Composição, uso e conservação de espécies arbóreas em quintais de agricultores familiares na região da mata seca norte-mineira, Brasil

2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reinaldo Duque-Brasil ◽  
Gustavo Taboada Soldati ◽  
Mário Marcos Espírito-Santo ◽  
Maíra Q. Rezende ◽  
Santos D’Ângelo-Neto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Ornamental Plants ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Fruit Trees ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Plant Resources ◽  
Balanced Diet ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

Homegardens contain agroforestry systems that provide diverse resources for familyconsumption in rural communities. The aim of this study was to perform an ethnobotanical inventory of the tree speciesand their uses in the homegardens of two small-scale rural farming communities situated near the Mata Seca State Park,Minas Gerais, Brazil, and to understand the potential role of these agroecosystems in the conservation of native treespecies. Local knowledge about species used was assessed using free lists with 20 small-scale farmers selected using thesnowball sampling technique in each community. All shrub and tree species with a circumference at the soil level  10 cmwere sampled in each homegarden. We confirmed that most plant species listed provided food (48.3%) and shade (35.6%),showing the importance of fruit trees and evergreens in the homegarden flora in this local semi-arid context. Other specieswere also cited as medicinal and ornamental plants. Besides that, some species listed were used for construction, fuel,fodder, fertilizer and other uses. Amongst the 87 tree species, 44 are Brazilian natives, and 23 can be found in the dryforests of the region. These results showed that homegardens can contribute to conservation and enhancement of localbiodiversity functioning as a reservoir of species with different biogeographic origins, including regionally endemic andnative trees. Furthermore we conclude that homegardens are important sources of plant resources for home consumptionand contribute towards a balanced diet and to the welfare of the people living in the communities of north Minas Gerais’semi-arid region.

scholarly journals Socio-economic characteristics influencing small-scale farmers' level of knowledge on climate-smart agriculture in mahikeng local municipality, North West province, South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
K.L. Setshedi ◽  
S. Modirwa
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Farm Income ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Agricultural Activity ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
North West ◽  
Local Municipality ◽  
Level Of Knowledge ◽  
Smart Agriculture ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to identify knowledge gaps and the level of knowledge on climate-smart agriculture among small-scale farmers in Mahikeng Local Municipality. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 170 respondents from a population size of1449. A descriptive and quantitative research design was used for this study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse data. Most respondents were males, married, had high school education and farming experience of more than 20 years. Livestock farming, was found to be the main agricultural activity amongst the respondents. Knowledge test statements revealed that, respondents had a low level of knowledge about climate-smart agriculture. Age, access to climate information, farm income per month and access to off-farm income had statistically significant relationships with respondents' level of knowledge on climate-smart agriculture. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that, there should be training and education activities which should be implemented to assist small-scale farmers in Mahikeng Local Municipality in increasing their knowledge on climate-smart agriculture. Keywords: Climate-smart agriculture, Knowledge, Small-scale farmers, Socio-economic characteristics

Determinants of small-scale farmers’ intention to adopt insect farming for animal feed in Colombia

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
S. Espinosa Diaz ◽  
S. Speelman ◽  
R. Moruzzo ◽  
H. De Steur
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Animal Feed ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Perceived Ease Of Use ◽  
Alternative Feed ◽  
Feed Production ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
Acceptance Model

While it is recognised that insect farming as an alternative feed production system can yield substantial benefits for rural communities, farmers will ultimately have to decide whether to adopt these systems or not. This study aims to understand the factors that influence the intention of farmers to adopt insect farming for animal feed in the context of a developing country. Building upon two well-established theories (theory of planned behaviour and technology acceptance model), a survey was administered with 100 small-scale farmers in the region of Santander, Colombia. Findings demonstrate that the majority of farmers are positively oriented towards the implementation of this alternative feed production strategy. Both psychological and technology-oriented aspects related to this innovative practice play a crucial role in decision-making of small-scale farmers. Thereby, adoption intention was mainly determined by their subjective norms and perceived ease of use, with education and importance of feed attributes as significant external variables.

Environmental Impacts and Benefits of Agroforestry

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shibu Jose
Keyword(s):  
Soil Health ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Agronomic Crops ◽  
The World ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

Agroforestry systems, the planting of perennial trees and/or shrubs with annual agronomic crops or pasture, have been proposed as more environmentally benign, alternative systems for agricultural production in both temperate and tropical regions of the world. Agroforestry provides a number of environmental benefits as confirmed by scientific literature. The four major environmental benefits of agroforestry are (1) climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration, (2) biodiversity conservation, (3) soil health enrichment, and (4) air and water quality improvement. In addition to environmental benefits, the economic benefits of multiple crops within agroforestry systems have also generated interest in their adoption by farmers the world over. The major negative impacts come from conversion or degradation of forests following certain traditional practices, which may not fit in the definition of modern agroforestry. Challenges remain for widespread adoption of agroforestry, particularly in the temperate world; however, a new resurgence of interest in this land-use practice among small-scale farmers has shed light on a path toward its possible success. Past evidence clearly indicates that agroforestry, as part of a multifunctional working landscape, can offer not only economic return, but also a number of ecosystem services and environmental benefits for a sustainable society.

scholarly journals Are There Road Blocks to Access Micro-Credit From Selected Microfinance Banks in Delta State, Nigeria? Implications for Small Scale Farmers Sustainability!

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gbigbi Theophilus Miebi
Keyword(s):  
Sex Education ◽  
Logit Model ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Cash Balance ◽  
Socioeconomic Characteristics ◽  
Cooperative Society ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

The study was carried out to investigate the factors that affect small scale farmers to access fund and utilized for greater efficiency in production in Delta State, Nigeria. The logit model was used to analyze the data. A multi-stage random sampling technique was used for the study. Charts were used to analyze the socioeconomic characteristics of the farmers. About 120 farmers were interviewed using pretested questionnaire. The study showed that sex, education, farm size, cash balance, collateral, frequency of transaction and membership of cooperative society were positive and significant at 1%, 5% and 10% probability levels respectively. The coefficient of age, interest rate, household size and distance were negative and significant at 10% and 5% levels. The results of the study call for policies aimed at encouraging microfinance banks to consider the farmers in accessing credit to increase their output, income and productivity in the study area.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS) in Input Delivery in Southwest Nigeria

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Ibitunde Ibidun Olatohun ◽  
Farinde Akinloye Jimoh ◽  
Adereti Francis Oke
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Growth Enhancement ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Southwestern Nigeria ◽  
The Government ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
High Level ◽  
Chi Square Analysis

The study identified the problems of access to inputs by the small-scale farmers; and analyzed the structure and operations of the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS) on input supply to small-scale farmers in Southwestern Nigeria with the view to investigate the effectiveness of GESS in South western Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was employed in selecting 420 GESS farmers. The interview schedule was used to collect data which were subjected to descriptive and inferential analysis to test the hypothesis. Results showed that the mean age of the small-scale farmers was 49.57±10.49 years and a high level, 75.70 per cent were males. A higher percentage (55.80%) showed a high level of identified problems of access to inputs. Analysis of the structure and operations of GESS on input supply showed that GESS was structured and operated by the government among the various stakeholders using the top-down approach. Out of the nineteen GESS effectiveness indicators, none was effective at solving the problems of inputs delivery to the respondents. Chi-square analysis showed a significant association between the effectiveness of GESS and respondents' sex (χ2=46.159; p≤ 0.01). Correlation analysis showed a negative and significant relationship between the effectiveness of GESS and identified problems of access to inputs (r=-0.214, p≤0.001). It was concluded that GESS recorded a low level of effectiveness of GESS in the study area as a result of the high level of identified problems of access to agricultural inputs through GESS. The study therefore recommends that there should be better orientation for future likely programmes and a reorientation of the farmers about the GESS in which there will be more extensive sensitization and enlightenment, especially at the grassroots level, also that quantity of input supply be increased and that more inclusive participatory approach instead of top-down approach should be adopted for planning, execution and evaluation of the GESS programme.

Influence of Psychological Factors on the Adoption of Farm-Forestry Practices among Small-Scale Farmers in Narok-North Sub-County, Kenya

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-48
Author(s):  
Cecilia Naeku; Prof. Mark Okere
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Factors ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Mixed Method Research ◽  
Farm Forestry ◽  
Research Participants ◽  
Forestry Practices ◽  
Forestry Policies ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

The objective of this paper is to examine the psychological factors that influenced the adoption of farm-forestry practices among small-scale farmers. Despite the numerous benefits farmers can derive from incorporating farm-forestry practices in their farmlands, the adoption of such practices has remained sub-optimal. Kenya’s government has over the years implemented projects and enacted farm-forestry policies to encourage farmers to incorporate trees on farms. The researcher used an explanatory sequential mixed method research design with a sample size of 110 small-scale farmers in Narok-North Sub-County. Proportionate sampling technique was used to acquire the sample sizes of the different wards of the Sub-County while simple random sampling was used to obtain the research participants. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to research participants to generate information on the psychological factors that were measured on a 5-point Likert scale. The results of the Mann-Whitney tests showed that farm-forestry adopters and non-adopters differed significantly in the various constructs that were used to measure attitude. The adopters had a more favourable attitude towards farm-forestry than the non-adopters. They also differed in their subjective norms in which farm-forestry adopters had social networks that supported the practice of farm-forestry. The results also showed that farm-forestry adopters indicated that they faced certain barriers that hindered their adoption of farm-forestry.

scholarly journals Analysis of the challenges of small-scale farmers’ access to labor in North Central Nigeria

2020 ◽  
pp. 15-20
Author(s):  
O.S Akintobi
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Sample Selection ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
North Central ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Human Labour ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
Good Access

The study analyzed the challenges experienced by small-scale farmers’ in accessing human labour in North Central Nigeria. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used for sample selection while questionnaires were used for data collection. A total of 1,750 farmers were randomly interviewed. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and one-way factorial analysis of variance and mean separation was done at 5% probability level. Result revealed small scale farmers perceived a lack of access to human labour for agricultural activities in the zone while mean separation showed Niger state has the highest access to labour while Abuja and Kwara states are the least state with access to labour. High cost of labour, lack of fund and scarcity of labour are the major challenges experienced by the farmers in accessing labour for agricultural production. Based on the findings, the research concluded that small scale farmers do not good access to labour while facing serious challenges which has resulted into increased cost of production for the small-scale farmers. The study recommends among others that combine hiring should be encouraged among farmers for the adoption of expensive labour saving technologies/ implements.

scholarly journals The Preliminary Study of Anthropogenic and Natural Drivers of Desertification in Drylands of South Punjab, Pakistan

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 102-107
Author(s):  
Nausheen Mazhar ◽  
Safdar Ali Shirazi
Keyword(s):  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Soil Salinization ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Adaptation Measures ◽  
Rainfall Variation ◽  
Farming Community ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
Increasing Temperature

This study aims to investigate the perceptions of farmers residing in the drylands of south Punjab regarding the drivers of desertification mainly associated with meteorological and anthropogenic factors. Dataset of 399 respondents was collected using disproportionate stratified sampling technique from Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan and Rajanpur districts. Pearson correlation and cross tabulation were performed to explore relation between variables. Simple Linear Regression (SLR) helped in investigating the association between natural and anthropogenic causes of desertification. The findings of this study indicate the significant variability in natural causes of desertification such as increasing temperature extremes, soil salinization and variation in rainfall patterns, while extensive land degradation, caused by anthropogenic factor, as leading to desertification in the study area. For Rajanpur, mean rainfall variation, supports the perception regarding major natural driver of desertification. Small-scale farmers were found to be most vulnerable to climatic extremes. SLR concluded that anthropogenic factors trigger or intensify the natural drivers of desertification in the study area. Useful insights are provided regarding the perceptions of the local farming community regarding causes of desertification as appropriate perception of a risk leads to fruitful adaptation measures

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document