scholarly journals Preferences for tree fruit market attributes among smallholder farmers in Eastern Rwanda

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna Ihli ◽  
Ronja Seegers ◽  
Etti Winter ◽  
Brian Chiputwa ◽  
Anja Gassner
2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 83-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando K. Carvalho ◽  
Rodolfo G. Chechetto ◽  
Alisson A. B. Mota ◽  
Ulisses R. Antuniassi

Crop protection on major crops is now required to follow the principles of integrated pest management so the timing and accuracy of any application of a pesticide or biopesticide has to be more precise to minimize adverse effects on non-target species. The development of UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) provides a means of providing a more targeted application of the correct dose, especially by using formulations that are more persistent, thus minimizing loss of spray in areas subject to rain. Avoiding use of too high a dosage allows greater survival of natural enemies and reduces the selection pressure for pests becoming resistant to specific modes of action. The downward flow of air from a UAV should also provide better distribution and impaction of droplets within a crop canopy, reduce soil impaction caused by taking heavy loads of spray applied with 200 l ha–1 of water, and allow treatments when fields are too wet to access with ground equipment. In Asia, many smallholder farmers are using a drone in preference to using a knapsack sprayer. According to Matthews, it has been shown that ULV spraying can be effective, but it needs a narrow droplet spectrum with the droplets remaining stable and not shrinking to become too small. Formulation research can reduce the volatility of the spray, hence the success of oil-based sprays. However, instead of petroleum-based oils, there is a chance to develop vegetable oil carriers with micro-sized particle suspensions to deliver low toxicity pesticides in droplets that can be deposited within the crop and not drift beyond the crop boundary. Oil deposits will be less prone to loss after rain so less should be lost in neighbouring ditches and water courses, especially as rainfall patterns are forecast to change. More studies are needed to evaluate the swath for deposition, buffer zones, formulation, nozzle selection, to guide future specific legislation for UAV applications.


Author(s):  
Eva U. Cammayo ◽  
Nilo E. Padilla

This research aimed to improve dairy production and increase the income of dairy farmers using locally available feed resources. Small-scale milk producers rely heavily on available feed resources in the locality which are either indigenous in the area or introduced species for feed and nutrition of their dairy cattle and buffalos. Their milk output depends mainly on seasonal fluctuations in the quality and quantity of natural forage. Crop residues such as corn stover and rice straw which are high in fiber but low in nutrients serve as a feed supplement and filler to the daily diets of dairy cattle and buffalos. Cagayan Valley is an ear of top corn and rice-producing region. The potential of crop residues as feed supplements or raw materials of dairy cattle/buffalo feed mix is great. But dairy farmers still face the scarcity problem of quality feed resources for dairy animals especially during the dry season. The supply of forage is very low during the dry spell. Inadequate feed mix and low nutritive value of feed mix result in low or no milk production. Producing green corn and ensiling it to produce green corn silage preserves and prolong the storage life of forages. In this way, a stable supply of feed mix for dairy animals is assured year-round. Type of Paper: Empirical. Keywords: adoption and commercialization, dairy industry, financial viability, green-corn silage production, indigenous grasses, smallholder farmers.


HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 548a-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.M. Glenn ◽  
G. Puterka ◽  
T. Baugher ◽  
T. Unruh ◽  
S. Drake

Hydrophobic particle film technology (HPF) is a developing pest control system for tree fruit production systems. Studies were established in Chile, and Washington, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia in the United States, to evaluate the effect of HPF technology on tree fruit yield and quality. Studies in Chile, Washington, and West Virginia demonstrated increased photosynthetic rate at the leaf level. Yield was increased in peaches (Chile) and apples (West Virginia), and fruit size was increased in apples (Washington and Pennsylvania). Increased red color in apple was demonstrated at all sites with reduced russetting and `Stayman' cracking in Pennsylvania. HPF technology appears to be an effective tool in reducing water and heat stress in tree fruit resulting in increased fruit quality.


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