ABSTRACT Agricultural transformation from low productivity to commercial agriculture has been a policy of concern in Sub-Saharan African countries whose economies depend on agriculture. Different pathways to commercialization have been adopted, including smallholder commercialization, medium and large scale commercial agriculture while others have adopted inclusive commercialization. However, the existing literature is inconclusive on which pathway should be adopted particularly in Sub-Sahara...
ABSTRACT A survey was conducted in 1994 to gather information on the practice of intercropping food crops in oil palm on small-scale farms in the oil palm zones of southern Ghana. The objective was to identify and study intercropping systems used in oil palm production. Data was collected by interviewing a total of 72 oil palm farmers from the oil palm growingregions,(Eastern, Central,Western,Ashanti,Brong-Ahafo,and Volta) at their farm locations. The responses indicated that the small-scal...
ABSTRACT Agriculture is important in developing countries because of the role it plays in attaining food security and rural economic stability. Financing the agriculture sector however, has been a challenge because of the sector‟s exposure to exogenous risk factors, limited collateral of clients and the seasonal nature of agricultural production. As a result of these risks that result in loan default, financial institutions in Ghana allocate a rather small share of their loan portfolios to ...
ABSTRACT A baseline survey and three (3) experiments (one (1) on-farm and two (2) on-station) were conducted in a study to introduce some dry season feeding strategies to cattle farmers in the Accra Plains. The baseline survey was carried out in the Dangbe East and West Districts of the Accra Plains for two main reasons: (i) to ascertain the reasons why cattle farmers had not adopted dry season feeding strategies which had been known in Ghana for some time and, (ii) to find out the types of ...
ABSTRACT This study was conceived in regard to the empirical reality that farming in Enugu State, as it applies to all parts of Southeastern Nigeria, is constrained by the adverse effects of climate change. It was therefore, considered necessary to conduct an assessment of smallholder farmers’ awareness to climate change, their adaptation strategies, the associated costs and returns, underpinning, and constraints to their adoption of the identifies adaptation strategies. This study assessed...
ABSTRACT Climate change has negative implications on small scale farmers in Zhombe Communal area as evidenced by the failure of agricultural production and poor rural living standards. The farmers within the area have adopted different improvisation strategies as a way of adapting to the climatic changes. The strategies include plant staggering, stream bank cultivation, irrigation farming, organic farming, conservation farming, harnessing IKS, and growing of small grain drought resistant crop...
ABSTRACT East African farmers have been facing low crop productivity as indicated by low yields of major staples, maize and rice, leading to food insecurity. As a result, the respective governments have offered solutions such as the introduction of high yielding maize and rice varieties. Farmers have expanded their farms into productive areas such as wetlands in an attempt to increase output to counter the effects of climate change complications, population pressure, and the declining product...
Abstract The study analysed off-farm income and farm capital accumulation among small-scale farmers at farm level in North Central Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 360 respondents, comprising participants and non-participants in off-farm work. The participants were disaggregated into three main typology namely, agricultural wage, nonagricultural wage, and self-employments. Data for the study were obtained from primary source with the aid of standard questionnaire and ...
Abstract The productivity of sorghum in Kenya is on decline despite sorghum being one of the suitable crops for the arid and semi-arid areas commonly found in Kenya. The study therefore aimed at establishing the effect of the selected socio-economic factors on sorghum productivity using a case of small-scale farmers in Siaya County. The four sub-counties considered for this study were selected on the basis of sorghum production. Stratified and random sampling techniques were applied to ident...
ABSTRACT The study assessed the factors influencing adoption of FARO 52 rice package by farmers in selected Local Government Areas of Niger state. Structured questionnaires were used for data collection. A multi-stage sampling procedure was employed where a total of 166 FARO 52 rice farmers were randomly sampled and proportionately drawn at 25% across each of the nine selected villages. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The result indicated that the package rec...
Abstract This research work was carried out to assess the effects of the Benue ADP’s cassava production technologies on the production and incomes of women farmers in Benue State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to identify and describe the cassava production technologies available in the study area; to describe the socio-economic characteristics o f cassava women farmers in the study area and determine their effect correspondents productivity and incomes; to determine and compa...
Abstract/Overview Kakamega County is a rich agricultural area where various food and cash crops are grown. However, changes in climate coupled with declining soil fertility over the area have an impact on crop production, and hence affect food security especially among small scale farmers. On the basis of this scenario, this study sought to explore the existence and determine the characteristics of climate variability/change, assess its impact on small scale farmers and explain their resi...
ABSTRACT The African Indigenous Leafy Vegetables (AILV) agricultural sub-sector in Kenya has in recent times gained considerable prominence and attention. A diverse number of studies have underpinned the role it can play in improving the economic standing of smallholders, while playing an imperative nutritional role in the diets of many consumers. Stemming from increased awareness on the rise of various lifestyle illnesses and crusaders championing for healthy eating habits, the demand of A...
ABSTRACT The study attempts to investigate the level of awareness, access and effectiveness of information and communication technology (JCT) tools among arable crop farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Data were gathered through a questionnaire scheduled on a total of 90 arable crop farmers. The data were analysed using frequency, mean, standard deviation, correlation coefficient and independent sampled t-test. The result revealed that, the mean age of the respondents was 50.5 years and mean y...
ABSTRACT Inclusive finance is drawing attention as a vehicle for economic growth and poverty reduction. This study focused on the impact of financial inclusion on poverty reduction among small holders‘ farmers in Dodoma particularly Chamwino District. The study specifically focused on the type of financial institutions available to small holder farmers, the contribution of access to financial services by smallholder farmers and the effects of financial inclusion on poverty reduction. The s...