scholarly journals Investigating Key Factors Influencing Farming Decisions Based on Soil Testing and Fertilizer Recommendation Facilities (STFRF)—A Case Study on Rural Bangladesh

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 4331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faruque-As-Sunny ◽  
Zuhui Huang ◽  
Taonarufaro Karimanzira

Proper nourishment is fundamental for satisfactory crop growth and production. However, for efficient crop production, it is important to understand the soil environment, to recognize the limitations of that environment, and to ameliorate them where possible without damaging the soil quality. Soil testing and fertilizer recommendation facilities (STFRF) can help farmers to achieve environmental and economic sustainability by assisting them in recognizing their soil condition, reducing agrochemicals usage, using an appropriate amount of fertilizer, minimizing input costs, and achieving higher yield. These facilities are not new in the context of Bangladesh, yet the adoption rate among farmers is low and its determinants have rarely been empirically tested based on microlevel data. Therefore, this study examined those factors underlying the adoption of soil testing and fertilizer recommendation facilities using field surveyed data of 176 individual farmers. Our evidence shows that young farmers with less farming experience are more likely to adopt these facilities. Additionally, being small-scale farmers, having higher education, having more farming income, and having more knowledge about these facilities and the fees of these facilities were found to have a significant effect on the adoption. On the other hand, gender, land ownership, and secondary income were found to be insignificant with regard to the adoption of soil testing and fertilizer recommendation facilities. Our results also revealed that most adopter farmers not only focused on profitability, but were additionally concerned with environmental well-being.

2005 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. P. BUTLER ◽  
T. BERNET ◽  
K. MANRIQUE

Potatoes are an important cash crop for small-scale producers worldwide. The move away from subsistence to commercialized farming, combined with the rapid growth in demand for processed agricultural products in developing countries, implies that small-scale farmers and researchers alike must begin to respond to these market changes and consider post-harvest treatment as a critical aspect of the potato farming system. This paper presents and assesses a low cost potato-grading machine that was designed explicitly to enable small-scale potato growers to sort tubers by size for supply to commercial processors. The results of ten experiments reveal that the machine achieves an accuracy of sort similar to commercially available graders. The machine, which uses parallel conical rollers, has the capacity to grade different tuber shapes and to adjust sorting classes, making it suitable for locations with high potato diversity. Its relatively low cost suggests that an improved and adapted version of this machine might enhance market integration of small-scale potato producers not only in Peru, but in other developing countries as well.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-52
Author(s):  
Bin Mushambanyi Théodore Munyuli

A study was conducted from 2010 to 2012 around the flower growing areas in central Uganda to generate baseline information on the status of pollinators. Primary data were gathered using a questionnaire that aimed at determining farmers and flower farm officials’ perceptions on the impact of activities carried out inside greenhouses on pollinators, human health, and on crop production in the surroundings. Results indicated that the quantity of pesticides and fertilizers applied daily varied among the different flower farms visited. Bee species richness and abundance varied significantly (P<0.01) according to flower farm location, to the landscape vegetation type, and to field types found in the surrounding of flower farms. Bee richness found around flower farms varied in number from 20 to 40 species in total across seasons and years. Bee density increased significantly with the increase in flower density. Small-scale farmers were aware of the value and importance of pollination services in their farming business. There was no clear evidence of a direct effect of agrochemicals application on bee communities living in the surrounding habitats. There is a need for further research to be conducted on human health risks and for toxicological studies on soils, plants, flowers, and bees in the farm landscape.


Author(s):  
DP Keetch ◽  
A Ngqaka ◽  
R Akanbi ◽  
P Mahlanga

Author(s):  
Meleckidzedeck Khayesi

The objective of this case study is to examine how a farmer, Mr. Alex Omwela Adala, has utilised his talent to create self-reinforcing agricultural enterprises to stand on his own feet. This study addresses a gap in past research on entrepreneurship which tended to focus on profiles of entrepreneurs as well as development and outcomes of investment in businesses. Starting literally from scratch, this farmer has currently nine self-reinforcing agricultural enterprises that have enabled him to cater for his family needs and provide technical support to other small-scale farmers. He has played a key role in founding and managing the Dairy Goat Association of Kenya, Western Kenya Branch. The contribution of this chapter is in using a case study method and a transformative story to learn about talent exploitation for individual and community development. The chapter does not only provide an approach of data collection but also experiential insights and wisdom of an entrepreneur who has travelled the path of investment for 30 years.


2018 ◽  
Vol 67 (5) ◽  
pp. 645-653 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sam Stedman ◽  
Alien Mathews Mnyimbiri ◽  
Zinyengo Kawonga ◽  
Mphatso Malota ◽  
Dalo Njera ◽  
...  

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