• 2017 Aug

• Value of modern extension methods in improving image and quality of extension: Perception of extension agents in Trinidad and Tobago

Abstract

Agricultural extension services have undergone a significant transformation in order to effectively address issues of poverty and hunger. It is expected that modern methods of extension will improve image and quality of extension services offered in low-income regions. In Trinidad and Tobago, vibrant and transformative initiatives include institutional pluralism, farmer-led methods, farmer field schools, plant clinics,... Read more.

• 2017 Aug

• The tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) attack in Nigeria: effect of climate change on over-sighted pest or agro-bioterrorism?

Abstract

The tomato leaf miner (Tuta absoluta) destroyed tomato plants in seven of the Northern states in Nigeria, and has been found in two other states in the South in 2016. The study assessed the incident of the tomato leafminer attack using a questionnaire survey in one of the affected states, for a case study of the problem. A short literature review on bio-ecology of T. absoluta was also conducted, and responses to... Read more.

• 2017 Jul

• Contributions of farmers’ organizations to rural development: Case of North West farmers’ organization in Mezam Division, Cameroon

Abstract

This works aim to discuss the contribution of farmers’ organizations to rural development, particularly the case of North West Farmers’ Organization (NOWEFOR). This study was carried out from January to November, 2014 in Mezam Division of the North west Region of Cameroon. 100 farmer’s members of NOWEFOR were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire and 20 leaders were interviewed using an... Read more.

• 2017 Jul

• Local knowledge of maturity indicators for priority fruits and vegetables in Uganda

Abstract

Local knowledge on maturity indicators is important in determining optimal time of harvesting fruits and vegetables. These farm products are increasingly becoming a valuable source of livelihood for many rural families through household consumption and trade. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of literature on the integration of local knowledge and practices in improving maturity assessment techniques with the view of... Read more.

• 2017 Jun

• Analysis of farmers’ perception on the impact of land degradation hazard on agricultural land productivity in Jeldu district in West Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

Land degradation is increasing in severity and extent in many parts of the world. Success in arresting land degradation entails an improved understanding of its causes, process, indicators and impacts. Various scientific methodologies have been employed to assess land degradation globally. However, the use of local community knowledge in elucidating the causes, process, indicators and effects of land degradation has... Read more.

• 2017 Jun

• Pre-scaling up of urea treated rice straw and supplements on fattening performance of oxen along the Rib-river, South Gondar Ethiopia

Abstract

The main objective of the study was to create a wider demand and assess the farmer’s perception on ox fattening technique by using locally available rice straw and concentrate supplementation. A total of 55 oxen with similar age and body condition were selected for the study from 44 volunteer participant farmers. Urea treated rice straw used as a basal diet and 3 kg concentrate as a supplement per ox per day were... Read more.

• 2017 May

• Assessing the farmer field school’s diffusion of knowledge and adaptation to climate change by smallholder farmers in Kiboga District, Uganda

Abstract

Farmer Field Schools (FFS) can empower farmers through meetings at demonstration sites to promote agricultural production because of discovery learning. This study empirically investigated the FFS’s diffusion of knowledge and its impact on the smallholder farmer’s adaptation to climate change in Kiboga district characterised by low rainfall pattern. A cross-sectional research design was adopted where a total... Read more.

• 2017 May

• Factors influencing agritourism adoption by small farmers in North Carolina

Abstract

The study estimates a logit model to identify factors influencing adoption of agritourism by small farmers in North Carolina using a survey. All variables included in the model were dummies and of these having at least a college education has the greatest impact on participating in agritourism, followed by race, public access to the farm for recreation, farms with more than 50 acres of land deemed unsuitable for crop... Read more.

• 2017 May

• Indigenous land suitability evaluation system of the Acholi tribe of Northern Uganda

Abstract

Indigenous knowledge has traditionally been the most important source of information about agricultural practices and production in many rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa. Modern, scientific knowledge has increasingly contested and replaced this knowledge, but has itself not always been adapted to local conditions, in contrast to indigenous knowledge that has evolved over time and is very place-specific. Since... Read more.

• 2017 Apr

• Sources of information and information seeking behavior of smallholder farmers of Tanqa Abergelle Wereda, central zone of Tigray, Ethiopia

Abstract

Smallholder farmers have different information seeking behaviors which are changing through time. However, as far as the authors’ knowledge is concerned, there is no research carried out to identify it in the study area. Therefore, this research is to reveal the information seeking behavior of the Abergelle woreda smallholder farmers. For the research design, from the 19 rural kebeles of the woreda, 5 kebele were... Read more.

• 2017 Apr

• Assessment of honeybee enemies (pests and predators) in Bale zone, southeastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Among all constraints of beekeeping, natural bee enemies are known to cause great damage to the life and product of honeybees by causing disappearance and migration. A study was conducted in Bale from July, 2010 to June, 2012 in six districts with the objective of assessing the effect of natural bee enemies on the life of honeybees and their products. From each districts, 3 rural kebeles (RKs) and 10 beekeepers from... Read more.

• 2017 Apr

• Beekeeping practices, trends and constraints in Bale, South-eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was planned to assess beekeeping practices, trends and constraints of beekeeping production in Bale, south-eastern Ethiopia in 2014/2015. Three districts were considered based on variations in agro-ecology (high, mid and lowlands). From each districts, two Rural Kebele (RKs), from each RK, 30 beekeepers and a total of 180 beekeepers were selected using purposive sampling method. The selected beekeepers were... Read more.

• 2017 Mar

• Farmers’ perspectives on resistance in western corn rootworm to CRW-Bt corn in Midwest USA

Abstract

Resistance in western corn rootworm to transgenic corn hybrids was first confirmed in 2011 in Midwestern USA, and threatens their continued use. Farmers are often the first line of resistance detection, so their understanding and attitudes toward this issue are critical for improving resistance management. We conducted telephone focus groups during 2013 with farmers who had experienced rootworm resistance. There were... Read more.

• 2017 Mar

• Perceived shortcomings of Mirte stove in Ethiopia: The case of Agarfa District, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

The national energy balance indicates that traditional fuels (wood, charcoal, agricultural residues and animal waste) meet 94% of the total energy supplied and that the household sector accounts for 90% of the total energy consumed in the country. The vast majority of Ethiopian households depend on the open fire stoves with very poor fuel efficiency. Due to the shortage of firewood growing in Ethiopian communities,... Read more.

• 2017 Feb

• Rice farmers perception of effects of climate change on rice development stages in Niger State

Abstract

Rice production is limited by many biotic and abiotic factors which are aggravated when climate change induces variation in climate patterns. Predicting effects of these variations in climate parameters on rice is not straight forward because crops in growth stage are affected in a specific manner which involves tactical adjustments of cropping calendar in order to ensure optimum production. Primary data were collected... Read more.

• 2017 Feb

• Study of the status of collection, utilization and marketing of hides and skins in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was conducted at Wolaita Zone Southern Ethiopia with the objective of assessing the status collection, utilization and marketing of hides and skins in the study area. Multi-stage sampling was employed for all sampling procedures. Three districts were purposively selected based on livestock population, intensity of fattening, degree of slaughtering frequency and number of hide and skin warehouse. From each... Read more.

• 2017 Jan

• Preliminary screening of the effect of biochar properties and soil incorporation rate on lettuce growth to guide research and educate the public through extension

Abstract

Extension service of the land grant university system is often the first source of public information for emerging soil amendments such as biochar. Biochar is a charcoal product made by heating plant biomass via pyrolysis and is increasingly marketed as an organic soil amendment. As energy-producing pyrolysis industries expand, there is increasing opportunity to utilize locally produced biochar for its potential value... Read more.

• 2017 Jan

• Employment Prospects for Agricultural Graduates in Guinea Conakry

Abstract

Unemployment of graduates is a challenging problem in Africa, and it is aggravated by many factors such as population growth, mismatch between curriculum and employer needs, and lack of evidence-based policy making. In this context, the objectives of the present study are twofold. First, the aim is to identify key characteristics influencing labor market participation of graduates from agricultural higher education in... Read more.

• 2016 Dec

• Making the demand driven extensions services systems work through decentralised structures: Prospects for the future extension service delivery in Malawi

Abstract

Malawi adopted a pluralistic, demand-driven and decentralised agricultural extension system in 2000, following a political change from one party to a multiparty democratic system of government. This was followed by the introduction of a district agricultural extension services system (DAESS) as a way of facilitating the implementation of the pluralistic, demand-driven and decentralised agricultural extension policy.... Read more.

• 2016 Dec

• Informal transfer of information among vegetable growers in Khartoum State, Sudan

Abstract

Informal transfer of information among vegetable growers in Khartoum State, Sudan was investigated through a cross-sectional survey with 120 growers from six typical vegetable production villages (20 growers from each each) in peri-urban Omdurman (2 villages) and Eastern Nile locality (4 villages). The focus was on inventor growers (72, 60%) employing their information, skills and experience exchange to improve and... Read more.