Evaluation of land use practice and its future consequence on dilla zuria wor...zinabu wolde
The study reviewed Land use practices in Gedeo Zone Dilla Zuria woreda to assess its role and achievements in ensuring good food security since 2014 in which the people of Gedeo were being practice on. The objectives were to (1) identify the land Use practice that have been used over time; (2) identify the problem of current land Use practice in the area (3) identify the challenges of the practice in the soil; (4) determine the extent of use of land use practice from historical approaches in maintaining good service and (5) make recommendations for further improvement of land use practice. Primary sources, Published and unpublished secondary sources revealed that several agricultural approach were being undertaken in order to make clear land use practice of the area. One of the basic approaches undertaken today was Agroforestry practice, which culturally tied with Nation of Gedeo. Land use practice dealt with challenges of previous and current approaches of land use practice. Aspects of challenges to effective Land use practice in area were administrative or management, farmer awareness, and in general, attitudinal change of farmers in the area. Natural resource management such as integrated watershed management, soil and water conservation practice, consequence of improper land use practice are discussed and recommended for further improvement of land use practice in the study area.
The natural environment of the Nsukka, is characterized by a combination of trees and grasses in different proportions. This readily provides conducive conditions for the combined cultivation of annual crops and perennial crops, or trees. But, some factors might have stalled the espousal and practice of agro forestry in Nsukka; this is because Nsukka until recently was generally inaccessible and lacked basic infrastructure. These have contributed negatively to result in wastage of farm products especially during harvest periods, and consequent loss of income to the farmers. The broad aim of the study was to analyze agro forestry land use practices of Nsukka farmers, assess the benefits, and draw up lessons and recommendations for sustainable agro forestry development in community-based forestry projects by describing the socioeconomic characteristics of farmers, determining the type of agro forestry practiced in the area, identifying the reasons for farmers’ participation in agro forestry practices, identifying the constraints to sustainable agro forestry in the area and the measures for tackling the constraints and determining the benefits of agro forestry to participating farmers and their communities at large. The results of the study showed that most farmers sale greater part of their produce as the only source of income and most farmers spend less because they use animal dropping as a source of fertilizer. The land tenure system of the entire study area is largely by inheritance, and land use is determined by the male head and, on whom the right of usage is vested. Similarly, the ownership, sponsorship and management of agro forestry farms are largely by the families.
Evaluation of land use practice and its future consequence on dilla zuria wor...zinabu wolde
The study reviewed Land use practices in Gedeo Zone Dilla Zuria woreda to assess its role and achievements in ensuring good food security since 2014 in which the people of Gedeo were being practice on. The objectives were to (1) identify the land Use practice that have been used over time; (2) identify the problem of current land Use practice in the area (3) identify the challenges of the practice in the soil; (4) determine the extent of use of land use practice from historical approaches in maintaining good service and (5) make recommendations for further improvement of land use practice. Primary sources, Published and unpublished secondary sources revealed that several agricultural approach were being undertaken in order to make clear land use practice of the area. One of the basic approaches undertaken today was Agroforestry practice, which culturally tied with Nation of Gedeo. Land use practice dealt with challenges of previous and current approaches of land use practice. Aspects of challenges to effective Land use practice in area were administrative or management, farmer awareness, and in general, attitudinal change of farmers in the area. Natural resource management such as integrated watershed management, soil and water conservation practice, consequence of improper land use practice are discussed and recommended for further improvement of land use practice in the study area.
The natural environment of the Nsukka, is characterized by a combination of trees and grasses in different proportions. This readily provides conducive conditions for the combined cultivation of annual crops and perennial crops, or trees. But, some factors might have stalled the espousal and practice of agro forestry in Nsukka; this is because Nsukka until recently was generally inaccessible and lacked basic infrastructure. These have contributed negatively to result in wastage of farm products especially during harvest periods, and consequent loss of income to the farmers. The broad aim of the study was to analyze agro forestry land use practices of Nsukka farmers, assess the benefits, and draw up lessons and recommendations for sustainable agro forestry development in community-based forestry projects by describing the socioeconomic characteristics of farmers, determining the type of agro forestry practiced in the area, identifying the reasons for farmers’ participation in agro forestry practices, identifying the constraints to sustainable agro forestry in the area and the measures for tackling the constraints and determining the benefits of agro forestry to participating farmers and their communities at large. The results of the study showed that most farmers sale greater part of their produce as the only source of income and most farmers spend less because they use animal dropping as a source of fertilizer. The land tenure system of the entire study area is largely by inheritance, and land use is determined by the male head and, on whom the right of usage is vested. Similarly, the ownership, sponsorship and management of agro forestry farms are largely by the families.
Influence of fertilizers on incidence and severity of early blight and late b...Innspub Net
The potato (Solanum tuberosum) production in the Far North Region, Cameroon is confronted with, diseases and pests. To improve the production of this plant, a study was carried out in Mouvou and Gouria to evaluate the impact of fertilizers on the development of late blight and early blight diseases of this plant. The experimental design used was a completely randomized block with 4 treatments: Mycorrhizae (MYC), NPK (20-10-10) chemical fertilizers, chicken droppings (CD) and a control (T). The plant material used was a local variety of potato (Dosa). Disease incidence and severity and rainfall were evaluated. Area Under Disease Progress Curve was calculated. At 60 DAS, mean incidences recorded for fertilizers were 5.7, 3.6, 1.8 and 0.8 % respectively for control, MYC, NPK and CD. In general, early blight severity decreased from 22.1% at 45 DAS to 0.3 % at 60 DAS. The highest AUDPC value of late blight at Mouvou site was observed in NPK treatment while potato in CD treatment had the lowest. The lowest AUDPC value of early blight was observed in CD treatment at both sites. AUDSIPC value for late blight was significantly higher in NPK treatment in both sites. The highest value of AUDPSIC of early blight was recorded in MYC treatment, 45 DAS in both sites. The average rainfall was higher in the Gouria site (716.5mm) than in Mouvou site (679 mm). The CD treatment can be recommended to the farmers for the phytosanitary protection of potatoes.
Comparative Analysis of Fertilizer Use among Small-Scale Irrigation Farmers i...iosrjce
IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science (IOSR-JAVS) is a double blind peer reviewed International Journal edited by the International Organization of Scientific Research (IOSR). The journal provides a common forum where all aspects of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences are presented. The journal invites original papers, review articles, technical reports and short communications containing new insight into any aspect Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences that are not published or not being considered for publication elsewhere.
Drought-tolerant maize genotypes belonging to two different maturity (10 early and 10 intermediate) groups were
evaluated for yield and other related characters in the Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria for two years (2009 and
2010). The differences among genotypes between and within maturity groups differed significantly (P<0.01)><0.01) only for grain yield. The rainfall patterns were favourable in
both cropping years with comparable values of growth parameters. Intermediate maturing genotypes (TZL COMP1-
W C6 F2, SUWAN-1-SR-SYN, TZB-SR, OBA SUPER I, EV 8435-SR) out-yielded early maturing ones with yield
advantage of 34.29% and taller by 17.04% compared to early ones. However, early genotypes were early to
anthesis with 6.57% advantage over intermediate genotypes. Four early genotypes (DMR-ESR Y CIF2, AC 90
POOL 16 DT, STR, TZE-W DT STR C4 and ACR 95TZE COMP4 C3) were superior for grain yield withn a range of
4.39 to 4.68 t ha-1. These genotypes could be selected either as parental breeding cultivars to overcome the
problem of moisture stress during the later part of the cropping season or introgressed with favourable cultivars for
high yield adaptable to drought-prone areas in the SGS agro-ecology.
Analysis of adaptation and extent of adaptation to climate variability among ...researchagriculture
The performance of agriculture is influenced by many factors including
climate variability. This factor is gradually being recognized as a key element in
shaping the form, scale, size and time
-
frame of agricultural productivity. Climate
variability is expected to have significant economic, environmental and social impacts
on various sectors of the Kenyan economy. In particular, rural farmers who depend on
major crops like maize and wheat for their livelihoods are likely to bear the brunt of
adverse impacts. The extent to which these impacts are felt depends in large part on
the extent of adaptation in response to climate variability. The key question here is,
“Why are wheat farmers in Rongai district facing continued decline in wheat output
despite evidence from both national and continental perspective that farmers have
adapted to climatic variability”. This study seeks to find out whether wheat farmers in
Rongai District have adapted to climate variability, and if that is the case, to what
extent. The study used multistage sampling procedure to select 150 wheat farmers in
Rongai district informed by both primary and secondary data sources. Data analysis
was done using descriptive statistics. The results indicated that indeed, farmers in the
area were able to recognize that temperatures have increased and there has been a
reduction in the volume of rainfall as well the vegetation cover. They were also able
to note changes in disease occurrence and pest infestation. The percentage of
farmers who perceived the changes was 62% while those who did not were 38%. The
percentage of farmers who perceived changes in temperature, precipitation and
vegetation cover were all equal. This indicates that the farmers were able to relate all
the three indicators of climate variability similarly.
Authors: Norman Uphoff, Vasilia Fasoula, Iswandi Anas, Amir Kassam and A.K. Thakur
Title: Improving the Phenotypic Expression of Rice Genotypes: Reasons to Rethink Selection Practices and ‘Intensification’ for Rice Production Systems
Oral presentation at: The 4th International Rice Congress
Venue: Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Center, Bangkok, Thailand
Date: October 31, 2014
Cocoa is known as one of the notable cultivated cash crops of the tropical rainforest of the world that is rain dependent. The study examines the effect of rainfall variation on the yield of cocoa plantation in Ondo State, Nigeria. Data used for the study includes the rainfall data of 15 years from 2000 to 2014 collected from Ondo state agro climatological office as well as cocoa yield data for the same period of time from Ondo State ministry of agriculture and forest resources. Descriptive statistical method was employed to determine the relationship between both variables in which the result shows direct relationship between rainfall and cocoa yield. Results were presented using bar charts and line graph for the time series analysis of the variables. Linear regression statistical analysis was used to predict cocoa yield with certain amount of rainfall with the correlation coefficient ‘r’ value of 0.97 which implies that rainfall changes go a long way to determine the same variation trend in the cocoa yield. Though, not only the quantity of rainfall within the range of rainfall required for the growth of this crop affect the yield but its distribution. A little millimeter of rainfall above or below the required range of rain for cocoa plantation greatly affects cocoa yield.
Existing practices for soil fertility management through cereals-legume inter...Premier Publishers
Low crop production has been attributed to inherently low availability of plant nutrients, nutrient imbalances and inadequate soil moisture for plant growth. Past and current soil management practices have enhanced the degradation of the soils. These have been caused by increased withdrawal of plant nutrients from the soil and consequently to reduced plant growth. To meet future food requirements, it is inevitable that the use of inorganic fertilizers will continue to increase. However, such fertilizers are expensive to farmers and they are potential environmental pollutants. The intensification and diversification of the cropping systems and traditional practices in Africa have compounded the decline in soil fertility. To raise and sustain soil fertility and productivity in Africa, appropriate traditional soil fertility management practices have to be developed and adopted by farmers. Cereal-legumes cropping systems accompanying management technologies indicated the advantage of these technologies and their function of socio-economic and bio-physical conditions. This review explored the mechanisms and processes associated with soil fertility management, effect of intensive agriculture on soil degradation, role of traditional and scientific knowledge, benefits, challenges and additional cereal-legumes cropping systems. These contributed to understanding the effects soil fertility management decisions and human-use impacts on long-term ecological composition and function.
at the 3rd Global Science Conference on Climate-Smart Agriculture in Montpellier.
Read more: http://ccafs.cgiar.org/3rd-global-science-conference-%E2%80%9Cclimate-smart-agriculture-2015%E2%80%9D#.VRurLUesXX4
Evaluating Plantmate organic manure and prime EC foliar on plant performance ...Innspub Net
Trials for the effectiveness of Plantmate organic manure and Prime EC Foliar Plant Food for increased yields for selected crops were done in five different Agro-ecological zones and soil types, in Kenya. The approach was executed through controlled greenhouse experiment and in the field. The trials data obtained indicated Plantmate organic manure and Prime EC Foliar Plant Food in combination with half the rate of recommended inorganic fertilizer performed significantly (p<0.05) better than all other treatments. Thus, plots treated with Plantmate organic manure and Prime EC Foliar Plant Food gave higher yields in common beans, French beans, maize, onions, cabbages, capsicum with percentages exceeding 100 compared to the control in most cases. In many soils fertilizers are fixed and rendered insoluble under certain soil conditions such as soil pH. The Plantmate organic manure and Prime EC Foliar Plant Food ameliorated the soil conditions as it interacted with inorganic fertilizer thus increasing its use efficiency by crops. Plantmate organic manure and Prime EC Foliar Plant Food not only increased soil chemical fertility but also improves water use efficiency at low matric potential and generally improves plant vigor and soil health.
Environmental Science and Engineering (BE), This subject is common for all Engineer's and its based on Anna University Syllabus.
If ur a tech loving person, do visit http://insmartworld.blogspot.in/
Influence of fertilizers on incidence and severity of early blight and late b...Innspub Net
The potato (Solanum tuberosum) production in the Far North Region, Cameroon is confronted with, diseases and pests. To improve the production of this plant, a study was carried out in Mouvou and Gouria to evaluate the impact of fertilizers on the development of late blight and early blight diseases of this plant. The experimental design used was a completely randomized block with 4 treatments: Mycorrhizae (MYC), NPK (20-10-10) chemical fertilizers, chicken droppings (CD) and a control (T). The plant material used was a local variety of potato (Dosa). Disease incidence and severity and rainfall were evaluated. Area Under Disease Progress Curve was calculated. At 60 DAS, mean incidences recorded for fertilizers were 5.7, 3.6, 1.8 and 0.8 % respectively for control, MYC, NPK and CD. In general, early blight severity decreased from 22.1% at 45 DAS to 0.3 % at 60 DAS. The highest AUDPC value of late blight at Mouvou site was observed in NPK treatment while potato in CD treatment had the lowest. The lowest AUDPC value of early blight was observed in CD treatment at both sites. AUDSIPC value for late blight was significantly higher in NPK treatment in both sites. The highest value of AUDPSIC of early blight was recorded in MYC treatment, 45 DAS in both sites. The average rainfall was higher in the Gouria site (716.5mm) than in Mouvou site (679 mm). The CD treatment can be recommended to the farmers for the phytosanitary protection of potatoes.
Comparative Analysis of Fertilizer Use among Small-Scale Irrigation Farmers i...iosrjce
IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science (IOSR-JAVS) is a double blind peer reviewed International Journal edited by the International Organization of Scientific Research (IOSR). The journal provides a common forum where all aspects of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences are presented. The journal invites original papers, review articles, technical reports and short communications containing new insight into any aspect Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences that are not published or not being considered for publication elsewhere.
Drought-tolerant maize genotypes belonging to two different maturity (10 early and 10 intermediate) groups were
evaluated for yield and other related characters in the Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria for two years (2009 and
2010). The differences among genotypes between and within maturity groups differed significantly (P<0.01)><0.01) only for grain yield. The rainfall patterns were favourable in
both cropping years with comparable values of growth parameters. Intermediate maturing genotypes (TZL COMP1-
W C6 F2, SUWAN-1-SR-SYN, TZB-SR, OBA SUPER I, EV 8435-SR) out-yielded early maturing ones with yield
advantage of 34.29% and taller by 17.04% compared to early ones. However, early genotypes were early to
anthesis with 6.57% advantage over intermediate genotypes. Four early genotypes (DMR-ESR Y CIF2, AC 90
POOL 16 DT, STR, TZE-W DT STR C4 and ACR 95TZE COMP4 C3) were superior for grain yield withn a range of
4.39 to 4.68 t ha-1. These genotypes could be selected either as parental breeding cultivars to overcome the
problem of moisture stress during the later part of the cropping season or introgressed with favourable cultivars for
high yield adaptable to drought-prone areas in the SGS agro-ecology.
Analysis of adaptation and extent of adaptation to climate variability among ...researchagriculture
The performance of agriculture is influenced by many factors including
climate variability. This factor is gradually being recognized as a key element in
shaping the form, scale, size and time
-
frame of agricultural productivity. Climate
variability is expected to have significant economic, environmental and social impacts
on various sectors of the Kenyan economy. In particular, rural farmers who depend on
major crops like maize and wheat for their livelihoods are likely to bear the brunt of
adverse impacts. The extent to which these impacts are felt depends in large part on
the extent of adaptation in response to climate variability. The key question here is,
“Why are wheat farmers in Rongai district facing continued decline in wheat output
despite evidence from both national and continental perspective that farmers have
adapted to climatic variability”. This study seeks to find out whether wheat farmers in
Rongai District have adapted to climate variability, and if that is the case, to what
extent. The study used multistage sampling procedure to select 150 wheat farmers in
Rongai district informed by both primary and secondary data sources. Data analysis
was done using descriptive statistics. The results indicated that indeed, farmers in the
area were able to recognize that temperatures have increased and there has been a
reduction in the volume of rainfall as well the vegetation cover. They were also able
to note changes in disease occurrence and pest infestation. The percentage of
farmers who perceived the changes was 62% while those who did not were 38%. The
percentage of farmers who perceived changes in temperature, precipitation and
vegetation cover were all equal. This indicates that the farmers were able to relate all
the three indicators of climate variability similarly.
Authors: Norman Uphoff, Vasilia Fasoula, Iswandi Anas, Amir Kassam and A.K. Thakur
Title: Improving the Phenotypic Expression of Rice Genotypes: Reasons to Rethink Selection Practices and ‘Intensification’ for Rice Production Systems
Oral presentation at: The 4th International Rice Congress
Venue: Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Center, Bangkok, Thailand
Date: October 31, 2014
Cocoa is known as one of the notable cultivated cash crops of the tropical rainforest of the world that is rain dependent. The study examines the effect of rainfall variation on the yield of cocoa plantation in Ondo State, Nigeria. Data used for the study includes the rainfall data of 15 years from 2000 to 2014 collected from Ondo state agro climatological office as well as cocoa yield data for the same period of time from Ondo State ministry of agriculture and forest resources. Descriptive statistical method was employed to determine the relationship between both variables in which the result shows direct relationship between rainfall and cocoa yield. Results were presented using bar charts and line graph for the time series analysis of the variables. Linear regression statistical analysis was used to predict cocoa yield with certain amount of rainfall with the correlation coefficient ‘r’ value of 0.97 which implies that rainfall changes go a long way to determine the same variation trend in the cocoa yield. Though, not only the quantity of rainfall within the range of rainfall required for the growth of this crop affect the yield but its distribution. A little millimeter of rainfall above or below the required range of rain for cocoa plantation greatly affects cocoa yield.
Existing practices for soil fertility management through cereals-legume inter...Premier Publishers
Low crop production has been attributed to inherently low availability of plant nutrients, nutrient imbalances and inadequate soil moisture for plant growth. Past and current soil management practices have enhanced the degradation of the soils. These have been caused by increased withdrawal of plant nutrients from the soil and consequently to reduced plant growth. To meet future food requirements, it is inevitable that the use of inorganic fertilizers will continue to increase. However, such fertilizers are expensive to farmers and they are potential environmental pollutants. The intensification and diversification of the cropping systems and traditional practices in Africa have compounded the decline in soil fertility. To raise and sustain soil fertility and productivity in Africa, appropriate traditional soil fertility management practices have to be developed and adopted by farmers. Cereal-legumes cropping systems accompanying management technologies indicated the advantage of these technologies and their function of socio-economic and bio-physical conditions. This review explored the mechanisms and processes associated with soil fertility management, effect of intensive agriculture on soil degradation, role of traditional and scientific knowledge, benefits, challenges and additional cereal-legumes cropping systems. These contributed to understanding the effects soil fertility management decisions and human-use impacts on long-term ecological composition and function.
at the 3rd Global Science Conference on Climate-Smart Agriculture in Montpellier.
Read more: http://ccafs.cgiar.org/3rd-global-science-conference-%E2%80%9Cclimate-smart-agriculture-2015%E2%80%9D#.VRurLUesXX4
Evaluating Plantmate organic manure and prime EC foliar on plant performance ...Innspub Net
Trials for the effectiveness of Plantmate organic manure and Prime EC Foliar Plant Food for increased yields for selected crops were done in five different Agro-ecological zones and soil types, in Kenya. The approach was executed through controlled greenhouse experiment and in the field. The trials data obtained indicated Plantmate organic manure and Prime EC Foliar Plant Food in combination with half the rate of recommended inorganic fertilizer performed significantly (p<0.05) better than all other treatments. Thus, plots treated with Plantmate organic manure and Prime EC Foliar Plant Food gave higher yields in common beans, French beans, maize, onions, cabbages, capsicum with percentages exceeding 100 compared to the control in most cases. In many soils fertilizers are fixed and rendered insoluble under certain soil conditions such as soil pH. The Plantmate organic manure and Prime EC Foliar Plant Food ameliorated the soil conditions as it interacted with inorganic fertilizer thus increasing its use efficiency by crops. Plantmate organic manure and Prime EC Foliar Plant Food not only increased soil chemical fertility but also improves water use efficiency at low matric potential and generally improves plant vigor and soil health.
Environmental Science and Engineering (BE), This subject is common for all Engineer's and its based on Anna University Syllabus.
If ur a tech loving person, do visit http://insmartworld.blogspot.in/
Evaluation of the Growth and Yield Performances of Maize in a Soybean Culture...iosrjce
IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science (IOSR-JAVS) is a double blind peer reviewed International Journal edited by the International Organization of Scientific Research (IOSR). The journal provides a common forum where all aspects of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences are presented. The journal invites original papers, review articles, technical reports and short communications containing new insight into any aspect Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences that are not published or not being considered for publication elsewhere.
Findings from a survey in western kenya to determine the soil fertility reple...Innspub Net
A survey on adoption levels of the existing soil nitrogen replenishing technologies amongst farmers in three counties in western Kenya was carried out in June 2011. Three farmer associations were Angurai Farmers Development Project (AFDEP), Bungoma Small-Scale Farmers Forum (BUSSFFO) and Mwangaza Farmer Group (MFAGRO). During the survey 223 farmers were interviewed with roughly a half of the households surveyed being members of farmer associations (FAs) and the other half being non-members, who acted as the control. Stratified random sampling technique was used. A repeated measures Analysis of Variance (RM – ANOVA) showed that various soil nitrogen replenishment technologies were adopted to various degrees, F (4.39, 855.43) =23.36, p<.001). The findings of this study indicated that the available technologies most extensively used in the study area were the use of inorganic fertilisers (DAP), planting of improved legumes processing, Lab lab, Push Pull, and Super 2 Package. In second place, were technologies such as seed inoculation, foliar feed use, top dressing fertiliser (CAN) and use of improved legumes. The least used technologies were found to be Ua Kayongo (IR seed), MBILI intercropping, fortified compost, and use of Farm yard manure and liming. The results also indicated that generally, adoption of technologies was higher amongst farmer association members compared with non-members regardless of the county. Bungoma County had significantly highest level of technology adoption level compared to both Busia and Vihiga. Adoption of soil technologies was also found to be positively correlated with farmers’ educational level but inversely related with their age.
Technical Efficiency of Soya Beans Production in Mubi North Local Government ...Agriculture Journal IJOEAR
— The study was conducted to evaluate the technical efficiency of soya bean production in Mubi North Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria. The objective of the study was to examine the inputs and output relationship of soya bean production in the study area. A multi stage random sampling techniques was used to select 80 respondents in the study area who were noted for soya beans production. Primary data were collected from the respondents with the aid of structured questionnaire and were analyzed using stochastic frontier function. It was therefore recommended that inputs such as seeds, fertilizers and agrochemicals which were the major inputs that increase the output of soya bean production in the study area should be made available on time, in right amounts and at affordable prices to the farmer's stakeholders in agriculture. Proper orientation and knowledge should be given to people willing to go into the cultivation of soya beans on the appropriate time of planting. Extension services should also be rendered effectively.
Soil fertility improvement by Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A Gray and its e...theijes
The International Journal of Engineering & Science is aimed at providing a platform for researchers, engineers, scientists, or educators to publish their original research results, to exchange new ideas, to disseminate information in innovative designs, engineering experiences and technological skills. It is also the Journal's objective to promote engineering and technology education. All papers submitted to the Journal will be blind peer-reviewed. Only original articles will be published.
Context: Development of early maturing maize cultivars that remain productive under low N fertilizer farming system, consistent with the farmers’ technologies is a prerequisite to improving adoption of new varieties without increasing production cost.
Objective: To assess the performance of ten early open pollination maize varieties (OPVs) and their F1 hybrids for grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and also identify productive cultivars under low N fertilizer regimes.
Materials and Methods: The trials were set up in a split plot arrangement with three N fertilizer levels (0, 45 and 90 kg N ha-1) as main plot and the genotypes as sub-plot. Each plot within N level was four-row, laid out in a randomized complete block design of four replications. Ten OPVs were crossed in a half diallel to generate 45 F1 hybrids during 2004 and 2005 growing seasons. Planting were carried out on 20th July, 2005 and 2nd July, 2006. Agronomic characters studied were grain yield, maize establishment count, days to 50% tasselling and silking as well as plant and ear heights.
Results: The year 2005 growing season was better for all observed characters amongst all the genotypes than the year 2006. Although, expressions of these traits in the hybrids were relatively higher than the OPVs including the grain yield. The total increase in grain yield observed was 1.72 t ha-1 and 1.95 t ha-1 for OPVs and hybrids respectively on application of 90 kg ha-1 over no N-application. However, NUE was optimum at 45 kg N ha-1 in both groups. Grain yield and NUE correlated positively with growth characters measured except for days to 50% silking. Higher genetic gains were recorded for plant and ear heights.
Conclusion: Two drought tolerant varieties (Acr 90 Pool 16-Dt and Tze Comp3 Dt) that combined well with specific cultivars for grain yield and NUE probably have gene pools for low N-tolerance.
A comparative study on the response of six maize hybrids: two
hybrids each from the 1980s (8321-21 and 8425-8), 1990s (9801-11 and 9803-2)
and 2000s (0103-11 and 0103-15) to sub-optimal and optimal nitrogen fertilization
was conducted in Oke-Oyi, Nigeria. The trials were set up in a split plot with three
nitrogen levels (0, 30 and 90 kg N ha-1) as a main plot and six hybrids as sub-plots.
Significant interactions were observed between hybrid and N level for all
characters, with increasing in variation as the level of N decreased. Mean grain
yield reductions across eras were 73.8% at no-N and 32.6% at low-N, and those of
optimal-N fertilization were 34.3% and 15.7% for 1980s and 1990s genotypes
respectively. Depending on N treatment, grain yield varied from 0.67 to 4.89 t ha-1.
Kernel number was most severely reduced by N stress, but had positive and highly
significant (p≤0.01) correlation with grain yield at all N levels. Genetic gains in
grain yield were 42% (between 1980 and 2000 eras) and 9% (between 1990 and
2000 eras) under optimal-N fertilization. The two modern hybrids of 2000 era
(0103-11 and 0103-15) were outstanding for all the agronomic traits and leaf
chlorophyll concentration at all N levels. Improving traits associated with fertilizer
N response could accelerate rate of genetic gains in maize yields.
The extensive use of fertilizers and pesticides in the flower farming industries has been linked to negative environmental and social impacts. The cross-sectional study was conducted to assess social and environmental concerns of flower farms in Central Ethiopia using questionnaires, focus group discussion and field visits. This study revealed that 317 (52.75%) of respondents reported that flower farms have been disposing of their flower residue of in the open field. The findings of this study showed that 216(36%) of inhabitants buy or receive empty chemical bags and containers that had been disposed by the flower farms. Focus Group Discussion participants perceived the decrease in volume and quality of groundwater, a decrease in productivity, land degradation, and increased emerging diseases due to the existence of flower farms in the area.. In addition, they reported abuse of employee rights, displacement of farmers from fertile land, death of cattle and fish, loss of acceptance for their agricultural and fish products. In conclusion, this study revealed that there are a poor waste management and unsustainable activities by the flower farms. The government should closely monitor these farms and undergo a holistic study to quantify environmental and local inhabitant's opportunity costs of flower farming activity.
Similar to Effects of soil erosion on technical efficiency of cassava farmers in enugu state, nigeria (20)
OpenMetadata Community Meeting - 5th June 2024OpenMetadata
The OpenMetadata Community Meeting was held on June 5th, 2024. In this meeting, we discussed about the data quality capabilities that are integrated with the Incident Manager, providing a complete solution to handle your data observability needs. Watch the end-to-end demo of the data quality features.
* How to run your own data quality framework
* What is the performance impact of running data quality frameworks
* How to run the test cases in your own ETL pipelines
* How the Incident Manager is integrated
* Get notified with alerts when test cases fail
Watch the meeting recording here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbNOje0kf6E
GraphSummit Paris - The art of the possible with Graph TechnologyNeo4j
Sudhir Hasbe, Chief Product Officer, Neo4j
Join us as we explore breakthrough innovations enabled by interconnected data and AI. Discover firsthand how organizations use relationships in data to uncover contextual insights and solve our most pressing challenges – from optimizing supply chains, detecting fraud, and improving customer experiences to accelerating drug discoveries.
A Study of Variable-Role-based Feature Enrichment in Neural Models of CodeAftab Hussain
Understanding variable roles in code has been found to be helpful by students
in learning programming -- could variable roles help deep neural models in
performing coding tasks? We do an exploratory study.
- These are slides of the talk given at InteNSE'23: The 1st International Workshop on Interpretability and Robustness in Neural Software Engineering, co-located with the 45th International Conference on Software Engineering, ICSE 2023, Melbourne Australia
Unleash Unlimited Potential with One-Time Purchase
BoxLang is more than just a language; it's a community. By choosing a Visionary License, you're not just investing in your success, you're actively contributing to the ongoing development and support of BoxLang.
Software Engineering, Software Consulting, Tech Lead.
Spring Boot, Spring Cloud, Spring Core, Spring JDBC, Spring Security,
Spring Transaction, Spring MVC,
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Effects of soil erosion on technical efficiency of cassava farmers in enugu state, nigeria
1. Journal of Environment and Earth Science www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online)
Vol.4, No.9, 2014
81
Effects of Soil Erosion on Technical Efficiency of Cassava
Farmers in Enugu State, Nigeria
Bolarinwa,O. K1
Bamire,A.S2
Akerele, E.O3
Kareem, R.O4
and Akinwole, R.O5
1.Science Department, Regal College Sagamu Ogun State Nigeria
2. Department of Agric- Economics, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-ife Osun State
3.Department of Agric- Economics, Olabisi Onabanjo University,Ago-iwoye, Nigeria .
4.Department of Economic, Cescent University Abeokuta Ogun State
5.Department of Agricultural Economics, Babcock University Ilisha Ogun State
Corresponding author: anjolaoluwavictor@gmail.com
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of soil erosion on technical efficiency of cassava farming in Enugu State,
Nigeria with a view to identifying the effects of erosion on cassava production. A multistage sampling
procedure was used to select 200 respondents for the study. Primary data were collected on respondents’ socio-
economic characteristics such as age, gender, educational level, marital status, farm size, as well as on quantities
and prices of inputs and outputs using a pre-tested questionnaire. Technical efficiency (TE) estimates showed
that most farmers operated below the production frontier, with a significant difference (p< 0.05) between the
mean TE of eroded farms (56 ± 0.19) percent and non-eroded (77 ± 0.17) farms. Farm size, labour, cassava stem
cuttings, and fertilizer significantly (p<0.05) increased the level of TE in non-eroded farms, while only fertilizer
significantly affected the TE in eroded farms. Significant (p<0.05) inefficiency factors on non-eroded farms were
education, age, household size, and extension contact, while education and age were significant (p<0.05) in
eroded farms. It was concluded that farmers in eroded farms were less technically efficient in their use of
resources than farmers in non-eroded farms in Enugu State.
Keywords: Enugu state, Erosion, maximum likelihood, stochastic frontier, technical efficiency
1.1 Background to the study
The importance of land as the primary means for rural livelihood and a main vehicle for accumulating, investing
and transferring wealth between generations can not be overemphasized. Land or soil, as defined by Oseomeobo
(1992) is also a key to household wealth and agricultural productivity. However, the sustainability of agricultural
production systems is becoming a major concern of agricultural researchers and policy makers in both developed
and developing countries due to the challenges of land degradation (Yudelman, 1987; Idris, 2006).
According to Barbier (1997) and Eswaran et al. (2001), land degradation has adverse impacts on the
environment, agricultural productivity, food security and the quality of life. The productivity impacts of land
degradation are due to a decline in land quality in areas where degradation occurs (e.g. erosion), and this affects
the income generating potentials of the land holders. The key features of the process of land degradation is the
failure of rural households to invest in long term land improvements on existing agricultural land, abandonment
of this land in favour of migration to the forest and marginal lands and continual expansion of agricultural
frontier through more forest and marginal land conversion.
Barbier (1997); Maiangwa et al. (2003) and IFPRI (2007) have identified population pressure, increased
urbanization, climatic changes and industrialization as major factors responsible for land degradation. These long
term driving factors affect agricultural production systems and the environment through desertification, over
grazing, as well as soil erosion with a consequent depletion of soil nutrients. Soil erosion, is a natural
phenomenon which is as old as the earth itself, and it is the most visible and wide spread form of land
degradation which affects man and its environment (Omafra, 2003). Apart from its negative impact on crop
output, it reduces both the agronomic efficiency of farm inputs and the expected net returns to farm investments.
In Africa alone productivity of some land has declined by 50% due to soil erosion and desertification while yield
reduction resulting from soil erosion range from 2 to 40% with a mean loss of 8.2% (Eswaran et al., 2001).
Southgate (1994) reported that soil erosion is a naturally occurring process which presently ranks as the most
important environmental degradation problem that affects the soil surface in developing countries, particularly in
the tropics.
In another dimension, Barbier (1997) and Scherr (1999) argued that by the year 2020, the increasing wave of
soil erosion may pose a serious threat to food production in rural areas as well as urban livelihoods particularly
in poor and densely populated areas of the developing world including Nigeria. They further claimed that effects
of soil erosion on production and profitability largely depends on the extent (spread) and intensity of erosion,
the type of crop grown, and the agro-ecological location of the land area. They advocate for policies that would
encourage soil nutrient retention strategies if developing countries are to sustainably meet the food needs of their
population. Abegunde et al. (2006) stated that most of the earth’s natural resources are directly linked to or
2. Journal of Environment and Earth Science www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online)
Vol.4, No.9, 2014
82
found in the soil, both animate and inanimate as well as three quarters of the world’s man-made development.
Thus, any threat to the soil is a threat to life. Significant in this regard is that since land (soil) is the most
important production input, human beings lose their fundamental sources of livelihood when soil fertility
becomes depleted (Titilola, 2001).
The problem is becoming increasingly notable in that land resources are being used beyond their carrying
capacities, thereby rendering the land incapable of supporting production under the current low level of
technology use (AERLS, 1992). The concern about the effects of soil erosion has led to increased promotion of
soil conservation technologies in developed countries (Clark, 1996). There is also need to quantify crop yield
losses associated with soil erosion in order to restore crop production into economically competitive levels on
eroded farmlands. This is particularly important for cassava that is grown in areas notable for high incidence of
soil erosion in Nigeria. It is against this background that it has become necessary to assess the effects of soil
erosion on technical efficiency of cassava farmers as this will guide towards effective land management and
introduction of corrective measures against soil erosion menace in Nigeria.
1.2 Data collection methods
Primary data was employed for this study. Data was collected from cassava farmers using a set of pre-tested
structured questionnaire. Information sought include respondents’ socio-economic characteristics such as age,
gender, educational level, marital status, farm size, as well as on quantities and prices of inputs and outputs for
cassava production in Enugu State. Data were collected in eroded and non-eroded farms in the State in order to
analyse the effects of soil erosion.
1.3 The study area
The study was carried out in Enugu State located in the South Eastern part of Nigeria. Cassava is a very
important staple food cultivate in Enugu state and Nigeria at large. There is obvious low productivity of cassava
despite various efforts by research institutions to improve its production. The low productivity of cassava
production is caused by the effects of soil erosion and inefficiency in the allocation of farm resources (Nair, et al.,
1998; Naiwu et al., 2010).
1.4 Sampling procedure
A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select respondents. First, Enugu State was stratified into three
based on the agricultural zones into which the State is classified (ADP, 2009). The zones are: Zone A (Enugu
North), Zone B (Enugu East) and Zone C (Enugu West). Two of the zones (A & B) are not affected by soil
erosion while Zone C is seriously affected by soil erosion. Secondly, based on the number of Local Government
Areas (LGAs) in each zone, proportionate random sampling was selected 33% and 40% of the LGAs in zones A
and B respectively, while 66% of the LGAs was selected from zone C. Thirdly, one village/community that are
known for high cassava production were selected in each LGA. Finally, twenty five cassava farmers were
selected from each village to give a total sample of 200 respondents. Information sought include respondent’s
socio-economic characteristics such as age, educational level, marital status, farm size, as well as on quantities of
inputs and outputs for cassava production in Enugu State. Data were collected in eroded and non-eroded farms in
the State in order to analyse
the effects of soil erosion.
1.5 Empirical model
The Cobb-Douglas frontier production function was used in the study. The major advantage of the stochastic
frontier production function model is the introduction of disturbance term representing noise, measurement error
and exogenous factors beyond the control of the production unit in addition to the inefficiency component. This
property of the stochastic frontier model accounts for its appropriateness for efficiency measurement in
agricultural production owing to agriculture’s inherent characteristic (Shehu and Mshelia, 1994).
The model is specified as:
InY1 = β0 +β1 Inx1 + β2Inx2 + β3Inx3 + β4Inx4 + Vi – µi. (i)
Where,
Yi = Output (kg)
X1 = Size of cultivated farm land (ha).
X2 = Labour (man days)
X3 = Value of stem cutting (N)
X4 = Fertilizer and other agrochemicals (N)
β0 = Intercept.
β0 – β4 = parameters to be estimated,
V1 = Random error which accounts for the random variations in value of cassava output by factors which are
beyond the control of the farm such as disease outbreak, weather, measurement errors and is assumed to be
independently and identically distributed (V1 ∼ [0, σ2
] independent of U1.
µi = Non – negative variable associated with technical inefficiency in production and is assumed to be
independently and identically distributed as half normal, U1 ∼ (N/ [0, σ2
]).
3. Journal of Environment and Earth Science www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online)
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In order to determine the factors that contributed directly to technical efficiency, the following model was
estimated and jointly used with the stochastic frontier model (Coelli, 1996).
TE = ∝0 + ∝1 z1 + ∝2 z2 + ∝3 z3 + ∝4 z4 + ∝5 z5 + ∝6 z6 + ∝7 z7 + ∝8 z8 + ∝9 z9
Where:
TE = Technical efficiency of cassava farmer (ii)
Z1 = Education level of the farmer (years)
Z2 = Age of the farmer (years)
Z3 = Marital status (Married, otherwise = 0)
Z4 = Membership in farmers association (Dummy: yes, 1; otherwise, 0)
Z5 = Extension contact (Yes, 1; No, 0)
Z6 = Access to credit (Dummy: Yes, 1; No, 0)
Z7 = Incidence of soil erosion (Yes 1, No, 0)
Z8 = Household size (No of persons)
Z9 = Use of improved cassava variety (Yes 1, No, 0), and
∝1 - ∝9 are parameters to be estimated.
1.5 Results and Discussion
The stochastic frontier and the inefficiency model were estimated simultaneously. Table 1 presents the estimated
parameters for the production function. Among four production variables considered in the estimation of
technical efficiency model of cassava farms (eroded and non-eroded). Farm size, labour, value of stem cutting
and fertilizer were found to be positive among eroded and non-eroded farms. The results are similar to the
findings of Bravo-Ureta and Evenson (1994); Onyenweakue et al., (2004) and Onyenweaku and Ohajiaya (2005).
However, farm size, labour, value of stem cutting and fertilizer were found to be statistically significant among
non-eroded farms while only fertilizer is significant at 1 percent probability level among eroded farms, this
indicates that if farmers on eroded land use more of fertilizer, it will serve as replacement for lost nutrient due to
the effects of soil erosion.
The estimates of the overall variance (δ²) and gamma (γ) give adequate information on the efficiency of the
explanatory variables on farm output. The overall model variance (δ²) for non-eroded farms is 0.17, gamma (γ) is
0.09 and the mean technical efficiency is 77%. This implies that the efficiency of the inputs used is high; many
of the respondents produced closer to their production frontier where profit is maximized and that technical
efficiency in cassava production could be increased by 23% through better use of available resource. Also, the
overall model variance (δ²) of eroded farms is 0.63, the gamma (γ) is 0.002 and the mean technical efficiency is
56%. This implies that the efficiency of input used is low due to the effects of soil erosion and there is under
utilization of production resources. Hence, the technical efficiency of cassava production on eroded farms could
be increased by 46% through the better use of available resources, given the level of current state of technology.
The estimated elasticities of mean output with respect to farm size, labour, value of stem cutting and fertilizer on
non-eroded farms were 0.02, 0.38, 0.48 and 0.04. This means that for a 10 percent increase in farm size, labour,
stem cutting and fertilizer cost, cassava output on non-eroded farms will increase by 0.2, 3.8, 4.8 and 0.4
respectively. But with a 10 percent increase in farm size, labour, value of stem cutting and fertilizer cost, cassava
output on eroded farms will increase by 0.72, 0.4, 0.2 and 1.14 respectively (Table 1).
Table1: Stochastic production frontier estimate on eroded and non-eroded cassava farms
Production frontier parameter Eroded coefficient Non-eroded coefficient
Constant 1.19 (1.344) -2.44 (-1.464)
Farm size 0.07 (0.68) 0.02 (3.23)***
Labour 0.040 (0.70) 0.38 (5.94)***
Value of stem cutting 0.02 (0.327) 0.48 (6.18)***
Fertilizer 0.11 (3.984) *** 0.04 (6.303)***
Sigma squared (δ2
) 0.63 (6.080) * 0.17 (7.352)**
Gamma (γ) 0.02 (5.6) * 0.09 (5.40)**
Log likelihood function -118.34 -49.066
LR test 16.27** 19***
Source: Field survey, 2012
***Significant at 1% ** Significant at 5% * Significant at 10%
4. Journal of Environment and Earth Science www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online)
Vol.4, No.9, 2014
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Table 2: Frequency distribution of technical efficiency among cassava farms
Efficiency Range (%) Eroded (100) Non-eroded (100) t-value
10 – 20 - -
21 – 30 8 -
31 – 40 17 -
41 – 50 18 3
51 – 60 23 18
61 – 70 11 23
71 – 80 6 14
81 – 90 11 13
91 – 100 6 29
Mean (%)
Std Devi.
56.48
0.19
77
0.17
1.65***
Minimum (%) 24.76 43.73
Maximum (%) 99 99
Source: Field survey, 2012
Figures in parentheses are the corresponding t-ratio values
*** Significant at 1%, ** Significant at 5%, Significant at 10%
Table 3: Estimated determinants of technical efficiency
Production frontier parameter Eroded coefficient Non-eroded coefficient
Constant 0.11 (0.132) 0.01(2.558) ***
Education -0.22 (-2.23) *** -0.148 (-3.69)***
Age of the farmer -1.97 (-1.71) *** 0.01(4.048)***
Marital status 0.13 (1.33) -0.12 (-0.85)
Association 0.24 (0.62) -0.08 (-0.46)
Extension contact -0.55 (-1.06) 0.36 (3.324)***
Access to credit 0.17 (0.429) -0.26 (-1.23)
Incidence of soil erosion 0.11 (0.132) -
Household size 4.40 (0.92) -0.05 (-1.83)**
Improved cassava variety 0.70 (1.39) -0.42 (-0.833)
Source: Field survey, 2012
***Significant at 1% ** Significant at 5% * Significant at 10%
1.6 Estimation of the technical efficiency
A crucial characteristic of the stochastic production frontier model is its ability to estimate individual farm
specific technical efficiencies. Table 2 shows the decile range of the efficiency in eroded and non-eroded farms.
The result revealed that the highest efficiency range was recorded within the range of 50-60 (23%) and 90-100
(29%) on eroded and non-eroded farms respectively. Predicted technical efficiencies range between 25 percent
and 99 percent with the mean technical efficiency of 56 percent among eroded farms; 44 percent and 99 percent
with mean technical efficiency of 77% on non-eroded farms. There was a decrease in technical efficiency among
farmers on eroded land.
This means that, if the average farmer on eroded land was to achieve the technical efficiency level of his most
efficient counter part, then the farmer could realize a 44 percent cost saving [i.e.1-(56.48/99)x 100]. Also, for
farmers on non- eroded farms to achieve the technical efficiency level, then the farmers could realize a
22.7percent cost saving [ i.e 1-(76.54/99) x 100. Hence, about 44% and 23% on eroded and non eroded farms
respectively are lost to technical inefficiency in the production system. However, variation in the predicted
technical efficiency/ inefficiency among cassava farms can be explained by the variation in the level of
education, farmers’ age, marital status, membership of cassava production association, extension contact, access
to credit, and incidence of soil erosion, household size and use of cassava variety.
1.7 Determinant of technical inefficiency
The estimated determinants of technical efficiency are summarized in Table 3
The inefficiency function shows that, the coefficients for the level of education, age of the farmers, extension
contact were negatively related to technical inefficiency while marital status, membership of association, access
to credit, and incidence of soil erosion, household size, and improved cassava variety were positively related to
technical inefficiency among eroded farms.
Among non-eroded farms; level of education, marital status, membership of association, access to credit,
household size and improved variety were negatively related to technical inefficiency while age of the farmers
5. Journal of Environment and Earth Science www.iiste.org
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and extension contact were positively related to technical inefficiency. It should be noted that a negative signs
of the parameters in the inefficiency functions means that the associated variable have a positive effect on
technical efficiency while a positive significant variables indicate the reverse. For instance, the negative
coefficients of the level of education among eroded and non-eroded farms showed that cassava farmers with
greater years of schooling were less inefficient. Erhabor and Emokaro (2007) reported that education is
negatively related to technical inefficiency.
The estimated coefficient of age with respect to eroded farms had negative sign and significant at 10 percent.
This implies that increasing age would lead to low productivity as a result of ageing farmers who would be less
energetic to work on the farm (Chinaka et al., 1995 and Anyaegbunam et al. (2006). Also, the estimated
coefficient of age among non-eroded farms had positive sign and significant at 1 percent. This means that age
has positive effect on technical inefficiency of farmers, indicating that the older ones are less inefficient than the
younger ones. The finding supports Ahika (2002), who stated that age has positive effect on technical
inefficiency of farmers; he attributed this trend to the fact that older people are less willing to adopt new ideas of
doing things.
In addition, the coefficient of extension contact among non-eroded farms had a positive sign and significant at 1
percent. This implies that extension contact would lead to decline in technical inefficiency. This may be due to
the fact that extension agent advice them to change traditional system of farming to modern system which might
lead to the loss of interest in farming enterprise. This finding agrees with Feder et al. (2004). Although
agricultural extension on farmers education programmes are important to improving productivity, they are being
hampered by bureaucratic inefficiency and some generic weaknesses inherent in public operated and staff
intensive system leading to their poor performance.
More so, the coefficient of household size had a negative and significant at 5 percent levels of probability. It
shows that as household increases technical inefficiency increases. This means that value of farm products that
could be sold are consumed directly by household. This agrees with Yusuf and Malomo (2007); Okike (2000)
who reported that family size have negative influence on farmer’s technical inefficiency.
The result of t-ratio on non-eroded farms shows that all the variables are statistically significant at one percent
level of significance while on eroded farms only fertilizer is significant. Hence, these variables are important
determinants of technical efficiency of cassava production in the study area.
1.8 Conclusion
The study showed the technical efficiency of cassava farmers in eroded and non-eroded farms of Enugu State.
The mean efficiencies varied from 57 and 77 percent among eroded and non-eroded farms respectively. The
variation was due to the effects of soil erosion and the extra cost spent by farmers to control soil erosion
menace .The result reveals that education and extension contact were negatively related to technical inefficiency
while marital status, membership of association, access to credit, incidence of soil erosion, household size and
improved cassava variety were positively related to technical inefficiency among eroded and eroded farms.
Therefore, policies that will enable farmers to improve their level of education, extension contact, improved
cassava variety, free access to credit facilities and provision of fertilizer at affordable price in right time should
be implemented by various governments and agencies. As these are important for increasing the farmers’
efficiency and income.
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