Search Results (340)

The drastic and historic fall in natural rubber prices has prompted many smallholders around the world to abandon rubber plantations in favor of other survival alternatives. In the Lomela and Lodja territories of Sankuru Province (Democratic Republic of Congo), where a historical absence of a rubber market prevails, local communities have conserved rubber plantations inherited from the colonial era (dating back to 1955). Data collected from 401 households enabled us to identify the perceptions and determinants of rubber plantation conservation. The results show that households are highly dependent on forest ecosystem services. Agriculture is the main activity for 81.3% of respondents, in the context of extreme poverty where daily incomes amount to 0.33 USD/person. The patriarchal system favored men, who inherited 97% of the plantations. Men perceived the conservation of the plantations as beneficial, while women perceived it as serving external project interests. Perceptions were significantly influenced by gender, age, social and legal organization, geographical origin, mode of acquisition, main activity, diversification of income sources, membership in a tribal mutuality, access to the informal mutual aid networks, membership in an association and contact with extension services. Conservation was positively and significantly correlated with geographical origin, membership in an association, contact with extension service, consideration of plantations as natural heritage and the ecosystem services provided. These results underline that rubber plantations cannot be understood only in terms of rubber production, but also in terms of their socio-ecological and heritage dimensions. Full article

Water insecurity, intensified by climate change, presents a significant challenge globally, especially in arid and semi-arid regions of Africa. In northern Ghana, where agriculture heavily depends on seasonal rainfall, prolonged dry seasons exacerbate water and food insecurity. Despite efforts to improve water access, there is limited understanding of how climate change preparedness affects water insecurity risk in rural contexts. This study investigates the relationship between climate preparedness and water insecurity in semi-arid northwestern Ghana. Grounded in the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, data was collected through a cross-sectional survey of 517 smallholder households. Nested ordered logistic regression was used to analyze how preparedness measures and related socio-environmental factors influence severe water insecurity. The findings reveal that higher levels of climate change preparedness significantly reduce water insecurity risk at individual [odds ratio (OR) = 0.35, p < 0.001], household (OR = 0.037, p < 0.001), and community (OR = 0.103, p < 0.01) levels. In contrast, longer round-trip water-fetching times (OR = 1.036, p < 0.001), water-fetching injuries (OR = 1.054, p < 0.01), reliance on water borrowing (OR = 1.310, p < 0.01), untreated water use (OR = 2.919, p < 0.001), and exposure to climatic stressors like droughts (OR = 1.086, p < 0.001) and floods (OR = 1.196, p < 0.01) significantly increase insecurity. Community interventions, such as early warning systems (OR = 0.218, p < 0.001) and access to climate knowledge (OR = 0.228, p < 0.001), and long-term residency further reduce water insecurity risk. These results underscore the importance of integrating climate preparedness into rural water management strategies to enhance resilience in climate-vulnerable regions. Full article

Based on a sample of 412 apple farmer households across Gansu, Shaanxi, Shanxi, and Shandong provinces in China, this study estimates production efficiency and its determinants for apple growers. The stochastic frontier analysis model estimates technical efficiency while the Tobit model identifies influencing factors. Results show that the average production efficiency of smallholder apple farmers is relatively low at 0.45, indicating significant room for improvement. Production efficiency exhibits an inverted “U” relationship with farm scale, and excessive pesticide inputs have a significant negative impact on efficiency. Computer use to search for information among farmers was found to significantly improve apple production efficiency, indicating the potential benefits of ICT adoption. However, membership in cooperatives had no significant effect on efficiency. Overall, these findings suggest approaches to enhance the productivity of China’s apple growers through improved resource allocation, optimized farm scale, and the promotion of information technology. Full article

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) poses significant challenges to livestock management and agricultural economies worldwide. This study examines the effect of farmers’ sociodemographic factors on livestock infected with Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and analyzes its socioeconomic impact on smallholder farmers in Indonesia. This study collected data from 992 households (202 infected and 790 non-infected) in the special region of Yogyakarta province. The research used propensity score matching (PSM) treatment effect analysis to assess the socioeconomic impact of FMD outbreaks on smallholder farmers. Our results demonstrated that FMD significantly increased (p < 0.01) smallholder farmers’ social behavior, including knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP). Furthermore, farmers whose animals are already infected with FMD must spend an additional IDR 258,000 to IDR 270,000 on treatment compared to non-infected ones. This study provides empirical evidence that farmer characteristics, including women’s decision-making, income, farming group, and cattle ownership, determine the likelihood of FMD infection, which implies that farmers with specific characteristics may heighten the risk of FMD infection. We concluded that FMD has changed social behavior and accelerated economic loss for smallholder farmers. Hence, farmers with animals at risk of FMD infection are prioritized in FMD control programs. Full article

Market-oriented agriculture functions as a critical mechanism by which rural farmers can alleviate poverty and enhance food security, and it is actively promoted in Côte d’Ivoire. However, household food security varies across commercialized farmers depending on context and region. This paper examines variations in food security between different market-oriented vegetable-farming households in rural northern Côte d’Ivoire. Using cross-sectional data from 200 vegetable farmers, this study employs an endogenous switching regression model to address potential selectivity bias. The results show that market-oriented farming is positively associated with higher food-consumption scores, greater dietary diversity, and increased caloric intake. Moreover, nonparticipants or semi-subsistence farmers are expected to achieve better food-security outcomes under market-oriented conditions. Key factors influencing the adoption of market-oriented farming include market proximity, access to extension services, and education level. This paper advocates for policies tailored to specific environments, such as rural smallholder farming communities, that support local markets and encourage entrepreneurship, especially among women and youth, and ensure the accessibility of improved inputs, thereby supporting market-oriented agriculture and enhancing food security. Full article

Climate variability and land-use changes are critical challenges impacting agriculture globally, with Zimbabwe’s Gwayi catchment area experiencing noticeable effects. This study investigated how smallholder farmers in the region perceive these changes and their influence on agricultural productivity and livelihoods. The research addresses the gap in understanding local farmer experiences with climate change and land-use modifications in the context of food security. A cross-sectional survey (n = 483) was conducted using self-administered questionnaires to capture demographic information, perceptions of climate variability, land-use changes, and their impacts on agriculture. The results indicate a trend of increasing droughts, dry spells, and heatwaves, alongside altered rainfall patterns and rising temperatures, corroborating the observed climate data. Environmental degradation, including deforestation, gully formation, and land expansion, exacerbates these changes. Consequently, farmers reported substantial reductions in crop yields, with 84.05% experiencing significant-to-very negative impacts, alongside declining livestock health (32.51% reporting very negative impacts), increased water scarcity (43.3% reporting drying water sources), and more frequent disease outbreaks. These challenges collectively contributed to heightened food insecurity, with 74.12% of households reporting negative impacts on their food supply. The study underscores the synergistic impacts of climate variability and land-use changes, highlighting the urgent need for climate-smart agricultural practices and sustainable land management to enhance resilience and ensure long-term food security for smallholder farmers in the Gwayi catchment. Full article

Investment in modern agricultural practices (MAPs) is crucial for improving crop productivity and household food availability in developing countries like Tanzania, where agriculture forms the backbone of the economy. This study assesses the impact of improved maize seeds on productivity across Tanzania’s agroecological zones using data from the Tanzanian National Panel Survey (NPS) Wave 5. A stochastic simulation model (a non-parametric model, “MaizeSim”) was employed to account for the inherent variability and uncertainty considerations in maize yields, offering a more accurate representation of outcomes for both improved seed users and non-users. The results reveal that farmers who used improved seeds had a 33% probability of achieving yields above 2 t/ha, compared to only 11% for those using local varieties. Conversely, non-users faced a 65% probability of harvesting below 1 t/ha, while this probability dropped to 38% for improved seed users. Regionally, the highest productivity gains were observed in the Central, Southern Highlands, and Northern Highlands zones, whereas the Eastern Coastal, Southern, and Lake zones experienced minimal benefits. The findings underscore the critical importance of encouraging the adoption of improved seed varieties as a pathway to enhance maize productivity, particularly in regions with favorable agroecological conditions. This study provides valuable insights for the development of the Tanzanian Seed Sector Development Strategy 2030, advocating for policies that promote increased investment in improved maize seeds. The results suggest that sustained application of these seeds, alongside complementary interventions such as agronomic training and improved access to inputs, is essential for improving the productivity and food availability of Tanzanian smallholder farmers. By addressing regional disparities and promoting tailored seed varieties, this strategy could significantly enhance the resilience and productivity of the country’s maize sector. Full article

Increased cultivation of cowpeas is a possible adaptation option for Namibian farmers under changing climatic conditions. Using inoculated cowpeas can potentially double the yields under favorable climate conditions. But is such a potentially beneficial agricultural adaptation technique likely to be adopted? We surveyed 90 cowpea farmers from 30 villages in the Kavango region of northern Namibia on their households and farms, access to institutions and services, food consumption and preferences, and perceptions of climate change. Our survey reveals that smallholder farmers will not readily adopt the new technology. At most, about 50% of farmers can be convinced by new information to change their agricultural activities. When specifically asked about their willingness to grow inoculated cowpeas, almost all farmers responded that they would be willing to do so. However, the farmers are reluctant to allocate more land for cowpea cultivation, mainly because harvesting is very time and labor-intensive. The study shows that technology assessments should be conducted in combination with socio-economic assessments to realistically assess the potential success of proposed adaptation measures, as the extent to which a new technology may be adopted is an essential indicator for justifying funding of new technologies or adaptation programs. Full article

Crop diversification is a vital strategy for achieving sustainable agriculture and food security, yet adoption rates remain low. This study examined the socioeconomic factors influencing crop diversification among smallholder farmers. A two-stage sampling procedure was employed to elicit data from 161 farmers solely specializing in crop production. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data, analyzed using descriptive statistics. The multiple linear regression and multivariate probit regression models were applied to assess the socioeconomic factors influencing diversification. The results revealed that smallholders primarily focused on vegetable cultivation (87%), followed by cereals (56%) and legumes (43%). Education level, household size, market access, and the perceived benefits of diversification significantly (p < 0.05) influenced diversification decisions. Also, sources of irrigation water, age, marital status, and farm size were key factors in vegetable diversification, while farming experience, farm size, and perceived benefits influenced legume diversification. Only marital status and farming experience were positively linked to cereal crop diversification. Furthermore, 48.4% of farmers practice intercropping, integrating maize with pumpkins or sugar beans, while 33.5% still rely on monoculture, predominantly maize, due to limited resources. These findings highlight the need for policies and extension support to address socioeconomic barriers and encourage a wider adoption of crop diversification strategies. Full article

Tea and coffee as traditional cash crops have been produced in Rwanda for more than six and ten decades respectively. However, new cash crops are being produced and exported, although their role in increased income and poverty reduction over traditional ones is not well understood; hence the analysis of drivers of both traditional and non-mandatory cash crop production among smallholder farmers is imperative. The study applied an experimental research design, and two strata composed of non-mandatory cash crops and traditional crop growers were used to obtain a simple random sample of 400 smallholder farmers. The study analysed the effect of cash crop production on multidimensional poverty among farmers in the Rulindo District using a quantile treatment effect. Although the poorest category of adopters places a high opportunity cost in allocating more time to off-farm activities, the poorest households that are female-headed are likely to increase multidimensional poverty once they adopt non-mandatory cash crops. Similarly, farm size does not help the poorest households to reduce poverty. Poorest households could be considered while introducing new non-mandatory cash crops because they do not help them reduce non-pecuniary poverty. Tea, coffee and food crops should be helpful among the poorest smallholder farmers. Full article

African swine fever (ASF) has had a devastating impact on Vietnam’s swine industry since its introduction in Vietnam in 2019, leading to the culling of six million pigs. This paper aimed to review the epidemiological dynamics of ASF in Vietnam and measures applied to control the disease. ASF progressed through an initial epidemic phase (2019–2020) and has transitioned into a more endemic phase (2021–2024). The disease spread rapidly during the epidemic phase, driven by human-mediated transmission routes and inadequate biosecurity practices, particularly on smallholder farms. To control ASF, the Vietnamese government endorsed a national control plan that included biosecurity enhancements, disease surveillance, establishing ASF-free compartments, researching and evaluating ASF vaccines, and strengthening the capacity of veterinary services. While these measures have helped reduce the number of outbreaks, challenges persist, including the emergence of recombinant ASF strains, limited vaccine adoption, and gaps in the veterinary infrastructure. ASF has substantially changed Vietnam’s swine industry, shifting toward reducing small-scale household farming and increasing professional households and large-scale farms. As ASF has transitioned into an endemic phase, sustainable strategies focusing on continuous monitoring, improved vaccination coverage, and education programs are essential in order to mitigate its impacts and ensure the resilience of Vietnam’s swine industry. Full article

Irrigation plays a crucial role in enhancing food production, increasing land productivity, and improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Solar pumps and water harvesting ponds have emerged as promising technologies for sustainable agriculture for smallholders in SSA and beyond. The socio-economic impacts of these systems are less studied in the existing literature. This study examined the agricultural productivity of solar pump and water harvesting irrigation technologies and their impacts on income and food security among smallholder farmers in the Central Rift Valley, Lake Hawassa, and Upper Awash sub-basin areas in Ethiopia. Data were collected from 161 farming households that were selected randomly from woredas where solar pump and water harvesting pond irrigation systems had been implemented. The sample size was determined using the power calculation method. Bio-physical observation and measurements were also conducted at field levels. The benefit–cost ratio (BCR) and net water value (NWV) from the use of solar pump and water harvesting pond irrigations were analyzed to assess the viability of these systems. The household food consumption score (HFCS) and household dietary diversity score (HDDS) were calculated to measure food security, while the revenue from crop production was used to measure crop income. An endogenous switching regression model was applied to address the endogeneity nature of the adoption of the irrigation technologies. The counterfactual analysis, specifically the Average Treatment Effect on the Treated (ATT), was used to evaluate the impacts of the irrigation technologies on income and food security. Results indicate that the ATT of crop income, HFCS, and HDDS are positive and statistically significant, illustrating the role of these irrigation systems in enhancing smallholder farmers’ welfare. Moreover, smallholder farmers’ solar pump irrigation systems were found to be economically viable for few crops, with a BCR greater than 1.0 and an NWV ranging from 0.21 to 1.53 USD/m³. It was also found that bundling agricultural technologies with solar pump irrigation systems leads to enhanced agricultural outputs and welfare. The sustainable adoption and scale-up of these irrigation systems demand addressing technical and financial constraints, as well as input and output market challenges. Full article

Hermetic grain storage bags are an airtight technology that protects stored grain from environmental factors, pests, and pathogens, with proven feasibility for smallholder farmer use. We examined the determinants and barriers to the use of these bags by smallholder farmers in Malawi and found that 83% of farmers were aware of hermetic bags for grain storage, but only 11–20% had ever used them, with half of the farmers who used the bags receiving them through donations. Furthermore, only 7.2% of farmers used the bags more than once. There was no association between their receipt of donated bags and their continued use and purchase of additional bags. There were, however, strong correlations between use of hermetic bags and the age of the head of household, distance to farmer groups’ meeting points, household size, and participation in a CIP-sponsored project. Focus group discussions identified key barriers to adopting hermetic bags, including local unavailability, perceived high cost, limited knowledge of the technology, low yields, and misconceptions about the utility of the bags. Thus, while donations play a central role in introducing hermetic bags, donations alone are insufficient in ensuring their long-term adoption. Addressing the identified barriers through improved availability, reduced costs, local manufacturing, and policy interventions such as microfinancing options and better distribution networks are essential to increasing the uptake of hermetic bags by smallholder farmers in Malawi and elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa. Full article

Vegetable production is vital to smallholder farmers, who often struggle to overcome pests, diseases, and extreme weather. Agroecological cropping systems offer sustainable solutions to these issues but their adoption rates in Tanzania remain low. This study examines the factors influencing smallholder farmers’ adoption of selected agroecological cropping systems for vegetable production in Tanzania, which remains underexplored. Using a multistage sampling technique, cross-sectional data were gathered from 525 crucifer and traditional African vegetable farming households within the Arusha and Kilimanjaro regions. Multivariate probit regression analysis, which accounts for the simultaneous adoption of multiple systems, revealed several significant variables influencing adoption. The number of training sessions attended and access to market information positively influenced adoption (p < 0.01), while gross income from vegetable production also had a positive influence (p < 0.05). Conversely, the age of the household head and the region where the farm was located showed negative effects on adoption (p < 0.05). These findings highlight the need for targeted extension services and training sessions focusing on the benefits, methods, and management techniques of agroecological cropping systems. Gender-sensitive policies and interventions should also be developed to address the factors influencing the adoption of agroecological cropping systems. Full article

In developing countries, drought is a major climatic challenge that has driven the development of drought-tolerant seed varieties aimed at improving yields and farm incomes; however, the adoption of drought-tolerant seeds, such as the TELA maize hybrid, remains low. This study explored the factors influencing the willingness and ability to adopt TELA maize seed and its potential production implications in Alfred Nzo District, Eastern Cape, South Africa. This study employed a multistage random sampling method to gather data from 120 smallholder maize farmers through a semi-structured questionnaire. Data were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics and a probit regression model. The results showed that 65% of respondents were male, and 53% were married. Notably, 77% had low educational attainment, with the majority having completed only secondary school or less. Furthermore, 65% of respondents indicated that farming was primarily for livelihood purposes. This study found that limited access to credit and extension services were major obstacles to adopting TELA maize seed technology, compounded by skepticism towards innovation. The findings suggest that addressing these challenges requires the implementation of targeted gender equity programs, improving educational access, and enhancing financial support mechanisms. Additionally, strengthening cooperative engagement and extension services is crucial for promoting technology adoption. By fostering collaboration among stakeholders and providing adequate resources, this study highlights the potential for increased adoption of TELA maize seed, contributing to improved food security in rural households. Full article