Abstract: Contract farming has become a main pillar of the strategy to promote agricultural development in Ethiopia. Hence, this study aims at analyzing perceived risks, determinants of contract enforcement mechanisms and impacts of vegetables contract farming on production efficiency and income, using data collected from 423 smallholder vegetable producing households from four districts of East Shewa zone, central rift valley of Ethiopia. The study combines both quantitative and qualitative...
Abstract: Ethiopia is at low level of production and consumption of vegetables although the country has favorable climate condition for the production of vegetable crops. Lake Tana basin is one of the most potential vegetable production areas in the country. However, vegetable production in this area is carried out at smallholder level whose production practices are subsistence with low production and marketing infrastructure. This study aimed to examine the production efficiency, market per...
EXTENDED ABSTRACT Urban Agriculture is crucial to the supply of food especially fresh vegetables in many urban areas including Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. In addition to the supply of food, it serves as a source of employment and income for many urban dwellers. However, the intensive and continued growing of vegetable on same piece of the land tend to trigger enormous pests pressure of diverse species which calls for the most effective and robust pest management practices. As such, most urban...
ABSTRACT This study was conducted to determine high-value market opportunities for smallholder vegetable farmers in Arusha Region. To do so, the study provides a micro-level survey. The survey was conducted on smallholder vegetable farmers and high-value markets in Arusha Region. The specific objectives were identifying the characteristics of smallholder vegetable farmers in Arusha Region; determining factors that influence smallholder vegetable farmers participation in high-value market opp...
ABSTRACT Hydroponics is a cultivation method of growing plants in water. It is a technology suitable for farming that is under artificially controlled environments but can be adapted to situations where land is a constraint. In Namibia this is a potential method for vegetable cultivation. Hydroponics vegetable production has been demonstrated successfully using a balanced conventional nutrient solution, globally, and therefore, an evaluation of its suitability in Namibia using goat manure so...
ABSTRACT The use of recommended agricultural practices such as the safe adoption of pesticides is influenced by several factors as identified in the evaluative frame of reference. These factors have often led to the existing gap between farmers‘ knowledge and pesticide use. The purpose of the study was to examine the contribution of socio-economic factors to the application of skills acquired through training on the safe use of pesticides in vegetable production in the Accra Metropolitan As...
ABSTRACT The study has intended to investigate the application of mobile phones in information dissemination regarding pests control and diseases management for vegetable crops with a consideration of tomatoes productions in Kilolo district. The study aimed at bridging the gap that exists between farmers and agricultural officers. The study involved two wards, and was mainly qualitative supported by quantitative research paradigms to collect and analyse data from tomato farmers, ICT expertise...
ABSTRACT In sub-saharan Africa tomato is an important vegetable crop. In order to promote tomato production in Tanzania, the government has undertaken several measures. This study sought to assess socio-economic and institutional factors that influence productivity among smallholder farmers in Musoma Municipality. Specifically the study aimed at assessing productivity of tomato; determining socio-economic factors influencing tomato productivity, and determining institutional factors that inf...
Abstract Sudanese rural tanning is an inherited craft. The methods and the indigenous materials employed by the rural tanners have remained unchanged for a long time. This is due to poverty, illiteracy, poor communications and lack of access to modern scientific technologies of leather production. As a result, the leathers produced by rural tanners are hard, crusty, liable to crack, tear. Moreover, the process period is long. The objective of the study is to investigate the possibilities of a...
ABSTRACT Onion is one of the most important vegetable in Tanzania. However, yields are generally low weeds are among the major pests which reduce onion yields. A field experiment was conducted to assess the effectiveness of weed management practices in onion (Allium cepa L.) at Sokoine University of Agriculture, Horticulture unit during the dry season of October 2013 to February 2014. The experiment was laid down in a RCBD design with three replications. Three onions varieties (Red Bombay, Re...
ABSTRACT Biodiesel, defined as the monoalkyl esters of vegetable oils and animal fats, is becoming prominent among alternatives to conventional petro-diesel due to economic, environmental and social factors. Transesterification is the most preferred method of biodiesel production. Knowledge of transesterification reaction kinetic enables prediction of the extent of the chemical reaction (or the conversion) at any time under particular conditions. It is also essential in the optimization of op...
ABSTRACT The Keta Municipality has the advantage in the production of a variety of fresh vegetables all year round through irrigation. The Municipality is known for its shallot production. However, if gains from shallot farming are not increasing to enable it compete with other produce; the system will be converted into other vegetable horticultures. This study aimed to assess how small scale irrigation is critical to the shallot value chain and the nature of relationship that exists among t...
ABSTRACT Farmers’ access to relevant and useful agricultural information is key to improving their productivity. Research shows that the information needs of farmers differ and that the behaviour of farmers in seeking information is as varied as their production systems. The study was conducted to identify the information needs and assess the information seeking behaviour of urban vegetable farmers whose activities supplement the food needs of an increasingly urbanised population in sub-Sah...
Abstract: Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) is an important African indigenous vegetable in the tropics where it is considered as a key source of nutrients and income for small-holder farmers.The crop is drought tolerant and does well in poor soils because of its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen. Cowpea is commonly used in soil fertility management and provides livestock fodder. However, the exploitation of the full potential of this crop is constrained by abiotic and biotic factors that...
ABSTRACT A study was conducted to assess the extent of community participation in solid waste management (SWM) in Mbeya City, Tanzania. Data were collected using both structured and non-structured interviews. Field observations and secondary data supplemented the data collected using questionnaires. Purposive sampling procedures were used to obtain three representative wards. At ward level, 60 respondents each from different households were picked at random for the study leading to a sample...