Analysis of Crop Production Constraints Through Participatory Rural Appraisal in Harari Region, Eastern Ethiopia; Implications for Research and Development
Participatory rural appraisals (PRA) were conducted in July 14 to 30, 2016 in AGP-II project target districts: Erar waldiya and Dire Teyara in Harari region of Ethiopia. PRA exercises were conducted using various PRA tools which included review of secondary data, focus group discussions, field observations (Transact walk) and pair-wise ranking. The tools were used to identify the biophysical and socio-economic constraints, opportunities and developments within the kebeles. Agricultural and animal productions are common in the surveyed Kebeles of the AGP-II target districts. Mixed farming is widely practiced in the kebeles of both districts. Staple food crops like maize and sorghum, and cash crops like vegetables and khat (Catha edulis Forsk) are commonly produced across all targets of AGP-II districts and also as region as well. Growing maize and sorghum in khat alleys is another cropping system practiced in both districts. The PRA work has also identified various categories of constraints to increasing crop production in the areas. The major bottlenecks include lack of improved crop varieties, low soil fertility, deforestation, moisture stress, disease and insect pests, and lack of awareness on soil fertility crop management. In most of the PRA Kebeles, it was found that continuous cropping, complete removal of crop residues from farm lands, soil erosion, deforestation, absence of fallowing, and inadequate soil fertility management practices are the major causes for low soil fertility and crop yields. In most cases, farmers apply Di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), urea and farmyard manure to improve soil fertility and crop yield. However, very few farmers use integrated application of chemical fertilizers and farmyard manure for crop production. In addition, no scientifically formulated and recommended fertilizer rates are available for the specific soils and environments. Thus, due to the lack of scientifically recommended rates of fertilizers and high costs of mineral fertilizers, farmers often use smaller rates of mineral N and P fertilizers based on haphazard estimations.
Participatory agricultural production constraint analysis was conducted in AGP-II project supported district; Biyo-Awale district from Dire Dawa Adminisrative Councile (DDAC) of Ethiopia with the objective to assess agricultural production constraints of the target community in the study area. The study was used Participatory Rural Appraisals (PRA) approach to collect and generate the required data and infortation. The study used PRA tools which included reviewing secondary data, focus group discussions, pair-wise ranking, and field observation. Results of PRA study revealed that the main crop production constraints facing the study area are shortage of improved crop varieties for cereal and horticultural crops, pest infestation (weeds, crop disease, and insects), moisture stress due to eratic rainfall distribution and inadequate moisture management practices. The PRA study also revealed that crop production was constraints facing are drought, deforestation, depletion of water resource and declining of soil fertility. The PRA study further indicates shortage of financial capital, and inadequate support in the income source diversification have been identified as major institutiona constraints that are limiting the capacity of the communities to diversify their livelihoods. Hence, there is need for research, development and institutional interventions to alleviate the identified constraints to crop production and socioeconomic in the study area through holistic approach.
“Economic Analysis of Onion Production in Sujanagar and Santhia Areas of Pabn...inventionjournals
The study investigated the productivity, profitability and resource use efficiency of onion production in Sujanagar and Santhia areas of Pabna district, Bangladesh. The multi-stage sampling technique was employed for collecting primary data from a sample of 100 onion farmers elected randomly from four villages in the study area. Findings indicated that the socio-economic characteristics played important role in producing onion where most of the farmers were male, middle aged (41-60), more or less experienced and illiterate and Cobb-Douglas production function was applied for estimating the onion production function which implied the elasticity of output with respect to seed, cultivation, fertilizer, insecticide labor and irrigation that were positive values of 0.136, 0.244, 0.211, 0.130, 0.159 and 0.200 respectively and also significant. The yields, costs of production and net benefit of onion production were 1535.6 kg, Tk. 26329.63 and Tk. 26883.48 per bigha respectively which proved that the onion production was profitable over the study area. But the onion producers faced some major problems such as the lack of appropriate storage facility and technical knowledge, lack of efficient human labor and its higher price, unavailability of high yielding seed and higher input cost in the study area.
Determinants of Adoption of Improved Agricultural Technology and Its Impact o...Premier Publishers
The importance of agricultural technology in enhancing production and productivity can be realized when yield increasing and technologies are widely been used and diffused. Standing from this logical ground, this paper aimed at identifying the factors affecting agricultural technology adoption decision and examining the impact of adoption on household’s income in chiro district west Hararghe zone, Oromia national regional state, Ethiopia. Both primary and secondary data was used; primary data was collected through structured questionnaire administered on 97 randomly selected smallholder farmers and secondary data was collected from published and unpublished document related to this topic. For data analysis purpose both Probit and Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression models were employed. From the total 97 respondents 80 of them were adopted improved agricultural Technology while the left were not adopted improved agricultural technology in the study area. The regression result revealed that agricultural technology adoption has a positive and significant effect on household income by which adopters are better-offs than non-adopters. The probit regression result revealed that gender of the household head; access to irrigation, credit service; extension service and income of the household head significantly affect adoption of improved agricultural technology in the study area. From these finding researchers recommend that government should encourage small scale irrigation, credit service and extension service in the study area.
Economic Efficiency Analysis of Smallholder Sorghum Producers in West Harargh...Premier Publishers
The study was aimed at analyzing the economic efficiency of sorghum producing smallholders in West Hareghe zone. It was based on cross-sectional data of 200 sample sorghum producing households randomly selected. The estimation of stochastic frontier production function indicated that labor, DAP fertilizer, area, seed and oxen power affects sorghum yield positively. The estimated results showed that the mean technical, allocative and economic efficiencies were 78.9%, 38.6% and 33.6% respectively which indicates the presence of inefficiency in sorghum production in the study area. Among factors hypothesized to determine the level of efficiencies, frequency of extension contact had positive relationship with technical efficiency and it was negatively related to both allocative and economic efficiencies, while soil fertility was also found to significantly influence technical efficiencies positively and experience has positive relationships with technical efficiency and allocative efficiency and slope significantly affects technical efficiency negatively. The result also indicated that cultivated land was among significant variables in determining technical efficiency and economic efficiency of farmers in the study area. Education was found to significantly determine allocative and economic efficiencies of farmers positively. The result indicated that there is a room to increase the efficiency of sorghum producers in the study area. Therefore, emphasis should be given to improve the efficiency level of those less efficient farmers by adopting and using the best practices of relatively efficient farmers.
Participatory agricultural production constraint analysis was conducted in AGP-II project supported district; Biyo-Awale district from Dire Dawa Adminisrative Councile (DDAC) of Ethiopia with the objective to assess agricultural production constraints of the target community in the study area. The study was used Participatory Rural Appraisals (PRA) approach to collect and generate the required data and infortation. The study used PRA tools which included reviewing secondary data, focus group discussions, pair-wise ranking, and field observation. Results of PRA study revealed that the main crop production constraints facing the study area are shortage of improved crop varieties for cereal and horticultural crops, pest infestation (weeds, crop disease, and insects), moisture stress due to eratic rainfall distribution and inadequate moisture management practices. The PRA study also revealed that crop production was constraints facing are drought, deforestation, depletion of water resource and declining of soil fertility. The PRA study further indicates shortage of financial capital, and inadequate support in the income source diversification have been identified as major institutiona constraints that are limiting the capacity of the communities to diversify their livelihoods. Hence, there is need for research, development and institutional interventions to alleviate the identified constraints to crop production and socioeconomic in the study area through holistic approach.
“Economic Analysis of Onion Production in Sujanagar and Santhia Areas of Pabn...inventionjournals
The study investigated the productivity, profitability and resource use efficiency of onion production in Sujanagar and Santhia areas of Pabna district, Bangladesh. The multi-stage sampling technique was employed for collecting primary data from a sample of 100 onion farmers elected randomly from four villages in the study area. Findings indicated that the socio-economic characteristics played important role in producing onion where most of the farmers were male, middle aged (41-60), more or less experienced and illiterate and Cobb-Douglas production function was applied for estimating the onion production function which implied the elasticity of output with respect to seed, cultivation, fertilizer, insecticide labor and irrigation that were positive values of 0.136, 0.244, 0.211, 0.130, 0.159 and 0.200 respectively and also significant. The yields, costs of production and net benefit of onion production were 1535.6 kg, Tk. 26329.63 and Tk. 26883.48 per bigha respectively which proved that the onion production was profitable over the study area. But the onion producers faced some major problems such as the lack of appropriate storage facility and technical knowledge, lack of efficient human labor and its higher price, unavailability of high yielding seed and higher input cost in the study area.
Determinants of Adoption of Improved Agricultural Technology and Its Impact o...Premier Publishers
The importance of agricultural technology in enhancing production and productivity can be realized when yield increasing and technologies are widely been used and diffused. Standing from this logical ground, this paper aimed at identifying the factors affecting agricultural technology adoption decision and examining the impact of adoption on household’s income in chiro district west Hararghe zone, Oromia national regional state, Ethiopia. Both primary and secondary data was used; primary data was collected through structured questionnaire administered on 97 randomly selected smallholder farmers and secondary data was collected from published and unpublished document related to this topic. For data analysis purpose both Probit and Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression models were employed. From the total 97 respondents 80 of them were adopted improved agricultural Technology while the left were not adopted improved agricultural technology in the study area. The regression result revealed that agricultural technology adoption has a positive and significant effect on household income by which adopters are better-offs than non-adopters. The probit regression result revealed that gender of the household head; access to irrigation, credit service; extension service and income of the household head significantly affect adoption of improved agricultural technology in the study area. From these finding researchers recommend that government should encourage small scale irrigation, credit service and extension service in the study area.
Economic Efficiency Analysis of Smallholder Sorghum Producers in West Harargh...Premier Publishers
The study was aimed at analyzing the economic efficiency of sorghum producing smallholders in West Hareghe zone. It was based on cross-sectional data of 200 sample sorghum producing households randomly selected. The estimation of stochastic frontier production function indicated that labor, DAP fertilizer, area, seed and oxen power affects sorghum yield positively. The estimated results showed that the mean technical, allocative and economic efficiencies were 78.9%, 38.6% and 33.6% respectively which indicates the presence of inefficiency in sorghum production in the study area. Among factors hypothesized to determine the level of efficiencies, frequency of extension contact had positive relationship with technical efficiency and it was negatively related to both allocative and economic efficiencies, while soil fertility was also found to significantly influence technical efficiencies positively and experience has positive relationships with technical efficiency and allocative efficiency and slope significantly affects technical efficiency negatively. The result also indicated that cultivated land was among significant variables in determining technical efficiency and economic efficiency of farmers in the study area. Education was found to significantly determine allocative and economic efficiencies of farmers positively. The result indicated that there is a room to increase the efficiency of sorghum producers in the study area. Therefore, emphasis should be given to improve the efficiency level of those less efficient farmers by adopting and using the best practices of relatively efficient farmers.
http://www.fao.org/globalsoilpartnership/en/
This presentation was presented during the Eurasian Soil Partnership workshop that was held on 29 February - 02 March 2016 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan and it was made by Eka Sanadze.
CHANGING CROPPING PATTERN IN PANCHAGANGA BASIN, MAHARASHTRA: A GEOGRAPHICAL I...Malhari Survase
Cropping pattern simply means the proportion of area under
different crops at a point of time, whereas changes in cropping pattern
refer to change in proportion of area under different crops at two different
times. Present paper aims to study cropping pattern and changes therein
for individual crops in general and irrigated crops in particular in the
region. The selected region for the present investigation is the
'Panchaganga Basin' of south Maharashtra state comprising 7 tahsils of
Kolhapur district, Maharashtra. For the present investigation, data
regarding area under different crops has been compiled from Socio-
Economic Review and District Statistical Abstracts of Kolhapur District,
1973- 78 and 2003-08. When we include sugarcane, fruits and vegetables,
condiments and spices, the total food crops has occupy about 77.43 per
cent during the period 2001- 05. Among the non-food crops groundnut
shares (9.22%) major area. The share of sugarcane has increased by 10.03
percent on the contrary the share of sereals has decreased by 12.34
percent.
Assessment of Indigenous Knowledge of Smallholder Farmers on Intercropping Pr...Premier Publishers
The study was conducted in three districts of West Hararghe Zone namely; Gemechis, Habro and Mieso districts. The objectives of the survey were: to identify and document indigenous knowledge of farmers towards intercropping, and identify constraints and opportunities of intercropping in the study area. A multi-stage sampling technique was used for the study. Total sample size of 149 households was interviewed and generated both qualitative and quantitative data. Focus Group Discussions were also formed and generated qualitative data. Descriptive statistics and an index score were used to analyze data. Majorly intercropped crops were Maize with Haricot Bean followed by Sorghum with Haricot Bean. The study indicated that drought, lack of knowledge about fertility management and lack of improved technology of intercropped crops were major constraints of intercropping legumes with other crops in the study area. However, declining of land holding size as a result of rise in population and early maturity of legume cops were major opportunities of intercropping in the study area. The study indicated that any research conducted on any intercropping practice in the area should incorporate farmers practice such as times of sowing and types of intercropped crops on intercropping trial, and awareness on soil fertility improvement should be promoted.
Determinants of Small-Scale Irrigation Use: The Case of Jeldu District, West ...Premier Publishers
The study was conducted in Jeldu district on two peasant associations namely Metekoma and Laku. The objective of this study was to identify determinants of Small-scale irrigation use. A total of 118 farmers were randomly selected and interviewed by using semi structured questionnaire. A three-stage sampling technique was used to obtain a sample size of 118 rural farm households. Cross sectional data were collected through structured questionnaire, focus group discussion, key informants and observation. Household caloric acquisition was employed to measure household food security in the study area. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS version 20.0. Binary logistic regression model reveals that, out of eleven explanatory variables, age of household, educational level of household, Adult equivalent, cultivated land size, Oxen ownership of household, livestock ownership in TLU, and total farm income were found to be significant. Governmental and non-governmental should give attention on intensifying agricultural production in order to encourage the productivity of limited land. The study concluded that small scale irrigation is one of the viable solutions to secure household food needs in the study area. The study also suggested the proper management system of the irrigation schemes in order to sustainably use them.
Bangladesh though a LDC have generated national database on Land and Soil Resources which is mainly used for agricultural development planning and farmers service. SOLARIS and OFRS are two systems dealing with the NR database to generate output needed by academicians, researchers, extentionists and farmers
about agri. ministery, ICAR, National horticultural board, National horticultural mission,PRADHAN MANTRI FASAL BIMA YOJNA (PMFBY)
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)
National Agriculture Market (e-NAM)
Soil Health Card Scheme
Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)
Scheme on Micro irrigation
Subsidy scheme for construction storages facilities
Market Information Service for Horticulture Crops
National bamboo mission
The state of agricultural productivity and food security in Zimbabwe’s Post 2...inventionjournals
The paper explores the outcomes of the post 2000 land reform programme implemented in the communal area of Umguza district. This involved the triangulation of qualitative data collection methods to gather data from the respondents. A total of 45 famers were sampled for unstructured interviews and focus group discussions. The findings of the study revealed that there are numerous factors that contributed to the decline in agricultural production that included limited skills from the farmers, lack of investment on land because of tenure insecurities, sabotage from former white commercial famers and the rise of climate change. Among the recommendations made was thatthe state should consider training new farmers upon allocating land to them as this will ensure that farmers know what to do once they are in the farms.
Science Forum 2013 (www.scienceforum13.org)
Breakout Session 9: Farm Size, Urbanization and the Links from Agriculture to Nutrition and Health
Will Masters, Tuufts University
Measuring the cost of production and returns of hyv boro rice farmers :A stud...Kanok Chowdhury
This study is on the measurement of the cost and return of HYV boro rice farmers in comilla district. This study contributes to a better understanding of the factors that influence financial and economic profitability of HYV boro rice. In addition, this study highlights how cost of labor and commodities used in agriculture affect profitability and production of HYV boro rice crop in comilla district.
Sources of Technical Inefficiency of Smallholder Farmers in Sorghum Productio...Premier Publishers
This study aims to estimate the technical efficiency and identify sources of technical inefficiency in sorghum production by smallholder farmers in Konso district, southern Ethiopia using data collected from a sample of 124 households. Individual levels of technical efficiency scores were estimated using the Cobb-Douglas functional form, which was specified to estimate the stochastic production frontier. The estimated stochastic production frontier model indicated that input variables such as land, Urea, DAP, labour, oxen and chemicals found to be important factors in increasing the level of sorghum output in the study area. The mean technical efficiency of the sample households was about 69%, which shows existence of a possibility to increase the level of sorghum output by about 31% by efficient use of the existing resources. The estimated stochastic production frontier model together with the inefficiency parameters showed that, age, education, family size, off-farm occupation, extension service, livestock holding, plots distance and soil fertility were found to be significant in determining the level of technical inefficiency of sorghum production in the study area. Negative coefficients of education, family size, off-farm occupation, extension service and soil fertility indicates that improvement in these factors results in a significant decrease in the level of technical inefficiency. Akin, positive coefficients of age, livestock holding and plots distance were found to increase households’ technical inefficiency. Hence, emphasis should be given to improve the efficiency level of those less efficient households by adopting the practices of relatively efficient households in the study area. Beside this, policies and strategies of the government should be directed towards the above mentioned determinants.
Follow-up actions on the recommendations and overview of FAO activities in fo...FAO
http://www.fao.org/economic/ess/ess-events/afcas/afcas25/en/
Follow-up actions on the recommendations and overview of FAO activities in food and agriculture statistics relevant to African countries since the 24th AFCAS session
Status of Agricultural Food Sector: Basis for A Proposed Continuity PlanIJAEMSJORNAL
This study described the status of agriculture in the province of Nueva Ecija. It determined the current situation of the farming business in Nueva Ecija in terms of agricultural land use, its statistical profile on agriculture, crops grown by cities and municipalities and the presence of support agencies in maintaining the continuous development of farming and other forms of agriculture therein. Based on its agriculture profile, land, mostly irrigated shares the biggest portion in terms of its usage for food production. Rice, corn, onion and tomatoes are the major crops being grown in cities and municipalities. Findings revealed that rice and corn share the biggest in domestic consumption. For support agencies, bank and business agencies are found in support for farmers while the government mostly provides seminars. It was also revealed that other seeds for crops are introduced as a farmer’s option and lesser in choosing for an investment in their income. As their contingency plan, farmers opt to sell and engage in driving rather than farming during lean months. Pest attacks constitute the main problem encountered by farmers, while seeding management is a priority. The above findings point to certain sustainability that requires improvement and a continuity plan to match up with the continuous supply of goods from the farms to the demands of an increasing population for its consumption.
Profitability Analysis and Adoption of Improved Box Hive Technology by Small ...AI Publications
Beekeeping is common and one of the agricultural activities used as good source of off-farm income to farmers in Ethiopia in generally, and particularly in the study area. The objectives of the study are to identify determinant of adoption of improved box hive technology and profitability of smallholder farmers in study area. Multi-stage sampling was employed to identify sample respondents. The sample respondents were stratified into adopters and non-adopters of improved box hive. Out of 148 total sample respondents 30 adopters and 118 non-adopters were identified. The data were collected using structured interview schedule, key informant discussion and observation. Partial budgeting technique and econometric models were employed. Partial budgeting result reveals that the beekeepers get financial benefits by adopting improved box hive. The first hurdle result of adoption decision indicated that beekeeping experience, distance to woreda town, frequency of extension contact, sex, age, education status, access to input were significant factors. Further, the second hurdle result of intensity of adoption revealed that frequency of extension contact, livestock holding, age, sex, access to input, family size and labor force were found to be significant factors. Thus, the woreda office of agriculture and rural developments, NGO’s and concerned stockholders should give due attention to these significant variables in the study area to boost improved box hive adoption and its intensity use thereby increase profitability of small holder beekeepers.
http://www.fao.org/globalsoilpartnership/en/
This presentation was presented during the Eurasian Soil Partnership workshop that was held on 29 February - 02 March 2016 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan and it was made by Eka Sanadze.
CHANGING CROPPING PATTERN IN PANCHAGANGA BASIN, MAHARASHTRA: A GEOGRAPHICAL I...Malhari Survase
Cropping pattern simply means the proportion of area under
different crops at a point of time, whereas changes in cropping pattern
refer to change in proportion of area under different crops at two different
times. Present paper aims to study cropping pattern and changes therein
for individual crops in general and irrigated crops in particular in the
region. The selected region for the present investigation is the
'Panchaganga Basin' of south Maharashtra state comprising 7 tahsils of
Kolhapur district, Maharashtra. For the present investigation, data
regarding area under different crops has been compiled from Socio-
Economic Review and District Statistical Abstracts of Kolhapur District,
1973- 78 and 2003-08. When we include sugarcane, fruits and vegetables,
condiments and spices, the total food crops has occupy about 77.43 per
cent during the period 2001- 05. Among the non-food crops groundnut
shares (9.22%) major area. The share of sugarcane has increased by 10.03
percent on the contrary the share of sereals has decreased by 12.34
percent.
Assessment of Indigenous Knowledge of Smallholder Farmers on Intercropping Pr...Premier Publishers
The study was conducted in three districts of West Hararghe Zone namely; Gemechis, Habro and Mieso districts. The objectives of the survey were: to identify and document indigenous knowledge of farmers towards intercropping, and identify constraints and opportunities of intercropping in the study area. A multi-stage sampling technique was used for the study. Total sample size of 149 households was interviewed and generated both qualitative and quantitative data. Focus Group Discussions were also formed and generated qualitative data. Descriptive statistics and an index score were used to analyze data. Majorly intercropped crops were Maize with Haricot Bean followed by Sorghum with Haricot Bean. The study indicated that drought, lack of knowledge about fertility management and lack of improved technology of intercropped crops were major constraints of intercropping legumes with other crops in the study area. However, declining of land holding size as a result of rise in population and early maturity of legume cops were major opportunities of intercropping in the study area. The study indicated that any research conducted on any intercropping practice in the area should incorporate farmers practice such as times of sowing and types of intercropped crops on intercropping trial, and awareness on soil fertility improvement should be promoted.
Determinants of Small-Scale Irrigation Use: The Case of Jeldu District, West ...Premier Publishers
The study was conducted in Jeldu district on two peasant associations namely Metekoma and Laku. The objective of this study was to identify determinants of Small-scale irrigation use. A total of 118 farmers were randomly selected and interviewed by using semi structured questionnaire. A three-stage sampling technique was used to obtain a sample size of 118 rural farm households. Cross sectional data were collected through structured questionnaire, focus group discussion, key informants and observation. Household caloric acquisition was employed to measure household food security in the study area. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS version 20.0. Binary logistic regression model reveals that, out of eleven explanatory variables, age of household, educational level of household, Adult equivalent, cultivated land size, Oxen ownership of household, livestock ownership in TLU, and total farm income were found to be significant. Governmental and non-governmental should give attention on intensifying agricultural production in order to encourage the productivity of limited land. The study concluded that small scale irrigation is one of the viable solutions to secure household food needs in the study area. The study also suggested the proper management system of the irrigation schemes in order to sustainably use them.
Bangladesh though a LDC have generated national database on Land and Soil Resources which is mainly used for agricultural development planning and farmers service. SOLARIS and OFRS are two systems dealing with the NR database to generate output needed by academicians, researchers, extentionists and farmers
about agri. ministery, ICAR, National horticultural board, National horticultural mission,PRADHAN MANTRI FASAL BIMA YOJNA (PMFBY)
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)
National Agriculture Market (e-NAM)
Soil Health Card Scheme
Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)
Scheme on Micro irrigation
Subsidy scheme for construction storages facilities
Market Information Service for Horticulture Crops
National bamboo mission
The state of agricultural productivity and food security in Zimbabwe’s Post 2...inventionjournals
The paper explores the outcomes of the post 2000 land reform programme implemented in the communal area of Umguza district. This involved the triangulation of qualitative data collection methods to gather data from the respondents. A total of 45 famers were sampled for unstructured interviews and focus group discussions. The findings of the study revealed that there are numerous factors that contributed to the decline in agricultural production that included limited skills from the farmers, lack of investment on land because of tenure insecurities, sabotage from former white commercial famers and the rise of climate change. Among the recommendations made was thatthe state should consider training new farmers upon allocating land to them as this will ensure that farmers know what to do once they are in the farms.
Science Forum 2013 (www.scienceforum13.org)
Breakout Session 9: Farm Size, Urbanization and the Links from Agriculture to Nutrition and Health
Will Masters, Tuufts University
Measuring the cost of production and returns of hyv boro rice farmers :A stud...Kanok Chowdhury
This study is on the measurement of the cost and return of HYV boro rice farmers in comilla district. This study contributes to a better understanding of the factors that influence financial and economic profitability of HYV boro rice. In addition, this study highlights how cost of labor and commodities used in agriculture affect profitability and production of HYV boro rice crop in comilla district.
Sources of Technical Inefficiency of Smallholder Farmers in Sorghum Productio...Premier Publishers
This study aims to estimate the technical efficiency and identify sources of technical inefficiency in sorghum production by smallholder farmers in Konso district, southern Ethiopia using data collected from a sample of 124 households. Individual levels of technical efficiency scores were estimated using the Cobb-Douglas functional form, which was specified to estimate the stochastic production frontier. The estimated stochastic production frontier model indicated that input variables such as land, Urea, DAP, labour, oxen and chemicals found to be important factors in increasing the level of sorghum output in the study area. The mean technical efficiency of the sample households was about 69%, which shows existence of a possibility to increase the level of sorghum output by about 31% by efficient use of the existing resources. The estimated stochastic production frontier model together with the inefficiency parameters showed that, age, education, family size, off-farm occupation, extension service, livestock holding, plots distance and soil fertility were found to be significant in determining the level of technical inefficiency of sorghum production in the study area. Negative coefficients of education, family size, off-farm occupation, extension service and soil fertility indicates that improvement in these factors results in a significant decrease in the level of technical inefficiency. Akin, positive coefficients of age, livestock holding and plots distance were found to increase households’ technical inefficiency. Hence, emphasis should be given to improve the efficiency level of those less efficient households by adopting the practices of relatively efficient households in the study area. Beside this, policies and strategies of the government should be directed towards the above mentioned determinants.
Follow-up actions on the recommendations and overview of FAO activities in fo...FAO
http://www.fao.org/economic/ess/ess-events/afcas/afcas25/en/
Follow-up actions on the recommendations and overview of FAO activities in food and agriculture statistics relevant to African countries since the 24th AFCAS session
Status of Agricultural Food Sector: Basis for A Proposed Continuity PlanIJAEMSJORNAL
This study described the status of agriculture in the province of Nueva Ecija. It determined the current situation of the farming business in Nueva Ecija in terms of agricultural land use, its statistical profile on agriculture, crops grown by cities and municipalities and the presence of support agencies in maintaining the continuous development of farming and other forms of agriculture therein. Based on its agriculture profile, land, mostly irrigated shares the biggest portion in terms of its usage for food production. Rice, corn, onion and tomatoes are the major crops being grown in cities and municipalities. Findings revealed that rice and corn share the biggest in domestic consumption. For support agencies, bank and business agencies are found in support for farmers while the government mostly provides seminars. It was also revealed that other seeds for crops are introduced as a farmer’s option and lesser in choosing for an investment in their income. As their contingency plan, farmers opt to sell and engage in driving rather than farming during lean months. Pest attacks constitute the main problem encountered by farmers, while seeding management is a priority. The above findings point to certain sustainability that requires improvement and a continuity plan to match up with the continuous supply of goods from the farms to the demands of an increasing population for its consumption.
Similar to Analysis of Crop Production Constraints Through Participatory Rural Appraisal in Harari Region, Eastern Ethiopia; Implications for Research and Development
Profitability Analysis and Adoption of Improved Box Hive Technology by Small ...AI Publications
Beekeeping is common and one of the agricultural activities used as good source of off-farm income to farmers in Ethiopia in generally, and particularly in the study area. The objectives of the study are to identify determinant of adoption of improved box hive technology and profitability of smallholder farmers in study area. Multi-stage sampling was employed to identify sample respondents. The sample respondents were stratified into adopters and non-adopters of improved box hive. Out of 148 total sample respondents 30 adopters and 118 non-adopters were identified. The data were collected using structured interview schedule, key informant discussion and observation. Partial budgeting technique and econometric models were employed. Partial budgeting result reveals that the beekeepers get financial benefits by adopting improved box hive. The first hurdle result of adoption decision indicated that beekeeping experience, distance to woreda town, frequency of extension contact, sex, age, education status, access to input were significant factors. Further, the second hurdle result of intensity of adoption revealed that frequency of extension contact, livestock holding, age, sex, access to input, family size and labor force were found to be significant factors. Thus, the woreda office of agriculture and rural developments, NGO’s and concerned stockholders should give due attention to these significant variables in the study area to boost improved box hive adoption and its intensity use thereby increase profitability of small holder beekeepers.
Pre-Scaling up of Improved Finger Millet Technologies: The Case of Daro Lebu ...Premier Publishers
Absence of hierarchy of technology dissemination is a factor that affects technology utilization and adoption by the end-users. This study investigated pre-scaling up of improved finger millet varieties in Daro Lebu and Habro districts. Enhancing productivity of improved finger millet varieties through improving knowledge and skills of farmers and creating linkage among actors was the main objective of the activity. A total of 160 farmers were addressed in four kebeles and two districts of West Hararghe zone. Site and farmers were selected purposively based on potential production of the commodity and others criteria’s. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected and analyzed using narration and descriptive as well as inferential statistics using SPSS software. Extension services such as advisory, inputs, training and field day were delivered and organized for the farmers, extension agents and others stakeholders thereby awareness creation in media and printed extension materials. The average yield obtained from a hectare of land is accounted that 28.31 and 20.88 quintals for Boneya and Tadesse varieties, respectively. Therefore, scaling up of improved finger millet varieties for wider community over locations should be strengthen and conducted by government sectors, non-governmental organizations and others private sectors for improving productivity of the crop in a sustainable manner.
AN OVERVIEW of the CHALLENGES of AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH in SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA:...Premier Publishers
This study, analyzes the challenges of national agricultural research institutions (NARIs) in Eritrea from organizational perspective. It examines the institutional and research capacities, and the human and financial capabilities of NARIs. The data for this study was taken from a study conducted in June 2017 in the Ministry of Agriculture. The study used both survey and case study methodologies. The study seeks to answer the following two research questions: what are the challenges of NARIs in Eritrea? What can be learned from the experience of SSA countries NARIs? In this study, it is found that NARI has inadequate human, material and financial resources and limited research agenda. NARI has shortage of operational funding and trained personnel in specialized areas, which require higher education level. The current agricultural research system under NARI is less responsive to the various challenges and constraints of agricultural production and development in Eritrea. NARI should focus on participatory demand driven research methodology and integrate the needs of small-scale and commercial farmers, and improve its management, planning, monitoring and evaluation systems, including physical and human capital, and its research agenda. There is a need for the development of strategy that integrates elements that reinforce and build the present capacity of the agricultural research system.
Characterization of Malt Barley based farming system in Bale highlands and We...Premier Publishers
This study was examined characterization of malt barley based farming system in Bale and West Arsi zones of Oromia regional state. Primary and secondary data were used for the study. Primary data were obtained through interview schedule by well-structured questionnaire. Secondary data were gained from zonal and district offices of agriculture of the selected sites for the study. A multistage sampling technique was employed for selecting 120 household respondents from three districts: Adaba, Dinsho and Gasera. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data using SPSS software. According to the survey finding the average landholding of farmers in the study area is 3.00ha. Barley production in the study area was decreasing due to its low price as compared to wheat, less availability of improved technologies and weak market linkage to malt factory. It is concluded that malt barley production is viable and profitable in the area if all recommendation is followed and applied accordingly.
Disease surveys were conducted in rice grown districts of Libokemkem, Dera and Fogera in south Gondar zone in 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons. The study was designed to identify and record rice disease flora, their distribution in the districts, prioritize according to the importance and document for future use. Forty-six and 48 rice fields were assessed from nine Peasant Association (PA) in 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons, respectively. Rice diseases; Leaf blast, Panicle Blast, Brown spot, Sheath rot, Sheath brown rot, Sheath Blight, Bacterial blight, Rice Yellow Motile Virus, Kernel smut, Downy mildew were identified in 2016 cropping season and nine rice diseases: Leaf blast, Panicle Blast, Neck Blast, Node blast, Brown spot, Sheath rot, Sheath brown rot, Rice Yellow Motile Virus, Kernel smut were identified in 2017. The overall mean prevalence of sheath rot and sheath brown rot diseases were above 60%, while the others had prevalence below 21%. The incidences and severities of these two diseases were higher than the other diseases implying that both diseases were important. In the present studies many rice diseases were recorded in lowland ecosystem as compared to upland ecosystem. From the assessment X-jigna cultivar was more susceptible to rice disease and followed by Gumera. The results indicate that a sheath rot, and sheath brown rot, were important across the districts and years. Loss assessment studies should be initiated in order to know the yield damage caused by the diseases.
This study aims to analyze the technical efficiency of sorghum production by smallholder farmers in Konso district, Southern Ethiopia using cross sectional data collected from a sample of 124 sorghum producing households. Individual levels of technical efficiency scores were estimated using the Cobb-Douglas functional form, which was specified to estimate the stochastic production frontier. The estimated stochastic production frontier model indicated that input variables such as land size, fertilizer (Urea and DAP), human labour, oxen power and chemicals (herbicides or pesticides) found to be important factors in increasing the level of sorghum output in the study area. The result further revealed significant differences in technical efficiency among sorghum producers in the study area. The discrepancy ratio, which measures the relative deviation of output from the frontier level due to inefficiency, was about 90%. The estimated mean levels of technical efficiency of the sample households was about 69%, which shows existence of a possibility to increase the level of sorghum output by about 31% by efficient use of the existing resources. Among the household specific socio-economic and institutional factors hypothesized to affect the level of technical inefficiency, age, education level, family size, off/non-farm activities, extension contact, livestock holding, plots distance and soil fertility status were found to be significant in determining the level of technical inefficiency of sorghum production in the study area. Hence, emphasis should be given to improve the efficiency level of those less efficient households by adopting the practices of relatively efficient households in the study area. Beside this, policies and strategies of the government should be directed towards the above mentioned determinants.
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most important widely grown food crops worldwide. In Zambia, it is an important cereal crop, second after maize. However, its production amongst the small-scale farmers has declined over the years. To determine the causes of this decline, a participatory rural appraisal was conducted in Mpika district in Zambia as a case study to assess farmers’ perceived constraints and preferences of rain-fed wheat varieties. Focus group discussions, semi-structured questionnaires, scoring and ranking were used. The results showed that wheat is produced both for food and income generation. The average wheat fields were 0.48 ha, with yields averaging 1.5 t ha -1. The major production constraints are lack of improved seed, bird damage, termites, lack of markets and diseases with spot blotch being the most important. Farmers preferred a white coloured grain cultivar, high yielding, resistant to diseases, termite attack and bird damage.
Farm Nutrient Monitoring: A case of Wakiso District, Central Uganda.Dr. Joshua Zake
Soil fertility depletion is a major constraint for agricultural productivity under smallholder farming systems in sub-Saharan Africa.
The NUTMON toolbox was used to determine on-farm nutrient balances in Central Uganda to come up with plausible recommendations to advance increased soil productivity and household food security and incomes among smallholder farming systems in Wakiso district.
Farm balances for major nutrients (N, P, K) at crop level (Primary Production Units – PPU) for major crops i.e. banana, sweat potatoes, beans and maize were all negative during the monitoring period, thus indicating a net mining of nutrients through crop harvest.
Even though Ethiopia had undertaken different policy measures since 1991 to boost agricultural production and increase the spillover effects of agriculture, there is no available study done to know the effects of such policies. This study aimed to fill this gap by analyzing the supply response of the commodity chosen haricot bean in Sidama Zone of Southern Ethiopia. The study applies the modified Nerlovian model and uses price data and non price data from 1991-2012.The result of the estimates of the time series data shows that acreage is positively and significantly influenced by change in its own price in the long run. Acreage and yield are highly influenced by price and non price factors both in the long run and short run. Generally farmers respond to price incentives by reallocating land and increase yield. The error correction term shows that deviation of acreage from the equilibrium corrected in the current period and it takes less than five years to come to the equilibrium. On the other hand any deviation of yield from the equilibrium corrected in the current period and takes less than two years to come to the equilibrium. The empirical results illustrate that there is still great potential to increase production through improvement of price and non price inputs. Hence the ongoing measures should be directed towards assuring appropriate remunerative prices and increase investment and supply of other non price factors like, increase investment in irrigation.
Dairy Production System in Lowland Areas of Gambella, EthiopiaAI Publications
The objective of this study was to identify and assessing the different types of dairy cattle production systems, management practices, marketing and its constraints that exist in the Itang district. A total of 120 households were selected from four kebeles using simple random selection method after identifying the dairy owner from the community using purposive sampling method. Descriptive statistics, one way ANOVA, chi-square and ranking were analysed using SPSS statistical package. The majority of producers (63.3%) in the pastoral system produced milk for home consumption, while the majority of mixed crop–livestock producers (40.0%) produced milk for selling purpose. In the mixed crop–livestock system, mostly cereal crop based grazing is the major feed resource but these feed resources were managed in a traditional ways. Almost all respondents in the mixed crop-livestock system (96.5%) and pastoral system (100%) did not supplement their lactating cow with additional feeds. More than 400 cattle herds from 2-3 villages graze together between 10 am to 4 pm daily. The majority of households (68.3%) in the mixed crop–livestock system kept their cattle separately in barn, while other 8.3% of the households did the same in pastoral areas. Constraints for dairy development in the area are diseased condition, thieves, lack of veterinary services, lack of credit, feed and feeding and poor extension services. It can be concluded dairy cattle production in the mixed crop-livestock system was economical and based on mixed agriculture (crops plus livestock) with some fishing activity, mining and wild food collection.
Cereal and grain legumes play a vital role in food security and as income sources for millions of people in Ethiopia.
However, poor storage handling and storage pests lead to high postharvest loss. This study therefore assessed
farmers’ storage practices and grain storage hygiene status in selected districts of Jimma, West Shoa, and East
Wollega zones of southwestern Ethiopia. One district was selected from each zone based on their production
potential of selected grain crops such as maize, sorghum, wheat, and fababean. Then, three Peasant Associations
(PAs) were randomly selected from each district. For the survey, 377 households (HHs) were interviewed. The
present study showed that farmers in the study areas stored their grains in different kinds of traditional structures,
such as plastered gombisa (14.1%), unplastered gombisa (25.5%), gumbi (13.8%), polypropylene sacks (41.4%),
and Purdue improved crop storage (PICS) bags (5.3%) and indicated that most farmers used polypropylene sacks
followed by unplastered gombisa. On the other hand, most of farmer’s grain storage hygiene status was categorised
as poor (50.7%) or very poor (33.3%). The results of this study demonstrate that the farmers use an inefficient
storage facility and adopt poor hygiene practices, which predisposes the stored grains to insects and rodent attacks.
Thus, there is a need to train farmers in storage hygiene and develop and disseminate efficient grain storage
facilities to reduce loss in farmers ‘grain stores
Similar to Analysis of Crop Production Constraints Through Participatory Rural Appraisal in Harari Region, Eastern Ethiopia; Implications for Research and Development (20)
When breeding diploid potatoes, tetraploid progeny can result from the union of 2n eggs and 2n pollen in 2x-2x crosses. Thirty-three crosses were made to examine tetraploid progeny frequency in 2x-2x crosses. All crosses were between S. tuberosum dihaploids and diploid self-compatible donors, M6 and DRH S6-10-4P17. Using chloroplast counting for ploidy determination, the frequency of tetraploid progeny was as high as 45% in one of the 33 crosses. Based upon single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping, the tetraploid progeny were attributed to bilateral sexual polyploidization (BSP), which is caused by the union of 2n egg and 2n pollen. Dihaploids were identified that produce lower frequencies of 2n eggs. The results of this study suggest that S. tuberosum dihaploids with a high frequency of 2n eggs should be avoided in 2x - 2x crosses for diploid breeding programs.
This study developed a low cost and affordable to small-scale farmers’ indirect air-cooling combined with evaporative cooling (IAC+EC) system for storage of fruit and vegetables under both arid and hot; and humid and hot climatic conditions. Field heat from freshly harvested produce should be immediately removed through cooling to the desired storage temperature. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of IAC+EC system in terms of the cooling time requirement of the fresh tomato fruit. A fresh tomato cooling experiment to remove field heat during the summer month of September in Pietermaritzburg was conducted for 36 hours where the IAC+EC system was compared to storage under ambient conditions. The results showed that 16 hours was required to reduce the flesh temperature of tomatoes to 16.5°C while the flesh temperature for tomatoes under ambient conditions followed the ambient temperature profile with time of storage. The IAC+EC system reduced and maintained the microenvironment air temperature inside the coolers to 16.5°C - 19°C. The ambient temperature varied between 21 and 32°C. The results in this study are evidence that IAC+ EC system can be a choice for farmers, for cooling the fresh by reducing the field temperature after harvest.
Dioscorea rotundata is a staple food crop for millions of people in the tropical and subtropical regions. In vitro germplasm conservation is a very useful tool in yam improvement strategies but very little is known about the genetic integrity and stability of in-vitro conserved yam plants. In this study, 42 accessions from in vitro and field populations were genotyped using 11 microsatellite markers and 23 morphological descriptors to assess variability within and between accessions. Out of the 23 morphological variables used, 13 were identified as most discriminate and were used to cluster the accessions into 4 clusters using the unweighted pair group arithmetic mean average (UPGMA). Accession maintained in field as well as in in-vitro showed high genetic similarity (R2 = 0.91, p-value: 1e-04). Out of the 42 accessions analyzed, nine accessions maintained in the field and in-vitro displayed different genetic profiles. This study provided basic information on the possible somaclonal variation of yam accessions maintained through in-vitro. Further study with advanced tools such as next-generation sequencing is required to elucidate the nature of the observed variation within clones.
A study was carried out on plant density at the experimental field of the Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD) Nkolbisson, Yaoundé to determine the appropriate spacing to improve rainfed rice production in the bimodal rainfall forest zone of Cameroon. The experiment was conducted during the main cropping seasons of 2017 and 2018. The planting spacing used were 15cm x 15cm, 20cm x 20cm, 25cm x 25cm and 30cm x 30cm giving the plant populations of 444444, 250000, 160,000 and 111,111 plants / ha respectively using two varieties (Nerica 3 and Nerica 8). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Significant differences were observed in the growth and yield across the years. Treatments were highly significant concerning the number of days to the appearance of the first flower, the number of days to 50% flowering, and the number of days to 50 % maturity. Plants were taller with more tillers and gave higher yields in 2017 than those of 2018. The spacing significantly affected the plant height, number of tillers, and panicle length for both varieties. The interaction of spacing and variety was significant for the number of tillers per m2 and the number of seeds per panicle, however, it was not for the weight of 1000 grains and the percentage of full bales. The yield components determining yield increase were the number of panicles / m2 and the number of seeds/panicles. Nerica 3 variety gave higher yields compared to the Nerica 8, the closer the spacing, the higher the yield. There were a strong significance and positive correlation between yield, number of panicles, and the number of grain per panicle. The spacing that gives the highest number of panicle per m2 was 15 cm X 15 cm and this spacing gave good yield in the region where the study was carried out.
Intermolecular interaction is the material basis for cells to achieve their functions, and protein-protein interaction is an important approach to illuminate the regulation network of biological molecules and has important theoretical significance and potential application value for revealing the activity law of life in nature. This paper mainly summarizes and analyzes the new advances and applications of modern biotechnologies in the study of protein-protein interactions, including local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), yeast two-hybrid, GST-Pull-down, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, and coimmunoprecipitation. At the same time, the principles of different research methods for protein-protein interaction and their other applications in the field of life sciences are also discussed, all of these will provide a reference value for the analysis of protein-protein interaction and the molecular regulation mechanism of biomacromolecules.
Field experiment involving five improved onion (Allium cepa L.) varieties and carried out at Kulumsa Agricultural Research Center during the 2018 to 2019 cropping seasons under irrigated condition to identify the best performing variety for seed production to the target areas of Arsi Zone. The onion varieties included in the field experiment were (Nafis, Robaf, Nasic Red, Bombe Red, and Adama Red). The experimental design was a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Phenological and growth parameters, seed yield, and yield components were studied. The result showed that Variety had a significant effect on most phonological and growth attributes as well as on yield attributes. The number of days to flowering and vigorously were significantly affected by variety; while plant height, days to boolting and branch number was not significantly influenced by variety. Flower stalks height and diameter, number of umbel per plant, and umbel diameter also significantly affected by variety. Seed yield per umbel and mean seed yield per hectare also showed a significance difference among varieties. The highest seed yield per hectare (1415.89 kg/ha) was recorded from Adama Red and followed by Nafis variety, whereas Nasic rerd, Bombe red and Robaf show no significance difference among each other, Therefore, it can be concluded that use of the improved onion varieties such as Adama red and Nafis is advisable and could be appropriate for onion seed production in the test area even though further testing is required to put the recommendation on a strong basis.
Rubber trees are among the important cultivated crops in Malaysia, and have contributed to the country’s overall economic growth since the 1950s. However, the existing anatomical and morphological studies are relatively insufficient. Currently, Hevea brasiliensis has been cultivated and planted commonly as a commercial planting clone, while Hevea camargoana remains to be a non-cultivated and underutilized rubber species. For many years, there only exists little information both in private plantations and government agencies that have carried out anatomical and morphological assessments on these underutilized species. There is little information about the characteristics of H.camargoana, thus raising the issue among plant breeders on how to best use this underutilized rubber species. This study attempts to investigate the taxonomic values and characteristics of Hevea brasiliensis and Hevea camargoana through anatomical and morphological studies.
Use of distributed electricity generation systems is currently increasing due to their economic and environmental benefits. Agricultural greenhouses require heat and electricity for covering their energy needs while their annual energy requirements vary significantly. Aim of the current work is the investigation of applying various distributed electricity generation systems in greenhouses. A review of different distributed generation systems currently used in various sectors as well as in greenhouses has been implemented. Various technologies are examined utilizing either renewable energies or fossil fuels in very efficient energy systems. Most of them are mature and cost-effective having lower environmental impacts compared with traditional centralized electricity generation technologies. Their use in greenhouses results in many benefits including the creation of an additional income for the farmer, reduction of carbon emissions into the atmosphere and increasing stability of the electric grid. It is suggested that distributed electricity generation systems should be used more in greenhouses when the necessary conditions are favorable.
Grain mold, considered the most important disease of sorghum, is associated with several fungal genera. The disease reduces both yield and quality. In this study, over 300 sorghum seed samples collected from Texas, Florida, and Georgia were evaluated for grain mold severity, seed weight, germination rate, and seed fungal community. Grain mold severity of the seed samples, except for those collected from Cameron, Texas, were rated 3 or higher, indicating that these sorghum lines were moderately susceptible under naturally-infected field conditions during the 2016 and 2017 growing seasons. Seed weight across surveyed locations ranged from 1.1 g to 4.0g for samples collected in Texas during the same period. Percent germination rates for samples collected in Texas ranged from 59.6% to 86.7%. Sorghum samples collected from Florida and Georgia exhibited moderately susceptible response to grain mold infection. Mean seed weight was 1.9 g for samples collected from Florida, while in Georgia, mean seed weight was 2.3 g. Germination rate was low for samples collected from Florida and Georgia. Mycological analysis of sorghum seed samples collected from farmers’ fields in Central and South Texas during the 2016 and 2017 growing seasons showed Alternaria species as the most frequently isolated fungal genus, accounting for 40% and 42 % in 2016 and 2017, followed by Fusarium incarnatum, F. acuminatum, F. equiseti, & F. semitectum Complex. In Florida and Georgia, Fusarium incarnatum, F. acuminatum, F. equiseti, & F. semitectum Complex was the most frequently recovered fungal species, accounting for 77% and 72% of the total. genera/species isolated from seed samples. Other fungal species, including Curvularia lunata, Bipolaris sp., Colletotrichum sublineola, F. verticillioides, Penicillium sp., Aspergillus flavus, F. thapsinum, F. oxysporum, F. sporotrichioides, F. graminearum, F. proliferatum, and Aspergillus niger were also isolated from sorghum seeds in various frequencies. In conclusion, the presence of large number of fungal genera associated with grain deterioration and their effect on other traits, makes management of this disease complex challenging. To identify grain mold resistant sources in a region, using the most dominant species in that region to screen the sorghum germplasm is recommended.
Potato is the second most important food crop in Kenya after maize. It is a valuable cash and food crop mainly grown by small-scale farmers. Potato is cultivated mainly under rainfed production conditions at altitudes between 1500 and 3000 metre above sea level (masl). Consequently, National Performance Trials (NPTs) test sites are located in these highlands. Recently, potato production has spread to the mid-highlands (1200-1500masl) mostly due to high food demand occasioned by population increase, and migration of small scale farmers from the densely populated highlands to the more spacious midlands. Consequently, there is increased need to breed potato varieties that can grow profitably in the warmer mid-altitudes. This development called for identification of new conventional NPT test sites located in the mid-altitudes. Six mid-altitude sites were identified and client-managed conventional NPTs carried out. Twenty six potato genotypes were evaluated for two seasons. First season crop was planted in 2016 while the second season crop was planted in 2017. There was a significant (p≤ 0.001) effect of genotypes, environments and genotype x environment interaction in the first season. Trans-Nzoia was the highest yielding site. All genotypes yielded between 10 and 25 ton/ha. In the second season, only environments showed significant (p≤ 0.001) effects. Again, Trans-Nzoia was the highest yielding site. Across the two seasons, Trans-Nzoia gave an average yield of 26.96 ton/ha followed by Kabete at 18. 21ton/ha. All the other four sites yielded less than 10 ton/ha. The high yields at Trans-Nzoia and Kabete could be due to higher altitudes in these two sites compared to the others. In order to develop potato varieties that can produce profitably in the warm mid-altitudes, breeding and early generation selections activities should be based in these areas.
The tests for the evaluation of seedling establishment, palatability and acceptability were carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Agricultural Technology and the Food Laboratory of the Department of Home and Rural Economics, Adamawa State College of Agriculture, Ganye, Adamawa State. The experimental designs used were Randomized Complete Block Design and the Completely Randomized Design. Some of the parameters measured were percentage seedling establishment, palatability, and acceptability tests. The highest mean percentage seedling establishment was observed in 12.00g levels of H. suaveolens whole powder treated shelled groundnut seeds (97.67, 97.00, and 94.00) at the three periods of storage. Percentage seedling establishment decreased with a decrease in levels of H. suaveolens whole powder. One of the major constraints to the use of plant materials as an alternative to synthetic insecticides is the issue of standardization in dosage of application. This work has suggested that, if groundnut seeds are to be used for sowing, they should be stored with a 12.00g level of H. suaveolens whole powder for every 300.00g for three months. However, if they are to be used for consumption, they could be stored with a 6.00g level of H. suaveolens whole powder for every 300.00g for at most three months. There was no significant difference between treated and untreated shelled groundnut seeds at the three periods of storage on the acceptability and palatability score of cooked groundnut at all dosages of application. All treatments were within the acceptable score rates even though the two rates of the synthetic insecticides, actellic dust were at the lowest acceptable score rate. The finding also showed that acceptability and palatability decreased with an increase in dosage of application. The periods of storage also had a significant impact on the mean percentage seedling establishment. It was observed that there was a higher percentage of seedling establishment when shelled groundnut seeds were stored from November- January. At this period of the year, the temperature and humidity are usually low and this might have necessitated the high state of inactivity and low performance of the bruchids compared to other periods of storage within the year.
Irrigation experiments of cocoa tend to concentrate on yield of matured cocoa trees compared to field establishment of young seedlings. Seedling survival leading to optimum population density are fundamental to obtaining maximum yield of crops. The aim of this experiment was to determine the effect of mulching and irrigation on survival of hybrid cocoa clone raised in three different growing media during the establishment phase. The experimental design was a 2 x 2 x 3 factorial arranged in a split-split plot design, with irrigation as the main plot factor, mulching as the subplot factor and growing media as the sub-sub plot factor with three replications. Cocoa pod husk (CPH) was used as the mulching material and each plant received 5kg at a rate of 5.6 t/ha. Irrigation was done daily by applying 4L of water except when it rains. Data was collected on soil moisture, plant height, leaf number, stem girth and plant survival. Results indicated that irrigation and mulching significantly (P<0.01) enhanced soil moisture. Cocoa seedlings raised in topsoil, mulched and irrigated significantly (P<0.05) increased survival rate (94.5%) compared to seedlings raised in soil without irrigation and no mulching (47.1%). Similarly, the survival rate of seedlings raised in growing media M2, mulched and irrigated (93.0%) was significantly (P<0.05) higher than similar seedlings without irrigation (73.4%). However, the survival rate of seedlings raised in M3 without mulching but irrigated was significantly (<0.05) higher 92.1% compared to seedlings raised in M3 mulched and irrigated 67.1%. Irrigation is very important in ensuring high survival rate during early field establishment. Mulching with cocoa pod husk without irrigation did not improve cocoa seedling survival.
Few years ago National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM) launched melon sheller to reduce burden of obtaining melon oil and cake, and to enhance rural women’s productivity. This study looked at the productivity of promoted melon shelling technology and preference by rural women in Nigeria. Data were gathered from the NCAM workshop and survey of melon processors in Niger State. In the workshop, it was found that time allowed for soaking melon and covering with piece of clothes contributed to the productivity of the sheller. Results from survey revealed that 95.1% of the respondents’ preferred Internal Combustion technology and 90.2% liked electric-driven melon shellers over the manual one. Also, 69.5% obtained the shellers from local fabricators rather than NCAM. The technology led to increased turnout of melon (378kg/hr) and reduced wastages to 1.26kg out of 75.6kg. The study concluded that the promoted melon sheller is efficient and have positive implication on the rural women’s productivity and revenue. The study recommends that the rural women should put the melon sheller into its maximum capacity use. The NCAM should extend training to the local fabricators so that they can improve on the technology most especially in the areas of winnowing and washing of melon kernels.
Keeping in view of lack of recommended rates of N and NPS fertilizers, a field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of the newly introduced NPS fertilizer and nitrogen on growth, physiology and above ground biomass of garlic. Four NPS (0-0-0, 78.75-69-12.75, 105-92-17 and 131.25-115-21.25 kg N-P-S ha-1) and three nitrogen fertilizer rates (114.13, 228.26 and 278.33 kg N ha-1) were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Significantly highest plant height (28.02 cm), leaf diameter (1.27 cm), dry and fresh weight (4.71 g and 6.11 g) and leaf length were recorded on garlic plants supplied with 105-92-17 kg N-P-S ha-1 and also the highest plant height (27.75 cm), leaf length (24.02 cm), fresh and dry weight (6.23 g and 5.04 g) were recorded on garlic plants supplied with 278.33 kg N ha-1. The interaction effect also show a significant effect in almost all the growth parameters; the early day to 50% emergence was recorded from a plot which received 228.26 kg N ha-1 and 105-92-17 kg NPS ha-1 and the highest plant height, leaf length, fresh and dry above ground biomass and leaf diameter were 29.62 cm, 25.60 cm, 6.93 g, 5.59 g and 1.4 cm, respectively were observed by the interaction of 278.33 kg N ha-1 and 105-92-17 kg N-P-S ha-1 with no significant difference with 228.26 N and 78.75-69-12.75 kg N-P-S ha−1. From this one season experiment, fertilizer rates 307.01-69-12.75 kg N-P-S ha−1 could be recommended for garlic production.
In the past, conservation effort has primarily focused on establishment of forest reserves for timber production, with minimal or no consideration to how these natural resources will help sustain or improve livelihoods of adjoining communities. This study examined the contribution of Aramoko forest reserve to the livelihoods of the adjoining communities in Ekiti State. One hundred and twenty pre-tested questionnaires were administered among the products collectors in the study area. Data collected were analysed and the result showed that 78.3 % of the respondents are married with 52.3 % of them male, while 50.8 % of the respondents aged between 51-70 years with 64.1 % having at least secondary education. Twenty-five (25) different products were collected by the respondents in the study area. These products include among others; timber with highest frequency of (120) followed by herbal plants (115), Archantina marginata (105), Thaumatococcus danielli (89), Bridelia ferruginea (70) and Irvingia garbonensis (65). The use of motor cycle accounted for 41.4 % of the respondents means of transportation, while 31.3 % of the respondents sell their product in bit at the village market. Picking, digging, plucking, cutting and uprooting were methods used for harvesting by the respondents while illegal felling (24 %) and indiscriminate bush burning (22.4 %) were the major conservation problem in the study area. Specifically, some of the products harvested are used for food, medicine, fuelwood, herbs and cultural purposes. The study recommends that research should be conducted into how these products can be artificially raised in the nursery for plantation establishment.
Cocoa farmer faces increasing challenging environment through exposure to risks factors which have impacted negatively on their production or output. Since farmers are primary producers and often times lack capacity to control risks factor, it is important to manage this factors. This study examines the cocoa farmers’ risk preferences and crop insurance perception and isolates the drivers of decision to uptake crop insurance among cocoa farmers in Ekiti state. The sample for the study consist of 200 cocoa farmers who were household heads selected through multi-stage sampling across four Local government areas of Ekiti State who are predominantly cocoa producers. Data collected on socio-demographic characteristics, perception of crop insurance and risk preferences, were analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic model. Results showed that majority of the cocoa farmers were without crop insurance, with higher enrolment in Membership of cooperative society, owned their land, larger household size and lower educational level but higher level of farm experience when compared to cocoa farmers who are holding crop insurance. Farmers risk preferences showed no significant difference between farmers with or without insurance. Education (β=0.59), Household size (β=0.0029) and Debt use (β=0.02), Membership of cooperative (β=-4.53), Farming Experience (β=-2.51), Owned Land (β=-2.19) and Non-Farm Income (β=-0.65) were among the significant determinants of insurance uptake. Risk mitigating measures such as provision of necessary incentives such as improved varieties of cocoa seedling, as well as provision of fertiliser and approved pesticides, financial assistance, and simple processing technologies that produce standard cocoa bean plus a re-jigged Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) for an improved discharge of its function are recommended.
Mitigation of climate change requires the decrease of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere and the increasing use of renewable energies replacing fossil fuels. Agricultural greenhouses are energy-intensive agricultural systems using mainly fossil fuels. The use of renewable energies during their operation is limited so far. The possibility of using renewable energies for covering their energy needs has been investigated, focused on the Mediterranean region. Various sustainable energy technologies which are reliable, mature, cost-effective and broadly used in various applications are examined. These include solar-PV systems, low enthalpy geothermal energy, solid biomass burning, co-generation systems, high efficiency heat pumps and reuse of rejected industrial heat. Combined use of these systems in greenhouses can cover all their energy requirements in heat, cooling and electricity, reducing or zeroing their net CO2 emissions into the atmosphere due to operational energy use. It is concluded that depending on their local availability in Mediterranean countries, these benign energy technologies can assist greenhouse crop growers in the reduction of their carbon emissions, contributing in the achievement of the universal goal for climate change mitigation.
Field experiment was carried out under rain-fed conditions during the 2013 and 2014 cropping seasons at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Agricultural Technology, Adamawa State College of Agriculture, Ganye, solely to develop an integrated pest management for the control of groundnut Aphid (Aphis craccivora Koch) [Homoptera: Aphididae]. The experimental Design used was the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Parameters measured were, average number of leaves per plot at 6 weeks after sowing, number of branches at 3 weeks after sowing, number of branches at 6 weeks after sowing, number of pods per plot, weight of harvested seeds per plot. The result obtained shows that, there was significant difference among the treatments in all the parameters measured at 0.05 level of probability using the Least Significant Difference (LSD). According to the results recorded, the highest mean yield of groundnut was obtained on plots treated with the combination of chemical and physical control methods (1444g) followed by plots treated with physical, chemical and cultural control methods combined (1296g). The highest mean number of pods per plant was recorded in the combination of physical, chemical and cultural control methods (18.00) followed by chemical and physical control methods as combined (15.00). The work shows that, the cultivation of groundnut with the control of groundnut Aphid (Aphis craccivora Koch) using integrated pest control applied as recommended facilitates better growth and guarantees good crop yield. The use of physical, chemical and cultural control method is profitable in Ganye Area of Adamawa State and is therefore suggested for use to local farmers.
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important food crops in the world. Purple rice, as a special rice with important nutritional and health functions, has important scientific significance and application value for genetic improvement of purple rice and breeding of new varieties through in-depth study on its agronomic and related quality traits and products processed, and analysis of its genetic basis. In this paper, the new progress of purple rice in agronomic traits, quality traits, environmental impacts on purple rice and genetic basis of purple rice seed coat in recent years were reviewed and analyzed, and the application prospects of purple rice processing products and purple gene in rice genetic improvement were also prospected. Thus, our results will provide important information and reference for breeding new purple rice varieties with good quality and high yield.
Groundnut is an important oil seed crop, grown throughout the tropics and sub tropics worldwide. It is one of the three economically important oilseed crops grown in Ethiopia. Groundnut is commonly produced by small scale farmers as food and cash crops in the study area. The area has potential to the production of Ground nut for food and nutrition security as well as export commodity. However, scarcity of varieties that fit to the environment is one of the major constraints of production. Therefore, this experiment was conducted to evaluate five Ground nut varieties and select early maturing varieties with considerable yield and agronomic traits. The field experiment was conducted in 2017 and 2018 at Abaya and varieties were planted in Randomized complete block design (RCBD). Data were collected on yield and important agronomic traits. The computed analysis of variance revealed significant variations among varieties for days to maturity, number of primary branches, number of pegs per plants, Grain yield and shelling percentage. The pooled over year mean of varieties indicated , Tole- 1 variety ( Check) is high yielding with mean grain yield of 4174.7kg followed by variety Sedi (3552.5kg/ha) and Babile local (3550.4kg/ha).Variety Sedi has special merit in terms of earliness and therefore recommended for moisture stress areas of Abaya and location with similar agro ecologies while Tole -1 (Standard check) is high yielding varieties and should be used in production until new varieties will be developed through selection/breeding program.
This presentation explores a brief idea about the structural and functional attributes of nucleotides, the structure and function of genetic materials along with the impact of UV rays and pH upon them.
(May 29th, 2024) Advancements in Intravital Microscopy- Insights for Preclini...Scintica Instrumentation
Intravital microscopy (IVM) is a powerful tool utilized to study cellular behavior over time and space in vivo. Much of our understanding of cell biology has been accomplished using various in vitro and ex vivo methods; however, these studies do not necessarily reflect the natural dynamics of biological processes. Unlike traditional cell culture or fixed tissue imaging, IVM allows for the ultra-fast high-resolution imaging of cellular processes over time and space and were studied in its natural environment. Real-time visualization of biological processes in the context of an intact organism helps maintain physiological relevance and provide insights into the progression of disease, response to treatments or developmental processes.
In this webinar we give an overview of advanced applications of the IVM system in preclinical research. IVIM technology is a provider of all-in-one intravital microscopy systems and solutions optimized for in vivo imaging of live animal models at sub-micron resolution. The system’s unique features and user-friendly software enables researchers to probe fast dynamic biological processes such as immune cell tracking, cell-cell interaction as well as vascularization and tumor metastasis with exceptional detail. This webinar will also give an overview of IVM being utilized in drug development, offering a view into the intricate interaction between drugs/nanoparticles and tissues in vivo and allows for the evaluation of therapeutic intervention in a variety of tissues and organs. This interdisciplinary collaboration continues to drive the advancements of novel therapeutic strategies.
Cancer cell metabolism: special Reference to Lactate PathwayAADYARAJPANDEY1
Normal Cell Metabolism:
Cellular respiration describes the series of steps that cells use to break down sugar and other chemicals to get the energy we need to function.
Energy is stored in the bonds of glucose and when glucose is broken down, much of that energy is released.
Cell utilize energy in the form of ATP.
The first step of respiration is called glycolysis. In a series of steps, glycolysis breaks glucose into two smaller molecules - a chemical called pyruvate. A small amount of ATP is formed during this process.
Most healthy cells continue the breakdown in a second process, called the Kreb's cycle. The Kreb's cycle allows cells to “burn” the pyruvates made in glycolysis to get more ATP.
The last step in the breakdown of glucose is called oxidative phosphorylation (Ox-Phos).
It takes place in specialized cell structures called mitochondria. This process produces a large amount of ATP. Importantly, cells need oxygen to complete oxidative phosphorylation.
If a cell completes only glycolysis, only 2 molecules of ATP are made per glucose. However, if the cell completes the entire respiration process (glycolysis - Kreb's - oxidative phosphorylation), about 36 molecules of ATP are created, giving it much more energy to use.
IN CANCER CELL:
Unlike healthy cells that "burn" the entire molecule of sugar to capture a large amount of energy as ATP, cancer cells are wasteful.
Cancer cells only partially break down sugar molecules. They overuse the first step of respiration, glycolysis. They frequently do not complete the second step, oxidative phosphorylation.
This results in only 2 molecules of ATP per each glucose molecule instead of the 36 or so ATPs healthy cells gain. As a result, cancer cells need to use a lot more sugar molecules to get enough energy to survive.
Unlike healthy cells that "burn" the entire molecule of sugar to capture a large amount of energy as ATP, cancer cells are wasteful.
Cancer cells only partially break down sugar molecules. They overuse the first step of respiration, glycolysis. They frequently do not complete the second step, oxidative phosphorylation.
This results in only 2 molecules of ATP per each glucose molecule instead of the 36 or so ATPs healthy cells gain. As a result, cancer cells need to use a lot more sugar molecules to get enough energy to survive.
introduction to WARBERG PHENOMENA:
WARBURG EFFECT Usually, cancer cells are highly glycolytic (glucose addiction) and take up more glucose than do normal cells from outside.
Otto Heinrich Warburg (; 8 October 1883 – 1 August 1970) In 1931 was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology for his "discovery of the nature and mode of action of the respiratory enzyme.
WARNBURG EFFECT : cancer cells under aerobic (well-oxygenated) conditions to metabolize glucose to lactate (aerobic glycolysis) is known as the Warburg effect. Warburg made the observation that tumor slices consume glucose and secrete lactate at a higher rate than normal tissues.
This pdf is about the Schizophrenia.
For more details visit on YouTube; @SELF-EXPLANATORY;
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAiarMZDNhe1A3Rnpr_WkzA/videos
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Observation of Io’s Resurfacing via Plume Deposition Using Ground-based Adapt...Sérgio Sacani
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Binocular Telescope, show evidence of a major resurfacing event on Io’s trailing hemisphere. When compared to the most recent spacecraft images, the SHARK-VIS images
show that a plume deposit from a powerful eruption at Pillan Patera has covered part
of the long-lived Pele plume deposit. Although this type of resurfacing event may be common on Io, few have been detected due to the rarity of spacecraft visits and the previously low spatial resolution available from Earth-based telescopes. The SHARK-VIS instrument ushers in a new era of high resolution imaging of Io’s surface using adaptive
optics at visible wavelengths.
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Monitor common gases, weather parameters, particulates.
Analysis of Crop Production Constraints Through Participatory Rural Appraisal in Harari Region, Eastern Ethiopia; Implications for Research and Development
1. Journal of Agriculture and Crops
ISSN(e): 2412-6381, ISSN(p): 2413-886X
Vol. 5, Issue. 10, pp: 209-217, 2019
URL: https://arpgweb.com/journal/journal/14
DOI: https://doi.org/10.32861/jac.510.209.217
Academic Research Publishing
Group
*Corresponding Author
209
Original Research Open Access
Analysis of Crop Production Constraints Through Participatory Rural Appraisal
in Harari Region, Eastern Ethiopia; Implications for Research and Development
Alemayehu Biri*
Fedis Agricultural Research Center P.O. Box, 904 Harar, Ethiopia
Kibret Ketema
Fedis Agricultural Research Center P.O. Box, 904 Harar, Ethiopia
Solomon Ayele
Fedis Agricultural Research Center P.O. Box, 904 Harar, Ethiopia
Dagnachew Lule
Oromia Agricultural Research Institute Head Quarter, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Abstract
Participatory rural appraisals (PRA) were conducted in July 14 to 30, 2016 in AGP-II project target districts: Erar
waldiya and Dire Teyara in Harari region of Ethiopia. PRA exercises were conducted using various PRA tools which
included review of secondary data, focus group discussions, field observations (Transact walk) and pair-wise
ranking. The tools were used to identify the biophysical and socio-economic constraints, opportunities and
developments within the kebeles. Agricultural and animal productions are common in the surveyed Kebeles of the
AGP-II target districts. Mixed farming is widely practiced in the kebeles of both districts. Staple food crops like
maize and sorghum, and cash crops like vegetables and khat (Catha edulis Forsk) are commonly produced across all
targets of AGP-II districts and also as region as well. Growing maize and sorghum in khat alleys is another cropping
system practiced in both districts. The PRA work has also identified various categories of constraints to increasing
crop production in the areas. The major bottlenecks include lack of improved crop varieties, low soil fertility,
deforestation, moisture stress, disease and insect pests, and lack of awareness on soil fertility crop management. In
most of the PRA Kebeles, it was found that continuous cropping, complete removal of crop residues from farm
lands, soil erosion, deforestation, absence of fallowing, and inadequate soil fertility management practices are the
major causes for low soil fertility and crop yields. In most cases, farmers apply Di-ammonium phosphate (DAP),
urea and farmyard manure to improve soil fertility and crop yield. However, very few farmers use integrated
application of chemical fertilizers and farmyard manure for crop production. In addition, no scientifically formulated
and recommended fertilizer rates are available for the specific soils and environments. Thus, due to the lack of
scientifically recommended rates of fertilizers and high costs of mineral fertilizers, farmers often use smaller rates of
mineral N and P fertilizers based on haphazard estimations.
Keywords: AGP-II districts; Constraints.
CC BY: Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0
1. Introduction
In Ethiopia a majority of the rural livelihoods depends on subsistence farming based on low external input
systems. These systems face major challenges in relation to productivity which is often low and sustainability which
is in many cases questionable. Low productivity and lacking sustainability have a pronounced negative impact on
development of involved livelihoods. In Harari, eastern part of Ethiopia is an example of an area with livelihoods
based on such systems. Here low crop productivity results in food insecurity and a high vulnerability [1]. In most
households no surplus of food will be available and even during normal rainfall years around 40% of the farm
households structurally depend on food aid (pers.com staff Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Development). Food aid
in such cases might have become part of the livelihood strategy of farmers in Ethiopia [2]. Identification of crop
productivity constraints and relevant opportunities are very important to design interventions aiming at improved
agricultural productivity and related to that improved livelihoods. Therefore, the Government of Ethiopia is
committed to scaling up best practices through its Agricultural Growth Programme (AGP-II). To complement this
programme, Fadis agricultural research center has been designed to demonstrate integrated best practices to the
AGP-II implementation team so as to raise awareness on the need for an integrated farming systems approach to
agricultural production. To address the various community problems, it is imperative to design technically sound,
economically feasible and culturally acceptable research, extension and development strategies. To this end, Fadis
agricultural research center initiated a participatory rural appraisal (PRA) study in Harari Region, eastern Ethiopia.
The main objectives of the study were to assess the farming systems, determine major biophysical and crop
production constraints and opportunities for farming communities and identifying, documenting best practices and
2. Journal of Agriculture and Crops
210
innovations with respect to environmental, socio-economic and agricultural production constraint conditions for
further testing and possible scaling up.
2. Material and Methods
2.1. General Profile of the Harari Regional State
Harari People‟s National Regional State is located in the Eastern part of Ethiopia. The total geographical area is
about 343.21 km2 and located between 42o
03‟–42o
16‟N and 9o
11‟-9o
24‟E. The region shares common boundaries
with Jarso district in the North and Babile district in the East; Fedis district in the south and Haramaya district in the
West. The region comprises six urban and three rural districts. These administrative districts are further divided into
19 urban and 17 rural kebeles. The city of Harar is the located in the East at a distance of 510 Km from Addis Ababa
(HRWSSA, 2008). The region is mainly categorized into two agro-ecological zones, mid-high land and lowland or
kola. The mid-high land (1400 – 2200 masl) which is called weynadega constitute 90% of the land area of the region
while the low land (<1500 masl) which is called Kola the constitute 10% of the total land area of the region.The
mean annual temperature of the region varies from18-27 °C. The mean annual rainfall of the region ranges from 700
mm-900 mm. The total population of the region is 183,344 of which 92,258 are male and 91,023 female. Mixed
farming is the dominant production system in the region. Food crops such as sorghum, maize, wheat and cash crops
such as groundnut, Khat and Coffee are grown by farmers. Vegetables (potato, tomato, garlic onion, sweet potato,
hot paper and green red paper), fruit (banana, mango, and citrus) and sugar cane are grown under irrigation.
2.2. Site Selection and Sampling Procedure
The survey was conducted in the AGP-II districts of Harari region where the AGP-II program is being
implemented. Field level data collection was conducted using PRA techniques during July 14 to 30, 2016. Prior to
the field survey, a team of experts consisting of five members was established and the team held a series of
discussions to sort out issues pertaining to the survey and to have a common understanding among all members of
the team. More specifically, the discussion held on the checklists provided by regional team, PRA approach and
tools to be used, procedures to be followed during the PRA and roles of each team members during the PRA.
Following this, AGP-II targeted districts and Kebeles were identified and listed in consultation with experts from the
Agricultural Offices of the respective regions. Accordingly, Dire Teyara and Erer Waldeya districts were selected
purposely based on their potential in agriculture, agro ecology and available resources such as land and irrigation
water. Similarly, based on agro ecology, potential in agriculture and available resources, a total of 3 Kebeles were
selected for the survey. Finally, a total of 100 farm households were selected based on stratified random sampling
techniques. Of the total sample households, female accounts for 18%. In addition to farmers, a total of 11 DAs have
also participated in PRA.
Table-1. Number of farmers and experts involved in the PRA study, 2016
Districts Agro-ecology Kebeles Rural communities Total No of
experts
Total
Male Female
Erer Waldeya Lowland Waldeya 27 7 34 5 39
Dodota 26 3 29 2 31
Dire Teyara Midland Dire Teyara 30 7 37 4 41
Total 83 17 100 11 111
2.3. Method of Data Collection
Both primary and secondary data were collected from different sources during the survey.
2.4. Review of Secondary Data
The survey started with review of different published and unpublished documents and reports about the Harari
region. Secondary data regarding AGP-II districts were collected from Agriculture Offices of the selected districts
using a detailed checklist prepared for this purpose. Moreover, thorough discussions were made with development
agents and experts of respective regions and selected districts.
2.5. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs)
Discussions with farmers, development agents and other key informants were used to collect the relevant data.
The data about constraints to crop production, natural resource management, livestock production, marketing,
institutions, and socio-economic conditions were collected through intensive focus group discussions held at kebele
levels. The FGDs were held with elders and youth male and female farmers, community leaders, development agents
and experts from district offices.
2.6. Field Observations
The data generated in FGDs was supported by field observations. Accordingly, the survey team made visual
field observations of existing resources, existing cropping practice and constraints to crop production, natural
resources management practices and problems, livestock management, marketing facilities with farmers, key
informants, development agents and experts to complement the data collected through FGDs.
3. Journal of Agriculture and Crops
211
2.7. Data Analysis
The data and information collected from different sources were checked for consistence and completeness and
analyzed using descriptive statistics to draw and generate useful information.
3. Results and Discussions
3.1. Description of Study Districts
Erer Waldiya district is one of 3 districts found in the Harari region. This district is situated north east to south
east of Harar city. It is delimited by Jarso in the north, Gursum in the north east, Babile in east, Dire Teyara in west
and Sofi in the south west. The area of the district is about 84.19 km2
which accounts to 26.01% of the total rural
area. The district comprises of 4 kebeles, 1 of urban kebele and 3 of rural kebeles such as Erer ulanula, Eer Awaye,
Erer Dodota and Erer Waldiya. Among Erer Waldiya is the urban kebeles of district. The district is 13 km away from
Harar, which is located in east at a distance of 523 Km from Addis Ababa. Similarly, Dire Teyara district is situated
north east of Harar. It is delimited by kombolcha in the north, Jarso in the north east and Haramaya in west. The area
of the district is about 70.54 km2
which accounts to 21.79% of the total rural area of the region. The district
comprises of 6 kebeles, 1 urban kebele and 5 rural kebeles such as Sukul, Hasengey, Dire Teyara, Sigicha, Aboker
Muti and Miyay. The district is 8 km away from Harar, which is located in east at a distance of 518 Km from Addis
Ababa. As in the most of the Horn of Africa, two rainy seasons characterize in both Districts. The first is short rainy
seasons (Belg), takes place between March and May, while the second and the most important is main rainy season
(Meher) between July and October [3]. Therefore, PRA survey was implemented in two districts, Erer Waldiya
district stand for lowland and Dire Teyara district stand for midland based on the accessibility and agricultural
potential selected for target AGP-II project.
Table-2. Agro-ecology and population of the districts
Erer Waldiya Dire Teyara
Agro-ecologies Altitude Rural Pas Area coverage Altitude Rural PAs Area coverage
Mid land 1800 1 25% 2000 5 83.3%
Low land 1300 3 75% 1200 1 16.7%
Climatic Maximum Minimum Average Maximum Minimum Average
Rainfall(mm) 500 300 400 917.9 636.7 757.7
Temperature(°C) 35 25 30 28.4 22. 6 25.5
Population Male Female Total Male Female Total
Rural population 6,743 6,464 13,208 14,778 14,172 28,950
Urban population 4,655 4,464 9,119 4,533 4,347 8,880
Total 11,398 10,928 22,327 19,311 18519 37830
Source: Ethiopia‟s Rural Facilities and Services ATLAS, 2014, BOA, 2016
3.2. Major Soil type
The major soil types which occur in both midland and lowlands of the Erer Waldiya district are Luvisols (Sandy
soil) 90%, nitisols (clay soil) 10%. The major soil texture in midland of Dire Teyara district are Sandy soil, sandy
loam, clay soil and black soil. More percentage of the soil texture of the district is dominated by sandy loamy soil.
3.3. Land Use System
According to data obtained from Demographic and socio-economic profile of Erer waldiya district, the total area
of the district is 8419 hectares of the total cultivated land is estimated to be about 2,080 hectares (24.7%) which are
under the temporary crops, 25.3% under arable land, 12.7% forest land, 12.7% area closure and 5.9% are under land
used for construction, about 1619 hectares (19.2%) of the total land area of district is not suitable for agricultural
production and others. Secondary data information at Erer Waldiya district reviewed that the average land holding in
Midland (0.35ha) and lowland(0.52ha), and the numbers of farmers with average land holding of less than 0.5, 0.5-1
and 1-2 ha where 3500, 500 and 100, respectively. Whereas, Dire Teyara district, the total area of the district is
7054 hectares of the total cultivated land is estimated to be about 2,180 hectares (31%) which are under the
temporary crops, 0.35% forest land, 0.51% grazing land and 1.7% are under land used for construction, about 4693
hectares (66.5%) of the total land area of district is more of covered by Khat and partly not suitable for agricultural
production and others. Secondary data information of reviewed that the average land holding in Dire Teyara district
was 0.35ha and the numbers of farmers with average land holding of less than 0.5, 0.5-1 and 1-2 ha are 4636, 1468
and 532, respectively
3.4. Major Vegetation Type
In both districts the major vegetation types found are natural forest, bush land, shrubs and wood land tree.
Scattered forests trees and shrubs with few indigenous tree species are found on mountain and hill sides of the
Kebeles. Some tree species which include Cordia, Acacia, muka Garbi, Gravellia (shawshawe), sesbania sesban and
various fruit tree species are grown on the farmlands as agro-forestry trees.
4. Journal of Agriculture and Crops
212
4. Farming Systems and Management
4.1. Crop Production
A typical house hold in the rural area may grow cereals crops such as sorghum and maize are produced in the
both districts and wheat and barley only cultivated in midlands of Dire Teyara districts. FGDs and secondary data
reviewed the relative importance of major crops grown in the districts is shown in the following table.
Table-3. Area under major crops production in the districts
Commodity crops Erer Waldiya (low land) Dire Teyara
Cereal crops Area(ha) Ranking Area(ha) Ranking
Sorghum 965 1 2183 1
Maize 370 2 847 2
Wheat - 491 3
Barley - 5 4
Pulse and oil crops
Groundnuts 724 1 313 1
Haricot beans 20 2 45 2
Vegetables
Potato 205 1 149 1
Cabbage - 2 80 2
Tomato 820 56
Onion 57 70
Fruit
Mango 150 1 -
Papaya 54 2 -
Source: BOA, 2016. The number ranked is indicated that major crop production
4.2. Cropping Systems and Pattern
Mixed cropping system is the most dominant cropping system in the study areas. However, sorghum, maize,
wheat and barley are produced in sole crop but some farmers intercrop sorghum with maize, groundnut and Haricot
bean in respective districts. Intercropping sorghum with maize and sorghum with groundnut is especially common in
both districts. In lowland of Erer Waldiya district, there is rainfed farming in the existing land with single growing
period for short maturing crops. In the area, except few farmers that are advantaged to use irrigation, the rest
majority of farmers rely on rainfed crop production of which the distribution rain fall is often erratic. Currently, very
little development on irrigation has been undertaken in lowlands and mid lands of districts. These are the two
seasonal rivers such as Laga Fal‟ana and Gafire together with streams flow to Erer River in Erer Waldiya and
Amaresa River in Dire Teyara districts.
Figure-1. Caltivated area of crop production for the last five years at Erer Waldiya districts
5. Journal of Agriculture and Crops
213
Figure-2. Cultivated area of crops production for the last five years at Dire Teyara districts
4.3. Trends of Major Crop Production and Productivity
The two major cereal crops produced in the study areas are maize and sorghum. The FGDs and secondary data
information stated that the average productivity of local and improved sorghum per hector is 15.94 to 20 qt/ha and
24.9 to 30 qt/ha, respectively, and local and improved maize is 24.6 to 30 qt/ha and 36 to 45 qt/ha, respectively, in
low lands of Erer Waldiya and 22 to 40 and 30 to 45 qt/ha of local sorghum and maize, respectively, in midlands of
Dire Teyara districts. The production amount of cereal crops shows an increasing trend up to the year of 2014/15 and
it starts declining the next one year in Erer Waldiya whereas increasing in Dire Teyara districts. FGDs reported that
declining was associated with shortage improved varieties, low soil fertility, low soil moisture due to erratic rainfall
and its poor distribution in the area. The cultivated area of land under major crops production both by rain fed and
irrigation are shows a gradual positive change for the last five consecutive years in figure 3 and 4 below.
Figure-3. Productivity of major crops for the last of five years at Erer Waldiya district
Figure-4. Productivity of major crops for the last of five years at Dire Teyara district
6. Journal of Agriculture and Crops
214
4.4. Crop Management
4.4.1. Soil Fertility Improvement
The low soil fertility in the districts has been attributed to low inherent soil fertility, loss of nutrients through
erosion, intensive cultivation of the land which encourages oxidation reaction, total removal of crop residues for
animal feed and source of energy and little or no addition of organic matters and inorganic fertilizers. This is
particularly evident in the intensively cultivated areas, traditionally called high potential areas that are mainly
concentrated in the lowlands and midlands of districts of Harari region. To address the problems of soil fertility,
several technological interventions, especially those geared towards nutrient management and soil moisture
conservation, have been suggested. Results of FGDs and secondary data indicated that use of inorganic and organic
fertilizers and soil conservation measures are the major practices.
Use of inorganic fertilizers:- DAP, NPS and Urea fertilizers are the main inorganic fertilizers applied by farmers
during cropping season. Band, broadcasting and dressing method of fertilizer application is common practices for all
crops in both districts. Some discussants in Erer Waldiya noted that in maize and sorghum, urea is applied only one
time that is at knee height of the crop. Use of the inorganic fertilizers depends on the availability of rainfall and the
cost of fertilizers. Most of the discussants of Erer Waldiya and Dire Teyara districts noted that use of inorganic
fertilizers during moisture stress burns the crops.
Use of organic fertilizers:- Use of animal manure is a common practice in both districts. Most farmers use
combination of manure with inorganic fertilizers for major crops like sorghum, maize, tomato, potato and onion.
However, the amount of manures used depends on the number of livestock the households owned. Those farmers
who own more number of livestock use more manure than those who own less number of livestock. Manure is
collected from the barn and, directly transported and spread over the fields before planting for vegetable fields in
both districts. However, for sorghum and maize fields, farmers collect the manure and make heaps in barns for
certain months and later transport and spread on fields before planting, especially at off-season.
Soil conservation measures:- Soil conservation measures are the important and decisive activities undertaken by
the farmers in the study areas because of the land topography is undulating and fragile nature. Moreover, the area is
known for practicing soil fertility improvement measures particularly use animal manures. To this end, FGDs
participants have indicated that soil conservation measures are practiced to conserve the top soil from being eroded
and to conserve moisture. Soil and stone bunds are the common soil erosion control measures practiced by the
farmers in the study areas.
4.4.2. Agronomic Practices
In the study areas, land preparation practices are undertaken by oxen. Participants of FGDs of Erer Waldiya and
Dire Teyara districts reported that cultivation is performed with traditional local ploughing and hand tools such as
Hararghe Akafaa and Dongora. The land ploughing methods used by farmers is more or less similar for all crops in
both districts. The Power sources used in the study areas are human and animal. Mechanical power is not totally
used. The traditional animal plow implement is known as ard „maresha‟ which known for its long time use. Tillage
frequency for most of the crops is 2 to 3 times. Both broadcasting and row planting methods are used for planting
maize and sorghum. Wheat and barley are planted using broadcasting method while vegetable crops such as tomato,
onion and potato and fruit crops like mango are planted in row.
4.5. Pest Management Practices
4.5.1. Weed Management Practices
The most economically important weeds include parthenium, Cyprus and Striga species such as Striga
hermonthica and Striga sciatica. Among economically important crop weeds, the parasitic weed such as S.
hermonthica and S. asiatica are the most biotic constraints. At present, Striga is a serious constraint to sorghum and
maize production particularly in dry areas of the study districts. Seasonal fluctuations and/or climate change had
impact on weed infestation. Farmers in the area use cultural practices such as shallow cultivation tillage, deep
ploughing, and repeated cultivation of maize and sorghum fields using an ox-plough and hand hoe for controlling
weeds. Deep ploughing is done to uprooting parthenium and burring into the soil with its seed so that the crops able
to grow up before parthenium infestation. Roundup and herbicides are used for different weed types such as couch
grass, Bermuda grass and Cyprus grass whereas 2-4D is used for broad leaf weeds. High value crops like tomato,
onion and potato require repeated hand weeding to keep the fields clean from any weed infestation. Use of chemicals
for controlling weeds is not a common practice in the case of sorghum, maize, wheat, barley and sesame. In both
districts, weed control practices is usually undertaken 2-3 times manually by hand. The most important weed
species, time of weeding, weeding frequency and their management practices for AGP-II targeted crops are
presented in Table 2 and 3 below.
4.5.2. Insect Pest Management Practices
The major insect pests prevailing in the study areas include stalk borer, grubs, aphid, army worm and grass
hoper for sorghum and maize, shoot fly, grubs and grass hopper for wheat and barley and army worm for sesame.
Similarly, the major insect pests for vegetable crops include tomato leaf minor (Tuta absuluta), aphid and white flies
for tomato, thrips for onion, aphid and moth for potato. Mango is highly affected by thrips, midge, fruit fly and
termite whereas aphid is known to be the major insect affecting banana in Erer district. Insecticides like DDT and
MALATHION are applied on vegetable and fruit crops to control aphid, leaf minor (Tuta absuluta), white flies,
7. Journal of Agriculture and Crops
215
moth, spider mite, thrips, midge, fruit fly and termite. No insecticides used for controlling insect pests affecting
cereal crops. Farmers use insecticides with two to four time of spray per season. In addition to insecticides, farmers
in the area use traditional or cultural practices such as farm site cleaning, removing and burning the affected plant,
burying into the soil and then apply urine for three days for controlling insect pests. Removing and burning of the
affected plant is a common practice to control maize and sorghum stalk borer while burring into the soil is for grubs.
Furthermore, farmers of the Dire Teyara district reported that cattle urine is used to control all cereal worms. The
most important insect pests and their management practices for AGP-II targeted crops in table 2 and 3 below.
4.5.3. Disease Management Practices
Smut, leaf spot, root rot were found to be major diseases for sorghum and maize while rust was for wheat and
barley. No diseases were reported on sesame. Similarly, powdery mildew, down mildew, early blight were reported
for tomato while downy mildew and Purple blotch and Late and Early blight were found to be important diseases
for onion and potato respectively. Vegetable and fruit diseases include Dieback, blight, powdery mildew and
anthracnose for mango and white mold for banana. Furthermore, there are unidentified diseases locally called
“Deyma and waab” affecting sorghum and maize. According to farmers in Erer Waldiya and Dire Teyara districts,
they do not take control measure for disease on wheat and barley, but use DDT, MENCOZEB and MALATHION
for sorghum, maize and mango and MENCOZEB for vegetable crops such as tomato, potato and onion. In addition
to these, farmers in the area use different traditional or cultural practices such as cleaning farm site and removing and
burning the affected parts of the plant. Moreover, farmers of the Erer district reported to use smoking and ash
application to control blight, powdery mildew, Anthracnose for mango and white mold for banana. The most
important diseases and their management practices for AGP-II targeted crops is presented in table 4 and 5 below.
Table-4. Major cereal and pulse crop pests of in Erer Waldiya and Dire Teyara districts
No Major Pest Sorghum Maize Wheat Barley Sesame
1 Weed Striga hermonthica,
Striga asiatica,
Parthenium
hysterophorus,
Amaranthus hybrida
(pig weed), couch
grass,
Cocklebur,
Common
nettle(Anamale )
Oxalis (wanjalii),
Cyprus (qunni),
Striga hermonthica,
Striga asiatica,
Parthenium
hysterophorus,
Amaranthus hybrida
(pig weed),
Couch grass,
Cocklebur,
Common
nettle(Anamale ),
Oxalis (wanjalii),
Cyprus (qunni),
Amaranthus
hybrida (pig
weed),
Couch grass,
Cocklebur,
Common nettle
(Anamale ),
Oxalis (wanjalii),
Cyprus (qunni),
Amaranthus
hybrida (pig
weed),
Couch grass,
Cocklebur,
Common
nettle
(Anamale ),
Oxalis
(wanjalii),
Cyprus
(qunni),
Amaranthus
hybrida (pig
weed),
Couch grass,
Cocklebur,
Common
nettle
(Anamale )
Time of
weeding
April-sept. April-sept. April-sept. April-sept. June – July
Frequency
of weeding
Three times(two
times weeding plus
one time cultivation)
Three times(two
times weeding plus
one time cultivation)
Three times(two
times weeding plus
one time
cultivation)
Three
times(two
times weeding
plus one time
cultivation)
Three
times(two
times weeding
plus one time
cultivation)
2 Insect Stalk borer , Grubs,
Aphid , Army worm
(Geri), grass hoper
Stalk borer , Grubs,
Aphid, grass hoper
Shoot fly, Grubs,
grass hoper
Grubs, Shoot
fly, Grass
hoper
Army worm
(Geri)
Manageme
nt
Farm site cleaning,
Removing and
burning the affected
plant by borer,
Grubs is controlled
by inverting weed in
to underground the
soil and then apply
the urine after
burying in the soil for
three days,
Insecticide (DDT,
MALATHION) the
last option
Farm site cleaning,
Removing and
burning the affected
plant by borer,
Grubs is controlled
by inverting weed in
to underground the
soil
Insecticide (DDT,
MALATHION) the
last option
Cattle urine used for
all worms
Cattle urine used
for all worms
Cattle urine
used for all
worms
Cattle urine
used for all
worms
3 Disease Smut, Leaf spot,
Root rot
Leaf spot, Root rot Rust Rust -
Manageme
nt
Removing and
burning the affected
plants
DDT, MENCOZEB,
MALATHION
Removing and
burning the affected
plants
DDT, MENCOZEB,
MALATHION
- -
8. Journal of Agriculture and Crops
216
Table-5. Major vegetables and fruit crop pests of in Erer Waldiya and Dire Teyara districts
No Major Pest Tomato Onion Potato Mango Banana
1 Weed Toma bashoo
(Orobanche)
Anamale(nettle)
Orome
(Amaranthus
hybrida)
Dhimbil
(parthenium)
Sardoo(Bermud
a grass)
Burana(couch
grass)
Anamale(nettle
)
Orome
(Amaranthus
hybrida)
Sardoo(Bermu
da grass)
Burana(couch
grass
Dhimbil
(parthenium)
Anamale(nettle)
Orome
(Amaranthus
hybrida)
Sardoo(Bermuda
grass)
Burana(couch
grass
Dhimbil
(parthenium)
Bakargate
(Lantana
camara)
Bakargate (Lantana
camara)
Frequency
of weeding
2-3 times 2-3 times 2-3 times Depend on weed
occurrence
Depend on weed
occurrence
2 Insect Aphid,
Leaf minor
(Tuta absuluta)
white flies,
Spider mite
Thrips Aphid, Moth,
Spider mite
Thrips
Midge
Fruit fly
Termite
Aphid
Managemen
t
Site cleaning
and removing
affected part of
the plants
Insecticide
(DDT,
MALATHION)
Site cleaning
Insecticide
(DDT,
MALATHION
)
Site cleaning
Insecticide
(DDT,
MALATHION)
Site cleaning and
removing
affected part of
the plants
Insecticide (DDT,
MALATHION)
3 Disease Powdery mildew
,
Down mildew,
Early blight
Down mildew,
Purple blotch
Late blight
Early blight
Die back
Blight
powdery mildew
Anthracnose
white mold
Managemen
t
Fungicide
application
(Mancozeb)
Fungicide
application
(Mancozeb)
Fungicide
application
(Mancozeb)
Removing
affected part of
the plant
Smoking
Application of
ash
DDT,
MENCOZEB,
MALATHION
Smoking
4.5.4. Crop Production Constraints
Various production constraints were identified through the PRA study conducted in the two districts. The
identified constraints were generally categorized into three categories as production related (such as Weed, Insects,
disease rainfall, improved technology and soil infertility), Post harvest handling (threshing, harvesting, transporting,
storage structure and) and market related (market access, market organization, credit access, input acquisitions)
constraints. The major bottlenecks identified include lack of improved crop varieties, moisture stress, low soil
fertility, deforestation, disease and insect pests, knowledge and skill gap on agronomic practices and soil fertility
management, poor post harvest handling, low access to market and credit services Table 6.
Table-6. Matrix ranking for crop production constraints in district
Crop production constraints Erer Waldiya kebele Dire Teyara kebele
Management related Waldiya Dodota Dire
Shortage of improved variety 1st
(5) 2nd
(4) 3rd
(3)
Insect and diseases 4th
(2) 3rd
(3) 2nd
(4)
Weed 3rd
(3) 3rd
(3) 1st
(5)
Moisture stress 2nd
(4) 1st
(5) 2nd
(4)
Poor Soil fertility 6th
(0) 5th
(2) 4th
(2)
Knowledge and skill gap 5th
(1) 6th
(1) 5th
(0)
Post harvest related
Harvesting and threshing technique 1st
(3) 1st
(3) 1st
(3)
Transportation 2nd
(2) 2nd
(2) 4th
(0)
Storage 3rd
(1) 3rd
(1) 2nd
(2)
Processing (quality) 4th
(0) 4th
(0) 3rd
(1)
Marketing related
Market access 1st
(4) 1st
(4) 1st
(4)
High price of inputs 2nd
(3) 2nd
(3) 4th
(1)
Credit access 5th
(0) 5th
(0) 5th
(0)
Market information: 4th
(1) 4th
(1) 3rd
(2)
Lack organized market 3rd
(2) 3rd
(2) 2nd
(3)
Note: Figures in the parenthesis are the score values; numbers outside the parentheses are matrix ranking
9. Journal of Agriculture and Crops
217
6. Conclusions
Based on the information obtained from the PRA survey the following can be recommended to improve crop
production in the area.
There is a need to improve supply of improved seeds.
Research on soil fertility and other agronomic management practices for the major crops of the districts are
very important.
Disease, insect and weed control technologies should be developed as the area is highly prone to crop and
coffee diseases, insect pests and weed.
Local and indigenous knowledge of farmers should be supported scientifically for better control of crop
pests.
Emphasis should be given for on-farm demonstration and popularization of improved crop production
technologies.
References
[1] Kassie, M., Zikhali, P., Manjur, K., and Edwards, S., 2009. Adoption of sustainable agriculture practices:
evidence from a semi-arid region of Ethiopia, natural resource Forum. Wiley Online Library, pp. 189–198.
[2] Siyoum, A. D., 2012. Broken promises food security interventions and rural livelihoods in ethiopia,
disaster studies, wageningen university. The Netherlands: Wageningen. p. 172.
[3] Canali, M. and Slaviero, F., 2010. "Food insecurity and risk management of smallholder farming systems in
Ethiopia." In 9th European IFSA Symposium, 4-7 July 2010, Vienna (Austria).