of land using a combination of both conventional and digital survey methods. The objective of the research was to characterize, classify and evaluate the land for the proposed oil palm production. Three soil mapping units were identified (EKP I, EKP II and EKP III) and representative profile pits were du...
INTRODUCTION Agricultural microbiology is a branch of microbiology dealing with plant-associated microbes and plant and animal diseases. It also deals with the microbiology of soil fertility, such as microbial degradation of organic matter and soil nutrient transformations. Agricultural microbiology is a scientific discipline oriented to satisfy the request of new knowledge from the society, consumers and producers, needed for the exploitation of microbial resources in the main frame of agric...
Abstract Opportunities exist for adoption of precision agriculture technologies in all parts of the world. The form of precision agriculture may vary from region to region depending on technologies available, knowledge levels and mindsets. The current review examined research articles in the English language on precision agriculture practices for increased productivity among smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. A total of 7715 articles were retrieved and after screening 128 were review...
Abstract At the global level, land degradation is on the increase thus threatening millions of livelihoods particularly in the drier ecosystems. More specifically, land degradation is a major concern in Kenya and more particularly in the drylands of Embu County. Soil fertility has been steadily declining, resulting in low agricultural output and endangering smallholder farmers who rely mostly on subsistence agriculture for a living. Selecting appropriate Regenerative Agriculture (RA) technol...
Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) has become a touchy subject among all stakeholders in developing countries such as Ghana. Despite all efforts to promote the CSA in order to achieve sustainable yields, boost food and nutrition security, and adapt to and mitigate climate change, the farmers adoption is low. Stakeholders and other value chain actors, such as credit and service providers, are withdrawing in large numbers as a result of the agriculture risk trend. This study therefore seeks to sug...
Abstract: Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) are considered an integral avenue for the pursuit of Kenya‟s development agenda. They are seen as a vehicle through which the government encourages and involves the private sector through investments in projects and services, give better value for money and transfer significant risk and management to the private sector. The adoption of the PPP arrangement by Kenya was prompted by the increasing demand for quality and affordable services from cit...
Abstract: Land degradation is a global, ongoing and relentless problem diminishing the functions and services provided by land resources. The problem is most serious in tropical regions, high in population density and mainly dependent on subsistence agriculture. Ethiopia can be viewed as a vivid example of countries in these regions most affected by land degradation. Although its extent varies, the problem is widespread in all regions of the country. The highlands, originally endowed with ab...
Abstract: Climate-smart agriculture is expected to play a key role in tackling climate-related challenges to agricultural livelihoods and food systems. However, the implementation of these programs involving efficient, sustainable, and productivity-enhancing technologies and their adoption rate has remained low, particularly among small-scale farmers. The purpose of the study was to analyze determinants of climate-smart agricultural practices adoption in Toke Kutaye district, West Showa Zone...
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to establish critical success factors that could enable sustainable agritourism development in Zimbabwe. This study was premised on the fact that there has been underutilisation of agricultural attractions for tourism purposes, despite the country being agro-based and having several farms that could be developed into agritourism farms. The study adopted a qualitative approach and a multi-case study design was applied. In-depth interviews were carried o...
Abstract: Crop models are crucial in assessing the reliability and sustainability of soil water conservation practices. The AquaCrop model was tested and validated for maize productivity under the selected climate smart agriculture (CSA) practices in the rainfed production systems. The model was validated using final biomass (B) and grain yield (GY) data from field experiments involving seven CSA practices (halfmoon pits, 2 cm thick mulch, 4 cm thick mulch, 6 cm thick mulch, 20 cm deep perma...
Abstract: Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) are a major concern in agriculture as they cause significant crop damage resulting in yield losses and economic losses for farmers (FAO, 2019). For the past 50 years, the control of PPNs has relied heavily on the use of synthetic nematicides and soil fumigants, which have been effective in rapidly controlling nematode populations. However, due to environmental and health concerns, many traditional nematicides have been banned or withdrawn from the m...
Abstract: Climate Change and Variability affects water supply and food security, especially in developing countries where many small-scale farmers rely on rain-fed agriculture for food production and as a main source of livelihood. The extent of the effects of climate change and variability on these small-scale producers largely depends on their level of adaptation, adaptive capacity, exposure and vulnerability. This study evaluates the effectiveness of Conservation Agriculture (CA) as a pos...