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Agricultural activities in many sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries are subject to various risk factors that the COVID-19 compounds. Earlier studies on the effect of COVID-19 on smallholders neglect the issue of comparison with non-farm households. The study uses micro-level household datasets to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on household welfare, with a focus on farm households relative to their non-farm counterparts. We employed a binary probit model and Propensity Score Matching (PSM) approach and demonstrated that farm households witnessed important income reductions during the COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda. The study contributes to the design of evidence-based approaches to reducing farmers' vulnerabilities to agricultural risks and pandemic-related shocks. Article highlights: Farm households witnessed significant income reductions during the COVID-19 period in Uganda. Most common coping strategies adopted by households amid the COVID-19 crisis were reliance on savings, and reducing food consumption. The study offers suggestions in designing evidence-based approaches to reducing farmers' vulnerabilities to agricultural or pandemic-related shocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high rice prices of 2023 have highlighted the need for increasing rice productivity. But improving productivity, especially in low‐performing rice‐producing regions, should also improve incomes for the numerous smallholder cultivators. This article examines what we can learn from the experience of high‐performing rice‐growing regions, which have both high rice yields and incomes. We focus on two best‐performing villages from Kerala, southern India and Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Using a detailed case study approach combining farm budget analysis, counterfactual simulations using agricultural household models, and qualitative insights, our analysis shows the contribution of price support, irrigation, and agricultural research in these two regions to the current situation. While price support was the prominent factor in Keralaʼs village, irrigation and extending the cropping intensity was important for farm incomes in the Mekong Delta village. This comparative analysis demonstrates the need for an ongoing evaluation of price and non‐price factors and supplementing farm incomes through specific interventions for developing low‐performing rice‐producing regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract Agricultural activities in many sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries are subject to various risk factors that the COVID-19 compounds. Earlier studies on the effect of COVID-19 on smallholders neglect the issue of comparison with non-farm households. The study uses micro-level household datasets to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on household welfare, with a focus on farm households relative to their non-farm counterparts. We employed a binary probit model and Propensity Score Matching (PSM) approach and demonstrated that farm households witnessed important income reductions during the COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda. The study contributes to the design of evidence-based approaches to reducing farmers’ vulnerabilities to agricultural risks and pandemic-related shocks.

Purpose: Despite a reduction in poverty the global population in 2015, the incidence of poverty remains very high in Sub-Saharan African countries. Most of the countries in the region are agrarian, with most of their population residing in rural areas, and a majority of the poor in the region are found in Nigeria. This study examined the nexus between participation in nonfarm enterprises (NFEs) and poverty among rural farm households in Nigeria and across the six geopolitical zones. Design/methodology/approach: The Nigerian Living Standard Survey (NLSS) conducted in 2018–2019 by the National Bureau of Statistics was used. We made use of 13,440 farm households with useful information for the purpose of this study. The sample comprises 6,885 households that participated in NFEs and 6,555 nonparticipating households. The data were analyzed with Foster, Greer, and Thorbecke (FGT) (1984) metrics, probit, and fractional probit models at p = 0.05. Findings: The incidence of poverty was lower among the participating households than in the nonparticipating households. Participation in NFEs had a mitigating effect on poverty. We also established that zonal differentials in poverty rates exist among households in all the analyses. Participation in NFEs was influenced by individual, household, and institutional factors and was also able to explain the depth of poverty among the respondents. Practical implications: It is suggested that poverty alleviation policies should be targeted at improving access to nonfarm economic activities by rural farm households residing in vulnerable geopolitical zones. Originality/value: This study is the first attempt to profile household poverty based on the type of NFEs they are involved in. The study also provides an insight into the effect of the state of residence on zonal poverty models, which is expedient if the country must achieve Sustainable Development Goal 1 on the eradication of poverty everywhere. Peer review: The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-06-2023-0493 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contract farming has been extensively adopted as a strategy to overcome limitations in the market and enhance the well-being of farmers. Nevertheless, the extent to which it affects food security has not been sufficiently examined and is uncertain. Moreover, there is a lack of empirical evidence regarding the impact of contract farming on food security in Indonesia. To fill the existing research gap, this study employs propensity score matching (PSM) to mitigate selection bias in examining the impact of contract farming on the food security of smallholder farm households in Indonesia. It utilizes the 2021 Indonesia Agricultural Integrated Survey (SITASI) data, designed to monitor the indicators of sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the agriculture sector. The food insecurity experience scale (FIES) is used to measure food security. Our research shows that contract farming can potentially improve the food security of smallholder farm households in Indonesia. However, the overall impact can be considered minor. Contract farming has the potential to enhance food security, but it may not be adequate as a standalone solution. A comprehensive strategy, complemented by related policies such as innovative farming practices, technology adoption, and income-generation measures, is essential. Furthermore, our investigation revealed that this beneficial effect is particularly prominent among farmers residing in rural areas, female farmers, and farmers who do not own land or livestock. It indicates that contract farming can be a feasible tool for poverty alleviation, rural development, and woman empowerment. This study also found that factors such as location, market access, credit availability, gender, education, and exposure to agricultural training influenced contract farming participation.

Tourism livelihood has become an essential livelihood decision for people to get rid of poverty. Under the background of the internet era, it is of great significance to study how ethnic village farm households can participate in tourism livelihood with the help of information capacity. Applying the Resource Orchestration Theory and taking Guolan Yao Village in Jiangyong County of Hunan Province as an example, this paper uses binary logistic regression model and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis method to explore the mechanism of farm households' information capacity affecting their tourism livelihood. The findings are as follows: Firstly, in addition to financial capital, other livelihood capital and information capacity have a significant impact on farm households' participation in tourism livelihood. Secondly, when financial capital is lacking, farm households in ethnic villages with information capacity can unite with human capital, social capital, natural capital or physical capital to make up for the non-existent defect of financial capital and help realize tourism livelihood. Thirdly, when human capital is lacking, farm households in ethnic villages with information capacity can make up for the absence of human capital by combining natural capital, financial capital and social capital to help realize tourism livelihood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid urbanization in cities brings about both opportunities and challenges for national development. This study focuses on investigating the dynamics of urbanization and its impact on livelihoods using land use/land cover change in Adama City, located in the Oromia Regional State. Various datasets from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), including Landsat Thematic Mapper (LTM), Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETH +), and Operational Land Imager (OLI), were utilized. Geographic Information System (GIS) and remote sensing tools were employed to extract relevant information from these datasets for years from 1986 to 2022. In addition, findings pertain to the impact of urbanization on income diversification and the overall welfare of farm households near Adama City was aligned with the study. The findings reveal that built-up areas and agricultural land exhibit the most significant changes over the examined period. However, these changes occur in opposite directions. The built-up area has experienced a substantial increase of 60% from 1986 to 2022, while agricultural land has decreased by 40% during the same timeframe. The conversion of farmland to built-up areas negatively impacts farm households by reducing farming activities and increasing reliance on non-farm activities, resulting in lower consumption expenditures for rural households near urban areas compared to those farther from the urban center. The result underscores the need for policies that promote appropriate land management and a well-planned urbanization process to ensure sustainable urban development. Furthermore, it is vital to enhance understanding of the spatial and temporal dynamics of urban growth and its impacts on farm households residing near urban areas. By addressing these issues, sustainable food security and poverty reduction objectives can be better achieved in peri-urban areas of the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lives of rural households are predominantly based on agriculture and its allied activities. However, there are signs of an agricultural crisis resulting in dependence on alternative sources of income. This paper analyzes the factors that influence the decision of farm households to participate in non-farm activities for alternative income. The official data for two years on the Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households are explored and a pooled probit regression model is run to examine the determinants of income diversification. Our findings reveal that farm income and irrigated land negatively influence diversification. However, diversification of those having lower access to farm holdings, socioeconomic deprivation, and improved access to education, informal credit, and crop insurance point out positive participation in non-farm enterprises. In addition, the population belonging to hilly and coastal plain regions and the age group 30–64 years are more likely to diversify. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research simulates the impact on tax liabilities of five tax provisions that provide benefits to farm households by race and ethnicity. Using pooled data from the Agricultural Resource Management Survey (2017–2021), we find that, relative to White non‐Hispanic principal operator farm households, certain business tax benefits are less prevalent and of lower value for Hispanic, African American, and Native American principal operator farm households due to differences in income and investment levels. Household tax credits are significantly higher for Hispanic and Native American principal operator farm households and Asian principal operator farm households have significantly higher total tax benefits from the five provisions examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The high rice prices of 2023 have highlighted the need for increasing rice productivity. But improving productivity, especially in low‐performing rice‐producing regions, should also improve incomes for the numerous smallholder cultivators. This article examines what we can learn from the experience of high‐performing rice‐growing regions, which have both high rice yields and incomes. We focus on two best‐performing villages from Kerala, southern India and Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Using a detailed case study approach combining farm budget analysis, counterfactual simulations using agricultural household models, and qualitative insights, our analysis shows the contribution of price support, irrigation, and agricultural research in these two regions to the current situation. While price support was the prominent factor in Keralaʼs village, irrigation and extending the cropping intensity was important for farm incomes in the Mekong Delta village. This comparative analysis demonstrates the need for an ongoing evaluation of price and non‐price factors and supplementing farm incomes through specific interventions for developing low‐performing rice‐producing regions.

Despite extensive studies on the effects of armed conflict on household dietary diversity, food security, and nutritional outcomes, the underlying pathways remain underexplored. A better understanding of these mechanisms could unpack the subsequent effects of conflict‐induced food insecurity and oft‐reported nutritional shortcoming, as well as identify which policy interventions hold promise. We study the effects of terrorist violence in Burkina Faso on household dietary diversity, as proxied by food consumption scores (FCS), and investigate the underlying mechanisms. For this purpose, we combine nationally representative 5‐years panel data on households with spatial conflict data. We find negative and significant effects of conflict intensity on household food consumption scores. The decline in household FCS is a result of significant decreased dietary diversity in both food production and purchases. Although households in rural areas partially offset these reductions by food assistance, those reliant solely on farming as livelihoods remain the most affected. Further investigations show evidence that per‐capita farm income and food expenditure are pathways linking the intensity of armed conflict to reduced FCS in food purchases, whereas reduced dietary diversity in food production results from decline in crop production. Additional specification tests support our main findings, offering insights that can help policymakers faced with similar scaled‐armed conflicts. For instance, conflict‐sensitive interventions aimed at supporting crop production and farm income for affected households could effectively improve their dietary diversity and overall food security in a post‐conflict environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid urbanization in cities brings about both opportunities and challenges for national development. This study focuses on investigating the dynamics of urbanization and its impact on livelihoods using land use/land cover change in Adama City, located in the Oromia Regional State. Various datasets from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), including Landsat Thematic Mapper (LTM), Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETH[Formula: see text]), and Operational Land Imager (OLI), were utilized. Geographic Information System (GIS) and remote sensing tools were employed to extract relevant information from these datasets for years from 1986 to 2022. In addition, findings pertain to the impact of urbanization on income diversification and the overall welfare of farm households near Adama City was aligned with the study. The findings reveal that built-up areas and agricultural land exhibit the most significant changes over the examined period. However, these changes occur in opposite directions. The built-up area has experienced a substantial increase of 60% from 1986 to 2022, while agricultural land has decreased by 40% during the same timeframe. The conversion of farmland to built-up areas negatively impacts farm households by reducing farming activities and increasing reliance on non-farm activities, resulting in lower consumption expenditures for rural households near urban areas compared to those farther from the urban center. The result underscores the need for policies that promote appropriate land management and a well-planned urbanization process to ensure sustainable urban development. Furthermore, it is vital to enhance understanding of the spatial and temporal dynamics of urban growth and its impacts on farm households residing near urban areas. By addressing these issues, sustainable food security and poverty reduction objectives can be better achieved in peri-urban areas of the region.

This study examines the effects of changing food prices on the nutritional outcomes of children under five years old in Nigeria, utilising data from the 2013 and 2016 Nigeria Living Standards Measurement Study – Integrated Surveys on Agriculture (LSMS-ISA). We applied correlated random-effects probit and fixed-effects regression models to analyse the data. Results indicate an increase in stunting and decreases in wasting and underweight conditions among children over the years studied. Specifically, higher prices for fish, eggs, beef, rice, and cooking oil have a significant association with increased stunting, while increases in the prices of maize and garri are associated with greater wasting. Underweight increase with higher prices of milk, maize, and rice. In contrast, modest increases in yam and beans prices have not exacerbated undernutrition. The study also highlights the importance of household income growth and women's involvement in financial decisions in reducing child undernutrition. We advocate for agriculture-led, nutrition-sensitive policies that address the high costs of animal proteins and staples such as rice, maize, and garri, while monitoring and carefully regulating upticks in the prices of yam and beans.

This paper investigates the determinants of food insecurity among agricultural households in Burkina Faso. We use balanced panel data of 232 agricultural households over the period 2014–2016. We measure households' food security using food consumption scores. The results of the logit model estimations show that high dependency ratio and low educational attainment of the household head are the main factors that increase the probability of household being food insecure. Also, households headed by the elderly (70 years and older) are more likely to be food insecure. In contrast, household income and social capital contribute to reducing the likelihood of being food insecure. These results suggest that a particular emphasis should be placed on strengthening the capacity of household heads by designing specific training programs that meet their needs, strengthening their social capital and reducing the number of inactive persons to reduce food insecurity in agricultural households in Burkina Faso. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the determinants of off-farm work in Swiss agriculture between 2003 and 2013. By differentiating between the between-farm effects and the within-farm effects, our model provides new insights into the labour allocation process as compared with standard cross-sectional or panel data models. As regards the between-farm variations, our results show that younger farm families without children and farm households with higher non-agricultural education levels of both the farmer and the partner are more involved in working activities outside the farm. However, the within-farm time effects provided a more differentiated picture: impacts of changes in most variables over time tended to be smaller, and in case of two variables show opposite directions. In addition to a negative between-effect of farm income on the allocation of off-farm labour, our results on within-farm effects suggest that an increase in farm income per annual family work unit could be compatible with a higher share of off-farm work during the analysed period.

The livestock sector plays a crucial role in sustaining the livelihoods of millions of families across the world, especially in developing countries. However, farming households that rely on agriculture and livestock are particularly susceptible to the impacts of various infectious diseases and natural disasters. This study focuses on estimating the economic burden imposed on households by lumpy skin disease (LSD) in Pakistan and explores the effect of various socioeconomic factors on mortality ratio. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey from 406 farmers and were analyzed through descriptive statistics to calculate the monetary losses. In addition, the study employed fractional probit regression to identify factors affecting mortality ratio. The results demonstrate significant economic impacts of LSD on farm households in Pakistan, leading to direct and indirect losses and reduced milk productivity. Exotic cows were found to be more susceptible to mortality compared to indigenous cows. The study also found that farmers’ education, experience, household income per month, vaccination, domestic-commercial, commercial animals, and access to information were negatively associated with mortality. The findings of this study emphasize the need for preventative measures such as affordable vaccines, treatment, and improved livestock health and welfare to mitigate the negative effects of LSD on farmers’ income and the local economy.

AbstractWe examined factors that influence farm size sustenance and food consumption status of rural farm households. We used survey data comprising a sample size of 390 households. The study employed quantile and ordered logistic models to estimate the impacts of farm sustenance indicators on farm size cultivated and food consumption, respectively. We found that farm size is influenced positively by input expenditures, household sizes, types of crops, farm credits and subsidies. Besides, lack of farm labour adversely affected farm sizes of some categories of farmers. Besides, increasing farm input expenditures, lack of labour, farm credits and subsidies reduce the food consumption status of the households. We recommend that policymakers consider an integrated approach to farm sustenance and specific segregated attention to the individual categories of food consumption status of farm households. These could be achieved through the provision of farm credits and subsidies among other factors that sustain farm sizes and food consumption of the households.

Access to healthy and affordable diet hinged on the realization of Sustainable Development Goal 2, higher productivity and, economic prosperity while it is difficult for a poorly nourished people to achieve optimum production of goods and services. This study assessed whether dietary diversity (DD) and nutritional status of adult men are associated with crop commercialization index (CCI) levels of agricultural households in two states of Southwestern Nigeria. This research utilized 352 farm households, comprising 277 adult male members. The individual version of dietary diversity score (DDS) of 9 food groups was used to calculate adult men’s DDS over a 24-h recall. Anthropometric data was obtained using body mass index (BMI) while CCI levels was estimated for each agricultural household. Logistic regression and ordered logit models were used to examine the determinants of adult men’s dietary diversity and nutritional status respectively. Hundred percent of adult men consumed starchy staples, with 11.2% consuming egg, 5.8% milk and milk products and 0.4% consuming organ meat over 24-h recall. Adult men of CCI 2 and CCI 4 agricultural households recorded overweight prevalence of >20% in Ogun state while the association between DDS and CCI was statistically insignificant suggesting that being a member of any of the CCI households may not guarantee the consumption of healthy diets among adult men. From Logit regression analysis, it is more likely for adult men with higher farm size to attain the minimum DDS of 4 food groups than those with smaller size of farmland (OR = 4.78; 95% CI: 1.94, 11.76; p = 0.001). The age, farm experience, and cassava marketing experience were positively related to the likelihood of obtaining the minimum DDS. For adult men to achieve a healthy diet, their diet pattern must incorporate a more diversified intake of food from different food groups capable of improving their nutritional status. This study emphasized the need for relevant stakeholders to provide adequate nutrition knowledge intervention programmes capable of improving the diets and nutrition of adult men and other members of farm households.

Abstract Despite several benefits, the crop insurance adoption rate is observed as low in India. Numerous studies have, therefore, enquired about the reason behind low adoption, and further, a few cross-section studies have estimated its impact on farmers’ well-being, and the findings are mixed in nature. Using data from both rounds of the India Human Development Survey (IHDS), i.e. 2004–2005 and 2011–2012, this study aims to identify the major determinants of adoption and to evaluate its impact on farm households’ well-being. In the case of the former, we find the major determinants, namely, education of the household head, livestock ownership, outstanding debt, landholding, membership in credit groups, access to several government benefits, and previously experienced disasters. Employing a difference-in-difference (DID) model for the latter, we observe that crop insurance improves farmers’ well-being, i.e. per-capita consumption expenditure was 12–28% more for the insured farmers between 2004–2005 and 2011–2012. Hence, this study advocates for further scaling up crop insurance adoption in India as it supports the farmers to diversify risks and smoothening consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the determinants of off-farm work in Swiss agriculture between 2003 and 2013. By differentiating between the between-farm effects and the within-farm effects, our model provides new insights into the labour allocation process as compared with standard cross-sectional or panel data models. As regards the between-farm variations, our results show that younger farm families without children and farm households with higher non-agricultural education levels of both the farmer and the partner are more involved in working activities outside the farm. However, the within-farm time effects provided a more differentiated picture: impacts of changes in most variables over time tended to be smaller, and in case of two variables show opposite directions. In addition to a negative between-effect of farm income on the allocation of off-farm labour, our results on within-farm effects suggest that an increase in farm income per annual family work unit could be compatible with a higher share of off-farm work during the analysed period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted during 2022-23 to assess the level of food insecurity and income status among farm households. Data from 474 farmers through personal interview method were collected. Agriculture was the primary occupation for most households followed by off-farm activities. Average per capita annual income (Rs. 1,00,073) was lower than the national average. The per capita annual income was Rs. 73,303, Rs. 93,256 and Rs. 1,44,456 for marginal, small, and medium farmers, respectively. About 47 per cent of the expenditure was made on consumption. A comparison of calorie intake to recommended calorie intake indicated that food insecurity was prevailing among 26 percent of the farmers. The major contribution to calorie intake was from cereals, the consumption of vegetables and fruits was low. A decision tree model using machine learning algorithms was used to identify the factors influencing food security. Per capita income, family size, consumption expenditure, social participation, and land holdings had significant importance in classifying the households as food secure and insecure. Diversifying farm activities and creating additional opportunities in rural areas, teaching households about balanced diets, promoting home gardening, and institutional policies to improve food security may be the strategic points. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to assess the multidimensional poverty index (MPI) of farm households in Nepal and investigate the influence of various forms of livelihood capital on their income. The calculation of MPI incorporates the nutrition dimension along with health, education, and living standards using the Alkire‐Foster method. The results show that farm households in Nepal face severe multidimensional poverty (MPI = 0.433, using poverty cut‐off criterion = 0.3). The incidence of income poverty for Nepali farm households is around 20%, which indicates that income‐based poverty may mask the true poverty of farm households in Nepal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amazon, the largest global tropical forest, is central to counterbalance the effects of climate change. However, the extant literature has not fully explained the effects of demographic changes on land use and livelihoods sustainability that reconciles production and conservation. Using a case study of 28 years in the Brazilian Amazon, this article provided novel empirical evidences on the co-evolution of household demographic dynamics (composition and life cycles), land use and livelihoods as depicted by the demo-livelihoods theoretical framework. Methods of analysis involve the combination of exploratory (descriptive, cluster and correlation) and a multivariate hazard model. The results validated the demo-livelihoods theory and showed that livelihoods adaptation over time involves diversification combining perennials and cattle ranching, land consolidation and off-farm strategies (remittances, wage labor, cash transfers). These strategies are conditioned by demographic dynamics. Households are less likely to diversify livelihoods with annual crops due to unsustainable environmental conditions and costs associated with land intensification and market accessibility. While diversification historically occur at the expense of primary forest, household ageing may create a momentum to limit deforestation and allows the future incorporation of plot-based natural capital as a source of diversified, sustainable land uses and livelihoods for carbon emissions and bioeconomy markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of high grain production costs, which is not conducive to sustainable agricultural development and food security, is highlighted in the context of China's "large country and small household farmers". Reducing the grain production costs through factor allocation and organizational drive has become particularly important. Based on 768-grain peasant households in China, this paper uses OLS regression and robust regression to examine the effects of agricultural factor inputs and cooperatives on grain production costs. It analyzes the synergistic and substitution effects between farmers' factor inputs and cooperatives in grain production. It was found that: (1) in farmers' grain production, reductions in the grain production costs can be realized by expanding the area under cultivation, improving the use of agricultural machinery, and increasing technological inputs; (2) a reduction in the grain production costs can also be realized through cooperatives driving farmers into grain production; (3) cooperatives can provide farmers with various types of agricultural production services in grain production and cooperative-driven substitution effects between the agricultural factor inputs of farm households. The findings of this paper contribute to the enrichment of research in the field of agricultural production and are important for enhancing agricultural sustainability and reducing grain production costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the recent increase in the number of Nigerians estimated to be at risk of food insecurity, it is crucial to explore the array of tools used to quantify food insecurity (FI). This exploration will help determine the prevalence and severity of FI in Nigeria. This review explored the scope of FI research carried out in Nigeria to examine how the design was quantified. A systematic review was performed to compile the accessible Nigerian studies. Seventy-nine studies were reviewed. Eighteen used the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale module (HFIAS) to investigate FI status; thirteen used the recommended daily calorie requirement approach; twelve employed the Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM); ten used the food insecurity index (through household per capita food expenditure); seven used the Food Insecurity Experienced Scale (FIES); two used the Food Consumption Score (FCS); and the others employed less standardized or thorough approaches. Different prevalence levels and gravities of FI in the Nigerian populations were documented. The prevalence of FI varied from 12% to 100%, based on the instrument and demography being studied. In accordance with the findings of this review, the authors propose standardization of the FI instrument and highlight the need for a measurement tool that would be appropriate for the Nigerian setting. This will enable researchers to attain a comprehensive knowledge of the occurrence rate of FI in Nigeria, leading to improved food- and nutrition-sensitive policy development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the effect of women‐centric agricultural self‐help groups (SHGs) on intra‐household decision‐making in agriculture. Using data collected from an intra‐household survey of 815 households, we analyze the effect of women's membership in different types of SHGs on 14 decisions related to farms and households. Specifically, we investigate the discord in decision‐making, which is the difference in the perceived decision‐making roles of spouses within a household. Our results show that women's participation in SHGs has increased their role in decision‐making by 8–13%. However, the effects vary according to the type of intervention and the decision. We found fewer discords in intra‐household decision‐making in seed SHGs than in micro‐finance SHGs. In conclusion, our study suggests that women's engagement in agriculture‐based SHG interventions can encourage joint decision‐making, but the magnitude of this effect depends on the type of SHG. Development agencies can use this information to design interventions targeted at empowering women through the improvement of the agricultural value chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We assess landed costs and selected environmental metrics for field-based and controlled-environment agriculture greenhouse (GH) supply chains for leaf lettuce delivered to New York City. Landed costs for a GH are 46 to 174 per cent higher than field production, with the lower value for an automated GH located in the peri-urban area. Energy use and global warming potential per kg lettuce delivered were larger for the GH, particularly if located in a peri-urban area. Water use was much higher for the field-based supply chain. Controlled-environment GH technologies will require further development to meet goals for lower costs and environmental impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promoting farmers' participation in rural industrial integration and driving farmers' agricultural production with cooperatives and agribusinesses are conducive to realizing cost saving, efficiency, and green production and guaranteeing food security and sustainable agricultural development. Based on the microsurvey data of 1039 grain farmers in Henan Province, China in 2022, this paper examined the impact of contractual choices of farmers' participation in rural industrial integration on agricultural green productivity while analyzing the mechanism of action by using OLS regression, a causal mediation analysis of instrumental variables, propensity score matching, and two-stage least squares (2SLS). The study found that: (1) farmers' participation in a contract, driven by cooperatives or agribusinesses to carry out agricultural production, is conducive to improving their agricultural green productivity, but the effect of each main body to drive farmers varies; (2) farmers' participation in a contract, through cooperatives or agribusinesses to obtain all kinds of agricultural production services—such as agricultural machinery services, agricultural supply services, and technical guidance services—improves the use of agricultural machinery, the standardization of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and other agricultural materials' use, increases technical guidance, and improves agricultural green productivity. The findings of this paper suggest policy and practical implications for safeguarding food security and promoting sustainable agriculture, as well as enriching research on agricultural productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the last decade, post-harvest losses (PHL) reduction has been topping the agenda of governments as a pathway for addressing food security, poverty, and nutrition challenges in Africa. Using survey data from 579 households, we investigated the factors that affect farmers' decisions to adopt post-harvest technologies: mechanized shelling, drying tarpaulins, and airtight storage validated for reducing PHL in Tanzania's maize-based systems, and the impacts on households' food security and welfare. Mechanized shelling addressed a labor issue, while tarpaulins and airtight storage addressed product quality and quantity concerns. The results revealed large farm sizes and location in higher production potential zones (proxies for higher production scale) and neighbors' use of the technologies as universal drivers for adoption. Access to credit and off-farm income were unique determinants for airtight storage, while group membership increased the probability of adopting drying tarpaulin and airtight storage. The technologies have positive impacts on food security and welfare: drying tarpaulins and airtight storage significantly increased food availability (18–27%), food access (24–26%), and household incomes (112–155%), whereas mechanized shelling improved food and total expenditures by 49% and 68%, respectively. The share of total household expenditure on food decreased by 42%, 11%, and 51% among tarpaulin, mechanized shelling, and airtight storage adopter households, signaling significant improvements in food security and reductions in vulnerability. The results point to the need for policy support to enhance the adoption of these technologies, knowledge sharing among farmers, and financial resources access to support investments in the technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent trend of development policy makes emphasis on gender disparity in performance, especially in the agricultural sector whereby women partake and play a crucial role and their contribution to the sector cannot be overemphasized. However, the contention is whether such disparity in performance exists typically at old age or whether it exists at youth age as well. A representative household survey with structured questionnaires and assistance from extension agents who served as enumerators make use of multistage sampling techniques to collect datasets from 1019 young producer-marketers involved in the two value chains from three regions of Cameroon including Far North, North, and West Regions. Findings show that the mean profit efficiency for young males is 0.53, and 0.61 while for young females are 0.59, and 0.69 respectively. The result found a significant difference (.001;.002) in the profit efficiency among young males and females rice and maize producer-marketers due to socioeconomic and financial factors such as household size, cost of transport, tax paid, amount of credit received, membership to the association, cost of labour, cost of seed, cost of herbicides and cost of fertilizer. Findings indicate that there is a need to set up agrochemical and improved seed varieties subsidy schemes with special attention given to young female rice and maize producer-marketers given that cost of agrochemical and improved seed varieties significantly affect their profitability. Young females engaged in the rice and maize value chains could benefit from setting up labour-sharing arrangements for mutual help. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This paper explores the idea that a competitive seed system may systematically underserve farmers in small, agro-ecological niches, leaving potential yield gains on the table and farmers in these areas less productive and poorer than they need be. We develop a simple theoretical model that illustrates how a confluence of demand and supply factors can result in such an underserviced equilibrium. To study the empirical veracity of this model, we study the disruption of the maize seed market in Western Kenya that took place when a combination of public sector foundation breeding and social impact investment capital allowed a local seed company to expand and target a niche agro-ecological zone with adaptively-bred maize varieties. A three-year randomized controlled trial reveals that the impacts of these seed varieties on farmer yields and revenues in the niche market were substantial, both for better-resourced farmers (who used nonadapted hybrids and fertilizer prior to the intervention) as well less well-resourced farmers (who did not). Taken together, this theoretical and empirical evidence suggests news ways for thinking about seeds systems in areas typified by the high levels of agro-ecological heterogeneity found in important parts of sub-Saharan Africa.

Purpose – This paper aims to analyze the risks faced by the Cambodian rice supply chain (RSC), including risk identification, risk investigation and risk management. Design/methodology/approach – The first qualitative area of exploration from this exploratory sequential design is to identify the potential risks, in which the authors conduct in-depth interviews with ten different experts in Cambodia. Using the structural equation model (SEM) in AMOS and descriptive statistics analysis, this study investigates the risks that affect the RSC performance on an environmental, social and economic basis and subsequently proposes risk management strategies. The authors collect quantitative data from 200 Cambodian farmers through interviews and surveys. Findings – The results illustrate that the farm households face 18 risk factors. The researchers consolidate 18 risk factors into four classifications: supply risks, production risks, demand risks and environmental risks. Nine experts out of the ten who were interviewed (90%) consider themselves “highly vulnerable” (with a rating of 4 or 5 on the Likert scale), while only one expert has a “neutral” stance (with a rating of 3 on the Likert scale); these results concerning risk identification are visualized in the likelihood effect matrix of the RSC. After investigating the risks, the authors found that RSC performance is significantly affected by the RSC risks. In particular, four groups are created, representing two different approaches to mitigate, avoid, transfer and cope with agricultural risks, i.e. ex ante and ex post risk management strategies. Originality/value – This study fully answers research questions regarding risk identification, risk investigation and risk management.

The study explores to identify various climate change adaptation strategies adopted by farm households in the Gedeo zone, Ethiopia. It is based on cross-sectional data from 400 randomly selected sample farm households. By using cross-sectional data from a primary survey of 400 randomly selected sample farm households and applying a multivariate probit regression model, it identifies the factors determining farm households' adoption of climate change adaptation options. The study finds five major climate change adaptation options adopted by farm households, viz. agro-forestry, soil and water conservation, small-scale irrigation, crop diversification, and adjusting planting dates. Findings indicate that various demographics, socio-economic, institutional, biophysical and climate change risk factors determine adoption of climate change adaptation strategies. The study suggests the significance of formulating different information opportunities such as local climate forums, access to media centers, and training centers for farmers, which can help to increase adaptation of farm households to climate change. Therefore, policies and development plans that persuade the adoption of adaptation strategies to climate change must consider these factors to reduce the climate repercussions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the influence of the risk perception of farmer−herder (FH) conflicts on rural households' production decisions. Extending the farm household model to include the risk perception of farmer−herder conflicts, we test hypotheses derived using primary data from 401 rural households in Nigeria. Results indicate that higher risk perception of FH conflict reduces fertiliser use and increases the time allocated for farm work. Dividing households based on their risk aversion, we find that risk-averse households rent-in significantly less cropland compared to risk-taking households. Findings highlight the need for policies that sustainably tackle FH conflicts for improved agricultural production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe recent trend of development policy makes emphasis on gender disparity in performance, especially in the agricultural sector whereby women partake and play a crucial role and their contribution to the sector cannot be overemphasized. However, the contention is whether such disparity in performance exists typically at old age or whether it exists at youth age as well. A representative household survey with structured questionnaires and assistance from extension agents who served as enumerators make use of multistage sampling techniques to collect datasets from 1019 young producer-marketers involved in the two value chains from three regions of Cameroon including Far North, North, and West Regions. Findings show that the mean profit efficiency for young males is 0.53, and 0.61 while for young females are 0.59, and 0.69 respectively. The result found a significant difference (.001; .002) in the profit efficiency among young males and females rice and maize producer-marketers due to socioeconomic and financial factors such as household size, cost of transport, tax paid, amount of credit received, membership to the association, cost of labour, cost of seed, cost of herbicides and cost of fertilizer. Findings indicate that there is a need to set up agrochemical and improved seed varieties subsidy schemes with special attention given to young female rice and maize producer-marketers given that cost of agrochemical and improved seed varieties significantly affect their profitability. Young females engaged in the rice and maize value chains could benefit from setting up labour-sharing arrangements for mutual help.

An assessment of the performance of emergency management agency in mitigating natural hazards among farm households in Southeast Zone, Nigeria was studied. About 240 farm households who were administered questionnaire were chosen from the states’ flood- and erosion-prone regions using multi-stage sampling technique. The results indicate that the EmergencyManagement Based-Performance Index’s average level of national emergency management activities was 57.33. The total average ratings of the National Emergency Management Agency/State Emergency Management Agency performance indicators based on their usefulness as a measure of natural hazard were estimated as 47.8% which showed that the NEMA/SEMA key performance indicators’ degree of effectiveness in hazard management is deemed to be below average of the index. These key performance indicators (KPI) include; distribution of food, provision of seedlings, provision of agro-chemical, training of farmers on postharvest crop preservation, use of weather, rehabilitation of water resources, expansion of irrigation facilities, distribution of fingerlings, provision of household items. The highest weighted score assigned to the distribution of food was 2.89, indicating that it is 57.8% successin mitigating natural disasters, while the average weight score allocated to the distribution of seedlings was 2.62, indicating a 52.4% degree of efficacy. However, the study recommends that the funds allotted to NEMA/SEMA should be monitored to ensure it is utilized in achieving its stated aims and objectives.

The study examined the contributions of men and women to farming decisions among rice producing households in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling method was used to select 120 rice producing families. Husband and wife involved in rice production as a unit were interviewed and data were collected using questionnaire. Collected data were analysed with mean, standard deviation, chart and z-test. The result showed that the mean contribution of men in pre-harvest decisions (x̅ =3.54 ± 0.18) was higher than that of women (x̅ =2.43 ± 0.24). On the other hand, the mean contribution of men in decision-making in post-harvest activities (x̅ =2.54 ± 0.48) was relatively low compared to that of women (x̅ =3.47 ± 0.16). There was a significant difference in the level of contributions of men and women to decision-making in pre- and post-harvest activities. Improved commitment to helping farmers gain more access to farm-related information to make informed decisions about their farming business is recommended.

To gain a better understanding of intrahousehold bargaining processes, surveys increasingly collect data from co-heads individually, especially on decision-making, asset ownership and labour contributions. However, answers provided by co-heads to the same set of questions often differ substantially. Recent research suggests that while some of this disagreement is due to random measurement error and cognitive bias, part also reflects non-overlapping information sets. We document differences in answers between male and female co-heads in monogamous smallholder maize-farming households in Uganda. We first confirm that not all disagreement can be explained by measurement error or bias. Using a field experiment, we then test if disagreement is due to information asymmetry between male and female co-heads. We also test an alternative explanation where discord is attributed to co-heads' tendency to respond in line with prevailing gender norms and social customs. While the interventions did seem to reduce discord in survey response about decision-making, we do not find that information asymmetry nor reporting in line with gender norms and customs are the primary drivers of disagreement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]